Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(July 2)

Today's musical birthdays include Paul Williams, a former member of the Temptations, who was born in 1939 (age 63); British pop singer Leapy Lee, born Lee Graham, in 1942 (age 60); Ambrosia's Joe Puerta in 1951 (age 51); Johnny Colla of Huey Lewis and the News in 1952 (age 50); Paul Briquette of the Boomtown Rats in 1954 (age 48); and Jerry Hall, the ex-wife of Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, in 1956 (age 46).

Today in music history:

In 1955, Lawrence Welk TV show debuted.

In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" at the RCA studios in New York City.

Also in 1956, Buddy Holly's first single -- "Love Me" with "Blue Days, Black Nights" on the flip side -- was released.

In 1964, country singer Jim Reeves held what would be his last recording session.

In 1973, Roxy Music's Eno -- full name, Brian Peter George St. John Le Baptiste De La Salle Eno -- quit the band after numerous personality clashes with singer/songwriter Bryan Ferry.

In 1981, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played the first of six sold-out shows at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

In 1982, the Clash's Nicky Headon was charged with stealing a bus stop sign.

In 1987, rock promoter Bill Graham announced a badly kept secret -- a Fourth of July rock concert for peace in Moscow featuring Carlos Santana, the Doobie Bros., James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt.

In 1988, George Thorogood and Brian Setzer opened a nationwide tour together in Los Angeles.

In 1991, a riot broke out at a Guns N' Roses concert in suburban St. Louis, Mo., after lead singer Axl Rose allegedly attacked a fan taking photographs. The band then walked off the stage and fans went on a rampage. The destruction of the band's equipment forced the cancellation of its next two tour stops.

In 1992, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger became a grandfather when his daughter, Jade, 20, gave birth to a baby boy.

In 1994, pioneering gospel singer Marion Williams died in Philadelphia at age 66. She influenced Aretha Franklin and Little Richard, among others.

In 1995, a Seattle newspaper quoted Courtney Love saying she was unable to find a final resting place for Kurt Cobain's ashes. No cemetery wanted to accept the remains of the Nirvana lead singer because of security costs.

In 1996, Diana Ross's family added $25,000 to the $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed Diana's younger brother, Arthur "T-Boy" Ross. He and his wife had been found slain in a suburban Detroit home.

In 1997, EMI said it paid $132 million for a 50-percent stake in Berry Gordy Jr.'s company that held the rights to the classic Motown song library. The deal involved copyrights to tunes made famous by Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles -- among others.

Also in 1997, Bruce Springsteen donated part of the money from his Polar Music Prize to a Swedish school program that helps troubled teenagers stay out of trouble.

Today's musical quiz:

Who was the first artist to have five No.1 singles from one album? Answer: Michael Jackson. From his "Bad" album, the tracks "Bad," "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror" and "Dirty Diana" all topped the Billboard Hot-100 pop singles chart.

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