Archive for July 18th, 2011

#1 ON THIS DAY IN 1964

frankei valli
Frankie Valli


“Rag Doll” remained at number one on the Billboard chart for
two weeks.

posted by Bob Karm in Billboard #1,HISTORY,MUSIC and have No Comments

RED SKELTON REMEMBERED

skelton
red-skelton-orlando-florida

                   red skelton later (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997)

Red Skelton was a comedian, best known as a top radio and television star
from 1937 to 1971. Skelton’s show business career began in his teens as a
circus clown and went on to vaudeville, Broadway, films, radio, TV ,and night
clubs. During this time Red was pursuing another career as a painter. Red
Skelton was quoted as saying, "I just want to be known as a clown, because
to me that’s the height of my profession. It means you can do everything—
sing, dance and above all, make people laugh.”

               

Red-Skelton-Clowning-Around painting

Painting by Red Skelton titled “Clowning  Around”

posted by Bob Karm in BIRTHDAY,Comedy,MOVIES,RADIO,Stage,TV and have No Comments

SUPREMES RELEASE ON THIS DATE IN 1961

buttered popcorn 45

"Buttered Popcorn" was written by Motown president Berry Gordy and
songwriter Barney Ales, and was released as a Tamla label single by
The Supremes. It was the group’s second single since signing with
Motown Records. This is not only one of the rare singles to feature
Florence Ballard on lead, but the only one with her as the sole lead.   
   

OriginalSupremes

The original Supremes (left to right) Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and
Diana Ross.

berry gordy and the supremes
Berry Gordy in the recording studio with the Supremes

posted by Bob Karm in ANNIVERSARY,DEBUT,HISTORY,MUSIC and have No Comments

GEORGE ‘’MACHINE GUN’’ KELLY

george machine gun kelly   
                        (July 18, 1895 – July 18, 1954)

George "Machine Gun" Kelly is probably considered one of the most famous
"gangsters" from the prohibition era. "Machine Gun" was born George Kelly
Barnes on July 18, 1895, to a wealthy family living in Memphis, Tennessee. His
nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thompson submachine gun. Kelly’s
most famous crime was the kidnapping of oil tycoon & businessman Charles
Urschel in July 1933 for which he, and his gang, earned $200,000 ransom. An investigation by the FBI eventually led to Kelly’s arrest in Memphis, Tennessee
on September 26, 1933. Other crimes committed by Kelly included armed
robbery and bootlegging. He died of a heart attack at Leavenworth Federal
Prison, Kansas on July 18, 1954 – his 59th birthday.

wanted-poster-for-george-r-machine-gun-kelly

kelly-cell
Kelly in his jail cell

kelly captured
September, 1933

posted by Bob Karm in BIRTHDAY,CRIME,DEATH,HISTORY and have Comment (1)