Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(March 13)

Today's birthdays include songwriter Mike Stoller of the composing duo Stoller and Leiber, who was born in 1933 (age 69); Neil Sedaka in 1939 (age 63); Donald York of ShaNaNa in 1949 (age 53); Ronnie Rogers of the British group T'Pau in 1959 (age 43); and U2 bassist Adam Clayton in 1960 (age 42).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1959, members of the pop-folk group The Kingston Trio were nearly killed in a plane crash in Indiana.

In 1965, Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds on the eve of the band's release of its third single, "For Your Love."

In 1966, Rod Stewart left Steampacket to resume his solo career.

In 1971, the Allman Brothers Band recorded its "Live at Fillmore East" album.

In 1975, country couple George Jones and Tammy Wynette were divorced.

In 1987, "Heat of the Night" by Bryan Adams became the first commercially released cassette single.

In 1991, Chicago jazz coronet great Jimmy McPartland died at age 83.

In 1995, Barry White, Anita Baker and Boyz II Men each won two awards at the ninth annual Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles.

Also in 1995, Carly Simon launched her first tour in 15 years in Boston.

In 1996, viral laryngitis forced Rod Stewart to cancel two concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Also in 1996, at least seven people were injured in a riot in downtown Buenos Aires after they were unable to get free tickets to a Ramones concert from a Coca Cola bottler. The company said the tickets were being given away elsewhere.

In 1998, a judge in Malibu, Calif., revoked Tommy Lee's probation in the wake of charges that he beat his wife -- former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson -- during an argument. However, the judge delayed for 3 1/2 weeks the decision on whether to send the rocker back to jail. The Motley Crue drummer had been sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to charges he attacked a photographer attempting to videotape him and his wife outside a Hollywood nightclub in 1996. Lee eventually was returned to jail.

Also in 1998, James Brown pleaded no contest to firearm charges stemming from his arrested two months earlier at his Beech Island, S.C., home. The "Godfather of Soul" was then sentenced to two years in prison, with his sentence suspended pending completion of a 90-day drug treatment program.

Today's musical quiz:

Neil Sedaka's career was revived in 1975 when he sang a duet with this pop star. Name the duet partner and the song. Answer: Sedaka's duet partner was Elton John and the tune was "Bad Blood." It was Sedaka's biggest hit.