Blowing out birthday candles today is pop crooner Richard Marx, born in Chicago, Ill. 34 years ago today. The son of Dick Marx, a commercial jingle composer and Ruth, a commercial jingle singer, it would seem that Marx's pop sensibilities runs in his blood. His parents continually brought him to work with them and Marx made his commercial singing debut at the age of 5. When Marx hit adolescence, tired of singing songs about fishsticks, he began writing songs of his own. By the age of 18, Marx had gotten a demo into the hands of Lionel Richie, who then let Marx sing background on his solo hits "All Night Long" and "Running With The Night." From there, he went on to writing songs with Kenny Rogers ("What About Me") and contributing a track to the "Staying Alive" soundtrack; the leading lady from which, Cynthia Rhodes, he married in 1989. They are still married today and have three sons.

When Marx finally got a record contract of his own in 1987, he was an immediate sensation. His self titled debut hit #8 on the charts and brought the world such earworms as "Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better," and "Hold On To The Nights." His next album was called Repeat Offender, a little nose tweak for his critics who were offended that such sappy and hooky guitar pop could sell so well. Needless to say, it went triple platinum, backed by such tracks as "Satisfied" and "Right Here Waiting." The rise of grunge and rap in the '90s pushed Marx off MTV but not completely off the charts. 1991's Rush Street was a modest success, but not the blockbuster he was used to. His next few albums, 1994's Paid Vacation and 1997's Flesh and Bone were each greeted with enthusiasm from a devoted fan base, but without much fanfare from casual fans. Marx is scheduled to release a greatest hits package later this year.

Other birthdays: B.B. King, 72; Jon Butler (Lovin' Spoonful), 54; Betty Kelley (Martha & The Vandellas), 53; Sonny Lemaire (Exile), 50; Kenny Jones (Small Faces/Faces/The Who), 49; David Bellamy (Bellamy Brothers), 47; Earl Klugh, 44 and Charles Fearing (Raydio), 41.