Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Aug. 15)

Today's musical birthdays include Drifters bassist Bill Pinkney, who was born in 1925 (age 77); Bobby Helms in 1933 (age 69); drummer Tommy Aldrich of Ozzy Osbourne's band, in 1942 (age 60); Spencer Davis Group drummer Peter York also in 1942 (age 60); songwriter Jimmy Webb in 1946 (age 56); guitarist Matt Johnson in 1961 (age 41); and Beastie Boy MCA, aka Adam Yauch, in 1967 (age 35).

Today in music history:

In 1958, Buddy Holly married Maria Santiago in Lubbock, Texas.

In 1965, the Beatles played New York's Shea Stadium, launching the Fab Four's third North American tour. The concert receipts exceeded $300,000 -- a world record at the time.

In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival opened on Max Yasgur's farm near Bethel, N.Y. It drew an estimated 400,000 people for three days of music by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Santana, and the Grateful Dead -- among others.

In 1980, George Harrison's autobiography "I Me Mine" was published in London.

Also in 1980, the Urgh! punk festival -- featuring X, Pere Ubu and the Dead Kennedys -- was held in Santa Monica, Calif.

In 1981, Stevie Wonder, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Grover Washington Jr. and Third World were among the artists who drew 50,000 people to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., for the Black Family Fair.

In 1984, Norman Petty -- Buddy Holly's producer -- died at age 57.

In 1986, 29-year-old Connie Doerr of Hermann, Mo., was the 30-millionth visitor to Opryland in Nashville.

In 1987, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, George Benson and Dizzy Gillespie headlined the Newport Jazz Festival.

In 1991, three-quarters-of-a-million people attended a free concert by Paul Simon in New York's Central Park.

Also in 1991, Alan Jackson and Vince Gill tied for the most nominations -- six -- for the 25th annual Country Music Association Awards.

In 1992, about 700 Madonna fans jammed a hotel in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Mich., to celebrate the pop star's 34th birthday.

In 1995, the surviving members of the Grateful Dead canceled the group's fall tour following the death of Jerry Garcia one week earlier.

Also in 1995, a Los Angeles judge ordered an alleged Madonna stalker to stand trial.

And in 1995, the 4-year-old daughter of rocker Vince Neil died from a very rare form of liver cancer, just months after being diagnosed.

In 1997, Blues Traveler kicked off their tour in Charlotte, N.C., in support of their sixth album "Straight On Till Morning."

Topping the charts on this date:

My Prayer - The Platters (1956), Everybody Loves Somebody -Dean Martin (1684), Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan (1972), Magic - Olivia Newton-John (1980).

Today's musical quiz:

Songwriter Jimmy Webb wrote the Grammy-winning tune "Up, Up and Away" and a lot of Glen Campbell songs. He also wrote a song inspired by his habit of meeting his girlfriend for lunch in a downtown Los Angeles park. Can you name the tune?

Answer: "MacArthur Park," which is an actual park on Wilshire Blvd.