Today in Entertainment History: "Roots" miniseries premiered

By The Associated Press
Posted 1/23/24

On Jan. 23, 1958, Brunswick Records released the single “Maybe Baby” backed with “Tell Me How” by The Crickets.

In 1970, singer Judy Collins was denied permission to sing her testimony at …

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Today in Entertainment History: "Roots" miniseries premiered

Posted

On Jan. 23, 1958, Brunswick Records released the single “Maybe Baby” backed with “Tell Me How” by The Crickets.

In 1970, singer Judy Collins was denied permission to sing her testimony at the Chicago Seven trial.

In 1976, “Donny and Marie” premiered on ABC. It was the first variety show hosted by a brother and sister team, Donny and Marie Osmond.

In 1977, the TV miniseries “Roots,” based on the Alex Haley novel, began on ABC.

In 1978, Terry Kath, a vocalist and guitarist with the band Chicago, accidentally shot himself to death in Los Angeles. He was 32.

In 1982, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley recorded their first demos as Wham! in Ridgeley’s parents’ house. They used a portable studio that cost them $32.

In 1986, the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were honored. They included Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Elvis Presley.

Also in 1989, James Brown was sentenced in Georgia to another six years in prison in connection with a police chase through two states. At the time of sentencing, Brown was serving a sentence in South Carolina.

In 1990, former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins died in Florida of complications from pneumonia. He was 37.

In 1996, the city council in Johnson City, Tennessee, withdrew permission for White Zombie to hold a show there. Several town residents had complained that the band advocated Satan worship.

In 1997, “Louie, Louie” composer Richard Berry died in his sleep at his home in South Central Los Angeles. He was 61.

In 2002, Virgin Records and Mariah Carey terminated their record deal after barely nine months. Virgin paid Carey $28 million to break the contract, on top of the $21 million Carey got for signing with Virgin.

In 2005, Johnny Carson died of complications from emphysema in Los Angeles. He was 79.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Chita Rivera is 91. Actor-director Lou Antonio (“Cool Hand Luke”) is 90. Jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton is 81. Actor Gil Gerard is 81. Bassist-keyboardist Bill Cunningham of The Box Tops is 74. Actor Richard Dean Anderson (“MacGyver”) is 74. Singer-guitarist Robin Zander of Cheap Trick is 71. Singer Anita Baker is 66. Bassist Earl Falconer of UB40 is 65. Actor Peter Mackenzie (“black-ish”) is 63. Actor Boris McGiver (“House of Cards,” ″Boardwalk Empire”) is 62. Actor Gail O’Grady (“American Dreams,” ″NYPD Blue”) is 61. Actor Mariska Hargitay (“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”) is 60. Singer Marc Nelson (Az Yet) is 53. “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell is 50. Actor Tiffani Thiessen (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) is 50. Bassist Nick Harmer of Death Cab For Cutie is 49. Actor Lindsey Kraft (“Living Biblically”) is 44.

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