Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Sept. 12)

Today's birthdays include country singer George Jones, who was born in 1931 (age 71); Redbone's Tony Bellamy in 1940 (age 62); Maria Muldaur in 1943 (age 59); Barry White in 1944 (age 58); America's Gerry Beckley and Neil Peart of Rush, both in 1952 (age 50); and Barry Andrews of King Crimson and, later, XTC and Motorhead's Brian Robertson, who was once with Thin Lizzy, both in 1956 (age 46).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1948, the Presley family moved from Tupelo, Miss., to Memphis. Elvis was 13 at the time.

In 1965, the Beatles' "Yesterday and Today" album was released. That evening, the Fab Four performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1966, the TV series "The Monkees" made its debut.

In 1970, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie headlined the Woody Guthrie Memorial Concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

In 1974, Mick Jagger and Roberta Flack were among the celebrities attending a party in New York in honor of Stevie Wonder, who was leaving the next day on his first concert tour since his near-fatal accident.

In 1977, a son, James Lewis, was born to Paul and Linda McCartney.

In 1986, the 17-minute, 3-D movie "Captain EO" -- starring Michael Jackson and Anjelica Huston -- premiered at Disney World's Epcot Center.

Also in 1986, Dionne Warwick's alma mater -- the University of Hartford (Conn.) Hartt School of Music -- awarded her an honorary doctorate of music.

In 1987, Stephen Morrissey's solo appearance without the rest of The Smiths appeared to confirm rumors that the group was about to break up.

In 1992, the Four Tops cut short a concert in Edinburgh, Scotland, when the voice of lead singer Levi Stubbs failed.

In 1994, country singer George Jones underwent triple coronary bypass surgery on his 63rd birthday in Nashville.

In 1995, INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence pleaded guilty in London to punching a photographer outside the hotel where he'd spent the night with the estranged wife of Bob Geldof.

Also in 1995, Lenny Kravitz released his fourth album, "Circus," on Virgin Records.

In 1996, Oasis cited "internal difficulties" in abruptly canceling the rest of its U.S. tour.

Also in 1996, Barbra Streisand, the Eagles, Chicago and the Neville Brothers performed at a Beverly Hills, Calif., fund-raiser for President Clinton.

And in 1996, the publisher of the classic 1960s song "Soul Man" asked the Bob Dole campaign to stop using the tune. The GOP had been changing the lyrics to "Dole man."

In 1997, "Candle in the Wind 1997" -- Elton John's tribute to the late Princess Diana -- went on sale in France.

Also in 1997, Michael Jackson told "20/20's" Barbara Walters that he's not "wacko" and that the name-calling by the tabloids hurts his feelings.

In 1999, Graham Nash broke both of his legs in a freak boating accident in Hawaii.

Also in 1999, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and the Dave Matthews Band, among others, performed at Farm Aid '99 in Gainesville, Va.

Today's musical quiz:

J.P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson wrote what George Jones' hit song? Answer: 1959's "White Lightnin.'"