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Today In Music: A look back at pop music

By PENNY NELSON BARTHOLOMEW, United Press International
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(Jan. 9)

Today's birthdays include folk singer Joan Baez, who was born in 1941 (age 61); Scott Engel of The Walker Brothers in 1944 (age 58); former Yardbird and Led Zeppeliner Jimmy Page in 1945 (age 57); William Cowsill of the Cowsills in 1948 (age 54); David Johansen of the New York Dolls in 1950 (age 52); country singer Crystal Gayle in 1951 (age 51); and Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band in 1967 (age 35).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1965, the Beatles dominated the Top 10 of the Billboard Top-200 album chart with three entries -- "Beatles '65," "A Hard Day's Night," and "The Beatles' Story."

In 1970, Elvis Presley was named one of the "10 outstanding young men of America" by the U.S. Jaycees.

In 1973, Mick Jagger was denied a Japanese visa on account of a 1969 drug bust, halting the Rolling Stones' planned tour of the Far East.

Also in 1973, Lou and Betty Reed were married.

In 1977, country singer Emmylou Harris wed her producer, Brian Ahern, in Nova Scotia, Canada.

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In 1979, the "Music for UNICEF" concert at the U.N. General Assembly featured Olivia Newton-John, the Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, ABBA, Donna Summer, John Denver, and Earth Wind and Fire -- among others.

In 1984, members of the Beach Boys announced their plans to continue as a group, despite the drowning death two weeks earlier of drummer Dennis Wilson.

In 1987, EMI announced plans to release the first four of the 13 original Beatles albums on CD.

Also in 1987, Vic Damone was released from a Bridgeport, Conn., hospital where he'd been flown four days earlier for treatment of kidney stones only hours after marrying Diahann Carroll.

In 1992, Paul Simon said those who opposed his South African tour had promised not to cause trouble during his upcoming two concerts in Johannesburg.

Also in 1992, Jordan Knight of the New Kids on the Block was ordered to stand trial for allegedly telling his bodyguard to punch a heckler outside a Boston nightclub the previous June.

In 1996, the Rolling Stones announced that the South American/Asian leg of the "Voodoo Lounge" tour was canceled after the promoter was unable to arrange a concert schedule.

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In 1997, Frank Sinatra was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering what doctors later called an "uncomplicated" heart attack. He was released eight days later.

In 1998, it was standing-room-only at a Palm Springs, Calif., church for the funeral of Rep. Sonny Bono, R-Calif., who had died in a skiing accident four days earlier. He was eulogized by California Gov. Pete Wilson, House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and his ex-wife and former singing partner Cher, who called him the "most unforgettable character" she'll ever meet.


Today's musical quiz:

Crystal Gayle's real first name is Brenda. Where does Crystal come from? Answer: Gayle's older sister, Loretta Lynn, nicknamed her "Crystal" after the Krystal Hamburger chain in the southern United States.

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