Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Jan. 6)

Today's birthdays include Earl Scruggs, who was born in 1924 (age 79); Wilbert Harrison, who had a No. 1 hit in 1959 with "Kansas City," was born in 1929; Nino Tempo, one-half of the Nino Tempo and April Stevens duo, in 1937 (age 66); the late Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention was born in 1941; the late producer and songwriter Van McCoy in 1944; Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett in 1946 (age 57); Fabulous Thunderbirds lead singer Kim Wilson in 1952 (age 51); AC-DC guitarist Malcolm Young in 1953 (age 50); Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge in 1959 (age 44); and Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Mark O'Toole in 1964 (age 39).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1957, Elvis Presley made his final appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." He performed seven songs -- including "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

In 1964, the Rolling Stones launched the band's first headline tour of Britain, with the Ronettes and 1950s rocker Marty Wilde opening.

In 1975, "The Wiz" opened on Broadway.

In 1977, EMI tore up the Sex Pistols' recording contract three months after signing the punk rockers and releasing their first single, "Anarchy in the U.K." Two months later, A&M Records would sign the group, only to terminate the contract nine days later.

In 1980, Georgeanna Tillman Gordon of the Marvelettes died at age 46.

In 1987, Elton John underwent exploratory throat surgery in Sydney, Australia, for what turned out to be a benign lesion on his vocal cords. The operation followed 18 months of throat problems.

In 1990, figures showed the Rolling Stones grossed more than $100 million -- a new record for any rock act -- during the band's 1989 U.S. tour.

In 1993, bassist Bill Wyman confirmed he was leaving the Rolling Stones after 30 years.

Also in 1993, jazz trumpeter "Dizzy" Gillespie died from pancreatic cancer. He was 75.

In 1994, Sting and composer David Foster topped the list of Grammy nominations, with six each.

In 1996, Adrienne Brown -- the wife of soul singer James Brown -- collapsed and died two days after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was 47.

In 1997, SoundScan reported Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" was the top-selling album in the United States in 1996, with 7.4 million copies sold.

In 1998, newcomer Paula Cole, pop singer Elton John and the Dylans -- Bob and Jakob with his band, the Wallflowers -- were among the nominees for the 40th annual Grammy Awards.

In 2000, a spokesman for Paul McCartney announced the former Beatles had donated more than $2 million to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson. McCartney's late wife, Linda, had received treatment at both places for the breast cancer that took her life in 1998.

Today's musical quiz:

Van McCoy had a big hit in 1975 with "The Hustle." But he might be better known as a producer. Name some of the artists he worked with. Answer: The Drifters, Shirelles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and the Stylistics -- among others.