Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Sept. 9)

Today's birthdays include the late Otis Redding, who was born in 1941; Luther Simmons of Main Ingredient in 1942 (age 60); Iron Butterfly's Doug Ingle and R&B singer/pianist Billy Preston, both in 1946 (age 56); Freddy Weller, formerly with Paul Revere and the Raiders, in 1947 (age 55); Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics in 1952 (age 50) and singer Aimee Mann of the group 'Til Tuesday in 1960 (age 42).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1954, Elvis Presley performed at the grand opening of a Memphis pharmacy.

In 1956, Elvis Presley appeared for the first time on "The Ed Sullivan Show." He performed "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Ready Teddy."

In 1967, Sam and Dave's "Soul Man" was released.

In 1970, Elvis Presley launched a short U.S. concert tour in Oakland, Calif.

In 1977, David Bowie appeared on T-Rex frontman Marc Bolan's afternoon TV show on British television. They sang a duet, "Standing Next to You." A week later, Bolan was dead -- killed in a car accident.

In 1979, Cat Stevens married Fouzia Ali at Kensington Mosque in west London.

In 1992, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Annie Lennox, Metallica, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the big winners at the ninth annual MTV Video Music Awards.

Also in 1992, the NFL signed Michael Jackson as the only performer for the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show.

In 1993, a Gallup poll published in Entertainment Weekly found most Americans thought Michael Jackson was innocent of the child molestation allegations against him.

Also in 1993, EMI released "The Beatles 1962-1966" and "The Beatles 1967-1970" on CD for the first time.

In 1996, over-excited Michael Jackson fans in Budapest, Hungary, smashed a record shop window trying to get a better look at the pop star.

Also in 1996, John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" sold for $48,300 dollars at a San Francisco auction.

And in 1996, Bill Monroe -- the "father of bluegrass" -- died in his sleep. He was 84.

In 1998, Aerosmith resumed its "Nine Lives" World Tour with a concert in Scranton, Penn. The road trip had been interrupted by lead singer Steven Tyler's knee injury and drummer Joey Kramer's burns in a freak gas station accident.

Today's musical quiz:

Billy Preston was the first non-Beatle credited on a Beatles record, "Get Back." How did he meet the Fab Four? Answer: Preston met the Beatles in 1962 in Germany while a member of Little Richard's band.