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Today in Music: a look back at pop music

By United Press International
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(Nov. 2)

Today's birthdays include Earl "Speedo" Carroll of the Cadillacs and the Coasters, who was born in 1937 (age 65); David "Jay" Black of Jay and the Americans in 1938 (age 64); Bruce Welch of the Shadows in 1941 (age 61); J.D. Souther in 1945 (age 57); Len "Chip" Hawkins of the Tremeloes in 1946 (age 56); and singer/songwriter k.d. lang in 1961 (age 41).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1966, influential bluesman Mississippi John Hurt died at age 73. It was Hurt who wrote "Coffee Blues," the song that included the phrase "Lovin' Spoonful."

In 1967, the Move was sued by British Prime Minister Harold Wilson over a postcard featuring a naked caricature of Wilson promoting the quintet's third single "Flowers in the Rain." Wilson ultimately won the lawsuit and, as a result, all royalties from the song went to charity.

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In 1968, Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life" was released.

In 1969, the avant-garde film "Sympathy for the Devil" premiered in San Francisco. It showed, among other things, the Rolling Stones in the studio recording the title song.

In 1974, George Harrison opened his first solo tour at the Forum in Los Angeles. He was the first ex-Beatle to tour the United States.

In 1975, Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg visited Jack Kerouac's grave in Lowell, Mass. The event was filmed and later appeared in the movie "Renaldo and Clara."

In 1979, the film version of the Who's rock opera "Quadrophenia," starring Sting, opened in the United States.

In 1983, Public Image Ltd. began its first full-scale tour of the United Kingdom.

In 1991, singer/songwriter Mort Shuman died at age 52. He wrote songs for Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin, among others.

In 1992, Irish pop singer Sinead O'Connor was denied a U.S. visa. Organizers of a planned election night rally in San Francisco said the denial was an act of censorship, but the State Department said the visa application had been filed too late.

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In 1993, officials at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas confirmed that Barbra Streisand would perform at their theater on New Year's weekend. It was Streisand's first concert appearance other than at fundraisers in 27 years.

In 1994, rocker David Crosby was hospitalized in Los Angeles suffering from liver failure.

In 1995, the Smashing Pumpkins' double CD "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.

Also in 1995, Courtney Love's battery trial in Orlando, Fla., was delayed after the judge ruled jurors had been tainted by a disc jockey's snide remark.

And in 1995, film clips from the Beatles' upcoming TV documentary were released in Britain.

In 1998, Variety reported that tickets for the spring '99 Rolling Stones tour would sell for as much as $300 each.

In 1999, Bonnie Raitt presented the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award to Eric Clapton in Los Angeles at the 1st Annual Allegro Awards.


Topping the charts on this date:

It's All in the Game - Tommy Edwards (1958), 96 Tears - ?(Question Mark) and The Mysterians (1966), You Haven't Done Nothin - Stevie Wonder (1974), Who Can It be Now? - Men at Work (1982).

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Today's musical quiz:

What do the initials "k.d." stand for in k.d. lang? Answer: Katherine Dawn.

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(Nov. 3)

Today's birthdays include Tremeloes founder Brian Poole, who was born in 1941 (age 61); Deep Purple bassist Nicholas Simper in 1946 (age 56); Lulu, whose real name is Marie Lawrie, in 1948 (age 54); Adam Ant, whose real name is Stuart Goddard, in 1954 (age 48); Deacon Blue keyboardist James Prime in 1960 (age 42); and Marilyn, Boy George's transvestite pop singer friend whose real name is Peter Robinson, in 1962 (age 40).


Today's musical milestones:

In 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire" and Danny and the Juniors' "At the Hop" were released.

In 1961, Jimmie "The Singing Brakeman" Rodgers was unanimously voted the first member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In 1967, Fleetwood Mac released its first single in England, "I Believe My Time Ain't Long."

In 1972, James Taylor married Carly Simon at her New York apartment. The marriage, which produced two children, lasted 10 years.

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In 1983, RCA signed Puerto Rican teeny-bopper group Menudo.

In 1984, Willie Nelson's recording of Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans" topped the country music charts six weeks after Goodman's death.

