Today in Music: a look at pop music

, April 11 (UPI) -- (April 11)

Today's birthdays include Chris Difford of Squeeze, who was born in 1954 (age 49); Neville Staples of the Specials in 1956 (age 47); Stuart Adamson, guitarist with Big Country, in 1958 (age 45); and Lisa Stansfield in 1966 (age 37).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1917, composer Scott Joplin, known as the "king of ragtime," died at the age of 49.

In 1956, James Brown's first charted single -- "Please Please Please" -- appeared on the R&B singles charts.

Also in 1956, the Jordanaires joined Elvis Presley in the studio for the first time, singing backup on "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You."

In 1961, Bob Dylan performed professionally for the first time at Gerde's Folk City in New York's Greenwich Village, opening for John Lee Hooker.

In 1963, the Beatles' "From Me To You" was released in England. It would become the Fab Four's first British No. 1 single.

In 1965, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Animals, Moody Blues, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield were among the performers at a concert sponsored by Britain's New Musical Express magazine.

In 1970, one day after Paul McCartney formally announced the breakup of the Beatles, the group's "Let It Be" hit No. 1 on the pop charts.

Also in 1970, Peter Green -- a founding member of Fleetwood Mac -- found religion and announced he was leaving the group.

In 1981, Van Halen lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen married actress Valerie Bertinelli in Los Angeles.

In 1984, at a concert in Atlanta, Adam Ant found his onstage diving pool filled with goldfish. The prank was pulled by his opening act The Romantics to celebrate the end of the tour.

In 1988, the best original song Oscar went to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the movie "Dirty Dancing."

Also in 1988, Roy Acuff was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame by the National Association of Broadcasters.

In 1994, the TV tabloid show "Hard Copy" reported that no criminal charges would be filed against Michael Jackson because the teenager who accused the pop star of molesting him refused to testify. Authorities denied this was the reason.

Also in 1994, the coroner in Seattle confirmed that Kurt Cobain's death was a suicide.

In 1995, Michael Jackson took wife Lisa Marie Presley and her two children on an outing to Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park near Los Angeles.

In 1997, University of Central Florida officials said they'd gotten more than 800 phone calls protesting the planned concert (on April 15) by the rock group Marilyn Manson on campus.

In 2000, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Donna Summer, RuPaul and Destiny's Child took the stage for "VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross" at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Also in 2000, Carlos Santana performed at a benefit concert for the San Francisco School of the Arts, the only publicly funded arts high school in the Bay Area.

In 2001, Eminem was sentenced to two years probation for pistol-whipping a man he saw kiss his wife in the parking lot of a Detroit-area nightclub in June 2000.

Also in 2001, 'N Sync took home three awards and Christina Aguilera, Eminem and Destiny's Child won two each at the Seventh Annual Blockbuster Awards in Los Angeles.

And in 2001, Marc Anthony and Kid Rock joined Mary J. Blige and newcomers Nelly Furtado and Jill Scott on the fourth annual "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The show aired live on VH1.

And in 2001, Don Henley and Alanis Morissette sang the praises of Napster before a congressional hearing on online music entertainment. Morissette called the popular online music sharing service publicity that could help many musicians survive, while Henley -- co-founder of the Recording Artists Coalition and former Eagles lead singer -- asked officials to protect Napster.

Today's musical quiz:

Valerie Bertinelli's character on the 1970s sitcom "One Day At A Time" was a huge fan of what pop star? Answer: Elton John.