Who On Earth Do You Think You Are?

"You have got to say what we know in the booth" ABC Sports Frank Gifford said to ABC Sports Howard Cosell during the ABC Monday Night Football telecast of the game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins from the famed Orange Bowl in Miami.

That was a different day for our millennial followers. It was through the words of the legendary Cosell that the greater majority of our nation learned the news.

The news broke the hearts of millions.

Ex-Beatle John Lennon had been tragically murdered in front of his apartment in the Dakota Building off Central Park in New York City.

It was 35 years ago. December 8, 1980.

For all those who fail to respect the rights of our citizens and think their individual problems are solved through violence, it is my great hope the karma for you is instant and swift.

Losing Legends

Frank Gifford was a legend in the NFL, a Hall of Fame player with the New York Giants and a longtime staple in the booth of ABC's Monday Night Football. Gifford still holds the record for the most touchdowns scored by a New York Giant.  In those years, Gifford was rivaled in the Big Apple by only New York Yankee Mickey Mantle.

By all accounts, Gifford was wonderful man who lived a storybook life in a game we all cherish.  But suddenly on Sunday, the nation learned Gifford died of natural causes at 84.

Gifford, who starred at Southern Cal before entering the NFL, had retired before I became a big fan of the game, but I was very familiar with him with his announcing career. Gifford was well known to many from his lovely wife, Kathie Lee, who rose to incredible fame due to her hosting, with Regis Philbin, of the daytime talk show Regis and Kathie Lee.

It was Gifford, in the ABC Monday Night Football booth with Howard Cosell, who pressed Cosell that they needed to convey to the country the horribly sad news that came their way via ABC News flash, the news that former Beatle John Lennon has been shot dead outside of his Manhattan apartment.

Prior to internet and in large measure cable television, it was how America learned of Lennon's death, which affected many of us deeply.  I saw and heard it live, for it was my Miami Dolphins in action hosting the New England Patriots on that evening, December 8, 1980, from Miami's Orange Bowl.

Gifford was a part of Americana, and the large impact he had on the American sporting landscape was invaluable and greatly appreciated.


We woke up this morning to learn that NASCAR legend Buddy Baker has passed away at 74.

It was shortly after the Coke Zero 500 when Baker, the 1980 Daytona 500 champion, announced he was stepping down from NASCAR broadcasts due to an inoperable tumor in his lung. Baker, at 6'6" and nicknamed the "Gentle Giant" due his stature coupled with friendly demeanor, will be greatly missed in the NASCAR community.

 

"Do not shed a tear. Give a smile when you say my name." Consider that done!

Sadly, we are starting to lose many of the legends we grew up with.  We need to keep their memories alive.

Bright Are The Stars That Shine

On this Sunday, fifty years ago, America changed forever.



On February 9, 1964, Ed Sullivan welcomed The Beatles to make their US television debut by performing live in the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City on The Ed Sullivan Show before what turned out to be a television audience of an unprecedented 77 million people.  The first song The Beatles played was "All My Loving".

Such a success it was, The Beatles remained at The Warwick Hotel and performed again the following Sunday, promoting their new single, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".

The Beatles are part of the fabric of America, four talented individuals from Liverpool, perhaps divinely inspired to meet, who transformed music and inspired a collection of musical artists, many of whom comprise what has been referred to as part of the British Invasion during the mid to late sixties.

It is worth noting the innovation exhibited by this group is second to none, emerging with what many consider these days as pop music, to releasing the first real hard rock album in "The Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and continuing to release stellar efforts individually after the breakup of the band.  Each had great success, with both John Lennon and Paul McCartney each individually releasing singles considered among the best of all time.

While many these days do not speak of The Beatles as one of their favorite bands, only musical nincompoops fail to adequately recognize their place as one of, if not the greatest, band of all time.  The greater majority of music composed by The Beatles are a brilliant, timeless collection of art, which will never be matched, particularly considering the small window of time, 1962-70, the band was together.

Without a portfolio of tunes second to none, would anyone be crazy enough to attempt to list the best Beatles songs in order?  Many have, and the variances are welcomed and no doubt personal preference.   As such. few can mount a legitimate argument against any such list.

Below is my list, a Top 25, which is mostly comprised of The Beatles early material. 

1.      In My Life
2.      While My Guitar Gently Weeps
3.      Abbey Road Medley
4.      Revolution
5.      And I Love Her



6.      I Wanna Hold Your Hand
7.      If I Fell



8.      Here There and Everywhere
9.      Tax Man
10.    Let It Be
11.    Ticket To Ride
12.    She Loves You
13.    Please Mister Postman



14.    Help
15.    Do You Wanna Know A Secret
16.    Something
17.    Nowhere Man
18.    You Can't Do That



19.    Eight Days A Week
20.    Should Have Known Better
21.    Eleanor Rigby
22.    Tell Me Why



23.    The Long And Winding Road
24.    Yesterday
25.    Things We Said Today

I love many songs left off the list, such as Twist and Shout, Drive My Car, Day Tripper, Helter Skelter, I Feel Fine, Paperback Writer, A Day in the Life, Strawberry Fields Forever, Don't Let Me Down, Penny Lane, Oh Darling and Please Please Me. 

In an unspeakable tragedy, John Lennon was murdered in New York City on December 8, 1980, shortly after emerging with a very strong comeback album, Double Fantasy.  Most of America found out the horrible news from ABC's Howard Cosell, broadcasting an NFL Monday Night Football game with the New England Patriots visiting the Miami Dolphins. Lennon's talent was immense.  George Harrison sadly died in 2001 of lung cancer at only 58 years of age.  Ringo Starr, who had the first individual hit to reach #1, is doing very well and traveling around performing with his  All Star Band.  Always great to see Ringo and that infectious smile of his.  Peace and Love!  Paul McCartney is still performing, selling our venues all over the world.  The individual efforts of McCartney, beginning with his early work with Wings, continues to cast in stone his place as simply the greatest singer songwriter of all time.

This Sunday evening, 50 years to the day, CBS will broadcast a special event, The Night That Changed America, a Grammy Salute to The Beatles.  It should be mandatory viewing.



Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr

Bright are the stars that shine.



And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love, you make!