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Today In Music: A look back at pop music

By PENNY NELSON BARTHOLOMEW, United Press International
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(April 15)

Today's birthdays include Tony Williams of the Platters, who was born in 1928 (age 73); country's Roy Clark in 1933 (age 68); the late Bob Luman was born in 1938; the Hollies' Allan Clarke in 1942 (age 59); Dave Edmunds of Rockpile in 1944 (age 57); Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Clark in 1956 (age 45); and Samantha Fox in 1966 (age 35).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1982, Billy Joel's left wrist and thumb were badly injured in a motorcycle crash near his Long Island, N.Y., home. He was hospitalized for a month.

In 1987, NBC announced it was considering producing a TV mini-series based on the book "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", written by a woman who claimed she had a secret, 24-year-long affair with Elvis Presley. The idea was later dropped.

In 1989, almost 25 years after he last appeared in the Billboard singles chart's Top 10, Roy Orbison returned posthumously with "You Got It."

Also in 1989, Tone Loc's "Loc-ed After Dark" became the first rap album by a black artist to top the Billboard Top-200 album chart.

In 1991, Donnie Wahlberg of the New Kids on the Block said the reason the arson charges against him were dropped was because there was no fire. Wahlberg had been arrested March 27 for starting a fire in a Louisville, Ky., hotel hallway. The judge later ordered him to record public service announcements in return for dismissing the charges.

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Also in 1991, Sonny Bono announced he was selling his restaurant in Palm Springs, Calif.

In 1996, Rob Pilatus -- formerly with the lip-synching duo Milli Vanilli -- was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 180 days of drug rehabilitation in Los Angeles after he pleaded no contest to charges stemming from three separate attacks on people.

Also in 1996, Jerry Garcia's ashes were scattered on the water beneath San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

In 1997, Richmond, Va., officials cancelled a scheduled concert by the shock-rock band Marilyn Manson after getting complaints. The American Civil Liberties Union said it would challenge the show's cancellation on constitutional grounds.

Also in 1997, on the cable television show "Praise the Lord," Pat Boone apologized for offending anyone by appearing on January's American Music Awards wearing a heavy-metal get-up. He said the new look was supposed to be funny and promote his new album -- a cover of classic heavy-metal songs.

In 1998, the Spice Girls -- via satellite from London -- announced plans for their first North American tour. By the time the tour began June 15 in Miami, Ginger Spice had left the group.

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In 2000, Will Smith, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, the Backstreet Boys and Smashmouth were among the winners at Nickelodeon's 13th Annual Kids' Choice Awards.


Today's musical quiz:

Where did Jennifer Lopez make her TV debut? Answer: Lopez debuted on television in 1990 as a "Fly Girl" on the Fox TV series "In Living Color."

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