Jul 27, 2021

Missile Defense

  


An interesting paper about missile defense of Chicago during the Cold War. Thinking the unthinkable.

http://ed-thelen.org/C-41-Epperson/


We visited a Nike Site while in Cub Scouts. I have no idea which one.

I served in a Marine unit for one year that shot similar but smaller HAWK (Homing All The Way Killer) Missiles, defending from low flying attack aircraft. We were successful - Yuma, Arizona was never attacked while I was there.  The Hawks were used during the first few years of the Vietnam War, and Israel used them effectively during their wars. 

It is not so easy to hit a fast jet aircraft. A good thing the bad guys never launched.


Jul 18, 2021

Grand Tetons

 


One photo by Ancel Adams and one by Al Linsenmeyer MPHS Jan 66.  Guess which on is Adams.



The Three-Minute Mozart

My former neighbor writes an interesting and eclectic Blog:  https://www.richardnisley.com/

His latest post below:


The Three-Minute Mozart

Pop Culture Released - Jul 17, 2021

Beatles' producer George Martin called him "The Three-Minute Mozart". He was referring to Paul McCartney, of course, and to his gift for composing memorable melodies, such as "Yesterday" and "Michelle".

Even before composing these two classic Beatles' ballads, McCartney revealed his ear for melody, when he sang two show tunes, "A Taste of Honey", on the Beatles' debut album (PLEASE, PLEASE ME, March 1963), and "Till There Was You", on their second album (WITH THE BEATLES, November 1963).

It was on their third album (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, July 1964) that McCartney wrote his first bonafide ballad, "And I Love Her."

After that, you could count on at least one McCartney ballad on each new Beatles' album, beginning with "I'll Follow the Sun" on their fourth album (BEATLES FOR SALE, December 1964).

Being a classically-trained musician, George Martin had an exceptional ear for music, and was deeply moved when, in early 1965, McCartney presented him with "Yesterday". Martin was so taken with the ballad that he composed an arresting arrangement for string quartet. But would the public buy it, mixing classical music instruments with a pop song? In fact, they loved it, making "Yesterday" the Beatles' biggest selling song of all time. The ballad appeared on the Beatles fifth album (HELP! August 1965).

What follows is a list of McCartney's ballads, a word about the instrumental accompaniment, and the albums on which they appeared.

"Michelle" – (RUBBER SOUL, December 1965 ). This time Martin scored the arrangement quite simply, for guitar and piano.

"Eleanore Rigby" and "For No One" (REVOLVER, August 1966) , With "Eleanor Rigby" Martin scored the accompaniment for double string quartet. John Lennon considered "For No One" to be one of Paul's best songs ever; the French Horn heard on the bridge, and as counter-point in the final verse, was performed at Martin's direction, by Alan Civil, who considered it among his finest work in the recording studio.

"She's Leaving Home" – ("SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND", June 1967). This time, the arrangement for small string orchestra was composed not by George Martin, but by one of his lieutenants, Mike Leander.

"The Fool on the Hill" – (MAGICAL MYSTER TOUR, November 1967). The flute accompaniment was performed at McCartney's direction, by Ray Thomas, of the Moody Blues.

"Martha My Dear", "I Will", "Blackbird", and "Mother Nature's Son." – (THE BEATLES, aka "The White Album" November 1968). The only instrumentation on "I Will" and "Blackbird" is acoustic guitar, by Paul, while "Martha My Dear" features piano by Paul, and a string arrangement by George Martin; "Mother Nature's Son" features acoustic guitar by Paul, and a muted brass arrangement by George Martin.

Also recorded during the White Album sessions, was McCartney's seminal "Hey Jude" featuring Paul on piano, and on the long coda a string arrangement by George Martin Released as a single in August 1968, the song stayed atop Billboard's Hot One-Hundred for nine weeks.

"Let It Be" and "The Long and Winding Road" – (LET IT BE, May, 1970). The title track is a gospel tune that songwriter Paul Simon considered to be the equal of his gospel masterpiece, "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

"The Long and Winding Road", is a haunting ballad that guest producer Phil Spector enhanced with string orchestra and choir. McCartney always resented Spectator's enhancement as overcooked, and strongly believed the original version was superior. In 2003, McCartney met with Apple recording engineers to remove Spector's enhancements, and return the song to its original sound, which can be heard on LET IT BE . . . NAKED (Nov, 2003).

"Oh! Darling", "Golden Slumbers" – (ABBEY ROAD, Sept. 1969). This time, McCartney's ballads were upstaged, by George Harrison' two ballads: "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun", and by Lennon's gem for three-part harmony, "Because."

What's interesting is that most of McCartney's ballads are rather sad songs, in stark contrast to his happy-go-lucky nature.

- END -

Jul 7, 2021

Uncle Johnny Coons

Go Figure. I can't remember what I did 30 minutes ago but I can remember Uncle Johnny Coons and his theme song. I woke up thinking about him.  Quick, do you remember him and his theme song?








