Chicago-born Bee Palmer was a popular dancer in the early part of the 20th century. She toured with some notable jazz musicians, always under the name “Bee Palmer’s New Orleans Rhythm Kings.” The Rhythm Kings, however, were more successful after they parted ways with Bee. In 1910, Bee introduced a new provocative dance, shaking her shoulders …
I have been participating — without fail — in the online illustration blog Illustration Friday since 2006. Most weeks, they present a word that is wide open to many interpretations. Except this week…. This week, the word is “red panda.” I didn’t know what a “red panda” was until I Googled it. It turns out …
Just after the conclusion of the Test for Echo tour, the nineteen-year-old daughter of Rush drummer Neil Peart was killed in a car accident. Ten months later, his common-law wife died of cancer. Distraught, Neil told his band mates to consider him retired, He set out on a long and extensive “trip to nowhere” that …
“Technology presumes there’s just one right way to do things and there never is.” — Robert M. Pirsig Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance After 126 rejections, Robert M. Pirsig finally got his 1974 fictionalized autobiographical novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance published. It went on to sell over five million copies worldwide, …
In 1968, seventeen year-old Barbara Hoyt ran away from her Seattle home with her sights set on Los Angeles. Alone in the big city, Barbara was befriended by a man who called himself “Karate Dave.” He took the teen to see some friends who were living at a place called Spahn Ranch, an abandoned movie …
Sue Lyon was 14 years old when she was cast in the title role in Stanley Kubrick’s 1962 film Lolita, opposite her 53 year-old co-star James Mason. Director Kubrick described the actress as the “perfect nymphet.” Sue was slightly older than the character depicted in Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, but Kubrick had to make this change to …
In 1970, The Bonzo Dog Band broke up by mutual agreement – except for saxophonist Rodney Slater, who was stunned when leader Viv Stanshall made the announcement onstage at Loughborough University. The band members went their separate ways, though they reunited briefly in 1972 to record Let’s Make Up and Be Friendly. The album, however, …
Sid Haig made a career out of playing slimy henchmen, seedy heavies and unsavory criminals. Dissatisfied with the path his career was taking, he decided to retire from acting in 1992, opting to become a certified hypnotherapist. During his hiatus, he received a script for an upcoming film. He would play a mysterious gangster who …
Imogen Hassall was born into a creative family. Her grandfather, mother and aunt were all illustrators. Her father was a poet and lyricist. She claimed, at various times, that her godfather was prominent Welsh composer Ivor Novello. Other times, she said it was British composer Sir William Walton, with whom her father often collaborated. These …
Don’t ever take sides with anyone against the family. * * * * * * * It’s that time again… whether you like it or not. My annual Christmas music compilation is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD at ge.tt for a limited time. This year, it’s 72 minutes of pure Christmas wonderment that’ll have you …
