Hollywood Flashback: This Week In History July 7 - 13, 2014
.jpg)
July 7, 1954
Elvis Presley made his radio debut when a Memphis station played "That's All Right". The song was so popular that the DJ played it 14 times. It wasn't the King of Rock n' Roll's biggest hit but it sure got the party started.
July 7, 2011
Released on this day, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was the 8th and final movie based on the book series. The critics loved it and it became the highest grossing film of the year. This was great news for author J.K. Rowling who could now afford to buy another island.
July 8, 1958
Oh, what a beautiful Mornin’
Oh, what a beautiful day
I’ve got a beautiful feelin’
Everything’s goin’ my way
The first music industry gold record was presented to Rogers and Hammerstein‘s soundtrack "Oklahoma!" when it reached $1-million dollars in sales. It wasn't a million Instagram followers, but still pretty impressive.
July 8, 1998
Happy 16th Birthday, Jaden Smith! Best wishes! Now please put on a shirt.
July 9, 1981
Donkey Kong was released today marking the first appearance by Nintendo's famous Mario character. The most successful arcade game of the 80s, it spawned the expression: "It's on like Donkey Kong." In 2010, Nintendo trademarked the phrase, because over $650 million in profits was apparently not enough.
July 10, 1965
The Rolling Stones' "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction" hit the top of the Billboard chart today. The song (written by a no doubt drunk-at-the-time Jagger & Richards) is number two on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Satisfaction indeed.
July 10, 1973
Modern Family's Sofia Vergara turns 41 today! Better looking with age? You betcha, baby.
July 11, 1960
Harper Lee's one and only novel To Kill A Mockingbird was published today. Over 30 million copies have been sold and it's required (and controversial) reading in most high schools. Despite the success, Lee has refused any publicity since 1964. "How quaint!" said Kim Kardashian.
July 13, 1923
A 50-foot-tall 'Hollywoodland' sign was erected to promote a Los Angeles subdivision (The LAND was removed in 1949). Over the years the sign has been a destination for vandalism, car accidents, tour groups and suicides. Now, surrounded by motion detectors and closed-circuit cameras, it's as well protected as Tom Cruise himself.
July 12, 1937
Happy 77th Birthday to TV's favourite dad, Bill Cosby! Jello Pudding for everyone!
July 12, 1982
One month after it opened in theatres, Steven Spielberg's E.T. broke box-office records earning over $100-million. Reese's Pieces sales, and the number of boys named Elliot, went through the roof.
July 13, 1985
As a follow up to the single "Do They Know It's Christmas", Bob Geldof organized simultaneous concerts in London and Philadelphia to raise money for Ethiopian famine. Live Aid was the biggest TV broadcast of its time: 1.9 billion watched performances by Queen, David Bowie, U2, Madonna and Duran Duran. The whole thing raised £150m and earned Geldof a knighthood.
July 13, 2013
On this day, Glee-star Cory Monteith (31) died of a drug-overdose in a Vancouver hotel room. One-year later the talented Canadian actor is still very much missed.