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It's our understanding that June Carter & the great Merle Kilgore are credited with co-writing "Ring of Fire" in the early 1960s -- and that June's sister, Anita Carter, was the first to record it. However, there's plenty of lore that suggests that Johnny Cash had a hand in (co)writing the song.

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No one pushed around Ray Charles. He only covered songs he thought were terrific. So this is a full-throated nod to Nash.

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“I can see clearly now; the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way.” Johnny Nash’s career-defining single – “I Can See Clearly Now” – was released today in 1972 on Epic. Nash (1940-2020) also wrote the tune – by far his biggest hit. “I Can See Clearly Now” reached #1 on the U.S. pop charts.

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Born into the first family of country music on this day in 1929, even when she was a child, June Carter was a famous figure. She performed with her mother & sisters for many years. In 1968 she wed Johnny Cash – & together toured the world for the next several decades. June Carter Cash died in 2003.

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American Olympic champion sprinter Wilma Rudolph was born today in 1940. A polio survivor, she was a bronze medal winner in 1956 in Melbourne. Rudolph claimed three gold medals at the 1960 Rome summer games. Following her Olympic triumphs, she actively supported civil rights causes. She died in 1994

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Author Richard Bach was born today in 1936 in Oak Park, IL. His best-known work is Johnathon Livingston Seagull, published in 1970 by Macmillan. Bach’s popular book spawned a movie of the same name (directed by Hall Bartlett), released in 1973, & Neil Diamond composed the well-received soundtrack.

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The back-half of her career — with the fearless activism — has more than matched her hit-making years of the 1980s.

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Peter Asher (born today in 1944) took the world by storm as a part of Peter & Gordon. They had 3 top-ten hits in the U.S., including “A World Without Love” (#1 in 1964 – penned by Paul McCartney). Asher later became a popular record producer – working with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor & Andrew Gold.

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Founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell was born today in 1937. Over the decades, he’s been a champion of countless artists, including Bob Marley (1945-1981). Learn more about Blackwell and the Island label here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efd2...

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Joni Mitchell’s fourth studio lp – Blue – was released today in 1971 on Reprise. Mitchell (a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1997) enlisted the musical gifts of Sneaky Pete Kleinow (1934-2007), James Taylor, Russ Kunkel & Stephen Stills to make a spectacular album.

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An indefatigable advocate for lgbtqia+ rights, Cyndi Lauper was born today in 1953. Best-known for her records in the 1980s, her debut lp, She’s So Unusual (1983, Portrait Records), peaked at #4 on the American album charts – and yielded several hit singles, including “Time After Time” & “She Bop”

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Few have been more perplexing than David Crosby. Mercurial, and then some.

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While we also appreciate the title track, we agree with your overall assessment.

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Lalo Schifrin (born today in 1932 in Buenos Aires) has been a prolific composer for decades. Schifrin likely is most recognized for his television themes from the 1960s & 1970s, including: Starsky & Hutch; The Partners; Mannix; The Young Lawyers; Medical Center; &, most notably, Mission: Impossible.

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Ray Davies – the leader of The Kinks – was born on this date in 1944. In addition to his work with the band & his solo output, he’s written four musicals, including Sunny Afternoon (2014), which won four Olivier Awards. As a member of The Kinks, Davies entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

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Released today in 1982 on Atlantic, the album Daylight Again showed there was still magic when Crosby, Stills & Nash teamed up. While David Crosby was really struggling with substance abuse, there was little doubt the trio hit all the right notes on the singles “Wasted on the Way” & “Southern Cross”

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After some fallow years, Heart stormed back with their self-titled album – released today in 1985 on Capitol. Produced by Ron Nevison, it reached the top of the lp charts in the U.S. – powered by singles like, “What About Love” “Nothing at All” “Never” & “These Dreams” (the band’s first #1 single).

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Sam Peckinpah’s extraordinary Ride the High Country premiered today in 1962. Longtime western film stars Joel McCrea & Randolph Scott command the screen as old-timers determined to make one more score. While it fell flat at the box office, the film’s crisp dialogue makes it a classic of the genre.

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Ed Sullivan’s storied career in television started tonight in 1948 with the premier of his variety show – Toast of the Town – on CBS. Sullivan (1901-1974) moved into television following years as a newspaper columnist. Learn much more about Sullivan here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Rf...

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Eldest son of Murry & Audree Wilson, Brian Wilson was born today in 1942. A founding member & creative dynamo of the Beach Boys, Wilson famously collaborated with Van Dyke Parks on the star-crossed SMiLE project in 1966 & on their intriguing Orange Crate Art lp in 1995. Wilson passed in 2025.

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Steven Spielberg’s Jaws premiered today in 1975. Based Peter Benchley’s book published a year earlier, it’s one of the best films of the 20th century. Much has been written about the glitches with the mechanical shark(s) used in Jaws – still, Spielberg creates a convincing & terrifying spectacle.

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Marvin Gaye Live! – a double album documenting his performance in Oakland, CA a few months earlier – was released today in 1974 on Tamala. Gaye was at his commercial apex – and this lp gave his devoted fans a taste of the old & the new. Produced by Gaye, it quickly reached #1 on the R&B lp chart.

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The Terminal Man – directed by Mike Hodges – opened today in 1974. Based on Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel of the same name, the film explores the mind control & technology – & features George Segal (an A-list actor in this era who was cast against type here), Joan Hackett & Richard Dysart

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A sprightly cast – Barbara Hershey, Richard Thomas & Bruce Davison – shine in the film Last Summer – this coming-of-age drama premiered today in 1969. Arguably, Catherine Burns (1945-2019) was the breakout star here, with her performance garnering an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

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Clive Langer – who co-wrote the weighty “Shipbuilding” with Elvis Costello in 1982 – was born today in 1954. Working alongside Alan Winstanley, Langer also co-produced several of Madness’ strongest albums, including: One Step Beyond (1979); 7 (1981); & Madness Presents the Rise and Fall (1982).

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Greil Marcus – one of the first writers hired by Jann Wenner for Rolling Stone in the late 1960s – was born today in 1945. Author of many books about music & popular culture – perhaps most notably Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock ‘n’ Roll Music – he has long been an essential critical voice.

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The Carpenters’ single “Goodbye to Love” was released today in 1972 on A&M. Written by Richard Carpenter & John Bettis, it peaked at #7 in the U.S. Unusually for the Carpenters, the song really rocks at the end. Tony Peluso (1950-2010) tears it up with a wicked, fuzzbox-enriched guitar solo.

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Fleetwood Mac’s Mirage – released today in 1982 on Warner Bros. – is an unusual lp for this band in this era, in that there is very little backstory & scuttlebutt associated with it – just well-crafted songs. “Love in Store” “Gypsy” “Hold Me” “Eyes of the World” & “That’s Alright” are its highlights

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One of the great lyricists of the 20th century – Sammy Cahn – was born today in 1913. Cahn’s words left a lasting cultural imprint. “Let it Snow” (1945); “All the Way” (1957); “Come Fly with Me” (1958); “High Hopes” (1959); & “The Second Time Around” (1960) all feature Cahn’s lyrics. He died in 1993

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In the 1970s, Richard Perry (born today in 1942) had huge success as a record producer, working with Art Garfunkel, Barbra Streisand, Harry Nilsson, Leo Sayer & Ringo Starr (notably on the Ringo lp). More recently, he co-produced three of Rod Stewart’s Great American Songbook lps. Perry died in 2024

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Actor E.G. Marshall was born today in 1919. He had an impressive run on Broadway in the late 1940s but became well-known in the early 1960s as the defense attorney Lawrence Preston on the CBS series The Defenders. He also was the long-time host of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Marshall died in 1998

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Barbara Streisand sang before well over 100,000 fans today in 1967 in New York City’s Central Park. The concert was released in the fall of 1968 as a double-album (A Happening in Central Park) on Columbia Records. The massive concert induced a lasting measure of stage fright in Streisand.

