Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(April 24)

Today's birthdays include Barbra Streisand, who was born in 1942 (age 61); Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys in 1943 (age 60); Bernard Henderson of the Hues Corporation in 1944 (age 59); Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, drummer with Creedence Clearwater Revival, in 1945 (age 58); Jethro Tull bassist Glen Cornick and Hues Corporation's H. Ann Kelly, both in 1947 (age 56); The Cure's Boris Williams in 1958 (age 45); and Faith No More bassist Billy Gould in 1963 (age 40).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1957, Ricky Nelson's first single -- "Teenager's Romance," backed with a cover of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" -- was released.

In 1958, Dion and the Belmonts' released their first single -- "I Wonder Why," backed with "Teen Angel."

In 1959, "There Goes My Baby" was released by the Drifters. It supposedly was the first rock 'n' roll song to use a string section.

Also in 1959, "Your Hit Parade" aired for the last time.

In 1961, Bob Dylan appeared on a recording for the first time. He played harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte's "Midnight Special" album and was paid $50.

In 1970, on invitation from Tricia Nixon, Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick showed up at the White House -- escorted by Abbie Hoffman, who was on trial in the Chicago 7 conspiracy case. The White House guards refused to admit Hoffman and Slick left with him.

In 1974, David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" album was released.

In 1984, the Talking Heads concert movie "Stop Making Sense" premiered in San Francisco.

Also in 1984, Jerry Lee Lewis married for the sixth time. Bride No.6 was Kerrie McCarver.

In 1987, Leon Redbone, Mason Ruffner and Cyril Neville were among the headliners at the opening of the 18th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In 1991, a man in Lexington, Ky., accused Whitney Houston of punching him in the eye during a fight that broke out as the singer's entourage arrived at a hotel five days earlier. Houston's brother, Michael, also was accused of assault. A judge ordered both Houstons to appear in court.

Also in 1991, newcomer Garth Brooks won a record six "Hat" awards at the 26th annual Academy of County Music Awards in Los Angeles.

In 1992, the Cleveland Orchestra sued Michael Jackson for $7 million, saying a song from his "Dangerous" album included a one-minute snippet from the orchestra's 1961 rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Also in 1992, Jimmy Buffett held a rare concert in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to raise money to help separate his Save the Manatees organization from the Florida Audubon Society.

In 1993, Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp -- along with Travis Tritt, Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Bruce Hornsby and Ringo Starr -- performed at Farm Aid VI in Ames, Iowa. Comic couple Roseanne and Tom Arnold did a short musical segment, closing with the theme from the TV series "Green Acres."

In 1994, pop star Madonna met San Antonio Spurs star David Robinson in the locker room after the game to congratulate him on his 71-point performance.

In 1995, Courtney Love of the rock group Hole stormed off the stage of an Amsterdam nightclub after a fan allegedly taunted her by yelling, "You killed Kurt." It was a reference to the April 1994 suicide of Love's husband, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain.

Also in 1995, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder jammed at a North Carolina nightclub.

In 1996, rapper/actress Queen Latifah testified at the trial of one of two carjackers who stole her BMW and wounded her boyfriend the previous July in Harlem, N.Y.

In 1997, Toby McKeehan of dc Talk was the big winner at the 28th annual Dove Awards, winning in five of the 13 categories for which he nominated.

In 1998, the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival opened. Headlining performers included Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, Jimmy Buffett, the Doobie Brothers Reunion, Ziggy Marley and Better Than Ezra.

In 2000, the Library of Congress honored legendary record producer Ahmet Ertegun and nightclub entertainer Bobby Short with "Living Legend" medals.

In 2001, the Bee Gees' first studio album in four years, "This is Where I Came In," was released.

Today's musical quiz:

Grace Slick had said she was going to introduce Tricia Nixon to this at the party. What? Answer: LSD-laced tea.