Witch Doctor topped the charts

May 3, 1958 –David Seville’s (Ross Bagdasarian Sr.) novelty single, Witch Doctor, unexpected went to No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. Bagdasarian was first cousin to the novelist and playwright William Saroyan. Seville got the vocal effect by recording his voice into a tape recorder that was slowed to half speed andContinue reading “Witch Doctor topped the charts”

The first pairing of Sylvester and Tweety

May 3, 1947 – Sylvester tried to have Tweety Bird for lunch for the first time in the Looney Tunes cartoon, Tweetie Pie, which premiered on this date (Yeah, yeah, I know Sylvester is called Thomas but it’s Sylvester just the same. In 1948, with the cartoon Scaredy Cat, his name was changed to Sylvester,Continue reading “The first pairing of Sylvester and Tweety”

The night’s the time for all your tears …

May 3, 1964 –Gerry and the Pacemakers make their US TV debut, performing Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying on The Ed Sullivan Show on this date. Gerry & the Pacemakers were the second group be signed by manager Brian Epstein (after The Beatles). They were part of the Merseybeat sound emanating from Liverpool,Continue reading “The night’s the time for all your tears …”

Impress your friends with your knowledge of classical music

May 2, 1936 –Sergei Prokofiev was commissioned by The Central Children’s Theatre of Moscow to create a symphonic tale for children. Peter and the Wolf had its world premiere in Moscow on this date. Prokofiev felt, in his own words, the work had an inauspicious opening at best: “…[attendance] was poor and failed to attractContinue reading “Impress your friends with your knowledge of classical music”