In 1986, President Reagan quoted Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" while campaigning in California.

In 1990, Vanilla Ice became the first rap artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 when "Ice Ice Baby" knocked Janet Jackson's "Black Cat" off its perch.

Also in 1990, two teen idols of the 1970s -- David Cassidy and Donny Osmond -- returned to the top-40: Cassidy with "Lyin' To Myself" and Osmond with "My Love Is a Fire."

In 1991, a wake was held as San Francisco's Golden Gate Park for concert promoter Bill Graham, who had been killed a week earlier in a helicopter crash. The event featured performances by Bobby McFerrin, the Grateful Dead, Aaron Neville, Joan Baez, Carlos Santana and Kris Kristofferson -- as well as reunion sets by Crosby Stills Nash and Young, and Steve Perry and Journey. More than 300,000 people attended.

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In 1993, Barry Manilow announced that his 1978 disco hit "Copacabana" was being turned into a musical.

In 1994, Barbra Streisand attended a private tea with Prince Charles at a posh Los Angeles hotel.

In 1995, a couple won Pearl Jam concert tickets after standing in a San Jose, Calif., intersection during morning rush-hour -- with the man wearing only a G-string and the woman clad in bikini, pretending to whip him. The contest for the weirdest stunt was sponsored by a local radio station.

In 1997, Billy Preston was sentenced to three years in prison for violating his probation in an earlier cocaine possession case.

Also in 1997, an out-of-court settlement was announced in a lawsuit filed against Metallica and Jam Productions by an Iowa college student who'd been injured in a 1993 crowd-surfing accident. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

In 1998, Alanis Morissette's second album, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie," was released. It was a follow-up to "Jagged Little Pill."

Also in 1998, "The John Lennon Anthology" -- a four-CD box set with more than 100 previously unreleased solo recordings -- was released by Capitol Records.

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In 1999, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band postponed two concerts in Minneapolis because the Boss's wife, singer/guitarist Patti Scialfa, was suffering from a perforated eardrum.


Topping the charts on this date:

Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley (1957), Yesterday - The Beatles (1965), Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and The Pips (1973), Arthur's Theme (Best that You Can Do) - Christopher Cross (1981).


Today's musical quiz:

Lulu co-starred in and sang the title song for this 1960s motion picture. What was the name of the film? Answer: "To Sir, With Love."

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(Nov. 4)

Today's birthdays include the late Kirk McGee, who was born in 1899; country's Delbert McClinton in 1940 (age 62); Chris Difford of Squeeze in 1954 (age 48); James Honeyman-Scott of the Pretenders in 1957; the Fat Boys' Kool Rock, whose real name is Damon Wimbley, in 1966 (age 36); and rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs in 1969 (age 33).


Today's musical milestones:

In 1962, in his first show outside Greenwich Village, Bob Dylan played Carnegie Hall. About 50 people attended the concert.

In 1963, the Beatles played a command performance for Queen Elizabeth at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London.

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In 1970, Jethro Tull played a Carnegie Hall benefit for the Phoenix House drug rehabilitation center.

In 1976, a fake, phoned-in bomb threat interrupted Bruce Springsteen's show at New York's Palladium.

In 1978, filming began on "Rock 'n' Roll High School," starring The Ramones.

Also in 1978, Talking Heads' "Take Me To The River" was released.

And in 1978, bassist Greg Reeves sued his ex-colleagues in Crosby Stills Nash and Young for the $1 million he said was owed him from the hugely successful album "Deja Vu."

In 1979, Martin Scorcese's documentary on The Band, titled "The Last Waltz," premiered in New York.

In 1981, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads became the parents of a son they named Robert.

In 1983, the Rolling Stones' album "Undercover" was released.

In 1986, "Changes" by the Monkees entered the charts 16 years after its release.

In 1991, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Booker T and the MGs, Johnny Cash, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Isley Brothers, Sam and Dave, and the Yardbirds were announced as the class of 1992 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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In 1992, Elton John and his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, signed a $39 million deal with Warner/Chappell Music. It was said to be the biggest music publishing deal in history.

