On May 31, 1958, Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" hit the top of the pop charts and stayed there for six weeks.
In 1961, Chuck Berry opened Berry Park, an outdoor amusement park in Wentzville, Missouri.
In 1976, the Guinness Book of World Records certified The Who as the loudest rock band, when their concert in England measured 120 decibels. That record has since been broken.
In 1977, Emerson, Lake and Palmer began a tour of the U.S. accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra.
In 1978, The Trammps' "Disco Inferno" album went gold.
In 1989, the first International Rock Awards Ceremony was held in New York City. The Traveling Wilburys' "Volume One" was named album of the year, Guns N' Roses won artist of the year, and newcomer of the year went to Living Colour.
In 1990, "Seinfeld" made its debut as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" on NBC.
In 1995, musician Ted Nugent placed his handprint and signature in cement in the Hollywood Rock Walk.
In 1996, singer Elsbeary Hobbs, who sang bass with The Drifters, died of throat and lung cancer in New York. He was 59.
In 1998, singer Geri Halliwell, better known as Ginger Spice, quit the Spice Girls.
In 2000, singer Johnnie Taylor died of an apparent heart attack at a hospital in Dallas. He was 62. He's probably best known for songs like "Who's Making Love" and "Disco Lady." That same day, Latin bandleader Tito Puente (PWEN'-tay) died in New York from complications from open heart surgery. He was 77.
In 2006, Katie Couric appeared for the last time on NBC's "Today" show after 15 years on the program. She left to anchor the "CBS Evening News."
Today's Birthdays: Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 93. Singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary is 85. Keyboardist Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornadoes and the Sir Douglas Quintet is 83. Actor Sharon Gless ("Cagney and Lacey") is 80. Actor Tom Berenger is 73. Actor Gregory Harrison is 73. Actor Kyle Secor ("Homicide: Life on the Street") is 66. Actor Roma Maffia (mah-FEE'-uh) ("Nip/Tuck," "Profiler") is 65. Comedian Chris Elliott is 63. Actor Lea Thompson ("Caroline in the City," "Back to the Future") is 62. Singer Corey Hart is 61. Rapper DMC of Run-DMC is 59. Actor Brooke Shields is 58. Country bassist Ed Adkins of The Derailers is 56. "The Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan (KOH'-gan) is 56. Jazz bassist Christian McBride is 51. Actor Archie Panjabi ("The Good Wife") is 51. Actor Merle Dandridge ("Greenleaf") is 48. Actor Colin Farrell is 47. Trumpet player Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish is 46. Actor Eric Christian Olsen ("NCIS: Los Angeles") is 46. Drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy is 43. Rapper Waka Flocka Flame is 37. Actor Curtis Williams Jr. ("Parent'Hood") is 36. Singer Normani Hamilton of Fifth Harmony is 27.