Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(July 17)

Today's musical birthdays include Diahann Carroll, who was born in 1935 (age 67); Stan Bronstein of Elephant's Memory in 1938 (age 64); Spencer Davis in 1942 (age 60); Sweet drummer Mick Tucker in 1948 (age 54); Terry "Geezer" Butler, bassist with Black Sabbath, and Tommy James and the Shondells bassist Mike Vale, both in 1949 (age 53); actor David Hasselhoff (who's a hit singer overseas) and Phoebe Snow were both born in 1952 (both age 50), and so was the late Nicolette Larson.

Today in music history:

In 1954, the first Newport Jazz Festival opened in Rhode Island for a two-day run.

In 1959, Billie Holiday died from liver disease at age 44.

In 1967, the Jim Hendrix Experience opened for the Monkees at Forest Hills Stadium in New York.

In 1968, the Beatles' animated film "Yellow Submarine" premiered in London.

In 1972, police in Santa Monica, Calif., arrested Sly Stone on drug possession charges. The "drugs" turned out to be over-the-counter cold medication.

Also in 1972, a mysterious bomb blew up the Rolling Stones equipment truck in Montreal.

In 1974, the Moody Blues opened its own studio in London -- the first in Britain designed for quadraphonic recording.

In 1979, Gary Moore left Thin Lizzy -- not for the first time -- and was replaced by Midge Ure.

In 1982, "Valley Girl" by Frank Zappa and his 14-year-old daughter Moon Unit entered the pop music charts.

In 1991, a reconstituted Lynyrd Skynyrd kicked off a national tour in Baton Rouge, La. That's where the band was headed Oct. 21, 1977, when its plane crashed -- killing six, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines.

In 1992, Guns N' Roses launched a 25-concert tour with Metallica and Faith No More in Washington, D.C.

In 1993, former Who Pete Townshend opened his tour in Toronto.

In 1994, Whitney Houston sang at the World Cup soccer finals in Pasadena, Calif.

Also in 1994, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley found some stolen Kiss costumes during a surprise visit to a Kiss convention in Pontiac, Mich.

In 1996, the Smashing Pumpkins announced drummer Jimmy Chamberlin had been fired after his arrest on drug possession charges the week before and the death of a backing musician in a New York hotel room.

In 1998, the Smashing Pumpkins performed a free show at a block party in downtown Minneapolis.

Topping the charts on this date:

Tossin' and Turnin' -- Bobby Lewis (1961), In the Year 2525 -- Zager and Evans (1969), Da Doo Ron Ron -- Shaun Cassidy (1977), View to a Kill -- Duran Duran (1985)

Today's musical quiz:

When Paul McCartney wanted to use "Yesterday" in his 1984 film "Give My Regards to Broad Street," what did he had to do? Answer: He needed the publisher's permission, since he no longer owned the rights to the song.