Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Feb. 12)

Today's birthdays include Ray Manzarek of the Doors, who was born in 1935 (age 68); Elephant's Memory drummer Rick Frank in 1942 (age 61); Moe Bandy also in 1942 (age 61); Three Dog Night bassist Joe Schermie in 1945 (age 58); guitarist Stanley Knight of Black Oak Arkansas in 1949 (age 54); former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett in 1950 (age 53); Gil Moore of the Canadian rock band Triumph and Vincent James, vocalist with the British soul group Sweet Sensation, both in 1951 (age 52); and Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips in 1968 (age 35).

Today's musical milestones:

On this day in 1924, American composer George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue was performed for the first time. The 26-year-old Brooklyn-born Gershwin played the piano part in the concert in New York City.

In 1964, the Beatles wrapped up the band's first U.S. tour with a show at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In 1965, London's Pye Records announced it had signed "the British Bob Dylan," a singer/songwriter who went by his first name of Donovan.

In 1967, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Marianne Faithfull were arrested at Richards' West Wittering, England, home and charged with possession of marijuana. It was the first in a series of highly publicized drug arrests involving members of the Rolling Stones.

In 1968, high school dropout Jimi Hendrix was awarded an honorary diploma from Garfield High School in his hometown of Seattle.

In 1976, Sal Mineo was found murdered in Los Angeles. He was 37.

In 1981, Blondie singer Debbie Harry confirmed she was planning a solo album without the other members of the group. The album, "Koo Koo," sold poorly.

In 1983, composer Eubie Blake died five days after his 100th birthday.

In 1995, Iron Butterfly bassist Philip "Taylor" Kramer vanished en route to Los Angeles International Airport from his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif. His skeletal remains were found more than four years later by hikers at the bottom of a Malibu canyon.

In 1997, U2 announced plans for a two-year-long world tour in support of the band's 11th album, "Pop." The "Pop" tour kicked off April 25 in Las Vegas.

Also in 1997, David Bowie was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1998, the lyrics to Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" -- written in memory of Princess Diana -- were auctioned off at Christie's Beverly Hills for $442,500.

In 2000, Wyclef Jean, DMX and Cypress Hill performed at funeral services held in Bronx, N.Y., for rapper Christopher Rios -- a.k.a. Big Pun, which was short for Big Punishment - who died five days earlier at age 28.

Today's musical quiz:

Who is Chynna Phillips' dad? Answer: The late John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas.