The Phil Spector murder trial is coming to a close after prosecutors closed their case yesterday by painting Spector as the murderer of actress Lana Clarkson. Today the defense will argue that science proves Spector, accused of second-degree murder, was standing too far away from Clarkson to be the shooter and that Clarkson committed suicide. Tomorrow the case should go to the jury...
Lana Clarkson, 40, died of a gunshot wound while seated in the foyer of Spector's home on February 3, 2003 and here we are over 4 years later before justice will finally be served. When the trial started in April, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler predicted that it would last "about 4 months" which is the only part of this whole affair that hasn't lasted forever. Those that watched the trial might argue that point. I gave up about a month ago but will be watching as it reaches a conclusion...
I found this video tribute to Spector that was added to YouTube in May by Jonathan ("Everyone's Gone To The Moon") King who I knew from my time at CBS Records when Jon was in A&R. Don't read anything into it other than a tribute to the musical talent of Spector. Jonathan is not taking sides in the murder case, simply paying tribute to Spector in better times. Although it sounds like the Righteous Brothers, it's not, but it's produced by Spector. The group is Sonny Charles & the Checkmates Ltd, who you might remember for having a hit with "Black Pearl". Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fDzBAMsDPw&mode=related&search= ...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1959] The birth of Barbie: The first Barbie Doll is sold by Matel. Ruth Handler, co-founder of Matel invented the doll that was named after Ruth's daughter. Ken was named after her son. This is one of the first Barbie commercials from 1959: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ArxKYK1aVgY ...
- 1966] Premiered on this date: "Star Trek" debuts on NBC-TV and TV viewers turn weird...
- 1972] Quite the combo: John Lennon & Yoko Ono appear on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon...
- 1975] Entering the political asylum: Czech tennis player Martina Navratilova requests and is granted political asylum at the U.S. Open...
- 1995] The new Iron Man: Cal Ripken Jr. breaks Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games. Cal was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame just a few weeks ago...
- 1995] Taking the Fifth: LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman invokes the 5th Amendment against self-incrimination in the O.J. Simpson murder trial...
- 1996] Joining the 500 club: Eddie Murray of the Orioles hits his 500th home run becoming the 3rd player to have at least 3,000 hits and 500 home runs and that's why he's in the Baseball Hall of Fame...
- 1997] A full house for the Princess: More than 2 million people watch the funeral service for Princess Diana, held at Westminster Abbey...
- 2004] A bypass for Bubba: Former President Bill Clinton undergoes successful heart bypass surgery at New York Presbyterian/Columbia...
- 2005] California beats Massachusetts to the punch: The California Legislature becomes the first legislative body in the nation to approve same-sex marriage. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger later vetoes the bill...
Music Memories:
- 1957] #1 on this date: "Diana" - Paul Anka (if you watch this video all the way through you see Anka muff some of the track he had previously recorded): http://youtube.com/watch?v=fuTbB-d12A0 ...1971] "Go Away Little Girl" - Donny Osmond (both this version and Steve Lawrence's original were #1) Donny does it live with his bros. providing backup: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9oYrOtdlPsc ...1982] "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" - Chicago...
- 1957] Recorded on this date: "White Christmas", "Silent Night" & "Here Comes Santa Claus" - Elvis Presley...1968] Eric Clapton records his guitar solo for the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"...
- 1993] Live from Boston: Don Henley, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, Sting and Aerosmith perform at a benefit concert for Walden Woods...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
"Happy Trails" to Luciano Pavarotti, the opera star who reached every level of music fan. The legendary tenor passed away at his Italian villa at the age of 71. Pavarotti was a victim of pancreatic cancer...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Paul Manusama (22), Macy Gray (37) here's Macy live from Las Vegas with "I Try": http://youtube.com/watch?v=drV5Wr1tiRw , Rosie Perez (43), Jeff Foxworthy (59), Jane Curtin (60), Swoosie Kurtz (63), Roger Waters (63) and JoAnne Worley (70)...
Timeline Countdown: Tonight is the NFL kickoff, 17 days until autumn, 27 days until the MLB playoffs and 48 days until the World Series...
