Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 3rd July

Another ancient King of France starts todays posting seeing as Louis XI aka ‘The Prudent’ arrived in 1423. Continuing with old royals, 1743 saw the birth of Queen of Sweden – Sophia Magdalena of Denmark given she got hitched to King Gustav III. Having mentioned 11th Canadian Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett a few days ago when he rolled over, here he is again as he saw beyond the maple leaf in 1870. German writer Franz Kafka underwent the metamorphosis in 1883. Neurologist who started the Stoke Madeville Games, later to morph into the Paralympics – Ludwig Guttmann broke through the tape in 1899. Alternative English film director, Henry Kenneth Alfred ‘Ken’ Russell focused for the first time in 1927. Not the ex-bar propper at my old local, but previous Premier of Bermuda – John Swan actually emerged from the Bermuda Triangle in 1935. Playwright born Tomáś Straussler but goes by the name Tom Stoppard, was the real thing in 1937. Singer of ‘Rescue Me’ – Fontella Bass was finally free in 1940. Also born that year is ex-Prime Minister of Poland before jumping on the European Parliament gravy train, Jerzy Karol Buzek was in solidarity with his mum. Singer with The Seekers born Judith Mavis Cock but somewhat wisely changed that to Judith Mavis Durham, found the times were a changin’ from 1943, also arriving that year – actor/comedian Gary Peter Waldhorn had a sharp intake of breath. Not to be outdone by Jerzy Buzek, Leszek Cezary Miller another Polish Prime Minister also thought today a good one to arrive in 1946. Co-founder and singer with disco/funk band Heatwave – Johnnie James Wilder Jr., was eyeballin’ his parents from 1949. Singer with The Temptations from 1971 to 1975 – born Otis Robert Harris Jr., but known as Damon Harris, made an impact in 1950. Iron fisted ruler of Haiti, Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier was loved, (by his parents), from 1951. Also born that year, New Zealand all round cricketer Richard Hadlee experienced wearing whites for the first time. Jerry Springer pretender who likes the sound of his own voice on his radio talk show as well as being an actor, Montel Brian Anthony Williams will try to reason with himself over the fact he’s now 67. Singer/songwriter Laura Brannigan showed some self control by being born in 1957. Comedian, author and former singer Charles Murray ‘Charlie’ Higson had his first fast show back in 1958. Ex-pointer at a map of Britain whilst giving vague weather forecasts, Sîan Mary Lloyd found the downdraft in 1958. Ex-member of dirge group Depeche Mode, slightly more upbeat Yazoo and not forgetting camp popster’s Erasure, Vince Clark showed a little respect in 1960. Avid Scientologist, three time married American actor who apparently likes to act on crates, Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, or just Tom Cruise, found it wasn’t mission impossible in 1962. Not so young British artist Tracey Emin saw her first bed in 1963. Founder of WikiLeaks who was holed up at the Ecuadorian embassy for seven years before being manhandled out in 2019 , born Julian Paul Hawkins and then changing it to Julian Paul Assange, hacked his way through in 1971. Extensively tattooed singer in one time boy band, Boyzone – Shane Eamon Mark Stephen Lynch, had his first number one, (and come to think of it number two), in 1976. Son to cycling champion Stephen, cyclist Nicholas Roche hasn’t pumped up his existence since 1984. Formula One driver who’s bagged the world title four times, Sebastian Vettel started qualifying for birthday cards from 1987.

