Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Sept. 7)

Today's birthdays include Little Milton, whose real name is Milton Campbell, born in 1934 (age 68); the late Buddy Holly in 1936; Chic's Alfa Anderson in 1946 (age 56); Gloria Gaynor in 1949 (age 53); Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders in 1951 (age 51); keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1954 (age 48); Starland Vocal Band's Margot Chapman in 1957 (age 45); and "Soul Train" dancer-turned-singer Jermaine Stewart in 1962 (age 40).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1963, Bob Dylan debuted on the pop album charts with "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan."

Also in 1963, "American Bandstand" began airing every Saturday morning from Southern California.

In 1978, The Who's Keith Moon died of a drug overdose after watching the premiere of the film "The Buddy Holly Story." He was 31.

In 1984, Ringo Starr became the first Beatle to be a grandfather with the birth of Tatia Jayne Starkey to the wife of Starr's son, Zak Starkey.

Also in 1984, the elopement of Janet Jackson and James DeBarge was announced. The marriage was over by the spring of 1985.

In 1991, Gloria Estefan was awarded damages of $5 million for the injuries she suffered when her tour bus was hit by a truck in Pennsylvania in March 1990.

Also in 1991, Motley Crue signed a $22.5 million record deal.

In 1993, Michael Jackson was greeted in Fukuoka, Japan, by hundreds of screaming fans undaunted by the child molestation charges facing the pop star back in Los Angeles.

In 1994, Pink Floyd launched its European tour in Prague, the Czech Republic.

In 1995, Weezer, TLC and Michael and Janet Jackson topped the list of winners at the 12th annual MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

Also in 1995, newsstands and music stores nationwide reportedly were refusing to carry the October issue of Guitar magazine because of its cover photo -- which showed heterosexuals Flea and Dave Navarro of the Red Hot Chili Peppers kissing.

And in 1995, a Buddy Holly exhibit opened at Texas Tech University in Holly's hometown of Lubbock.

In 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur was shot and mortally wounded in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He died six days later. Shakur was 25. His slaying has yet to be solved.

Also in 1996, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres married supermodel Eva Herzigova at a star-studded wedding in Sea Bright, N.J.

In 2000, 'N Sync, bad boy rapper Eminen and Red Hot Chili Peppers were the big winners at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.

Today's musical quiz:

What was Buddy Holly's real name? Answer: Charles Hardin Holley. His last name was misspelled on his first recording contract and he left it that way.