Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe (Oct. 10) Today's birthdays include bassist Alan Cartwright of Procol Harum, and Blood Sweat and Tears' Jerry LaCroix, who were both born in 1945 (age 57); John Prine and Ben Vereen, both in 1946 (age 56); Midge Ure in 1953 (age 49); David Lee Roth in 1955 (age 47); country singer Tanya Tucker in 1958 (age 44); Glass Tiger guitarist Al Connelly in 1960 (age 42); Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet in 1961 (age 41); and Michael Bivins of First Edition and Bell Biv Devoe in 1968 (age 34). Advertisement Today's musical milestones: In 1935, George Gershwin's jazz opera "Porgy and Bess" opened. In 1962, Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers topped the charts with "Monster Mash." (The BBC banned airplay of "Monster Mash," saying it was offensive.) Advertisement In 1964, the Shangri-Las released "Leader of the Pack." In 1965, the Supremes appeared for the first time on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1970, "Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles was released. In 1978, Steve Tyler and Joe Perry were injured by a cherry bomb thrown onstage during an Aerosmith concert in Philadelphia. Also in 1978, Steve Perry joined Journey. In 1979, Fleetwood Mac was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Also in 1979, "The Rose" premiered in Los Angeles. The movie starred Bette Midler as a Janis Joplin-like character. In 1983, Wham! kicked off its Club Fantastic tour in Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1986, Freddie and the Dreamers, Chad and Jeremy, the Mindbenders, and Gerry and the Pacemakers launched a 35-city "British Invasion Returns" tour in Los Angeles. Also in 1986, Yoko Ono helped the Chicago Peace Museum celebrate its fifth anniversary. In 1992, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash married model Renee Suran in Marina Del Ray, Calif. Advertisement In 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a music copyright case involving John Lee Hooker's 1948 tune "Boogie Chillen" and the 1973 ZZ Top song "LaGrange." In 1996, the Recording Industry Association of America reported that Alanis Morissette was now the all-time top-selling female singer in the United States -- her debut album "Jagged Little Pill" having sold 13 million copies -- beating the previous top-selling female singer, Whitney Houston, whose self-titled debut album sold 12 million. In 1999, Peter Paul & Mary performed at a memorial concert for gay University of Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard, who'd been beaten to death one year earlier. Also in 1999, Al Green performed at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis. It was his first concert at the church where he serves as pastor. The show raised money for the church's building fund. In 2000, "Ain't Life Grand," the debut album from former Guns N' Roses axeman Slash and his band, hit stores. Topping the charts on this date: Tammy- Debbie Reynolds (1957), Yesterday -- The Beatles (1965), Half-Breed - Cher (1973), Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (1981). Advertisement Today's musical quiz: How old was Tanya Tucker when she had her first hit song? Answer: Just 13. Tucker's first hit single was "Delta Dawn."
