1963: The UK version of "I want to hold your hand" was released by The Beatles

In late November 1963, "I want to hold your hand" was released in the UK.   A few weeks later it was heard in the US.   

By mid-January, the song was # 1 on Billboard and "Beatlemania" was off and running.     The group appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th and you know the rest of the story.

In the UK, the B-side was "This boy".   In the US, it was "I saw her standing there".    

A few weeks later, "Meet the Beatles", the first Capitol LP was also released.  

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Dick Clark (1929-2012)

We remember Richard Wagstaff Clark who was born in Mt. Vernon, NY, on this day in 1929.   On April 18, 2012, Dick Clark died of a heart attack.  He was 82.

Dick Clark's American Bandstand was on the air until the late 1980s.  He went from one generation to the other, from Elvis to U2.  I guess that he connected so well because he never "aged".  He looked as young in 1987 as he did in 1967 when we used to watch those Saturday shows.

Dick Clark was great and we thank him for all of the memories.  I used to love that "rate the record" segment and the interviews.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Gato Barbieri (1923-2016)

He was born Leandro Barbieri in Rosario, Argentina, on this day in 1923.  He died in 2016.

Leandro got the nickname "Gato" because he would go from one club to another in Buenos Aires.   

Over time, he recorded over 30 albums and won many awards, including a Latin Grammy lifetime achievement.

Your music was excellent!  By the way, he composed the music for "Last tango in Paris".

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.

---

1980: John Lennon's "Double Fantasy" released in the US

John Lennon released "Double Fantasy" on this day in 1980.  It turned out to be his last LP because John was killed a few weeks later.    I guess that I must be getting old because I remember the new LP and the night he was killed like it was yesterday.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

November 1980: Reagan elected

Many years ago, I was following the 1980 presidential election results on radio and TV. 

The last minute polls were calling for a close race.  It was confusing, to say the least.

Around 7 pm, the Eastern results came in and Carter looked weak.  

By 9 pm, the Southern results started projecting a Reagan victory.  

By 11 pm, the Western results made it a landslide. 

Some things don't get old. Instead, they get better with age. Reagan's 1980 landslide victory is one of those things.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.