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Today in Music: A look back at pop music

By United Press International
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

(June 1)

Today's birthdays include Pat Boone, who was born in 1934 (age 67); Rolling Stone guitarist Ron Wood, who also was a member of the Jeff Beck Group as well as Faces, in 1947 (age 54); Graham Russell of Air Supply in 1950 (age 51); Depeche Mode's Alan Wilder in 1959 (age 42); Simon Gallup of the Cure in 1960 (age 41); The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce in 1963 (age 38); and Alanis Morissette in 1974 (age 27).

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On this day in music history:

In 1964, the Rolling Stones arrived at JFK Airport in New York on British Airways flight 505, later immortalized as the title of a song on the band's 1966 album "Aftermath."

In 1967, the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album was released -- and certified "gold" the same day.

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In 1971, the two-room house in Tupelo, Miss., where Elvis Presley was born was opened to the public.

In 1975, on his 28th birthday, Ron Wood replaced Mick Taylor as the Rolling Stones' lead guitarist.

In 1984, the Platters' lead vocalist Nate Nelson died of heart disease. He was 52.

In 1987, the 20th anniversary of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" album saw its release on CD and some mild Beatlemania.

Also in 1987, Beastie Boy Adam Horowitz was released on bail in Liverpool after allegedly assaulting a fan when a concert turned into a riot.

In 1991, Temptations singer David Ruffin died from an accidental drug overdose after visiting a crack cocaine house in Philadelphia. Michael Jackson later offered to pick up the funeral tab in Detroit.

In 1993, Michael Jackson accepted an invitation to perform in Tel Aviv, Israel, that September.

In 1994, Julio Iglesias launched his U.S. tour in New York in support of his first English-language album in four years.

In 1995, animal-rights activists disrupted rocker/bowhunting advocate Ted Nugent's induction into the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame.

In 1997, Motley Crue's publicist said tickets for the band's much-anticipated "Live Swine" tour had sold out in less than six minutes. The tour began June 10 in Los Angeles and ended June 23 in New York.

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In 1998, Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland was arrested at a New York City public housing project and charged with drug possession.

In 1999, a media frenzy was touched off by opera star Luciano Pavarotti's comments at a benefit concert in Modesto, Italy, that Michael Jackson's 2-year-old son, Prince, "may be dying." It turned out the kid had suffered a fever-inducted seizure the previous weekend but was recovering and in no danger.

Also in 1999, Elton John performed a benefit concert at the University of Wyoming Arena-Auditorium in Laramie in the name of Matthew Shepard. He was the gay student beaten and left for dead in Oct. 1998.

And in 1999, actress Jennifer Lopez's debut CD "On The 6" was released.

In 2000, Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson launched his official Web site (http://www.brianwilson.com) with three tracks from his latest album, "Live At The Roxy Theatre." They included his version of the Barenaked Ladies' tune "Brian Wilson."


Today's musical quiz:

Why did some Latino groups protest the casting of singer/actress Jennifer Lopez as Selena in the biopic about the Mexican Tejeno star? Answer: They were upset with the fact that Lopez is of Puerto Rican heritage rather than Mexican.

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