Another All "Happy Birthday!" Edition of the Calendar today? Oh yeah, definitely, as we very much enjoy givin' it up for some of the coolest-but-really-quite-taken-for-granted rockers...

(Courtesy of Atlantic Records)
(Courtesy of Atlantic Records)
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10/5/1948 - Happy 70th Birthday today to Russell Mael, lead vocalist for the fantastically quirky Sparks -- Along with brother Ron on keyboards, Sparks have been at it continually since 1971, churning out some of the most intelligent, sophisticated, acerbic, idiosyncratic and theatrical performances in all of rock! Yes, they are weird, and okay, they're not everyone's cup of whatever, but for the cult-like faithful, a truly unique and unpredictable band

10/5/1950 - Born on this date, Motorhead guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke -- Often referred to as "Founders Of The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal", Motorhead formed in 1975: take your pick from from twenty-two studio albums, ten live recordings, twelve compilation albums(!), five E.P.'s and the No. 26 spot on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists Of Hard Rock". Eddie also played with the band Fastway, but it's his blazing licks for Motorhead that really do the trick. Sadly, Eddie passed away last year on January 10th at his London home; he was 67.

10/5/1951 - Happy Birthday to one of rock 'n' roll's true philanthropists and bona fide good guys, Bob Geldof, 67 years old today -- In addition to his pioneering-yet-often-misunderstood work with his band The Boomtown Rats, it was Geldof who pretty much got the Band Aid relief project up and running after watching a BBC news report on the famine in Ethiopia -- Along with Midge Ure from Ultravox, Bob co-wrote "Do They Know It's Christmas?", a definite rarity in rock: a holiday classic that didn't make you want to smash your radio into bits! Bob was also appointed an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II, as well as receiving the Man Of Peace title which recognizes individuals for their "outstanding contribution to international social justice and peace". Amen.

Share your 'To Do Lists' with the Calendar here on our web site and on the WBLM Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtag #TommysCoffeeBreak.

"Feed the world...", xoxo!

 

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