Queen of Disco

November 11, 2014, 9:18 am

≫ Next: Armistice - Why We Celebrate Veterans Day

≪ Previous: Washington: Incredible Discovery

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 11, 1978

As with many 'kings' in the music arena, there are also numerous 'queens': Aretha Franklin, "Queen of Soul"; Mary J. Blige, "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul"; Koko Taylor, "Queen of the Blues", Tina turner, "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", Mahalia Jackson, "Queen of Gospel", Janis Joplin, "Queen of Psychedelic Soul" just to name a few. Today, one more is added in the spotlight, the "Queen of Disco".

Donna Summer: singer/songwriter who became the "Queen of Disco" in the 70s

"Queen of Disco" is name most fitting to this music icon for Donna Summer was instrumental in catapulting underground dance music out of the clubs of Europe into worldwide domination. Her unique style and sounds merged R&B, soul, pop, funk, rock, disco into experimental concepts that rocked the world.

Maintaining an unbroken string of hits throughout the 70s and 80s, most of which she wrote, Donna holds the record for most consecutive double albums to hit #1 on the Billboard charts (3) and first female to have four #1 singles in a 12 month period; 3 as a solo artist and one as a duo with Barbra Streisand.

A five-time Grammy winner, Donna Summer was the first artist to win the Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (1979, "Hot Stuff") as well as the first-ever recipient of the Grammy for Best Dance Recording (1997, "Carry On"). In 2004, she became one of the first inductees, as both an Artist Inductee and a Record Inductee (for 1977's "I Feel Love") into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in New York City. [Source: Donna Summer Biography]

1978 Donna Summer started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with her version of Jimmy Webb's 'MacArther Park', also a hit for actor Richard Harris in 1968, (made No.5 in the UK). Also on this day Summer went to No.1 on the US album chart with Live And More.

More Music Memories by Donna Summer...

Trivia Teasers for Tuesday...

1973 Thirty US radio stations broadcasted a 'live'Mott The Hoople concert. In reality it was the band recorded in the studio with the applause dubbed in. 

1999Britney Spears won four MTV Awards; Best Female Singer, Best Pop Act, Best Song, '...Baby One More Time', Best Breakthrough Artist. Best Rock Act went to The Offspring, Best Male Act, Will Smith and Bono won the Free Your Mind award.

2004Coldplay fan Sarah Sainsbury wrote to the band asking for their autographs so she could sell them to raise funds at her school charity. Coldplay sent her a triple platinum disc worth over £4,000.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

  

---

Armistice - Why We Celebrate Veterans Day

November 11, 2014, 11:37 am

≫ Next: Crazzy...just plain cr-r-r-r-r-azy!

≪ Previous: Queen of Disco

$

0

0

Photo Credit: John Sealander

This Day in History: November 11, 1918

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the signing of the armistice went into effect, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany.

A step back in time...Embrace the Past

On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. It was not until 1938 that November 11 was declared a national holiday whereby veterans are thanked for their services to the United States.

The original intention proclaimed November 11 a day of honor for veterans who fought in World War I. Unbeknownst at that time, a second world war lurked in the shadows to be ignited only a few years ahead. World War II evolved into the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States to be followed by another possible threat of world war when American forces fought in the Korean War.

President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day

In 1954, the word "Armistice" changed to "Veterans" after being approved by Congress on June 1 of that same year. Thus, November 11 became a day to honor ALL American veterans, wherever and whenever they had served and remains to this day known as Veterans Day.




Time for celebration...Empower the Present

Today is officially VeteransDay! This day of honor brings with it displays of the flag of the United States, observances of the day in schools and churches, parades, picnics, and times that gather families and friends together in appropriate ceremonies of honor for those who have served their country.

For me, today carries with it a double celebration. November 12, 1916 is my daddy's birthday. If he were alive today, he would be 98 years old. He was a veteran of WWII. Daddy served in the Navy and proudly fought for his country during the second world war. He never spoke of the war, too horrific was all you ever heard him say. He saw lives shattered and lost as he served his country during one of the bloodest battles of the war. He was on board ship the day the flag was raised on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima.



What are your plans? Celebrate Veterans Day with your family by reflecting on the service that veterans have contributed to America.  

Think about questions, such as, "Where would America be without the help and sacrifices of our veterans? Do you know a veteran...possibly someone in your ancestral chain, a current family member, friend, friend of a friend? How has a veteran individually impacted your life?"

Tomorrow's tomorrows...Enrich the Future

While remembrances and celebrations are taking place for those who fought in wars past, let us not forget those that are still fighting or will fight in the future to maintain America's freedom won so long ago. They, too, will one day be the veterans and should always be honored for the service they provide in protecting and defending America.

Never and Always

Today we honor

All who fought with pride

Never forgetting

Always remembering

 

Keeping in our hearts

Hardships of their ride

Never forsaking

Always reflecting

 

Theirs is a world

Of sacrifice and pain

Never relenting

Always remaining

 

Undying faith and hope 

To see home again

Never giving up
Always sustaining
 

Love of country

Honor a fact

Never waning

Always shining

Keeping America safe

Freedom in tact

Never faltering

Always defending

©2012 Sharla Lee Shults





Crazzy...just plain cr-r-r-r-r-azy!

November 11, 2014, 6:11 pm

≫ Next: A 'Day' for Kindness

≪ Previous: Armistice - Why We Celebrate Veterans Day

$

0

0

As we travel across America, or anywhere in the world for that matter, strange and unusual buildings appear right before our eyes or at a distance. The uniqueness of their design captures the imaginary eye with thoughts of not only 'how in the world did someone come up with such an idea?' but also 'how did anyone actually build it?' Take a few moments and marvel at a few not so ordinary architectural designs in celebration of this day's day.

November 12 is...

World Architecture Day (or is it?)

Houston, Texas Hole House
The Texas "Hole House" was in existence for only a few months in 2005.
*****

Well, this day is turning out to be very interesting. Not sure if it should even be celebrated as announced on Days of the Year. There appears to be no other reference to this day's day being this day on the calendar. Apparently World Architecture Day occurred on October 6 and the event scheduled for November 12 - 14 was cancelled. Anyway, for your marveling pleasure of just a few right here at home in the USA...
 

