Today in Music:a look back at pop music

(May 5)

Today's birthdays include actress-singer Alice Faye in 1912; Johnnie Taylor, whose 1976 hit "Disco Lady" was the first single to be certified platinum, meaning it sold two million copies, was born in 1938; Roni Stoneman of the Stoneman Family in 1941 (age 62); country's Tammy Wynette in 1942; Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward in 1948 (age 55); guitarist Rex Goh of Air Supply in 1951 (age 52); Peter Erskine, drummer with Weather Report, in 1954 (age 49); Ian McCullock of Echo and the Bunnymen in 1959 (age 44); and Adam and The Ants bassist Kevin Mooney in 1962 (age 41).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Johnny Burnette and his Rock and Roll Trio recorded their first single, "Tear It Up."

In 1967, one-hit wonder Scott McKenzie released "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" -- the definitive song of the "flower power" era.

In 1968, Buffalo Springfield played its last show in Long Beach, Calif. But two major new acts rose from the ashes -- Steve Stills and Neil Young joined David Crosby and Graham Nash, while Jim Messina joined Kenny Loggins.

In 1978, one person was killed when a Preston, England, concert by the punk band Vibrators erupted into a riot between two rival soccer fan clubs.

In 1984, the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde married Simple Minds' Jim Kerr in New York's Central Park following her relationship with the Kinks' Ray Davies.

In 1987, Bryan Adams opened his U.S. tour in support of his "Into the Fire" album in Shreveport, La.

In 1990, a John Lennon tribute concert was held in Liverpool, England -- with Hall and Oates, and Terrence Trent D'Arby among the performers.

In 1996, Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott and his live-in girlfriend both were arrested on spousal assault charges following a fight at a West Hollywood hotel.

In 1997, Bruce Springsteen was awarded the 1997 Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. The honor is often considered the musical equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Today's musical quiz:

He replaced Sam Cooke in the gospel group the Soul Stirrers when Cooke went mainstream. Who? Answer: Johnnie Taylor.