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Today in Music: a look back at pop music

By United Press International
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

(July 11)

Today's musical birthdays include actor/singer Tab Hunter, who was born in 1931 (age 71); Terry Garthwaite in 1938 (age 64); Commander Cody, whose real name is George Frayne, in 1944 (age 58); Deborah Harry, once and again with Blondie, in 1945 (age 57); Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1947 (age 55); Pointer Sister Bonnie Pointer in 1951 (age 51); Michael Rose of Black Uhuru and Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, both in 1957 (age 45); and Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora and Suzanne Vega, both in 1959 (age 43).

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Today in music history:

In 1959, Joan Baez was recorded for the first time --singing a duet with folk singer Bob Gibson at the Newport Folk Festival.

In 1964, the Supremes entered the pop charts for the first time with "Where Did Our Love Go?"

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In 1967, Kenny Rogers announced the formation of his own band, the First Edition.

In 1969, Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies -- featuring bassist Billy Cox and Buddy Miles on drums -- played a benefit for Biafra at Harlem's Apollo Theater.

In 1979, Neil Young's musical documentary "Rust Never Sleeps" premiered in Westwood, Calif.

In 1984, England's version of MTV, Music Box, began beaming its signal to Europe.

In 1988, Robert "Bobby" DeBarge was freed on bail on condition he enroll in a drug treatment program. He'd been arrested in Los Angeles on cocaine possession charges.

In 1991, a survey by the Unistar Radio Network found "Jailhouse Rock" was the No.1-requested Elvis Presley song -- followed by "Suspicious Minds," "Can't Help Falling In Love," "Love Me Tender" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

Also in 1991, songwriters Carole Bayer Sager and Burt Bacharach filed for divorce after 10 years of marriage.

And in 1991, lyricist Roger Christian died in Los Angeles. He wrote the lyrics for the Beach Boys' "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Don't Worry Baby."

In 1992, the last of the original Ink Spots -- Herbert Kenny -- died of cancer at home in Columbia, Md. He was 77.

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In 1994, a spokesman for Michael Jackson denied reports from the Dominican Republic that the pop star had married Lisa Marie Presley on the Caribbean island two months earlier.

In 1995, R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills underwent abdominal surgery in Germany, forcing the band to cancel its next seven dates on the "Monster" tour.

Also in 1995, the girlfriend of Blind Melon's Shannon Hoon gave birth to a baby girl in Los Angeles. She was the couple's first child.

In 1996, Porno for Pyros' New York concert was broadcast live over the Internet.

In 2000, in testimony before Congress, Metallica co-founder Lars Ulruch compared the ability to download music digitally for free via the Web site Napster to walking into a music store and stealing a CD. Metallica was suing Napster over alleged copyright violations.

Also in 2000, Motley Crue released "New Tattoo," its first studio album in three years.


Topping the charts on this date: "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton (1959), "Windy" by The Association (1967), "Love Will Keep Us Together" by The Captain and Tennille (1975), "Every Breath You Take" by The Police (1983).

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Today's musical quiz:

Who "gave away" the bride at Elizabeth Taylor's 1991 wedding to Larry Fortensky? Answer: Michael Jackson.

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