Today in Music: A look back at pop music

(May 7)

Today's birthdays include 1950s singer and disc jockey Jim Lowe, who was born in 1927 (age 75); bass player Mitch Jayne of the electric bluegrass band the Dillards in 1930 (age 72); Teresa Brewer in 1931 (age 71); Jimmy Ruffin in 1939 (age 63); Johnny Maestro, the lead singer of the Crests who later formed the pop group Brooklyn Bridge, also in 1939 (age 62); Rick West, guitarist with Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, in 1943 (age 58); Rare Earth's Ray Monette and Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann Jr., both in 1946 (age 57); Tubes drummer Prairie Prince in 1950 (age 52); and Janis Ian in 1951 (age 51).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1968, the British rock group the Move detonated explosives onstage as part of its show in Rome. No one was hurt but riot police were not amused.

In 1969, Roger Miller entered the country singles charts with his version of "Me and Bobby McGee," which was written by Kris Kristofferson.

In 1972, the Rolling Stones released "Exile on Main Street," the band's first double album of all original material.

In 1978, 90,000 tickets were sold in eight hours for Bob Dylan's upcoming London concerts.

In 1983, Paul Weller unveiled his post-Jam group -- Style Council -- at an anti-nuclear rally in South London.

Also in 1983, Billy Currie announced he was leaving Visage but would remain in Ultravox.

In 1986, John Mellencamp joined farmers in protest on the steps of the Farmers Home Administration office in Chillicothe, Mo.

In 1992, a federal appeals court in Atlanta declared 2 Live Crew's "As Nasty As They Wanna' Be" album was not obscene, overturning a federal court decision out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In 1997, a federal judge ordered the Meadowlands to let Marilyn Manson perform at the upcoming "OzzFest '97" heavy-metal festival in June. The agency that ran the New Jersey sports complex felt the band was too extreme and canceled the concert when the promoter refused to remove Manson from the lineup.

In 1998, country-pop singer/songwriter Eddie Rabbit died in Nashville of lung cancer. He was 53.

Today's musical quiz:

The musical "Evita" is based on her life. Who? Answer: Argentine first lady Evan Peron, called "Evita" by her fans. Peron was born on this date in 1919.