Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(May 19)

Today's birthdays include band leader-saxophonist Georgie Auld, born in 1919; Peter Townshend of the Who, who was born in 1945 (age 58); AC-DC's Phil Rudd in 1946 (age 57); Greg Herbert and Jerry Hyman, both with Blood Sweat and Tears, both in 1947 (age 56); Tom Scott in 1948 (age 55); ZZ Top's Dusty Hill in 1949 (age 54); Grace Jones in 1953 (age 50); the late Joey Ramone also in 1953; and Human League co-founder Martyn Ware in 1956 (age 47).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1960, disc jockey and TV personality Alan Freed, who coined the term "rock 'n' roll," was arrested with seven others on suspicion of commercial bribery in the payola scandal.

In 1979, a party for Eric Clapton and his new bride, Patti -- George Harrison's ex-wife -- featured an impromptu jam session that included Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. It was the first time the three had performed together since the break-up of the Beatles.

In 1984, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" marked its 520th week -- a total of 10 YEARS -- on Billboard's Top 200 album chart.

Also in 1984, the late Bob Marley topped the British album charts for the first time with "Legend," an album released to coincide with the third anniversary of his death from cancer.

In 1987, Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" was honored as the most performed song of 1986 -- and its composer, Narada Michael Walden, was named songwriter of the year -- at the ASCAP Pop Awards banquet.

In 1992, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was named songwriter of the year for the third year in a row at the 40th annual BMI Pop Music Awards in Los Angeles. Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time" was honored as song of the year.

Also in 1992, Aerosmith donated $10,000 to a Boston art exhibit denied an NEA grant because it contained sexually explicit materials. The rock group blasted the NEA action as censorship.

In 1993, Michael Jackson was honored by the Hollywood Guinness World of Records Museum for setting numerous show-business records.

Also in 1993, Alabama's Randy Owen checked himself into a Birmingham, Ala., hospital because of chest pains. He was released the next day.

In 1994, the Toronto-based Paragon Entertainment Corporation announced the purchase of ex-Beatle George Harrison's film production company HandMade Films.

Also in 1994, Gloria Estefan took home three awards from the Premio Lo Nuestro a la Musica Latina in Miami. The awards honor the best of Latin music in the United States.

In 1998, U2 performed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to promote the "yes" vote for the upcoming referendum on the Ulster peace settlement.

Today's musical quiz:

He was the first winner to say the so-called "f" word during the Grammy Awards' live broadcast. Who? Answer: U2's Bono.