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! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On December 31st, 1943, a near-riot of bobby-soxers in Times Square in New York greeted Frank Sinatra's singing engagement at the Paramount Theater.

In 1947, singing cowboy Roy Rogers married Dale Evans.

In 1961, the Beach Boys played their first gig in Long Beach, California. They earned $300.

In 1969, Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys made its debut in New York.

In 1972, the MC5 played its last gig, in Detroit. They were paid $200.

In 1973, AC/DC made their concert debut in Sydney, Australia.

In 1982, Little Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band got married in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Percy Sledge and Little Richard performed "When A Man Loves A Woman" at the reception.

In 1984, drummer Rick Allen of Def Leppard lost his left arm in a car crash near his home in England. Allen stayed with the band, using a special drum kit.

In 1985, singer Rick Nelson was killed when fire broke out aboard a private plane that was taking him to a New Year's Eve performance in Dallas. His fiancee and five other people were also killed.

In 1989, game show host Pat Sajak married former "Playboy" model Lesly Brown in Annapolis, Maryland.

In 1991, Gilbert O'Sullivan won his lawsuit against rapper Biz Markie for using a sample of his song "Alone Again (Naturally)" for Markie's song "Alone Again." The case changed the rules of sampling by requiring that all samples be cleared before releasing them on another record.

In 2000, Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson married actress Kate Hudson in Aspen, Colorado. They have since divorced.

In 2004, singer Natalie Imbruglia (im-BROO'-lee-uh) married Silverchair singer Daniel Johns in an exclusive resort in Australia. They have since divorced.

Also in 2004, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson was arrested after he and his son got into a fight with police during a New Year's Eve celebration in Naples, Florida.

In 2005, Dick Clark returned to his "New Year's Rockin' Eve" telecast after missing the previous year because he had had a stroke. He was hoarse and sometimes hard to understand, but he said he "wouldn't have missed this for the world."


Today's birthdays: Actor Anthony Hopkins is 71. Actor Tim Considine ("My Three Sons") is 68. Actress Sarah Miles is 67.

Guitarist Andy Summers of The Police is 66. Actor Ben Kingsley is 65. Bassist Pete Quaife (The Kinks) is 65. Actor Tim Matheson is 61. Singer Burton Cummings of The Guess Who is 61. Singer Donna Summer is 60. Bassist Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith is 57. Actor James Remar ("Dexter") is 55. Actress Bebe Neuwirth ("Cheers") is 50.

Singer Paul Westerberg is 49. Actor Val Kilmer is 49. Guitarist Ric Ivanisevich (ee-van-EE'-sah-vich) of Oleander is 46. Guitarist Scott Ian of Anthrax is 45. Singer-actor Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block is 36. Cellist Mikko Siren (MIHK'-oh sih-REEN') of Apocalyptica is 33. Drummer Bob Bryar of My Chemical Romance is 29.

(Above for release Wednesday, December 31st) Copyright 2008, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-22-08 1258CST | save this article / add to your favorites list