Author Archives: dcaligari

January 22, 1984 –The Apple Macintosh, the first consumer computer to popularize the computer mouse and the graphical user interface, was introduced during Super Bowl XVIII with its famous 1984 television commercial. Now that Steve Jobs long gone; we can stop saying ‘Hooray for Big Brother!!!‘

January 22, 1977 –Wings‘ triple live album Wings Over America, recorded during the American leg of the band’s 1975–76 Wings Over the World tour, hits #1 on the Billboard Charts, in the US, on this date. Wings over America provided the total Paul McCartney experience. It showcased the full range of his musical skills asContinue reading “Wings Across America topped the charts”

January 22, 1972 – The Jack Webb midseason replacement series, Emergency!, starring Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe premiered on NBC TV on this date. The series originated when producer Robert A. Cinader was in the Los Angeles area researching for a new medical drama series that took place in an emergency hospital. There, he learnedContinue reading “911, What the emergency?”

January 22, 1968 –The comedy show Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, premiered on NBC television on this date. One of the trademarks of the series was the fast cutting that happened in between videotaped segments. Blackouts, one-liners and sketches were edited together in such a way that the showContinue reading “Found on Funk and Wagnalls’ front porch”

January 21, 1984 –The prog rock group Yes song, Owner of a Lonely Heart, hit No. #1 on this date. This is the first single from 90125, and was the group’s one and only #1 charting hit. The album was a drastic departure from Yes‘ progressive sound in the ‘70s, containing distorted guitar and synthesizersContinue reading “Owner of a Lonely Heart topped the charts”

January 21, 1957 –NBC recorded and later broadcasted the second inaugural ceremonies of US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It is the first national broadcast of a previously recorded event.

January 21, 1982 –Hsin-Yen Chang’s martial arts film Shaolin Temple (Shao Lin si,) starring Jet Li in his debut role opened on this date. This film was the first Hong Kong-China co-production to be filmed in mainland China. The film was also the first such to use a Mainland cast and crew.

January 20, 1936 –King George V of England was euthanized with injections of cocaine and morphine on this date, after a painful cancer illness. His final words, a mumbled God damn you!, were addressed to his nurse when she gave him a sedative before his final lethal injection. His physician, Bertrand Dawson (later becoming ViscountContinue reading “Regicide is usually frowned upon”

January 20, 1993 –The Supreme Court let stand on this date, a $2.5 million award to Tom Waits over use of what the singer had charged was a sound-alike artist to mimic his voice in a television commercial. Although Tom Waits was notoriously against selling himself in commercials, he did let his principles slip slightlyContinue reading “It’s hard to win when you always lose.”

Today is National Disc Jockey Day – The day is celebrated in remembrance of the death of Albert James “Alan” Freed, (AKA Moondog,) the man who coined the term “Rock ‘n’ Roll”. The first DJ, or Disc Jockey, was sixteen-year-old student Ray Newby, who played the first records over the airwaves at Herrold College ofContinue reading “Last Night a DJ saved my life”