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“Mandy” was Barry Manilow’s first charting single – it climbed to #1 in the U.S. in the fall of 1974 – & he never looked back. Manilow (born today in 1946) toiled during 1960s & early 1970s as a jingle writer (with a fair amount of success) & famously played alongside Bette Midler in the early 1970s

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During his lengthy career, Chuck Rainey (born today in 1940) played bass on somewhere around 150,000 recordings – backing everyone from Cannonball Adderly to Etta James to Allen Tousaint to Steely Dan. Rainey now spends his time working with youngsters in events supported by Rhythm Intensive.

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Greg Rolie (born today in 1947) is a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – as a member of Santana (1998) & of Journey (2017). A fine singer and tremendous organist, Rolie remains an in-demand musician and has toured several times with Ringo Starr as a member of the All-Starr Band.

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Sting’s debut solo lp – The Dream of Blue Turtles – was released today in 1985 on A&M. Famed saxophonist Branford Marsalis is a key collaborator here. This lp is one of the best solo efforts in Sting’s career – highlights include: “Moon Over Bourbon Street” “Russians” & “Fortress Around Your Heart”

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“Where Did Our Love Go” “Baby Love” “Stop! In the Name of Love” & “Heat Wave” are just a few of the tunes Lamont Dozier (born today in 1941) co-wrote as a part of the songwriting trio of Dozier-Holland-Dozier. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Lamont Dozier died in 2022

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In the early 1970s, Roxy Music’s sound & appearance were both stunning. Their self-titled debut lp was released today in 1972. Roxy was a 6-person band in this era (Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, Paul Thompson & Graham Simpson) – & were clearly heading toward something special.

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John Dawson – a co-founder of the celebrated New Riders of the Purple Sage – was born today in 1945. “Marmaduke” Dawson played guitar & was the band’s principal vocalist. NRPS turned heads in the early 1970s – & not simply because of the band’s links with the Grateful Dead. Dawson passed in 2009.

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David Bowie’s innovative album – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars – was released today in 1972 on RCA. Bowie’s “Spiders from Mars” – Mick Ronson, “Woody” Woodmansey & Trevor Bolder – are excellent here. “Suffragette City” & “Starman” are among its many highlights.

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Eddie Levert (born today in 1942) helped form The O’Jays in the late 1950s. They had 6 top-10 pop hits in the U.S. in the 1970s, with “Back Stabbers” (written by Leon Huff, Gene McFadden & John Whitehead) peaking at #3 in 1972 & “Love Train” (penned by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff) reaching #1 in 1973.

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Born today in 1937, Waylon Jennings’ initial chart success as a solo act was in 1965 with “That’s the Chance I’ll Have to Take” (#49, country U.S.). Jennings (as a solo performer) topped the country charts 15 times. He entered in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Jennings passed in 2002.

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Steve Walsh (born today in 1951) played keyboards & was the distinctive voice of Kansas for decades. Walsh co-wrote many of the group’s best-known songs, including: “Can I Tell You” “Questions of My Childhood” “Point of Know Return” & “Portrait (He Knew)” Walsh stepped away from Kansas in 2014.

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Student-led protest on an American university campus is at the heart of The Strawberry Statement, which premiered today in 1970. Very loosely based on James Simon Kunen’s detailed account of campus unrest at Columbia University (published in 1968), the film stars Bruce Davison, Kim Darby & Bud Cort.

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Duran Duran’s self-titled debut lp from was originally released on EMI today in 1981. Immediately popular in the UK, the album was a slow-burn in the U.S. The lp was rereleased on Capitol in 1983 after the success of the Rio lp – & “Girls on Film” (from this 1st lp) became a radio staple in the U.S.

