Nowadays Olive Can't Even Write

Today we're remembering the one-and-only Linda Louise McCartney (formerly Eastman), who we lost on this day 25 years ago following a three year battle with Breast Cancer. She was 56 at the time of her death. Credit: Manchester Daily Express/Getty Images McCartney's most famous work came from her career as a photographer, which begun in the mid-1960s after working as an editor and receptionist for  Town & Country  magazine. She was romantically involved with photographer David Dalton at the time, and would study how he did his work until she was able to set up her own shoots. Within a few years, she began to become a regular at the Fillmore East, a music venue located in New York City, where she was dubbed the unofficial house photographer. She would receive more and more assignments to photograph entertainers and musicians, which included The Animals, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Neil Young, Simo...

While today marks what would have been the 80th birthday of former Beatle George Harrison, it also marks the 8th birthday of the George Harrison tree's replacement, which couldn't have been needed for a more amusing reason. Source: Anna Pantoliano The original tree, which was a Canary Island pine, was planted on Harrison's birthday a few months after his death on this day in 2002. It managed to survive until 2014, when it was eaten by beetles. Ceremony organizer Paula Greenfield blames California's long-standing drought for the infestation, adding  “It’s because of the drought that beetles are able to get into the trees to begin with. I’ve had neighbors who’ve lost trees during this drought — when they take them down they’re totally hollowed out.” The replacement tree was planted the following year on what would have been his 72nd birthday. In order to avoid this one having the same ironic fate as the first tree, a yew pine was chosen instead. Less likely to be eaten b...

Today is a special day for the Monkees, as two of their beloved members, Nez and Davy, share a birthday! Davy Jones, an active singer from 1961 up until his death in 2012, was considered a teen idol in the peak of his fame. He also had a love for horses, and held a short career as a jockey before fully committing to music and acting. He would have been 77 today. Source: Monkees Live Almanac Michael "Nez" Nesmith, who was an active guitarist from 1965 up until his death, learned to play guitar after being gifted one by his mother and stepfather. He was fresh out of the air force, and learned to play as he went as he worked with bands of various genres. Those genres include folk, country, and rock. Nez would have turned 80 years old today. As we remember these two on their special day, I should also note that the Monkees show is apparently free to view on Tubi, if you would either like to see it for the first time or take a trip down memory lane.  Happy listening!

Today, December 29, marks 54 years since the second day of the Miami Pop Festival.  Held from the dates of December 28-30, The Miami Pop Festival made history as the first major rock festival to take place on the east coast, and included bands and artists such as Joni Mitchell, Canned Heat, Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Chuck Berry, and many more. The total crowd size for all three days was estimated to be around 100,000 people.  At the festival, concertgoers received comic books commemorating their favorite musicians as superheroes in the form of the official program and map. If you're a collector (or just a fan) and would like one, there are some for sale, but they will run you a pretty penny. They're valued around 200-400 dollars now. Source: Heritage Auctions I've found a touched-up version of one of the promotional posters, which includes details on when performances are scheduled. There were two stages, several hundred yards apart, known as the Flower Stage and the Fl...

Hey there, readers. Yesterday, the world learned the shocking news of Christine McVie's passing. The music community has suffered a major loss, and I (as well as many others) am absolutely gutted that she is no longer with us. She penned some of Fleetwood Mac's greatest songs as well as some amazing songs of her own that will, no doubt, carry her legacy for years to come.  I would also like to remind people at this time to respect the privacy of McVie's family and bandmates as they grieve. Rest easy, Songbird.  - Olive Grace