Today In Music: A look back at pop music

(April 20)

Today's birthdays include country's Johnny Tillotson, who was born in 1939 (age 63); Jimmy Winston of Small Faces in 1945 (age 57); keyboardist Craig Frost of Grand Funk Railroad in 1948 (age 54); and Luther Vandross in 1951 (age 51).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1959, 13-year-old Dolly Parton's first record, "Puppy Love," was released.

In 1963, Rick Nelson married Kris Harmon.

In 1966, the Beatles recorded the vocal tracks for "Eleanor Rigby." Originally titled "Daisy Hawkins," the song's title was changed after Paul McCartney spotted the name Rigby on a clothes shop in Bristol, England.

In 1968, Deep Purple -- Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, Eian Paice, Rod Evans, and Nick Semper -- played the group's first live gig in Tastrup, Denmark.

In 1983, Marie Osmond gave birth to a boy she and her husband named Steven James Craig.

In 1984, nightclub singer Mabel Mercer died at age 84.

In 1987, "Tribute" -- a double live album by Ozzy Osbourne featuring his late guitarist Randy Rhoads -- was released.

Also in 1987, police in Coventry, R.I., said they were considering charges against a 17-year-old boy who allegedly bit the head off a gerbil during a party. The teenager said he got the idea from Ozzy Osbourne, who allegedly bit the head off a bat during a concert.

And in 1987, Eddie Rabbitt performed at the White House Easter Egg roll.

In 1991, an Earth Day benefit concert in Foxboro, Mass., featured Bruce Hornsby, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Jackson Brown, 10,000 Maniacs, Queen Latifah, and the Indigo Girls.

Also in 1991, Steve Marriott -- former lead singer of Small Faces and Humble Pie -- was killed in a fire at his rented home northeast of London. He was 44.

In 1992, Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Roger Daltrey, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie, George Michael, Def Leppard, and Spinal Tap joined the surviving members of Queen at an AIDS Concert for Life. The show honored Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury, who'd died of AIDS in Nov. 1991. More than 70,000 people attended the concert at London's Wembley Stadium.

Also in 1992, Madonna signed a deal with Time-Warner to form a multi-media entertainment company. The agreement reportedly made her the highest paid female pop star.

In 1993, LaToya Jackson's husband and manager, Jack Gordon, was arrested after he allegedly beat his wife with a dining room chair at their New York City apartment.

Also in 1993, Jethro Tull released a limited edition four-CD box set to mark the band's 25th anniversary.

In 1994, Barbra Streisand kicked off her first tour in 28 years with a sold-out concert at London's Wembley Arena.

In 1996, two men were killed and two more injured in Oakland, Calif., when they crashed their car while trying to get away from a riot that'd broken out outside a concert by the rap group Tha Dogg Pound.

In 2000, gospel singer Ginny Owens was named New Artist of the Year at the 31st Annual Dove Awards, held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Her debut album, "Without Condition," also won the award for Best Enhanced CD.

In 2001, the original members of Humble Pie reunited for the first time in a decade at London's Astoria Theatre to pay tribute to the late Steve Marriott, who co-founded the band with Peter Frampton. Marriott was killed in a house fire in 1991.

Today's musical quiz:

Grand Trunk Railroad had a hit single in 1974 with a cover version of this song. What? Answer: "The Locomotion," which originally was a hit for Little Evie a decade earlier.

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(April 21)

Today's birthdays include Iggy Pop, whose real name is James Jewel Osterberg, who was born in 1947 (age 55); Paul Carrack of Mike and the Mechanics, formerly with Squeeze, as well as with Ace, in 1951 (age 51); and Robert Smith of The Cure in 1957 (age 45).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1963, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones met for the first time at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, West London, England -- where the Stones were playing.

In 1969, Janis Joplin played at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In 1974, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed together for the last time.

In 1978, Sandy Denny -- lead singer of Fairport Convention -- died from a brain hemorrhage at age 37, four days after falling down the stairs.

In 1982, Joe Strummer -- frontman for The Clash -- disappeared for three weeks, causing the band to cancel a scheduled tour. He was found living on the streets of Paris.

In 1984, the soundtrack album from "Footloose" bumped Michael Jackson's "Thriller" off the top of the album charts after 37 weeks.

In 1988, Mick Jagger testified in a White Plains, N.Y., courtroom in the unsuccessful copyright suit brought against him by a Bronx reggae musician.

