Record producer Shel Talmy (born today in 1937) relocated from California to Great Britain in 1962 – & had early success with records from The Kinks & the Who in the mid-1960s. Talmy also worked with The Easybeats; Bert Jansch; Amen Corner; Lee Hazlewood; and Chad & Jeremy. Talmy died in 2024.

“Come on baby, dry your eyes; Wipe your tears; Never like to see you cry; Won’t you please forgive me” The Human League’s single “Human” was released on this date in 1986. Penned by James Harris III & Terry Lewis, “Human” peaked at #1 on the American pop charts.

Jeff Corey – a co-founder of Hollywood’s Actors’ Laboratory Theatre – was born on this date in 1914. A performer, he was blacklisted during the 1950s &, for a time, completely turned to teaching acting. His pupils included: James Dean, Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, & Leonard Nimoy. Corey died in 2002.

Director Frank Perry’s Diary of a Mad Housewife premiered today in 1970. Carrie Snodgress (1945-2004) delivers a career-defining performance as Tina Balser – her wholly unsatisfying marriage is derailing her life. Also, during a party sequence, the Alice Cooper band delivers an unhinged cameo number

Hasten Down the Wind – Linda Ronstadt’s 7th studio lp – was released today in 1976 on Asylum. Ronstadt’s version of Buddy Holly & The Crickets’ “That’ll Be the Day” was the album’s big single (#11 pop). Top songs here include: “Try Me Again” “Down So Low” “Crazy” & “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me”

Saxophonist & composer Gene Barge (born on this date in 1926) was known to his fans as “Daddy G.” Barge & The Church Street Five played on many early rock ‘n’ roll records. Barge worked closely with many artists – from Little Milton to Gary U.S. Bonds to the Rolling Stones. Barge passed in 2025.

Eddie Money (1949-2019) hit his stride on the lp Can’t Hold Back – released today in 1986 on Columbia. The album spawned three big singles – “Endless Nights” (#21 pop); “I Wanna Go Back” (#14); & the magnificent duet with Ronnie Spector (1943-2022) “Take Me Home Tonight” (#4).

Director Martin Brest (born today in 1951) burst onto the scene in the late 1970s with Going in Style (1979; he also wrote the screenplay). Brest’s Beverly Hills Cop (1984) & Midnight Run (1988) both hit big at the box office. Brest received an Oscar nomination for directing Scent of a Woman (1992).

Satirist Stan Freberg was happy to poke holes in everything – & everyone. For example, Freberg (born today in 1926) & several fine voice actors in 1961 gave U.S. history a caustic glance on the album Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America Volume One: The Early Years. Freberg died in 2015

Magician & professional skeptic James Randi (born today in 1928) had one foot in performing illusions & the other in debunking those trying to pull one over on the public. Randi became well-known for defrocking those claiming to have paranormal powers (most famously Uri Geller). Randi died in 2020.

“We are amazed but not amused; By all the things you say that you’ll do; Though much concerned but not involved; With decisions that are made by you” Stevie Wonder’s single – “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” – was released today in 1974. Wonder’s critique of Richard Nixon hit #1 on the soul & pop charts.

Session keyboardist Paul Griffin (born today in 1937) played on hundreds of records – but his work with Bob Dylan (on the albums Bringing It All Back Home; Highway 61 Revisited; & Blonde on Blonde) & Steely Dan (on the lps The Royal Scam; Aja; & Gaucho) stands apart. Griffin passed in 2000.

“Need I say I love you? Need I say I care? Need I say that emotions; Are something we don't share?” Genesis’ single “Throwing It All Away” was released in the U.S. today in 1986. Written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford, the record climbed to #4 (pop) in the U.S.

“Blinded by the light; Revved up like a deuce; Another runner in the night” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band's distinctive version of “Blinded by the Light” (penned by Bruce Springsteen) was released as a single today in 1976. Powered by Chris Thompson’s lead vocal, the record peaked at #1 (pop) in the US

“Ah, look at all the lonely people; Ah, look at all the lonely people; Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been; Lives in a dream” Produced by George Martin, the Beatles’ sophisticated single “Eleanor Rigby” was released today in 1966. It peaked at #11 in the U.S.

