MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP

! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On January 22nd, 1938, Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town" was performed publicly for the first time, in Princeton, New Jersey.

In 1953, "The Crucible," Arthur Miller's drama about the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, opened on Broadway.

In 1959, Buddy Holly made his last recordings in New York. He died in a plane crash the next month.

In 1960, singer Sam Cooke signed with RCA Records.

In 1963, Gerry and the Pacemakers held their first recording sessions.

In 1967, the Rolling Stones refused to go on the revolving stage during the finale of the British TV show "Sunday Night At The London Palladium." The press saw it as a snub against tradition.

In 1968, "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, premiered on NBC.

In 1971, the Joe Cocker Film "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" premiered in London. The movie was a documentary of Cocker's tour of the same name and featured performances by Cocker, Leon Russell and Rita Coolidge.

In 1990, Slash, the guitarist for Guns N' Roses, used a profanity while accepting American Music Awards for his band.

Viewers complained to ABC, which had broadcast the show live. The network apologized.

In 1994, actor Telly Savalas died, a day after his 70th birthday.

In 1998, singer Toni Braxton filed for bankruptcy, listing liabilities of more than one million dollars.

In 2004, Jennifer Lopez called off her engagement to Ben Affleck.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Piper Laurie is 77. Actor Seymour Cassel is 74. Actor John Hurt is 69. Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 60. Bassist Teddy Gentry of Alabama is 57. Actress Linda Blair is 50. Actress Diane Lane is 44. Country singer Regina Nicks of Regina Regina is 44. Rap DJ-actor Jazzy Jeff is 44. Singer Marc Gay of Shai (SHY) is 40. Actor Balthazar Getty is 34. Actor Christopher Kennedy Masterson ("Malcolm in the Middle") is 29. Singer Willa Ford is 28. Actress Beverley Mitchell ("Seventh Heaven") is 28.

Guitarist Ben Moody (Evanescence) is 28.

(Above for release Thursday, January 22nd) Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-12-09 1349CST | save this article / add to your favorites list