Wonderful Christmastime

Bob Dearborn wows me again this morning at his The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac by telling another Beatles story I have never heard. I really thought I had heard them all, but this is new to me...

"November 16, 1979…Paul McCartney released the holiday single "Wonderful Christmastime." Because he wrote, published, and played all the instruments on this recording, McCartney's royalties add up. Including royalties from cover versions, it is estimated that Paul McCartney makes $400,000 per year from this song, which puts its cumulative earnings in excess of $15 million."

Somebody to Love

45 years ago today, the Jefferson Airplane went into a recording studio in California and recorded their best song: "Somebody to Love". It came out on their best album "Surrealistic Pillow".

A few years after the song came out, they played it at Woodstock...

Rick Perry's Top 10 Excuses

Gotta give him credit for showing up on Letterman last night and doing this...

Fernando

On this day in 1975, Frida released the song "Fernando" as a solo hit. It was released the following year by ABBA and became their biggest hit. I lived in Germany when this song came out, and it was EVERYWHERE. Is it just me, or is this not even a very good song?

Eleven

Friday is 11/11/11.

I'm not sure what you're doing to celebrate, but I'll be watching this.

Led Zeppelin IV

From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

"Today is a very special anniversary of yet another momentous day in rock history -- it's the 40th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin IV... or Zoso... or some weird glyphs... but whatever you want to call it, it's one of the most critically acclaimed albums ever, having been named to countless "Greatest Rock Albums of All Time" lists and bestowed with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award. Despite the fact that the record is bursting with incredible songs, one has clearly stood out over the years -- "Stairway to Heaven," which has received equal acclaim and also been included on a ton of "Best Songs Ever" and "Songs that Changed the World" compilations."

Stairway to Heaven is nice and all, but for me, this song is the one that I always looked forward to playing on the radio...

Mike Tyson Quotes Put To Music

This is hilarious and inspired, although not suitable for work...

Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves

Exactly 40 years ago today, this was the #1 song in America. Dig Cher's hairstyle...

Protesting Occupy Wall Street

Coming on the heels of the CBO report yesterday that showed that the top 1% has seen their income rise by 275% in the past three decades, and that the top 20% of this country now officially earns more than the bottom 80% (sheesh), Funny or Die comes through again...

Occupy Main Street - watch more funny videos

Bill Wyman

The former bass player for the Rolling Stones is 75 years old today. That's not a misprint. He's 75! Here he is in action, back in the day...

The Song Remains the Same

35 years ago today Led Zeppelin released their concert film "The Song Remains the Same". It was a Midnight movie staple for many years after that...

Jimi Hendrix

From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac, this little tidbit from 45 years ago today...

"October 18, 1966…The Jimi Hendrix Experience played its debut concert in Paris as the opening act for French pop star Johnny Hallyday."

This is what it sounded like...

Capone Convicted

Exactly 80 years ago today...Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion.

Chicago has been crime-free ever since.

Da Coach

Trampoline Exploits

Somebody was obviously rolling tape last time I hit the trampoline gym...stole all my moves....

Disco Duck

I've always felt like I missed something by not being in America during the Bicentennial. My family lived in Germany and we never stepped foot in the U.S.A. for the entire year of 1976. Then again, I'm happy I wasn't around for this. It was the #1 hit in the country on this day in 1976. Amazing.

Good Vibrations

"Good Vibrations" was released exactly 45 years ago today. This video from 35 years ago features the Beach Boys performing it live (including Brian Wilson, who almost never made appearances with the band in those days), and it also has some footage from Brian's birthday party that year. Among the guests in the room; Paul and Linda McCartney...

Redd Foxx

Robert Feder's column this morning is about a new Redd Foxx biography, and it sounds like a good one. I had no idea that Foxx grew up in Chicago and went to high school with Harold Washington. The book also goes into his early show biz career, which I don't know a lot about. I may just have to pick this book up. Do they have still bookstores anywhere in your neighborhood?

I always considered Foxx a multi-talented performer. I still remember this Sanford & Son episode when he showed he could sing. He sounds just like Louis Armstrong.

Got to Be There

According to Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac this morning, Michael Jackson released his first solo record on this day exactly forty years ago.

I have to admit, I don't remember this one at all. Do you?

A Fifth of Beethoven

Beethoven meets disco. Believe it or not, this was the #1 song in the country exactly 35 years ago today...