Famed Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini was born on 12/22/1858. While a child, Puccini was kicked in his shins by his music teacher, Fortunato, whenever he made a mistake. As a result, the composer is said to have had a lifelong habit of jerking his leg reflexively when he heard a singer or instrumentalist hit a bad note (ouch!)…. On 12/4/56 Elvis Presley dropped by Sun Studios in Memphis and found Carl Perkins recording with Jerry Lee Lewis while Johnny Cash looked on. Engineer Sam Phillips made an impromptu recording of the four and billed them as the Million Dollar Quartet. For some reason, the recording wasn't released until 25 years later…. On 12/22/62 the Tornados' “Telstar” became the first record by a British group to reach No. 1 on the U.S. charts, 13 months ahead of the Beatles. The quirky instrumental, written by visionary producer Joe Meek and featuring the distinctive sound of the Clavioline electronic keyboard, remained on the charts for more than three weeks…. While testifying during a trial for possession of heroin and hash in the Toronto Supreme Court on 12/8/69, Jimi Hendrix claimed he had “outgrown drugs.” The 12-person jury found him not guilty two days later after eight hours of deliberation. “It's the best Christmas present Canada has ever given me,” said the guitarist afterward…. The Montreaux Casino in Switzerland was destroyed by fire on 12/4/71 after someone fired a flare gun at the ceiling. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, who were performing, lost all of their equipment. Audience members Deep Purple, who were to begin recording there the next day, wrote “Smoke on the Water” in response…. On 12/23/72 Alexander's department store in Manhattan extended its hours so that Alice Cooper, his snake Yvonne, and members of his band could go on a private shopping spree. Cooper bought so many dolls, records, and other merchandise that six people took more than half an hour to load it all into his extralong van…. Bob Marley survived a politically motivated assassination attempt on 12/4/76, just after rehearsing for the Smile Jamaica festival to be held the following day. Marley, his wife, Rita, and several others suffered bullet wounds, but the reggae master performed anyway, delighting the 80,000 fans who turned out for the show…. Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was nearly killed by electrocution on 12/12/76 when he touched an improperly grounded railing during a concert in Lakeland, Florida. Frehley was knocked unconscious but returned to the stage ten minutes later to complete the show…. Eurythmics vocalist Annie Lennox stunned 10,000 fans in Birmingham, England, on 12/4/86 when she suddenly tore off her bra while performing her hit “Missionary Man.” … On 12/27/89 Chuck Berry was sued by a former cook for allegedly videotaping her changing her clothes in the ladies restroom at his Blueberry Hill restaurant in St. Louis. The employee asserted that Berry had videotaped more than 250 women using a hidden camera. Berry, who claimed that the camera was used to discourage drug use, was forced to pay a fine.