Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(July 20)

Today's musical birthdays include country's T.G. Sheppard, who was born in 1944 (age 58); singer Kim Carnes and Moody Blues bassist John Lodge, both in 1945 (age 57); Carlos Santana in 1947 (age 55); Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony in 1955 (age 47); drummer Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols in 1956 (age 46); Michael McNeill of Simple Minds in 1958 (age 44); and Soundgarden drummer Chris Cornell in 1964 (age 38).

Today in music history:

In 1940, Billboard issued its first U.S. singles chart. The first No. 1 hit was "I'll Never Smile Again" by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Frank Sinatra on the vocal.

In 1954, Elvis Presley performed on a flatbed truck outside a drug store in Memphis.

In 1958, the last episode of the popular Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts aired, after nearly a decade on television. The program, one of television's earliest amateur talent shows, was a breakthrough vehicle for many entertainers including Rosemary Clooney, Pat Boone, Steve Lawrence, Connie Francis and Patsy Cline. Elvis Presley flunked his audition for the show in 1955.

In 1968, Iron Butterfly's "Inna Gadda Da Vida" entered the pop music chart.

In 1974, David Bowie played New York's Madison Square Garden during his tour promoting the album "Diamond Dogs."

In 1975, "Miami" Steve Van Zandt officially joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band at a show in Providence, R.I.

In 1984, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters played the first of three solo concerts at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

In 1986, Carlos Santana celebrated his 39th birthday with a concert that reunited the former members of his old band, Santana, on stage.

In 1987, a Manhattan jury decided that Brazilian singer Morris Albert stole the million-selling song "Feelings" from prominent French composer Louis Gaste. Albert and his publisher were ordered to pay $501,000 in damages.

In 1990, Paul McCartney played Cleveland Stadium.

In 1991, EMF's "Unbelievable" topped the Billboard Hot-100 pop singles chart.

Also in 1991, composer Earl Robinson was killed in a car accident in Seattle. He was probably best known for co-writing with David Arkin the 1972 Three Dog Night hit single "Black and White."

In 1993, John Mellencamp announced that all proceeds from his concerts in Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis would be donated to the Red Cross for the victims of the Midwest flooding.

In 1994, the Dominican Republic judge who said he married Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley threatened to sue them -- saying their denial of the wedding was hurting his reputation. Jackson and Presley eventually 'fessed up.

Also in 1994, funkster Rick James began serving a prison sentence following his conviction in the assaults of two women.

And in 1994, the all-astronaut rock band Max Q performed at the Hard Rock Cafe in Houston to mark the 25th anniversary of the moon landing.

In 1995, the HBO special "Barbra Streisand: The Concert" picked up 12 Emmy nominations.

In 1996, Soundgarden's Kim Thayil was arrested at a North Carolina hotel when he got into an altercation with some drunken hotel guests.

In 2000, the North American leg of Carlos Santana's world concert tour opened in West Palm Beach, Fla. The 22-city tour was already completely sold out.

Topping the charts on this date:

Hard Headed Woman - Elvis Presley (1958), Hanky Panky - Tommy James and The Shondells (1966), Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (1974), Don't You Want Me - The Human League (1982).

Today's musical quiz:

The Santana Blues Band played Woodstock in 1969, even though it didn't have a record deal. The band's later appearance on what TV show landed them a contract with Columbia Records? Answer: "The Ed Sullivan Show."