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Today in Music: a look back at pop music

By United Press International
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(March 1)

Today's birthdays include Harry Belafonte, who was born in 1927 (age 76); The Who's Roger Daltrey and Mike D'Abo of Manfred Mann, both in 1944 (age 59); Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers in 1955 (age 48); John Carroll of the Starland Vocal Band in 1957 (age 46); and Nik Kershaw in 1958 (age 45).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1952, Sun Records released its first single, "Drivin' Slow" by Johnny London. The alto sax duet went nowhere.

In 1957, Chess Records released Muddy Waters' "I Got My Mojo Working" and Chuck Berry's "School Day."

In 1968, Johnny Cash married June Carter.

In 1969, Jim Morrison of the Doors allegedly exposed himself on stage in Miami -- and would later be charged with indecent exposure and public drunkenness. He was convicted in September 1970 and was still appealing the eight-month prison sentence when he died in July 1971.

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In 1972, then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan pardoned Merle Haggard. The country singer had served time in San Quentin Prison in the late 1950s for attempted burglary.

In 1974, George Harrison announced plans for a U.S. tour -- the first ex-Beatle to do so.

In 1977, after 12 years of marriage, Sara Dylan filed for divorce from Bob Dylan. Their youngest child is Wallflowers lead singer Jakob Dylan.

In 1980, Patti Smith married former MC-5 guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith in Detroit.

In 1984, Cyndi Lauper made her first appearance on "The Tonight Show."

Also in 1984, 20 years after the beginnings of "Beatlemania," seven Beatles albums re-entered the U.S. charts.

In 1993, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for the second time in a decade for a benefit concert for a Los Angeles children's charity.

In 1994, Whitney Houston and the soundtrack to Disney's "Aladdin" were the big winners at the 36th annual Grammy Awards. "The Bodyguard" soundtrack was named album of the year, while "I Will Always Love You" netted Houston the best female pop vocal performance and record of the year Grammys. The "Aladdin" soundtrack won five awards.

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Also in 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that John Fogerty, formerly of Creedence Clearwater Revival, could sue to recover attorney fees following a copyright infringement suit he said had been filed against him in bad faith. (He'd won that lawsuit.)

In 1995, Bruce Springsteen won four Grammys at the 37th annual awards in Los Angeles, while newcomer Sheryl Crow took home three. Tony Bennett's "MTV Unplugged" was named best album. The ceremony featured David Crosby's first public appearance since his liver transplant the previous November.

Also in 1995, REM drummer Bill Berry left the stage partway through the band's concert in Lausanne, Switzerland, with what turned out to be a brain hemorrhage. Doctors operated on him two days later.

In 1996, rapper/actress Queen Latifah pleaded no contest to charges -- stemming from an arrest a month earlier in Santa Monica, Calif. -- of carrying a loaded gun and driving without a license. She was fined $810 and placed on two years probation.

In 1997, Selena was posthumously honored with three Tejano Music Awards -- including female vocalist of the year -- at ceremonies in San Antonio, Texas.

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Today's musical quiz:

In 1970, The Who became the first rock band to do this. What? Answer: Perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

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(March 2)

Today's birthdays include country singer Doc Watson in 1923 (age 80); guitarist Willie Chambers of the Chambers Brothers in 1938 (age 65); Lou Reed in 1943 (age 60); Irish rock guitarist Rory Gallagher and New York cop-turned-rocker Eddie Money, both in 1949 (age 54); Karen Carpenter was born in 1950; Jay Osmond in 1955 (age 48); Cowsills drummer John Cowsill and Mark Evans, formerly with AC/DC, both in 1956 (age 47); and Jon Bon Jovi in 1962 (age 41).


Today's musical milestones:

In 1964, the Beatles began work with director Richard Lester on the group's first movie, "A Hard Day's Night."

In 1974, Stevie Wonder dominated the Grammys -- taking home five awards for his "Innervisions" album and the singles "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" and "Superstition."

In 1979, the Havana Jam -- a three-day music festival -- opened in Cuba with Billy Joel, Stephen Stills, Tom Scott, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge.

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In 1984, Hollywood's Gold Star Studios -- the site of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound creations -- closed.

Also in 1984, singer/songwriter James "Roy" Hill died at age 61. He wrote "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On."

In 1989, Madonna's "Like A Prayer" debuted in a Pepsi ad during "The Cosby Show." In the wake of the ensuing uproar, Pepsi dropped the spot.

