30 million people see Tiny Tim wed ‘Miss Vicky’ on ‘Tonight Show’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1969)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: '30 million viewers watch Tiny Tim's wedding on 'Tonight Show''

(Wednesday, December 17, 1969, 11:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. EST) — In a record for an American late-night television show, at least 30 million people tuned in tonight to watch the wedding of 37-year-old falsetto-voiced singer Herbert Buckingham Khaury, better known by his stage name Tiny Tim, and his 17-year-old bride, Victoria Mae Budinger, nicknamed “Miss Vicky,” on The Tonight Show, hosted by Johnny Carson.

The ceremony itself took place before an audience of 250 people at 7:43 p.m. EST during the videotaping of The Tonight Show at its studio at the NBC television network’s headquarters in New York.

Tiny Tim, famous for his bestselling recording of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” walked to the altar through 10,000 tulips imported from the Netherlands for the occasion.

‘The Simpsons’ animated sitcom series debuts on Fox-TV 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1989)

1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'The Simpsons Intro Season 1 1990'

(Sunday, December 17, 1989, 8:30-9:00 p.m. EST) — The American animated sitcom television series The Simpsons, a satirical depiction of working-class life, epitomized by the Simpson family, debuted tonight on Fox. Continue reading ‘The Simpsons’ animated sitcom series debuts on Fox-TV 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1989) →

McCartney & Wings perform again at The Apollo in Glasgow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1979)

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


Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings Live In Glasgow, 12/17/79'

(Monday, December 17, 1979, 7:30 p.m. GMT; during the Wings UK Tour 1979) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his band Wings performed the second of two shows tonight at The Apollo in Glasgow, Scotland, the final date of the group’s 19-date tour of the United Kingdom to promote their recent album, Back to the Egg. Continue reading McCartney & Wings perform again at The Apollo in Glasgow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1979) →

Lennon, Ono announce major ‘peace and musical festival’ in Toronto 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1969)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'John & Yoko December 1969' (Dec. 17, 1969, at 33:42-35:50/44:32-44:53)

(Wednesday, December 17, 1969) — John Lennon of The Beatles and his wife, Yoko Ono, having flown from London to Toronto the previous day, gave a press conference today at the city’s Ontario Science Centre to launch what they hoped would be the beginning of “Year One A.P. (After Peace),” the latest and most grandiose phase of their antiwar campaign. Continue reading Lennon, Ono announce major ‘peace and musical festival’ in Toronto 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1969) →

McCartney & Wings perform at The Apollo in Glasgow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1979)

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


Video: 'Paul McCartney Live At Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, UK (Sunday 16th December 1979)'

(Sunday, December 16, 1979, 7:30 p.m. GMT; during the Wings UK Tour 1979) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his band Wings performed tonight at The Apollo in Glasgow, Scotland, the 18th of the group’s 19-date tour of the United Kingdom to promote their recent album, Back to the Egg. Continue reading McCartney & Wings perform at The Apollo in Glasgow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1979) →

‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939)

1930s, African-American Civil Rights, American Civil War, movies 1930s


Video: ''Gone With the Wind' trailer

(Friday, December 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Gone with the Wind, an American epic historical romance film about Scarlett O’Hara’s battle to save her beloved Tara and find love during the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Loew’s Grand Theatre at the corner of Peachtree and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta. Continue reading ‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939) →

Lennon, Harrison perform at Lyceum Ballroom in London 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1969)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'Cold Turkey/Don't worry Kyoko-Plastic Ono Band live at Lyceum Ballroom, London War Is Over 1969'

(Tuesday, December 16, 1969, approximately at midnight-12:40 a.m.) — John Lennon of The Beatles headlined the Peace For Christmas UNICEF concert tonight at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, performing as the Plastic Ono Band, which in this case, included fellow Beatle George Harrison. Continue reading Lennon, Harrison perform at Lyceum Ballroom in London 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1969) →

McCartney & Wings perform at Odeon Cinema in Edinburgh 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1979)

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


Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings Live In Edinburgh, 12/15/79'

(Saturday, December 15, 1979, 7:30 p.m. GMT; during the Wings UK Tour 1979) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his band Wings performed tonight at Odeon Cinema in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 17th stop of the group’s 19-date tour of the United Kingdom to promote their recent album, Back to the Egg. Continue reading McCartney & Wings perform at Odeon Cinema in Edinburgh 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1979) →

‘Take the Long Way Home’ by Supertramp peaks at #10 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1979)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 15, 1979) — “Take the Long Way Home” by Supertramp peaked at #10 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks. Continue reading ‘Take the Long Way Home’ by Supertramp peaks at #10 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1979) →

‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by The Buggles peaks at #40 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1979)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 15, 1979) — “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles peaked at #40 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by The Buggles peaks at #40 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1979) →