Births
1756: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer)
1918: Elmore James (Blues Singer & Guitarist)
1919: David Seville (Rostom Sipan "Ross" Bagdasarian) (The Chipmunks)
1930: Bobby "Blue" Bland (Blues & R&B Singer)
1944: Nick Mason (Drummer in Pink Floyd)
1951: Brian Downey (Drummer for Thin Lizzy)
1951: Seth Justman (Keyboards for The J. Geils Band)
1957: Janick Gers (Guitar for Iron Maiden)
1961: Gillian Gilbert (Keyboards for New Order)
1961: Margo Timmins (Singer for The Cowboy Junkies)
1968: Tricky (Adrian Thawes) (Musician & Producer)
1968: Mike Patton (Singer for Faith No More & Mr. Bungle)
1968: Tracy Lawrence (Country Singer)
1970: Mark Trojanowski (Drummer for Sister Hazel)
Events
1958: Following a harrowing near-fatal plane ride, Little Richard gives up rock and roll and enrolls in Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL, a school for African-Americans run by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, so he can get a degree in divinity.
1961: Frank Sinatra played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.
1968: The Bee Gees make their US debut at the Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. They earn top dollar -- $50,000 -- for their appearance but head straight back to their Australian home as soon as the concert is over.
1971: David Bowie arrives for his first visit to the US. The press in Louisiana and Texas takes note of his penchant for wearing dresses in public.
1972: Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson died of heart failure and diabetes complications at age 60.
1984: During filming of a television ad for Pepsi cola, Michael Jackson's hair catches fire due to a pyrotechnic display gone awry. Jackson is hospitalized for a few days, inspiring fans from around the world to send their best wishes.
1998: James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later clamed the drugs were used to help his 'eyesight.'
2000: Noel Gallagher of Oasis became a dad when Meg Matthew's gave birth to a girl, Anais at Portland Hospital, London.
2002: Blues singer Koko Taylor collapses during a private function at her club, Koko Taylor's Celebrity, in Chicago, IL, after failing to take her diabetic medication. Doctors discover arterial blockage in her heart, as well.
2004: R&B singer Faith Evans and her husband were charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana after being arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. Police pulled them over for a suspected license plate offence.
