Entertainment History
On Oct. 14, 1954, director Cecil B. DeMille started filming “The Ten Commandments” in Egypt. The movie featured a cast of more than 25,000.
In 1955, Bill Haley and his Comets, at the height of their fame with “Rock Around the Clock,” played a concert in Lubbock, Texas. The opening act was an unknown singer named Buddy Holly.
In 1964, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts secretly married Shirley Ann Arnold.
In 1971, John Fogerty was sued for allegedly plagiarizing Little Richard’s “Good Golly Miss Molly” for Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Travelin’ Band.” The suit was eventually dropped.
In 1972, singer Joe Cocker was arrested in a drug raid after a concert in Adelaide, Australia. Cocker could have been fined and jailed for two years, but police instead ordered him to leave the country within four hours.
Also in 1972, Michael Jackson hit number one with his first solo hit, with “Ben.”
In 1977, singer Bing Crosby died near Madrid, Spain, at age 74.
In 1990, conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein (BURN’-styn) died in New York of lung failure. He was 72. Besides “West Side Story,” Bernstein’s Broadway successes included “On the Town,” ″Wonderful Town” and “Candide.”
In 1996, Madonna gave birth to Lourdes Maria, her first child.
In 1998, “polka king” Frankie Yankovic died at his home in New Port Richey, Florida, a week after suffering a fall. He was 83.
In 2000, singer Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees married Lea Dellecave in Cincinnati.
In 2009, a man waiting in line for an autograph from singer Leona Lewis in London jumped out of line and punched her in the head. He was immediately arrested.
Today’s Birthdays: Director Carroll Ballard (“The Black Stallion”) is 87. Country singer Melba Montgomery is 87. Singer Cliff Richard is 84. Singer Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues is 78. Actor Greg Evigan (“My Two Dads,” ″B.J. and the Bear”) is 71. Singer Thomas Dolby is 66. Actor Lori Petty (“A League of Their Own”) is 61. Actor Steve Coogan (“Night at the Museum” movies) is 59. Singer Karyn White is 59. Actor Edward Kerr (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Snoops”) is 58. Actor Jon Seda (“Chicago P.D.,” ″Homicide: Life On The Street”) is 54. Bassist Doug Virden (Sons of the Desert) is 54. Country singer Natalie Maines of The Chicks is 50. Singer Shaznay Lewis of All Saints is 49. Actor Stephen Hill (2018’s “Magnum, P.I.”) is 48. Singer Usher is 46. TV personality Stacy Keibler (WWE) is 45. Actor Ben Whishaw (“Paddington”) is 44. Actor Skyler Shaye (“Bratz”) is 38. Comedian Jay Pharoah (“Saturday Night Live”) is 37. Actor Max Thieriot (“Fire Country,” “SEAL Team”) is 36.
