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January 30, 1969 – At a free concert at their Apple corporate headquarters in London, The Beatles made their last-ever public appearance as a group on this date. < The performance, filmed for the documentary Let It Be, was eventually halted when police arrived after neighbors complained about the racket. (Once again, I strongly encourageContinue reading “The mop tops went out for a breath of fresh air”

Two households, both alike in dignityIn fair Verona, where we lay our sceneFrom ancient grudge break to new mutinyWhere civil blood makes civil hands unclean.From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-cross’d lovers take their lifeWhose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents’ strife William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo andContinue reading “Then I defy you, stars!”

Before settling on the Seven Dwarfs we know today, Disney also considered Chesty, Tubby, Burpy, Deafy, Hickey, Wheezy, and Awful.

January 29, 2000 –The PBS series In the Spotlight presented Steely Dan, showcasing selections from Two Against Nature, their first new studio recording in more than 20 years, on this date. This is the Home Version of Steely Dan’s PBS In The Spotlight Special, with additional documentary footage, (I didn’t think anyone would complain.)

January 29, 1981 –Dolly Parton’s theme song for the film 9 to 5 went to No. 1 on the Billboard Charts on this date. In a 2009 interview with 60 Minutes, Parton talked about the unlikely inspiration for this song: her fingernails. She had very long, acrylic nails, and discovered that when she rubbed themContinue reading “9 to 5 topped the charts”

January 29, 1964 – Introducing us to saving our precious bodily fluids and the rule about no fighting in the War room, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was released in the United States, on this date. George C. Scott was reputedly annoyed that Stanley Kubrick was pushingContinue reading “We’ll meet again …”

January 28, 1995 –TLC started a four week run at No.1 on Billboards singles chart with Creep, the group’s first US No.1 hit. The song made No.6 in the UK the following year. The trio had mixed feelings about the adulterous relationship portrayed in the lyrics. Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins thought the subject was an importantContinue reading “The 22nd of loneliness …”

January 28, 1978 – Fantasy Island, starring Ricardo Montalban and Herve Villechaize, debuted on ABC-TV on this date. The network wanted Orson Welles for Mr. Roarke, but Spelling rejected him, knowing of his irritable nature on sets. He also rejected the idea of a sexy female sidekick to join Roarke and Tattoo.

January 28, 1953 –J. Fred Muggs joined NBC’s Today Show on this date. Muggs was an instant sensation with children, and later their parents. As Dave Garroway’s “right-hand monkey,” he performed comedy routines, had a wardrobe of 450 outfits, and played the piano. Within weeks, the floundering show had a significant boost in its audienceContinue reading “No, I’m not a monkey’s uncle”

A special word for today Serendipity – the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely. The word derives from an old Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, (Serendip is the Persian name for Sri Lanka,) and was coined by Horace Walpole on January 28, 1754Continue reading “I really like this word”