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The Fillmore West was a legendary concert spot in San Francisco. Its final days as a music venue in July of 1971 are explored in the documentary Fillmore: The Last Days – which premiered today in 1972. In addition to concert footage, it spotlights promoter Bill Graham’s noted powers of persuasion.

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Long a trusted keyboardist at FAME Music Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Spooner Oldham was born today in 1943. With Dan Penn, Oldham helped write “I’m Your Puppet” & “Cry Like a Baby” For many years Oldham toured & recorded with Neil Young. Oldham entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

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The intricate political thriller The Parallax View premiered today in 1974. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, the ripped-from-the-headlines political assassination tale stars Warren Beatty, Hume Cronyn & William Daniels. Pakula effectively uses Seattle’s then-new Space Needle in several action sequences.

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The clever mystery film The Last of Sheila premiered today in 1973. Directed by Herbert Ross, the A-list cast includes: Richard Benjamin, James Mason, James Coburn, Joan Hackett & Dyan Cannon. The unlikely but talented duo of Stephen Sondheim & Anthony Perkins penned this shrewd whodunit.

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Released today in 1982 on Atco, Pete Townshend’s solo lp – All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes – is one of his finest. “Slit Skirts” received some airplay in 1982 – & “Stop Hurting People” “North Country Girl” “Face Dances, Pt. 2” Exquisitely Bored” & “Somebody Saved Me” are standout tracks.

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Uriel Jones – one of the go-to drummers in Motown’s in-house band (the Funk Brothers) during the label’s golden era – was born today in 1934. That’s Jones behind the drum kit on classics like: “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” “I Second That Emotion” & “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” Jones died in 2009.

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The New York Times began publishing the “Pentagon Papers” today in 1971. In material leaked to the newspaper by the RAND Corporation’s Daniel Ellsberg (1931-2023), the world learned about U.S. covert involvement in Southeast Asia & beyond. Long-lasting diplomatic & legal fallout immediately ensued.

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Rodney Mills was the main recording engineer at Studio One (in Doraville, Georgia) for decades. Mills (born today in 1946) engineered lps for many performers, like: Lynyrd Skynyrd (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd); 38 Special (Wild-Eyed Southern Boys); & the Atlanta Rhythm Section (Champagne Jam).

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Based on Vladimir Nabokov’s 1955 novel, director Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita premiered today in 1962. A 14-year-old Sue Lyon played the title character. James Mason was convincing as Humbert Humbert. Shelly Winters & Peter Sellers also star. Nabokov penned the screenplay – & was nominated for an Oscar.

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John Wetton (born today in 1949) became familiar to the world as bassist & vocalist in Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, & U.K. Later, Wetton became a central part of the supergroup Asia in the early 1980s. With Wetton singing lead, Asia’s “Heat of the Moment” reached #4 in the U.S. He died in 2017.

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Jazz fusion pioneer Chick Corea was born today in 1941. His output from the 1970s & 1980s was ground-breaking – quite likely highlighted by Corea’s Return to Forever band’s terrific debut lp in 1972 (the first two songs – “Return to Forever” & “Crystal Silence” – are sublime). Corea passed in 2021.

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Brad Delp (born today in 1951) was the lead vocalist of Boston – & Delp’s soulful precision helped make the first Boston lp a gem. Delp’s voice let Tom Scholz achieve his musical vision. He soldiered on with Scholz, long after Boston’s initial lineup splintered. Delp tragically passed in 2007.

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Only Mel Brooks could see the ancient world in this way – his History of the World, Part 1 premiered today in 1981. While it did not impress the critics, audiences flocked to see stars from Bea Arthur to Henny Youngman deliver exaggerated performances. Mel Brooks wrote, directed & starred in it.

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If you’re listening to a hit song recorded in the late 1960s, chances are reasonably good that Chips Moman (born today in 1937) had a hand in recording it. Moman & Don Crews’ two American Sound Studios in Memphis were something like chart-topping factories in the late 1960s. Moman passed in 2016.

