Happy Birthday to ya Stevie Wonder!!! My favorite musical genius was born 63 years ago today as Steveland Hardaway Judkins (his last name was later changed to Morris) in Saginaw, Michigan. In this 1974 photo, he is performing his classic “Living For The City” on “Top Of The Pops” in London. Photo: David Warner Ellis/Redferns. In the comment section, let me know what your favorite Stevie song is (Is it possible to have just one?)
Happy Birthday Willie Nelson!
“When I was in trouble in the White House or when I wanted to have some deep thoughts, I had a very high quality hi-fi player, and the number one thing I played was Willie Nelson songs. All the good things I did as a president, all the mistakes I made — you can blame half of that on Willie.”
-Jimmy Carter in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine
Photos: Jimmy Carter with Willie Nelson and his guests outside of the Old Executive Building. 4/25/78; President Carter on stage at a performance by country western singer, Willie Nelson at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. 9/13/80.
The two remain friends today.
-from the Carter Library
The Armory Show wasn’t the only big event in 1913 - it was also the year that suffragists marched on Washington to demand women’s right to vote. In light of that centennial anniversary, which is being celebrated this weekend, and the kickoff of Women’s History Month, it seemed like a good time to present you with this declaration from Nancy Spero.
Nancy Spero letter to Lucy R. Lippard, 1971 Oct. 29. Lucy R. Lippard papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Rubber Duckie, we’re awfully fond of you. Here’s the story behind our iconic bath time tune.
I also love “Put Down the Duckie.”
Hop on board the Sesame Street bookmobile! In the early 1970s, Michael Smollin’s whimsical artwork appeared on the back of some Sesame Street books published under Western Publishing’s Little Golden Books line.
Telly Monster’s debut on Sesame Street in 1979. Telly Monster’s character was originally obsessed with television. This obsession gave him his name, the British slang term for television: Telly.
Huh.
Susan hangs out with Big Bird in her kitchen during the first season of Sesame Street.
Loudon Wainwright III, “The Swimming Song.”
Happy birthday to Rufus & Martha’s dad and the guy who had a cameo on the pilot of Parks and Recreation, Loudon Wainwright III.
Source: SoundCloud / fourpeass
Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were (1975)
I’d be surprised if this song isn’t sung during the “In Remembrance” segment at this year’s Oscars. Not my favorite Hamlisch song, but whatevs.
Source: youtube.com
Carly Simon - “Nobody Does It Better.” I’d argue that this is the catchiest Bond song, and again, it’s the work of Hamlisch.
Source: youtube.com
