(Following for release Thursday, September 13th)


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! TODAY IN ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On September 13th, 1965, John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band played their first gig, in Toronto.

In 1974, Stevie Wonder began his first U.S. tour since a near-fatal car accident, performing on Long Island, New York.

In 1977, conductor Leopold Stokowski died in Hampshire, England, at age 95.

In 1982, RCA Records announced that David Bowie had left for the South Seas to begin Filming "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence." In 1985, Sting began his first solo tour in San Diego to promote his album "Dream of the Blue Turtles." In 1993, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" made its premiere on NBC. David Letterman had moved his show to CBS.

In 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur (TOO'-pak shah-KOOR') died in Las Vegas of gunshot wounds suffered six days earlier.

In 1998, Scary Spice Melanie Brown married Dancer David Gulzar in Little Marlow, England. They have since split up.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Eileen Fulton ("As The World Turns") is 74. Actor Richard Kiel is 68. Singer David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat and Tears is 66. Singer Peter Cetera (seh-TAYR'-uh) (Chicago) is 63. Actress Jacqueline Bisset is 63.

Singer Randy Jones of the Village People is 55. Record producer-musician Don Was is 55. Actress Geri Jewell ("The Facts of Life," "Deadwood") is 51. Country singer Bobbie Cryner is 46.

Singer-guitarist Dave Mustaine of Megadeth is 45. Radio and T-V personality Tavis Smiley is 42. Actor Louis Mandylor ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") is 41. Drummer Steve Perkins of Porno for Pyros and Jane's Addiction is 40. Actor-director Tyler Perry ("Madea's Family Reunion") is 38. Actress Louise Lombard ("C-S-I") is 37.

Country guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts is 32. Singer Fiona Apple is 30. Guitarist Hector Cervantes of Casting Crowns is 27. Actor Ben Savage ("Boy Meets World") is 27.

(Above for release Thursday, September 13th) Copyright 2007, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-03-07 0919CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list