Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(Oct. 3)

Today's birthdays include James Darren, who was born in 1936 (age 65); the late Eddie Cochran in 1938; Alan O'Day in 1940 (age 61); Chubby Checker, real name Ernest Evans, in 1941 (age 60); Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac in 1947 (age 54); the late blues-rock guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1954; Jack Wagner in 1959 (age 42); Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in 1962 (age 39); and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt in 1969 (age 32).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1945, a 10-year-old Elvis Presley sang in public for the first time, in a talent show at the Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show. He sang "Old Shep" and came in second in the contest, winning a $5 prize.

In 1955, "The Mickey Mouse Club" made its broadcast premiere.

In 1964, The Supremes' "Baby Love" was released.

In 1967, Woody Guthrie died from Huntington's disease. He was 55.

In 1969, bluesman Skip James died. He was best known for his song "I'm So Glad," which was covered by Cream.

In 1980, Bruce Springsteen opened his U.S. tour in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was joined on-stage by local hero Bob Seger for "Thunder Road."

In 1992, Sinead O'Connor sparked a controversy when she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." The incident prompted angry calls to the network. An SNL spokesman said the Irish pop singer would not likely be invited back on the show in the near future.

Also in 1992, "bad boy" comic Andrew "Dice" Clay introduced Guns N' Roses at the band's Pasadena, Calif., concert.

In 1993, Madonna arrived in Israel for her first-ever concert in the Holy Land.

In 1994, Rolling Stone frontman Mick Jagger took questions from fans during an hour-long "chat" session on American Online.

In 1995, Mariah Carey's album "Daydreams" was released.

Also in 1995, Bobby Brown agreed to undergo a blood test to see if he was the father of a 3-year-old girl, as a Boston woman claimed.

In 1996, in an open letter, Van Halen -- brothers Edward and Alex, and Michael Anthony -- denied that former lead singer David Lee Roth was an "unwilling participant" in an appearance the previous month on the MTV Video Music Awards. Roth apparently felt his former bandmates had falsely implied he might be hired back when he worked on two songs for the group's new album "The Best of Vol. 1."

In 1997, funkster Rick James kicked off a concert tour in Indianapolis, his first in 10 years.

Also in 1997, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was honored by BET with the 1997 Walk of Fame Award.

In 1998, 20,000 people joined Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young -- plus Hootie and The Blowfish, Martina McBride, Phish and more -- at Farm Aid '98 at the New World Music Theater in Tinley Park, Ill.

In 2000, Radiohead released its "Kid A" album.

Also in 2000, the Doobie Brothers released "Sibling Rivalry," the band's first studio album in a decade.

And in 2000, Barenaked Ladies performed on "Trackers," the Oxygen cable network's magazine show for teenage girls.

And in 2000, Tonic headlined a Los Angeles benefit concert for MusiCares, the not-for-profit organization established by the Record Academy and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Today's musical quiz:

Two weeks after tearing up a picture of the pope on "Saturday Night Live," Sinead O'Connor appeared at a Bob Dylan tribute at New York's Madison Square Garden. What happened? Answer: The Irish pop singer was booed off the stage.