The Kansas City Library contains a unique “Community Bookshelf” wall on its exterior, designed to showcase the spines of 22 books suggested by the citizens of Kansas City.

  

Because of its work selling baskets and other accessories, the Longaberger company headquarters near Dresden, Ohio is designed in the shape of a giant wooden basket. The handles are even heated to prevent ice forming and causing destruction or injury to the rest of the building and the employees.

 

This home’s owner, Sarah Winchester, allegedly believed that the buildingat 525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, California was haunted and so designed the home in a labyrinth-like fashion to confuse any spirits who might try to haunt her. Because of that, she insisted that the home be constantly under construction, incorporating architectural oddities such as a cabinet that extends through 30 rooms of the house and doors that lead nowhere.

 

The Cathedral of St. Patrick (commonly called St. Patrick's Cathedral) is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States and a prominent landmark of New York City, New York.

 

The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot (192 m) tall monument in St. Louis, in the U.S. state of Missouri. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a flattened catenary arch, it is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, Missouri's tallest accessible building, and the world's tallest arch.

Located in Seattle, Washington, EMP Museum is a nonprofit museum, dedicated to contemporary popular culture. EMP Museum was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2000. Since that time EMP has organized dozens of exhibits, 17 of which have toured across the US and internationally.

In Sedona, Arizona in 1956, construction of the Chapel of the Holy Cross was completed. The chapel appears to rise 250 feet (76 m) out of a 1,000-foot (300 m) redrock cliff.

The United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, completed in 1962, is the distinguishing feature of the Cadet Area at the United States Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Originally controversial in its design, the Cadet Chapel has become a classic and highly regarded example of modernist architecture. The Cadet Chapel was awarded the American Institute of Architects' National Twenty-five Year Award in 1996 and, as part of the Cadet Area, was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2004.

Lillian Disney made an initial gift of $50 million in 1987 to build a performance venue as a gift to the people of Los Angeles and a tribute to Walt Disney's devotion to the arts and to the city. The Walt Disney Concert Hall seats 2,265 people and serves, among other purposes, as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The Ray and Maria Stata Center or Building 32 is a 720,000-square-foot (67,000 m²) academic complex designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Frank Gehry for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

  Then, there is someone who is just plain cr-r-r-r-razy!

The Beer Can House is a folk art house in Rice Military, Houston, Texas, covered with beer cans, bottles, and other beer paraphernalia. It is a folk art monument to eccentricity and recycling.

 You don't want to miss...

80+ Strange and Fantastic Buildings Architecture

MAYBE...

Or Mark October 6, 2015

Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!

A 'Day' for Kindness

November 12, 2014, 2:14 pm

≫ Next: Shock'n Y'all

≪ Previous: Crazzy...just plain cr-r-r-r-r-azy!

$

0

0

While it is a good idea to designate a day for kindness, it is most important to never let any day go by without showing you care…for the humble and meek, the weak and strong, from the youngest to the oldest, critter and creature, human or pet. What indeed is so difficult about being kind?
 
November 13 is...

World Kindness Day

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

~ Leo Buscaglia

The best thing about World Kindness Day is that is is absolutely priceless ... meaning it does not cost a thing. Nothing. Only a little bit of effort. Often, without any effort at all. Simple. Painless. Feel good all over kind of sensation. It overlooks all boundaries, racial or religious. There are no limits as to how much kindness can be extended in a single moment or hour. Just think kindness rubs off on others generating more kindness and the momentum of kindness keeps going and going and going...

Have you created a positive ripple effect of kindness lately? World Kindness Day is the perfect time to start. Here are a few clues:

• No matter the location – restaurant, convenience store, shopping mall, gas station, coffee shop, etc. – tell the clerk to keep the change for someone who comes in that might need it.
• See an elderly person waiting patiently to cross the street. Offer a helping hand.
• Notice someone who appears to be sad and glum. Toss a smile his or her way. 
• You just might receive a smile in return, thereby, making someone's day a bit brighter.

  

 

Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!

Shock'n Y'all

November 12, 2014, 3:52 pm

≫ Next: Vietnam Veterans Memorial

≪ Previous: A 'Day' for Kindness

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 12, 2003

For the spotlight today, we step back in time only a decade thereby remaining in the 21st century. The genre: Country Music. With classic rock pretty much dominating the music scene for decades, it comes as surprise to some, not so much to others, that country music has surpassed the classics in popularity. This is partly attributed to many cross-over artists. [Read the full story: The NPD Group]

Welcome to the spotlight...

In 2011, Toby Keith was named “Artist of the Decade”
by the American Country Music Awards.

Toby Keith: Country music sensation best known for his rousing anthems to the U.S. soldiers serving in the Middle East

After working for a while in the oil industry and playing defense in the United States Football League (USFL), Toby Keith decided to pursue a career in music. Keith's self-titled debut album went platinum in 1993. In reaction to the events of 9/11, Keith wrote the song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" which struck a chord with military personnel, but not without a little controversy. The title and the bursting fireworks on the cover of Shock'n Y'all—not to mention the songs "American Soldier" and "Taliban Song"—played off of the patriotic political identity Keith had earned over the previous two years.

Jimmy Wayne and Penn & Teller present Toby Keith with the Album of the Year Award for "Shock'n Y'all." He thanks the music industry, God, James Stroud, DreamWorks Records, songwriters, and the musicians who played on the album. Stroud also thanks the Dreamworks team.

2003Country singer Toby Keith's sixth album Shock'n Y'all, his third-straight #1 country album, became his second-straight #1 pop album when it topped the Billboard 200 album chart on this day in 2003. (The title of the album was a pun on the so-called "Shock and Awe" bombing campaign that preceded the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003). The album has been certified 4× Platinum in the U.S. for shipments in excess of 4 million units.

'I Love This Bar', 'American Soldier' and 'Whiskey Girl' were the three tracks from the album to be released as singles, and all reached Number One on the Hot Country Songs charts. "I Love This Bar" has inspired a chain of restaurants that Keith has launched under the name I Love This Bar And Grill.

