Today in Music: A look back at pop music

(June 2)

Today's birthdays include War's Charles Miller, who was born in 1939 (age 62); drummer Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones in 1941 (age 60); William Guest, one of Gladys Knight's Pips, also in 1941 (age 60); composer Marvin Hamlisch in 1944 (age 57); Bangles bassist Michael Steele in 1959 (age 42); and Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley in 1960 (age 41).

On this day in music history:

In 1953, Elvis Presley graduated from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones opened the group's first U.S. tour with a show at a high school football stadium in Lynn, Mass.

In 1972, Dion and the Belmonts -- which had broken up in 1960 -- reunited for a special concert at New York's Madison Square Garden. The show was recorded and released as a live album in 1973.

In 1973, Electric Light Orchestra launched its first U.S. tour in San Diego, Calif.

In 1984, WHAM! topped the British music charts with "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go."

In 1987, Whitney Houston's second album -- "Whitney" -- was released.

Also in 1987, officials at New York's Madison Square Garden canceled a sold-out Billy Idol concert because of unfinished asbestos-removal work.

In 1991, the Gatlin Brothers announced they were breaking up when their tour ended -- citing health problems, rising business costs and a country music scene dominated by newcomers.

In 1992, Rod Stewart's wife, model Rachel Hunter, gave birth to a girl, the couple's first child, in London.

Also in 1992, a 23-year-old parole was sentenced to die in Texas for the July 1991 kidnapping and murder of the wife of ZZ Top manager Bill Ham.

In 1993, Aerosmith kicked off its first concert tour in nearly three years in Topeka, Kan.

In 1994, a Long Island, N.Y., couple sued Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, claiming the celebrity couple's bodyguard attacked them in Puerto Rico as they took pictures -- not knowing the couple was near by.

Also in 1994, a London newspaper reported that Julian Lennon, 32, was pressing his stepmother, Yoko Ono, to give him his share of his father's estate that was due him when he turned 30.

And in 1994, Barbra Streisand resumed her concert tour in Anaheim, Calif., after canceling four shows due to laryngitis.

In 1995, Barry White launched his North American tour in Birmingham, Ala.

Also in 1995, a Pasadena, Calif., music store owner filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against six major U.S. record labels, accusing them of conspiring to keep CD prices artificially high.

In 1998, the Smashing Pumpkins CD "Adore" was released.

Also in 1998, Hootie and the Blowfish were honored by the American Society of Young Musicians as the "inspirational band of the year."

In 2000, Virgin Records announced that A Perfect Circle made history when its first album "Mer De Noms" debuted on the Billboard Top 200 album chart at No.4, the highest chart entry ever for a rock band's first album.

Today's musical quiz:

What was the original name of the Bangles? Answer: The Bangs.