Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(Dec. 22)

Today's birthdays include the late country singer "Hawkshaw" Hawkins, who was born in 1921; Animals drummer Barry Jenkins in 1944 (age 57); Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen in 1946 (age 55); twins Robin and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees in 1949 (age 52); and Deacon Blue singer Ricky Ross in 1957 (age 44).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1962, the Tornadoes' "Telstar" became the first song by a British group to top the U.S. singles charts.

In 1975, Ike and Tina Turner were robbed of a suitcase containing $86,000 in concert receipts.

In 1976, after years of languishing as a regional star, Bob Seger moved into the national spotlight as the "Live Bullet" album went "gold."

Also in 1976, singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes filed for bankruptcy.

In 1978, Kenny Jones joined The Who, replacing the late Keith Moon on drums.

In 1979, Paul McCartney, The Who, Elvis Costello, the Clash and Rockpile were among the artists taking part in a three-concert benefit series at London's Hammersmith Odeon for the People of Kampuchea.

In 1980, Stiff Records released an album titled "The Wit and Wisdom of Ronald Reagan." The record contained no sound whatsoever.

In 1992, rapper "Marky Mark" Wahlberg was charged in the August 1992 beating of a Dorchester, Mass., man.

In 1993, Michael Jackson broke his silence about the child molestation allegations facing him -- declaring he was innocent of the charges and guilty only of wanting to help kids.

Also in 1993, it was announced the son of one of the "Manson family" murder victims would get the royalties from a song Charles Manson wrote that appeared on a Guns N' Roses album.

And in 1993, Wilson Picket was sentenced to probation for driving drunk two years earlier across the lawn of his neighbor, Englewood, N.J., Mayor Donald Aronson.

In 1994, one day after Snoop Dogg was busted on pot charges in Lake Charles, La., five members of his entourage were arrested in fight at a riverboat casino hotel.

In 1995, Pollstar reported the Eagles was the biggest pop concert moneymaker of the year, earning $63.3 million. Boyz II Men came in second, followed by R.E.M. and the Grateful Dead.

In 1998, the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown held his annual toy give-away for poor kids at the Imperial Theatre in Atlanta.

Today's musical quiz:

"Saturday Night Fever," the soundtrack album for the movie by the same name, reportedly took the Bee Gees how long to record? Answer: Two weeks. The 1978 album is one of the biggest-selling soundtracks of all time.