Today: New Jersey bans a Lennon / Ono album cover. Opinion: The shutdown is impacting airline safety. Brian Epstein becomes the Beatles manager. Hulu lowers rates as Netflix raises theirs. Dead Man’s Curve, Warren Zevon, The Platters and Sly & the Family Stone.
Quick Takes:
How safe are our skies as the shutdown drags on? Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers are getting worried.
More layoffs are a sign that, “The struggle to create businesses that can support a healthy news environment is universal across the information ecosystem.”
With the announcement that the State of the Union speech will be delayed, a look back reveals that once upon a time, a president speaking to congress was a rare thing.
Want to lower your blood pressure? Think of a loved one.
Lobbying and the political donations that go with it are a fact of life in Washington. This past year, tech was a big player both spaces.
VPNs are a fact of life in China. Here’s one reason why.
The next taxi service could be right out of the Jetsons.
A teacher, not a Russian is behind the year’s most viral video to date. Her Twitter account was suspended.
Remember “The Lost Boys” & “Nancy Drew”? Everything old is new again. James Gandolfini’s son to play Tony in the new Sopranos. And more reboots are coming to The CW. Surprised?
If you’re Hulu what do you do when Netflix raises their rates? Lower yours.
Today in History:
1961, Mel Blanc, who was the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and many other cartoon favorites, is in a horrible car accident on a stretch of road in Los Angeles known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” Hearing the news, Roger Christian is inspired to write a song about the treacherous turn for Jan & Dean. (Video)
1962, Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles. Epstein was to receive 25 per cent of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10 per cent.
1963, American lyricist Otto Harbach died at aged 90 in New York City. He co-wrote, ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes‘, US & UK No.1 for The Platters in 1958. (Video)
1969, New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to US record dealers that they would be charged with distributing pornography if they were caught selling the John Lennon / Yoko Ono LP ‘Two Virgins‘. The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind. It ultimately came out with a “plain brown wrapper”. Still have your copy?
1969, The Doors appeared at Madison Square Garden, New York City, They were paid over $50,000 for the gig making them one of the highest paid acts this year.
1969, Jethro Tull play their first American show, opening for Blood, Sweat & Tearsat New York’s Fillmore East. (Video)
1976, Bob Dylan started a five week run at No.1 on the US chart with his 17th studio album Desire. The album features ‘Hurricane‘, which protests the conviction of former middleweight boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter for triple murder in 1966, arguing his innocence. (Video)
1980, A billboard was erected on Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California to promote Pink Floyd‘s new album “The Wall“. A blank wall was pasted up and each day a brick was ‘removed’ to slowly reveal the inside spread and title of the album.
1984, Apple Computer Inc unveils its revolutionary Macintosh personal computer
2000, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young open the first tour of the full quartet in 25 years with a show at Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan.
Happy Birthday to: Zeke Carey (The Flamingos), 1933 (d. 1999); Ray Stevens, 1939; Aaron Neville, 1941; Neil Diamond, 1941; Warren Zevon, 1947 (d. 2003); John Belushi, 1949 (d. 1982)
Much More Music:
From birthday boy Warren Zevon (1947 – 2003). Let’s all celebrate with a piña colada at Trader Vic’s. (Video)
Number one today in 1970 at Keener13.com Sly and the family Stone’s “Everybody is a Star”. (Video)
Today’s Quote Worth Re-quoting: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” ~Helen Keller
We leave you with The Turtles, “You Baby“, almost live on TV from this week in 1966.
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