(Following Advance for Use Thursday, September fourth)




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! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On September fourth, 1959, a New York radio station banned the song "Mack The Knife" in response to a wave of stabbings.

In 1964, The Animals made their American debut in Brooklyn, New York.

Also in 1964, "Gilligan's Island" premiered on CBS.

In 1965, The Who had their equipment van stolen in England while they were inside an animal shelter buying a guard dog.

In 1968, radio stations in several U-S cities banned the Rolling Stones song "Street Fighting Man" because of fears it might incite violence.

In 1977, the rock musical "Godspell" closed on Broadway.

In 1986, musician Gregg Allman was arrested for drunk driving in Florida. He had just gotten his driver's license back after a five-year suspension.

In 1991, singer Dottie West died during surgery in Nashville.

She had been injured in a car accident a few days earlier. West was 58.

In 1993, actor Herve Villechaize died at the age of 50. He's probably best known for playing Tattoo on "Fantasy Island." In 1996, Yusaf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, emerged from retirement in London to sign copies of his first album in 18 years. Music fans were disappointed, because the album "Life of the Last Prophet" was 80 percent talk.

In 2002, Kelly Clarkson was named the winner on "American Idol," beating out Justin Guarini and winning a recording contract. Nearly 22.5 million people tuned in to watch.

In 2006, Steve Irwin of the TV show "Crocodile Hunter" was killed when a stingray's barb hit him in the heart while Irwin was Filming an underwater documentary. Irwin was 44.

Today's Birthdays: Radio personality Paul Harvey is 90. Actress Mitzi Gaynor is 77. Singer Merald "Bubba" Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips is 66. Actress Jennifer Salt ("Soap") is 64. Bassist Ronald LaPread (The Commodores) is 58. Actress Judith Ivey is 57.

Drummer Martin Chambers of The Pretenders is 57. Actress Khandi Alexander ("ER," "NewsRadio") is 51. Actor-comedian Damon Wayans is 48. Guitarist Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) is 48. Actress Ione (eye-OH'-nee) Skye is 37. Singer Richard Wingo of Jagged Edge is 33. Actor Wes Bentley ("American Beauty") is 30. Singer Dan Miller of O-Town is 28. Singer Beyonce' (bee-YON'-say) Knowles (Destiny's Child) is 27. Actor Trevor Gagnon ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") is 13.

(Above for release Thursday, September fourth) Copyright 2008, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-25-08 0947CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list