Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(March 30)

Today's birthdays include Rolf Harris, who had a hit in 1963 with the novelty tune "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," was born in 1930 (age 73); Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge in 1944 (age 59); Eric Clapton in 1945 (age 58); Turtles guitarist Dave Ball in 1946 (age 57); Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas in 1948 (age 55); Lene Lovich in 1954 (age 49); rapper Hammer -- real name, Stanley Kirk Burrell -- in 1963 (age 40); Tracy Chapman in 1964 (age 39); and Celine Dion in 1968 (age 35).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1963, the Chiffons topped the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart with "He's So Fine."

In 1966, 85 unruly fans were arrested after a Rolling Stones concert in Paris.

In 1967, the Beatles photographed what became the unusual front cover of the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.

In 1976, punk music was launched in London when the Sex Pistols performed at the 100 Club.

In 1978, Paul Simenon and Nicky Headon of The Clash were arrested for shooting pigeons.

In 1984, Greg Lake left Asia -- to be replaced by John Wetton, whom Lake had earlier replaced.

In 1987, Herbie Hancock won the best original score Oscar for "Round Midnight." "Take My Breath Away" from "Top Gun" won for best original song.

Also in 1987, Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys said William Lee Golden had been kicked out of the group because he "hated" the other members. Golden would later return to the fold.

And in 1987, Blue Note musicians -- including Dexter Gordon, Bobby McFerrin, McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard -- wrote an open letter against home taping. The letter was included in the label's new releases.

In 1994, Madonna made a foulmouthed appearance on David Letterman's "Late Show" -- causing CBS censors to bleep her numerous times.

In 2000, Rolling Stone frontman Mick Jagger returned to his boyhood school in Britain to open the Mick Jagger Performing Arts Centre at Dartford Grammar School.

Today's musical quiz:

Where did rapper Stanley Burrell get his stage name "Hammer"? Answer: Burrell was a batboy for the Oakland A's in the 1970s. One of the ball players, slugger Pedro Garcia, noticed he resembled home run king Hank Aaron and started calling him "Little Hammer." The name stuck.