Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(Nov. 16)

Today's birthdays include blues composer W.C. Handy, who was born in 1873; and Toni Brown of the Joy of Cooking in 1938 (age 63).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1965, the first known rock concert "light show" was created by Houston promoter Bill Ham, later the manager of ZZ Top.

In 1968, B.J. Thomas's "Hooked On A Feeling" was released.

In 1973, David Bowie's first TV special, "1980 Floor Show," aired in the United States on NBC's "Midnight Special."

In 1974, John Lennon topped the singles charts for the first time as a solo artist with "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night." Elton John played piano and sang backing vocals on the song.

In 1979, the short-lived British label Infinity Records went belly-up when parent company MCA withdrew its financial support. The label's few hits included Spyro Gyra, Hot Chocolate, and Rupert Holmes, whose No. 1 single "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" was Infinity's greatest success.

In 1985, after 19 years, Starship finally had a No. 1 single with "We Built This City."

Also in 1985, the Irish rock group U2 formed its own label, Mother Records.

And in 1985, Joan Baez sang for Polish labor leader Lech Walesa at his home in Gdansk. The two also discussed human rights.

In 1986, the surviving members of Bob Wills's Original Texas Playboys reunited for a farewell concert in Fort Worth, Texas.

Also in 1986, Frank Sinatra left a Rancho Mirage, Calif., hospital one week after undergoing surgery for diverticulitis.

In 1992, a Manhattan jury cleared Rita Marley, widow of reggae star Bob Marley, of civil charges that she robbed her late husband's estate.

Also in 1992, a Missouri man was convicted in the December 1983 murder of 1960s pop singer Walter Scott. Scott was the lead singer of Bob Kuban and the In-Men, which had a hit in 1966 with "The Cheater."

In 1994, Sony Music announced plans to launch a West Coast record label through its Columbia Records Group.

Also in 1994, Quincy Jones teamed up with former football player Willie Davis and the Tribune Broadcasting Co. to form a company that buys TV and radio stations.

In 1998, Beach Boys Mike Love and Bruce Johnston took time off from touring to work as carhops at the Sonic Drive-In in Biloxi, Miss. Said Love: "Carhopping is a lot harder than I thought it would be."

Today's musical quiz:

What bet did John Lennon and Elton John make while recording "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night"? Answer: John predicted the tune would top the charts, something Lennon didn't think would happen. If it did, according to the bet, Lennon would have to perform at a John concert. The song went to No. 1 and Lennon appeared on stage with John Thanksgiving night 1974 in New York.