In 1990, Amy Grant sued Marvel Comics for the unauthorized use of her likeness in a Dr. Strange comic.

In 1993, ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman married Californian Suzanne Accosta in southern France, where he owns a home. He was 56, she 33.

Also in 1993, authorities in Fort Bluff, Calif., credited Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann with saving the life of a teenage surfer caught in a riptide.

In 1994, Kurt Cobain's widow -- Courtney Love -- turned in the weapon he'd used to kill himself to a grass-roots anti-violence organization holding a guns-for-tickets trade-in program.

In 1996, the Sunday Times of London reported Paul McCartney was the 30th richest person in Britain, worth $630 million.

In 1997, an arrest warrant was issued after rapper Foxy Brown failed to show up for her scheduled trial on assault charges in Raleigh, N.C. The artist was accused of spitting at two female hotel workers in Jan. 1997.

In 1998, Sonny Bono's widow, Mary, was sworn in to fill his congressional seat representing the Palm Springs, Calif., area in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1999, the Los Angeles Times quoted police sources saying Death Row Records founder and CEO Marion "Suge" Knight was a key suspect in the March 1997 slaying of rapper Notorious B.I.G. The newspaper reported that he was suspected of engineering the plot from behind prison bars. Two days later, the paper reported that Knight had refused to talk to the cops.

Today's musical quiz:

Did the Beatles ever send Elvis Presley a telegram? Answer: Yes. In 1965, the Fab Four wired Presley and congratulated him on the 10th anniversary of his being in show business.

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(April 22)

Today's birthdays include Glen Campbell, who was born in 1936 (age 66); and Peter Frampton in 1950 (age 52).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1961, the first annual Country Music Festival opened in Jacksonville, Fla. It featured Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Porter Wagoner, Flatt and Scruggs, Patsy Cline and Mel Tillis, among others.

In 1966, the Troggs' "Wild Thing" was released.

In 1968, a CBS-TV special broadcast on this date -- celebrating the release of the 10th album by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass -- featured Alpert singing "This Guy's in Love With You." The single was released two days later after a flood of calls to CBS asking about getting a recording of the song.

In 1969, The Who performed the complete "Tommy" for the first time in public in Dolton, England, two weeks before the rock opera's official premiere in London.

Also in 1969, John Lennon changed his middle name from Winston to Ono in a ceremony on the roof of the Apple Records headquarters in London.

In 1976, Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" became the first single to be certified platinum -- meaning more than 2 million copies sold.

In 1977, the Jam's first single "In the City" was released.

In 1978, Bob Marley headlined the "One Love" peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica. The all-star reggae show, benefitting unemployed Jamaicans, drew 30,000 people.

In 1979, Keith Richards and friends performed two free shows for the blind in Toronto to fulfill the terms of Richards' sentence for a heroin conviction.

In 1981, Eric Clapton suffered minor injuries in a car accident in Seattle.

In 1987, country's Don Williams underwent back surgery in Nashville.

In 1988, Mick Jagger played tapes of his songs for a packed courtroom in White Plains, N.Y., as he defended himself against a copyright suit brought by a Bronx reggae artist. The judge would rule in Jagger's favor.

In 1990, three-quarters-of-a-million people gathered in New York's Central Park for "Earth Day," a concert starring Hall and Oates, Edie Bricknell, the B-52s and Ben E. King.

In 1991, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones Productions and CBS Records were sued for $5 million by the developer of the Holophonics 3D sound recording method. He said the Holophonics method was supposed to be used on Jackson's "Bad" album but was taken off later copies.

In 1994, the 25th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival began.

In 1996, Bobby Brown was arrested on drunk driving charges in suburban Atlanta. The woman who was with him -- not his wife, Whitney Houston -- was not charged.

In 1998, former Who frontman Roger Daltry kicked off a world tour with the British Rock Symphony in New York, performing the hits of classic British rock bands.

Also in 1998, a Harris poll found Barbra Streisand was the most popular singer among adult Americans. Country's Garth Brooks came in second, Whitney Houston and Frank Sinatra tied for third, and Alan Jackson was fifth. The Beatles and Alabama tied for sixth place, followed by George Strait, Reba McEntire and Boyz II Men.

In 1999, concert promoters in Denver cancelled Marilyn Manson's April 30 concert in the wake of the Columbine High School massacre in Littleton, Colo. Manson reportedly was a favorite band of the two teenagers who allegedly carried out the shootings.

