Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Sept. 26)

Today's birthdays include the late country singer Marty Robbins, who was born in 1925; George Chambers of the Chambers Brothers in 1931 (age 71); Youngbloods drummer Joseph Bauer in 1941 (age 61); Brian Ferry of Roxy Music in 1945 (age 57); country singer Lynne Anderson in 1947 (age 55); Olivia Newton-John in 1948 (age 54); 10cc's Stuart Tosh in 1951 (age 51); former Jefferson Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico in 1954 (age 48); and Tracey Thorn of Everything But The Girl in 1962 (age 40).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1887, German immigrant Emile Berliner was granted a patent for a new machine he called the "Gramophone."

In 1956, Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" debuted on the pop music charts.

Also in 1956, Tupelo, Miss., declared Sept. 26 to be "Elvis Presley Day."

In 1957, "West Side Story" with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim opened on Broadway.

In 1969, the Beatles' 13th album, "Abby Road," was released in the United Kingdom.

In 1974, John Lennon released his "Walls and Bridges" album. It was his last album of new material for almost six years.

In 1980, a show by the San Francisco punk group the Dead Kennedys was banned because of the group's name.

In 1981, Prince's first major hit -- the controversial "Controversy" -- entered the music charts.

In 1984, an appeals court in Berlin, West Germany, upheld previous verdicts and cleared Paul McCartney in a paternity suit brought by the mother of Bettina Huebers -- long thought to be the ex-Beatle's illegitimate daughter.

In 1986, the double platinum "Raisin' Hell" by Run-DMC peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Top-200 album chart. It was the first rap album to crack the top 10.

In 1992, Gloria Estefan, "Wierd Al" Yankovic, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, Crosby Stills and Nash, the Bee Gees and Ziggy Marley took part in a benefit concert in Miami to raise money for the victims of Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki.

In 1995, David Bowie's Virgin Records debut "Outside" was released. The same day saw the release of the interactive CD "The Cranberries: Doors and Windows."

Also in 1995, rocker and toy train enthuisiast Neil Young reportedly was among a group of investors buying Lionel Trains.

And in 1995, Marilyn McCoo, formerly with the Fifth Dimension, joined the cast of the Broadway revival of "Showboat."

And in 1995, the widow of rapper Eazy-E gave birth to a girl -- the couple's second child -- in Los Angeles. Eazy-E had died from AIDS earlier in the year.

In 1996, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled the band Weezer could use the name "Pinkerton" for its new CD over the objections of the security company of the same name.

Also in 1996, a Los Angeles declared a mistrial in a production company's lawsuit against the Jackson family over the "Jackson Family Honors" TV special flop. The company said the show lost money because Michael Jackson refused to perform solo as he reportedly had agreed to do.

And in 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported the FBI was investigating Death Row Records -- the late rapper Tupac Shakur's label -- for possible links to LA street gangs and drug trafficking. The probe reportedly had begun several months before Shakur's September 1996 drive-by shooting death in Las Vegas.

In 2000, 98 Degrees released its fourth album, "Revelation" (on the Universal label), a follow-up to the group's multi-platinum CD "98 Degrees and Rising."

Topping the charts on this date:

Sherry -- The 4 Seasons (1962), Ain't No Mountain High Enough -- Diana Ross (1970), Boogie Oogie Oogie -- A Taste of Honey (1978), Stuck with You -- Huey Lewis and The News )(1986).

Today's musical quiz:

Members of the Cranberries are from what country? Answer: Ireland.