Music

03
Apr
2024

WEDNESDAY means rain..today

Today is Second Republic Day in Guinea. It commemorates the coup that overthrew the Toure government in 1984.

In 1958, the French Fourth Republic collapsed due to political instability and its failures in dealing with its colonies, especially Indochina and Algeria. The French Fifth Republic gave the colonies the choice of autonomy in a new French Community or immediate independence, in the referendum of 28 September 1958. Unlike most other colonies, Guinea voted overwhelmingly for independence. It was led by Ahmed Sékou Touré whose Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally (PDG) had won 56 of 60 seats in 1957 territorial elections. The French withdrew, and on 2 October 1958, Guinea proclaimed itself a sovereign and independent republic, with Sékou Touré as president.

The Washington Post observed the “brutal” French tearing down all that they considered their contributions to Guinea: “In reaction, and as a warning to other French-speaking territories, the French pulled out of Guinea over a two-month period, taking everything they could with them. They unscrewed lightbulbs, removed plans for sewage pipelines in Conakry, the capital, and even burned medicines rather than leave them for the Guineans.

Touré instituted a one-party system and ruled until 1984. He died during a heart operation in March and was meant to be succeeded by his lieutenant, Louis Lansana Beavogui. Hours before Beavoqui was due to be sworn in, colonels Lansana Conté and Diarra Traoré seized power in a bloodless coup and proclaimed the second republic.

Asked Alexa to announce to my wife, “please bring up 2 pillow cases por favor”

SIGNS!!!!!!

Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Jan Berry, who with Jan and Dean, had the 1963 US No.1 & UK No.26 single ‘Surf City’, co-written by The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson. Berry died on 26th March 2004 after being in poor health from the lingering effects of brain damage after a 1966 car crash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYxPgFUjDpA

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
02
Apr
2024

Must be TUESDAY!

Today is Malvinas Day – a public holiday in Argentina. The holiday is a tribute to Argentina’s fallen soldiers in the Falklands War, which began with the Argentine occupation of the Islands on April 2nd 1982. The war lasted 74 days, with 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and three civilian Falklanders killed.

The Falkland/Malvinas have a complicated history being settled (and abandoned) from time to time by the France, UK, Spain and Argentina. The territory’s sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the UK.

Travis gets no respect

Bada Bing!

Girls mature faster than guys. Because men don’t usually develop breasts until their 50s.

I am looking for someone to brush their teeth with me. I just found out that 9 out of 10 dentists say brushing alone won’t reduce cavities. 

I have a disease where I can’t stop telling airport jokes. My doctor says it’s terminal.

When older people say, “Enjoy them while they are young”. They’re not talking about your kids, they’re talking about your hips and knees.

Gym teacher: Now this game is called Dodge Ball. And if you play your cards right, the person you hate the most will be crying like a bitch within minutes.

What cheese is made backward? Edam.

I was so bored that I read six pages of the dictionary. I learned NEXT to NOTHING.

Today is the birthday, in 1947, of American singer, songwriter and musician Emmylou Harris who has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has worked with numerous leading artists, including Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, The Band, Mark Knopfler, Albert Lee, Delbert McClinton, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Steve Earle and Ryan Adams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1lQOnqIECI

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
01
Apr
2024

Happy MONDAY!

Today is Cypriot National Day, a public holiday in Cyprus. This holiday commemorates the start of the insurgence against the British in 1955.

Following the Russo-Turkish war (1877 – 1878), Cyprus was leased to the British Empire and was formally annexed by Britain at the end of the First World War.

Among the Greek Cypriots, the concept of ‘enosis’ – union with Greece had been a movement that had taken hold during the previous century, under the Ottoman rule. On April 1st 1955, the EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston) whose aim was unification with Greece through armed struggle, started their guerilla campaign, targeting British military installations on the island.

The campaign against the British lasted for the next four years. On August 16th 1960, a cease-fire was reached and Cyprus attained independence after the Zurich and London Agreement between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey.

