Today in Entertainment History – Jan. 8
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – On January 8, 1935, Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He died at his Graceland mansion in Memphis in 1977.
In 1966, the last episode of ABC’s “Shindig” music show was broadcast. The Kinks and The Who were the guest performers.
In 1974, Kiss signed their first recording contract, with Casablanca Records.
In 1979, the Canadian government named Rush its official “Ambassadors of Music.”
In 1989, the musical “42nd Street” closed on Broadway after more than 3,400 performances.
In 1990, a Los Angeles judge ruled that columnist Art Buchwald came up with the idea that inspired the Eddie Murphy movie “Coming To America.” Buchwald had sued Paramount Pictures, claiming the studio stole the idea.
In 1991, guitarist Steve Clark of Def Leppard was found dead in his London home. He was 30. A coroner ruled that Clark’s death was the result of heavy drinking.
In 1993, at a minute after midnight, the Elvis Presley commemorative stamp went on sale at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. People in the rest of the country got to buy them at post offices starting at noon.
In 1996, Robert Dewey Hoskins was found guilty of stalking Madonna.
In 2005, Motley Crue singer Vince Neil married Lia Gerardini in Las Vegas. It was his fourth marriage, her second.
Today’s Birthdays: Actor-comedian Larry Storch (“F Troop”) is 93. “Sunday Morning” host Charles Osgood is 83. Singer Shirley Bassey is 79. Game show host Bob Eubanks (“The Newlywed Game”) is 78. Country-gospel singer Cristy Lane is 76. Singer Anthony Gourdine of Little Anthony and the Imperials is 75. Actress Yvette Mimieux (“The Time Machine,” ”Where the Boys Are”) is 74. Singer Juanita Cowart Motley of The Marvelettes is 72. Guitarist Robby Krieger of The Doors is 70. Singer David Bowie is 69. Actress Harriet Sansom Harris (“Desperate Housewives”) is 61. Actress Michelle Forbes (“True Blood,” ”Homicide,” ”Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 51. Actress Maria Pitillo (“Providence”) is 51. Singer R. Kelly is 49. Bassist Jeff Abercrombie of Fuel is 47. Reggae singer Sean Paul is 43. Singer Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley is 40. Actress Amber Benson (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”) is 39. Actress Gaby Hoffman (“Sleepless in Seattle,” ”Field of Dreams”) is 34. Guitarist Disashi Lumumbo-Kasongo of Gym Class Heroes is 33.