DJ Fred’s Rock N’ Roll Factoids For December 11th [VIDEOS]

He showed up that night in the motel's office wearing only a sports jacket and shoes, but no shirt, pants or underwear.  Apparently the manager found that strange.Sam Cooke, one of the greatest soul singers of all time was shot dead on this date in 19654 by Bertha Franklin, the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles.  The police ruled that the killing was justified after Bertha claimed that Cooke attacked her.  Unfortunately for Sam, he never made it to Saturday night that week.

While performing a concert in Florida on this date in 1973, Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was electrocuted when he touched a stage light.  Ace passed out and had to be carried from the stage.  Being the hard core trooper that he is, Ace rejoined his brothers in rock and roll ten minutes later to finish the show.  Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons would hope for a similar incident years later when when they fired Ace from the band.

In 1982 Toni Basil went to #1 with Mickey.  It was the singer, TV actress and dancer's only  big song, making her a "One Hit Wonder."  Thank god.

Motley Crue bass player Nikki Sixx was born on this date in 1958, which makes him 57 years old.  The Cure were here in Bangor a couple of months ago, and during the concert Nikki told of how when he was little he would always try to steal his father's pocket knife and would end up being grounded.  At the end of his story be pulled out a humongous knife from his boot strap and said to "always follow your dreams."  You can catch Nikki Sixx and Jen every Sunday night here on I-95 with The Sideshow Classic!