Wow, I was afraid we were gonna come up empty today. But finally, we have somebody interesting and snark-worthy. Happy birthday, 1887 style, to Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, etc etc. He was the most successful British commander of WWII, mostly because the rest of them got their asses kicked. He had a combination of luck and better luck. He took over in Egypt at about the time when US supplies for the 8th Army were coming in fast, Axis forces were worn down and at the end of their possible supply lines, and when things were overall at the darkest point of the War there. Then, he just sat and built up his forces while watching those of Rommel decay and rust, and finally, when the odds were overwhelmingly in his favor and Rommel could- almost literally- not move his vehicles, attacked. And won a miraculous victory! Later, he showed himself as being unwilling to take the slightest chance, unwilling to cooperate with anyone, and showed himself to be just a massive pain in the asses of everyone else. Despite his reputation and his competence, he damn near got fired near the end of the War, simply because nobody, least of all his commander Eisenhower, wanted to put up with him for a minute more. At that point, his staff officers managed to make it clear to him (finally!) that an ounce of STFU goes a long way.
Want to read a great series of books on the Civil War? Then get thee to a bookstore, and tell them you want "The Civil War: A Narrative" by Shelby Foote. Then tell them today is his birthday, and they'll give it to you for free.*
He-man actor Rock Hudson was born on this date in 1925. It turns out, of course, that when people called him "a man's man", they meant it literally. He was handsome, charming, and talented. And yet nobody knew he was gay? Huh?
If you're in the mood for some 70s style singer-songwriter stuff, then celebrate with birthday boy Gordon Lightfoot. His distinctive style- I remember my family joking about him holding his nose while he sang, to get that distinct sound- has been overshadowed by the fact that he just plain wrote some great stuff. For a good laugh, track down the album "Up close and alone" by Burton Cummings, in which he does a song called "Gordon Lightfoot does Maggie May"; singing the Rod Stewart song as it would sound if Lightfoot was performing it. To anyone familiar with Lightfoot, it's hilariously accurate. And he explains in the album notes that he had in fact performed it for Gordon.
Hollywood people will celebrate the birth of Martin Scorsese. But really, what can you say about him?
1944 saw the dual births of Danny DeVito and Lorne Michaels. I've tried to get confirmation that DeVito was an unexpected addition to an early attempt by scientists at genetic engineering, but for some reason nobody at his office will confirm it (just kidding). As for Michaels, well he brought us Saturday Night Live. 30 years ago, that would be worthy of fireworks and applause. Now, it's worthy of eye-rolls and boredom, combined with a wish that a great memory of my adolescence wouldn't be destroyed any more. Oh, and also born on that day, Tom Seaver. Is it too late to go back and make the genetic engineering joke about him and DeVito? Guess I ought to read the whole list before I start to write, huh?
In 1946, we saw the nativity of Mr. Martin "Lancelot" Barre. He was not, however, born at the mighty marimba. If you aren't aware, he's best known for being a key part of Jethro Tull. Not as key as Ian Anderson of course, but then who is?
The surprisingly cool Stephen Root was also born on this date. He's best known as Mr James in NewsRadio, and was also the blind record producer of The Soggy Bottom Boys in "Oh Brother, where art thou", a great movie you should see.
Speaking of hot Cuban chicks, happy birthday to Daisy Fuentes. Apparently, she's doing quite well for herself in the clothing and perfume business. And she's sorta single. So if she's reading this... call me, Daisy. It'll be worth your while.
It's also a birthday for Isaac Hanson, one of the brothers in Hanson. No idea which one, but I'll go ahead and guess "the drummer". Go to youtube and watch their video of "I've been thinking 'bout something", which is awesome.
And we'll end there. Good thing, because I have to dash someplace.
*your results may vary.
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