Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(Nov. 9)

Today's birthdays include Tom Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, who was born in 1941; Phil May of The Pretty Things in 1944 (age 57); REO Speedwagon drummer Alan Gratzer and Blue Oyster Cult's Joe Bouchard, both in 1948 (age 53); Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton in 1954 (age 47); and Sandra "Pepa" Denton of Salt-n-Pepa in 1969 (age 32).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1958, sales of the Elvis Presley hit single "Hound Dog" passed the three-million mark in the United States -- a figure only previously achieved by Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

In 1961, Brian Epstein first saw the Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool.

In 1963, the Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" was released.

In 1965, Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson and Brian Jones jammed in a New York hotel room during the famous power black-out -- hence no recording. Some call it the "lost jam."

In 1967, Rolling Stone magazine made its debut.

Also in 1967, Roger McGuinn dumped David Crosby from the Byrds, replacing him with former Byrd Gene Clark.

In 1986, Frank Sinatra underwent surgery for diverticulitis, a painful inflammation of the large intestine.

In 1991, Richard Marx did a one-day marathon concert-mini-tour of five cities to push his new album "Rush Street."

In 1992, "Marky" Mark Walhberg was sued by Boston man who claimed the rapper broke his jaw.

In 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the "Oh Pretty Woman" copyright infringement case against 2 Live Crew. The rap group's lead singer Luther Campbell attended the court session.

Also in 1993, Motown founder Berry Gordy announced he'd settled a libel suit against the author of the unauthorized biography "Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness."

And in 1993, Garth Brooks taped an appearance on Sesame Street.

In 1994, opening arguments began in rapper Tupac Shakur's sexual assault trial in New York. He would be convicted and sentenced to prison.

In 1995, "Dogg Food" -- the debut album from gangsta rap duo The Dogg Pound -- debuted at the top of the Billboard Top-200 album chart.

Also in 1995, Janet Jackson's single "Runaway" was certified gold.

In 1996, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was arrested on suspicion of drug possession in central London. He was released on bail.

In 1998, Michael Jackson settled out of court with the British tabloid The Mirror, which reported in 1992 that the pop singer had been left "hideously disfigured" by repeated plastic surgeries. The monetary amount of the settlement was not revealed.

Also in 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of The Kingsmen in a case involving the 1963 hit song "Louie Louie." It upheld a lower court ruling that Gusto Records and GML Incorporated had never paid the band its fair share of royalties.

And in 1998, a grand jury in Los Angeles indicted singer Billy Preston, his former manager and five other people in connection with an alleged insurance fraud scheme. Preston already was in prison for violating his probation in a drug-related case.

Today's musical quiz:

Who was on the cover of the very first Rolling Stone magazine? Answer: John Lennon. By the way, a free roach clip was included in the magazine's first issue.