Author Archives: dcaligari

July 16, 1974 –In TV’s first live suicide, news presenter Christine Chubbuck, during her TV broadcast, suddenly stopped reading the teleprompter and said, “In keeping with Channel 40’s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living color, you are going to see another first: an attempted suicide.” She died aboutContinue reading “An unfortunate TV first”

July 15, 1946 –I admire people’s marriages, and I think it’s a wonderful thing to have, but I don’t think it’s the only way to live. I think there are many ways to live and many ways to establish intimate support in your life that can be from family or friends or great roommates thatContinue reading “Linda Maria Ronstadt”

July 15, 2009 –45 years after he played at the Ed Sullivan Theater with The Beatles, Paul McCartney returned to the venue to appear on The Late Show With David Letterman. Earlier in the day, McCartney plays a few songs from the theater’s marquee, surprising the onlookers in Manhattan.

July 15, 1988 –The film that made Bruce Willis a star, Die Hard, co-starring Alan Rickman, and Bonnie Bedelia opened in limited release in the US on this date. Some might argue that it’s one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. This was the feature film (and Hollywood) debut of Alan Rickman, whoContinue reading “Die Hard opened”

July 15, 1972 –Elton John’s fifth studio album, Honky Chateau, reached No. #1 on the US Billboard Charts, on this date, making it the first of John’s seven consecutive US No. #1 album. The album was recorded at Château d’Hérouville, Hérouville, France, in January 1972. At the time, the studio was known as “Strawberry Studios,”Continue reading “Honky Chateau topped the charts”

July 14, 1986 – I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready… Today is Spongebob’s birthday.

July 14 1789 –Paris was not a happy city in 1789. Paris has never been an especially happy city, especially for those who don’t speak French, but in that fateful year, it was especially grouchy. And it wasn’t just the city, but the whole country. All of France was being cranky and irritable, and allContinue reading “Happy Bastille Day”

July 14, 1906 –Tom Carvel, the gravelly-voiced ice cream mogul, was born on this date. Please order a Cookie Puss or Fudgie the Whale ice cream cake in his honor.

July 14, 1969 –Dennis Hopper’s seminal ’60s classic, Easy Rider, starring Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson, premiered in the US on this date. Dennis Hopper was going through a very bad time during production (something he later put down to marijuana not being his “creative drug of choice”). He was in a stateContinue reading “Easy Rider opened”

July 14, 1964 –Almost two years to the date of their first gig, The Rolling Stones score their first #1 hit in the UK with their cover of Bobby Womack’s It’s All Over Now. New York disc jockey Murray the K gave The Stones a copy of the original recording of the song by TheContinue reading “It’s All Over Now topped the charts”