Author Archives: dcaligari

May 31, 1983 –After a break in which David Byrne and Jerry Harrison release solo albums and Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth form Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads return with their fifth album, Speaking In Tongues. It contains their biggest hit, Burning Down The House. Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz and bass player Tina Weymouth,Continue reading “Today in Rock History”

On May 30, 1889, the world’s ‘first bra‘ was invented. Breasts are an important feature among mammals. They allow mothers to nurture their young through protracted infancies. No infancy is longer than that of the human species, especially that of the American male, which often lasts until death. Breasts are more than just moving dinerContinue reading “Victoria’s Secret – Bras are expensive!”

May 29, 1913 – Imagine, if you will, you live in Paris and that after a hard day of not working and drinking heavily (it’s what most of the idle rich did in Paris at the time, in between bouts of sodomy, while they waited around for Marcel Proust to finish writing that damn bookContinue reading “I hate when they misuse the bassoon.”

The Friendliest War (ongoing) For over 30 years, Canada and Denmark have been playfully fighting for control of a tiny island called Hans Island, found in the Nares Strait, a 22-mile-wide waterway that separates the most northern land of Canada, Ellesmere Island, and Greenland, an autonomous Denmark territory. Once in a while, when officials fromContinue reading “Keep your hands off Hans Island”

Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine. In 1834, it was sold as a cure for an upset stomach by an Ohio physician named John Cook. Soon copycat patent medicine makers claimed it a cure for ailments like diarrhea, indigestion, and jaundice. It wasn’t popularized as a condiment until the late 19th century byContinue reading “Relish Today, Ketchup Tomorrow”

Saint Vitalis of Assisi (not to be confused with St. Vitalis of Milan, patron saint of grey haired Lotharios) was an Italian hermit and monk who died in 1370. He became a saint despite an early life marked by licentiousness and immorality. However, in an attempt to atone he went on pilgrimages to various sanctuaries.Continue reading “Please refer to your Butler’s Lives of The Saints to follow along”

Let your Geek Pride Show! Geek Pride Day is May 25, and here’s what you need to know about the celebration for nerds worldwide: The date was reportedly chosen to coincide with the first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope, which was released on May 25, 1977. The day also marks Towel Day,Continue reading “Be Weird”

May 24, 1941 –Shabtai Zisel ben Avraham Zimmerman, a young boy from a small shtetl called Duluth, in the great state of Minnesota, don’t ya know, who has been a major figure in popular music for nearly six decades, was born on this date. Even Zigman and Anna’s grandson, Shabtai can still write a goodContinue reading “Today in Rock History”

May 24, 1883 – The Brooklyn Bridge (originally the New York and Brooklyn Bridge), one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, stretches 5,989 feet (1825 m) over the East River connecting the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn opened for business today. On completion, it was the largest suspension bridgeContinue reading “… you that shall cross from shore to shore years hence …”

May 23, 1969 –… A son! A son! A son! …. The Who released Tommy in the UK, the first rock opera on this date. Somehow this may or may not be connected with the fact that, The BBC gave the go-ahead for 13 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus on this date as well.Continue reading “Today in Rock History”