Deaths today include, among many others, English ornithologist and ichthyologist, Francis Willughby twitched for the last time in 1672. Mum to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart left the chamber in 1778. Chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota People – Little Crow fell from his nest in 1863. Argentine President, Juan Hipólito del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Yrigoyen Alem must have run out of breath trying to say his name in 1933. French car maker of iconic motors, (think Light 15, 2CV and the original DS), André-Gustave Citroën came to the end of his road in 1935. Inventor of the electric razor Jacob Schick was cut up about dying in 1937. Trigger, (as in horse from the Roy Rogers films and not the character in Only and Fools Horses), disappeared off to the cat food factory in 1965. Founding and leading member of The Rolling Stones, (until Mick took over), Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones found it’s all over now in 1969. Cult singer with The Doors, James Douglas ‘Jim’ Morrison, had hoped they’d light his fire, so must have been disappointed when he ended up being buried in Pére Lachaise Cemetary Paris, in 1971. Voice of Mr Magoo, (among other acting jobs) James Gilmore ‘Jim’ Backus never got to hear the person say, ‘Hello down there’ to him in 1989. Last of The Three Stooges – born Joseph Wardell but known as Joe ‘Curly Joe’ DeRita had Coroner Creek look in to his death back in 1993. Composer of the Dr. Who theme tune – Delia Ann Derbyshire failed to re-generate herself in 2001. Saxophonist responsible for ‘Yakety Sax’, Homer Louis ‘Boots’ Randolph III ran out of puff in 2007. Planner of the Munich Olympic massacre Mohammad Daoud Oudeh/Abu Daoud ran out of time in 2010. Car designer responsible for some of the most famous cars ever built, (from the Morris 1100 to the Ferraris 328 and 360), Sergio (Pinin)Farina rather ironically went the colour of clay himself in 2012. 57th Prime Minister of Romania – Radu Vasile became history in 2013. Finally, comedian Arthur Stanton Eric Johnson would have become one of the subterraneans if he hadn’t had his ashes scattered off Hawaii in 2019.

With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 2nd July

Western Roman Emperor Flavius Placidius Valentinianus or just Valentinian III had to wait two years from his birth in 419 to be bestowed the title Nobilissimus. Having given a shout out to Ali al-Hadi yesterday, (albeit in the deaths paragraph), here we have Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer, who graced us with his presence in 1489. Sixth Prime Minister of Canada, Charles Tupper, started to wear in from 1821. British Prime Minister for just under a year, Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home had an early day motion in 1903. Also born in 1903 is Norwegian of the day, King Olav V had his first sight of the throne, although it took him a couple of years to sit on it. Chav’s second favourite designer, (after Burberry), French tennis player and creator of the Polo shirt Jean René ‘The Crocodile’ Lacoste rallied for the first time in 1904. Person who inadvertently came up with Talk Radio – born Bernard Yaroslaw but known as Barry Gray found his voice in 1916. Italian born second, (or even third), rate designer who’s put his name to pretty much everything from sunglasses to underpants, Pierre Cardin, or Pietro Cardin, started touching cloth in 1922. Tax dodging, excessive shoe hoarder with the alternative moniker of ‘Steel Butterfly’, former First Lady of the Philippines, born Imelda Remedios Visitación Romuáldez y Trinidad but known as Imelda Romuáldez Marcos will celebrate her 93rd birthday by buying another pair of slippers. Ex-President of Argentina – Carlos Saúl Menem Akil didn’t know it takes two to tango in 1930. Actor who was mentioned a week or so ago and was known for his role in classic BBC sitcom Dad’s Army – Frank Williams was unable to ask, ‘What’s up nurse?!’ in 1931. Founder of golden arch rival, (other fast food restaurants are available) – Wendy’s, Rex David ‘Dave’ Thomas was subject to his first takeaway in 1932. Original member of The Temptations, Paul Williams was gettin’ ready to be born in 1939. Pro-European Conservative MP in the House of Commons – Kenneth Harry ‘Ken’ Clarke wasn’t the father of the house in 1940. 55th President of Mexico – Vincente Fox Quesada joined the party in 1942. Co-creator of Seinfeld, Larry David has tried to curb his enthusiasm celebrating his birthday since 1947. Other half to Whitehead, Singer Gene McFadden found there was ain’t no way of stopping him in 1948. Leggy Texan model, glamorous granny who’s the ex-girlfriend of Brian Ferry, sort of Mrs Jagger before becoming definite Mrs, (and now ex-Mrs) Murdoch, Jerry Faye Hall had her first casting in 1956. Northern comedian Peter John Kay, was yet to find out garlic bread was the future in 1973. Actress/singer Ashley Michelle Tisdale has been playing it cool since 1985. Rehab queen Lindsay Dee Lohan was released from the parent trap in 1986. Aussie actress Margot Elise Robbie had her Whiskey Tango Foxtrot moment in 1990.

