Today in Music: a look back at pop music

• Tweet

(March 21)

Today's birthdays include Rose Stone, keyboardist with Sly and the Family Stone, who was born in 1945 (age 57); Roger Hodgson, formerly with Supertramp, in 1950 (age 52); Stylistics lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr. in 1951 (age 51); KC and the Sunshine Band drummer Robert Johnson in 1953 (age 49); and Walt Stocker, formerly with The Babys, in 1954 (age 48).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1952, the first rock 'n' roll concert -- the Moondog Coronation Ball -- was held in the Cleveland Arena.

In 1955, Big Maybelle recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" in New York.

In 1956, Carl Perkins' career was derailed when he was injured in a car accident en route to perform on Perry Como's TV show. Perkins' brother, Jay, was killed in the crash.

In 1961, the Beatles played Liverpool's Cavern Club for the first time.

In 1969, one day after their wedding, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began the first of their two "Bed-Ins for Peace" at the Amsterdam Hilton.

In 1970, the Guess Who single "American Woman" was released.

In 1976, David Bowie and Iggy Pop were arrested on marijuana possession charges at New York's Rochester hotel. The case was later dropped.

In 1984, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats married actress Britt Eklund.

In 1987, Journey was named Outstanding Group of the Year at the 10th annual Bay Area Music Awards. John Fogerty took home the Musician of the Year award.

Also in 1987, Dean Paul Martin -- "Dino" of the '60s trio Dino, Desi and Billy and Dean Martin's son -- was killed when his Air National Guard jet crashed in the San Bernardino Mountains in California.

In 1988, Ike Turner was sentenced to five years' probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession charges in a Pasadena, Calif., courtroom. It was the musician's second drug conviction in a week.

Also in 1988, Ziggy Marley -- son of the late reggae star Bob Marley -- released his "Conscious Party" album.

And in 1988, Hank Williams Jr. was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

In 1993, the "Beauty and the Beast" soundtrack, k.d. lang, Billy Ray Cyrus and U2 were winners at the Juno Awards, Canada's version of the Grammys.

In 1994, Bruce Springsteen won the best song Oscar for his "Streets of Philadelphia" from the movie "Philadelphia."

Also in 1994, rocker Mitch Ryder announced he would donate royalties from his new song "Mercy" to "Dr. Death" Jack Kevorkian's campaign to permit assisted suicide in Michigan.

In 1995, REM drummer Bill Berry left a Lausanne, Switzerland, hospital 19 days after undergoing brain surgery to repair an aneurysm.

Also in 1995, Elton John's "Made in England" album was released.

In 1996, it was announced that Sheryl Crow would accompany first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to visit U.S. peacekeeping troops in Bosnia.

In 1997, Snoop Doggy Dogg was sentenced to three years' probation after pleading guilty to being an ex-felon in possession of a gun. The charges stemmed from an arrest on July 21, 1993.

In 1999, Elton John's 7th annual Oscar night fundraiser in West Hollywood raised more than $300,000 for his AIDS charity.

In 2000, 'N Sync broke the record for sales when the group's second CD, "No Strings Attached," sold 1.1 million copies in its first day of release.

Today's musical quiz:

Who was the Beatles' drummer when they first played Liverpool's Cavern Club? Answer: Pete Best. He was replaced the following year by Ringo Starr.