Keener Today – May 22

 May 22, 2025
Ticket to Ride
1965 – “Ticket To Ride” by the Beatles went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart.

Did You Know:

The Stanley Hotel — famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining — is set to undergo a change in management as Sage Hospitality Group partners with the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority to oversee the historic property. The collaboration aims to preserve the landmark’s legacy while generating $45 million over 36 years to support cultural initiatives.

Today in History:

  • 1955 – Jack Benny’s final live radio show airs on CBS, marking the end of a golden era in American radio. Benny helped pioneer the sitcom format that would later dominate television.
  • 1965 – “Ticket To Ride” by the Beatles went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart. It was one of the first Beatles songs to feature a heavier, more percussive sound, hinting at their evolving musical style.
  • 1966 – Mrs. Miller’s version of the Petula Clark Hit Downtown enters the Billboard charts.
  • 1971 – The Rolling Stones’ album Sticky Fingers started a four-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. charts, the group’s second U.S. No. 1 album. “Brown Sugar” is the hit single from the collection. Although it’s widely assumed the cover model is Mick Jagger, the jeans in the photo were actually worn by actor Joe Dallesandro. The album also features the first use of the iconic “Tongue and Lip Design” created by John Pasche.
  • 1972 – President Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. president to visit the Soviet Union, beginning a summit with Leonid Brezhnev. The visit led to key agreements on nuclear arms control, including the SALT I treaty.
  • 1975 – Minnie Riperton released her third studio album, Adventures in Paradise. Riperton was known for her five-octave vocal range and was the mother of actress Maya Rudolph.
  • 1976 – Wings started a five-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Silly Love Songs”, McCartney’s fifth U.S. No. 1 since leaving the Beatles. The song was Paul’s tongue-in-cheek response to critics who mocked his romantic lyrics.
  • 1980 – Diana Ross released her 11th studio album, Diana, featuring “Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out,” and “My Old Piano.” The album was produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic and became Ross’s best-selling solo album.
  • 1990 – Microsoft launches Windows 3.0, ushering in a new era of personal computing. It was the first Windows version to achieve broad commercial success, selling over 10 million copies.
  • 1992 – Johnny Carson hosts The Tonight Show for the last time, ending a 30-year run and reshaping late-night TV. His final guest was Bette Midler, whose performance moved Carson to tears.
  • 1999 – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band set a record for most consecutive concerts at a single arena, playing 15 shows at New Jersey’s Continental Airlines Arena after overwhelming demand expanded the original five-date run.
  • 2020 – Michigan experiences one of its worst dam failures in history as the Edenville and Sanford dams collapse, displacing thousands. The disaster exposed serious flaws in the state’s infrastructure oversight.

Today’s Birthdays:

  • Richard Wagner was born in 1813. (d. 1883) – German composer known for his influential operas, including The Ring Cycle.
  • Arthur Conan Doyle was born in 1859. (d. 1930) – British author and creator of Sherlock Holmes.
  • Laurence Olivier was born in 1907. (d. 1989) – Iconic English actor and director, widely regarded as one of the greatest stage and film performers.
  • Michael Constantine was born in 1927. (d. 2021) – American actor best known for My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the TV series Room 222.
  • Paul Winfield was born in 1939. (d. 2004) – American actor known for his Emmy-winning performance in King and Oscar-nominated role in Sounder.
  • Frank Converse is 88 – Born in 1938. American television actor known for roles in Movin’ On and NYPD.
  • Bernie Taupin is 75 – Born in 1950. English lyricist best known for his longtime collaboration with Elton John, contributing to many film soundtracks.
  • Ann Cusack is 64 – Born in 1961. American actress and sister of John and Joan Cusack, known for roles in A League of Their Own and Grosse Pointe Blank.
  • Naomi Campbell is 54 – Born in 1970. British supermodel and actress with appearances in film and television.

Around Town: