Strawberry Fields

Today in Music History: May 21

Among the May foodie celebrations are two days devoted to strawberries:

• May 20: Pick Strawberries Day
• May 21: National Strawberries and Cream Day

Today's historical trip is not to a strawberry field for the purpose of picking luscious strawberries. The journey begins with a different kind of field, actually a memorial to one member of The Beatles, John Lennon. It is only fitting to follow this opening with several Beatles hits and a clip of Dick Clark interviewing The Beatles.

Strawberry Fields Forever
appears on the soundtrack Across The Universe (2007)

1984 - Strawberry Fields, an area in Central Park bought by Yoko Ono in memory of her late husband was opened. Strawberry Fields is a living memorial to the world-famous singer, songwriter and peace activist, John Lennon. During his career with the Beatles and in his solo work, Lennon's music gave hope and inspiration for world peace and his memory and mission lives on in Strawberry Fields.

1987 - The Beatles had a revival in America as the group holds down the 4 Top slots on US CD chart: 1. Hard Day's Night; 2. Please Please Me; 3. Beatles for Sale; 4. With the Beatles.

 

Dick Clark, in the late 1950s, at his podium station
for the popular TV dance show, "American Bandstand."

1989 - Dick Clark announced that he would no longer be hosting the show 'American Bandstand'. He had been the host for 33 years.

Tidbit of Music Trivia...

A Sky News screen grab of the doll found
in Michael Jackson's bed. Source: AdelaideNow

2001 - Michael Jackson's interior decorator told The Times newspaper that the singer kept 17 life-size dolls, adult and child sizes, all fully dressed in his bedroom for 'company'. Jackson had slept with a child sized porcelain doll wearing a dress as well during his final days. A doll was discovered on top of the covers after the King of Pop collapsed in the bedroom of his Los Angeles mansion.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...