In 2000, Santana's world concert tour kicked off in Tokyo.

Today's musical quiz:

Where was Peter Frampton's hugely successful album "Frampton Comes Alive" recorded? Answer: The 1975 album was recorded at San Francisco's Winterland.

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(April 23)

Today's birthdays include child actress/singer-turned-diplomat Shirley Temple, who was born in 1928 (age 74); Roy Orbison in 1936; Ray Peterson, who had a hit single in 1960 with "Tell Laura I Love Her," in 1939 (age 63); Narada Michael Walden in 1952 (age 50); Captain Sensible, bassist with The Damned, whose real name is Ray Burns, in 1955; and Def Leppard's "Steamin'" Steve Clark in 1960.

Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Elvis Presley made his Las Vegas debut, opening for the Freddie Martin Orchestra and comic Shecky Greene at the New Frontier Hotel. He was dropped from the bill after only a week due to poor audience response.

In 1969, the Ash Grove club in Los Angeles -- where bands such as Canned Heat played during their formative years -- burned down.

In 1975, Badfinger's Peter Ham hanged himself only days after quitting the band and just three days before his 28th birthday.

In 1978, Sex Pistol bad boy Sid Vicious recorded -- in an artificially deep voice -- Frank Sinatra's signature tune "My Way."

In 1981, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded an album in Stuttgart, West Germany, that was released in 1982 as "The Survivors."

In 1986, songwriter Harold Arlen died at age 81. He wrote "Over the Rainbow," which was recorded by Judy Garland, Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others.

In 1988, "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" topped the charts -- giving Whitney Houston seven consecutive No.1 singles. That broke the record of six held jointly by the Beatles and the Bee Gees.

In 1991, Johnny Thunders -- formerly with the New York Dolls -- was found dead from a suspected drug overdose in a New Orleans guesthouse. He was 38.

In 1995, a London newspaper (the Sunday Mirror) reported that Dreamworks SKG would buy out George Michael's recording contract with Sony. Michael had sued unsuccessfully in 1994 to break the agreement.

In 1996, Hootie and the Blowfish released "Fairweather Johnson," the follow-up album to the band's 13-million-plus seller "Cracked Rear View." That CD had been 1995's best-selling album.

Also in 1996, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., judge overturned a 1989 New York court agreement that ordered Tom Jones to pay $2,791 a month to a woman whose son he fathered. The woman wanted more money from the singer.

In 1997, the Los Angeles Times reported that several off-duty Inglewood, Calif., police officers working security for the Notorious B.I.G. might have witnessed the rapper's shooting death a month earlier.

Also in 1997, members of the Four Tops were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And in 1997, LeAnn Rimes won three awards, and Brooks and Dunn two, at the 32nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles.

In 1998, the Rolling Stones wrapped up the North American leg of the "Bridges to Babylon" tour where road trip had begun in September 1997 -- in Chicago.

Also in 1998, Carlos Santana and his son performed with the School O' The Arts jazz ensemble at a benefit for SOTA at the Hard Rock Cafe in San Francisco.

And in 1998, the late Rich Mullins -- who had died in a car accident the previous year -- was named the Artist of the Year at the Gospel Music Association's 29th annual Dove Awards.

Today's musical quiz:

Who wrote the Everly Brothers' hit "Claudette"? Answer: Roy Orbison. It was about his wife, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1966.

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(April 24)

Today's birthdays include Barbra Streisand, who was born in 1942 (age 60); Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys in 1943 (age 59); Bernard Henderson of the Hues Corporation in 1944 (age 58); Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, drummer with Creedence Clearwater Revival, in 1945 (age 57); Jethro Tull bassist Glen Cornick and Hues Corporation's H. Ann Kelly, both in 1947 (age 55); The Cure's Boris Williams in 1958 (age 44); and Faith No More bassist Billy Gould in 1963 (age 39).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1957, Ricky Nelson's first single -- "Teenager's Romance," backed with a cover of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" -- was released.

In 1958, Dion and the Belmonts' released their first single -- "I Wonder Why," backed with "Teen Angel."

In 1959, "There Goes My Baby" was released by the Drifters. It supposedly was the first rock 'n' roll song to use a string section.

Also in 1959, "Your Hit Parade" aired for the last time.