In 1992, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson each received five nominations for the 27th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

In 1993, Billy Ray Cyrus, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, and Mary Chapin Carpenter topped the list of nominees for the 28th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

In 1994, the Paul McCartney song "Looking For Changes" was among the winners of the eighth annual Genesis Awards. The prizes are given out by the animal rights group Ark Trust to entertainers and the media who raise awareness about animal issues.

In 1995, Michael Jackson attended the funeral of a South California toddler allegedly thrown off a bridge into the Los Angeles River by his mother. The pop star also made a donation to a fund set up for the dead child's surviving older brother.

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In 1996, all five members of the hot Brazilian rock group Mamonas Assassinas were killed in a plane crash near Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Also in 1996, Paul McCartney denied reports that the surviving Beatles were considering reuniting for a 22-city tour that'd pay them $225 million.

In 1997, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported authorities were investigating the October 1996 death of the infant son of The Artist Formerly Known As Prince and his wife, Mayte. The death certificate said the baby died one week after birth due to a rare skull deformity.

Also in 1997, a guitar autographed by the late Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead was sold for $1,200 at an auction of pop culture memorabilia.

In 1998, Motley Crue's Tommy Lee said in a statement that he wouldn't contest the divorce being sought by his wife, actress Pamela Anderson Lee, who'd accused him of beating her as she held their infant son. The couple later reconciled.

In 1999, British pop singer Dusty Springfield died following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 59.

Also in 1999, 'N Sync made a guest appearance on the UPN sitcom "Clueless," performing their hit single "Tearin' Up My Heart."

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Today's musical quiz:

Jon Bon Jovi once gave this away on MTV. What? Answer: His house.

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(March 3)

Today's birthdays include Mike Pender of the Searchers in 1942 (age 61); Dr. Hook bassist and singer Jance Garfat in 1944 (age 59); Dave Mount, drummer with Mud, in 1947 (age 56); Tubes singer Re Styles in 1950 (age 53); and rapper Tone-Loc in 1966 (age 37).


Today's musical milestones:

In 1955, Elvis Presley made his first-ever television appearance -- on the regional country show the "Louisiana Hayride."

In 1966, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Neil Young formed Buffalo Springfield.

In 1967, the Jeff Beck Group -- with Beck on guitar, Rod Stewart singing, Ron Wood on bass and Aynsley Dunbar on drums -- made its debut in London.

In 1980, Sotheby's in London held its first auction of pop music memorabilia.

In 1984, Exile had its first No.1 country hit "Woke Up in Love."

In 1989, Italian TV execs refused to air Madonna's "Like A Prayer." They said the video was blasphemous, even though they admitted they hadn't seen it.

In 1993, Los Angeles police were called in to control the crowds at the legendary nightclub Whiskey when Van Halen performed at the place where the rock band was discovered 15 years earlier.

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In 1994, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee pleaded no contest to charges of trying to carry a loaded gun aboard a flight at Los Angeles International Airport. He was fined and placed on one-year's probation.

Also in 1994, a reliable Beatle fan magazine "Beatlefan" reported that "secret" recording sessions in England by the three surviving Beatles -- which had been scheduled to last a week -- had been going on for almost a month.

In 1995, REM drummer Bill Berry underwent brain surgery in Lausanne, Switzerland, to repair a brain hemorrhage suffered on stage two days earlier.

Also in 1995, the Black Crowes kicked off the "Amorica or Bust" tour in Minneapolis.

And in 1995, the IRS in Detroit said it had slapped a lien on Aretha Franklin's home in upscale Bloomfield Hills, Mich., saying she owed the government nearly $500,000 in back taxes.

In 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court ruling that gave Beach Boy Al Jardine the right to sue Brian Wilson in New Hampshire courts for libel in connection with Wilson's 1991 autobiography "Wouldn't It Be Nice."

In 1998, it was reported that Veruca Salt guitarist Nina Gordan was leaving the Chicago-based band. The future of Veruca Salt was said to be "uncertain."

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Also in 1998, Sacramento, Calif., gangsta-rapper Shawn Thomas -- a.k.a. C-BO -- was arrested after authorities decided his latest album "Til' My Casket Drops" violated his parole by promoting the gang lifestyle.

In 1999, rapper Coolio changed his plea from "innocent" to "no contest" to charges of carrying a concealed weapon in his car. He'd been arrested in Lawndale, Calif., in September 1998 after being stopped by police for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the street.


Today's musical quiz:

These two members of Buffalo Springfield would later form one-half of a rock quartet who'd have many hits. Who? Answer: Stephen Stills and Neil Young, who along with David Crosby and Graham Nash, were Crosby Stills Nash and Young.

