Today’s posting begins with tenth Emperor of the Roman Empire, Titus – who must have felt the cold in his parents villa way back in 39AD. Union general in the American Civil War before becoming the first Mayor of San Fransisco, John White Geary, (the one with the dodgy beard), wasn’t territorial when born in 1819. Given other Presidents get their names mentioned here, I guess it’s only fair eighth President of France Émile François Loubet also gets a name check given he presented himself in 1838. Geologist who invented the horizontal pendulum seismograph – John Milne started the carbon dating process in 1850. Person who turned tooth rotting drink Coca-Cola into what it is today, (as well as being 41st Mayor of Atlanta) – ASA Griggs Candler popped out in 1851. Writer of ‘The Jungle Book’, (amongst others), Joseph Rudyard Kipling found being born as easy as A.B.C. in 1865. Japanese Prime Minister for most of World War II, the one with round bins and excessive medal collection on his tunic – Hideki Tōjō was kamae-t in 1884. Norwegian of the day goes to explorer Helge Ingstad who wasn’t trapped in 1899. Actress Jeanette Nolan told everything but the truth over her birthday from 1911. Host of Miss America, (so basically perving at young ladies in swimsuits), Bertram Jacobson or Bert Parks as he was better known, took one giant step into the unknown back in 1914. Actor from Hawaii Five-O, John Joseph Patrick Ryan or as he was also known – Jack Lord was a real ray of sunshine to his folks from 1920. Born Ellas Otha Bates before adopting the name Ellas McDaniel but known as blues guitarist with the hat – Bo Diddley, was a living legend from 1928. Singer Charles Weedon Westover or Del Shannon, wasn’t a runaway after birth in 1934. Folk singer in threesome Peter, Paul & Mary – Noel Paul Stookey was something new and fresh in 1937. Goalkeeper in the English winning team back in ‘66 – Gordon Banks slipped through in 1937. First of sixties pop ‘sit-com’ stars from The Monkees to feature – Robert Michael Nesmith was a believer in being born this day in 1942, with David Thomas ‘Davy’ Jones following in 1945. ‘Visual artist’ and singer of the one hit, (co-written with Bruce Springsteen), Patricia Lee ‘Patti’ Smith had the dream of life realised in 1946. Curly haired perpetual sunglass wearer who fronted the ELO, (which is a band not a political movement), before going onto co-found The Travelling Wilburys, Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Lynn has been a livin’ thing from 1947. Not the musician called Dave Stewart who suffered from Paradise Syndrome, but, err, the musician Dave Stewart who didn’t suffer from Paradise Syndrome – (born David Lloyd Stewart) thought, ‘I’m in a different world’ back in 1950. One time singer of cover versions before moving to America and inflicting over running moralistic cartoon family ‘The Simpsons’ on us, Trace/Tracey Ullman had her breakaway moment in 1959. Disgraced Canadian athlete Benjamin Sinclair ‘Ben’ Johnson actually qualified in 1961. Hollywood madam to the stars and wealthy, Heidi Lynne Fleiss wasn’t a member of the doom generation in 1965. Odd head dress wearer Jason Luís Cheetham who goes by the sobriquet ‘Jay Kay’ found he was travelling without moving in 1969. Keyboardist now minus a singer in the band Faithless – born Ayalah Deborah Bentovim, but goes by the name Sister Bliss has let the music decide since 1970. Philandering divot maker Eldrick Tont ‘Tiger’ Woods had his first hole in one back in 1975. Co-founder of another internet behemoth – Instagram, Kevin Systrom started getting used to having his pic taken in 1983. Basketball player LeBron Raymone James Sr. had the double dribble in 1984, whilst in 1986 British songstress Elena Jane ‘Elle’ Goulding was under the sheets. Cricketer who’s current captain of crumbling English team currently getting a drubbing in Oz – Joseph Edward ‘Joe’ Root added to his family tree in 1990. I see to remember mentioning a band mate of Kim Tae-hyung a month or so ago, but he’s been giving ‘V’’s since 1995.
Pope Felix I not only kicks today’s deaths paragraph off but he also kicked the bucket in 274. Third Duke of York who nearly claimed the crown – Richard Plantagenet didn’t have to march up and down hills again from 1460. Not to be outdone by Felix, Pope Innocent XI gave up reading the bible in 1591, after only three months at the pulpit. Women’s rights and temperance advocate with the ladies underwear named after her – Amelia Jenks Bloomer fell down in 1894. Founder of Philippine Airlines as well as expander of San Miguel brewery – Andrés Soriano Sr., was grounded from 1964. Dead Norwegian of the day, Trygve Halvdan Lie who started people with odd names as Secretary-General of the United Nations was diplomatic about his death in 1968. Heavyweight boxing champion Charles L. ‘Sonny’ Liston hit the ropes in 1970. 41st Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Josef Maria Laurens Theo ‘Jo’ Cals gave up the cabinet for a coffin in 1971. Other half of the Hammerstein song writing team, Richard Charles Rodgers went to a higher and higher place in 1979. Singer John Alfred Moore aka Johnny Moore drifted away in 1998. Iron fisted and deluded ex-dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was a swinger in 2006. Having mentioned St. Vitus’ dance sufferer Roberto ‘Bobby’ Alfonso Farrell yesterday in relation to his hit ‘Rasputin’, here he is again given he was daddy cool in 2010. Creator of St. Trinian’s School, Ronald William Fordham Searle is still wondering which way did he go in 2011. F ilm director Mrinal Sen has been Akash Kusum, (up in the clouds), since 2018. Actress from Gilligan’s Island – Dawn Elberta Wells pulled the ripcord on life in
2020.
With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.
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