In 1961, Bob Dylan appeared on a recording for the first time. He played harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte's "Midnight Special" album and was paid $50.

In 1970, on invitation from Tricia Nixon, Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick showed up at the White House -- escorted by Abbie Hoffman, who was on trial in the Chicago 7 conspiracy case. The White House guards refused to admit Hoffman and Slick left with him.

In 1974, David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" album was released.

In 1984, the Talking Heads concert movie "Stop Making Sense" premiered in San Francisco.

Also in 1984, Jerry Lee Lewis married for the sixth time. Bride No.6 was Kerrie McCarver.

In 1987, Leon Redbone, Mason Ruffner and Cyril Neville were among the headliners at the opening of the 18th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In 1991, a man in Lexington, Ky., accused Whitney Houston of punching him in the eye during a fight that broke out as the singer's entourage arrived at a hotel five days earlier. Houston's brother, Michael, also was accused of assault. A judge ordered both Houstons to appear in court.

Also in 1991, newcomer Garth Brooks won a record six "Hat" awards at the 26th annual Academy of County Music Awards in Los Angeles.

In 1992, the Cleveland Orchestra sued Michael Jackson for $7 million, saying a song from his "Dangerous" album included a one-minute snippet from the orchestra's 1961 rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Also in 1992, Jimmy Buffett held a rare concert in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to raise money to help separate his Save the Manatees organization from the Florida Audubon Society.

In 1993, Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp -- along with Travis Tritt, Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Bruce Hornsby and Ringo Starr -- performed at Farm Aid VI in Ames, Iowa. Comic couple Roseanne and Tom Arnold did a short musical segment, closing with the theme from the TV series "Green Acres."

In 1994, pop star and NBA groupie Madonna met San Antonio Spurs' star David Robinson in the locker room after the game to congratulate him on his 71-point performance.

In 1995, Courtney Love of the rock group Hole stormed off the stage of an Amsterdam nightclub after a fan allegedly taunted her by yelling, "You killed Kurt." It was a reference to the April 1994 suicide of Love's husband, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain.

Also in 1995, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder jammed at a North Carolina nightclub.

In 1996, rapper/actress Queen Latifah testified at the trial of one of two carjackers who stole her BMW and wounded her boyfriend the previous July in Harlem, N.Y.

In 1997, Toby McKeehan of dc Talk was the big winner at the 28th annual Dove Awards, winning in five of the 13 categories for which he nominated.

In 1998, the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opened. Headlining performers included Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, Jimmy Buffett, the Doobie Brothers Reunion, Ziggy Marley and Better Than Ezra.

In 2000, the Library of Congress honored legendary record producer Ahmet Ertegun and nightclub entertainer Bobby Short with "Living Legend" medals.

In 2001, the Bee Gees' first studio album in four years, "This is Where I Came In," was released.

Today's musical quiz:

Grace Slick had said she was going to introduce Tricia Nixon to this at the party. What? Answer: LSD-laced tea.

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(April 25)

Today's birthdays include Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus, who was born in 1945 (age 57); Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival also in 1945 (age 57); Left Banke keyboardist Michael Brown in 1949 (age 53); the Average White Band's Steve Ferrone in 1950 (age 52); and Andy Bell of Erasure in 1964 (age 38).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Elvis Presley's first hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," topped the national pop music charts.

In 1968, the Beatles refused to play a benefit show for the British Olympic Fund, even though Queen Elizabeth was to attend. Said Ringo Starr, "We don't do benefits."

In 1970, members of Pacific Gas and Electric Company -- an inter-racial rock band -- were pelted with beer cans and forced to flee from a racist crowd in Raleigh, N.C.

Also in 1970, Otis Spann -- Chicago blues session player and a regular in Muddy Waters' band -- died of cancer at age 40.

In 1974, Pamela Courson -- girlfriend of the Doors' Jim Morrison -- died from a heroin overdose.

In 1977, Elvis Presley's concert in Saginaw, Mich., was taped. The recording turned out to be Presley's last. Three of the songs later appeared on the posthumous Presley album "Moody Blue."

In 1981, Paul McCartney's band Wings broke up.

In 1987, Roy Orbison headlined an "Oil Aid" benefit in Midland, Texas.

In 1993, members of the Grateful Dead helped pay for a liver transplant for San Francisco psycheldelic artist Stanley "Mouse" Miller, who created the band's skull-and-roses logo.

