1941 - Guy ClarkI've been a big fan of this country-songwriter since High School. My favorite song is titled "Hands ( Read more... )

1833 - Alfred Nobel
Inventor of dynamite, he later in life used his fortune to create the Nobel Prizes. I think he should have created a Nobel Prize for facial hair!


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1917 - Thelonious Monk
One of the most incredible Jazz pianist ever! He created the "Bebop" genre along with people like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. This is my absolutely favorite form of jazz music.

"Blue Monk"

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1924 - Ed WoodThis director/producer/screenwriter is the king of the low-budget science fiction and horror ( Read more... )

I don't know what was in the water, but a lot of talent was born on this day.

1926 - John Coltrane
He was to the saxophone what Miles Davis was to the trumpet -REVOLUTIONARY!

John Coltrane Quartet- "Afro Blue"

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1930 - Ray CharlesHe is ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as #10 on their 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. He was born in Albany, ( Read more... )

1828 - Leo Tolstoy
Most know him as the author of "War and Peace", but he was also a profound advocate of nonviolent resistance. His writings had a great impact on Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.


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1901 - Tullio Campagnolo
Campagnolo was an Italian racing cyclist and inventor. He is responsible for inventing quick release hubs, the first deraileurs, and caliper brakes. I don't know if Campagnolo gear is still considered to be the best, but when I was a cyclist in the early 90's it was the bicycle equivalent to Porsche.


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1904 - [William] Count Basie
Jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. His is one of the most influential people in Jazz history.

Count Basie with Clark Terry

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1920 - Christopher Robin Milne
Yup, this is THE "Christopher Robin" of Winnie-the-Pooh fame.

Winnie the Pooh-A Pooh Day Afternoon (Part 1)

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1936 - Wilt ChamberlainConsidered one of the ( Read more... )

1920 - Charles Bukowski
American poet, short-story writer, and novelist. He is known as much for his personality as his writing, but he is an incredible writer (I'm partial to his poetry). The 1987 movie "Barfly" staring Mickey Rourke was written by Bukowski and is viewed as largely biographical.

dinosauria, we

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1929 - Bill EvansAs far as I am ( Read more... )

1822 - Gregor Mendel
Discovered the inheritance of traits.


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1917 - Buddy Rich
Incredible, Incredible Jazz drummer!!!

drum solo (1970)

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1917 - Lena Horne
She is a really talented singer and actress. What a voice!

Stormy Weather (1943)

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Judy Garland and Lena Horne Medley - 1963

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1966 - "Iron" Mike Tyson

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