20220816

Birth of Dan Brown


Daniel Gerhard Brown was born on June 22, 1964. He is an American author best known for his thriller novels, including the Robert Langdon novels Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013), and Origin (2017). His novels are treasure hunts which usually take place over a period of 24 hours and feature recurring themes - cryptography, art and conspiracy theories. His books have been translated into 57 languages and, as of 2012, have sold over 200 million copies. Three (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code and Inferno have been adapted into films).
The Robert Langdon novels are deeply engaged with Christian themes and historical fiction, and have generated controversy. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian and he is on a "constant spiritual journey" himself. He claims that The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith." One doubts it.


20220801

Birth of Keanu Reeves


On September 2 the Canadian actor Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut. He was raised in Toronto.

20220725

Beatles Albums USA


No less than six albums were released in the USA in 1964, as the American label Capitol sort to catch up with the UK releases and spread things out a little. The first album to be released was on Vee Jay records and was called - Introducing... The Beatles. It came out in two forms. Meet the Beatles!, The Beatles' Second Album, (sic, as it was on Capitol) A Hard Day's Night (which included George Martin scored instrumentals from the film)  Something New, Beatles '65 (sic, it came out in December of 1964). 

20220718

Beatles Albums UK


In the UK two Beatles albums came out in the UK, both on Parlophone. A Hard Day's Night was the third studio album, released on 10 July 1964. The first side contained songs from the soundtrack to their film of the same name. In contrast to the Beatles' first two albums, all 13 tracks on A Hard Day's Night were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, showcasing the development of their songwriting partnership. Beatles for Sale the fourth studio album was released on 4 December 1964.


20220715

Rolling Stones


In 1964 The Rolling Stones released two albums, both on Decca in the UK and London in the USA. (The track listing in the UK and the US was slightly different for the first album.) Their debut album was self-titled and their second album was called 12 X 5. Most titles were covers but not all.

20220622

Bob Dylan Albums


In 1964, Bob Dylan released two albums, both on Columbia Records and featuring only Dylan himself. The Times They Are a-Changin' is the third studio album, released on January 13. Whereas previous albums consisted of original material among cover songs, this third album was the first to feature only original compositions.
Another Side of Bob Dylan the fourth studio album was released on August 8.

20220607

The Hollies


Stay with The Hollies
(American title: Here I Go Again) is the debut album by the British rock band The Hollies. It was released in January 1964 on Parlophone Records.

20220601

The Animals


The Animals
is the self-titled debut album by the British band the Animals. It was released in the UK in October 1964 on Columbia Records. That same year an American version of the album was released.

20220527

Manfred Mann


The Five Faces of Manfred Mann
is the debut UK studio album by British based band Manfred Mann. It was first released in the UK in September 1964 by HMV.
The Manfred Mann Album was the debut American studio album, released the same month on Ascot Records. It contains the hit single "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", as well as covers of various R&B hits.

20220514

Kinks


The self-titled debut album by British band the Kinks was released in 1964. It was released with three tracks omitted as You Really Got Me in the United States.

Mr Tambourine Man Live