According to the AP, these events happened on October 30th:
- In 1938, the radio play "The War of the Worlds," starring Orson Welles, aired on CBS. Using fake news bulletins and simulated on-scene reports to portray an invasion by Martians, the broadcast sparked panic among listeners who thought the dramatized events were authentic.
- In 1961, Phil Spector's Philles label released its first single. It was a record by the Crystals: "Oh, Yeah, Maybe Baby" backed with "There's No Other (Like My Baby)."
- In 1964, Roy Orbison was awarded a gold record for "Oh, Pretty Woman."
- In 1967, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones pleaded guilty to drug possession and was sentenced to nine months in jail. He was released pending an appeal.
- In 1970, Jim Morrison of The Doors was sentenced to six months in jail and fined $500 for exposing himself in Miami.
- In 1972, Elton John did a command on-scene reports to portray an invasion by Martians, the broadcast sparked panic among listeners who thought the dramatized events were authentic.
- In 1961, Phil Spector's Philles label released its first single. It was a record by the Crystals: "Oh, Yeah, Maybe Baby" backed with "There's No Other (Like My Baby)."
- In 1964, Roy Orbison was awarded a gold record for "Oh, Pretty Woman."
- In 1967, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones pleaded guilty to drug possession and was sentenced to nine months in jail. He was released pending an appeal.
- In 1970, Jim Morrison of The Doors was sentenced to six months in jail and fined $500 for exposing himself in Miami.
- In 1972, Elton John did a command performance benefit for Queen Elizabeth.
- In 1974, Kathy Silva filed for divorce from Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone after less than six months of marriage.
- In 1978, the animated TV movie "Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park" aired on NBC.
- In 1982, singer Paul Weller announced the breakup of the British band The Jam.
- In 1984, Linda Ronstadt made her operatic debut in a production of "La Boheme" in New York.
- In 1997, drummer Bill Berry quit R.E.M.
- In 2002, Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot and killed at his recording studio in New York. He was 37.
- In 2004, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker married former Miss USA Shanna Moakler in Santa Barbara, California. They have since split up.
Today's Birthdays:
- Actor Dick Gautier is 75.
- Movie director Claude Lelouch is 75.
- Actor Ed Lauter is 74.
- Songwriter Eddie Holland is 73.
- Singer Grace Slick is 73.
- Singer Otis Williams of The Temptations is 71.
- Actor Henry Winkler is 67.
- Bassist Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles (and Poco) is 65.
- Actor Harry Hamlin is 61.
- Actor Charles Martin Smith is 59.
- Country singer T. Graham Brown is 58.
- Actor Kevin Pollak is 55.
- Actor Michael Beach ("Soul Food," ''Third Watch") is 49.
- Singer-guitarist Gavin Rossdale of Bush is 45.
- Actor Jack Plotnick ("Reno 911!") is 44.
- "Cash Cab" host Ben Bailey is 42.
- Actress Nia Long is 42.
- Country singer Kassidy Osborn of SHeDAISY is 36.
- Actor Matthew Morrison ("Glee") is 34.
- Actor Tequan Richmond ("Everybody Hates Chris") is 20.
