January 27

Births

1756: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer)

1918: Elmore James (Blues Guitarist & Singer / Songwriter)

1919: David Seville (Ross" Bagdasarian)(The Chipmunks)

1930: Bobby "Blue" Bland (R&B & Blues Singer)

1944: Nick Mason (Drummer for Pink Floyd)

1946: Nedra Talley (Singer in The Ronettes)

1951: Brian Downey (Drummer for Thin Lizzy)

1961: Gillian Gilbert (Keyboards for New Order)

1961: Margo Timmins (Lead Vocals for Cowboy Junkies)

1968: Tricky (Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws) (Producer & Rapper)

1968: Mike Patton (Singer for Faith no More & Solo)

1968: Tracy Lawrence (Country Artist)

1969: Michael Kulas (Singer / Songwriter for James)

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.

1964: The Rolling Stones appear on the BBC's Juke Box Jury show as panelists. Their impolite behavior -- including referring to Elvis' latest single as "dated" -- causes a furor in the British press.

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.

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 claimed the drugs were used to help his eyesight.

2002: 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 licence plate offence.