Today In Entertainment History — January 2: Death & Disappearance

In 1971, George Harrison became the first former Beatle to hit number one on the US album chart, with "All Things Must Pass." In 1974, singer Tex Ritter died of a heart attack in Nashville at the age of 68. In 1979, thirty years ago [!!! — Ed.] former Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious went on trial for the murder of his girlfriend. He didn't live to hear the verdict. He died a month later. In 1983, the musical play "Annie," based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip, closed on Broadway after 2,377 performances. In 1990, actor Alan Hale, best known as the skipper on "Gilligan's Island,"died of cancer. His ashes were scattered at sea. In 1997, guitarist Randy California of Spirit disappeared after being caught in a current off the coast of Hawaii. [Did he ever re-appear? — Ed.] Associated Press