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Seeking to recreate the campy film serials they enjoyed during childhood, Phillip Kaufman & George Lucas crafted a storyline that became Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film – directed by Steven Spielberg & starring Harrison Ford – was released today in 1981 to rapturous reviews. It’s a modern classic.

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Born today in 1939, Bernard Purdie – originator of the “Purdie Shuffle” – has been a remarkably influential drummer. For example, that’s “Pretty” Purdie on Aretha’s “Rock Steady” & on Hall & Oates’ “She’s Gone” & on Steely Dan’s “Home at Last” & “Kid Charlemagne” & on BB King’s “The Thrill is Gone”

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Willie Nelson’s Shotgun Willie lp was released today in 1973. Signaling that his declaration of independence from Nashville was nearly complete, this is one of Nelson's strongest lps of the 1970s (& this is a high bar). This album features: “Whiskey River” & “Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)”

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Montana Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin was born today in 1880. A courageous & principled suffragette, Rankin is today largely remembered for taking a public position against U.S. involvement in World War I & World War II – boldly voting against a declaration of war both times. Rankin passed in 1973.

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Robert Altman’s outsized yet insightful Nashville premiered across the U.S. today in 1975. Pricking the oddities of country music & American culture, in general, Altman (1925-2006) rarely made a better film. The soundtrack is intriguing, highlighted by Keith Carradine’s “I’m Easy” (#17 pop, U.S.).

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João Gilberto (born today in 1931 in Brazil) played an enormous role in introducing the world to bossa nova in the late 1950s – rising to prominence in the U.S. when teamed with saxophonist Stan Getz (1927-1991). Their lp Getz/Gilberto (1964, Verve) is a landmark recording. Gilberto passed in 2019.

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Shirley Alston Reeves was born today in 1941. In 1957 she formed The Shirelles with classmates Addie “Micki” Harris, Doris Coley & Beverly Lee. They topped the U.S. charts twice: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” in 1960 & “Soldier Boy” in 1962. The Shirelles entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996

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The Eagles' 4th studio lp – One of These Nights – was released today in 1975 on Asylum. The 1st lp with Don Felder, he contributed two songs (co-writing “Too Many Hands” & “Visions”). The lp features the punchy title track, “Lyin’ Eyes” & “Take It to the Limit” (Randy Meisner’s vocal tour-de-force).

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A massive part of Deep Purple’s distinctive sound was Jon Lord’s power & intricate technique on the Hammond C3 organ. Born today in 1941, he was one of Deep Purple’s key creative forces during the band’s classic era from 1968-1974. He passed in 2012 – & entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016

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A pioneer of electric guitar design & a fine player, Les Paul born today in 1915. He & his spouse, Mary Ford (1924-1977), were stars during the 1950s. Always inspiring, he was pals with modern guitarists, like Neal Schon & Jeff Beck. Paul entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 & died in 2009

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Bassist in David Bowie’s acclaimed band – The Spiders from Mars – Trevor Bolder was born today in 1950. Following his tenure with The Spiders (Pin-Ups was his last lp with Bowie), Bolder joined Uriah Heep in 1976 & contributed to that band for the next three decades. Bolder passed in 2013.

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Aaron Sorkin (born today in 1961 in NYC) has set a high standard in writing for the stage, film & television for decades. Winner of one Oscar (for The Social Network in 2010) & multiple Emmy Awards, Sorkin’s best-loved accomplishment for television likely remains The West Wing (1999-2006, NBC).

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Boz Scaggs is a gritty performer with generous dash of stylish charm. Born today in 1944, Scaggs has been a popular concert draw for decades. Scaggs’ Silk Degrees album (1976, Columbia) is an early career highlight, featuring “Lowdown” “Lido Shuffle” “What Can I Say” “Jump Street” & “Georgia”

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Chuck Negron – born today in 1942 in NYC – was a member of Three Dog Night during the band’s zenith in the 1970s. Harmonizing with Cory Wells and Danny Hutton, Negron was a part of over twenty top 40 songs with Three Dog Night. Sober for three decades, Negron still tours as a solo performer.

