Eddie Van Halen is the main songwriter, and founder — with brother Alex Van Halen, singer David Lee Roth, and bassist Michael Anthony — of the hard rock band Van Halen. He is considered one of the best and most influentialguitarists in the history of rock music. In 2011, Rolling Stone ranked Van Halen number eight in the list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists and in 2012, he was voted number one in a Guitar World magazine reader’s poll for "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
On this day in 1998, President Clinton denied having an affair with a former White House intern, saying "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.
President Clinton with Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office.
The first European settlers in Australia, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, landed in what became known as Sydney on this day in 1788. The group had first settled at Botany Bay eight days before. This day is celebrated as Australia Day.
Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 – April 5, 1964)
Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian born former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played twenty seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "The Great One", he has been called "the greatest hockey player ever"by many sportswriters, players, and the league itself.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Phantom of the Opera" opened at Broadway’s Majestic Theater on this day in 1988.
Neil Diamond is one of the most successful recording artists in the history of the Billboard chart. He has sold over 125 million records and is known for hits like "Kentucky Woman," "Sweet Caroline," and "America." He became a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and, in 2011, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On January 22, Neil Diamondannounced he would be retiring from touring due to his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Actress Linda Blair played the possessed Regan in The Exorcist (1973) which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as an Academy Award nomination. In 1977, she reprised her role in Exorcist II: The Heretic. Her career began as a child model at age six in 1970.
Professional golfer Jack Nicklaus has 18 major championship wins including 5-time PGA and 3-time Open championships. He was a football player while at Ohio State University.
