Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(April 19)

Today's birthdays include the late Alexis Korner of Blues Incorporated, who was born in 1928; Animals keyboardist Alan Price and Larry Ramos of the Association, both in 1942 (age 61); P-Funk's Bernie Worrell in 1944 (age 59); actor Tim Curry, who showed he could also sing in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," in 1946 (age 57); Mark Volman -- of the Turtles, Mothers of Invention, and Flo and Eddie -- in 1947 (age 56); and rap record CEO/convicted felon Marion "Suge" Knight in 1965 (age 38).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1924, the first WLS National Barn Dance was broadcast.

In 1960, Elvis Presley took a train from Memphis to Hollywood to film "GI Blues." He'd apparently developed a fear of flying.

In 1975, Elton John fired his long-time bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson. They would be rehired in 1982.

Also in 1975, Emmylou Harris made her debut on the country music charts.

In 1978, Patti Smith released what would be her only hit single -- "Because the Night" -- which was co-written by Bruce Springsteen.

In 1980, for the first time, women held the top-five positions on Billboard's country singles chart. Crystal Gayle was at No.1 -- followed by Dottie West, Debbie Boone, Emmylou Harris, and a Tammy Wynette duet with her ex-husband, George Jones.

Also in 1980, Brian Johnson joined AC/DC, replacing the late lead singer Bon Scott who, according to the coroner, had "drunk himself to death."

In 1985, R&B singer Willie Mabon -- who recorded "I Don't Know" and "Poison Ivy" for Chess Records -- died at age 59.

In 1986, Prince simultaneously topped the pop, dance and R&B singles charts for the third time in his career with "Kiss." He'd previously achieved the feat twice in 1984 with "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy."

In 1991, country singer Tammy Wynette was hospitalized in St. Louis after suffering abdominal pains.

In 1992, Bobby Brown was pulled over by police in Canton, Mass., for allegedly driving too slow.

In 1995, Faith No More launched its first North American tour in two years in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

In 1997, Michael Jackson appeared at the Grevin Museum of Wax in Paris for the unveiling of a wax statue of himself. The figure was dressed in an outfit the pop star had provided.

In 1998, a spokesman for Paul McCartney announced the death of wife Linda, implying she'd died while the family was on vacation in Santa Barbara, Calif. That turned out not to be true. Reportedly, she died at the family ranch near Tuscon, Ariz.

In 2000, in a statement, Madonna said she was not planning to marry the father of her unborn baby. However, the pop singer later tied the knot with filmmaker Guy Ritchie in Scotland on Dec. 22, 2000.

Also in 2000, the wife of Grammy Award-winning producer Jimmy Jam Harris, Lisa, gave birth to twins, named Maximillian Lee and Isabella B. The couple already has a boy, Tyler, age 3.

Today's musical quiz:

Why was Madonna's 1992 box "Sex" initially banned in Japan? Answer: It's against Japanese law to show pubic hair. However, Japanese officials eventually relented and allowed the book's sale since it was already being distributed in the country anyway.