According to the AP, on December 20th:
- In 1958, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon performed as The Quarrymen at the wedding reception of Harrison's brother, Harry.
- In 1967, singer Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick formed Jethro Tull.
- Also in 1967, singer Jimmy Rodgers was beaten during a roadside attack in Los Angeles. He had to have three brain operations and had a steel plate put into his skull.
- In 1968, author John Steinbeck died in New York at age 66.
- In 1973, singer Bobby Darin died during open heart surgery. He was 37.
- In 1975, former James Gang member Joe Walsh joined The Eagles. He replaced Bernie Leadon, who left The Eagles for a solo career.
- In 1981, the musical "Dreamgirls," which was loosely based on the career of Diana Ross and the Supremes, premiered on Broadway.
- In 1986, Randy Travis joined the Grand Ole Opry.
- In 1995, the members of The Drifters were forbidden to leave Guyana after a series of concerts. They owed about $4,000 in entertainment taxes.
- In 2006, Eminem and Kim Mathers were divorced for a second time. They had first married in 1999 and divorced in 2001. They remarried in January 2006 and he field for divorce again that April.
- In 2007, Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli settled their divorce.
Today's birthdays:
- Actor John Hillerman ("Magnum P.I.") is 80.
- Drummer Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat and Tears is 68.
- Former Kiss drummer Peter Criss is 67.
- Musician Alan Parsons is 64.
- Actress Jenny Agutter is 60.
- Actor Michael Badalucco ("The Practice") is 58.
- Actress Blanche Baker ("Shakedown," ''Holocaust") is 56.
- Singer Billy Bragg is 55.
- Singer-bassist Mike Watt (The Minutemen, fIREHOSE) is 55.
- Actor Joel Gretsch ("V'') is 49.
- Country singer Kris Tyler is 48.
- Singer Chris Robinson of Black Crowes is 46.
- Singer David Cook ("American Idol") is 30.
- Actor Jonah Hill ("Accepted") is 29. Singer JoJo is 22.
