This Day in Showbiz History… January 12

caroleking ON THIS DAY IN 2023:

Eight years ago, on this day, the acclaimed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical opened on Broadway, going on to win a Tony Award for its star, Jessie Mueller. The show centres on the rise to fame of singer-songwriter Carole King (pictured).

Lisa-Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, died on this day in 2023. The singer and songwriter died after being taken to hospital following an apparent cardiac arrest. She was 54.

Also of note on this day, in 1987, reports Playbill, is that tickets started going on sale for Les Miserables, setting a new record by taking in a total of $1 721 098. The show opened on February 18 of that year and ran for more than 16 years.

Actress Kirstie Alley, who died on December 5, 2022, would have turned 72 today, while actor Oliver Platt celebrates his 63rd year and Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice of The Spice Girls) turns 49. Actor Olivier Martinez turns 57, while Zayn Malik of One Direction turns 30 and US TV host Howard Stern turns 69.

Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees died on this day in 2003. He was 54.

It was on this day in 1966 that Batman – teaming Adam West as the caped crusader, Burt Ward as Robin and Cesar Romero as The Joker – debuted on America’s ABC network.

Enjoying its first week at No 1 on the Springbok Radio Top 20 on this day in 1973 was the Lobo ballad I’d Love You to Want Me. It remained on top of the chart for five weeks Just saying…