A Bit of Shockin' Trivia...

True to his musical persona, Keith was defiant in the face of such criticism. When the Dixie Chicks themselves became the objects of a country-radio boycott following controversial comments made onstage by Natalie Maines about the impending invasion of Iraq, Toby Keith took to performing in front of a gigantic backdrop featuring a doctored photograph of Maines standing next to deposed Iraqi dictator Sadaam Hussein. [Source: This Day in History]

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

 

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

November 13, 2014, 1:21 pm

≫ Next: "Rod the Mod"

≪ Previous: Shock'n Y'all

$

0

0

This Day in History: November 13, 1982

History is made up of war from ancient times to when the first accounts of civilization were recorded. Artifacts from ages before writing indicate life at those times was not always peace and calm. America's war on home turf was a civil war that almost tore a country apart. World War and other conflicts pulled Americans toward foreign shores in defense of our nation. One of those foreign wars again almost tore our nation apart because of so much controversy. The war: Vietnam (November 1, 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975). Estimates of the number of casualties vary, with one source suggesting up to 3.8 million violent war deaths.

On this day in 1982, a long-awaited Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington as a national salute to Americans who served in the Vietnam War. So many fought a war in which they did not believe but did so when America called them to fight. Of those who survived, their lives were never the same.

The memorial was a simple V-shaped black-granite wall inscribed with the names of the 57,939 (58, 272 by another source) Americans who died in the conflict, arranged in order of death, not rank, as was common in other memorials.

"We met as soul-mates / On Parris Island 

We left as inmates  / From an asylum.

And we were sharp / As sharp as knives 

And we were so gung-ho to lay down our lives..
...And we would all go down together,

We said we'd all go down together."

- Billy Joel, "Goodnight Saigon"

 *****

 The memorial in its simplicity is breath-taking!
 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial soon became one of the most visited memorials in the nation's capital. A Smithsonian Institution director called it "a community of feelings, almost a sacred precinct," and a veteran declared that "it's the parade we never got.""The Wall" drew together both those who fought and those who marched against the war and served to promote national healing a decade after the divisive conflict's end.

God Bless America! God Bless Our Military...the Defenders of our Nation, our Flag, our Country, our Honor!

"Rod the Mod"

November 13, 2014, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: A Rock Alter Ego

≪ Previous: Vietnam Veterans Memorial

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 13, 1976

Recording artists enter the music arena each with their own 'signatures'. Natural talent follows some with their destiny of rising to the top being set as early as pre-school. Others work their way to the top developing their special uniqueness, which could be exceptional vocalization or totally bizarre stage persona.

Welcome to the spotlight...

 Once In A Blue Moon — The Lost Album
finds Stewart tackling songs by Tom Waits, Bob Dylan,
The Rolling Stones, Stevie Nicks, and others.

 Rod Stewartpop/rock singer/songwriter known for his signature raspy voice

Roderick David Stewart, better known as Rod Stewart in the music world, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. Rod (the Mod) Stewart got his lucky break at 19 years old.

He came to prominence in the late 60s and early 70s. From the late 70s through the 90s, Stewart's music often took on a new wave or soft rock/middle-of-the-road quality, and in the early 2000s, he released a series of successful albums interpreting the Great American Songbook. Since his residency debut in 2011, the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has taken Las Vegas audiences by storm with high-energy performances of his iconic hits.

Songfacts: In a 2008 Esquire interview, Steven Van Zandt said: "I remember a kid running into band rehearsal one day, in '68 or so, and saying, "You're not gonna believe this, but Rod Stewart is white!" We said, "Get outta here." We didn't believe him. There was just not that many places you could see pictures of people. There wasn't MTV and we never heard any white person sing like that. We knew he was black."

 

1976 Rod Stewart started an 8 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Tonight's The Night'. It was Rod's second US No.1; it made No.5 in the UK after being banned by many radio stations due to song being about the seduction of a virgin. The song features whispers from actress Britt Ekland who was Stewart's girlfriend at the time.

Today's Trivia Teasers...

• 1965 The Castiles, which featured a young singer called Bruce Springsteen appeared at The Fire House, Hazlet, New Jersey. The night was billed as a Teenage Go, Go Dance.
• 1999 A report showed that The Spice Girls were the highest earners in pop during the 90's with their debut album 'Spice' selling over 20 million copies. Elton John was second with 14 million sales from 'The Lion King'.
• 1999 It was announced that Cliff Richard had signed up with Internet company Remotemusic.com, making him the first major artist to sign a deal with an online company.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

  

A Rock Alter Ego

November 13, 2014, 1:48 pm

≫ Next: In a pickle?

≪ Previous: "Rod the Mod"

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 13, 1999

Yesterday's spotlight highlighted country music artist Toby Keith with emphasis on how many cross-over artists have created a shift in popularity from rock 'n' roll to country. Today, we are turning our sights...ears, that is...in the opposite direction with focus on country music artist crossing over into rock 'n' roll. The name may not be known immediately but once the true identity is revealed, you just might be surprised...or not.

See any resemblance? Check out the Top Ten Alter Egos.

Chris Gaines: a fictional Australian rock star persona created as an alter ego

Saturday Night Live was going strong in 1999 during its 25th season with easily recognizable names such as David Bowie, Sting and R.E.M. Then, on this day in 1999, a new musical guest arrived, a rocker by the name of Chris Gaines. The music was rock 'n' roll but the singer was none other than Garth Brooks.

According to his official biography, Chris Gaines was a former Grammy-winner and seasoned rock veteran staging a mid-career comeback nearly 10 years after a string of hits in the 1980s with songs that included collaborations with Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan, among others. In fact, "Chris Gaines" was Garth Brooks in a black wig and a glued-on soul patch—the biggest country-music star in the world pursuing his dreams of being a rock star in the guise of a highly developed alter-ego.

This was an album soundtrack to a movie Garth Brooks was supposed to star in that never materialized. He was trying to be creative with an alter Ego that would allow him to play a little different style of music. It was actually a great album!!!

Stranger things have happened...

  

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

---

In a pickle?

November 13, 2014, 6:12 pm

≫ Next: TGIF!

