Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe (Dec. 12) Today's birthdays include Frank Sinatra, who was born in 1915; Connie Francis in 1938 (age 63); Dionne Warwick, and The Association's Terry Kirkman, both in 1941 (age 60); Mike Heron of the Incredible String Band, and the Moody Blues' Mike Pinder, both in 1942 (age 59); guitarist Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, and Grover Washington Jr., both in 1943 (age 58); Clive Bunker, who played drums for Jethro Tull, in 1946 (age 55); Bad Company's Paul Rodgers, who also was a member of Free, in 1949 (age 52); and Sheila E (Escoveda), Prince's former drummer, in 1959 (age 42). Advertisement Today's musical milestones: In 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis secretly married Myra Brown, his cousin's daughter. The fact that she was only 13 was bad enough. But the marriage took place five months BEFORE he was divorced from his second wife. When the news became public, the scandal nearly ended Lewis's career. In 1964, the Righteous Brothers released "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." In 1966, Pink Floyd played its first major show, at Royal Albert Hall in London. Advertisement In 1970, "Joshua," Dolly Parton's first single, entered the charts. In 1974, the Rolling Stones -- minus Mick Taylor -- began recording the "Black and Blue" album in Munich, West Germany. The group used various lead guitarists -- including Ron Wood, who'd eventually be asked to join the band. In 1985, Ian Stewart -- who was known as the sixth Rolling Stone for inspiring the group in its early days -- died from a heart attack. He was 47. In 1987, George Michael and Michael Jackson became the first artists to issue picture disc CDs. In 1990, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., record store owner convicted two months earlier of selling the 2 Live Crew album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" was fined $1,000. A judge had previously declared the album to be obscene. That ruling would eventually be thrown out by a higher court. Also in 1990, Frank Sinatra celebrated his 75th birthday with a sold-out Diamond Jubilee Concert at the Meadowlands' Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. In 1995, Boyz II Men and Hootie and the Blowfish led the list of nominees for the 23rd annual American Music Awards. Advertisement Also in 1995, Michael Jackson left a New York hospital, six days after collapsing during rehearsals for an HBO concert. And in 1995, a British court cut by more than three-quarters Elton John's libel award against The Sunday Mirror tabloid. And in 1995, a Lou Harris poll named Frank Sinatra Americans' favorite musical artist. In 1997, Frank Sinatra celebrated his 82nd birthday quietly at home with his family and friends. He died in May 1998. In 1999, Paul McCartney told London's Sunday Telegraph newspaper that he cried for 14 months following the April 1998 death of his wife, Linda, but said he's now getting on with his life. Today's musical quiz: Who took over leadership of the Allman Brothers Band after Duane Allman's death in 1971? Answer: Dickie Betts.
