A true champion...
Although I never met the man, for many years I lived across the street from Arthur Ashe and would often see him hailing cabs and walking in the neighborhood with his wife and daughter. His wife Jeanne, a professional photographer worked for a time at NBC-TV when I was over on the radio side. Arthur Ashe was at the top of his game in the 60s and 70s and would be the only black man to win Wimbledon, the United States and Australian Opens...
During emergency brain surgery in 1988 he discovered that he contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Ashe believed that he got the infection through a transfusion of tainted blood during the second round of a heart-bypass in 1983. He would not disclose his condition until April of 1992 when USA Today was about to publish an article about his illness. Ashe would spend the rest of his days campaigning for public awareness, including a speech on the floor of the United Nations on World AIDS Day in December of that year. Already a champion in fighting poverty, privilege, racism and social stereotyping, Ashe would add to that a new, personal and deadly fight...
On this date in 1993 during a New York City snowstorm Arthur Ashe lost his biggest match. Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe mustered the strength to tell daughter Camera, just 6-years old that Daddy wasn't coming home. When Camera asked "why?" this was her reply, "Even though we didn't get a chance to actually say goodbye, we told Daddy goodbye in the way that we loved him and he knew how very much we loved him"...
More February 6 Memories...
1869) Harper's Weekly publishes the 1st picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers...
1933) The 20th amendment goes into effect making the president, vice president and congressional terms to begin in January instead of March as was the custom...
1935) The Monopoly board game goes on sale for the 1st time...
1939) Vernon Presley is released from prison after serving 8 months for "altering" a check...
1943) Frank Sinatra debuts as a vocalist on radio's "Your Hit Parade"...
1959) Fidel Castro is interviewed by Edward R. Murrow (good night and good luck)...
1960) Jesse Belvin ("Goodnight My Love") and his wife die in an automobile accident in Los Angeles...
1965) The Righteous Brothers are #1 with the soon to be classic "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling"...
1977) "Torn Between Two Lovers" is #1 for Mary MacGregor (who says she hates the song and finds the situation in it "implausible" (she does not however fail to take bows or a check for having the hit)...
1978) Muriel, wife of the late Hubert Humphrey takes his office as Democratic Senator in Minnesota...
1987) Sonny Bono declares his candidacy for mayor of Palm Springs...
1987) Madonna is #1 with "Open Your Heart" (songwriters Gardner Cole and Peter Rafelson's original title was "Follow Your Heart")...
1987) President Ronald Reagan turns 76 becoming the oldest U.S. President in history...
1990) Billy Idol breaks his arm and leg after allegedly running a stop sign on a motorcycle in Hollywood...
1993) Tennis Hall of Famer and human rights advocate Arthur Ashe dies at 49 (feature story)...
1998) Carl Wilson one of the founding members of the Beach Boys dies from complications of lung cancer with his family by his side. Wilson was 51...
1998) 28-year old former teacher Mary Kay LeTourneau who violated probation by seeing her 14-year old lover and father of her baby, is sentenced to 7 years in prison...
1998) President Bill Clinton signs a bill changing the name of Washington National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport...
2000) First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton launches her successful candidacy for the U.S. Senate...
2003) ABCs "20/20" airs a British documentary on Michael Jackson in which the singer reveals he sometimes lets children sleep in his bed...
2005) The New England Patriots win their 2nd consecutive Super Bowl and 3rd in the last 4 years with a 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles (wide receiver Deion Branch is MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX)...
To ensure accuracy, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline...
Happy Birthday To...
1917) Zsa Zsa Gabor...
1922) Patrick Macnee ("The Avengers" Mr. Steed)...
1931) Rip Torn...
1931) Mamie Van Doren...
1939) Mike ("M*A*S*H") Farrell...
1940) Tom Brokaw...
1943) Fabian (Forte)...
1950) Natalie Cole...
1962) Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses)...
Commentary...
Happy Trails to Al "Grandpa" Lewis, 95, who was represented by the manager of a Canadian group that I worked with at CBS International several years ago. Grandpa was a true character, always "on", ran for New York City Mayor a few times and was a champion of the underdog. He was about 6' 4", much taller than I thought he would be. Happy trails to Betty Friedan, one of the founders of NOW who died on her birthday at 85...
Maura Tierney was born in 1965 not 1956 as I posted on the weekend blog. Sorry, Maura and the correct birthdate of Zsa Zsa Gabor is indeed today. Happy birthday Zsa Zsa. I'm sure you'll both see this...
Today is the 37th day of 2006 with 328 days remaining in the year, 42 days until Spring and now just 10 days remaining until pitchers and catchers...
