Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(Jan. 7)

Today's birthdays include Ramsey Lewis Trio bassist Eldee Young, who was born in 1936 (age 66); Paul Revere, leader of the 1960s pop group Paul Revere and the Raiders, in 1942 (age 60); Mike McCartney, the brother of ex-Beatle Paul who performs under the name Mike McGear, in 1944 (age 58); Rolling Stone magazine publisher Jan Wenner in 1946 (age 56); Kenny Loggins in 1948 (age 54); Marshall Chapman in 1949 (age 53); and Go-Gos bassist Kathy Valentine in 1959 (age 43).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1924, George Gershwin completed the piano score for "Rhapsody in Blue."

In 1950, Hank Snow made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

In 1954, Muddy Waters recorded "I'm Your Hootchie-Cootchie Man" at Chicago's Chess Records.

In 1958, Gibson Guitars patented its now famous "Flying V" model.

In 1962, "The Twist" by Chubby Checker returned to the No. 1 position on the pop singles chart, becoming the only single to top the Billboard Hot-100 twice.

In 1963, Gary "U.S." Bonds sued Chubby Checker for plagerism, claiming Checker's "Dancin' Party" was too close for coincidence to his 1961 hit "Quarter To Three."

In 1970, neighboring farmers sued Max Yasgur for $35,000 in damages caused by a little show called Woodstock.

In 1974, a girl, Sarah Marie, was born to James Taylor and Carly Simon.

In 1975, thousands of Led Zeppelin fans rioted while waiting for the box office to open at the Boston Gardens. The show was cancelled.

In 1976, music industry executive Kenneth Moss was sentenced to four months in jail for involuntary manslaughter in the drug overdose death of Average White Band drummer Robbie McIntosh.

In 1982, Lynval Golding of Fun Boy 3 was stabbed and wounded at a Conventry, England, disco. Authorities said the attack -- by three whites -- was racially motivated.

In 1992, the U.S. postmaster-general announced that a stamp commemorating Elvis Presley would be issued in 1993.

Also in 1992, Paul Simon arrived in Johannesburg amid heavy security as the first international artist to perform in South Africa since the lifting of the cultural boycott.

And in 1992, the rap group Public Enemy stirred controversy with its music video "By The Time I Get To Arizona," which blasted the state for not observing Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

And in 1992, Spanish opera star Jose Carreras said he and Whitney Houston would sing a specially written song at the closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

In 1993, veteran rocker Eric Clapton led the list of nominees -- with a total of nine -- for the 35th annual Grammy Awards. He'd end up winning six awards.

In 1994, funkster Rick James was sentenced to more than five years in prison after being convicted in the 1992 beating of a woman at a Hollywood hotel.

In 1997, producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds received 12 Grammy nominations, tying with Michael Jackson for the most nominations in a single year. Smashing Pumpkins got seven nominations.

Today's musical quiz:

Kenny Loggins wrote and performed the title song to what 1980s Tom Cruise film? Answer: "Top Gun." Loggins also composed and recorded the title track for "Footloose," which starred Kevin Bacon.