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! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On January 16th, 1942, actress Carole Lombard, her mother and about 20 other people were killed when their plane crashed near Las Vegas. They were returning from a war-bond promotion tour.

In 1957, the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England, opened. It became famous as the place where The Beatles were a house band.

In 1964, the musical "Hello, Dolly!" starring Carol Channing, opened on Broadway.

In 1970, The Who began a tour of European Opera houses, performing excerpts from the rock opera "Tommy." In 1973, the last episode of "Bonanza" aired on NBC.

In 1976, the live album "Frampton Comes Alive!" was released.

In 1980, Paul McCartney was jailed in Tokyo after customs agents found marijuana in his luggage. Exactly four years later, he was arrested for marijuana possession in Barbados.

In 1990, actors Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers released a statement that said they were ending their three-year marriage.

In 1991, The Byrds and Wilson Pickett were among those inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1996, Jamaican authorities opened fire on Jimmy Buffett's seaplane, mistaking it for a drug trafficker's plane. U2 singer Bono was with Buffett, but neither one was hurt.

Also in 1996, Wayne Newton performed his 25,000th Las Vegas show. Newton has performed more shows as a headliner in Las Vegas than any other entertainer.

Today's birthdays: Bassist Bob Bogle of The Ventures is 75.

Singer Barbara Lynn is 67. Country singer Ronnie Milsap is 66.

Country singer Jim Stafford is 65. Talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger is 62. Director John Carpenter is 61. Actress-Dancer Debbie Allen is 59. Singer Sade (shah-DAY') is 50. Bassist Paul Webb of Talk Talk is 47. Singer Maxine Jones of En Vogue is 43.

Actor David Chokachi (CHOH'-kuh-chee) ("Baywatch") is 41. Actor Richard T. Jones ("Judging Amy") is 37. Supermodel Kate Moss is 35. Guitarist Nick Valensi of The Strokes is 28.

(Above for release Friday, January 16th)


Copyright 2009, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-05-09 1237CST | save this article / add to your favorites list