Author Archives: dcaligari

October 2, 1983 –Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler’s single Total Eclipse Of The Heart was No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. The song, which was Tyler’s biggest hit of her career, made her the only Welsh artist to score a U.S. No. 1 hit. The song was written and produced by Jim Steinman,Continue reading “(Trigger warning – major Earworm ahead.)”

October is the tenth month of the year and its name is therefore derived from Octo, the Latin word for eight (as the vegetables in V8 well knows.) October is often preceded by September and sometimes followed by November. There are 31 days in October, many of which are Wednesdays. (Wednesday is the fourth dayContinue reading “A glorious crown the year puts on …”

October 1, 1955 – The Honeymooners half hour episodes premiered on this date. The show was shot “as live” (filmed before an audience, edited and shown later). If you ever notice Jackie Gleason patting himself on the stomach, it was a sign that he had forgotten his line.

October 1, 1971 – The comedy-variety sketch series, The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine, starring, Marty Feldman, Spike Milligan, John Junkin, Hugh Paddick, Frances de la Tour, and Barry Levinson, first aired on ABC-TV on this date. Terry Gilliam’s animation contributions for this series were the opening and closing credits. The opening was a production lineContinue reading “The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine premiered”

October 1, 1992 –Turner Broadcasting launched a cable channel with 24 hour animated programming called the Cartoon Network on this date. The first program aired on the channel was the Looney Tunes classic Rhapsody Rabbit.

October 1, 1977 –(Please I beg of you, save yourselves – it’s too late for me, do not listen to the entire track)Meco’s (real name Domenico Monardo) song Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band was the No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, on this date. Fans with a keen ear will notice that manyContinue reading “The Disco Star Wars Theme topped the charts”

September 30, 2011 –Pearl Jam wrapped up Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’s week-long performance tribute to Pink Floyd by performing Mother from the legendary British rock band’s classic 1979 album The Wall. Their performance was the coda to a week of Pink Floyd tribute performances, which featured The Shins performing Breathe , Roger Waters andContinue reading “Eddie Vedder’s voice was unexpectedly perfect”

September 30, 1927 –Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the season, on this day. Roger Maris tied Ruth’s record on September 27, 1961. Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run Wednesday, tying Roger Maris’ single-season American League home run record. (Mark McGwire born on October 1, 1963, hit 70 home runs in 1998,Continue reading “The Bambino does it”

September 30, 1965 – Gerry Anderson’s supermarionation take on The Tracy family business, Thunderbirds premiered on this date in the UK. The faces of the Tracy family members were composites of those of famous celebrities of the day: Jeff Tracy was modeled upon actor Lorne Greene.Scott Tracy was modeled upon actor Sean Connery.Alan Tracy wasContinue reading “5, 4, 3, 2, … 1 Thunderbirds are go!”

September 30, 1998 –On The Drew Carey Show episode In Ramada Da Vida, Slash, Lisa Loeb, Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, Dave Mustaine, Jonny Lang, Joey Ramone, Joe Walsh and Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen audition for Drew’s band, which has a gig at the Ramada Inn. Walsh gets the job.