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Influential bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice was born today in 1951. The Tony Rice Unit’s Backwaters album from 1982 on Rounder was a huge achievement – highlighted by: “On Green Dolphin Street” “A Child is Born” & “Mobius Mambo” Rice entered the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013 – & passed in 2020.

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The hip & topical Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was axed by executives at CBS today in 1969. It was a standard variety show – yet, it was cool, with musical guests like The Who, Donovan & The Doors. In the end, Tom & Dick Smothers’ fervent anti-war & anti-establishment opinions doomed the program.

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55 years ago, during the summer of 1970, George Harrison was in London recording his extraordinary All Things Must Pass lp. The exceptionally talented but mercurial Phil Spector was handling the production duties. Learn much more about Spector here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZUG...

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“Are you ready (are you ready); Well, you get yours, cause-a I got mine; For the Monkey Time” Major Lance’s version of Curtis Mayfield’s “The Monkey Time” was released today in 1963 on Okeh Records. This single (#8 pop U.S.) would be the first of several big hits for Lance. He passed in 1994.

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An unsung hero in one of the final incarnations of The Byrds, Clarence White was born today in 1944. His bluegrass-infused guitar style meshed with Roger McGuinn for several years. White played on five Byrds’ studio albums – most notably on Ballad of Uneasy Rider. White tragically passed in 1973.

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Long-time New Jersey Congressman Peter W. Rodino was born today in 1909. First elected to the U.S. Congress in 1949, the Democrat became a household presence in early 1973 when he led the House Judiciary Committee, which focused on the Watergate fiasco. Rodino left office in 1989 & passed in 2005.

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Melba Moore & Clifton Davis were groundbreaking stars on Broadway in the 1970s – &, for a time in the early 1970s, one of America’s hottest couples. This evening in 1972, The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show premiered on CBS (Moms Mabley & Jean Stapleton were guests). The variety show aired 5 episodes

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Born Prince Rogers Nelson today in Minneapolis in 1958, Prince was talented, with a matchless work ethic. Before he was 20, he had signed with Warner Bros. By the spring of 1978 he released his first lp – For You (featuring “I’m Yours” & “My Love is Forever”). No one in music ever outworked Prince.

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Dwight Twilley was born today in 1951 in Tulsa, OK. One of the underappreciated heroes of power-pop, Twilley’s main claim to fame is his (with Phil Seymour) strong lp from 1976 – Sincerely. The album’s single (“I’m on Fire”) was Twilley’s biggest hit– peaking at #16 in the U.S. Twilley died in 2023.

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Beloved folk performer Holly Near was born today in 1949. Near has been active in the folk scene since the early 1970s. Near’s 3rd lp – You Can Know All I Am (with Jeff Langley) (1976, Redwood) – has long been a fan favorite, highlighted by “Broken Promises” “It’s My Move” & “You’ve Got Me Flying”

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Marian Wright-Edelman was born today in 1939 in Bennettsville, SC. She helped get LBJ’s Head Start off the ground in the mid-1960s. In 1973 she launched the Children’s Defense Fund. Wright-Edelman won a coveted MacArthur Fellowship in 1985. Her efforts have bolstered young people across the U.S.

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One of the founding members of The Four Tops – the golden-throated Levi Stubbs – was born today in 1936 in Detroit. The quartet’s superb main vocalist, Stubbs spent nearly five decades singing & touring. Stubbs & The Four Tops entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Stubbs passed in 2008.

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Innovative bassist & Chapman Stick maestro, Tony Levin was born today in 1946 in Boston. Long an in-demand session musician, Levin also had an extended stint playing with Peter Gabriel – & for several decades Levin has collaborated alongside Robert Fripp as a member of King Crimson.

