Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Aug. 5)

Today's musical birthdays include guitarist Les Paul, who was born in 1915 (age 87); Dave Clark 5 bassist Rick Huxley in 1942 (age 60); country's Sammi Smith in 1943 (age 59); composer Jimmy Webb ("Up, Up and Away") in 1946 (age 56), Rick Derringer and Greg Leskiw, formerly with The Guess Who, both in 1947 (age 55); Sammantha Sang in 1953 (age 49); and Pete Burns of Dead or Alive in 1959 (age 43).

Today in music history:

In 1957, Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" went national live from Philadelphia. It'd previously been a local show.

In 1967, Pink Floyd's debut album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" was released. Most of the songs were written by Syd Barrett.

Also in 1967, Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billy Joe" was released.

In 1972, Aerosmith was signed by Clive Davis of Columbia Records after he saw the band perform in a New York City club.

In 1974, Kim Fowley formed the all-girl group the Runaways. It included Joan Jett.

In 1981, Olivia Newton-John was honored with a gold star on Hollywood Boulevard.

In 1983, David Crosby was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of cocaine and illegal weapons possession charges in Dallas. He'd slept through most of the trial. Crosby was paroled in 1986.

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen launched the first of 10 nights of concerts at the Meadowlands.

In 1987, Hard Rock Cafe officials paid $37,000 at a London auction for a two-hour 1968 interview with John Lennon.

In 1992, Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro died from a heart attack at age 38. Initially, it was believed the heart attack had been brought on by a reaction to pesticides Porcaro was using in his backyard in Hidden Hills, Calif.

Also in 1992, Michael Jackson collapsed three times during a concert in Cardiff, Wales.

In 1993, Poison cancelled its entire summer tour.

In 1994, Michael Jackson and his new wife, Lisa Marie Presley, arrived in Budapest, Hungary, for a music video shoot. The couple also visited local children's hospitals.

In 1996, Bruce Springsteen sued two alleged bootleggers in London who were planning to release a bootleg album of his songs titled "Unearthed."

Also in 1996, police and "Phish-heads" -- fans of the rock group Phish -- clashed after ticketless fans were turned away from a Phish concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver.

And in 1996, an Edgartown, Mass., couple submitted the winning bid of $13,000 to sail around Martha's Vineyard with James Taylor.

In 1997, Dick Clark returned to Philadelphia to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first nationwide broadcast of "American Bandstand."

In 1998, a Tucson, Ariz., man was sentenced to 10 months in prison for the attempted stalking of Linda Ronstadt.

Topping the charts on this date:

Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson (1958), Wild Thing - The Troggs (1966), Annie's Song - John Denver (1974), Eye of the Tiger -- Survivor (1982).

Today's musical quiz:

Can you name the first record played on this date on "American Bandstand"? Answer: "That'll Be the Day," by Buddy Holly.