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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5h

Even by the audacious standards of Santana in the early 1970s, Caravanserai (released today in 1972 on Columbia) is an adventurous album. Primarily made up of sprawling instrumentals – such as “Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation” – Caravanserai was Santana’s fourth consecutive top 10 album in the U.S.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5h

“Well, I can't forget this evening; And your face when you were leaving; But I guess that's just the way the party goes” Released today in 1971, “Without You” helped define the career of Harry Nilsson. Written by Badfinger’s Pete Ham & Tony Evans, Nilsson’s version reached #1 on the U.S. pop charts.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 6h

Directed by Louis Malle, the sharp-witted My Dinner with Andre was released today in 1981. Written by André Gregory & Wallace Shawn – they are also the featured actors. Gregory & Shawn are on-screen virtually the entire movie – and both are extraordinary. It’s still a one-of-a-kind film.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 6h

For a half-century, Saturday Night Live has been a part of American popular culture. Premiering this evening in 1975 on NBC, SNL’s first guest host was George Carlin. Janis Ian and Billy Preston performed two songs each. The energetic yet enigmatic Andy Kaufman also made an appearance.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 1d

Ted McCarty – who long had an ear for music & an eye for business – was born today in 1909. During McCarty’s tenure as president, the Gibson Guitar Corporation became a world leader. McCarty played a critical role in launching Gibson’s famed Les Paul model. McCarty died in 2001.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 1d

"Blues at Sunrise" was Ivory Joe Hunter’s first R&B hit (#3, 1945) & it wouldn’t be his last. Hunter – born today in 1914 – fashioned a distinctive blues style at the piano – & the "Baron" had 17 top-ten R&B songs, including "Pretty Mama Blues" (Hunter’s initial #1 in 1947). Hunter passed in 1974.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 1d

Culture Club’s second studio album – Colour by Numbers – was released today in 1983 on Epic. It reached #2 on the American lp charts – & singles such as: “Karma Chameleon” “Church of the Poison Mind” “It’s a Miracle” & “Miss Me Blind” are undoubtedly Culture Club at its finest.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 1d

Renaissance’s Ashes are Burning – the prog-folk band’s 4th studio lp – was released today in 1973. The album features classics like “Carpet of the Sun” “Can You Understand” & the title track. Betty Thatcher (1944-2011), the Renaissance’s long-time lyricist, was at the top of her game here.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 2d

Three of Michael Jackson’s classics – “Rock with You” “Thriller” & “Off the Wall” – were penned by Rod Temperton (born today in 1949). Temperton first gained notice in the 1970s as a member of Heatwave. He also wrote hits for Heatwave, like “Always & Forever” & “Boogie Nights” Temperton died in 2016

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 2d

Actor Hank Patterson was born on this date in 1888. Starting in the 1930s, he played in dozens of westerns. Patterson’s big break came in 1963, when he was featured on Petticoat Junction as Fred Ziffel. He also played Ziffel on Green Acres – where he was Arnold’s proud father. Patterson died in 1975

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 2d

The Carpenters’ debut lp – Offering – was released today in 1969. Only their version of “Ticket to Ride” got any notice (#54 pop U.S.), but songs like “Eve” & “All of My Life” suggested bigger things were in store for the duo. Their label, A&M, quickly changed the album’s title to Ticket to Ride.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 3d

The innovative pedal steel guitarist Pete Drake was born today in 1932. A long-time standout sideman in country music (Drake entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2021), he also played on albums by: Bob Dylan; George Harrison; Ringo Starr; Al Kooper; and Simon & Garfunkel. Drake passed in 1988

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 3d

Directed by Motown’s Berry Gordy, Mahogany premiered today in 1975. Diana Ross stars as a struggling fashion designer trying to hit the big time in Europe. Billy Dee Williams co-stars. Gordy put a significant amount of Motown’s considerable heft behind the film, to make Ross a star in Hollywood.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 3d

Based on the backstage chaos which frequently accompanied live television shows in the 1950s, the charming film My Favorite Year premiered on this date in 1982. Director Richard Benjamin unleashes Peter O’Toole here – & the veteran actor’s manic performance garnered a Best Actor Oscar nomination.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 3d

Based on S.E. Hinton’s novel of the same name, Francis Ford Coppola’s unconventional film Rumble Fish premiered on this date in 1983. It stars Matt Dillon & Mickey Rourke. Hinton and Coppola collaborated on the screenplay – and percussionist Stewart Copeland crafted Rumble Fish’s unusual soundtrack.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 4d

Agreed. It's hard to believe it was a #1 pop song.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 4d

“Angie, baby, you're a special lady; Living in a world of make-believe; Well, maybe” Written by Alan O’Day, “Angie Baby” – a #1 hit for Helen Reddy (1941-2020) – was released today in 1974. The atmospheric tune was her final #1 pop single in the U.S. Reddy had topped the American charts twice before

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 4d

Photographer Joel Brodsky (born today in 1939) was responsible for images which appeared on scores of album covers during the 1960s & 1970s – most notably covers for The Box Tops’ Non-Stop; Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks; the Doors’ Strange Days; & Tom Waits’ Small Change. Brodsky passed in 2007.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 4d

“There's a light on in the attic. Though the house is dark and shuttered, I can see a flickerin' flutter, And I know what it's about.” A Light in the Attic was published today in 1981. Written & illustrated by the iconoclastic Shel Silverstein, nearly every child can find a poem here to embrace.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5d

Entendemos que está progresando, pero el derrame cerebral fue severo. Su viaje llevará mucho tiempo. Pero todos, por supuesto, le deseamos lo mejor a Matthew.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5d

absolutamente...

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5d

Matthew Sweet (born on this date in 1964) has been making great power pop since the mid-1980s. Born in Nebraska, Sweet gained traction as a musician playing the vibrant club scene in Athens, Georgia. His career highlights include the three Under the Covers albums (with the wonderful Susana Hoffs).

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5d

The fearless political organizer Fannie Lou Hamer was born today in 1917. Her leadership of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party shocked, shamed & humbled the Democratic National Committee in 1964. Hamer passed in 1977. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 5d

“You've given me a true love; And every day I thank you, love; For a feeling that's so new; So inviting, so exciting”
Penned by songwriting triumvirate of Holland-Dozier-Holland, The Supremes’ single – “I Hear a Symphony” – was released today in 1965. It was a #1 hit on the American pop charts.

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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 6d

Elton John’s seventh studio album (& quite possibly his finest), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, was released on this date in 1973. It spawned four great singles – & classic deep cuts abound, such as: “Grey Seal” “All the Young Girls Love Alice” “Jamaica Jerk-Off” “Roy Rogers” & the sublime “Harmony”

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