Today's Tidbit

This is the day in 1958 that Chuck Berry's single "Johnny B. Goode" was released.




The question as to what would happen if that song traveled through time has surprisingly already been answered here.

Sloppy Joe's & Home Fries

With some fresh artisan bread and havarti cheese. As good as it was messy.

Sloppy Joes

Today's Tidbit

The singer Madonna is always complaining that other artists are doing her thing that she was the original and only musical "blonde" and that they should be more original [or so it would seem]. If you've got blonde hair and resemble her in any fashion she's usually calling you out in the press for being unoriginal and that she did it all before you. Everyone should know the real original musical blonde of that era before Madonna staked her claim was Debby Harry of Blondie.

On this date in 1981 Blondie was at No. 1 on the US singles chart with "Rapture".



In contrast Madonna's first official release didn't come until a year later and it was another year after that before Madonna had her first hit single "Holiday". Enjoy the nostalgia.




I guess I should mention that in 1983 the Cyndi Lauper album that spawned "Girls just want to have fun" was released and went on to be a hit for two or three solid years. I think holiday's and blondes wanting to have fun were big themes back in 1982-1985. Debbie Harry's new wave and punk elements that originated in the 70's didn't stand a chance when the bubblegum express rode into town.

Tortellini & Meatballs

Tricolored meat stuffed tortellini with a simple tomato sauce and meatballs.

Tortellini

Today's Tidbit

Staying away from the fact that today is the day John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a public week in bed I have a couple of of other bands and songs I'd like to feature.

On this day in 1967 The Turtles began a three week run at No. 1 on the US singles chart with "Happy Together".



The second mentionable was on this day back in 1972. The band America started a three week run at No. 1 on the US singles chart with "Horse with No Name". Digging a little deeper you may find out what the common consensus was as to what the "horse" with no name represented. Either way a timeless tune I can still appreciate.

Chicken Macaroni

I'll be honest, I didn't have a clue what to call this meal. It's a mixture of chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, green beans, onions, garlic, macaroni noodles and cheese. The good, the bad and the ugly. I post them all, eh!

Today's Tidbit

On this day in 1974 Cher was No. 1 on the US singles chart with "Dark Lady". This one is more about nostalgia then anything else. Who remembers this?

Baked Chicken With Feta Cheese

This was a tasty experiment albeit low on presentation. A well baked boneless, skinless chicken breast stuffed with feta cheese and topped with tomato slices. Sided up with baked carrots, onions, potatoes and a few steamed green beans.

Feta-Stuffed Chicken

Today's Tidbit

I find today's mention comical. On this day in 1973 the BBC banned all teenybopper acts from appearing on the UK show "Top of the Pops" because of a riot that broke out after a David Cassidy performance. Riot and David Cassidy. Kind of hard to put that in perspective and I guess back in 1973 dealing with screaming 12 year old girls was difficult for the older generation to handle. Thus the ban and riot label.

I saw David Cassidy poke his head out of the ground recently to make a ridiculous appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice. He got fired on the first day and probably had 40-50 year old housewives wondering what they'd seen in the soft spoken singer.

He actually did have a valid song or two regardless of his supposed lack of musical talent or the fact he was a mere product of television and record labels. Here now is a piece or two of music history.

Hamburgers

With fried mushrooms, bacon and onions then topped with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup and mayo and sided up with some crinkle fries and light gravy.

These pictures are 100% calorie free. Dig in!

Hamburgers

Today's Tidbit

Being Canadian and from Vancouver today's tidbit is pretty poignant. On this day in 1975 Led Zeppelin appeared at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum. No video this time but here is the entire concert that day.

Chicken Stir Fry

With big chunks of boneless, skinless chicken. Now the only question is fork or spoon?

Today's Tidbit

There are two mentions today that I find both show the sharp difference a handful of decades can make. On this day in 1957 Elvis Presley bought Graceland which boasted 23 rooms on 10,000 square feet contained on 13.8 acres of land. Here's the sharp contrast, he paid a mere $102,500!





The second of today's mentions is Dr Hook's single "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone" which peaked at No.6 on the US chart on this day in 1973. The sharp contrast here is the fact this single was banned in the UK by the BBC due to the songs reference to the magazine. They said that it could be considered advertising so actually had the producers and executives at London's branch of CBS sing over the single master replacing "Rolling Stone" with "Radio Times". The real kick in the pants is the fact that "Radio Times" was also the name of the weekly TV and Radio Guide published by the BBC!!!!!

Tacos

We actually just made taco salad and stuffed that into the taco shells this time. It seemed a little quicker.

Today's Tidbit

Too many moments in music history to choose from today but I'm sure many remember this song yet probably don't know who sung it or what it was called. On this day in 1975 The Doobie Brothers were No.1 on the US singles chart with "Black Water".

Pork Chops

Covered in Canadian maple syrup and baked until it falls apart. Whole green beans and baked potatoes drizzled in maple syrup and drippings.

Today's Tidbit

On this day in 1977 Blondie opened up for Iggy Pop and David Bowie kicking off a North American Tour at Le Plateau Theatre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It's not often you get to mention those three in the same sentence! Here they are in no particular order.


David Bowie - Space Oddity [might have a 30 second advertisement to endure]


Iggy Pop - Passenger


Blondie - Call Me

Rotini & Meatballs

I love Garlic. Just thought I'd share that! This actually tasted better then it looks and it looks pretty good.

Red ripe tomatoes.

These meatballs were cooked in advance.

Starting to all come together.

Finally, time for dinner!

Rotini

Today's Tidbit

I'm never sure what dated facts might present themselves when I post tidbits. Yet I always seem to find something that falls on those days that I'd consider representative of me or my interests [former or otherwise].

On this day in 1972 Neil Young went to No.1 on the US album charts with "Harvest". This album featured the hit single "heart of gold". Who hasn't heard this song at a campfire at one time in their life or another? Well that and the song "Old Man" also from this album.
Neil Young is Mr. Canada himself but ironically I'm pretty sure he's been living in the same ranch somewhere near San Jose, California that he bought with the money he earned off this very album and yet is still considered one of Canada's most iconic figures.

Here are both songs. Enjoy them like I did revisiting them.

This version of "heart of gold" was played live before it was even recorded. Here's Neil working it out on stage [after fumbling with his gear a for a couple of minutes].



Now here is "Old man" from what I think is the same live concert.

Steak

The Holy Trinity of steak dinners. Steak, Baked Potato and Corn on the Cob. Really didn't need the hp sauce though. More and more I prefer without and just with the natural flavors of the meat with course ground black pepper and maybe some salt.

Indoor cooking can still taste great.

Today's Tidbit

Pink Floyd's album "Dark Side Of The Moon" was released in the US on this day in 1973. This definitely bares mentioning. Here's the entire album on tap!

Sausage

Plain and simple. Sometimes that's the best way too.

Today's Tidbit

On this day in 1970 Simon and Garfunkel began a ten week run at No.1 on the US charts with "Bridge over Troubled Water." Ironically the duo had already split-up by the time of it's release. Not actually one of my favorite songs from this duo but it is iconic and obviously timely.

Hamburger Linguine

With lots of garlic, whole black olives, onions, fresh tomatoes, butter and a little cream. Here's the start of something beautiful. Topped on the plate with a little freshly squeezed lemon juice and coarsely ground black pepper.

Linguine

Today's Tidbit

Patsy Cline. You might know why this is today's tidbit . . .

Sloppy Joe's

Homemade, some extra sharp cheddar on the inside and a little burnt on the outside but that just gives them a little more character! Crinkle fries give purpose to some of that leftover slop.