A Big So What

On January 19th, 1974, a nine-mile traffic jam kept fans from attending performances by Bob Dylan and The Band in Miami. Many ticketholders didn't get in until the show was half over, prompting a few demonstrations. In 1976, promoter Bill Sargent offered The Beatles at least $30 million to reunite for a concert in the US. Sargent estimated that the reunion show could gross up to $300 million. They refused. In 1977, Aretha Franklin sang "God Bless America" at a special inaugural concert for President-elect Jimmy Carter, who took the oath of office the next day. In 1980, Michael Jackson got his first gold record, for "Off the Wall." In 1989, Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle teamed up for a version of "Stand By Your Man" in honor of President-elect George Bush. Other celebrities at the Inaugural Gala included Clint Eastwood, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra. In 1993, Fleetwood Mac reunited for the Inaugural Gala for President-elect Bill Clinton. Also, singer Tom Waits was allowed to keep the $2.5 million that a judge awarded him after he sued Frito-Lay for using a sound-alike in a commercial. The Supreme Court refused to change the amount of the award. In 1998, rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins died in Jackson, Tennessee, of complications from a recent series of strokes. He was 65. In 2006, singer Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack in Reston, Virginia. He was 64. Associated Press