On this day in music, December 18, 1971, T. Rex scored their first No.1 album in the UK with Electric Warrior. Marking the group’s sixth LP overall, and their second since frontman Marc Bolan changed the band’s name from Tyrannosaurus Rex to T. Rex, Electric Warrior is widely cited as a turning point in the evolution of glam-rock. Driven up the charts by its massively popular hit single, “Bang a Gong (Get It On),” the album was later named the UK’s best-selling record of 1971. Across the pond, “Bang a Gong” was the band’s sole Top Ten US hit.
In 1982, Hall and Oates began a four-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Maneater.” The song, which marked the duo’s fifth US No.1, was also the group’s biggest hit in the UK, reaching No.6 on the pop chart.
In 2005, The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” was voted the top Christmas song ever in a VH1 poll. The 1987 track was written by the Celtic-punk band’s members Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan and featured guest vocals by Kirsty MacColl.
In 2000, tragedy struck when 41-year-old singer-songwriter Kristy MacColl was killed while saving her sons from an oncoming powerboat in Mexico. The British artist penned a number of pop hits in the 80s and 90s, including “There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis,” and the Ivor Novello-winning songs “Walking Down Madison” and “Dear John.”
In 1962, The Beatles kicked off their fifth visit to West Germany with a two-week engagement at Hamburg’s new Star-Club. During the 13-night run, the band performed for three hours each night, while several evenings were captured on tape by Ted “Kingsize” Taylor of the Liverpool band Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes. Despite repeated push-back from The Beatles, Taylor released those recordings in 1977.
In 1983, American guitarist Jimmy Nolen died. A longtime player in James Brown’s band, Nolen was celebrated for his unique, and highly influential, “chicken scratch” style of playing his instrument.
BORN ON DECEMBER 18
1943: Keith Richards
1946: Alex Ligertwood (Santana)
1953: Elliot Easton (The Cars)
1970: DMX
1975: Sia
1980: Christina Aguilera
2001: Billie Eilish
Christmas at the LARC will be held this Saturday from 1-to-4 p.m. It’s a free event, but people attending are asked to bring a donation for the Meeker Area Food Shelf.
The event is being sponsored by Miller Automotive, Farm Bureau Insurance and Legacy Lane Real Estate. Andy Miller from Miller Automotive says there will be games on the ice from 1-to-4 p.m. and he’s picking up the tab for skate rental for anyone who needs skates that day. He says there will be open skating at the Civic Arena from 2-to-4 p.m. with “Elf” showing on a big screen.
Mike Niedzielski from Farm Bureau Insurance says the event will be a good opportunity to check out the LARC and if you have company from out-of-town already for the holidays, bring them along. He says there will be a bean bag tournament, a pickle ball tournament and food – including pulled pork, hot dogs and cocoa.
Andy and Mike spoke about Christmas at the Litchfield Area Recreation Center on KLFD’s “Newsmaker” program yesterday and said that Santa will be there. Andy says the LARC staff members are eager to give tours of the new facility.
The Litchfield City Council had some discussion on Monday evening about enforcing the winter parking rules. The abundant snowfall during the first half of December made it evident that many people are not familiar with the winter parking ordinance.
Mayor Ron Dingmann says the Council decided to make an effort to educate the public about the parking rules. He says when it snows one or more inches, vehicles must not be parked on the streets until the snow is removed.
Mayor Dingmann says vehicles that are parked on the streets during snow events will get a $50 fine the first time, a $100 fine for a second offense, and then a $100 fine and towing of the vehicle after that. He says the Council will have a work session in March to educate themselves about any misunderstandings regarding contracted services. The City hires numerous consultants for engineering, legal and other services.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council approved of a bid Monday evening for 3 transformers from WEG Transformers USA from Washington, Missouri for $6,053,700 and the City will have to issue debt to pay for much of the cost of those; and approved of building conditions assessment for the G.A.R. Hall and 4594 Design had the low bid for that project of $18,850.
