Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Oct. 28)

Today's birthdays include country's Charlie Daniels, who was born in 1936 (age 66); Hank Marvin, lead guitarist with The Shadows, in 1941 (age 61); Wayne Fontana in 1945 (age 58); singer-turned-actress Telma Hopkins of Dawn, and Black Oak Arkansas' Ricky Lee Reynolds, both in 1948 (age 54); and Stephen Morris of the British techno-dance band New Order in 1957 (age 45).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Elvis Presley performed "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog" and "Love Me" on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1958, Buddy Holly made his last major TV appearance, on "American Bandstand."

In 1968, Cynthia Lennon sued her Beatle husband John for divorce on the grounds of adultery. John Lennon, who was living with a pregnant Yoko Ono at the time, didn't fight the action.

In 1972, the U.S. Council for World Affairs adopted "Join Together" by The Who as its anthem.

In 1977, the Sex Pistols album "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" was released.

In 1983, CBS Records sued the rock group Boston for breach of contract, saying the band had failed to deliver all of the albums called for in its recording contract. At the time, Boston had recorded only two albums since 1976.

In 1989, Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1814" topped the charts.

In 1992, thousands of Bruce Springsteen fans were disappointed when a sore throat forced The Boss to cancel his St. Louis concert.

In 1993, 21 MTV camera crews fanned out to 15 cities to videotape "A Day in the Life of Rock 'n' Roll."

In 1994, Berry Gordy told ABC's "20/20" he loved Diana Ross but didn't know he had fathered her daughter until many years later.

Also in 1994, Liv Tyler, the 17-year-old daughter of Aerosmith's Steve Tyler, made her film debut in "Silent Fall" with Richard Dreyfuss.

In 1997, Business Age magazine reported David Bowie was the richest British rocker, worth $917 million. That placed him ahead of Paul McCartney -- net worth $868 million -- for the first time. Tom Jones, Phil Collins and Elton John rounded out the top five. Annie Lennox was listed as the richest woman in British rock, worth $43 million, which was only good for 34th place overall among U.K. rockers.

Also in 1997, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen were among the 35 artists who signed on to record a charity album in memory of Princess Diana (released Dec. 2, 1997, in the United States). Others on "Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute" included Queen, Annie Lennox, R.E.M., Seal, Michael Jackson, U2, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and Celine Dion. (Elton John's "Candle In the Wind 1997" was not on the album.)

And in 1997, the mother of Tupac Shakur signed a deal with Interscope Records and Jive Records to release a double-CD set of previously unreleased material by the late rapper. The recordings were made between 1991 and '94. Shakur was killed in a September 1996 drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that remains unsolved.

And in 1997, authorities in Monterey County, Calif., said John Denver had no alcohol or drugs in him when he was killed in a plane crash Oct. 12.

In 1998, a memorial service was held in Los Angeles for Marvin Gay Sr., the father and killer (in April 1984, during an argument) of soul singer Marvin Gaye. The senior Gay had died 11 days earlier at age 84.

Topping the charts on this date:

Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams (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:

Telma Hopkins co-starred in what two sitcoms? Answer: "Gimme A Break" and "Family Matters."