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Today in Music: a look back at pop music

By United Press International
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

(Feb. 1)

Today's birthdays include Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio, who was born in 1934 (age 69); Don Everly and Ray "Dr. Hook" Sawyer, both in 1937 (age 65); Kansas guitarist Rich Williams in 1950 (age 53); funkster Rick James in 1952 (age 51); guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1954 (age 49); and Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis and Priscilla and the ex-wife of Michael Jackson, in 1968 (age 35).

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Today's musical milestones:

In 1929, "The Broadway Melody," Hollywood's first original film musical, opened in Los Angeles. It became the first sound film to win an Academy Award for best picture.

In 1949, RCA unveiled its new 45-rpm record player.

In 1958, Elvis Presley recorded his last ingle, "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck," before joining the Army. He served until 1960.

In 1964, the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for seven weeks.

Also in 1964, "Louie, Louie" by the Kingsmen was declared pornographic by the governor of Indiana, who, while admitting he couldn't understand the lyrics, said the song "made his ears tingle."

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In 1967, Pink Floyd turned professional.

In 1978, Bob Dylan's "Renaldo and Clara" -- largely a film documentary of the Rolling Thunder tour -- premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1986, Diana Ross married Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess in Switzerland.

Also in 1986, music publisher Dick James died of a heart attack at age 65.

In 1993, country singer Reba McEntire made a guest appearance on the CBS sitcom "Evening Shade."

In 1994, newcomer Toni Braxton and relative veteran Janet Jackson led the field with four nominations each for the annual Soul Train Music Awards.

Also in 1994, a man was arrested defacing Michael Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He told police he didn't like child molesters.

In 1995, Jon Secada was named an AT&T spokesperson for the phone company's Spanish-language TV commercials.

In 1996, American Music Award executive producer Dick Clark announced that the artist of the year award would become a "traveling trophy" -- as suggested by that year's winner, Garth Brooks.

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In 1999, Gloria Estefan's husband, Emilio, was jogging on a Miami Beach, Fla., beach when a boatload of Cuban refugees came ashore. He bought them coffee and pastries before the police showed up. The Estefans are former Cuban refugees themselves.


Today's musical quiz:

Ray "Dr. Hook" Sawyer appeared in what Dustin Hoffman movie? Answer: "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?"

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