David Bowie shocks the BBC viewers

July 6, 1972 –Some cat was layin’ down some rock ‘n’ roll lotta soul … David Bowie scandalized British home viewers on this date, while performing Starman on the TV show, Top Of The Pops, by singing with his arm draped around the shoulder of guitarist Mick Ronson – this was the moment Bowie becameContinue reading “David Bowie shocks the BBC viewers”

Pink Floyd’s first appearance on the BBC

July 6, 1967 –Pink Floyd made their first appearance on the BBC music show Top Of The Pops to promote their new single See Emily Play, on this date. Like many television programs from the ‘60s, the videotape master was erased for re-use and the performance was assumed to be lost. A badly damaged homeContinue reading “Pink Floyd’s first appearance on the BBC”

That’s All Right Mama

July 5, 1954 –Elvis Presley recorded his first commercial song, That’s All Right (Mama) on this date. The song, which hadn’t been rehearsed by Elvis, was recorded at Sun Records by Sam Phillips (who is commonly credited for discovering him.) The following evening, Blue Moon of Kentucky was recorded as the B side. That’s AllContinue reading “That’s All Right Mama”

Sometimes it’s not great to be president

July 4, 1826 –Frienemies Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both lay dying in there respective homes on this date. Jefferson, the nation’s third president, deeply in debt at age 83, died at one o’clock in the afternoon and correctly surmised that Adams had outlived him. John Adams, the second president died at age 90 inContinue reading “Sometimes it’s not great to be president”

Happy Fourth of July

July 4, 1776 –The Continental Congress approved adoption of the amended Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson and signed by John Hancock – President of the Continental Congress – and Charles Thomson, Congress secretary (among others,) without dissent. However, the New York delegation abstained as directed by the New York Provisional Congress. The UnitedContinue reading “Happy Fourth of July”

A Hard Day’s Night in Manila

July 4, 1966 –The Beatles played two shows at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, in the Philippines to over 80,000 fans, on this date. The Beatles did not appear at a palace reception hosted by President Marcos‘ family, who were not informed that the Beatles had previously declined their invitation. The Philippine media misrepresent thisContinue reading “A Hard Day’s Night in Manila”

The only time we should be celebrating sedition in the U.S.

Surprisingly, once again, Mrs. Dr. Caligari and I are not laying on a beach with our mispukah. (We are actually in the mountains with them.) (We are not indulging in too many samples at the Brotherhood Winery, but we are hoping to throw the surveillance team tailing us off our trail.) Please remember – AlcoholContinue reading “The only time we should be celebrating sedition in the U.S.”