Monthly Archives: June 2020

George Harrison tracks ‘What Is Life’ and ‘Beware of Darkness’ in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1970)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'George Harrison - "What Is Life" Early Backing Track'

(Tuesday, June 23, 1970; during sessions for All Things Must Pass) — George Harrison began recording a second attempt of “What Is Life” and began recording “Beware of Darkness” for his triple-disc album All Things Must Pass, Harrison’s first release as a solo artist following the break-up of The Beatles, today at EMI Studio 3 in London. Continue reading George Harrison tracks ‘What Is Life’ and ‘Beware of Darkness’ in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1970) →

Stuart Sutcliffe of The Beatles born in Edinburgh, Scotland 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s, The Beatles 1940s


Video: 'Stuart Sutcliffe, The Lost Beatle'

(Sunday, June 23, 1940) — Scottish painter and musician Stuart Sutcliffe, better known as the original bass guitarist of the English rock band The Beatles, was born Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe today at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh, Scotland. Continue reading Stuart Sutcliffe of The Beatles born in Edinburgh, Scotland 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940) →

Divided Democrats nominate two separate presidential tickets 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1860)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Upheaval at the 1860 Democratic Convention: What Happened When a Party Split | Retro Report'

(Saturday, June 23, 1860) — Deeply divided over the issue of slavery, delegates at the 1860 Democratic National Convention meeting today at the Front Street Theater in Baltimore nominated Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois for President of the United States. Continue reading Divided Democrats nominate two separate presidential tickets 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1860) →

Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler tours occupied Paris in triumph 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Hitler in Paris - The Secret 1940 Visit'

(Sunday, June 23, 1940, Hitler was on the ground from 5:45-8:30 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of the World War II) — One day after France signed the Armistice of 22 June 1940 with Germany, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler celebrated the victory with a tour of Paris early this morning. Continue reading Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler tours occupied Paris in triumph 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940) →

John Lennon records more demos in Bermuda for next studio album 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1980)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'John Lennon home demos (Early - November 1980)' (June 22, 1980, clips 33-37)

(Sunday, June 22, 1980) — Former Beatle John Lennon, on his twelfth day visiting Bermuda (after sailing on a yacht from Newport, Rhode Island), recorded more demos of musical compositions for what would become his first studio albums (with his wife, Yoko Ono) in five years, Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey. Continue reading John Lennon records more demos in Bermuda for next studio album 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1980) →

France forced to sign armistice with Nazi Germany near Compiègne 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Franco-German Armistice: Hitler (1940)' (Note: film of Hitler himself was taken June 21, 1940)

(Saturday, June 22, 1940, 6:50 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Battle of France, part of Western Front of the World War II) — The Armistice of 22 June 1940 between Germany and France was signed tonight near Compiègne, France, by officials of Nazi Germany and the French Third Republic. Continue reading France forced to sign armistice with Nazi Germany near Compiègne 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940) →

‘Imagination’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, June 22, 1940) — “Imagination” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Ray Eberle) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Imagination’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940) →

John Lennon begins recording demos in Bermuda for ‘Double Fantasy’ album 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 21 1980)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'John Lennon home demos (Early - November 1980)' (June 21, 1980, clips 26-32)

(Saturday, June 21, 1980) — Former Beatle John Lennon, on his eleventh day visiting Bermuda (after sailing on a yacht from Newport, Rhode Island), began recording demos of musical compositions for what would become his first studio albums (with his wife, Yoko Ono) in five years, Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey. Continue reading John Lennon begins recording demos in Bermuda for ‘Double Fantasy’ album 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 21 1980) →

Republicans nominate McKinley-Roosevelt ticket 120 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 21 1900)

1900s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Theodore Roosevelt Biography' (1900 Republican National Convention at 7:45)

(Thursday, June 21, 1900) — President William McKinley of Ohio was unanimously nominated for a second term as President of the United States today at the 1900 Republican National Convention meeting at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. Continue reading Republicans nominate McKinley-Roosevelt ticket 120 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 21 1900) →