Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(Oct. 14)

Today's birthdays include British pop star Cliff Richard, who was born in 1940 (age 61); Them guitarist Billy Harrison in 1942 (age 59); Colin Hodgkinson of Whitesnake in 1945 (age 56); Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues in 1946 (age 55); Thomas Dolby in 1958 (age 43); Karyn White in 1965 (age 36); and Usher, whose full name is Usher Raymond IV, in 1979 (age 22).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1955, the Lubbock, Texas-based duo of Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery opened for Bill Haley and the Comets in Lubbock.

In 1957, Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" was released.

In 1964, Rolling Stone drummer Charlie Watts married Shirley Ann Shepherd in Bradford, Yorkshire, England.

In 1966, Grace Slick appeared for the first time with Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. She replaced Signe Anderson.

In 1968, the Beatles wrapped up recording the self-titled double album that's more commonly known as the "white album."

In 1972, 13-year-old Michael Jackson topped the charts with "Ben."

Also in 1972, the Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was released.

And in 1972, Joe Cocker was arrested on drug possession charges in Australia.

In 1975, "Rock and Roll All Night" by Kiss was released.

In 1977, Bing Crosby died at age 76.

In 1985, a beardless Dan Fogelberg went unrecognized at his own New York concert.

In 1989, the name of Roy Orbison was added to the West Texas Walk of Fame.

In 1992, John Denver launched a concert tour of China. It was the most extensive tour by a Western artist ever approved by the Beijing government.

In 1993, a car carrying Michael Jackson and his entourage hit and injured two teenagers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The pop star offered to pay their medical expenses. A year later, he was sued by one of the teens, who claimed Jackson reneged on his offer.

In 1996, Madonna gave birth by caesarean section in a Los Angeles hospital to her first child -- a six-pound, nine-ounce girl she named Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon.

In 1997, Mick Jagger's sore throat forced the Rolling Stones to cancel a performance on the premiere of MTV's "Live From The 10 Spot." David Bowie filled in for the Stones.

Also in 1997, federal aviation officials said John Denver didn't have a valid pilot's license when his plane crashed off the California coast two days earlier. The National Transportation Safety Board said Denver's license had been revoked in 1996 and he was told he couldn't get it back until he provided medical certification that he didn't have a drinking problem. (Denver had been arrested twice on drunk driving charges in Colorado.)

And in 1997, Duran Duran released its new album, "Medazzaland."

And in 1997, Paul McCartney's new orchestral work, "Standing Stone," had its world premiere with a performance by the London Symphony Orchestra at London's Royal Albert Hall.

In 1999, Sting launched his world concert tour in Las Vegas in support of his seventh solo album, "Brand New Day."

Also in 1999, France honored David Bowie with one of its highest tributes, naming him a Commander of Arts and Letters, for his lifetime achievements in music.

Today's musical quiz:

What prompted Cliff Richard to go into music? Answer: Richard was inspired to begin singing after seeing Bill Haley and the Comets in concert in 1957.