Notable:
Today in 1967, Gladys Knight And The Pips released “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in the US. The song achieved significant success, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claiming the #1 spot on the R&B chart in November. This record became Motown’s best-selling release up to that point, until it would later be overshadowed by Marvin Gaye’s rendition of “Grapevine” just over a year later.
Skydio’s new law enforcement drone can follow you. It boasts the capability to track subjects even in low-light conditions, potentially decreasing the reliance on high-speed pursuits. However, concerns have been raised by civil liberties groups who argue that there is a lack of comprehensive regulations governing the use of drones by police forces.
Look for a harvest moon tonight in Metro Detroit. It’s your last chance to see a “supermoon” until this time next year.
Did you know: Ford Field is one of the most “Walkable” in the NFL? Walkability reflects how easy it is to walk to the stadium and use public transportation. BTW. The Lions are in in Green Bay for Thursday Night Football against the Packers. Kickoff is at 8:15 on Fox.
40 years ago today, “The Big Chill,” a movie about a group of University of Michigan grads written and directed by UM alumnus Lawrence Kasdan, debuted in theaters.
Today in History:
1963 – “American Bandstand” featured The Ronettes performing “Be My Baby,” and Bobby Rydell serenading the audience with “Let’s Make Love Tonight.”
Jim Morrison’s antics at a Florida State Football game landed him in jail for “disturbing the peace by being drunk,” resisting arrest, and petty larceny. This incident was the first of Morrison’s five arrests over the next seven years.
1968 – The Beatles have their biggest hit and the best-selling record of the 1960s with “Hey Jude.” Penned by Paul McCartney for John’s son Julian, the tune not only topped the US charts but maintained its number one position in America for an impressive nine weeks, selling over eight million copies. In 1996, Julian acquired the song’s recording notes at an auction for 25,000 pounds.
1970 – Eric Burdon And War received a Gold record for their debut hit, “Spill the Wine,” which had reached #3 on the Hot 100.
1974 – Canadian singer Andy Kim reaches No.1 on the Billboard singles chart with “Rock Me Gently,” his only chart-topping hit in the US. In addition to his recording career, Kim was a successful composer and co-writer of The Archies’ hit, “Sugar Sugar.”
On September 28th, a re-release of The Beach Boys’ 1963 hit, “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” made its way into the Billboard Top 40, reaching #36. This marked the band’s first chart appearance since “I Can Hear Music” in 1968. The band would have to wait until the summer of 1976 for another chart entry with “Rock And Roll Music,” which climbed to #5.
Bad Company’s self-titled debut album secured the top position on the Billboard 200 chart for one week in 1974. The LP would go on earn a 5X Platinum certification from the R.I.A.A. Notable tracks from the LP included “Can’t Get Enough” (US #5, UK #15) and “Movin’ On” (US #19).
Premiering on TV this week:
1948 – The Ed Sullivan Show
1964 – Gilligan’s Island
1965 – The Beatles cartoon series
1967 – Top Cat
1970 – The Partridge Family
1977 – The Love Boat
Today’s Birthdays:
1901 Ed Sullivan, Newspaper columnist, and television host (The Ed Sullivan Show), born in NYC, New York. (d. 1974)
1901 William S. Paley, American broadcast pioneer (President and CEO of CBS, 1928-90), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1990)
1918 Arnold Stang, American comedian and actor (Broadside, Milton Berle, Top Cat), born in New York City (d. 2009)
1919 Tom Harmon, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1940, Michigan; LA Rams) and broadcaster (CBS 1950-62), born in Rennselaer, Indiana. (d. 1990)
1934 Brigitte Bardot (Age 89), French actress, model, animal activist and sex symbol (And God Created Women), born in Paris, France.
1938 Ben E. King [Nelson], American soul singer-songwriter (“Stand by Me”), born in Henderson, North Carolina (d. 2015)
1950 Paul Burgess (Age 73), British drummer (10cc – I’m Not In Love”), born in Manchester, England
1964 Janeane Garofalo (Age 59), American comedienne (SNL, Truth about Cats & Dogs), born in Newton, New Jersey
1967 Moon Unit Zappa (Age 47), American actress (Normal Life), rock vocalist (Frank Zappa – “Valley Girl”), and novelist (America, The Beautiful), born in New York City
1987 Hilary Duff (Age 36), American actress and singer (Lizzie McGuire), born in Houston, Texas