Uncle Johnny Coons

  1. I'm the fellow that you see, On TV

    Your Uncle Johnny, Yes Sireeee

    Uncle Johnny was once the hottest thing on Chicago television between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. with the exception of one other entertainer, Howdy Doody.


    The fathers of the 1950s might not recognize his name because he was strictly a daytime phenomenon. But he commanded the allegiance of a generation of mothers, for whom he was an indefatigable baby-sitter who could be switched on and trusted to rivet the attention of his young charges.


  2. His ``eating orders`` to children were appreciated by mothers who had tried in vain to get their kids to eat nourishing meals and drink their milk. ``I think if he asked my son to eat a rubber inner-tube salad, he`d do it,`` said one mother.

  3. Perhaps an even better measure of his popularity was Chicago`s annual Christmas parade, during which the cheers of children lining the sidewalks were even greater for Uncle Johnny than for old Santa himself. After all, Santa is a mythical, awe-inspiring figure who appears in many incarnations, on street corners, in advertisements and in department stores around Christmastime. Santa not only brings toys but may be used as a threat by parents, who warn that bad little girls and boys will find their stockings empty on Christmas morning.
    Johnny Coons, on the other hand, remained true to his show business heritage by treating children with unfailing respect on his ``Noontime Comics`` and ``King Calico`` television shows.

  4. ``I never talk down to youngsters. They`re smarter than parents realize,`` he once said. ``I understand the nonsense kids love. And I`m always honest with them. Play square with the kids and they`ll open their hearts to you.
  5. ______________

Johnny Coons (1916–1975)

Actor | 

Official Photos »

Johnny Coons was born on August 2, 1916 in Lebanon, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The Adventures of Uncle Mistletoe (1948), My Living Doll (1964) and The Woody Woodpecker Show (1940). He was married to Tasma Coons. He died on July 6, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. See full bio »

Born: August 2, 1916 in Lebanon, Indiana, USA

Died: July 6, 1975 (age 58) in Chicago, Illinois, USA
  1. ______________

  2. Read more or watch a video below:


    Uncle Johnny Coons - Chicago Television

    chicagotelevision.com/johnnycoons.htm

    A young Uncle Johnny Ask any life-long Chicagoan what was the most popular program on noontime television and they will undoubtedly say Bozo's Circus!

  3. Uncle Johnny Made Quite A Show Of Entertaining Kids - Chicago ...

    articles.chicagotribune.com › Featured Articles › Marshall Field

    Nov 3, 1985 - If Uncle Johnny Coons was right, there are still many Chicagoans who remember his name. ``Children are a loyal audience,`` he once said in  ...
  4. Images for uncle johnny coons

     - Report images

  5. Uncle Johnny Coons (TV Series 1955– ) - IMDb

    www.imdb.com/title/tt0463845/

    WELL, well! Whatta ya know! It's another Show that originated in Chicago (My Home Town!) that made it up to the "Big Leagues!" Although there were many ...

  6. Johnny Coons - IMDb

    www.imdb.com/name/nm0177802/

    Johnny Coons, Actor: King Calico. ... Update information for Johnny Coons » ... 1949 The Adventures of Uncle Mistletoe (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode).

  7. LaGrange Ill Pet Parade 1950s with Mary Hartline and Uncle Johnny ...

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apSIU_lp7E

    Oct 24, 2010 - Uploaded by wagfelt
    I was one of thousands of kids who watched Uncle Johnny Coons' TV show and loved him. Wish there were footage of that show! Reply ·.

  8. Uncle Johnny Coons on NBC - TV Guide

    www.tvguide.com/tvshows/uncle-johnny-coons/205240

    Uncle Johnny Coons Episodes - Read the latest episode guides from Uncle Johnny Coons from NBC, Find Cast and Listings Information and More.

  9. The Uncle Johnny Coons Show - TV.com

    www.tv.com/shows/the-uncle-johnny-coons-show/

     Rating: 4.7/10 - ‎5 votes
    The Uncle Johnny Coons Show: Watch full length episodes & video clips. Read the latest The Uncle Johnny Coons Show episode guides & recaps, fan reviews, ...

  10. Howard's Notes Johnny Coons - iMayberry.com

    www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/anewsome/.../johnny_coons.htm

    WHO IS JOHNNY COONS? The man you see there on the right is Mr. Johnny Coons. He was also known as "Uncle Johnny Coons" and he was the star of  ...

  11. Characters | Uncle Johnny Coons | TV Shows | PopStar

    www.popstar.com › TV Shows › Uncle Johnny Coons

    Uncle Johnny Coons Character Biographies. Learn All About the Characters Behind the Television Show Uncle Johnny Coons.

  12. Sharing memories of children's shows of yesteryear - Morning Call

    articles.mcall.com/2003-07-25/.../3492343_1_show-television-kid

    Jul 25, 2003 - I asked the dealer about Uncle Johnny Coons and was informed that he was an early kid's television star in Chicago. The price was $10,  ...