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Steve and Dave's @steveanddaves1.bsky.social · 7h

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 · 7h

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 · 7h

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 2d

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

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

“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 · 2d

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 · 2d

“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 · 3d

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 · 3d

absolutamente...

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

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 · 3d

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 · 3d

“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 · 4d

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

Allen Ludden (born today in 1917) was a familiar presence on American television for several decades, hosting popular game shows, such as The Joker’s Wild; Liar’s Club; and, of course, Password. Famously, he wed Betty White in 1963 & they remained a couple until Ludden’s passing in 1981.

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

R.E.M.’s introspective album – Automatic for the People – was released on this date in 1992 on Warner Bros. The lp’s big hits – “Drive” “Man on the Moon” & “Everybody Hurts” – are tremendous, but “Nightswimming” & “Try Not to Breathe” are also unforgettable.

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

Dolly Parton’s often heart-wrenching Coat of Many Colors album was released on this date in 1971 on RCA. This album transformed Parton’s young career. She had long been the junior partner in the duo with Porter Wagoner, but this album proclaimed her talent as a solo star. Parton was ready to soar.

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

Even when he was a boy, few could pick it like Larry Collins (born today in 1944). Appearing in the 1950s as one half of The Collins Kids (alongside his sister Lorrie), he could play & sing like a seasoned pro. Later, he helped write country classics, like “Delta Dawn.” Larry Collins passed in 2024.

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

Chris Lowe (born today in 1959) has been the (mostly) silent partner of Neil Tennant in Pet Shop Boys. Since 1981, Lowe & Tennant have been an international hit machine. Pet Shop Boys first broke through in the U.S. in a big way in 1986 with “West End Girls” (penned by the duo). It ascended to #1.

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

Eddie Cochran (born today in 1938) was a popular & influential figure during the foundational years of rock & roll. Best-known for hits “Twenty Flight Rock” & “Summertime Blues,” Cochran tragically passed in 1960, but he inspired many – including young musicians, like Paul McCartney & Pete Townshend

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

Lindsey Buckingham (born today in 1949) is best-known for his tenure in Fleetwood Mac. But his solo albums are excellent. His first solo lp, the eclectic (borderline experimental) Law and Order (1981, Asylum), has several great tracks, including “Trouble” “I’ll Tell You Now” & “Shadow of the West”

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

The fictional Mayberry, North Carolina, started to become real for many Americans beginning this evening in 1960 when The Andy Griffith Show premiered on CBS. Following The Danny Thomas Show on Mondays, the Griffith program was a hit from the start, immediately vaulting into the Nielsen top-ten.

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