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(March 4)

Today's birthdays include Bobby Womack, who was born in 1944 (age 59); Mary Wilson, an original member of the Supremes, also in 1944 (age 59); Sugarloaf bassist Bob Raymond in 1946 (age 57); Yes bassist Chris Squire in 1948 (age 55); Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top in 1950 (age 53); singer/songwriter Chris Rea in 1951 (age 52); Emilio Estefan, husband of Gloria, in 1953 (age 50); Level 42 guitarist Boon Gould in 1955 (age 48); and Evan Dando of the Lemonheads in 1967 (age 36).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1955, Charlie "Bird" Parker made his last public appearance -- at New York's Birdland, the club named after him. He died eight days later.

In 1966, John Lennon was quoted in the London Evening Standard saying the Beatles "are more popular than Jesus Christ." The comment touched off international protests and many incidents of Beatles record smashing and burning.

In 1969, a daughter was born to Sonny and Cher. They named her Chastity.

In 1972, the Rolling Stones played the first date of the band's "farewell" tour of Britain before going into tax exile in France.

In 1973, Pink Floyd launched the U.S. leg of its "Dark Side of the Moon" tour in Madison, Wis.

In 1977, the Rolling Stones played a rare club date at the El Macombo in Toronto. The session was recorded for the "Love You Live" album.

In 1980, the Loretta Lynn film biography "Coal Miner's Daughter" premiered in Nashville.

In 1984, Blondie guitarist Chris Stein was hospitalized in New York for an undisclosed ailment.

In 1986, Richard Manual -- an original member of The Band -- hanged himself in a Winter Park, Fla., motel room. He left no suicide note.

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In 1991, Garth Brooks received seven nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards.

In 1992, Sonny Bono officially filed for the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by California Democrat Alan Cranston. He lost.

In 1993, Whitney Houston gave birth to a girl -- her first child.

Also in 1993, jazz and blues legend Art Hodes died in suburban Chicago at the age of 88.

In 1994, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was hospitalized in Rome in a coma following a prescription drug/alcohol overdose. It would later be revealed that the OD was probably not an accident. Cobain would successfully kill himself a month later.

In 1997, Crosby Stills and Nash performed a benefit concert in Hollywood for the UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases, where David Crosby had his lifesaving liver transplant a couple of years earlier.

Also in 1997, Supertramp announced the upcoming release of a new studio album -- the first for the band in 10 years -- and plans for a comeback world tour.


Today's musical quiz:

This 1969 movie was written by Sonny Bono and starred Cher. What was the title? Answer: "Chastity."

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(March 5)

Today's birthdays include British singer/actor Murray Head, who was born in 1946 (age 57); reggae singer/songwriter Eddy Grant in 1948 (age 55); Dire Straits keyboardist Alan Clark in 1952 (age 51); and the late Andy Gibb was born in 1958.


Today's musical milestones:

In 1960, Sgt. Elvis Presley was discharged from the U.S. Army after a two-year hitch.

In 1963, country singer Patsy Cline was killed in a plane crash near Camden, Tenn. She was 30.

In 1971, Aretha Franklin, King Curtis and Tower of Power opened at the Fillmore West in San Francisco for a three-night stand that yielded two albums -- "Aretha Live at the Fillmore West," which included a guest appearance by Ray Charles, and "King Curtis and the Kingpins Live at the Fillmore West."

In 1982, John Belushi died from a drug overdose. He was 33.

In 1993, Paul McCartney kicked off his "New World Tour" in Perth, Australia.

In 1994, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain came out of a drug-and-alcohol-induced coma at a Rome hospital.

In 1996, it was announced that Metallica, Soundgarden and the Ramones would headline Lollapalooza '96. The Ramones -- which had previously announced it was disbanding -- said the festival would be the group's "swan song."

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Also in 1996, a Rock Concert Safety Survey by the Chicago-based Crowd Management Strategies said six people had been killed and nearly 700 injured at rock concerts and festivals worldwide in 1995.

In 1997, the throat problems of Space lead singer Tommy Scott forced the British band to cancel its Los Angeles concert. The show was the group's first date on the next leg of its U.S. tour.

In 1998, Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher was arrested in Brisbane, Australia. He allegedly had broken a fan's nose with a headbutt after the fan took his picture.

Also in 1998, Ozzy Osbourne's daughter made the winning $16,000 bid at a charity auction and bought a day with the teen pop trio Hanson for her 13-year-old younger sister.