Chuck “Bing” Day was born today in 1942. That’s Day holding down the bass on Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man” After backing Rivers, Bing joined the band supporting The Mamas & The Papas. He also played on Shel Silverstein’s notorious 1972 album – Freakin’ at the Freakers Ball. Day died in 2008.

Director Bob Clark (born today in 1939) had a sense of what audiences wanted. Porky’s (1981) is a raunchy sex comedy which scored big with the public. Clark’s A Christmas Story (1983) is amusing & sentimental – & today is widely acknowledged as a holiday classic. Clark tragically passed in 2007.

“So in love, sad as could be; ‘Cause a pretty face got the best of me.” The Temptations’ single “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” was released today in 1966. Written by Norman Whitfield & Edward Holland, Jr, the record reached #3 pop & #1 r&b/soul – the 5th of the Temptations’ 15 r&b/soul #1 singles.

Tina Cole (born today in 1943) joined the cast of the family sitcom My Three Sons in 1967. Cole’s character – Katie – would eventually wed Robbie Douglas (played by Don Grady). And (you guessed it) Katie & Robbie would have triplets. Cole also appeared on The Rookies & Adam-12 during the 1970s.

Maggie Kuhn (born today in 1905) had the then-radical idea that seniors still had plenty to contribute. Forced to retire at the age of 65, Kuhn formed the Grey Panthers activist group in 1970. The sprightly Kuhn spent her remaining years publicly advocating for older Americans. Kuhn died in 1995.

The Superdome opened on this date in 1975. Located in downtown New Orleans, it’s long been the home of the NFL’s Saints, as well as college football’s Sugar Bowl. Having survived damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Superdome remains one the premier sporting venues in the United States.

Carroll O’Connor (born today in 1924) had already carved out a solid actor career before being cast in the early 1970s as Archie Bunker in All in the Family (1971-79; CBS). O’Connor did masterful work finding the humanity in the bigoted Bunker (winning four Emmys for the role). O’Connor died in 2001

Stage actor Max Wright (born today in 1943) received a Tony nod in 1998 for his work in Ivanov – but he’s largely remembered for his roles on American television. Wright was one of the stars of Alf (1986-90; NBC), where he played second banana to a puppet alien. Wright passed in 2019.

Julie Bovasso could deliver a stern performance with the best of them. Bovasso (born today in 1930) was a character actor often cast as a disapproving parent – such as her role as Flo Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977). She was also in The Verdict (1982) & Moonstruck (1987). Bovasso died in 1991.

Writer & musician Jim Carroll (born today in 1949) is best known for his harrowing & no-holds-barred memoir The Basketball Diaries (1978). Carroll’s 1980 debut album (Catholic Boy) might be his best – with “People Who Died” “Day & Night” & “Wicked Gravity” its standout tracks. Carroll died in 2009.

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour premiered on CBS this evening in 1971. It was rarely a massive ratings hit but always seemed a program the public (& press) paid attention to. The debut episode featured Jimmy Durante (1893-1980) as the guest star. The Comedy Hour aired on CBS until the spring of 1974.

Today in 1981, MTV debuted on cable systems across the U.S. MTV’s initial five videos were: The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” – Pat Benatar’s “You Better Run” – Rod Stewart’s “She Won’t Dance with Me” – the Who’s “You Better You Bet” – and PhD’s “Little Suzi’s on the Up”

The towering actor Ted Cassidy was hard to miss. Cassidy (born today in 1932) made several memorable guest appearances on Lost in Space; Star Trek; & The Beverly Hillbillies during the 1960s. He’s fondly remembered for his work on The Addams Family (1964-66; ABC) as Lurch. Cassidy passed in 1979.

Sportscaster Curt Gowdy (born today in 1919) was a mainstay for NBC Sports during the 1960s & 1970s – often partnering with Al DeRogatis (1927-1995) on AFL/AFC broadcasts. Gowdy was at the mic for NBC during Super Bowl III. He also was the host of The American Sportsman on ABC. Gowdy died in 2006.

Actor Dick Wilson (born today in 1916) had dozens of acting credits on American television in a career lasting 40 years – but he’s really known for just five words: “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.” Wilson appeared as Mr. Whipple in hundreds of Charmin bathroom tissue commercials. He died in 2007.