Today is the birthday, in 1939, of Rudolph Isley, from American group The Isley Brothers who first came to prominence in 1959 with their fourth single, ‘Shout’, and then the 1962 hit ‘Twist and Shout. The Isley Brothers also scored the hits ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’, ‘Summer Breeze’ and ‘Harvest for the World’. Sixteen of their albums charted in the Top 40. He died from an apparent heart attack at his home on 11 October 2023, at the age of 84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEjLFpU2pJ4

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
29
Mar
2024

It’s FRIDAY boys and girls!!

Today is Boganda Day, a public holiday in the Central African Republic. This day honours Barthélemy Boganda, the nation’s first prime minister on the anniversary of his death on this day in 1959.

Barthélemy Boganda was a leading nationalist politician and the driving force in the creation of the Central African Republic in 1958.

Before his political career, Boganda had become the first African Roman Catholic priest in Ubangi-Shari, a French colony that is now part of the CAR. He became involved in politics and in 1946 he was elected to the French National Assembly, becoming the first representative of the CAR in the French government.

His strident anticolonial views led to him becoming disillusioned with the French political system and leaving the priesthood in 1949; and forming his own political party, the Social Evolution Movement of Black Africa.

Hugely popular, Boganda became the president of the Grand Council of French Equatorial Africa (which also included Chad, Gabon, and the French Congo) in 1957. His vision was for a pan-African movement to unite several African states.

Boganda became the first prime minister of the Central African Republic on 1 December 1958. Boganda’s rule proved to be short-lived; he died in a plane crash on March 29th 1959 under suspicious circumstances and did not live to see his country gain full independence from France in August 1960, with his cousin David Dako becoming the country’s first President.

apostrophe wrong

Not nice…

THINK HARD before you post your Easter family photo.

Tipping Culture…

at self-checkout…

NO Regerts

Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Canadian singer, songwriter Terry Jacks who had the 1974 UK & US No.1 single ‘Seasons In The Sun’. The song was originally intended for The Beach Boys, with Jacks serving as producer for the recording. However, after the group decided not to release it, Jacks decided to record it himself in late 1973. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWdQbxNEFEs

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
28
Mar
2024

THUUUURRRRRSSSSDAY

I couldn’t find any interesting international holidays today but I realized that I missed the most important holiday of all a few days ago – back on March 25th – and that, of course, is MARYLAND DAY!

Maryland Day commemorates March 25, 1634. On that day, settlers who had recently disembarked from two small sailing ships – the Ark and the Dove – on St. Clement’s Island, in what is now St. Mary’s County, Maryland, celebrated the official founding of the colony of Maryland (now the most important state in the USA).

Departing on November 22, 1633, these travelers (about 140 in number) set off from Cowes on the English Isle of Wight. Three days later a severe storm tossed them relentlessly about at sea. The morning after, the Dove (the smaller ship) could not be seen. The Ark continued its journey, following the European coast south to the Fortunate (now Canary) Islands. From the Canaries, the Ark sailed due west across the Atlantic, touching land at the island of Barbados in the West Indies on January 3, 1633/4. There, the ship’s weary travelers stayed three weeks replenishing provisions, and there the Dove reappeared, having weathered the Atlantic voyage alone. At other Caribbean isles they also landed, and then sailed north. They reached Virginia on February 27th, gathered more supplies, and navigated Chesapeake Bay north to the mouth of the Potomac by March 3rd.

As these voyagers approached southern Maryland shores in March 1634, their ships alarmed Native Americans, who sent alerts with huge signal fires. To meet the Conoy Indian chief and calm Indian fears, Leonard Calvert on the Dove sailed to Piscataway. There, they negotiated a peaceable accord, and then Calvert sailed back down the Potomac off present-day St. Mary’s County. On March 25th, the English settlers held a day of thanksgiving for their safe voyage end, and we continue to commemorate it as Maryland Day.

SIGNZ

Today is the birthday, in 1986, of Lady Gaga, (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) American singer, songwriter. 2008 single US & UK No.1 single ‘Just Dance’, 2008 single ‘Poker Face’, reached No.1 in twenty countries. In 2012, Gaga was ranked at No.4 on Billboard’s list of top moneymakers of 2011, grossing more than 25 million dollars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESGLojNYSo

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music