Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Oct. 19)

Today's birthdays include David Guard of the Kingston Trio, who was born in 1934; reggae singer Peter Tosh in 1944; Procol Harum lyricist Keith Reid and country's Jeannie C. Riley, both in 1945 (age 57); Wilbert Hurt of the Delfonics in 1947 (age 55); and Karl Wallinger of World Party in 1957 (age 45).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1958, "High School USA" by Gene Vincent's backing vocalist Tommy Facenda entered the U.S. pop singles chart. The song was released in 28 versions -- each highlighting the name of a different high school.

In 1963, the Beatles recorded "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

In 1966, the Yardbirds -- featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on guitar -- arrived in New York for the group's first U.S. tour. Two days later, Beck left the tour and the band, and went on to form a new group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

In 1967, the Miracles' "I Second That Emotion" was released.

In 1968, the Supremes released "Love Child."

In 1969, "Led Zeppelin 2" was released.

In 1991, authorities in Houston were not amused when Tod Waters, lead singer for the punk rock group Spunk, dedicated a song about prison life and homosexual rape to the Houston police. He was later arrested.

In 1992, a spokeswoman for Sinead O'Connor said the Irish pop singer still planned to include New York in her concert tour -- despite a hostile reception at the Bob Dylan tribute earlier in the month, when she was booed off the stage in reaction to her now-infamous appearance on "Saturday Night Live."

In 1993, Chilean newspapers claimed Michael Jackson was using doubles of himself to distract fans and reporters. Concert promoters denied this.

In 1996, Ray Davies, co-founder of the Kinks, kicked off an extensive U.S. tour in support of his new double album "To The Bone."

Also in 1996, two Taiwanese lawmakers protested the awarding of a meritorious achievement award to Michael Jackson, citing the 1993 child molestation accusations against the pop singer.

In 1999, Paul McCartney's third classical album, "Working Classical," was released. It included three new orchestral works and several string quartet arrangements of love songs he wrote for his late wife, Linda.

Also in 1999, Barry White's autobiography, "Love Unlimited: Insights on Life and Love," was published.

In 2000, a retrospective on John Lennon opened at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. The exhibit, titled "Lennon: His Life and Work," ran through the summer of 2001.

Topping the charts on this date:

Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter and Eddie Haywood (1956), Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann (1964), Ben - Michael Jackson (1972), Another One Bites the Dust - Queen (1980).

Today's musical quiz:

Jeannie C. Riley had a hit single in 1968 that was made into a TV movie (starring Barbara Eden) and later turned into a TV series. What was the song? Answer: "Harper Valley P.T.A."