December 16, 1971 –Don McLean’s eight-minute-plus version of American Pie was released and became one of the longest songs to ever hit the pop charts. If you prefer the clip with Don singing in it, here you go. Youngster, can use the song as the Cliff Notes (Shmoop, if you prefer) for what happened duringContinue reading “We found out the true water level at the embankment today”
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The first time Snyder came up to fix the sink
December 16, 1975 –The groundbreaking sitcom (for it’s time) One Day At A Time starring Bonnie Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli premiered on this date. Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli are only five months apart in age. Bertinelli was the younger of the two, so Phillips was cast as the older sister.
Santa became the point
Most Christmas songs are likely to feature one of two people: Jesus or Santa. And while people have been singing Christmas hymns and carols about Jesus since the Fourth century, songs about Santa Claus arrived a little later. It’s believed that the tune, Up On the Housetop, written in 1864 by Benjamin Hanby, a churchContinue reading “Santa became the point”
Heinz Beans never had a better platform
December 15, 1967 –The Who release their third album, The Who Sell Out, on this date. There are fake radio jingles between songs, including one for the deodorant Odorono.
The shame lives on.
December 15, 1968 –Philadelphia Eagles fans, and for that matter, all Philadelphia sports fans, have a long reputation for being exceptionally hostile, with plenty of individual instances to show for it. Philadelphia Eagles fans pelted Santa Claus with snowballs on this date. The “real” Santa Claus who was supposed to appear was stuck in aContinue reading “The shame lives on.”
For those in search of their master’s thesis
December 15, 1966 –Walt Disney, alleged neo-nazi, commie hater, union-buster and alleged child pornography lover died on this day. And he’s not a giant frozen popicle in Cinderella’s Castle nor buried beneath the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! Let us compare of two of the modern era’s finest and most influential artists: Georges Seurat (DecemberContinue reading “For those in search of their master’s thesis”
You found out where that brain came from
December 15, 1974 –Mel Brooks’ send up of the Universal horror films, Young Frankenstein, opened on this date. Gene Hackman learned about the film through his frequent tennis partner Gene Wilder and requested a role, because he wanted to try comedy. He volunteered to play the Blind Hermit for free. It was four days ofContinue reading “You found out where that brain came from”
We all saw it in the window and had to have it
December 15, 1939 – The motion picture Gone With The Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, had its world premiere in Atlanta on this date. It was the first movie premiere ceremony to be televised. The governor of Georgia proclaimed the day a state holiday in commemoration of the event and the holiday celebrationsContinue reading “We all saw it in the window and had to have it”
A Special Word of the Day
Halcyon The Halcyon Days of yore, begin today, a week before the winter solstice and end a week after. According to legend, this two-week period is associated with unusually calm seas; hence the common meanings of halcyon as ‘quiet‘ or ‘peaceful‘ and by extension, ‘prosperous.’
First time you need directions at the market
December 14, 1979 –The Clash released their third studio album, London Calling, an album mix of punk, reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock, on this date. London Calling was produced by Guy Stevens, best known at that point for his work with Mott the Hoople and the Faces. TheContinue reading “First time you need directions at the market”
The Haus of Dcaligari 