Baroness Daisy von Freyberg zu Eisenberg was born to an impoverished, yet aristocratic German family in the early 1900s. Using the stage name “Daisy D’Ora,” she pursued an acting career. She changed her name to avoid embarrassment to her family. Although they lacked wealth, they still had their pride. At the time, a career in …
From his humble beginnings as an in-hose songwriter getting paid fifty dollars a week, Bern Berns elevated himself to one of the most prolific songwriters and producers you never heard of. In 1960, Bert Berns took a job with a music publishing company. In 1961, the Jarmels recorded “A Little Bit of Soap,” one of …
While working as a model, Imogene Robertson was discovered by Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld and immediately he put her into his famous follies, performing under the name “Imogen ‘Bubbles’ Wilson.” Entertainment columnist Mark Hellinger noted that only two people in the country could draw out every reporter in New York — The President of the …
Mike Coolbaugh was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays the year he graduated from high school. He bounced around the minor leagues for the next eleven years. Finally, he got the “call-up” from the Milwaukee Brewers, playing third base in 39 games in 2001. The following season, Mike was part of the St. Louis Cardinals …
I am no fan of halls of fame, especially the incredibly biased, incredibly derisive and incredibly dismissive Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I refuse to join in with the “who deserves to be inducted” debate. That said, Connie Francis is one of the best-selling music artists in history, with estimated sales of over 100 …
Discovered as a student at Indiana University, Pamela Jean Bryant was selected as “Miss April,” the centerfold for that month’s issue of Playboy in 1978. Like many before and after her, she was able to use her modeling experience (and willingness to appear nude) to embark on a career in acting. Pamela Jean landed small …
Robert Chesebrough began his career as a chemist refining and clarifying sperm whale oil. With the development of coal oil and when petroleum was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Robert’s job suddenly became obsolete. Robert packed his bags for Titusville to see if he could use the new material for something else. He spoke with some …