In 1993, Elton John won his libel suit against the British tabloid newspaper the Sunday Mirror for a story that suggested the pop star was bulimic.

Also in 1993, Michael Jackson underwent oral surgery at a Mexico City hospital to pull an abscessed molar.

In 1996, Michael Jackson's publicist confirmed British tabloid reports that the pop star was going to be a father. The child's mother was Beverly Hills, Calif., nurse and close friend Debbie Rowe, whom Jackson later married.

Also in 1996, the Stone Temple Pilots launched a concert tour delayed by frontman Scott Weiland's drug treatment.

In 1997, Soundgarden released the greatest hits album "A-Sides." The same day, Queen released "Queen Rocks," a greatest hits album that included the band's first song without the late Freddie Mercury or a guest singer, a tune titled "No One But You (Only the Good Die Young)." And "The Very Best of Sting and the Police" reached store shelves. The CD featured 14 of the greatest hits from Sting and his Police colleagues, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers.

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In 1998, CBS-TV aired its first music video premiere: a Celine Dion/R Kelly duet called "I'm Your Angel."


Topping the charts on this date:

Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley (1956), Baby Love - The Supremes (1964),

I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash (1972), Woman in Love - Barbra Streisand

(1980).


Today's musical quiz:

Who preceded the Beatles at that royal command performance? Answer: Sophie Tucker, whom Paul McCartney described as the "Beatles' favorite group." This is the show at which John Lennon asked "the people in the cheaper seats" to clap their hands and for those in the royal box to "just rattle your jewelry."

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(Nov. 5)

Today's birthdays include the late Roy Rogers, who was born in 1912; Ike Turner in 1931 (age 71); Art Garfunkel in 1942 (age 60); the late Gram Parsons of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers in 1946; Peter Noone, "Herman" of Herman's Hermits, in 1947 (age 55); Rob Grill of the Grass Roots in 1948 (age 54); Air Supply guitarist David Moyse in 1957 (age 45); and Bryan Adams in 1959 (age 43).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1960, Johnny Horton was killed in an auto accident. He was 33.

In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter" was released.

In 1977, Ozzy Osbourne quit Black Sabbath for the first time. He would return and then leave again.

Also in 1977, Guy Lombardo died of a heart attack at age 75.

In 1979, George Michael and Andrew Ridgely's pre-Wham! band, The Executives, played its first live gig.

In 1984, Wham! released "Make It Big."

In 1986, Nigerian musician and dissident Fela Kuti launched a U.S. tour delayed by two years when he was jailed in his native country.

In 1988, 22 years after the group last topped the U.S. singles chart, the Beach Boys had a No. 1 hit with "Kokomo," from the soundtrack of the motion picture "Cocktail."

In 1989, Barry Sadler, the U.S. Army veteran who'd topped the U.S. singles chart for five weeks in 1966 with "The Ballad of The Green Berets," died at age 51. 14 months earlier, he'd been shot in the head during a robbery at his home in Guatemala and suffered brain damage.

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In 1993, after the jury failed to reach a verdict, Los Angeles prosecutors said they'd seek to retry funk rocker Rick James on charges he imprisoned and tortured a woman at his home in July 1991.

In 1998, Whitney Houston unveiled new album, "My Love Is Your Love" (on Arista Records), at a New York City news conference. The CD was her first studio album in eight years.

Also in 1998, rock 'n' roll legend Fats Domino -- the 1998 winner of the National Medal of Arts -- was among the 21 people honored by President Clinton for contributions to American culture.

Topping the charts on this date:

Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams (1955), Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs (1963), Gypsy's, Tramps and Thieves - Cher (1971), Pop Muzik - M (1979).


Today's musical quiz:

What was Barry Sadler reportedly doing in Guatemala? Answer: Sadler was in Guatemala allegedly training Contra rebels fighting the leftist government of Nicaragua.

