Today in Music: a look back at pop music

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(Oct. 20)

Today's birthdays include country music pioneer Grandpa (Louis Marshall) Jones in 1913, country's Wanda Jackson, who was born in 1937 (age 65); Jay Siegel of The Tokens in 1939 (age 63), drummer Ric Lee of 10 Years After in 1945 (age 57); Larry Gonsky of Looking Glass in 1949 (age 53); Foreigner keyboardist Al Greenwood in 1951 (age 51); Tom Petty in 1953 (age 49); Level 42 bassist Mark King in 1958 (age 44); and rapper Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, in 1972 (age 30).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" was released.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones performed in Paris for the first time, triggering a near riot that resulted in the arrests of 150 people.

In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released "The Wedding Album," supposedly a souvenir of their marriage seven months earlier. It was Lennon's third non-Beatle album in 12 months.

In 1973, the Rolling Stones' "Angie" topped Billboard's Hot-100 singles chart.

Also in 1973, Steve Miller's "The Joker" was released.

In 1974, Animals vocalist Eric Burton and his wife, Rose, became the proud parents of a daughter they named Mirage.

In 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister and backing singer Cassie Gaines, and roadie Dean Kilpatrick were killed when their charter plane crashed near Gillsburg, Miss.

In 1990, the run of top-10 singles by Taylor Dayne ended when her "Heart of Stone" peaked at No.12.

In 1991, country's Clint Black married actress Lisa Hartman at his farm in Katy, Texas, near Houston.

In 1992, the Seattle City Council approved the opening of talks for a museum honoring native son Jimi Hendrix.

Also in 1992, Kenny Rogers was sued by an aspiring actress who said he promised to help her career in exchange for sexual favors.

In 1993, the late John Lennon, the Animals, the Band, Duane Eddy, the Grateful Dead, Elton John, the late Bob Marley and Rod Stewart were named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1995, the defense began arguing its case at the Houston trial of the woman accused of killing Tejano star Selena.

In 1998, Geri Halliwell --- a.k.a. Ginger Spice before she quit the Spice Girls the previous May -- was named an ambassador of the U.N. Population Fund.

In 2000, Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt and Macy Gray were among the winners at the 2000 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards, handed out at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Topping the charts on this date: The Yellow Rose of Texas -- Mitch Miller (1955), Sugar Shack -- Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs (1963), Maggie May/Reason to Believe -- Rod Stewart (1971), Rise -- Herb Alpert (1979).

Today's musical quiz:

Tom Petty's hit single "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" was a duet. With whom? Answer: Stevie Nicks.