Today-in-Music: a look back at pop music

(April 26)

Today's birthdays include Maurice Williams of the Zodiacs, who was born in 1938 (age 65); Duane Eddy was also born in 1938 (age 55); Bobby Rydell in 1942 (age 61); Gary Wright, who was with Spooky Tooth before going solo, in 1943 (age 60); the late Pete Ham of Badfinger was born in 1947; Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie in 1949 (age 54); Duran Duran's Roger Taylor in 1960 (age 43); and TLC's Tionne Watkins in 1970 (age 33).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1977, Studio 54 opened in New York City.

In 1978, Ringo Starr starred in his first TV special -- an updated version of Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper."

In 1982, a gunman robbed Rod Stewart on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood and stole his Porsche.

In 1984, Liverpool's Cavern Club reopened.

Also in 1984, cancer claimed Count Basie at age 79.

In 1987, Fats Domino, Jose Feliciano and Allen Toussaint were among the headliners at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Also in 1988, country singer Randy Travis swept the first TNN Viewer's Choice Awards, winning in five categories.

In 1988, a federal jury in White Plains, N.Y., ruled Mick Jagger did not steal "Just Another Night" from an aspiring reggae musician, ending the copyright suit against the Rolling Stone frontman.

In 1994, Grace Slick pleaded guilty to pointing a shotgun at a police officer who had responded to a call of trouble at her Marin County., Calif., home.

In 1995, Bobby Brown and two other men were arrested and charged in the beating of a man at a Disney World nightclub.

Also in 1995, former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler was charged with felony heroin possession after he was found slumped over the wheel of his car parked on a Los Angeles street.

In 1996, the rock band Phish helped draw huge crowds to the opening day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In 1999, tickets for Woodstock '99 set an all-time Ticketmaster record for first-day single-event sales. A total of $7 million worth of tickets were sold.

Also in 1999, Billy Joel spoke about show business to acting students at Manhattan's New School. He said teaching was the only other profession he thought he'd enjoy as much as music.

And in 1999, Sinead O'Connor told the BBC she had been ordained as the first woman priest in the Latin Tridentine Church, a Roman Catholic splinter group, and said she would be known as "Mother Bernadette Mary."

Today's musical quiz:

At age 7, Gary Wright appeared in what 1950s-era children's program? Answer: "Captain Video."