We remember Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

We remember Duke Ellington who was born in Washington DC on this day in 1899.    He died in 1974.

Duke was a jazz giant.   However, I first heard of him many years ago when my father used to listen to The Voice of America in Cuba.

Duke’s “Take the A train” was the intro-music for Willis Conover’s jazz show broadcast to the world on short wave.     

Conover broke the Iron Curtain, The Berlin Wall and came into Communist Cuba, too. 

It was a very catchy tune and millions around the world came to know Duke that way.

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April 8, 1974: Henry Aaron hits # 715

Henry Aaron passed Babe Ruth on this day in 1974.  He did it on national TV, at home and against the Dodgers.

I remember watching this moment on TV.  It was great.  Aaron is still #1 in my book.  He was one of the greatest players ever and a real gentleman!

 

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ABBA's "Waterloo" wins top song at Eurovision 1974

We've posted about ABBA a couple of times before.  

Back in 1974, ABBA won a European prize and it launched the group.

It took a couple of years for ABBA to click in the US.  However, they did in 1976 and the rest is history.

My first exposure to ABBA was listening to the radio in 1976 and hearing a song called "I do, I do, I do".  Again, I was convinced that they were the best two looking girls in Sweden.  

Click here for ABBA's "Waterloo".  It wasn't really about Napoleon & Waterloo but no one was angry with the girls for their view of history: 

April 4, 1974: Aaron hit # 714 on opening day

It was a big week for Aaron.

On opening day 1974, Hank Aaron hit # 714 off of Jack Billingham.   He tied Babe Ruth with a 3-run HR.   

A few days later, he hit # 715 in Atlanta in front of a national TV audience.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.