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Today in Music: a look back at pop music

By United Press International
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(July 19)

Today's musical birthdays include: Charles Teagarden trumpeter, bandleader, brother of Jack, in 1913; Papa Dee Allen of War, who was born in 1931, country singer George Hamilton IV in 1937 (age 65); Vikki Carr in 1941 (age 61; Average White Band bassist Alan Gorrie in 1946 (age 56); guitarist Bernie Leadon of the Flying Burrito Brothers and, later, the Eagles, and Queen guitarist Brian May, both in 1947 (age 55); the late keyboardist Keith Godchaux of the Grateful Dead was born in 1948; and the late Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd was born in 1952.

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Today in music history:

In 1958, the manager of the Drifters fired the entire group and then hired the then-barely-known Ben E. King and his group, the Five Crowns, as their replacement.

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In 1966, 21-year-old actress Mia Farrow married Frank Sinatra, who was 30 years her senior. The marriage lasted only two years

In 1969, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition first appeared on the country music charts with "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." It was the band's first hit single under its new name.

In 1975, country's Lefty Frizzell died from a stroke at age 47.

In 1976, Allman Brothers Band roadie Scooter Herring was sentenced to 75 years in prison for distribution of cocaine and other drugs. Gregg Allman was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony.

In 1980, David Bowie made his stage debut, portraying "The Elephant Man" in a Denver production. The show later moved to Broadway.

In 1987, the rap group Beastie Boys did not use its usual nearly naked dancers and 20-foot male organ at its Memphis concert. That's because the audience included a city councilman waiting for a chance to have the band arrested on obscenity charges.

In 1989, James Brown was moved from a minimum-security prison to a medium-security jail after large amounts of money was found in his cell.

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In 1990, Chuck Berry was charged with possession of marijuana in St. Charles, Mo.

In 1991, a wax likeness of singer Gloria Estefan was unveiled at the Movieland Wax Museum in Los Angeles.

Also in 1991, country singer Dottie West was slightly hurt in a car crash.

In 1993, testimony began in the Los Angeles trial of a lawsuit filed by backup singer Yvette Marine against Paula Abdul and Virgin Records. Marine claimed she was entitled to "co-lead" vocal credit on Abdul's 1988 debut album "Forever Your Girl." She would lose the case.

In 1994, throat problems forced Whitney Houston to cancel nine dates on her summer concert tour.

Also in 1994, Delphi Internet Service Corporation was named the official online computer service for the Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge" world tour. But officials said the band was not going to "log on."

And in 1994, Rock The Vote kicked off its campaign to help the MTV generation join the health-care debate.

In 1995, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that Carole King's 1971 album "Tapestry" had sold more than 10 million copies -- becoming only the second female solo artist to do so. The first was Whitney Houston's "Bodyguard" soundtrack.

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In 1996, Michael Jackson announced he would perform in South Africa for the first time that coming January.


Topping the charts on this date:

Lonely Boy - Paul Anka (1959), Windy - The Association (1967), Listen to What the Man Said - Wings (1975), Every Breath You Take - The Police (1983).


Today's musical quiz:

At age 8, this future pop star won runner-up on "Star Search" with her version of Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All." Who? Answer: Christina Aguilera.

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