Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Oct. 5)

Today's birthdays include country's Johnny Duncan and the Belmonts' Carlo Mastrangelo, who were both born in 1938 (age 64); Richard Street of the Temptations in 1942 (age 60); Steve Miller in 1943 (age 59); Brian Johnson, who replaced Bon Scott in the AC/DC lineup, in 1947 (age 55); Sweet's Brian Connoly in 1948 (age 54); B.W. Stevenson in 1949; Motorhead's Eddie Clarke in 1950 (age 52); Irish rocker Bob Geldof, of the Boomtown Rats and also organizer of the Live Aid famine relief, in 1954 (age 48); and Leo Barnes of the Hothouse Flowers in 1955 (age 47).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1925, WSM-AM Radio in Nashville signed on the air.

In 1962, the Beatles' "Love Me Do" was released in England. The first radio station to play it -- that night -- was Radio Luxembourg.

In 1968, Cream's "White Room" was released the same day the rock band launched its farewell U.S. tour in Oakland, Calif.

In 1970, Papa John Creach joined Jefferson Airplane.

In 1974, after one year and 83 days on Billboard's Top-200 album chart, Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" reached the No. 1 position.

In 1986, Hal Wallis -- who produced Elvis Presley's "Blue Hawaii" and other movies -- died at age 88.

In 1992, to protest Sinead O'Connor's tearing up of the pope's picture on "Saturday Night Live," a New York-based coalition of ethnic and national groups announced it would donate $10 to charity for each record, cassette tape or CD by the Irish pop singer that people mailed in.

Also in 1992, former Temptations lead singer Eddie Kendrick died of lung cancer. He was 52.

In 1993, Madonna performed her first-ever concert in Israel and didn't tone it down -- despite being in the Holy Land.

In 1994, Vince Gill broke his own record by winning two more Country Music Association awards at the 26th annual CMA Awards -- bringing his total to 13.

In 1995, the late Selena was honored with the first-ever star at the Hard Rock Cafe in San Antonio, Texas.

Also in 1995, ex-Warner Bros. Records executive Mo Ostin was appointed to run the music division of DreamWorks SKG.

In 1999, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) named Elton John its MusicCares Person of the Year for 2000.

Topping the charts on this date:

Sherry - The 4 Seasons (1962), Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross (1970), Kiss You All Over - Exile (1978), Stuck with You - Huey Lewis and The News (1986).

Today's musical quiz:

What led to Steve Miller's first recording contract? Answer: Miller, 24, was signed after his appearance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival in California.