Advertisement

Today in Music: a look back at pop music

By United Press International
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

(Sept. 1)

Today's birthdays include the late Conway Twitty, who was born Harold Jenkins in 1933; Dave White of Danny and the Juniors in 1940 (age 62); Archie Bell, of Archie Bell and the Drells, in 1944 (age 58); Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, and Sly and the Family Stone drummer Greg Errico, both in 1946 (age 56); Exile's Steve Goetzman in 1950 (age 52); guitarist Bruce Foxton of The Jam in 1955 (age 47; and Gloria Estefan in 1957 (age 45).

Advertisement


Today's musical milestones:

In 1956, Elvis Presley bought his mother a pink Cadillac.

In 1967, singer/guitarist Boz Scaggs joined The Steve Miller Band, reuniting with the group's leader, Steve Miller, a teenage and college-years friend.

In 1970, on his birthday, Barry Gibb married Scottish beauty queen Linda Gray.

Advertisement

In 1977, singer-actress Ethel Waters died at the age of 81.

Also in 1977, Blondie signed with Chrysalis Records.

In 1979, U2 released its first record -- an EP titled "U2-3" -- in the band's native Ireland.

In 1980, Uriah Heep founding member Ken Hansley left the group, leaving guitarist Mick Box the only remaining original member of the band.

In 1983, the Clash fired lead guitarist Mick Jones, saying he'd "drifted apart from the original idea of the Clash."

In 1984, "What's Love Got to Do With It" became Tina Turner's first solo No.1 single.

Also in 1984, Cyndi Lauper launched her U.S. tour in Jones Beach, N.Y.

In 1992, Motown announced it was entering the jazz music field with the unveiling of its new recording label "MoJazz."

In 1993, Newsweek reported that Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose and Frank Sinatra were considering recording a song together for Sinatra's "Duets" album.

In 1994, a judge in Modesto, Calif., set an Oct. 26 trial date for a paternity suit filed against Michael Jackson by woman who claimed her 10-year-old son was conceived when the pop star raped her at a New Years Eve party in 1982 -- although the child's birthdate was listed as Jan. 20, 1984. Jackson's lawyer predicted the case would be thrown out. It was.

Advertisement

Also in 1994, Sinead O'Connor reportedly checked into a London rehabilitation center to kick her marijuana habit.

In 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated. Little Richard and Yoko Ono were among the celebrities at the ceremony in Cleveland.

Also in 1995, Pearl Jam announced it would perform a concert Nov. 4 in San Jose, Calif., to make up for the June 24 concert in San Francisco, where lead singer Eddie Vedder fell ill and Neil Young sat in for him.

In 1998, Paula Cole and matchbox twenty launched a joint tour in Chula Vista, Calif.

In 1999, mechanical problems grounded Britney Spear's plane in Memphis, causing her to miss an autograph session in Boston. Needless to say, her fans were very disappointed.

In 2000, Alice Cooper kicked off the North American leg of his "Live From the Brutal Planet" tour, in support of his new CD, "Brutal Planet."

Also in 2000, the California state legislature named a freeway interchange for the late Rep. Sonny Bono, D-Calif. The interchange is in Moreno Valley, located in the Palm Springs congressional district Bono represented.

Advertisement


Today's musical quiz:

Where did Conway Twitty get his stage name? Answer: The country singer came up with the name by looking at a map that showed Conway, Ark., and Twitty, Texas.

Latest Headlines