Today's musical quiz:

Murray Head played the traitor on this "divine" recording that later was made into a Broadway play and a motion picture. What? Answer: The original recording of "Jesus Christ, Superstar." Head sang the part of Judas and had a Top-40 single in 1971 with the album's title track.

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March 6)

Today's birthdays include Sylvia Robinson of Mickey and Sylvia, who was born in 1936 (age 67); Zombie drummer Hugh Grundy in 1945 (age 58); Kiki Dee, whose real name is Pauline Matthews, and Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, both in 1947 (age 56); and basketball star-and-sometime-rapper Shaquille O'Neal in 1972 (age 31).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1967, Nelson Eddy, popular actor and singer, collapsed onstage during a performance in Australia and died of a stroke at the age of 66

In 1970, Awareness Records released an album by Charles Manson. However, he was unable to promote it in person -- having been charged with murder in the August 1969 deaths of actress Sharon Tate and four others.

In 1991, Darrell Royal, former University of Texas football coach, bought his friend Willie Nelson's country club, golf course and recording studio near Austin. The property was being sold by the IRS to help pay off the $16.7 million Nelson owed the government in back taxes.

In 1994, Frank Sinatra fainted onstage in Richmond, Va., and was rushed to the hospital. It turned out he'd passed out from the heat. The doctors said he was okay.

In 1995, Bruce Springsteen showed up unannounced to jam with Soul Asylum at a New York City nightclub.

In 1996, Yoko Ono -- backed by son Sean Lennon and his band -- made a rare concert appearance at the Knitting Factory in New York City.

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Also in 1996, Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" was named best movie song at the second annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.

In 1997, a judge in Reno, Nev., dropped robbery, drug and false imprisonment charges against former Village People Victor Willis after his female accuser couldn't be found. Willis -- who played the cop in the group from 1977 to '79 -- had been arrested Feb. 15.

In 1998, a concert by Oasis in Brisbane, Australia, hit a sour note when the band bickered onstage and then refused to do an encore.


Today's musical quiz:

This singer's duet with Elton John gave John his first No.1 single in his native England. Name the song and John's singing partner. The song was "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and the singer was Kiki Dee.

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(March 7)

Today's birthdays include Zombies bassist Chris Taylor White, who was born in 1943 (age 60); J.Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf and Matthew Fisher of Procol Harum, both in 1946 (age 57); Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers in 1951 (age 52); Taylor Dayne in 1962 (age 41); and S Club 7's Paul Cattermole in 1977 (age 26).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1962, the Beatles made the band's broadcast debut on BBC Radio's "Light Programme."

In 1966, Brian Wilson's "Caroline No" was the first solo single by any member of the Beach Boys.

In 1973, Bruce Springsteen starred in a showcase at Max's Kansas City club in New York City. In the audience -- CBS Records talent scout John Hammond. The man who signed Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan would sign Springsteen to a long-term recording contract.

In 1976, Elton John's likeness was added to Madame Tussaud's waxworks in London.

In 1983, TNN, the Nashville Network (now known as The National Network), remiered.

In 1993, the Black Crowes cut short a concert in Louisville, Ky., after a member of the band's entourage was beaten and another arrested by narcotics detectives backstage. The police later admitted they found no drugs.

Also in 1993, Erik Schrodi -- "Everlast" of the rap group House of Pain -- was arrested at New York's JFK airport for carrying an unloaded pistol in his suitcase.

In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that 2 Live Crew did not break federal copyright laws by recording a parody of Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman."

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Also in 1994, Erin Everly filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against ex-husband Axl Rose, claiming the Guns N' Roses frontman beat her up and threatened her during their brief marriage.

In 1995, Daily Variety reported Bruce Springsteen had agreed to write and perform songs for Sean Penn's movie "The Crossing Guard."

In 1996, Michael Jackson was sued by Maureen Doherty, the former vice president and general counsel of MJJ Enterprises. Doherty contended she'd been fired the previous September because she's a woman.

In 1997, Los Angeles police arrested a man in connection with the August 1994 drowning death of the former sister-in-law of Michael Jackson, Delores Jackson, who was once married to Michael's brother, Tito. The suspected murderer was her boyfriend at the time of her death. He was later convicted in her murder.

Also in 1997, R&B singer Maxwell was the big winner at the 11th annual Soul Train Music Awards, winning three awards. Toni Braxton took home two awards.


Today's musical quiz:

Actress Faye Dunaway was once married to what rock singer? Answer J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf.

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