Remembering the original VW Beetle.
Today in 1936 the VW Beetle was commissioned in Germany. Known as the “People’s Car” in the 1930s, the unique body style was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. The car had a rear engine, unusual for the time. Only small numbers were made before WWII halted production. After the war, sales soared aided by an iconic advertising campaign “Think small”. Nicknamed “the Beetle” it overtook the Model T Ford as the best-selling car in the world in 1972, selling over 15 million. It was only after 80 years that Volkswagen announced in 2018 that it would finally cease production in 2019. Here’s one of the more memorable TV ads from the 1960s. How does the guy who plows the snow on our roads get to work? In a VW, of course. (Video)
Quick Takes:
Neil Diamond‘s Mom passes. He tweets “Done Too Soon”. GodSpeed, Rose. (Video)
The FCC says nearly half the calls you receive this year will be spam.
Factoid: One of the most well known tunes in the USA is the theme song from Jeopardy. Did you know that it’s composer was the game show’s creator, Merv Griffin? To date, it’s royalties have generated over $70 million dollars.
More than 1,600 mourners paid tribute to the late Congressman John Dingell in Dearborn this week.
Today in History:
1964, Meet The Beatles! is No.1 this week. The album will stay on top for eleven weeks, selling over four million copies in the end of the year.
1965, Nat King Cole dies of lung cancer. He first hit with ‘Straighten Up and Fly Right’, plus over 20 other Top 40 singles. In 1956 he became the first African American to host a television variety show.
1969, Detroit Mayor, Jerome Cavanagh announces plans for a downtown stadium, tentatively titled, “The Megasphere“. The Mayor makes a pitch for a riverfront location.
1979, At the 21st Grammy Awards, the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack won Album of the Year and The Bee Gees were named Best Pop Group and Best Arrangement for Voices for ‘Staying Alive’. Billy Joel‘s ‘Just the Way You Are’ won Record and Song of the Year. Donna Summer‘s ‘Last Dance’ won two Grammys: Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song.
Happy Birthday to: Brian Holland (Holland/Dozier/Holland), 1941; Glyn Johns (Producer), 1942; Denny Zager (Zager & Evans), 1944; Mick Avory (Kinks), 1944; Jane Seymour, 1951; Melissa Manchester, 1952; Matt Groening (Simpsons), 1954
Much More Music:
1962, Ray Charles records ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ at United Studios in Hollywood, California. The tune will go on to top both the US and UK charts and would be included on the LP ‘Modern Sounds In Country / Western Music’, which leads the Billboard album chart for 14 weeks. (Video)
1969, Sly and the Family Stone start a four week run at No.1 with ‘Everyday People’, their first chart topper. (Video)
1975, Linda Ronstadt tops the chart with ‘You’re No Good’, her only solo No.1 out of 12 other top 40 hits. She also owns the top spot on the Billboard album chart with ‘Heart Like A Wheel.’ (Video)
Today’s Quote Worth Re-Quoting: “The thing you have to be prepared for is that other people don’t always dream your dream.” ~Linda Ronstadt
We leave you with a Top 10 smash from this week in 1965, The Mamas & Papas‘ first significant hit. “California Dreaming” was written by John and Michelle Phillips and was first recorded by former New Christy Minstrel, Barry McGuire. John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, and Michelle Phillips sang backup on the original version and released their rendition later that same year. (Video)
