I came so close to losing my way. I can't believe it. I mean, how long have they been on the planet anyway? Look, I know I'm writing about it now, but it's to make my point. I don't mean to bash on a nine-year-old kid who's just starting his life - if anybody needs a break from judgement, it's a kid. He didn't pick his family. He didn't really pick what he's doing with his life. But the only reason I would have written about him yesterday is that he's got a name that might have gotten some site hits. But it's not going to be what I want to write about.
So, Happy Birthday to Frankie Jonas (the one that doesn't sing yet), and thank you for making me realize why I'm doing this blog in the first place. You're the only one I'm going to write about for the forseeable future; I can't see myself writing about the others until the world's half-forgotten about them...
Happy Birthday to Jennifer Rush, the woman who introduced the world to "The Power of Love." The 80's ballad, co-written by Rush, is still her biggest hit and most recognizable song. She took that song to the top of the charts in 7 countries - not the U.S., it didn't even scratch the top 40. Laura Branagan got to do that two years later, rocking it just a little bit harder, turning it into a top 20 hit, and inadvertantly convincing a lot of Americans (like me) that she wrote it. Then Celine Dion, in her world-conquering phase, took the song to number 1 in North America. Meanwhile, Maurice Stein's baby girl can't get a break in the US, although she's a star to the rest of the world.
Why isn't her version the one you hear when you're shopping for canned peas? Couldn't say?
Today is the birthday of Quentin Kawananakoa, head of the only royal family in America. Quentin's family, the House of Kawanankoa, are the descendents of the royal Hawaiian family that ruled the islands before they were deposed in 1893. Even today, among some of the indigenous Hawaiian population, he is referred to as "Prince Quentin Kawananakoa." These days, however, Quentin is an organizer within the Hawaiian Republican Party. This royal heritage is, for the most part, just something to put on business cards and talk about at parties, except...Did you know that 2009 observed the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's annexation of the state? There wasn't a lot of fanfare for the occasion, because of a more vocal nativist movement. Some want a semi-independet status, similar to Puerto Rico; others want outright secession and reinstatement of the Hawaiian royal line in a constitutional monarchy. Don't worry; Obama will still be an American...
Ginger Fish (an amalgam of classic film starlet Ginger Rogers and serial killer Albert Fish) plays the drums for Marilyn Manson, which would presumably be a dangerous job in the first place. But being Manson's drummer might be more hazardous for your health than playing for Spinal Tap. Given Manson's penchant for smashing his own guitar along with whatever else is on stage - such as Fish's drum kit, while Fish is still behind it - Fish has had his share of injuries at the hands of Manson: a mic stand to the head, a guitar to the hand, a broken collarbone, surgeries for his back and knees... Yet he was on this year's album and tour. Dude needs an intervention...
Here's one of Manson's driving numbers:
Marilyn Manson The Fight Song
Finally, Happy Birthday to Janeane Garofalo, just because she's funny. Unfortunately, all the video I find is her NSFW stand-up routines(and I'm trying to keep a PG-13 column here) or interviews for "Ratatouille" (which wouldn't be a great example of why she's great.) And I wasn't sure how a Comedy Central embed looks...
| Shorties Watchin' Shorties | Check TV Schedule | |||
| Janeane Garofalo - Evil Cake | ||||
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Kind of garish, isn't it? Hope you find the video in there...
Aw, well. Back to fighting the good fight...
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