As for deaths, Bishop of Winchester and Patron Saint of Rain, (or sun if you prefer such things), Swithun has been resting a lot longer than 40 days given he stopped breathing in 862. Apothecary and soothsayer Michel de Nostredame who went by the moniker Nostradamus, couldn’t have been that good given he didn’t foresee his demise in 1566. Inventor of telescopic sights, William Gascoigne lost his power in 1644. Second British Prime Minister, (with the Brian May hair), Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington keeled over in office in 1743. Not to be outdone, founder of modern day plod in Britain and, (another), British Prime Minister – Sir Robert Peel stopped the beat in 1850. Having mentioned 55th President of Mexico (above), here we have 29th President of the same country, José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori eased off on the medals and soft brushes on the shoulders from 1915. Having mentioned the first person to fly across the channel yesterday, here’s the second person to have swum it, (and represent the French at water polo in the 1900 Paris Olympics), turncoat Thomas William ‘Bill’ Burgess didn’t grab the life bouy properly in 1950. Conch Republic citizen and Noble Literature prize winner, Ernest Miller Hemingway permanently wrote himself out of the plot in 1961. Actress/dancer and singer Elizabeth Ruth ‘Betty’ Grable lost the million dollar legs in 1973. Novelist who came up with Lolita – Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov found the man stopped in 1977. Actor James Maitland ‘Jimmy’ Stewart, the one with the drawl, went off to meet Gloria, (again) in 1997. Author/screenwriter Mario Francis Puzo entered the dark arena in 1999. Review director/actress and singer, born Birgit Agda Holmberg, but went by the slightly alternative ‘Git Gay’, has been a ghost on holiday since 2007. Writer Dame Beryl Margaret Bainbridge started to live a quiet life in 2010. Person we have to ‘thank’ for the non-working computer mouse, Douglas Carl Engelbart found he’d timed out in 2013. Comedian Caroline Aherne was scorchio at the crem in 2016. Another founding member of Scottish 70’s band Bay City Rollers – Alan Longmuir was unable to keep on dancing from 2018. Car executive responsible for the Ford Mustang and reviving Chrysler Corporation – Lido Anthony ‘Lee’ Iacocca hasn’t had to worry where all the leaders have gone since 2019. Finally, racing driver, television presenter and dad to Amanda – Alain De Cadenet ran out of fuel in 2022.

With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 1st July

Births, (and deaths), seem to have picked up a bit today, so without any further ado, we kick proceedings off with sort of Norwegian of the day as Christian II King of Denmark and Norway who ruled for a few years before swopping sides and ruling Sweden for a few more years ventured forth in 1481. Keeping with ancient foreign royals – King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, Louis II arrived early in 1506. One of Christian’s, (above), relatives – Frederick II, also of Denmark and Norway, held court in 1534. Aviator with the moustache nearly as big as the propellers on his plane, (and not forgetting his development of the car headlamp), Louis Charles Joseph Blériot thankfully didn’t have the dip and dazzle eyes in 1872. First Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands, Andrass Samuelsen who was mentioned yesterday in the deaths paragraph gets his second mention in as many days given he didn’t let the present buyers down in 1873. Author of The Postman Always Rings Twice – James Mallahan Cain started to give the Shanghai gesture from 1892. Actor Charles Laughton wasn’t Spartacus in 1899. Another flyer, this one aviatrix who took desperate measures to get away from South London by flying to Australia, Amy Johnson took a few years from 1903 to get the ‘Croydon facelift’. Josephine Esther Mentzer otherwise known as cosmetic queen Estée Lauder had her first makeover in 1906. Saddam’s uncle who was fourth Presidenti of Iraq – Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr had his first ba’ath in 1914. Actress Olivia Mary de Havilland was that screaming child in 1916. Film director Sydney Irwin Pollack slipped the slender thread in 1934. Actor/body builder, David Charles ‘Dave’ Prowse wasn’t one of the people that time forgot in 1935. Actress Karen Blanche Black, (née Ziegler), was born to win in 1939. Ex-waitress and bunny girl who turned her hand to singing, (and hasn’t done too badly at that), Deborah Ann ‘Debbie’ Harry wasn’t dreamin’ 78 years ago. One hit wonder from Australia, John Peter Farnham Jr., found his voice in 1949. Known for his roles in Shoestring and dull police series Waking the Dead, actor Trevor Eve has never had a sense of guilt having been born in 1951. Also born that year is camp singer with The B52’s, yes, Frederick William ‘Fred’ Schneider III left the love shack. Canadian half of The Blues Brothers and Ghostbuster, Daniel Edward ‘Dan’ Ackroyd was a bright young thing in 1952. Actress known for her roles in Airplane and the television series Private Benjamin – Lorna Patterson became one of the goodtime girls in 1956. Singer Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King had to make do with formula milk in 1960. First wife of Chas, mum to Bill & Harry, alternative charity supporter and media manipulator, Diana Spencer/Princess of Wales, found there were more than three present at her birth in 1961. Also born that year, field and track athlete who ran away with nine gold medals at various Olympics – Frederick Carlton ‘Carl’ Lewis was under starters orders. Joint most successful World superbike racer – Carl Fogarty was a bit on the low side this day in 1965. Chesty actress, (among many other things), Pamela Denise Anderson has found herself wearing nearly as many clothes over the years as when born in 1967. Hip hop singer Melissa Arnette Elliott or just Missy Elliott, found this is not a test in 1971. Dutch ball kicker Ruud van Nistelrooy was audible in 1976. Daughter to rubber lipped frontman of Aerosmith, Steve – Liv Rundgren Tyler didn’t want to miss a thing when born in 1977. Definite Norwegian Marit Elisabeth Larsen who’s had a few hits in Scandinavia was more over than under the surface in 1983.

