2004 – The all-star remake of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (Mercury) easily debuts at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart. Although the Band Aid 20 track comes nowhere near the first-week sales of its 1984 predecessor, it sells 292,000 copies, including two purchased by Prime Minister Tony Blair at an HMV store in Edinburgh.
2002 – Former Hee-Haw star Roy Clark, playing Santa Claus, loses his big red pants at the annual Pageant of Peace Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House. Clark’s Santa pants slowly slide off during his performance of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Thankfully, Clark is wearing his own trousers underneath the ill-fitting costume.
2002 – Jazz saxophonist Bob Berg dies in Amagansett, N.Y., when a cement truck collides with his vehicle. He is 51. Inclement weather is a major factor in the accident. Berg’s wife, Arja, also suffers multiple injuries, but is not killed.
2002 – Jazz bassist Arvell Shaw dies at his home in Long Island, N.Y., of an apparent heart attack. He is 79.
2002 – Legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz undergoes emergency surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital after complaining of ill health the day before.
2002 – In a televised plea, pop diva Whitney Houston’s ailing father, who had earlier sued his daughter for $100 million calls for his daughter to settle the case.
2000 – R&B star Sisqo takes home six trophies at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena, while Destiny’s Child, Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill and ‘N Sync corral four each.
2000 – A new song inspired by a soldier’s act of mercy in the Kosovo conflict is among 24 tracks included on ex-Pink Floyd principal Roger Waters’ new live album “In The Flesh.”
1999 – During Jamiroquai’s benefit concert for the homeless at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire, frontman Jay Kay urges attendees to “Dig deep into your pockets and give [pound] notes, not coins.”
1999 – Deana Carter is the grand marshal of the Nashville Gas Christmas Parade. More than 80,000 spectators turn out for the locally televised event, a holiday tradition.
1997 – Police in Nagoya, Japan, arrest Carl Edward Hunter, manager of Ray Charles, on suspicion of marijuana possession.
1997 – Multiple Billboard Music Award winner Toni Braxton files suit against LaFace Records and its distributor Arista Records, maintaining that her 1989 recording contracts are invalid.
1993 – Ex-Gin Blossoms lead guitarist Douglas Hopkins shoots and kills himself at his home in Tempe, Ariz. He is 32. Hopkins was fired from the band the previous year because of his drinking habit.
1985 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Broken Wings,” Mr. Mister. The song is written in 20 minutes by band members Richard Page and Steve George and their friend John Lang.
1975 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Fly, Robin, Fly,” Silver Convention. Producer Michael Kunze originally calls the song “Run, Rabbit, Run.”
1965 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The Byrds. Songwriter Pete Seeger adapted the lyrics from the Book of Ecclesiastes.
1947 – Jim Messina is born in Maywood, Calif.
1938 – Guitarist J.J. Cale is born in Oklahoma City. Eric Clapton made hits out of two of Cale’s songs – “After Midnight” and “Cocaine.”
1935 – Little Richard (Richard Wayne Penniman) is born in Macon, Ga., the son of a minister. He has 14 top 10 hits on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. His biggest pop hit is “Long Tall Sally,” a No. 6 song in 1956.
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