Today in Entertainment History: Silver Beetles recruit Best

On Aug. 12, 1960, the Silver Beetles recruited drummer Pete Best. The band later became The Beatles, and Best was dropped in favor of Ringo Starr.

In 1966, John Lennon apologized at a news conference for his remark that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus. That same day, The Beatles started their last North American tour, in Chicago.

In 1967, Fleetwood Mac made its first appearance, at the London National Jazz and Blues Festival.

In 1982, actor Henry Fonda died at the age of 77.

In 1988, the controversial movie “The Last Temptation of Christ” opened in nine cities, despite objections by some Christians that the film was sacrilegious in its treatment of Jesus.

In 1992, avant-garde composer John Cage died in New York at age 79.

In 1993, the Red Hot Chili Peppers replaced guitarist Arik Marshall with Jesse Tobias, who was replaced by Dave Navarro three months later.

In 1994, Woodstock ’94 was held in Saugerties, New York. About 350,000 people saw the show, which included mud fights during Green Day’s and Nine Inch Nails’ sets and the Red Hot Chili Peppers dressed as light bulbs.

In 1997, a Long Island handyman was arrested for impersonating John Ford Coley, of England Dan and John Ford Coley.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor George Hamilton is 85. Actor Dana Ivey is 83. Actor Jennifer Warren is 83. Singer-guitarist Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits is 75. Actor Jim Beaver (“Supernatural”) is 74. Singer Kid Creole (of Kid Creole and the Coconuts) is 74. Actor Sam J. Jones (“Flash Gordon”) is 70. Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny is 70. Actor Bruce Greenwood (2009′s “Star Trek,” ″Thirteen Days”) is 68. Country singer Danny Shirley of Confederate Railroad is 68. Guitarist Roy Hay of Culture Club is 63. Rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot is 61. Actor Peter Krause (KROW’-zuh) (“Parenthood,” ″Six Feet Under”) is 59. Actor Brent Sexton (“The Killing,” ″Deadwood”) is 57. Actor Michael Ian Black (“Ed”) is 53. Actor Yvette Nicole Brown (new “The Odd Couple,” ″Community”) is 53. Actor Rebecca Gayheart is 53. Actor Casey Affleck is 49. Actor Maggie Lawson (“Psych”) is 44. Actor Dominique Swain (“Lolita,” “Face/Off”) is 44. Actor Leah Pipes (“The Originals”) is 36. Actor Lakeith Stanfield (“Atlanta”) is 33. Actor Cara Delevingne (DEHL’-eh-veen) (“Paper Towns”) is 32. Actor Imani Hakim (“Mythic Quest,” “Everybody Hates Chris”) is 31.