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MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP
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! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !
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On April 23rd, 1956, Elvis Presley made his Las Vegas debut, opening for comedian Shecky Greene. Presley's engagement was canceled after a week because of poor ticket sales, and he didn't return to Vegas for 13 years.
In 1969, the Los Angeles club the Ash Grove was destroyed by fire. Many artists, like Canned Heat and the Chambers Brothers, got their starts there.
In 1975, Peter Ham of Badfinger hanged himself. He was reported to be depressed about the band's financial problems. He was 27.
In 1987, singer Carole King sued record company owner Lou Adler for breach of contract. She claimed she was owed more than $400,000 in royalties and demanded the rights to her old recordings.
In 1991, guitarist Johnny Thunders of The New York Dolls died of a drug overdose in New Orleans. He was 40.
In 1996, actress Margot Kidder was found dazed and disheveled, hiding in bushes in a stranger's yard in Los Angeles after disappearing for three days.
In 2002, Jerry Lee Lewis announced he and his sixth wife, Kerrie, were divorcing after 17 years of marriage.
Today's Birthdays: Actor David Birney is 75. Actor Lee Majors ("Six Million Dollar Man") is 75. Actress Blair Brown is 66. Actress Joyce DeWitt ("Three's Company") is 65. Actor James Russo is 61. Director Michael Moore is 60. Actress Judy Davis is 59. Actress Jan Hooks is 57. Actress Valerie Bertinelli is 54. Comedian George Lopez is 53. Drummer Gen (Jesus Jones) is 50. Actress Melina Kanakaredes (kah-nah-KAH'-ree-deez) ("Providence") is 47. Drummer Stan Frazier of Sugar Ray is 46. Guitarist Tim Womack of Sons of the Desert is 46. Actor Scott Bairstow (BEHR'-stow) ("Party of Five") is 44. Actor John Lutz ("30 Rock") is 41. Musicians Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National are 38. Actor-comedian John Oliver ("Community," ''The Daily Show") is 37. Actor Kal Penn ("House M.D.," ''Harold and Kumar") is 37. Singer Taio (TY'-oh) Cruz is 31. Actor Dev Patel (puh-TEHL') ("Slumdog Millionaire") is 24. Actor Matthew Underwood ("Zoey 101") is 24.
(Above for release Wednesday, April 23)
Copyright 2014, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
