On February tenth, 1942, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra received a gold record for their recording of "Chattanooga Choo Choo," which had sold more than one million copies. It was the first gold record ever presented to an artist. Twelve years later, on this date in 1954, "The Glenn Miller Story," starring Jimmy Stewart, premiered in New York.
In 1949, Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" opened on Broadway, with Lee J. Cobb in the role of Willy Loman.
In 1971, Carole King released her "Tapestry" album.
In 1975, record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car accident. Not much was known about what happened, except that it occurred somewhere between Los Angeles and Phoenix and that Spector was injured.
In 1990, Paula Abdul became the first female artist to have an album stay in the top ten for over 50 weeks. It was her debut album, "Forever Your Girl."
In 1992, Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," died in Seattle at age 70.
Also in 1992, New Kids On The Block filed a slander suit against a former producer, who claimed they didn't do much singing on the "Hangin' Tough" album or during New Kids concerts. The producer eventually retracted his claims.
In 1993, Michael Jackson revealed during a live TV interview with Oprah Winfrey that he had a disorder that destroys the pigmentation of his skin. He also insisted he's had very little plastic surgery, contrary to what the public has thought.
In 1995, rapper Dr. Dre was sentenced to five months probation for drunk driving.
In 1997, singer Brian Connolly of Sweet died of kidney failure in a hospital in southern England. He was 52.
Also in 1997, Liam Gallagher of Oasis called off his wedding to actress Patsy Kensit because of what he called "obsessive and intrusive" media attention. They quietly got married the following April. They have since separated.
In 2006, singer Scott Stapp married former Miss New York Jaclyn Nesheiwat (NESH'-waht) in Miami. The next day, he was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in the Los Angeles International Airport.
Today's Birthdays: Actor Robert Wagner is 82. Guitarist Don Wilson of The Ventures is 79. Singer Roberta Flack is 75. Singer Jimmy Merchant of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers is 72. Bassist Bob Spalding of The Ventures is 65. Actress Kathleen Beller ("Dynasty") is 56. Country singer Lionel Cartwright is 52. Actress Laura Dern is 45. Country singer Dude Mowrey is 40. Actress Elizabeth Banks ("Scrubs") is 38. Singer Eric Dill (The Click Five) is 30. Keyboardist Ben Romans of The Click Five is 30. Actress Emma Roberts ("Unfabulous," "Nancy Drew") is 21. Actress Makenzie Vega ("The Good Wife") is 18. Actress Chloe Grace Moretz is 15.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