≪ Previous: A Rock Alter Ego

$

0

0

Ever been in a pickle of a situation? If you have been, or are presently, in a pickle, you find yourself in a difficult position, or have a problem to which no easy answer can be found. The ‘in difficulty’ meaning of the expression alludes to the idea of being as mixed up as the pickled cucumbers packed in the jar! Or it's like having ordered a chip bar-be-que sandwich only upon taking that first bite to discover the cook left off the dill pickle! You have left the restaurant, eating on the run so to speak with no place to get an immediate pickle. Now, that is the pickle of being in a pickle! Of course, the literal meaning of in a pickle does not really reference the edible pickles except when the day of celebration is a pickle of a day. So, remain cool as a cucumber!

November 14 is...

The pickle...what a great accompaniment to so many dishes! Whether on the side or included as an ingredient, just the right amount of pickle can make all the difference or simply just the pickle itself, whole, speared, or sliced and served on the side. Gherkin, Dill, Lime, Bread-and-Butter, Branston, Cornishon, Hungarian, Polish, Danish or Swedish, in brine or vinegar, these fermented morsels are so much more than mere hors d’oeuvres. Where did this little gem of crispy green crunch get its first dunking...in brine, that is? 

Pickles take their name from the Dutch word 'pekel', meaning 'something piquant', and originally referred to a spiced, salted vinegar or 'brine' used as a preservative. Pickles began to be a popular food some 4,000 years ago. In 2030 B.C., cucumbers were imported from India to the Tigris Valley. Cleopatra is said to have attributed her looks and youth to the green treats, and Napoleon is said to have been fed pickles to his armies for health benefits.

This Pickle Day try something different. Venture outside the pickle jar and do something way out of the ordinary.

Pickle and Peanut Butter Sandwich

 Fried Pickle Chips (Recipe)

On Pickle Day, how about trying your hand at...

Refrigerator Pickles (Recipe)

If all you are after is simplicity, then enjoy a...

 Pickle-on-a-Stick

Or add some spice to your Christmas tree...

Pickle Ornament Pattern

Pickles do make one pucker up so...

Is your mouth watering yet?

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!

TGIF!

November 14, 2014, 6:03 am

≫ Next: One Hit Wonders

≪ Previous: In a pickle?

$

0

0

Whew! We missed Friday the 13th by one day! Even if it were the 13th, the day would still be Friday. Let's celebrate and increase our knowledge about the TGIF acronym and the weekend.

Ever wonder where this T.G.I.F. ("Thank God It's Friday") catchphrase originated?

Back in the early 1970s, the Akron, Ohio-based disk jockey Jerry Healy from WAKR radio station was the one who first coined that catchphrase. It later became synonymous to working people in the United States as a common expression of relief at the end of the work week and anticipation of relaxing or partying over the weekend!

This brings us to the next question...

While TGIF is a most familiar acronym, has this day always represented the "end" of the work week?

The luxury surrounding the weekend as we know it today has NOT always been the case. The work week designated as Monday through Saturday encompassed work, especially on farms, starting before the sun came up and ending when the last speck of the sun fell below the horizon. In other words, from sunup to sundown. Jobs, 'back in the day' consisted of positions such as the following with some, not all, still being prevalent in the 21st century:

tinker, tailor, grocer, baker, veterinarian, cobbler, weaver, iron worker, brickmaker, potter, doctor, wagon maker, carriage maker, milliner, dressmaker, cook, scullery maid, housemaid, butler, clerk, carpenter, general laborer, barrister, wagon/carriage driver, footman, builder, tin maker, priest, alms house worker, prison guard, constable, tobacconist...anything pre-industrial revolution

Up until the 19th century, the Sabbath was the only day regarded as a “day off” from work. Even on this day, leisure time was not solely of one's choice. This day was a day of fellowship with most of its time spent in church. Most importantly is to consider the time... 

 Before TV, Nineteenth Century

  

In the early years of the century

The “weekend” positively was born

Saturday afternoons plus Sundays off

Provided relief for the forlorn

Souvenir programme for Ruy Blas and the Blasé Roué, a Victorian burlesque

Excitement from the theatre

Bustled with music and vibe

Travesty known as burlesque

Primed all senses to come alive

Candy pull St Nicholas 1882

An occasional “candy-pull”

Nut-cracking, corn-popping fun

Imbued family time with mirth

’Til apple-roasting was done

Buffalo Bill's wild west and congress of rough riders of the world - Circus poster showing Buffalo Bill's congress of rough riders and Cuban insurgents in battle. c.1898

Reenactment in Wild West Shows

Captured more than an audience’s ear

Reviving an enduring spirit

Throughout the western frontier

March 21, 1859 (chartered); July 1, 1874 (opened)

At the peak of the century

Evolved the Philadelphia Zoo

Ten to twenty-five cents admission

Brought exotic animals into view

Marionette from Tiller family marionette company, 1870s-1890s

Paper dolls, marionettes, puppets

Tendered fun at any time

Christmas, the heart of the holidays

Pioneered Santa’s first climb

The Jazz Singer, released October 6, 1927

At the close of the century

American theatregreatly changed

Fads, fashion, and affluence

Launched plays totally rearranged

©2012 Awakenings 

Sharla Lee Shults

Have a GREAT weekend!

 

One Hit Wonders

November 14, 2014, 1:27 pm

≫ Next: Stadium-sized Passion

≪ Previous: TGIF!

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 14

A one hit wonder is normally a person or act that has achieved one major hit - realized a single success not to be repeated as a Top 40 Phenomenom on the Billboard Hot 100 or for having one signature song that overshadows their other work. The artist, the song or both artist and song can be classified in this category. Each decade has presented its own unique list of such 'wonders'. For this spotlight, the illumination is on one hit wonders from four decades sharing this day in music history.

In the Spirit of the 60s...

1960Joe Jones with "You Talk Too Much" peaked at No. 3.

 

1964"Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs rose to No.5.

  
From the Groovy Times of the 70s...

1970"Somebody's Been Sleeping" by 100 Proof (Aged in Soul) reached No.8.

Out of the 80s Music Mania...

