(June 3)
Today's birthday's include the late Curtis Mayfield, who was born in 1942; drummer Michael Clark of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers in 1944 (age 57); Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter in 1946 (age 55); Suzi Quatro in 1950 (age 51); Deneice Williams in 1951 (age 50); and Lynyrd Skynyrd pianist Billy Powell in 1952 (age 49).
On this day in music history:
In 1964, the Rolling Stones made the group's U.S. TV debut on "The Hollywood Palace," hosted by Dean Martin.
Also in 1964, the Beatles launched a world tour but without an exhausted Ringo Starr. The stand-in drummer was Jimmy Nicol until Starr could join the band nine days later in Melbourne, Australia.
In 1967, the Doors released "Light My Fire."
Also in 1967, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell made their duo debut on the R&B charts with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
In 1972, the Eagles released "Take It Easy."
In 1975, Ozzie Nelson -- father of pop star Rick Nelson -- died at age 68. He was the patriarch of the Nelson family in the radio and TV series "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet."
In 1978, Deneice Williams celebrated her 27th birthday when her duet with Johnny Mathis -- "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" -- topped the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart.
In 1979, Rickie Lee Jones and Boz Scaggs joined Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for a three-hour jam at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles during a wedding party for Springsteen's lighting director.
In 1981, Genesis' Phil Collins released his first solo album, "Face Value."
In 1991, rapper Vanilla Ice was arrested in Los Angeles after he reportedly pulled a gun on a man trying to sell him a necklace.
Also in 1991, Willie Nelson released the "Who'll Buy My Memories: The IRS Tapes" album -- sales of which would help pay off the back taxes he owed the federal government.
And in 1991, British police seized about 5,000 copies of NWA's latest album from a warehouse near London. Authorities said the song lyrics promoted drug use and encouraged sex with 14-year-olds.
In 1998, Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen injured his arm when a piece of plaster fell on him during a sound check in Hamburg, Germany. The 43-year-old musician suffered no broken bones but the concert was canceled anyway.
Also in 1998, producer Glen Ballard announced that Lisa Marie Presley had signed deal with Java Records to make an album.
In 1999, Paul Simon and Lou Reed were among the artists who performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of a tribute to Harvey Lichtenstein, who was retiring after running the BAM for 31 years.
In 2000, a run-in between bad boy rapper Eminem and an associate of the rival rap band Insane Clown Posse in Royal Oak, Mich., led to Eminem being charged with felony possession of a concealed weapon and misdemeanor brandishing of a firearm in public. One day later, the rapper would be accused of pushing an unloaded gun into the face of a man he saw kissing his wife in the parking lot of a Warren, Mich., nightclub -- and face additional weapons offenses.
Also in 2000, country singers Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney were arrested following a concert in Buffalo, N.Y. -- Chesney for taking a police horse for a ride without permission and McGraw for coming to his buddy's aid when officers went after Chesney. They would later be acquitted.
And in 2000, a series of musical pieces by Paul McCartney and a number of other British composers paying tribute to McCartney's late wife, Linda -- "A Garland for Linda" -- had its U.S. broadcast premiere on National Public Radio.
And in 2000, the Goo Goo Dolls, Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, Hanson, Don Henley, Jennifer Lopez, Macy Gray, Sugar Ray, Third Eye Blind, Blessid Union of Souls and Eiffel 65 performed at a benefit concert sponsored by a Boston radio station (KISS 108 FM).
And in 2000, Whitney Houston's first career-spanning DVD and VHS home video collection, "Whitney: The Greatest Hits" (Arista Records), was certified "platinum" for U.S. sales of more than 100,000 copies.
Today's musical quiz:
Before striking out on her own, with whom did Deneice Williams sing backing vocals for in the 1970s? Answer: Stevie Wonder.
