January 6

Births

1924: Earl Scruggs (Bluegrass Legend)

1941: Sandy Denny (Lead Vocals for Fairport Convention)

1944: Van McCoy (The Hustle)

1946: Syd Barrett (Singer for Pink Floyd & Solo)

1951: Kim Wilson (Lead Singer for The Fabulous Thunderbirds)

1953: Malcolm Young (Rhythm Guitar for AC/DC)

1959: Kathy Sledge (Singer in Sister Sledge)

1966: A. R. Rahman (Indian Musician & Producer)

1966: Andrew Wood (Singer for Mother Love Bone)

1981: Mike Jones (Rapper)

1986: Alex Turner (Lead Vocals & Guitar for Arctic Monkeys)

Events

1957: Elvis Presley makes his third, final, and most famous appearance on CBS' Ed Sullivan Show. After numerous "Elvis The Pelvis" complaints during his first two appearances, Sullivan decides that Presley is to be filmed from the waist up only. Elvis sings seven numbers: "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Peace in the Valley" (at the request of the network), "Too Much," and "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again." After the performances, Ed Sullivan attempts to fend off controversy yet again by declaring:"I just wanted to say that this is a real decent, fine boy. We want to say that we've never had a pleasanter experience with a big name than we've had with you."

1964: The Rolling Stones begin their first headlining UK tour. Opening act: The Ronettes.

1968: Gibson patents their "Flying V" electric guitar.

1975: Boston Mayor Kevin White cancels Led Zeppelin's upcoming show at Boston Garden when approximately a thousand Zep fans riot while waiting for tickets to go on sale. Total damage to the facility: $30,000.

1977, EMI Records dropped The Sex Pistols, giving the band $68,000 to release them from their contract after 3 months.

1987: After recent throat surgery, Elton John decides to cancel all live performances for the next year.

1993: Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman announces his upcoming departure from the group after thirty years.

1993: Jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie died from pancreatic cancer.

1996: James Brown's wife Adrienne died in a Los Angeles hospital aged 47 after suffering a heart attack during a major plastic surgery operation.

2006: American soul, jazz, singer Lou Rawls died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The 72-year-old, Grammy-winning artist had been battling lung cancer.