Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Sept. 17)

Today's birthdays include legendary country singer Hank Williams Sr., who was born in 1923; Bill Black, Elvis Presley's original bassist and later the leader of the Bill Black Combo, in 1926; Little Milton, a.k.a. Milton Campbell, in 1934 (age 68); Lemonte McLemore of the Fifth Dimension in 1940 (age 62); 10cc's Lol Creme in 1947 (age 55); and Fee Waybill, whose real name is John Waldo, of the Tubes in 1950 (age 52).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1967, the Doors performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Sullivan had asked lead singer Jim Morrison to change or omit the line "Girl, we couldn't get much higher" in the song "Light My Fire." Morrison agreed -- and then sang it anyway.

In 1977, the Supremes topped the British album chart with "20 Golden Greats," a compilation of the trio's hits.

In 1986, Ella Fitzgerald was released from a Los Angeles hospital following heart bypass surgery.

In 1991, former MC5 lead singer Roy Tyner died of a heart attack. He was 46.

In 1992, Paul Simon brought a mobile children's health clinic from New York to Homestead, Fla., to help the victims of Hurricane Andrew.

In 1993, at least 14 workers were injured when the stage collapsed during preparations for the upcoming Garth Brooks concert at the Texas Stadium in the Dallas suburb of Irving.

Also in 1993, pop/funk singer Rick James was convicted of beating a woman at a Hollywood hotel. The jury, however, deadlocked on the other charges stemmed from the imprisonment and torture of another woman at James's home in July 1991.

And in 1993, Michael Jackson arrived in Israel, where he performed two concerts. It was his first time in Israel.

In 1996, London police intercepted and destroyed an acid bomb sent to Icelandic rocker Bjork by an obsessed Hollywood, Fla., fan, who'd committed suicide after mailing the device.

Also in 1996, Michael Jackson performed in Moscow as part of his "HIStory" world concert tour.

In 1997, a reunited Fleetwood Mac launched its first tour in more than a decade in Hartford, Conn.

Also in 1997, "Candle in the Wind 1997" -- Elton John's tribute to the late Princess Diana -- went on sale in Canada.

In 1998, a disruptive fan of Hootie and the Blowfish bugged members of the band so much during a New York-to-Los Angeles flight that the pilot was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Denver. The rockers said the man appeared drunk, but lead singer Darius Rucker said he wouldn't press charges.

Also in 1998, Russell Jones, a.k.a. Wu-Tang Clan rapper ODB, was arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill the bouncers that tossed him out of the Hollywood House of Blues. Police said the rapper was drunkenly annoying other patrons.

In 2000, Farm Aid co-founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp were joined by Barenaked Ladies, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Sawyer Brown and Arlo Guthrie -- among others -- for the organization's 15th benefit concert, held in Prince William County, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C. Nelson's backing band included guest drummer Tipper Gore, who'd played for an all-girl rock band while in high school.

Today's musical quiz:

"Candle in the Wind 1997" isn't Elton John's only tribute song. In 1975, he wrote "Philadelphia Freedom" for whom? Answer: Tennis player Billie Jean King.