Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe (Sept. 29) Today's birthdays include the late singing cowboy and actor Gene Autry in 1907; rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis in 1935 (age 67); Jean-Luc Ponty (age 60) and singer/actress Madeline Kahn, both in 1942; Grand Funk Railroad's Mark Farner and guitarist Mike Pinera, of Blues Image and Iron Butterfly, both in 1948 (age 54); Suzzy Roche in 1956 (age 46); and Mari Wilson in 1957 (age 45). Advertisement Today's musical milestones: In 1958, "Chantilly Lace" by J.P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson entered the pop music chart. In 1961, Bob Dylan's first recording session -- playing background harmonica on an album by folk singer Caroline Hester -- led to a record contract for Dylan. In 1963, the Rolling Stones began the group's first tour of Britain with a show in London, opening -- along with Bo Diddley -- for the Everly Brothers. Advertisement In 1967, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips was released. In 1976, Boy George -- then known as George O'Dowd -- was expelled from school. In 1990, Nelson -- Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, the twin sons of Rick Nelson -- followed in the footsteps of their dad and grandfather by topping the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart with "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection." In 1992, during an interview with a British music magazine, Madonna invited Princess Diana to move in with her in the United States. Also in 1992, a London newspaper reported that Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall -- estranged since earlier that year -- had been seen back together again. In 1993, Vince Gill was the big winner at the 27th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville. In 1996, Los Angeles police said Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee had assaulted a photographer who was trying to snap pictures of the rocker and his actress/wife, Pamela Anderson Lee, as they left a Hollywood nightclub. Advertisement In 1997, Robert Sheehan of Blues Traveler was arrested at the Winnipeg, Canada, airport and charged with possession of cocaine. The band was touring with the Rolling Stones at the time, but Sheehan's arrest didn't affect the road trip. Also in 1997, Don Henley of the Eagles was awarded the National Medal of Humanities. He was among 21 artists and scholars honored by the White House. And in 1997, funkster Rick James performed at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. It was his first concert in 10 years. In 1998, Sheryl Crow released her third CD, "The Globe Sessions," on A&M. In 1999, "In the Spotlight," a concert special by the Dave Matthews Band, aired on PBS. It had been taped earlier in month during a show in East Rutherford, N.J. Also in 1999, rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs was a keynote speaker at a "Digital Hollywood" conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. In 2000, Tejano star Emilio (full name: Emilio Navaira) was arrested and charged with drunken driving after being arrested in San Antonio, Texas. Topping the charts on this date: Sleep Walk -- Santo and Johnny (1959), The Letter -- The Box Tops (1967), I'm Sorry -- John Denver (1975), Let's Go Crazy -- Prince and the Revolution (1984). Advertisement Today's musical quiz: Jerry Lee Lewis has two famous cousins. Who are they? Answer: Former televangelist the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart and country singer Mickey Gilley.
