On Jan. 22, 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.