30th April

42 years ago today, Paul McCartney and Wings released their Red Rose, Speedway album (4^th May 1973 in the UK). It was the 4^th release from McCartney after the Beatles parted company and the 2^nd using the name Wings.

Initially planned as a double album, a good number of the intended tracks were cut, some becoming B-sides to singles and others not seeing the light of day. It was claimed that the reason behind the smaller offering was to release a more commercial and less expensive record. It has to be said that there are few, what I would class as particularly commercial cuts, on the album.

The album ranges from the sublime, such as the hauntingly gorgeous “Little Lamb,Dragonfly” to the out-and-out ridiculous “Loup, (1st Indian on the Moon)” which in Tatty’s opinion was a total waste of vinyl. 

The former track has ignited discussion over the years with many people believing it to contain references to John Lennon. In later years these rumours were subsequently quashed by Sir Paul, who claimed it to be inspired by the story of a lamb on his farm that was so poorly they kept it inside the house overnight. The main remembered track from the piece was the No1 single “My Love”.

Red Rose, Speedway made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 5 in  the UK album charts.

Birthdays on this day include:

The great Dickie Davies in his heyday

Former World of Sport presenter Dickie Davies (81)

One of the singing brothers from Utah, Merrill Osmond (62)

English actor Leslie Grantham, best remembered as Dirty Den from Eastenders (68)

29th April

For today’s anniversary we go way back to the 17^th century, or 1670 to be precise.

Pope Clem X

After 4 months of wrangling and much heated discussion, on this day Pope Clement X was elected, when a vote of 59 to 2 Cardinals chose him to be their new leader.

However Clement (birth name Emilio Bonaventura Altieri), who was well into his 80th year, objected to his election, claiming he was far too old to carry the burden of leading the Catholic church and suggested Cardinal Brancaccio be elected instead.

He persistently continued to refuse the position, complaining that he had not the strength, nor the memory to hold such office, but after much persuasion he finally relented.

Pope Clement X remained in situ for 6 years when he died at the age of 86 after suffering from severe gout.

Today’s famous birthdays include:

Emperor Hirohito, who was the leader of Japan from 25^th December 1926, until his death on 7^th January 1989.

Tuffers

Actress Kate Mulgrew who was Captain Janeway in Star Trek – Voyager (60)

English spin bowler, TV/Radio host and former winner of I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here, Phil (Tuffers) Tuffnell (49)

28th April

The 28^th April is remembered for 2 seafaring anniversaries.

Cook portrait

On this day in 1770 Captain James Cook, aboard HMS Endeavour, landed at Australia’s Botany Bay.

The area was initially named Stingray Bay by Cook because of the many stingrays caught there. But soon after he changed his mind and re-named it Botany Bay, because of the abundance of plant life.

19 years later, on this day in 1789, Fletcher Christian led the mutiny on HMS Bounty against its captain William Bligh.

Disaffected Christian and his ship-mates seized control of the vessel when in the South Pacific and turned Captain Bligh, and 18 of his fellow loyalists, adrift in an open launch.

Famous birthdays today include:

Nelle Harper Lee

Author of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee (89)

Radio dee-jay and TV personality Vernon Kay (41)

Former Zimbabwean cricket captain and ex-England coach Andy Flower (47)

27th April

Today would have been the birthday of legendary US dee-jay and actor Casey Kasem.

Born in 1932, Kemal Amin Kasem (better known to the world as Casey) was best known for creating the music radio program ‘American Top 40’ and also was the voice of Shaggy on the TV cartoon "Scooby-Doo".

A native of Detroit, Casem was a vegan and quit the role of Shaggy in 1995 when asked to provide the character's voice for a Burger King commercial. He subsequently returned to the role 7 years later, after negotiating to have Shaggy become vegetarian.

Casem died as recently as last June, at the age of 82.

Other famous birthdays today include:

Darcey in 2012

Dr Who and former Emmerdale actress Jenna Coleman (29)

Strictly Come Dancing judge and prima ballerina Darcey Bussell (46).

Scottish recording artist and actress Sheena Easton (55).