1981Mike Post's "TheTheme from Hill Street Blues" featuring Larry Carlton peaked at No.10.

1987Wa Wa Nee with their single "Sugar Free" made it to #35.

Into the 90s...

1992The Heights with "HowDo You Talk to an Angel" topped the charts at No.1.

  

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

Stadium-sized Passion

November 14, 2014, 3:33 pm

≫ Next: Take stock!

≪ Previous: One Hit Wonders

$

0

0

MORE Today in Music History: November 14

There is passion when it comes to music. Each artist puts heart and soul into the lyrics, melody and harmony. To produce an album takes ingenuity in order for the songs to maintain cohesiveness with each song never losing its own creativity. Numerous albums have reached the top of the charts. Among the songs, many have become Top 10 singles and even climbed to reach the top of the charts peaking at No. 1. Such is the American rock band in the spotlight on this day who dominated the 80s.

Bon Jovi: good hooks, pumped-up production and stadium-sized passion forged the pop-metal alloy that made Bon Jovi one of the dominant mainstream rock bands of the Eighties

Bon Jovi, one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time, has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. This year, 2014, marked the 30th Anniversary since the band's first album Bon Jovi was released.

Jon Bon Jovi	Richie Sambora	Tico Torres	David Bryan

The American rock band, Bon Jovi, formed in 1983 with lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.) having begun singing and playing the guitar at age 13. The band became popular for its power ballads, soaring guitar riffs, and well-crafted melodies.

1992Bon Jovi went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Keep The Faith' their fifth studio album and second UK No.1. The album marked a change in the band's sound producing six UK Top 20 hit singles, 'Keep The Faith', 'Bed Of Roses', 'In These Arms', 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead', 'I Believe' and 'Dry County'. The album managed to reach Double Platinum status by the RIAA and debuted at #1 in both UK and Australia. In US, it produced the Top 10 hit "Bed of Roses" while the title track hit No.1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.

  

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

Take stock!

November 15, 2014, 8:49 am

≫ Next: A Button of a Day

≪ Previous: Stadium-sized Passion

$

0

0

This Day in History: November 15, 1867

Everything has a beginning somewhere, some time by someone. While the invention of the 'ticker tape' may be thought of as Thomas Edison's idea, that is not the case. Edison's first successful invention was an improved stock ticker, the "Universal Stock Printer".

On November 15, 1867, the first stock ticker was unveiled in New York City. The event was a show stopper which made up-to-the-minute prices available to investors around the country. Up until that point information from the New York Stock Exchange, which opened its doors in 1792, traveled by mail or messenger.

The ticker was invented by Edward Calahan, who worked for Gold & Stock Telegraph and configured a telegraph machine to print stock quotes on streams of paper tape. This is the same paper tape used later on in ticker-tape parades.  The ticker, got its name from the sound its type wheel made. Read MORE...

[The image is the ticker tape parade in New York City for presidential candidate Richard Nixon in 1960. The long streamers are entire spools of ticker tape. Image Credit: en.wikipedia.com]

The ubiquitous 'they' say a picture says a thousand words. Take stock of the images below that say enough about the ticker tape...

Ticker tape was used to transmit stock price information over telegraph lines from 1870 to 1970. A paper strip ran through a machine was called a stock ticker, which printed abbreviated company names followed by numeric stock transaction price and volume information. 1930s brokers are pictured in the above image.

History of the Ticker Tape

Check out the 'modern'Twittertape Machine...

The Twittertape Machine is a prototype standalone networked device that prints a feed of your tweets and mentions on Twitter! The design is inspired by the ticker tape machines of the late 1800's that kept the rich and famous up to date with the movement of their stocks and shares.

How cool is that?!.

A Button of a Day

November 15, 2014, 12:23 pm

≫ Next: Get it FAST!

≪ Previous: Take stock!

$

0

0

 

With just about every article of clothing purchased (requiring buttoning, that is), one will always find included an extra button. What does one do with all those buttons, which seldom are necessary as long as the original is kept tacked in place? Are they loose in a drawer, kept in a jar, or simply thrown away with the tags? Wonder no more and don't ever throw them away again! Be sure to also snip off all those buttons before throwing away any worn-out garments. With Christmas in the not so distant future, enjoy a button of a day with ideas that just might answer the question, "What on earth am I going to buy x, y, and z for Christmas?"

November 16 is ...

 ButtonDay

Buttons should not be thrown away but saved instead to be crafted into unique designs, or added to a garment for just the right touch or pizazz. The appeal of buttons has always been fascinating...from those that are pearlized to the oddest shapes imaginable. There is also no better way to teach a daughter or granddaughter about sewing other than learning how to sew on a button, especially on doll clothes. Makes a great rainy day project! 

With the holiday season upon us, take a look at some great decorating and gift ideas that only require creativity and a lot of love!

A Christmas ornament is a terrific gift for a friend or loved one. This one made out of vintage buttons can even be crafted and given in advance to be enjoyed throughout the holidays. Click HERE for this one and more ideas...

 

 OR simply give of your heart! A piece of scrap fabric, some cotton stuffing, and a lot of buttons sewn on with love.

 

Do you have a cloth ornament that has become frazzled through the years of handling and hanging? Jazz it up with colorful buttons! Just pin them on with 'big head' decorative pins.

There are times when each of us has struggled with getting the string tight enough around a package. How do you keep the string or ribbon from slipping? Ever thought of using a decorative cording and threading it through a large button? Neat-o!

Tired of the same-o same-o wrapping and ribbon? Craft a button snowflake to dress up plain foil wrapping paper. The snowflake will make a great ornament decoration for the next year's Christmas tree serving as a reminder of Christmas past.

Need an idea for a tiny tree to add a touch of Christmas to a small space... maybe an added touch to a child's bedroom? Craft out the button tree. Buttons don't have to necessarily be all green although that is a nice 'tree' effect. The different colored pearl pin heads add the effect of different colored lights. Tiny ribbon bows could also be attached for further decoration.

 Just doesn't get any simpler!

 

Maybe even fashion your own homemade Christmas card!

Gather a bowl of buttons and get creative!

Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!

 

Get it FAST!

