Author Archives: dcaligari

March 6, 1970 –The Beatles released Let it Be in the UK on this date. Paul McCartney wrote this song supposedly after he had a dream about his mother who died when he was 14. Since Let It Be was The Beatles last album, it made an appropriate statement about leaving problems behind and movingContinue reading “Whisper words of wisdom …”

March 6, 1912 –National Biscuit Company’s (Nabisco) Oreo cookies went on sale for the first time on this date. The brand’s competitor, Sunshine’s Hydrox, had debuted in 1908. (Hydrox has up until recently, completely disappeared as a brand but secretly exists as ‘cookie crumbs‘ for yogurt flavorings and an ingredient in piecrust.)

March 6, 1973 –Closing Time, one of Tom Waits’ most melodic albums, (and a fascinating snapshot into his early days as a bar-room balladeer,) was released on this date. A number of artists covered songs from the album, starting a trend that would continue throughout Waits’ career. Martha was recorded by Tim Buckley and frequentlyContinue reading “We first got to drive around the Ol’ 55 with Tom”

March 6, 1995 –Annie Lennox second solo album, Medusa, a collection of covers, was released on this date. The first single No More I Love You’s, was originally recorded by the English group The Lover Speaks.

March 6, 1998 –The Coen Bros. off-kilter take on a Raymond Chandler detective story, The Big Lebowski, opened on this date. Before filming a scene, Jeff Bridges would frequently ask the Coen brothers “Did the Dude burn one on the way over?” If they said he had, he would rub his knuckles in his eyesContinue reading “The Big Lebowski premiered”

March 6, 1981 –After 19 years presenting the CBS Evening News, Walter Cronkite, the most trusted man in America, signs off for the last time. With all that we’ve been through, once again we must ask, who will carry that weight now?

March 1, 1953 –After an all-night dinner with interior minister Lavrenty Beria and future premiers Georgi Malenkov, Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev, Josif Stalin, truly Evil Bastard, did not emerge from his room the next day, having probably suffered a stroke that paralyzed the right side of his body. Although his guards thought it oddContinue reading “Bizarre ironies of History –”

Happy Cinco De Marcho! Cinco De Marcho is a 12-day drinking regimen for anyone who wishes to ‘train one’s liver‘ for the closing ceremonies on St. Patrick’s Day. Also, it’s National Cheez Doodle Day. It’s doesn’t sound appetizing saying ‘Happy Extruded Flavored Cornmeal Day‘ Demand Euphoria!

March 5, 1954 – The Classic B movie, Creature from the Black Lagoon, opened nationwide on this date. Julie Adams noted that making the film was an extremely pleat process, and that the cast and crew got along quite well. She also explained that she felt sympathetic toward the monster. Adams said, “There always isContinue reading “Creature from the Black Lagoon premiered”

March 5, 1956 – Frank Sinatra released his tenth studio album Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! on this date. Sinatra aficionados often rank it his best album and many music critics consider it one of the greatest albums of its era.