Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(May 17)

Today's birthdays include Pervis Jackson of the Spinners, who was born in 1938 (age 65); Taj Mahal, whose real name is Henry St. Clair Fredericks, in 1942 (age 61); Jesse Winchester in 1944 (age 59); drummer Bill Bruford of King Crimson, Yes and Genesis in 1950 (age 53); George Johnson of the Brothers Johnson in 1953 (age 50); Tracy Bryn of Voice of the Beehive in 1962 (age 41); Nine Inch Nails lead singer Trent Reznor in 1965 (age 38); and Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block -- later known as NKOTB -- in 1970 (age 33).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1963, the first Monterey Folk Festival opened in Monterey, Calif. It featured Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary and Pete Seeger.

In 1967, "Don't Look Back" -- a film about Bob Dylan's United Kingdom tour -- opened in San Francisco.

In 1969, Chicago's debut album -- "Chicago Transit Authority" -- entered the album charts.

In 1975, Mick Jagger cut his fist when he smashed it through a window at a Long Island, N.Y., restaurant. He needed 20 stitches to close the wound.

In 1978, the disco movie "Thank God It's Friday," featuring tracks by Donna Summer, premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1980, drummer Peter Criss left KISS. He was replaced by Eric Carr, who died of cancer in 1991 at age 41.

In 1986, virtually all of Ireland's best-known rock musicians -- and a few rockers of Irish heritage -- played a benefit concert in Dublin to raise money to help Irish youngsters. The bill included Van Morrison, U2, the Pogues, Elvis Costello and Bob Geldof, who'd organized "Live Aid" the previous summer.

In 1987, a fire caused $1 million damage to Tom Petty's estate in Encino, Calif.

On this day in 1992, bandleader Lawrence Welk died of pneumonia at the age of 89.

In 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to overturn a lower court ruling that granted Hank Williams, Sr.'s illegitimate daughter partial rights to his music. The appeal had been filed by Hank Williams, Jr., and publisher Acuff-Rose.

In 1994, Quincy Jones was awarded the 1994 Polar Music Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm.

In 1995, 67-year-old Fats Domino was hospitalized in England following a concert in Sheffield with Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Domino's promoter said he was suffering from a "serious infection" and needed to rest.

In 1996, Capitol Records announced plans by three original members of Grand Funk Railroad to reunite and tour the United States for the first time in 21 years.

Also in 1996, blues/funk pioneer Johnny "Guitar" Watson died of an apparent heart attack in Yokohama, Japan. He was 61.

In 1997, Paul McCartney answered about 200 questions from fans during a 90-minute Internet "McCartney's Town Hall Meeting" in London. It was part of a Q&A session broadcast worldwide on satellite TV.

In 2000, jury selection began in the New York trial of a lawsuit against Sean "Puffy" Combs and fellow rapper Heavy D in connection with an event they sponsored in 1991 that resulted in a stampede. Nine people died and 21 more were injured after ticket holders for a basketball game featuring rap artists stormed the doors to a New York University gym after the event was oversold.

Today's musical quiz:

Nine Inch Nails performed at Woodstock '94 covered in this substance. What? Answer: Mud. Trent Reznor tripped over his guitarist en route to the stage and the musician fell on his face in the mud, prompting the band to get into a mud fight.