John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993)
Considered one of the greatest jazz trumpeters in history, Dizzy Gillespie
was instrumental in the evolution of bebop and modern jazz. His first pro
gig was in 1935 with the Frank Fairfax Orchestra, followed by stints with
the orchestras of Edgar Hayes, Teddy Hill, and Cab Calloway.
TIM MAGUIRE
The first televised debate between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon
and John F. Kennedy took place in Chicago, IL on this day in 1960.
On this day in 1980, the Cuban government abruptly closed Mariel Harbor to
end the freedom flotilla of Cuban refugees that began the previous April.
On this day in 1957, the musical "West Side Story" opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway.
George Jacob Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937)
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin’s compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most
popular melodies are widely known. Among his best-known works are
the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American
in Paris (1928) as well as the opera Porgy and Bess (1935).
Thomas Stearns Eliot (September 26, 1888 – January 4, 1965)
T.S. Eliot was a British essayist, publisher, playwright, literary and social
critic, and "one of the twentieth century’s major poets". Eliot attracted
widespread attention for his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
(1915), which was seen as a masterpiece of the Modernist movement.
Johann Christian Bach (September 5, 1735 – January 1, 1782)
Bach was a composer of the Classical era, the eleventh surviving child and
youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach. He is sometimes referred to as "the
London Bach" or "the English Bach", due to his time spent living in the British
capital, where he came to be known as John Bach. He is noted for influencing
the concerto style of Mozart.
SANDY KOZEL
On this day in 1944, Paris, France, was liberated by Allied forces
ending four years of German occupation.
Captain Matthew Webb (above) swam from Dover, England, to
Calais, France making him the first person to swim the English
Channel on this day in 1875. The feat took about 22 hours.
Engraving depicting the completion of the ‘First Swim Across The English Channel”.
Captain Matthew Webb (1848 – 1883)
It was on this day in 1985.
Kinsey died on this in 1956 at the age of 62. The cause of death was reported to be a heart ailment and pneumonia.
Sean Connery as agent Bond, James Bond.
Sir Thomas Sean Connery is 87 years old today.
Iconic Scottish actor Sean Connery starred as secret agent 007
James Bond in seven films from 1962 to 1983, including Dr. No,
From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. He earned an Academy
Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1987 gangster
film The Untouchables and also played prominent roles in the
films The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Rock (1996), and
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).
Elvis Costello (Declan Patrick MacManus) is 63 years old today.
Singer-songwriter Elvis Costello has contributed to the proto-new wave and
punk movements with such songs as "Pump it Up" and "Allison." He released
his debut album My Aim is True in 1976. His group Elvis Costello and the
Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990)
Leonard Bernstein was an American composer, conductor, author, music lecturer,
and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the US to
receive worldwide acclaim. According to music critic Donal Henahan, he was
"one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American
history."
Bruce Springsteen‘s album "Born to Run" was released on this day
in 1975.
Born to Run is the third studio album by singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. The
album was a commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200
and eventually selling six million copies in the U.S. It has since been considered
y critics to be one of the greatest albums in popular music.
CAMILLE BOHANNON
It was on this day in 1932.
Burt Freeman Bacharach is celebrating birthday 89 today.
Burt Bacharach has composed hundreds of popular hit songs from
the late 1950s through the 1980s, many with lyrics written by Hal
David. A six-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Academy
Award winner, Bacharach’s songs have been recorded by more
than 1,000 different artists. As of 2014, he had written 73 US and
52 UK Top 40 hits. He is considered one of the most important
composers of 20th-century popular music.
