Entertainment History
On February 8, 1915, the motion picture "The Birth of a Nation,"
directed by D.W. Griffith, premiered in Los Angeles. In 1969, the
supergroup Blind Faith was formed, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker
and Steve Winwood. In 1971, the Bob Dylan film "Eat The Document" was
shown at the New York Academy of Music. Dylan had wanted the
documentary to appear on TV, but it didn't until ten years later. In
1973, Carly Simon received a gold record for the single "You're So
Vain. In 1990, singer Del Shannon was found shot to death at his home
in Santa Clarita, California. Police found a rifle near his body,
suggesting he committed suicide. His biggest hits were "Runaway" and
"Hats Off To Larry. Also in 1990, CBS News suspended "60 Minutes"
commentator Andy Rooney for racial remarks he allegedly made about
blacks in the gay magazine "The Advocate. Rooney denied the quotes. In
2006, Sly and the Family Stone reunited for a performance at the
Grammys. Stone had not performed live in 19 years. In 2009, Chris Brown
was arrested and accused of beating up Rihanna. He later pleaded guilty
to felony assault. Today's Birthdays: Composer-conductor John Williams
is 85. ABC News anchor Ted Koppel is 77. Actor Nick Nolte is 76.
Comedian Robert Klein is 75. Actor-guitarist Creed Batton ("The
Office") (The Grass Roots) is 74. Actress Brooke Adams is 68. Actress
Mary Steenburgen is 64. Author John Grisham is 62. Actor Henry Czerny
("Revenge," 'The Tudors") is 58. Singer Vince Neil of Motley Crue is
56. Singer-guitarist Sammy Llanas (YAH'-nus) of The BoDeans is 56.
Actress Missy Yager ("Manchester By The Sea") is 49. Actress Mary
McCormack is 48. Guitarist Keith Nelson of Buckcherry is 48. Musician
Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk is 43. Actor Seth Green
("Austin Powers," 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer") is 43. Actor Josh Morrow
("The Young and the Restless") is 43. Bassist Phoenix of Linkin Park is
40. Actor Jim Parrack ("True Blood") is 36. Musician Joey Ryan of Milk
Carton Kids is 35. Actress Cecily Strong ("Saturday Night Live") is 33.
Rapper Anderson Paak (PAK) is 31. Drummer Max Grahn of Carolina Liar is
29. Actress Karle Warren ("Judging Amy") is 25.
