“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” – Bruce Lee
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. Thomas Paine
If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise. – Robert Fritz, 1943-present
A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means. – Sallust, 86 BC-34 BC
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1097 – The Crusaders defeated the Turks at Dorylaeum. Troublemakers
1841 – The Erie Railroad rolled out its first passenger train. Weird
1859 – Charles Blondin became the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Why does someone want to do this?
1894 – Korea declared independence from China and asked for Japanese aid. Fair enough
1908 – An explosion in Siberia, which knocked down trees in a 40-mile radius and struck people unconscious some 40 miles away. It was believed by some scientists to be caused by a falling fragment from a meteorite. Oh dear
1912 – Belgian workers went on strike to demand universal suffrage.I don’t blame them
1913 – Fighting broke out between Bulgaria and Greece and Spain. It was the beginning of the Second Balkan War. I forgot Spain had been involved
1915 – During World War I, the Second Battle Artois ended when the French failed to take Vimy Ridge. Too much Stella
1921 – The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was formed.
1922 – Irish rebels in London assassinate Sir Henry Wilson, the British deputy for Northern Ireland. I had forgotten about this
1930 – France pulled its troops out of Germany’s Rhineland.Bien
1934 – Adolf Hitler purged the Nazi Party by destroying the SA and bringing to power the SS in the “Night of the Long Knives.” Oh dear….
1935 – Fascists caused an uproar at the League of Nations when Haile Selassie of Ethiopia speaks. They were out to cause trouble
1936 – Margaret Mitchell’s book, “Gone with the Wind,” was published in New York City.Sponsored by Heinz Beans
1950 – U.S. President Harry Truman ordered U.S. troops into Korea and authorizes the draft. Fair enough
1951 – On orders from Washington, General Matthew Ridgeway broadcasts that the United Nations was willing to discuss an armistice with North Korea. Good
1953 – The first Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet assembly line in Flint, MI. It sold for $3,250. Was it a little red Corvette?
1955 – The U.S. began funding West Germany’s rearmament.Why?
1964 – The last of U.N. troops left Congo after a four-year effort to bring stability to the country.Good
1971 – The Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 11 returned to Earth. The three cosmonauts were found dead inside. This was really sad
1974 – Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defected in Toronto, Canada. There’s a chap out here with no strides
1985 – Thirty-nine American hostages were freed from a hijacked TWA jetliner in Beirut after being held for 17 days. Great
1985 – Yul Brynner left his role as the King of Siam after 4,600 performances in “The King and I.” I remember his famous finger position
1994 – The U.S. Figure Skating Association stripped Tonya Harding of the 1994 national championship and banned her from the organization for life for an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan. Absolutely bizarre
1998 – Officials confirmed that the remains of a Vietnam War serviceman buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were identified as those of Air Force pilot Michael J. Blassie. No Comment
2000 – U.S. President Clinton signed the E-Signature bill to give the same legal validity to an electronic signature as a signature in pen and ink.Fair enough
The Day’s Music Events 30thJune1962, Mike Sarne and Wendy Richards were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Come Outside.’ Richards went on to become a famous tv actress.Sadly, after starring in the TV soap Eastenders she died a couple of years ago.
1966, The Beatles played the first of three concerts at the Nippon Budokan Hall, Japan. The concert was filmed with The Beatles wearing black suits. The following day’s first performance was also filmed; with The Beatles wearing white suits. There was a strict police presence with 3,000 police observing each concert played in front of 10,000 fans. Absolutely wonderful support
1969, Fleetwood Mac, Pentangle and Duster Bennett all appeared at London’s Royal Albert Hall ‘Pop Proms.’ Good show
1973, George Harrison knocked Paul McCartney from the top of the US singles chart with ‘Give Me Love, Give Me Peace On Earth’. His second US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK. I liked George
1973, Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Skweeze Me Pleeze Me’, the group’s fifth UK No.1 and second single to enter the chart at No.1.I liked Noddy Holder’s sideboards
1975, Cher married Greg Allman four days after her divorcing Sonny Bono, the couple split after ten days, followed by a three year on and off marriage.Solid as a rock!
1975, The Jackson Five announced that they were leaving Motown Records for Epic Records. The brothers were forced to change their name to The Jacksons since Motown owned the other name.These legal things are weird. Why should the company own the name?
1976, Police raided the home of Neil Diamond searching for drugs, they found less than one ounce of marijuana. Just a snifter
1976, Stuart Goddard, (Adam Ant), placed the following ad in the classified section of the Melody Maker, ‘Beat on a bass, with the B-Sides.’ Andy Warren answered the ad and the pair went on to form Adam and The Ants. Gimmicks
1978, United Artists released The Buzzcocks single ‘Love You More’, at 1 minute 29 seconds it was the second shortest single ever released. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs 1960 hit ‘Stay’ was the shortest hit at one minute 28 seconds.You can’t beat value for money
1979, Tubeway Army started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric’. The song by Gary Numan was the first electronic/synthesizer-based record to become a hit in the post-punk era.It was interesting and he always looked ill
1979, One hit wonder Anita Ward started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Ring My Bell’, also a UK No.1. Great song
1983, The Everly Brothers announced plans for a reunion tour, ten years after they had split up. Great
1990, New Kids On The Block started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Step By Step’. The group’s third US No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK. Their album ‘Step By Step’ also went to No.1 on the UK album chart today.Manufactured success for me
1990, Police raided Chuck Berry’s estate and seized homemade porn videos, drugs and guns.Great music-funny fella
1995, American soul singer Phyllis Hyman committed suicide by overdosing on pentobarbital and secobarbital in her New York City apartment aged 45. She was found hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre, in New York.Another pop tragedy
1995, Garth Brooks was given a star on Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame. The Country singer buried the master tapes of his ‘Hits’ album under the star.I love his music
2001, American guitarist and producer Chet Atkins died in Nashville aged 77. Recorded over 100 albums during his career, produced records for Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves and Waylon Jennings. Was a major influence on George Harrison and Mark Knopfler.It must be great to leave such a legacy
2001, Beach Boys member Al Jardine went to court in a bid to sue his former band mates, claiming he had been frozen out of the Beach Boys. The $4 million (£2.35 million) suit was filed against Mike Love, Brian Wilson, the Carl Wilson Trust and Brother Records Incorporated in a New York Superior Court. In 1998 a US judge temporarily barred Jardine from performing under the name “Beach Boys Family And Friends” after representations from Mike Love and Brother Records. Jardine lost the case in 2003. What a pity it all ends like this
2001, Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya and Pink were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Lady Marmalade.’ A hit for LaBelle in 1975; then it was at No 1 in 1998 for All Saints. This version was from the Baz Luhrmann film Moulin Rouge. A great song in all its versions
2004, Kinks founder member Dave Davies was left paralysed on the right-hand side of his body after suffering a stroke. The 57-year-old guitarist and brother of fellow Kinks star Ray Davies had been promoting his solo material when he collapsed. This was another very sad moment
2007, R.E.M. played a five-night series of shows at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. Dubbed ‘working rehearsals’ by the band, many songs from their forthcoming album ‘Accelerate’ were debuted, with many of them still as works in progress. I like their music
1939, Tony Hatch, UK composer, producer, (1962 UK No.50 single ‘Out Of This World’).Married to the songer Jackie Trent
1943, Florence Ballard, vocals, The Supremes, (1964 US & UK No.1 single ‘Baby Love’ plus 11 other US No.1 singles). She died February 21st 1976.
1956, Adrian Wright, The Human League, (1981 UK No.1 & 1982 US No.1 single ‘Don’t You Want Me’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles).
