Gertrude Baniszewski was a monster in the truest sense of the word. Over a period of three months in 1965, Gertrude tortured, and eventually murdered Sylvia Likens, the 16-year-old daughter of two acquaintances she was charged with watching over while the couple traveled with a carnival. The details of what Gertrude did to young Sylvia …
Sterling Magee was a session guitarist in the 1960s, playing on recordings by Ray Charles, James Brown, King Curtis and Marvin Gaye. He also released a few solo recordings on Ray Charles’ record label. But, Sterling walked away from it all, angered by the way black musicians were treated in the music industry. Sterling landed …
Johann Hölzel was determined to be a pop star. Exhibiting a natural musical talent, young Johann began playing in various bands in the Vienna Underground music scene. Bucking trends set by the crowds, Johann presented a clean-cut image, sporting short hair, dark glasses and stylish clothing. He played bass under the stage name “John DiFalco” …
Veterans Stadium was the home of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1971 until yielding the title to beautiful Citizens Bank Park in 2004. Veterans Stadium was anything but beautiful, however, I did get to see some of baseball’s immortal players at that hell hole. One of those players was the legendary Hank Aaron. He was one …
As a teenager, Kyu Sakamoto was a member of a comedy vocal group, but he wasn’t happy. He felt he should be the group’s lead vocalist and often fought — physically — with his bandmates over the decision. He finally got his opportunity when he sang lead on one song during a performance at a …
Virginia Cherrill really didn’t want to be an actress. She even turned down an invitation to join the elite Ziegfeld Follies — an offer that came for Florenz Ziegfeld himself. But, Virginia’s friend Sue Carol, an actress-turned-agent was very persuasive. Virginia was cast as an extra in Howard Hawkes 1928 film The Air Circus, the …
“Home is the nicest word there is.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder. She should know. She had the nicest one on the prairie.
Writer-director-comedian Buck Henry was a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Johnny asked Buck how he wanted to die. Buck replied “I want to be unbelievably old. I want to be withered beyond belief. I want people to be saying, ‘I thought he died years ago.’ and to be amazed I’d lasted to …
Rebellious Ruth Weston ran away from home at 17, opting to sing in nightclubs rather than church. She married trumpeter Jimmie Brown along the way. Blanche Calloway, sister of noted band leader Cab Calloway, arranged for Ruth to sing at a Washington DC nightclub. Popular radio DJ Willis Conover saw her act and recommended her …
Heather Angel is one of those actors that I discovered late in their career. I knew Heather from her recurring role in the 1960s sitcom Family Affair. She played the very proper “Miss Faversham,” a nanny who cares for the children of one of Bill Davis’ (Brian Keith) neighbors in the high-rise Manhattan apartment building. …
