Today in Music a look back at pop musicy

(Aug. 12)

Today's musical birthdays include country's Alvis Edgar "Buck" Owens, who was born in 1929 (age 73); country singer Porter Wagoner in 1930 (age 72); Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler in 1949 (age 53); and Roy Hay of Culture Club in 1961 (age 41).

Today in music history:

In 1960, drummer Pete Best joined the Silver Beetles -- the future Beatles.

In 1966, the Beatles launched, in Chicago, what would turn out to the group's last U.S. tour.

In 1967, Fleetwood Mac appeared for first the time on stage -- at the British National Blues and Jazz Festival in Windsor, England.

In 1970, Bob Dylan Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie -- among others -- performed at the Woody Guthrie Memorial Show at the Hollywood Bowl.

In 1975, The Who's former manager, Pete Meaden, killed himself.

In 1984, Lionel Richie closed the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games by singing "All Night Long," as 200 dancers boogied to the music.

Also in 1984, jazz guitarist Lenny Breaux drowned at age 43.

In 1985, Madonna and actor Sean Penn got a marriage license.

In 1991, a Chicago judge rejected a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit against lip-synching duo Milli Vanilli.

In 1992, the Grateful Dead canceled five shows in Oregon and California so Jerry Garcia could recover from exhaustion.

In 1993, singer Yvette Marine lost her lawsuit against Virgin Records. A Los Angeles jury decided she was not entitled to credit on Paula Abdul's 1988 debut album "Forever Your Girl."

In 1995, R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe underwent surgery to fix a hernia.

In 1997, police in Suffolk County, N.Y., arrested Bruce Stelzer, 45, who was charged with impersonating John Ford Coley, one-half of 1970s rock duo England Dan and John Ford Coley.

In 1998, a Los Angeles judge ordered Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland to spend three months in a drug rehabilitation program after he pleaded guilty to heroin possession.

Also in 1998, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee was sentenced to 30 days in jail for assaulting a security guard during the band's December 1997 concert in Phoenix. The prison time was to be served concurrently with the six-month sentence Lee was serving in the Los Angeles County Jail for beating his estranged wife, actress Pamela Anderson.

And in 1998, Foghat was forced to cancel tour dates through the end of October after doctors found a tumor on the kidney of lead singer Dave Peverett. The band had canceled some dates in the spring due to Peverett's recurring kidney infection and again during the first half of August so Peverett could be with his wife as she recovered from cancer surgery.

In 1999, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band wrapped up a record 15-show gig at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

Also in 1999, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss of KISS received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Topping the charts on this date:

A Big Hunk O' Love - Elvis Presley (1959), Light My Fire - The Doors (1967), Jive Talkin' - The Bee Gees (1975), Every Breath You Take - The Police (1983).

Today's musical quiz:

"Buck" Owens once co-hosted what TV show? Answer: "Hee-Haw," from 1969 to 1986.