Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Dec. 2)

Today's birthdays include bassist Tom McGuinness of Manfred Mann, and also of McGuinness-Flint, who was born in 1941 (age 61); The Association's Ted Bluechel Jr. in 1942 (age 60); Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers in 1952 (age 50); Def Leppard bass guitarist Rick Savage in 1960 (age 42); and Britney Spears in 1981 (age 21).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1959, British pop star Marty Wilde married Joyce Baker of the Vernon Girls. Their first daughter was Kim Wilde, who had a chart-topping single in 1987 with "You Keep Me Hangin' On."

In 1967, the Monkees made it four when "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Limited" became the group's fourth No. 1 album in the same year.

Also in 1967, American Breed's "Bend Me, Shape Me" was released.

In 1972, Dr. Hook's "Cover of the Rolling Stone" was released.

In 1974, Ravi Shankar was hospitalized in Chicago while touring with George Harrison.

In 1979, country's Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge were divorced after six years of marriage.

In 1983, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video premiered on MTV.

In 1984, Madonna's "Like a Virgin" topped the Billboard Hot-100 pop singles chart for a six-week stay.

In 1986, while performing "Missionary Man" in concert, Annie Lennox ripped off her bra in front of 10,000 fans in Birmingham, England.

In 1990, composer Aaron Copland died at age 90.

In 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that B.J. Thomas, Gene Pitney and the Shirelles were owed $1.2 million in unpaid royalties for songs they recorded in the 1960s and '70s.

In 1992, 22 people were hurt and 157 arrested at a Guns N' Roses concert in Santiago, Chile. The show started two hours late, reportedly because the rockers were drunk.

Also in 1992, fighting broke out between fans, reporters and bouncers outside a sold-out Keith Richards show at a London nightclub.

And in 1992, the Grateful Dead launched a brief, nine-day tour in Denver. The group had been sidelined by Jerry Garcia's health problems.

In 1996, a spokeswoman for Pamela Anderson Lee announced that the "Baywatch" actress had reconciled with her husband, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. Pamela Lee had filed for divorce a month earlier.

Also in 1996, rapper Keith Murray was convicted of assault. Police said he hit the teenage brother of a music promoter over the head with a barstool during an argument over payment for a show at a nightclub in New Britain, Conn.

In 1997, the "Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute" double album was released. The collection included tracks from Sinead O'Connor, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Queen, George Michael, U2, Paul McCartney, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.

Also in 1997, a Rolling Stones fan was killed when he fell off a handrail during the band's concert at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan.

In 1999, Nine Inch Nails' "The Fragile" was named Spin magazine's 1999 Album of the Year. The publication dubbed Rage Against The Machine the Band of the Year, while TLC's "No Scrubs" was named Single of the Year.

Topping the charts on this date:

Are You Lonesome To-night? - Elvis Presley (1960), Love Child - Diana Ross and The Supremes (1968), Tonight's the Night (Gonna be Alright) - Rod Stewart (1976), Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham! (1984).

Today's musical quiz:

Where is Britney Spears from? Answer: She was born in Kentwood, La.