November 15, 2014, 1:45 pm

≫ Next: Music Echoes

≪ Previous: A Button of a Day

$

0

0

Fast food restaurants have taken over the country! There is hardly a street corner that does not house either a sandwich shoppe, hamburger joint, hot dog stand, chicken shack, pizzeria, taco drive-in or almost any eatery thinkable. That makes this next day of celebration open to a multitude of choices. The day in yours to eat what you want, when you want without the hassle of cooking and clean-up at home (that is, unless you carry out to eat at home). Just remember, in most cases, the calories are HIGH so choose wisely!

November 16 is ...

National Fast Food Day

 a very American holiday

The U.S. has more than 300 fast food chains, representing 40% of the nation’s total restaurant sales. Americans spend more than $110 billion on fast food annually, on cuisine that ranges from barbecue, fried chicken and pizza to Chinese food and Tex-Mex. Read MORE, learn about what constitutes 'fast' food and discover the Father of Fast Food...

First choice in fast food...

Burger 'n' Fries

Unfortunately, while fast food may be 'fast' in preparation saving time for the very busy population that is always on the go, it is not the healthiest. Is this what we are coming to...

 

Fast food has definitely become a way of life in the 21st century. At least there are choices to be made with hopefully the right one coming at the right time. Which shall it be... 140 calories for a White Castle Slyder or 1061 calories for a Burger King Cheeseburger, Double Whopper? How hungry are you anyway?

How to Celebrate National Fast Food Day...

Do we really want to know the secret ingredient?

Is your mouth watering yet?

 

Enjoy but choose wisely!

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!

---

Music Echoes

November 15, 2014, 6:06 pm

≫ Next: Oklahoma: Indians, Cowboys & Oil

≪ Previous: Get it FAST!

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 15

Some great albums found their place on the charts on this day in music history. The year: 1971. Each album is a tribute echoing the music collectively of the recording artist or group. Whereas a single could result as a one hit wonder, a truly great album produces multiple hit singles, as well as the album itself reaching the top.

 In this week's Disc and Music Echo's Progressive album chart: No.5 Cat Stevens - 'Teaser and the Firecat', No.4 Hawkwind - 'In Search Of Space', No.3 Santana - 'III'; No.2 Rod Stewart - 'Every Picture Tells A Story'and No.1 John Lennon - 'Imagine'.

The album, Teaser and the Firecat, contains 10 songs including the hits "Morning Has Broken,""Moonshadow," and "Peace Train." It is also the title of a children's book written and illustrated by Stevens.

The groundbreaking sound which Hawkwind achieved on In Search of Space helped to open up a whole new avenue of progressive rock. This album would lead to their most successful release in Space Ritual, coming two years after In Search of Space, with their interplanetary groove already set for takeoff.

Santana goes back deep into the roots of today's music, not only just to the time when the Family Dog was at the Avalon, but back further into the heavy dosages of Latin and African rhythms that have been part of American music for a long time. Read MORE...

Roderick David Stewart, better known as Rod Stewart in the music world, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. "Rod the Mod" Stewart got his lucky break at 19 years old.

John Lennon followed his first post Beatles solo release John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band with perhaps his best known album Imagine. Best known largely because of the strength of the single taken from it that has become something of a John Lennon anthem.

Today's Tidbits of Trivia...

• 1959 Johnny and the Moondogs, (The Beatles) played in the final heat of the 'TV Star Search' competition at The Hippodrome Theatre, Manchester, England. Judging was done by the volume of applause each group received when it is called back onto stage at the end of the night. Since the Moondogs had no money to stay overnight in Manchester, they were forced to head back to Liverpool before they were called back onto stage. 
• 1965The Rolling Stones made their US TV debut on Hullabaloo, performing ‘Get Off Of My Cloud’. Hullabaloo was an American one-hour musical variety series that ran on NBC from January 1965 through August 1966.
• 1986 Pop history was made when the Top 5 UK singles were all by female vocalists: Corinne Drewery from Swing Out Sister, Mel and Kim, Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, Kim Wilde and Terri Nunn from Berlin who were at No.1 with 'Take My Breath Away.'

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

  



Related Articles on Awakenings:

Rod Stewart, "Rod the Mod"

Imagine John Lennon

Oklahoma: Indians, Cowboys & Oil

November 16, 2014, 1:49 pm

≫ Next: Colorful Songs

≪ Previous: Music Echoes

$

0

0

This Day in History: November 16, 1907

Oklahoma, The Sooner State, Boomer's Paradise

Oklahoma State Motto: "Labor Conquers All Things" (Labor omnia vincit)

With the passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, nearly 100,000 Indians were forced off their homelands into "Indian Territory". Stripped of their dignity they were forced to march overland 1000 miles under horrendous conditions. The survivors of the journey to what is now Oklahoma declared it The Trail of Tears. Deeply rooted in Indian heritage, today Oklahoma is home to 55 distinct Indian tribes.

Oklahoma Photography

Oklahoma Wheat: Fields of Gold

What does Oklahoma mean?

Oklahoma is based on Choctaw Indian words which translate as red people (okla meaning "people" and humma meaning "red"). Recorded history for the name "Oklahoma" began with Spanish explorer Coronado in 1541 on his quest for the "Lost City of Gold."

Oklahoma's nickname The Sooner State dates back to the opening of unassigned lands in the Oklahoma Territory. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided legal claim to 160 acres of public land, which led to the event known as the "Oklahoma Land Run" or "Land Run of 1889".

Throughout the 19th century, the U.S. government relocated Indian tribes from the southeastern United States to the area, and by 1900, over 30 Indian tribes had been moved to what was originally called the Indian Territories. At the same time, ranchers in Texas began to move into the area in search of new pasture lands, and the government eventually opened the land to settlement, creating “land runs” in which settlers were allowed to cross the border at a particular hour to claim homesteads. Settlers who broke the law and crossed the border sooner than allowed were called “sooners,” which eventually became the state’s nickname. 

“Boomers” were settlers who favored the opening of unassigned lands in the Oklahoma Territory and lobbied the U.S. government to this end. Promoting the “Boomer's Paradise,” early advocates of settlement in the Unassigned Lands began what is referred to as the "Boomer Movement.”

