According to the AP, on Dec. 12:
- In 1967, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones successfully appealed his nine-month jail sentence for a drug conviction. He was placed on probation instead.
- In 1968, "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" was filmed in London, featuring the Stones, Eric Clapton, John Lennon and The Who. It remained unreleased for 28 years.
- In 1974, the Rolling Stones announced guitarist Mick Taylor had left the band. That same day, the band began work on the "Black and Blue" album.
- In 1981, singer Smokey Robinson was honored on an "American Bandstand" special.
- In 1990, comedian Robin Williams got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- In 1991, actor Richard Gere and model Cindy Crawford eloped in Las Vegas. They have since divorced.
- In 1997, Autumn Jackson, who tried to blackmail Bill Cosby by claiming he was her father, was sentenced to two years in jail.
- In 2001, actress Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting more than $5,000 worth of merchandise from a department store in Beverly Hills, California.
- Also in 2001, actress Ashley Judd married racing driver Dario Franchitti in Scotland.
- In 2003, Mick Jagger was knighted by Prince Charles.
Today's birthdays:
- Game show host Bob Barker is 89.
- Singer Connie Francis is 75.
- Singer Dionne Warwick is 72.
- Singer-guitarist Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) is 69.
- Actor Wings Hauser is 65.
- Actor Bill Nighy (NY) ("Pirates of the Caribbean") is 63.
- Singer-percussionist Sheila E. is 55.
- Actress Sheree J. Wilson ("Walker, Texas Ranger," ''Dallas") is 54.
- Guitarist Eric Schenkman of Spin Doctors is 49.
- Bassist Nicholas Dimichino of Nine Days is 45.
- Actress Jennifer Connelly is 42.
- Actress Madchen Amick ("My Own Worst Enemy," ''Twin Peaks") is 42.
- Actress Mayim Bialik ("Blossom") is 37.
- Model Bridget Hall is 35.
