Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(March 16)

Today's birthdays include Jerry Lewis -- yes, THAT Jerry Lewis, who had a hit song in 1956 with "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby" -- was born in 1926 (age 76); Jerry Jeff Walker in 1942 (age 60); Alice Cooper guitarist Michael Bruce in 1948 (age 54); Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel in 1951 (age 51); and Nancy Wilson of Heart in 1954 (age 48).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1968, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by the late Otis Redding topped the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart.

Also in 1968, singer Tammi Terrell -- best known for her duets with Marvin Gaye -- died of brain cancer following a series of operations. She was only 24.

In 1971, Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" captured six Grammy Awards --including record, album and song of the year.

In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry held its first show in the new Opry house at Opryland USA. On hand -- President Nixon.

In 1975, London's historic Rainbow Theater closed its doors following a show that featured Procol Harum, John Martyn and Kevin Coyne.

In 1977, A&M Records tore up its contract with the Sex Pistols only a week after signing the band with much hoopla.

In 1991, seven members of Reba McEntire's band were killed in a plane crash in Southern California.

Also in 1991, a boy was born to rocker Eddie Van Halen and his wife, actress Valerie Bertinelli. They named him Wolfgang.

In 1995, rapper Eazy E -- real name Eric Wright -- announced he had AIDS. He died a few weeks later.

In 1997, Courtney Love told a London newspaper that she planned to sell the Seattle mansion where her husband, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, killed himself in April 1994. The singer said Cobain's ever-present fans had robbed her and her young daughter of privacy.

In 1998, Donna Summer made her debut at New York's Carnegie Hall at a benefit concert for the Gay Men's Health Crisis.

In 1999, the Recording Industry Association of America unveiled the Diamond Award to recognize record sales of 10-million units.

In 2000, Carlos Santana revealed in Rolling Stone magazine how he had been sexually molested as a child for almost two years.

Today's musical quiz:

President Nixon performed at the opening of the Grand Ole Opry House. True or false? Answer: True. Nixon played three songs on the piano and also played with a yo-yo on stage like Opry star Roy Acuff.