Aerial America: Oklahoma

Oklahoma's strangest scenery includes sand dunes, salt plains, toxic soils: the vast deserts of Oklahoma are more than unusual. Oklahoma is home to great tallgrass prairies, where herds of buffalo roam free and oil jacks gush black gold. Where the Trail of Tears ended and a mass exodus began 100 years later, prompted by a wave of dust. Where native cultures have flourished for thousands of years and where countless hopeful settlers arrived for a shot at the American Dream.

The land that today makes up Oklahoma was added to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and U.S. land acquisitions following the Mexican-American War. The Indian Territory and the Oklahoma Territory were combined into one state, and Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907 to join the union. This followed several acts that incorporated more and more Indian tribal land into U.S. territory. Initially, Oklahoma was an agricultural state but suffered great losses during the drought years of the 1930s, which made the state part of the Dust Bowl. During the Depression, poor tenant farmers known as "Okies" were forced to travel west seeking better opportunities. In the 1940s, prosperity returned to Oklahoma, and oil production brought a major economic boom in the 1970s.

 Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central United States.

 Oklahoma State Flag

Oklahoma State Seal

Oklahoma State Game Bird: Wild Turkey 

Oklahoma designated the wild turkey as state game bird in 1990. A true native American, the eastern wild turkey is the largest and most widely distributed of the six recognized subspecies of wild turkey in North America.

The turkey was almost our National Bird? No way, you say...

If it had been left up to Benjamin Franklin, the Turkey, not the Bald Eagle would have been designated as our national bird. That would include all the "gobbles,""clucks,""putts,""purrs,""yelps,""cutts,""whines,""cackles," and "kee-kees" that go along with it! Wonder what impact that would have had on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner...Um-m-m?

 Oklahoma State Bird:Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

The scissor-tailed flycatcher was designated as Oklahoma's official state bird in 1951. This songbird's unique scissor-like tail can be twice as long as its body. It catches most prey by aerial hawking, but will also grab insects off vegetation.

The voice of the scissor-tailed flycatcher is a harsh kee-kee-kee-kee. It also vocalizes chattering notes like those of Eastern Kingbird.

 Oklahoma State Animal: Buffalo

The buffalo was tagged as Oklahoma's official state animal 1972. Buffalo once roamed the American prairie by the tens of millions and provided a way of life for the plains Indians. But European settlers hunted buffalo to the brink of extinction.

A bull buffalo can weigh over 1800 pounds and stand 6 foot tall at the shoulder.

 Oklahoma State Amphibian: Bullfrog

Oklahoma State Furbearer Animal: Raccoon

Oklahoma State Wildflower: The Indian Blanket
Indian blanket wildflower photo by Wade Franklin on Flickr

Oklahoma State Flower: Oklahoma Rose

Some controversy exists over the Oklahoma state flower. In actuality, there are two. In 1986, Oklahoma named the Indian Blanket as the official state wildflower. In 2004, the Hybrid Tea Rose, aka "Oklahoma Rose", was designated the state flower of Oklahoma.

 Oklahoma State Cartoon: First for any state!

In 1954, Don Woods and GUSTY^® joined  KTUL TV channel 8 in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 35 memorable years of weathercasts.  During each weathercast Don drew a GUSTY^® denoting the upcoming weather conditions.  The popularity of Don and GUSTY^® grew throughout portions of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas until they were household names. Read MORE...

 For all State Symbols of Oklahoma click HERE!

 

Oklahoma State Song:Oklahoma- 

music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
Adopted as Oklahoma's state song and anthem in 1953.

Oklahoma Windby Dr. Dale J. Smith. Adopted as Oklahoma's state waltz in 1982.

Faded Love by John Wills and Bob Wills. Adopted as Oklahoma's state country and western song in 1988.

Oklahoma, My Native Land by Martha Kemm Barrett. Adopted as Oklahoma's state children's song in 1996.

Oklahoma Hills by Woody Guthrie and Jack Guthrie. Adopted as Oklahoma's state folk song in 2001.

Do You Realize?? by The Flaming Lips. Adopted as the official rock song of Oklahoma in 2009.

Oklahoma State Folk Dance: Square Dance

In 1988, Oklahoma designated the square dance as the state folk dance joining 22 other states. More than 30 bills have been introduced at the federal level (beginning in 1965) proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States.

 

Indians, Cowboys & Oil

Offers of free land
Sent pioneers Westward
Forcing Native Americans
Onward and outward
 

The Cherokee Nation
Gave up its epic lands
Not solely of free will
But government demands

The pioneer spirit
 Overshadowed by greed
Made the first land rush
Monumental indeed

America's search for oil
Wild dreams running through veins
Wildcatters sought fortunes
From rigs on the great plains

 Droughts and high winds
Choked life out of the soil
Grasslands turned wheat fields

 Fell captive to dust's foil

Cattle drives, cowboys & outlaws  

Stretched from Texas to Oklahoma 

Railroads took the place of trails 

As prosperity became the aroma

Ah-h! The sweet smell of success led Oklahoma out of its state of distress!

©2014Sharla Lee Shults

History of the Oklahoma Panhandle

  Oklahoma Facts and Trivia

Next state by month: #12 North Carolina - November 21, 1789

Colorful Songs

November 16, 2014, 3:45 pm

≫ Next: A 'Toast' to You

≪ Previous: Oklahoma: Indians, Cowboys & Oil

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 16, 1963

Day time, night time, sunrise, sunset have been themes of songs for ages. Songs have been written about love, sorrow, friendship and forgiveness. Then, there are the colorful songs...those that contain the word, color or the word, paint, which is synonymous with color. Many, many songs reflect gold, silver, black, white, yellow, brown, orange, red, pink, blue, blue-green, greenand the color for today, purple.

Welcome to the spotlight...

Nino Tempo & April Stevens (born Antonino and Carol LoTempio) are a brother and sister singing act from Niagara Falls, New York.