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(Nov. 6)

Today's birthdays include Stonewall Jackson, who had a hit song in 1959 with "Waterloo." He was born in 1932 (age 70). Eugene Pitt of the Jive Five was born in 1937 (age 65); Jim Pike of the Lettermen in 1938 (age 64); Doug Sahm of the Sir Douglas Quintet in 1941; guitarist George Young of the Easybeats in 1947 (age 55); and the Eagles' Glenn Frey in 1948 (age 54).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1965, "It's My Life" by the Animals was released.

Also in 1965, Bill Graham promoted his first rock show. It featured the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore West in San Francisco.

In 1972, New York Dolls drummer Billy Muncia died from accidental suffocation. He had nodded off at a woman's apartment following a night on the town in London and she poured coffee down his throat in an attempt to wake him up. Muncia was 21.

In 1973, Gram Parsons's body was stolen from its grave and cremated -- as he had wanted at the Joshua Tree National Monument in California -- by his friend and manager, Phil Kaufman.

In 1975, the Sex Pistols played the band's first show at St. Martin's School of Art in London. The set lasted about 10 minutes before organizers pulled the plug.

In 1982, Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" topped the R&B music chart. It was his 13th No. 1 single but the first since 1977.

In 1984, after pleading no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges, Marvin Gay Sr. was sentenced to five years' probation in the shooting death of his son, Marvin Gaye Jr.

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In 1992, country singer Reba McEntire escaped injury when her twin-engine jet crash-landed in Nashville. No one else aboard was hurt either.

Also in 1992, Michael Jackson reportedly was planning to introduce a line of fragrances: "Legende de Michael Jackson" for men and "Mystique de Michael Jackson" for women.

In 1994, Jerry Lee Lewis was treated at a Nesbitt, Miss., hospital after choking on food and having trouble breathing.

In 1995, Newsweek reported Michael Jackson was strapped for cash -- due to his having paid off parents to drop child molestation charges against him and also because of his lavish lifestyle -- and was using as collateral his ATV Music catalog. Jackson later denied he needed money in a rare USA Today interview.

Also in 1995, a judge in Orlando, Fla., threw out battery charges against Hole lead singer Courtney Love. The charges stemmed from a nightclub show, during which Love allegedly jumped off the stage and punched two teenage boys.

In 1997, a Los Angeles judge denied a request by Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and his wife, actress Pamela Anderson Lee, to block Internet Entertainment Group from offering free viewings of a steamy video showing the couple having sex.

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Topping the chrts on this date:

He's a Rebel - The Crystals (1962), I'll be There - The Jackson 5 (1970),

You Needed Me - Anne Murray (1978), True Colors - Cyndi Lauper (1986).


Today's musical quiz:

Where did Gram Parsons express the desire to be cremated at California's Joshua Tree National Monument? Answer: On his album "G.P."

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(Nov. 7)

Today's birthdays include jazz trumpeter Al Hirt, who was born in 1922; Mary Travers of Peter Paul and Mary in 1937 (age 65); Dee Clark in 1938; Johnny Rivers in 1942 (age 60); Joni Mitchell in 1943 (age 59); and Nick Gilder in 1951 (age 51).


Today's musical milestones:

In 1970, Chicago released "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"

In 1979, "The Rose," starring Bette Midler, premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1986, Sly Stone was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly failing to make child support payments.

In 1987, Tiffany, 16, topped the charts with a cover of "I Think We're Alone Now," which had been a top-five hit for Tommy James and the Shondells in 1967, four years before Tiffany was born.

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In 1988, John Fogerty was cleared of plagiarism in a lawsuit brought by his former label, Fantasy Records. The company contended that a 1970 Creedence Clearwater Revival song was the same as a Fogerty solo top-10 single in 1985.

In 1991, the children of Frank Zappa confirmed their father had prostate cancer. The disease would kill the rocker two years later.

In 1992, jazz musician Duke "Daddy Duke" Groner died in Chicago at age 84.

In 1995, rapper Flavor Flav of Public Enemy was arrested in New York City on drug and weapons charges, only four months after being sentenced to three years' probation following an assault conviction.

In 1996, a Los Angeles judge denied bail for Death Row Records CEO Marion "Suge" Knight and sent him back to jail for probation violations stemming from a 1992 assault case.

