Actor Betty White was born in Oak Park, Illinois on January 17, 1922. She passed away in December 2021, three weeks before her 100th birthday.
In 1965, The Rolling Stones recorded “The Last Time” and “Play With Fire” in Los Angeles.
In 1970, singer Billy Stewart and three members of his band died in North Carolina after a car fell off a bridge. Stewart said he was 32 years old. His biggest hit was George’s cover of Gershwin’s song “Summertime”.
In 1972, a portion of Highway 51 South in Memphis was renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard. It runs in front of his mansion, Graceland.
In 1974, Dean Martin’s son Dino, Desi and Billy’s son, was arrested on suspicion of trying to sell a machine gun to an undercover agent.
In 1975, “Barretta” premiered on ABC.
In 1979, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt announced they would record an album together.
In 1990, the Four Seasons, Four Tops, Kinks, Platters, Simon & Garfunkel and The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1993, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Washington to attend a free outdoor concert staged as part of President Bill Clinton’s inauguration. Performers included Michael Bolton and Aretha Franklin.
In 1996, talk show host Phil Donahue announced that he would retire after the end of the season after being on the air for 29 years.
In 2001, Metallica announced the departure of bassist Jason Newsted.
In 2016, David Bowie scored his first number one album with ‘Blackstar’. He had died a week earlier.
Today’s Birthday: Actor James Earl Jones is 92 years old. Talk show host Maury Povich said he is 84 years old. Singer Chris Montes said he is 81 years old. Actor Joanna David (“Downton Abbey”) is 76 years old. Actor Jane Elliott (“General Hospital”) is 76 years old. Stones guitarist Mick Taylor is 75. The Emotions singer Sheila Hutchinson is 70 years old. Singer Steve Earl is 68 years old. Singer Paul Young is 67 years old. Actor and comedian Steve Harvey is 66 years old. The Bangles singer Susannah Hoffs is 64. She is 62 years old (“42”, “Mystic River”, “LA Confidential”). Actor Jim Carrey is 61 years old. Actor Dennis O’Hare (The Good Wife, True Blood) is 61 years old. West Wing”, “Sports Night”) he is 57 years old. Singer Shaba Ranks said she was 57 years old. Actor Naveen Andrews (Instinct, Lost) is 54 years old. “The Night Shift”, “Six Feet Under”) he is 48 years old. Actor and writer Leigh Whannel (“Saw” and “Insidious” movies) is 46 years old. Actor and singer he is Zooey Deschanel (ZOH’-ee deh-shuh-NEHL’) (“New Girl”) is 43 years old. Ingerley J is his 42 years old. Amanda Wilkinson, country singer of The Wilkinsons, is 41 years old. Actor Ryan Gage (“The Hobbit”) is 40 years old. DJ Calvin Harris is 39 years old. Actor Kelly Marie Tran (“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”) is 34, and actor Kathryn Herzer (“Madame Secretary”) is 26.