In 1994, Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys was sentenced to 200 hours community service for beating up a TV cameraman during a November 1993 memorial service for actor River Phoenix.

Also in 1994, Snoop Doggy Dog was named rap solo artist of the year and A Tribe Called Quest won the group of the year award at the first annual Source Hip-Hop Awards in New York.

And in 1994, Prince Charles went backstage to visit Barbra Streisand after her London concert.

In 1996, the Stone Temple Pilots cancelled a series of free shows in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles -- citing lead singer Scott Weiland's drug problems. The band said Weiland was under a doctor's care at a medical facility.

Also in 1996, it was reported that Michael Jackson had bought a 15th-century French castle about 100 miles south of Paris.

In 1997, U2 kicked off its "PopMart" tour in Las Vegas.

Also in 1997, Warren Haynes and Allen Woody announced they were quitting the Allman Brothers Band to devote their full attention to their new group, Gov't Mule.

And in 1997, Grand Funk Railroad was in New York for the first of three concerts benefitting Bosnia Relief. The shows launched the band's world tour.

In 1998, singer, actress and breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John joined thousands of other people at Detroit's Race for the Cure benefit.

In 1999, R&B singers Rogers and Zapp (brothers Roger Troutman, 47, and Larry Troutman, 54) died in an apparent murder/suicide. The police in Dayton, Ohio, said Roger was found shot near the family music studio, while Larry was found in his car that had crashed into a tree. He had suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Also in 1999, Paul Simon sang "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?" -- the lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkel song "Mrs. Robinson" -- as the New York Yankees honored the legendary ballplayer at New York's Yankee Stadium.

In 2000, R&B singer Mya's second album, "Fear of Flying" (on University Entertainment/Interscope Records), was released. Guest artists on the CD include TLC's Left Eye, Beenie Man, Jordan Knight and Jadakiss of the LOX.

Today's musical quiz:

The 1970s movie "A Star Is Born" starred Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. But reportedly, this actor/musician wanted to play the role that ultimately went to Kristofferson. Who? Answer: Elvis Presley. Not landing the part is said to have sent "The King" into a deep depression.

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(April 26)

Today's birthdays include Maurice Williams of the Zodiacs, who was born in 1938 (age 64); Duane Eddy was also born in 1938 (age 64); Bobby Rydell in 1942 (age 60); Gary Wright, who was with Spooky Tooth before going solo, in 1943 (age 59); the late Pete Ham of Badfinger was born in 1947; Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie in 1949 (age 53); Duran Duran's Roger Taylor in 1960 (age 42); and TLC's Tionne Watkins in 1970 (age 32).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1977, Studio 54 opened in New York City.

In 1978, Ringo Starr starred in his first TV special -- an updated version of Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper."

In 1982, a gunman robbed Rod Steward on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood and stole his Porsche.

In 1984, Liverpool's Cavern Club reopened.

Also in 1984, cancer claimed Count Basie at age 79.

In 1987, Fats Domino, Jose Feliciano and Allen Toussaint were among the headliners at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Also in 1988, country singer Randy Travis swept the first TNN Viewer's Choice Awards, winning in five categories.

In 1988, a federal jury in White Plains, N.Y., ruled Mick Jagger did not steal "Just Another Night" from an aspiring reggae musician, ending the copyright suit against the Rolling Stone frontman.

In 1994, Grace Slick pleaded guilty to pointing a shotgun at a police officer who had responded to a call of trouble at her Marin County., Calif., home.

In 1995, Bobby Brown and two other men were arrested and charged in the beating of a man at a Disney World nightclub.

Also in 1995, former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler was charged with felony heroin possession after he was found slumped over the wheel of his car parked on a Los Angeles street.

In 1996, the rock band Phish helped draw huge crowds to the opening day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In 1999, tickets for Woodstock '99 set an all-time Ticketmaster record for first-day single-event sales. A total of $7 million worth of tickets were sold.

Also in 1999, Billy Joel spoke about show business to acting students at Manhattan's New School. He said teaching was the only other profession he thought he'd enjoy as much as music.

And in 1999, Sinead O'Connor told the BBC she had been ordained as the first woman priest in the Latin Tridentine Church, a Roman Catholic splinter group, and said she would be known as "Mother Bernadette Mary."

Today's musical quiz:

At age 7, Gary Wright appeared in what 1950s-era children's program? Answer: "Captain Video."