Also in 1996, jury selection began in Orlando, Fla., in the trial of Bobby Brown. He was accused of injuring a man during a brawl at a Disney World nightclub in April 1995.

In 1999, Britney Spears was named Best Young Recording Artist at the 4th annual Youngstar Awards.

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Topping the charts on this date:

Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean (1961), Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley (1969).

You Light Up My Life - Debbie Boone (1977). Part-Time Lover - Stevie Wonder (1985).


Today's musical quiz:

Who wrote the 1969 Peter Paul and Mary hit single "Leaving On A Jet Plane"? Answer: John Denver.

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(Nov. 8)

Today's birthdays include Patti Page, who was born in 1927 (age 75); Bonnie Bramlett, of the duo Delaney and Bonnie, and Atlanta Rhythm Section's Robert Nix, both in 1944 (age 58); Turtles drummer Donald Murray in 1945 (age 57); guitarist/singer Roy Wood of Move and ELO in 1946 (age 56); Minnie Riperton was born in 1948; bassist Alan Berger of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, also in 1948 (age 54); Bonnie Raitt in 1949 (age 53); Firefall guitarist Larry Burnett in 1951 (age 51); Rickie Lee Jones in 1954 (age 48); Adam and the Ants drummer Terry Lee Miall in 1958 (age 44); Glass Tiger's Alan Frew in 1959 (age 43); and Leif Garrett in 1961 (age 41).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1967, the film "How I Won the War," starring John Lennon, premiered in the United States.

In 1968, John and Cynthia Lennon's divorce was finalized.

In 1970, Jim Morrison recorded poetry that, after his death, would be set to music by the surviving members of the Doors as "An American Prayer."

In 1971, the album "Led Zeppelin 4," which included "Stairway to Heaven," was released.

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac's "Over My Head" was released.

In 1980, guitarist Adrian Smith replaced Dennis Stratton in Iron Maiden.

In 1984, world music singer Fela Kuti was convicted of smuggling and sentenced to five years in prison in his native Nigeria. He was released in 1986.

In 1991, a study found that the $61 million raised by USA for Africa's "We Are the World" funded more than 400 projects in more than two dozen African nations.

Also in 1991, doctors in Atlanta announced Temptations singer Eddie Kendrick was doing fine after surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his lung a few weeks earlier.

In 1994, doctors announced David Crosby had been placed on a national waiting list for a new liver.

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Also in 1994, Sonny Bono, running as a Republican, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Palm Springs area of California.

And in 1994, Ice Cube was sued by six men who said they co-wrote the rapper's 1992 hit song "Wicked" but hadn't been paid all the royalties due.

And in 1994, Bob Dylan performed the first of two shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

And in 1994, the "Woodstock '94" double-CD was released.

And in 1994, toymaker Hasbro unveiled its new collection of six Elvis Presley limited-edition commemorative dolls.

In 1995, Michael Jackson and Sony announced a deal to merge their music catalogs. The agreement was worth an estimated $90 million to $100 million to Jackson.

Also in 1995, the Red Hot Chili Peppers postponed its tour after drummer Chad Smith broke his left wrist playing baseball in Los Angeles.

And in 1995, Country Dick Montana, lead singer of the Beat Farmers, collapsed and died on stage in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.

In 1996, Bruce Springsteen performed a benefit concert at his own parochial grade school in his hometown of Freehold, N.J. Only town residents were allowed to buy tickets to the show. The proceeds went to a church-run community center.

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In 1999, Time magazine quoted The Artist Formerly Known As Prince saying he didn't like to be called "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince." He said his name was the (unpronounceable) symbol that appeared on his album covers. The musician's wife, Mayte, told the magazine she called her husband "honey."


Topping the charts on this date:

Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters (1960), Hey Jude - The Beatles (1968).

Rock'n Me - Steve Miller (1976), Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) - Billy Ocean (1984).


Today's musical quiz:

Who wrote Minnie Riperton's 1975 hit "Lovin' You"? Answer: Stevie Wonder, who also produced the single. Riperton had been a member of Wonder's backing group Wonderlove in 1973.

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