As for deaths, the following failed to make it through the day starting with Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali or just Ali al-Hadi, tenth of twelve Muslim Imans had his last prayer in 868. British Prime Minister – Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, who also went by the following titles: The Hon. Charles Watson-Wentworth, Viscount Higham, Earl of Mallon and The Marquess of Rockingham must have had a few pubs open bearing his titles after 1782. Another of the Bach clan that made a living as a composer, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach found his organ playing days over in 1784. Fan of rubber, Charles Goodyear didn’t get to bounce back again after 1860. Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Harriet Elisabeth Beecher Stowe, swopped the cabin for a tomb in 1896. Irish writer Peadar Toner Mac Fhionnlaoich was marbh from 1942. Inventor of various things, including the organ named after him – Laurens Hammond didn’t get a reprise in 1973. Husband to Eva, (Evita), Argentine Presidente Juan Domingo Perón munched his last steak in 1974. Actor Eugene Maurice Orowitz, or Michael Landon found his highway to heaven in 1991. Model/actress and granddaughter to Ernest, Margaux Hemingway didn’t need the lipstick after 1996. Also not making it through 1996, actor Alfred Marks saw the curtain fall. Film noir actor Robert Charles Durman Mitchum found the fire down below the coffin in 1997. Son of Mars Inc. founder, Forrest Edward Mars Sr., saw to it that he had plenty of time for rest rather than work or play from 1999. Star of some good films – Walter Matthau certainly wasn’t a survivor given he stopped breathing in 2000. Final actor to turn over is Marlon Brando Jr., who didn’t get a last tango in Paris seeing as he took his last breath in UCLA Medical Centre back in 2004. Singer who lived up to his surname, Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr., found it wasn’t for always and ever in 2005. English cricketer Frederick Sewards Truman was all out at 75 in 2006. Known for playing pussy, (cat), loving Mrs Slocombe in Are You Being Served? Mollie Sugden stopped dying her hair in 2009. Co-creator of Twister, Charles ‘Chuck’ Foley, was as straight as a board in 2013. Rocking chair crooner with the garish jumpers, Michael Valentine ‘Val’ Doonican left the special years behind from 2015. Also not making it through that year, leading cheerleading cheerleader who patented the Pom-Pom, Lawrence Russell Herkimer didn’t get to shout, ‘Give me a D, give me an E, give me an A, give me a D’. Finally, Broadway choreographer Dame Gillian Barbara Lynne, (née Pyrke), took the shadow position in 2018.

With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.