Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Jan. 28)

Today's birthdays include Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright, who was born in 1943 (age 60); The Pretty Things lead guitarist Dick Taylor, also in 1943 (age 60); Chambers Brothers drummer Brian Keenan in 1944 (age 59); Rick Allen of the Box Tops in 1946; German singer/songwriter Peter Schilling in 1956 (age 47); guitarist Dave Sharp of The Alarm in 1959 (age 44); Sarah McLachlan in 1968 (age 35); Joey Fatone Jr. in 1977 (age 26); and Nick Carter in 1980 (age 23).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Elvis Presley made his national television debut with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey on "The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show."

In 1965, The Who made its debut on the British TV show "Ready Steady Go."

In 1970, Jimi Hendrix headlined the Vietnam Moratorium Committee's Winter Festival for Peace at New York's Madison Square Garden. Also on the bill: the Rascals, Judy Collins, Dave Brubeck, Harry Belafonte, and Peter Paul and Mary.

In 1976, British pop star Gary Glitter announced his retirement. It was only temporary.

In 1978, Ted Nugent filled an unusual autograph request by writing his name on a fan's arm with a bowie knife.

In 1983, Billy Fury died at age 41.

In 1985, 46 artists recorded the anti-famine song "We Are the World" following the American Music Awards.

In 1988, the Sex Pistols' debut album "Never Mind The Bullocks -- Here's The Sex Pistols" was certified "gold," 11 years after its release.

In 1991, Hammer won five American Music Awards, Janet Jackson took home three, and Aerosmith, Phil Collins, Reba McEntire, Bell Biv DeVoe and Vanilla Ice won two each. The awards ceremony featured the comeback performance by Gloria Estefan following her injuries in a traffic accident the previous March.

Also in 1991, court papers obtained by Rolling Stone magazine revealed that the marriage of Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose and Erin Everly had been annulled.

In 1993, Sire/Warner Bros. Records dropped Ice-T, citing "creative differences." The previous year, critics had targeted the rapper and Time-Warner for releasing the rap tune "Cop Killer."

In 1997, it was announced that Jimi Hendrix's albums would be re-released under an agreement between MCA Records and Experience Hendrix, the Hendrix family-run company which had recently assumed control of the late guitarist's recorded material.

Also in 1997, Arista Records President Clive Davis became the first sitting record label president to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1998, members of Congress gathered in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill to pay tribute to the late Rep. Sonny Bono, R-Calif. The entertainer-turned-politician had died in a skiing accident earlier in the month.

Also in 1998, Megadeth's Dave Mustaine became a father for the second time when his wife, Pam, gave birth to a daughter in Phoenix. The couple also had a six-year-old son.

In 1999, thousands of people packed New Jersey's Continental Airlines Arena for a concert by the Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, Bad Religion and Chumbawamba -- despite pleas from police and politicians to boycott the show. The concert was a benefit for convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was hoping for a retrial.

Today's musical quiz:

What did Elvis Presley sing on his national TV debut? Answer: "Heartbreak Hotel."