(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.”

Painting by Red Skelton titled “Clowning  Around”

"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.   
   

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

Berry Gordy in the recording studio with the Supremes

   
                        (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.

Kelly in his jail cell

September, 1933

Actress and singer Diahann Carroll starred in the NBC-TV series
Julia (1968-1971). She is the recipient of numerous stage and
screen awards and nominations. 

                  July 15, 1606 – October 4, 1669

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a Dutch painter and etcher who
is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in
European art history and the most important in Dutch history, a period
historians call the Dutch Golden Age.