Songfacts: Nino and April each had fair solo careers. April had hits with "No No No Not That" (1950, when she was 14), "I'm in Love Again" (1951), and "Teach Me Tiger" (1959); Nino was a session saxophonist. They were teamed by Atlantic Records' owner Ahmet Ertegun, who was also their producer. Ertegun wanted them to record another song called "Paradise" - which they did - but in the 14 minutes of studio time remaining, they also cut "Deep Purple," which was the hit, in two takes. Nino and April knew the song very well, but their session players had to pick it up quickly based on their instructions. The rest is music history...

1963Nino Tempo & April Stevens went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Deep Purple', it made No.17 in the UK.The duo had a string of Billboard hits and earned a Grammy Award as "best rock & roll record of the year" in 1963 for the single "Deep Purple".

 

A Tidbit of Music Trivia...

• 
  For the love of the music,
  

  2002 Texan multi-billionaire David Bonderman hired The Rolling Stones to play at his 60th birthday party held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The bands fee was £4.4m. 

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

  

A 'Toast' to You

November 16, 2014, 6:40 pm

≫ Next: Music in the Air

≪ Previous: Colorful Songs

$

0

0

Bread is a primary food staple. Because of its diversity there is hardly a day that goes by when one does not eat some form of bread. It may be toast in the morning for breakfast, two slices in your favorite lunch sandwich or buttery garlic bread for dinner. Most of the time the bread is store bought from the bread aisle of the grocery store but sometimes it is ordered fresh from a bakery. Then, there are those occasions when it is homemade!

November 17 is...

A Bit of Bread Trivia...

Bread was so important to the Egyptian way of life that it was used as a type of currency. Even more interesting is the fact they revered it so much they would often place it in the tombs of their dead. Early Egyptian writings urged mothers to send their children to school with plenty of bread and beer for their lunch.

Crunchy Whole Grain Bread (Recipe)

A toast to all who bake that yeasty goodness known as homemade bread! YUM! Old-fashioned bread making may be time consuming but oh my goodness! Nothing beats the aroma of fresh bread as the yeast does its work while the dough rises in the warmth of the oven.

That, my friends, is only secondary to the taste. Hot and buttery with almost melt in your mouth goodness. Most recipes say let it cool before slicing and use a good serrated knife. If your desire gets the best of you, just claw a hunk while it is still warm. Totally irresistible! You can always let the rest cool, then, evenly slice to get that professional sandwich look. I do wonder how many loaves never make it to the dinner table. 

Bread making has been around for centuries being a part of daily routines for most families. The morning would begin with tantalizing homemade biscuits with the loaves being the highlight of the later meals. Today, bread making has been made easier with the invention of bread machines that do the work which once was only achieved by hand...just the right touch at that!

A Few Fun Bread Facts...

~It takes 9 seconds for a combine to harvest enough wheat to make about 70 loaves of bread.

~Each American consumes, on average, 53 pounds of bread per year.
~An average slice of packaged bread contains only 1 gram of fat and 75 to 80 calories.

Well, enough of the bread 'talk', let's get to work and get it made...

  Easy No-Knead Herb Bread (Recipe)

 

Easy Overnight Old-World Dutch Oven Bread (Recipe)

Fairly light for a whole grain bread!

Check out the Bread Pan on Pinterest!

You are not limited to loaf bread...what about a great Colombian snack?

 
Pan de Queso (Colombian Style Cheese Bread) (Recipe)

Garlic-Parmesan Cheese Pull Apart Bread (Recipe)

Last, but by no means least...

Our Favorite Homemade Sandwich Bread (Recipe)

Are you the bread maker or does someone else in the family take on the task? Legend has it that whoever eats the last piece of bread has to kiss the cook.

*****

Is your mouth watering yet?

 

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!

Music in the Air

November 17, 2014, 9:02 am

≫ Next: Vichy what?

≪ Previous: A 'Toast' to You

$

0

0

Today in Music History: November 17, 1957

As we approach the holiday season, the music in the air is already transforming to the seasonal tunes of Christmas. What a joyful time of the year filled with thankfulness and blessings. Today's spotlight shines on a performer who sought permission to record a West Indian song written by Jester Hairston, a Julliard-trained songwriter who would later popularize the spiritual "Amen" during the civil rights movement in the United States. 

A man of many talents

Harry Belafonte: a multi-talented performer achieving lasting fame for his traditional folk songs, Broadway stage and on-screen performances

The oldest son of Caribbean immigrants, Harry Belafonte struggled with poverty and a turbulent family life. He spent much of his childhood in Jamaica where a lasting impression resulted from the oppression of blacks by the English authorities.

"The most difficult time in my life was when I was a kid," he later told People magazine. "My mother gave me affection, but, because I was left on my own, also a lot of anguish." Source: bio.com

Belafonte enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 serving in the Pacific at the end of World War II. It was his return to New York City after being discharged from the Navy that became the stage for his acting and singing successes. He is best known for such songs as "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," and for his humanitarian work.

1957Harry Belafonte was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Mary's Boy Child'. Belafonte became the first black male to have a #1 in the UK. It was the first ever song to sell 1 million copies there and the first ever British #1 record to have a playing time of more than four minutes. It stayed at No.1 for seven weeks making it this 1957's Christmas No.1. The first Christmas song to hit No.1 in two different versions - the other was Boney M's version in 1978. 

The song was first recorded in 1956 for Belafonte's album An Evening with Belafonte. To date, his version has sold over 1.18 million copies. In 1962, the full-length version was added to a re-issue of Belafonte's previously released album To Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Tidbits of Trivia...

• 1963 John Weightman the Headmaster of a Surrey Grammar School, banned all pupils from having Beatle haircuts saying, "this ridiculous style brings out the worst in boys physically. It makes them look like morons."
• 2000 It was reported that Andy White who played drums on The Beatles track 'Love Me Do' which was featured on the new Beatles Greatest Hits album would not earn enough from it to buy his own copy. White would get no more than his original session fee of £7.
• 2003 Britney Spears said that her first lover Justin Timberlake was a huge disappointment in the pants department. Talking during a MTV show Spears said ‘forget trousersnake, its more like trouser worm’, when referring to her ex-boyfriend. In this same year, 21 year-old Britney Spears became the youngest singer to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...