Today in Music: A look back at pop music

(June 24)

Today's musical birthdays include comedian/bandleader Phil Harris, a regular on "The Jack Benny Show," who was born in 1906; Mick Fleetwood in 1942 (age 60); Jeff Beck and Arthur Brown of the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, both in 1944 (age 58); Traffic's Chris Wood, also in 1944; Colin Blunstone of the Zombies in 1945 (age 57); Dire Straits bassist John Illsley in 1949 (age 53); Derrick "Duckie" Simpson of Black Uhuru in 1950 (age 52); UB40's Astro, whose real name is Terence Wilson, in 1957 (age 45); Andy McCluskey of Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark in 1959 (age 43); Tears for Fears' Curt Smith in 1961 (age 41); Jeff Cease of The Black Crowes in 1967 (age 35); and Glenn Medeiros in 1970 (age 32).

Today in music history:

In 1965, John Lennon published his second book, "A Spaniard In The Works."

In 1966, Lenny Bruce played his last show at the Fillmore West in San Francisco.

In 1987, Ella Fitzgerald was a sell-out at the JVC Jazz Festival in New York. It was her first performance since a heart ailment in July 1986.

In 1988, Carlos Santana and jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter opened a five-week tour at Pittsburgh's Mellon Festival.

In 1989, a reunited Who launched a North American tour in Toronto, at the same venue where the band had played its farewell performance in 1982.

Also in 1989, Rosanne Cash topped the country music charts with a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party."

In 1990, Donnie Wahlberg of the New Kids On The Block was injured when he fell through a trap door on stage during a New York concert.

In 1993, the illegitimate daughter of Hank Williams, Sr., reached an out-of-court settlement with her half-brother, Hank Williams, Jr., over their father's estate.

In 1995, Neil Young filled in for Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder in San Francisco. Vedder was sick with the flu.

In 1997, Motley Crue released "Generation Swine" -- the band's first CD since the return of original lead vocalist Vince Neil -- and appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

Also in 1997, The Artist Formerly Known As Prince and champion boxer Muhammad Ali announced plans for a benefit concert that October in Los Angeles. The show would raise money for groups that fight racial and religious prejudice.

And in 1997, a judge in Raleigh, N.C., fined rapper Foxy Brown $500 and ordered her to perform community service for spitting on two hotel clerks after being told the hotel didn't have an iron.

And in 1997, Disney reportedly pulled the new CD by the Insane Clown Posse off store shelves due to "foul and offensive" lyrics. The group's manager accused Disney of caving in to a recently announced boycott by Southern Baptists.

And in 1997, LaToya Jackson was divorced from husband/manager Jack Gordon after six years of marriage.

In 1999, Christie's in New York auctioned off 100 of Eric Clapton's guitars. A total of $5 million was raised for the Crossroads Center, a substance abuse treatment center founded by Clapton on the Caribbean island of Antigua.

Today's musical quiz:

Whatever happened to Prince's wife, Mayte? Answer: The couple, wed in 1996, had their marriage annulled in 1999 but remained together.