Joe Frazier became Heavyweight Champ

March 8, 1971 –Muhammad Ali lost to Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden in New York City on this date. Frank Sinatra wasn’t able to get ringside seats for the Fight, so he arranged to take photos for Life magazine so that he could be close toContinue reading “Joe Frazier became Heavyweight Champ”

Left a good job in the city …

March 8, 1969 –Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary hits #2 on the Hot 100 on this date. It stayed at No. 2 for three weeks. John Fogerty wrote the lyrics based on three song title ideas: Proud Mary, Riverboat, Rolling On A River. He carried around a notebook with titles that he thought would makeContinue reading “Left a good job in the city …”

New Order’s Blue Monday dropped

March 7, 1983 –New Order released their song Blue Monday, as a 12-inch on the Factory Records label on this date. The title is not mentioned in the lyrics, which is true of many New Order songs. The band took the song’s name from an illustration in the Kurt Vonnegut book Breakfast Of Champions, whichContinue reading “New Order’s Blue Monday dropped”

We first got to drive around the Ol’ 55 with Tom

March 6, 1973 –Closing Time, one of Tom Waits’ most melodic albums, (and a fascinating snapshot into his early days as a bar-room balladeer,) was released on this date. A number of artists covered songs from the album, starting a trend that would continue throughout Waits’ career. Martha was recorded by Tim Buckley and frequentlyContinue reading “We first got to drive around the Ol’ 55 with Tom”