1957: This was a great day to be watching The Ed Sullivan Show. Three musical acts made their national TV debuts on that show: Buddy Holly & the Crickets (performing “That’ll Be the Day”), Sam Cooke (“You Send Me”) and the Rays (“Silhouettes”).

1977: David Bowie appears on what turns out to be Bing Crosby’s last televised Christmas special. The two sing a duet that blends “Little Drummer Boy” with “Peace on Earth.” “Little Drummer Boy” was written in 1941. “Peace on Earth” was written especially for the TV show when Bowie balked at singing “Drummer Boy.”

The duet was forgotten until radio stations started playing a copy ripped from a video recording of the show in the early 80’s. Today, it has become a holiday favorite.

1959: Bobby Darin is a double winner at the Grammy Awards- winning Best New Artist and Record of the Year for his classic version of “Mack the Knife.”

1974: John Lennon appears on stage with Elton John. The two sing their #1 duet “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” and the Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There.” It marks the last time Lennon would ever perform live.

Happy Birthday to Jimi Hendrix born on this day in 1942.

1969: John Lennon spends the afternoon mixing two songs of his – “What's the New Mary Jane” and "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)." He intends to release them as two sides of a Plastic Ono Band single. That falls through. “Mary Jane” goes back into the vault (finally seeing the light of day on the Beatles’ Anthology CD-set). “You Know My Name” winds up as the B-side of the Beatles “Let It Be” single release.

Thus, today marks the last time John Lennon worked on a Beatles recording session.

1968: The first of the “Supergroups,” Cream plays its last concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The crowd chants “God save the Cream” as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker take their final bows.

1966: Police in Kansas City, MO stop a James Brown concert due to what the cops call Brown’s “obscene dances.” Kids at the show respond with the obligatory rock ‘n’ roll riot.

Happy Birthday today to rock & roll drummers Pete Best (The Beatles) and Bev Bevan (Electric Light Orchestra)

1976: The King and the Killer. On this day, Jerry Lee Lewis (nicknamed “the Killer”) decides to pay a visit to Elvis Presley (nicknamed “The King”). Jerry Lee’s first mistake is to show up at Graceland before dawn. He gets turned away. Elvis calls and invites Lewis to come back. Jerry Lee returns later in the morning but unfortunately, the security guard hasn’t got the word from Elvis. So once again, Jerry Lee is refused entrance.

Now thoroughly angry, Jerry Lee produces a gun and proclaims that he’s there to kill Presley. He is quickly arrested, but is later released when he convinces authorities he was only joking. Great balls of fire!

1950: Whether you call him “Miami Steve” or “Little Steven” or even “Silvio” (from The Sopranos), wish a Happy birthday today to E Street Band legend Steve Van Zandt.