Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(May 23)

Today's birthdays include the clarinet-playing bandleader Artie Shaw in 1910 (age 93); singers Helen O'Connell in 1920 and Rosemary Clooney in 1928; Robert Moog (rhymes with "vogue"), inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, in 1934 (age 69); Tiki Fulwood, drummer with P.Funk, in 1944 (age 59); J.Geils Band's Daniel Klein in 1946 (age 57); Bill Hunt of ELO in 1947 (age 56); 10cc's Rick Fenn in 1953 (age 50); Musical Youth's Junior Waite in 1967 (age 36); and Jewel, whose last name is Kilcher, in 1974 (age 29).

Today's musical milestones:

On this day in 1940, Frank Sinatra, singing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, recorded "I'll Never Smile Again," the first of several No. 1 hits he recorded while performing with Dorsey.

In 1977, Jefferson Starship was prevented from playing a free concert in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, due to a ban on electronic instruments. The band later said one of its biggest hits -- "We Built This City" -- was inspired by the ban.

In 1979, "The Kids Are Alright" -- The Who film documentary -- premiered in New York.

In 1984, some $17,000 in box office receipts was stolen at a Clash concert at Michigan State University while the band was onstage.

In 1987, the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC opened their United Kingdom tour in London.

In 1993, Natalie Cole received an honorary degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

In 1994, Guns N' Roses drummer Matthew Sorum pleaded innocent to charges he beat his wife.

In 1995, felony drug charges were filed against Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland, who'd been arrested a few days earlier after allegedly buying crack from a street dealer in Pasadena, Calif.

Also in 1995, Chicago's album of updated big band standards -- "Day and Night (Big Band)" -- was released.

In 1996, Gloria Gaynor performed at a disco extravaganza at New York's Studio 54, which reopened for one night only for a charity event.

In 1997, Trauma Records sued Interscope Records in Los Angeles for at least $100 million, saying Interscope gave it production rights to the band No Doubt and then took those rights back.

In 2000, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan told a Los Angeles radio station (KROQ-FM) that the Chicago-based group planned to break up by year's end, and had discussed disbanding even before recording its last album "Machina/The Machines of God."

Also in 2000, guitarist Noel Gallagher announced he was quitting Oasis. Just hours earlier, the band abruptly canceled a concert in Paris.

And in 2000, matchbox twenty's new album "mad season by matchbox twenty" hit stores.

Today's musical quiz:

Jewel was raised by her father on a ranch in Homer, Alaska, but where was she born? Answer: Payson, Utah.