According to the AP, on Jan. 22:
- In 1938, Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town" was performed publicly for the first time, in Princeton, New Jersey.
- In 1953, "The Crucible," Arthur Miller's drama about the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, opened on Broadway.
- In 1959, Buddy Holly made his last recordings in New York. He died in a plane crash the next month.
- In 1960, singer Sam Cooke signed with RCA Records.
- In 1963, Gerry and the Pacemakers held their first recording sessions.
- In 1967, the Rolling Stones refused to go on the revolving stage during the finale of the British TV show "Sunday Night At The London Palladium." The press saw it as a snub against tradition.
- In 1968, "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, premiered on NBC.
- In 1971, the Joe Cocker film "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" premiered in London. The movie was a documentary of Cocker's tour of the same name and featured performances by Cocker, Leon Russell and Rita Coolidge.
- In 1990, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash used a profanity while accepting American Music Awards for his band. Viewers complained to ABC, which had broadcast the show live. The network apologized.
- In 1994, actor Telly Savalas died, a day after his 70th birthday.
- In 1998, singer Toni Braxton filed for bankruptcy, listing liabilities of more than $1 million.
- In 2004, Jennifer Lopez called off her engagement to Ben Affleck.
Today's Birthdays:
- Actress Piper Laurie is 81.
- Actor Seymour Cassel is 78.
- Actor John Hurt is 73.
- Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 64.
- Bassist Teddy Gentry of Alabama is 61.
- Actress Linda Blair is 54.
- Actress Diane Lane is 48.
- Country singer Regina Nicks of Regina Regina is 48.
- Rap DJ-actor Jazzy Jeff is 48.
- Singer Marc Gay of Shai is 44.
- Actor Balthazar Getty is 38.
- Actor Christopher Kennedy Masterson ("Malcolm in the Middle") is 33.
- Singer Willa Ford is 32.
- Actress Beverley Mitchell ("Seventh Heaven") is 32.
- Guitarist Ben Moody of The Fallen (and Evanescence) is 32.
- Actress Sami Gayle ("Blue Bloods") is 17.
