Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Nov. 1)

Today's birthdays include Keith Emerson, of Emerson Lake and Palmer, who was born in 1944 (age 58); bassist Rick Grech of Blind Faith and Traffic in 1945 (age 57); Sugarloaf's Robert Yeazel in 1946 (age 56); Dan Peek, formerly with America, in 1950 (age 52); Kool and the Gang saxophonist Ronald Bell in 1951 (age 51); Chris Morris, once with Paper Lace, in 1954 (age 48); country singer Lyle Lovett in 1957 (age 45); Alarm bassist Eddie MacDonald in 1959 (age 43); a-ha keyboardist "Mags" Furuholmen in 1962 (age 40); and Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen in 1963 (age 39).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1955, Carl Perkins recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" at Sun Studios in Memphis.

In 1962, the Beatles opened a two-week gig at the Star Club in Hamburg, West Germany.

In 1963, the Beatles launched the group's second British tour in Cheltenham, England. Beatlemania was born.

In 1964, the Dave Clark 5 performed "Glad All Over" on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Sullivan pointed out that, "Unlike the Rolling Stones, they were nice, neat boys."

In 1968, George Harrison's "Wonderwall" album was released. The movie soundtrack was the first release on the Apple Records label and the first Beatle solo recording.

In 1979, Bob Dylan kicked off a U.S. tour in San Francisco, promoting his first religious album "Slow Train Coming."

In 1983, Innervision Records -- the only record company interested enough to sign Wham!, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, at the start of the duo's career -- went to court to prevent them from recording. Relations between the label and Wham! had been slowly deteriorating.

In 1986, Roger Waters -- a founding member of Pink Floyd -- asked a court to dissolve the group's partnership.

In 1993, Public Enemy's Flavor Flav, a.k.a. William Drayton, was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting at a neighbor during a dispute.

Also in 1993, Michael Jackson's lawyers asked that the civil lawsuit filed by the teenager he allegedly molested be postponed until the statute of limitations run out on possible criminal charges in the year 2000. That same day, Jackson had dental surgery in Mexico City, forcing cancellation of his concert.

And in 1993, a news report (on ABC's "Day One") claimed Dionne Warwick's charity functions raised little cash and sometimes actually COST non-profit groups money.

In 1994, a tentative settlement was announced in the lawsuit by 60 women against Chuck Berry. They'd accused him of videotaping them in restrooms at his former restaurant and recreation park in Weintzville, Mo.

Also in 1994, charges against James Brown were dropped after the singer settled out of court with the bicyclist he'd hit with his car three months earlier in Augusta, Ga.

In 1995, Barry White was hospitalized with exhaustion and flu-like symptoms, forcing him to cancel his appearance on the "Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame Special."

In 1996, Michael Jackson performed his first-ever concert in India. The show, in Bombay, was mired in controversy after Jackson said he'd donate proceeds to a charity run by the right-wing state ruling political party. A brouhaha also erupted over an announcement that the state government had exempted concert organizers from paying $3.3 million in entertainment taxes.

In 1997, Britain's Prince Harry attended a Spice Girls concert with his father, Prince Charles, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Topping the charts on this date:

Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin (1959), To Sir with Love - Lulu (1967), Island Girl - Elton John (1975), All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie (1983).

Today's musical quiz:

Michael Jackson owns an Oscar statuette awarded for what? Answer: Jackson owns the Oscar awarded to "Gone With The Wind" for Best Picture. He bought it at an auction for $1.54 million.