Entertainment History
On March 26, 1957, Ricky Nelson recorded his first songs. In 1961,
Elvis Presley set a British chart first with three consecutive
number-one releases: "It's Now or Never," 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?
and "Wooden Heart. In 1965, guitarist Jeff Beck was announced as Eric
Clapton's replacement in The Yardbirds. In 1970, Peter Yarrow of Peter,
Paul and Mary pleaded guilty to "taking immoral liberties" with a
14-year-old girl in Washington. He had just recently won a Grammy for
Best Recording for Children with the album "Peter Paul and Mommy. In
1972, Mott the Hoople decided to disband after four albums, until David
Bowie presented them a song called "All the Young Dudes. Mott the
Hoople recorded it, while Bowie produced it, and the song hit the Top
40. In 1974, David Essex's single "Rock On" turned gold. Mike
Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," which was used in the movie "The Exorcist,"
also turned gold. In 1977, Stiff Records released "Less Than Zero"
backed with "Radio Sweetheart," the first single by Elvis Costello. In
1980, drummer Jon-Jon Poulos of The Buckinghams died of a drug
overdose. He was 32. Also in 1980, Pink Floyd's "The Wall" broke the
record for the longest-charting pop album, previously held by Carole
King's "Tapestry. In 1986, Guns N' Roses was signed to Geffen Records.
In 1995, rapper Eazy-E died of AIDS in Los Angeles at age 31. In 1998,
actor Leonardo DiCaprio filed a lawsuit against "Playgirl" magazine to
prevent it from publishing nude pictures of him. The suit was later
settled and the pictures ran in the magazine's October issue. In 2004,
singer Jan Berry of Jan and Dean died after having a seizure in Los
Angeles. He was 62. Today's Birthdays: Actor Alan Arkin is 83. Actor
James Caan is 77. Singer Diana Ross is 73. Actor Johnny Crawford ("The
Rifleman") is 71. Singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is 69.
Singer-actress Vicki Lawrence is 68. Actor Ernest Thomas ("Everybody
Hates Chris," 'What's Happening") is 68. Actor Martin Short is 67.
Country singer Ronnie McDowell is 67. Drummer Monte Yoho of The Outlaws
is 65. Country singer Dean Dillon is 62. Country singer Charly McClain
is 61. Talk show host Leeza Gibbons is 60. Actress Jennifer Grey is 57.
Actor Eric Allan Kramer ("The Hughleys") is 55. Actor Michael Imperioli
("Life on Mars," 'The Sopranos") is 51. Guitarist James Iha (EE'-hah)
(Smashing Pumpkins) is 49. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 49. Actress
Leslie Mann ("Knocked Up," 'This Is 40") is 45. Actor T.R. Knight
("Grey's Anatomy") is 44. Rapper Juvenile is 42. Actress Amy Smart
("Road Trip," 'Felicity") is 41. Actress Bianca Kajlich (KY'-lihk)
("Rules of Engagement," 'Boston Public") is 40. Actress Keira Knightley
is 32. Rapper J-Kwon is 31.