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Ronnie Dyson – a breakout star from the late-1960s Broadway run of Hair – was born today in 1950. In addition to his unforgettable rendition of “Aquarius” in Hair, Dyson reached the American top-ten in 1970 with “(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?” Dyson passed in 1990.

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“(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” is a classic American song & its writer – Stan Jones – was born today in 1914. During his career in the mid-20th century, Jones frequently worked alongside film directing legend John Ford (1894-1973), penning both theme & incidental music for Ford. Jones passed in 1963.

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Country performer Gail Davies (born today in 1948) has had a successful & varied career in music. Likely best known for her 5 top-ten country singles in the late 1970s & early 1980s (including “Blue Heartache” in 1979), Davies broke with industry convention by insisting on producing her own records.

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The ABC Afterschool Special: The Crazy Comedy Concert was broadcast today in 1974. With animated shorts & skits written by Duane Poole, comedians Tim Conway & Ruth Buzzi make classical music less daunting. “Die Fledermaus” of Johann Strauss II & Giuseppe Verdi’s “Anvil Chorus” are featured works.

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Irma la Douce – directed by the famed Billy Wilder – premiered today in 1963. Shirley MacLaine, in the title role, was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. The film also stars Jack Lemmon, Lou Jacobi & Herschel Bernardi. A young James Caan makes his film debut here, as well.

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Bobbie Gentry’s Happiness Hour – a 4-show summer replacement series – debuted on CBS this evening in 1974. Wayne Newton & Robert Goulet were Gentry’s guests on this initial episode. By the early 1980s, the talented but reclusive Gentry would completely withdraw from show business.

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Freddy Fender – the beloved Tejano and country music performer – was born today in 1937 in San Benito, Texas. 1975 was a remarkable year for Fender, as he had two enormous American pop hits: “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (#1) & “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” (#8). Fender passed in 2006.

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Bruce Springsteen’s 7th studio lp – Born in the USA – was released today in 1984 on Columbia. Singles like “Dancing in the Dark” (#2 U.S.) “Glory Days” (#5 U.S.) & “I’m on Fire” (#6 U.S.) elevated the record – and transformed Springsteen into something akin to a pop star in the mid-1980s.

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Today in 1961, John Kennedy met face-to-face with Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna, Austria. Massive out migration from East Berlin to West Berlin & the fallout from the Bay of Pigs debacle were the chief topics. Whatever rapport was established was wiped out 17 months later by the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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Dennis Weaver – best-known for a long stint on television’s Gunsmoke & as the title character on the NBC crime drama McCloud – was born today in 1924. Weaver also was great in Steven Spielberg’s Duel in 1971. Weaver was an environmental activist for decades & a committed vegetarian. He died in 2006.

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Michelle Phillips (born today in Long Beach, California in 1944) was part of the magical The Mamas & the Papas during the 1960s. Following the group’s demise, she went into acting full-time & was featured cast member of the successful CBS drama Knot’s Landing (as Anne Matheson) in the late 1980s.

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Curtis Mayfield (born today in 1942) was a soulful singer with a social conscience. Twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with The Impressions & as a solo performer), he penned “People Get Ready” in the mid-1960s. His “Freddie’s Dead” & “Superfly” were top 10 pop hits. He died in 1999.

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Legendary comedy writer & film director Carl Reiner’s The Man with Two Brains premiered today in 1983. Steve Martin delivers a predictably zany performance & Kathleen Turner displays solid comic timing. Merv Griffin has a scene-stealing cameo. Award-winning Michael Chapman handled the cinematography

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The last original episode of Star Trek (“Turnabout Intruder” – penned by Arthur H. Singer) aired on NBC this evening in 1969. Directed by Herb Wallerstein, an overtly anti-feminist story line & William Shatner’s over-the top performance are reasons that many Trekkies are lukewarm about this finale.