The Day in Rock (and other stuff)

This past Monday was National Goof-Off Day, the spirit of which I embraced with enthusiasm!  So much so, in fact, that I’ve let that Goofing-Off vibe continue right on through the week.   It’s been working for me, but now it’s Thursday and I haven’t accomplished diddly.  Well, no precedent established there.  But I suppose reason enough to motivate myself to do something somewhat productive.  So here I offer some items of note that might coincide with or  jog your memory back to a significant March event in your own life.   Or maybe you’ll just go “Geez, that makes me feel old!”  Cheers!

66 years ago – In 1955, “Blackboard Jungle” was released . It was banned from many theaters for its violent content.  “Rock Around the Clock” opens and closes the film, and rock-n-roll was controversial stuff back then, probably helping to get it banned.

53 years ago – In 1968, the 58th and FINAL episode of “The Monkees” aired.

52 years ago – In 1969, five days after getting married, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began their “Bed-In For Peace“ in an Amsterdam hotel room.

38 years ago – In 1983, “The Outsiders” was released, starring virtual unknowns  Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Diane Lane, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell.

36 years ago – In 1985, Prince won the Oscar for Best Original Score with the “Purple Rain“ soundtrack.  Stevie Wonder won the Best Song Oscar for “I Just Called to Say I Love You“ (from the film, “The Woman In Red”).

31 years ago – In 1990, Tommy Lee was arrested for exposing his posterior during a Georgia concert.

30 years ago – In 1991, “Dancing with Wolves” won Best Picture, Joe Pesci won Best Supporting Actor for “Good Fellas”, Kathy Bates won Best Actress for “Misery”, and Whoopi Goldberg won Best Supporting Actress for “Ghost”.

25 years ago – In 1996, “Braveheart” won the Best Picture Oscar and Mel Gibson won Best Director.  “Colors of the Wind“ won Best Song.

20 years ago – In 2001, Julia Roberts won the Best Actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” . . . and Russell Crowe won Best Actor for “Gladiator”, which was also that year’s Best Picture.

19 years ago – In 2002, “The Bachelor” premiered on ABC.

15 years ago – In 2006, country music legend Buck Owens died at his home from an apparent heart attack.  He was 76 years old.