Inspired by the November 11 birthdays of XTC’s Andy Partridge, LaVern Baker, Wu-Tang Clan’s U-God, Marshall Crenshaw, Stubby Kaye, Peaches, Mose Allison, Raveonettes’ Sharin Foo, Dennis Coffey, Chris Smither, Static Major, The Ides of March’s Jim Peterik, and The Blasters’ Dave Alvin.
Inspired by the passing of Spencer Davis and the October 21 birthdays of Manfred Mann, The Go-Go’s’ Charlotte Caffey, The Teardrop Explodes’ Julian Cope, The Cramps’ Lux Interior, Elvin Bishop, Doja Cat, Kathy Young and Industry’s Jon Carin.
Inspired by the October 20 birthdays of Tom Petty, Snoop Dogg, Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake, Wanda Jackson, The Tokens’ Jay Siegel, and Eddie Harris.
Inspired by the October 18 birthdays of Chuck Berry, Laura Nyro, Ne-Yo, Exile’s Jimmy Stokley and The Murmurs’ Heather Grody.
Inspired by the October 3 birthdays of Fleetwood Mac‘s Lindsey Buckingham, No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, A$AP Rocky, Chubby Checker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fountains of Wayne’s Chris Collingwood, Eddie Cochran, Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, P.P. Arnold, Jimmy Ray, and India.Arie.
Inspired by the September 27 birthdays of Lil Wayne, Shaun Cassidy, Randy Bachman, Avril Lavigne, Trick Daddy and Soul Train’s Don Cornelius.
In the late 70s, people often confused my dad for Kenny Rogers. They’re close in age, and my dad was a white guy with a beard (still is both) and drove around in fancy sportscars you would imagine a country music superstar would drive, so one could see why he was stopped to sign autographs. Many people confused my brother for John Travolta. We grew up one town over from where Travolta grew up, and my brother had the dimple in his chin (still does). Once while the family was eating at a local restaurant, a couple came over to our table to meet John Travolta. They thought they were slick when their opening line was a question directed to my dad: “Excuse me, are you Sam Travolta?” Sam was John’s dad. If I remember correctly, he owned a tire shop in town. My dad replied that he is not Sam Travolta. He’s Kenny Rogers. The celebrity I was often mistaken for was Kermit the Frog. I’m not joking. Frequently people told me of my resemblance to the actor/singer/banjo player/TV host/piece of felt. On a public bus once a woman came up to me and asked “Has anyone ever told you you look like Kermit the Frog?” Yes! All the time! It’s not easy being green.
Today’s playlist is inspired by the September 24 birthdays of Jim Henson, Gerry Marsden, Jack Scott, The Dixie Cups’ Rosa Lee Hawkins, Linda McCartney, Kreayshawn and Shep.
Inspired by the September 19 birthdays of Chic’s Nile Rodgers, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, Tegan and Sara, Mama Cass Elliot, The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley, Teddybears’ Patrik Arve, Skepta, Rex Smith, The Springfields’ Mike Hurst, Brook Benton, Lol Crème, Austin Roberts, Eamon, Marshall Jefferson, Adam West and Frances Farmer.
Inspired by the September 7 birthdays of Pretenders‘ Chrissie Hynde, Buddy Holly, Chic‘s Alfa Anderson, Gloria Gaynor, Air’s Jean-Benoît Dunckel, N.W.A.’s Eazy-E, Jermaine Stewart, Owen Pallett and Starland Vocal Band’s Margot Chapman.
Inspired by the September 4 birthdays of Beyoncé, Mark Ronson and Sonny Charles; and the September 3 birthdays of The Beach Boys‘ Al Jardine, The Creation’s Kenny Pickett, Taana Gardner, and B.G.