Human Interest

The designers behind the “Alternative Love Blueprint” are back with a map of the world. Only this map uses song titles instead of place names.

There are numerous music legends...the icons whose music and lyrics remain at the top of anyone's list having been covered over and over again. Many are recognized for their accomplishments through music awards, nominations and wins. A few are commemorated in other ways, such as US postage stamps.

Today in Music History: October 8

Today we are going to begin our music history with something different. A connection will be made to the yardbirds below and a group that started recording in 1965 under the name The Yardbirds. How cool when history presents itself in an unexpected manner! You might be dating yourself by the number of mugshots you recognize but it is all in the name of fun!

Today in Music History: September 20

I Fought The Law  (but the law won), name the mugshots...

Today's History Lesson...the movies

Sometimes it takes only one movie...just one...to kick start the careers of film actors and directors. Then, the movie itself goes on to become a classic, an American icon. These are the films that truly bring back the memories as you stroll down memory lane revisiting the scenes and listening to the music of the era!

This Day in History: August 11, 1973

July 13 is...
Barbershop Music Appreciation Day,

which was created in 2005 by Sweet Adelines International, "a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony." It was started to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of their organization. To appreciate barbershop music begins with first understanding its history.

A Bit of Barbershop History

There was a time when harmony thrived in a barbershop as celebrated back in April on Barbershop Quartet Day. The harmonizing came about while men waited their turn for a haircut. That's one way to pass the time and prevent boredom! At least it's the way it was in the last half of the 19th century. Not so much today since Barbershops are almost a thing of the past. Men now go to 'salons' much the same as their counterpart, women and women perform barbershop music much the same as their counterpart, men.

Elements of rock 'n' roll date back to blues records in the 20s and country records of the 30s. It was not until the 50s when the name branded its place in music history. Its evolution is USA all the way combining African-American genres in the 40s and 50s, such as blues, boogie-woogie, jump blues, jazz and gospel.

Today in Music History: June 26, 1955

Song: Midnight - Caravan Palace Applications: - Google Earth Pro - Adobe After Effects CC Locations: - 0:09 New York, USA - 0:17 Namib Desert, Namibia

Why do we dance? African-American social dances started as a way for enslaved Africans to keep cultural traditions alive and retain a sense of inner freedom. They remain an affirmation of identity and independence. In this electric demonstration, packed with live performances, choreographer, educator and TED Fellow Camille A. Brown explores what happens when communities let loose and express themselves by dancing together.

"Life imitated art in early 1980 when South African school children, fed up with an inferior apartheid-era education system, took to chanting the lyrics of Pink Floyd‘s 'Another Brick in the Wall.' The song, with its memorable line stating, “We don’t need no education,” had held the top spot on the local charts for almost three months, a total of seven weeks longer than it did in America. By May 2, 1980, the South African government had issued a ban on 'Another Brick in the Wall,' creating international headlines."

Yes! Life IS music. It is all around us in everything we do. We may not deem it 'music' at the time but listen closely enough and the surrounding sounds will become melodic in their own way. Perception, interpretation and motivation join hands as thoughts revolve around the harmonies of everyday life. Observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest! See your life in terms of music.

In August 1969, one of the most celebrated music festivals in history took place at a time when Americans were deeply divided. Over 400,000 people from across the country gathered to celebrate "Three Days of Peace and Music." The three days of legendary performances, unimaginable mud, and unforgettable experiences helped the Woodstock Music and Art Fair become a symbol of an entire generation.

Today in Music History: August 15-18, 1969

Are you a Baby Boomer? Whether you are or not, there is a good chance you are familiar with the Three Days of Peace and Music that became a symbol of an entire generation - the original Woodstock Festival and Where the Seeds of Woodstock were Sown. These occurred during the Decade that Changed a Nation - the 60s. Perhaps you lived it or simply heard about it falling in love with the music of the times. The scheduled three-day concert rolled into a fourth day encompassing lots of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll - plus a lot of mud. Woodstock of the 80s is quite a different story...


Today in Music History: July 13

"Where there is music, there's life! Where there is life, there's music!" 

There is absolutely no separation. From the sound of the first morning yawn to night's last sigh, music is in the air, everywhere. It is the chirping cricket, a kitten's soft purr-r-r-r-r, a newborn baby's cry, the kitchen all a whir-r-r-r-r! When chores are to be done, the radio is on keeping everything in balance breaking the sound of silence.

It is the songs of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Music = Life, Life = Music

Today in Music History: May 24