Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(Feb. 16)

Today's birthdays include Sonny Bono who was born in 1935; R&B singer James Ingram in 1956 (age 47); actor-rapper Ice T (real name: Tracy Morrow) in 1959 (age 44); former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor in 1961 (age 42); and the Blow Monkeys' Tony Kylie in 1962 (age 41).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1963, the Beatles had the group's first No.1 single in Britain with "Please, Please Me."

Also in 1963, heart-throb Paul Anka married Ann Denzogheb in Paris.

In 1964, the Beatles appeared for a second week on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1970, Elvis Presley recorded his show at the International Hotel in Las Vegas for an album that would be titled "On Stage, February, 1970."

The Bee Gees received the Grammy for Best Album of 1978 for Saturday Night Fever and also win the Best Pop Group award

In 1978, the members of ABBA attended the London premiere of their feature film debut, titled "ABBA -- The Movie."

In 1982, influential jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, known as the "High Priest of BeBop," died at the age of 65.

In 1986, Pat Benatar gave birth to her first child, a girl she named Haley.

In 1987, Bon Jovi fans camping out in the bitter cold at the Nassau, N.Y., Coliseum for concert tickets began rioting, smashing doors and windows. But 5,000 of them lined up when the box office opened.

In 1991, Sinead O'Connor announced she would not accept any Grammy Awards she might win.

Also in 1991, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin were among the celebrities who joined fans at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium to pay tribute to gospel musician the Rev. James Cleveland, who'd died a week earlier at age 59.

In 1992, Japanese customs officials refused to allow Mick Jagger into the country because he didn't have the proper papers. The Rolling Stone frontman spent the night in an airport hotel before immigration officials issued him a visa. The snarl stemmed from Jagger's past drug convictions.

In 1993, Rod Stewart received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BRITS Awards in London. He was then reunited with former Faces bandmates Ron Wood, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones to perform a couple of classic Faces tunes.

Also in 1993, an out-of-court settlement was announced in former Motown producer Johnny Bristol's lawsuit against BeeBee and CeeCee Winans. He charged that their 1984 song "I Really Love You" was very similar to his 1974 "Hang On In There, Baby."

In 1994, Bette Midler testified that her 1991 movie "For The Boys" was not based on the life of Martha Raye. The actress was suing Midler and others in Los Angeles court for $1 million and 10 percent of the movie's profits.

In 1995, a spokesman for Michael Jackson denied a report on TV's "Hard Copy" that he'd set up a $1 million trust fund for O.J. Simpson's two young children.

Also in 1995, the Recording Industry Association of America reported a record $12 billion in revenue for the music industry in 1994.

In 1999, rapper ODB (real name: Russell Jones) was arrested in Los Angeles after the police discovered he was wearing a bullet-proof vest -- a no-no considering his prior violent felony arrests.

Today's musical quiz:

How did Andy Taylor get his job with Duran Duran? Answer: He's said to have answered a newspaper advertisement placed by the band looking for a "live-wire" guitarist.