Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(May 24)

Today's birthdays include Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong fame, who was born in 1938 (age 65); Bob Dylan -- born Robert Zimmerman -- in 1941 (age 62); Derek Quinn, guitarist with Freddie and the Dreamers, in 1942 (age 61); Patti LaBelle in 1944 (age 59); Steve Upton of Wishbone Ash in 1946 (age 57); country's Roseanne Cash in 1955 (age 48); Helen Terry in 1956 (age 47); and Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson in 1969 (age 34).

On this day in music history:

In 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis abandoned a British tour under a hail of press abuse concerning his marriage to his 13-year-old second cousin.

In 1968, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithful were busted for drug possession at their London home. The same day, "Jumping Jack Flash" was released.

In 1970, Peter Green -- guitarist and a founding member of Fleetwood Mac -- left the group to join a religious cult.

In 1971, Bob Dylan marked his 30th birthday by visiting the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

In 1974, jazz legend Duke Ellington died on this day at age 75. Ellington's hits ranged from pop tunes and jazz classics to ballets, film scores and religious suites.

In 1983, Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet broke up Yazoo to go solo.

In 1984, country singer Willie Nelson played the first of six sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

In 1991, Gene Clark -- co-founder of the Byrds -- died at home in Sherman Oaks, Calif., of a heart attack. He was 46.

In 1995, Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into Hollywood's Rockwalk.

In 1997, Bob Dylan -- on his 56th birthday -- was hospitalized with what was described as a "life-threatening" viral infection that causes the sac around the heart to swell. He recovered.

In 1998, New York City police arrested a Wisconsin man for allegedly stalking pop singer-turned-Broadway actress Deborah (Debbie) Gibson.

In 1999, David Bowie's recording session of a song co-written with contest winner Alex Grant was cybercast live from New York.

Today's musical quiz:

How old was Willie Nelson when he began writing songs? Answer: Just 7 years old.