Today in Music: a look back at pop music

(May 1)

Today's birthdays include Sonny James, who was born in 1929 (age 74); the late Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs in 1930; Judy Collins in 1939 (age 64); Rita Coolidge in 1945 (age 58); Blood Sweat and Tears trumpet player Jerry Weiss and Buckinghams bassist Nick Fortune, both in 1946 (age 57); Ray Parker Jr. in 1954 (age 49); Mr. Mister guitarist Steve Farris in 1957 (age 46); and Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt and country singer Tim McGraw, both in 1966 (age 37).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1966, the Beatles played the group's last show in Britain. The event was the "New Musical Express Pollwinner's Concert." Others on the bill included the Rolling Stones and The Who.

In 1967, the King took a Queen -- Elvis Presley married Priscilla Ann Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. The wedding cake alone cost $3,500.

In 1969, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash videotaped a TV special for ABC at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

In 1970, Elton John's first U.S. album -- the self-titled "Elton John" -- was released.

In 1975, the Rolling Stones announced the "Tour of the Americas" by playing "Brown Sugar" on a flatbed truck driving down New York's Fifth Ave.

In 1977, the Clash launched its first tour of Britain with a May Day show at the Roxy in London.

In 1980, the Academy of Country Music named Loretta Lynn its Artist of the Decade.

In 1986, producer and songwriter Jugo Peretti -- who founded Avco Records -- died at age 68.

In 1987, Billy Joel announced plans to be the first U.S. rock star to play the Soviet Union with concerts in Moscow and Leningrad.

Also in 1987, a U.S. federal appeals court ruled that a British man had no right to sell Elvis Presley merchandise -- such as women's underwear imprinted with "The King's" likeness.

In 1991, the choice of Billy Joel as a commencement speaker at Fairfield University -- a Jesuit school in Connecticut -- sparked controversy when a professor charged that Joel's song "Only the Good Die Young" was anti-Catholic and contained lewd references to Catholic girls.

In 1992, a Harry Connick Jr. concert at the Universal Ampitheater was canceled because of rioting in Los Angeles.

In 1993, a man was arrested and charged with trespassing after repeatedly trying to get into the Michael Jackson family estate in Encino, Calif.

Also in 1993, supermodel Naomi Campbell announced on Irish television that she was engaged to U2 bassist Adam Clayton. They later broke it off.

In 1997, a Beverly Hills car rental agency cancelled plans to auction off the bullet-ridden door from the GMC Suburban in which rapper Notorious B.I.G. was sitting when he was killed. The police confiscated the door, saying they needed it for evidence.

In 2000, Lou Reed and the Eurythmics appeared with Pope John Paul II at the May 1st Jubilee celebrations in Rome. They appealed to the international community to cancel the outstanding debts owed by some of the world's poorest countries.

Today's musical quiz:

"Suite Judy Blue Eyes" was written for Judy Collins by whom? Answer: Stephen Stills. They were a couple at the time.