Author Archives: dcaligari

December 15, 1967 –The Who release their third album, The Who Sell Out, on this date. There are fake radio jingles between songs, including one for the deodorant Odorono.

December 15, 1968 –Philadelphia Eagles fans, and for that matter, all Philadelphia sports fans, have a long reputation for being exceptionally hostile, with plenty of individual instances to show for it. Philadelphia Eagles fans pelted Santa Claus with snowballs on this date. The “real” Santa Claus who was supposed to appear was stuck in aContinue reading “The shame lives on.”

December 15, 1966 –Walt Disney, alleged neo-nazi, commie hater, union-buster and alleged child pornography lover died on this day. And he’s not a giant frozen popicle in Cinderella’s Castle nor buried beneath the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! Let us compare of two of the modern era’s finest and most influential artists: Georges Seurat (DecemberContinue reading “For those in search of their master’s thesis”

December 15, 1974 –Mel Brooks’ send up of the Universal horror films, Young Frankenstein, opened on this date. Gene Hackman learned about the film through his frequent tennis partner Gene Wilder and requested a role, because he wanted to try comedy. He volunteered to play the Blind Hermit for free. It was four days ofContinue reading “You found out where that brain came from”

December 15, 1939 – The motion picture Gone With The Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, had its world premiere in Atlanta on this date. It was the first movie premiere ceremony to be televised. The governor of Georgia proclaimed the day a state holiday in commemoration of the event and the holiday celebrationsContinue reading “We all saw it in the window and had to have it”

Halcyon The Halcyon Days of yore, begin today, a week before the winter solstice and end a week after. According to legend, this two-week period is associated with unusually calm seas; hence the common meanings of halcyon as ‘quiet‘ or ‘peaceful‘ and by extension, ‘prosperous.’

December 14, 1979 –The Clash released their third studio album, London Calling, an album mix of punk, reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock, on this date. London Calling was produced by Guy Stevens, best known at that point for his work with Mott the Hoople and the Faces. TheContinue reading “First time you need directions at the market”

Brenda Lee was just 13 years old when she recorded Rockin around the Christmas Tree back in 1958. The record mostly flopped upon its initial release, selling just 5,000 copies. The next year, they released the song a second time and it again flopped, selling just over what it did on its initial release. ItContinue reading “Some things were built to last”

December 14, 1969 –Michael Jackson and the rest of The Jackson 5 made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on this date. The Jackson Five performed Sly and the Family Stone’s Stand, Smokey Robinson’s Who’s Loving You, and their first hit single I Want You Back.

December 14, 1972 –A very obscure (and not particularly good) Ringo Starr directed concert film, Born To Boogie starring Marc Bolan and T. Rex, Ringo Starr, and Elton John was released on The Beatles Apple Films label in the UK, on this date. Much of the 8mm footage used in the closing credits was shotContinue reading “Born To Boogie premiered”