Steve and Dave's

Tejano legend & Grammy winner Flaco Jiménez (born today in 1939) was one of the most influential accordionists of all time – he made the button box sing. His stint in the Texas Tornados brought a new audience to Tex-Mex music. Jiménez was flat-out one of all time greats. He passed in 2025.

Few bandleaders were more famous than Lawrence Welk – born on this date in 1903. Welk and his orchestra became a key part of ABC television in the early 1950s – and remained on the network until 1982. Welk was never hip – but his fans were steadfast. “Wunnerful, wunnerful” indeed. Welk died in 1992.

“Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good; They'll stone ya just a-like they said they would” Today in 1966, Bob Dylan recorded “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” at Columbia’s Nashville studio on 16th Avenue South, with Bob Johnston producing. It became the lead track on Blonde on Blonde.

Sportswriter Heywood Hale Broun (born on this date in 1918) wrote for several newspapers on the east coast during the 20th century. His quick wit translated well to television – he joined CBS in 1966 & became well known for his colorful, quirky reports for CBS News. Broun passed in 2001.

The nuanced dramatic series Family premiered on ABC this evening in 1976. It addressed many hot-button topics during its five-season run. Such as solid cast: Meredith Baxter Birney, James Broderick, Quinn Cummings, Gary Frank, Kristy McNichol & Sada Thompson.

Del Close (born today in 1934) had a massive influence on comedy in the late 20th century as a teacher of improv techniques. Close tutored everyone–from Dan Aykroyd to George Wendt – from John Belushi to Amy Poehler. He’s the co-author of Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation. He died in 1999

John Brown remains one of the most complex figures ever to walk American soil. And his actions in Kansas Territory and later at Harpers Ferry show how the U.S. was on a knife-edge regarding enslavement in the 1850s
And that mural is worth seeking out -- it's close to overwhelming

May well be the case. Nevertheless, Meisner had a 10-year run with the group -- and the band's albums from the 1970s will stand the test of time. And Meisner was pivotal to the band's core vocal harmonies (arguably, alongside the Little River Band, some of best of the era)

Kansas released its self-titled debut album today in 1974. Perhaps the prog-rock band’s boldest stroke was to use a portion of John Steuart Curry’s famed mural (Tragic Prelude) as the cover. The massive mural (it’s well over 30’ wide) is located on the 2nd floor of the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka

Randy Meisner (born today in 1946 in Scottsbluff, Neb) journeyed west in 1966 & was an early member of Poco – & played in Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band. He joined Don Henley, Glenn Frey & Bernie Leadon in 1971 to become the Eagles. After the Eagles, Meisner had some solo success. He passed in 2023

The Brady Bunch ended its original run on ABC on this date in 1974. This 117th episode (“The Hair-Brained Scheme” – directed by Jack Arnold) features one of Florence Henderson’s actual children – Barbara Bernstein – in a guest role. The Brady Bunch went into syndication 18 months later.

Jim Bouton (born on this date in 1939) had a serviceable career as a pitcher – most notably with the NY Yankees in the early 1960s. Bouton’s ribald account of his days with the Yankees, Seattle Pilots & Houston Astros – Ball Four (published in 1970) – stirred much controversy. Bouton died in 2019.

totally agree. Bill Payne offers a little secret sauce on keyboards at various points throughout the album.

“I don't wanna know your name; ‘Cause you don’t look the same; The way you did before” Sweet’s massive single – “Fox on the Run” (with Andy Scott blazing away on the synthesizer) – was released today in 1975. Penned by the band, it reached #5 in the U.S. & #2 in Great Britain.

Ed Thrasher (born on this date in 1932) crafted many of the most awesome lp covers of all time. Thrasher designed covers for Jimi Hendrix (Are You Experienced?); Van Morrison (Astral Weeks); Doobie Brothers (Toulouse Street); the Grateful Dead (Anthem of the Sun) & dozens more. Thrasher died in 2006

One of the giants of Western Swing, Bob Wills was born today in 1905 in Kosse, TX. A great live act, Wills was a huge draw for years. Wills & his Texas Playboys were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1968) and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1999) – a rare distinction. Wills died in 1975.

Late night this evening in 1975 on ABC, Geraldo Rivera (on his Good Night America) aired the unedited version of Abraham Zapruder’s film of the assassination of John Kennedy. This was the first time these few seconds of film had been seen by the public – Rivera’s studio audience audibly gasped.

Musician & record engineer James Lowe (born today in 1943) has his first taste of fame in the 1960s as a part of The Electric Prunes. The band charted with “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” (#11 pop) & “Get Me to the World on Time” (#27 pop). Later, Lowe helped record Sparks. Lowe died in 2025.

Vocalist Teena Marie (born today in 1956) burst onto the scene in the late 1970s with I'm a Sucker for Your Love” (#8 R&B). Her pop zenith came in 1984 with “Lovergirl” (which she wrote & produced; #4 pop). She made hits into the late 1980s – such as “Ooo La La La” (#1 R&B). Teena Marie died in 2010

People magazine published its debut issue on this date in 1974. People’s parent company, Time-Life, dealt with harsh criticism at the time for supposedly pandering to the lowest common denominator with a celebrity-driven offering, but People immediately found a loyal readership.

The exuberant Disney animator Ward Kimball (born on this date in 1914) was with Walt Disney at the start. Kimball had a huge role in animating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs & other Disney classics. Kimball also had a big personality & often was put in front of the camera. Kimball passed in 2002.

Director Sidney Lumet’s The Group premiered on this date in 1966. The story of recent graduates of Vasser getting their start in the world features many young actors just beginning to make a splash in Hollywood – including: Candice Bergen, Elizabeth Hartman, Joanna Pettet & Jessica Walter.

As familiar as an old pair of shoes, Andy Griffith starred as Matlock – the series premiered on NBC this evening in 1986. As the laconic but devilishly clever lawyer, Griffith was paired in this first season with Linda Purl (as his daughter – also with a sharp legal mind). Matlock aired until 1995.

While taking a poke or two at the genre, Ian Anderson crafted a prog rock classic. Jethro Tull’s supreme concept album – Thick as a Brick – was released today in 1972. It’s an ambitious effort, but Anderson, Martin Barre, John Evan, Jeffrey Hammond & Barriemore Barlow sound great here.

Richard Minear's Dr. Seuss Goes to War: The World War II Editorial Cartoons of Theodor Seuss Geisel (New Press, 2001) is excellent. Tons of his political cartoons from the era, plus some fascinating backstory. Well worth tracking down.

Absolutely. If they managed to make it through, many survivors were turbo-charged for the rest of their years.

Agreed. And they both graced the pages of Rolling Stone during much of this era -- making it a must read magazine.

Theodor Seuss Geisel (born today in 1904) authored his first book for children (And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street) in the late 1930s. As “Dr. Seuss” Geisel would craft dozens more before he passed in 1991. Geisel also had a fascinating stint as a political cartoonist during World War II.

Tom Wolfe – chronicler of the zeitgeist of the 1960s – was born on this date in 1930. Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968) is one of several high-profile books which tried to explore & explain cultural trends in the U.S. Wolfe was an adventurous & ambitious writer. He passed in 2018.

Robert Clary (born on this date in 1926 in Paris) lived through the Holocaust (including lengthy incarceration at Buchenwald). Two decades later, Clary was featured on Hogan’s Heroes as the plucky Corporal Louis LeBeau, toying with the Nazi leadership of Stalag 13. What a life! Clary passed in 2022.