On this day in music, May 11, 1981, reggae pioneer Bob Marley died in Miami, following a lengthy battle with melanoma. The Jamaican singer-songwriter was instrumental in popularizing his country’s music with a global audience, thanks to his irresistible fusion of reggae, ska, and rocksteady. Just 36 at the time of his death, Marley left behind an impressive – and enduring – catalog of music, while his greatest hits album, Legend remains the best-selling reggae album of all time. Marley received numerous accolades before and after his death, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Jamaica’s Order of Merit, recognizing his contributions to the arts. Ever the poet, Marley’s last words to his son Ziggy were “money can’t buy life.”
In 1970, Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More, was released in the US. Featuring select performances from the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, the triple LP highlighted such acts as The Who, Santana, Crosby Stills & Nash, Canned Heat, and Richie Havens. Woodstock landed in the Top Ten in multiple countries, while it hit No.1 in the US, where it achieved a gold certification within two weeks of its release.
In 1963, The Beatles’ Please Please Me began a 30-week run at the top of the UK album charts. The band’s debut soon made history as the longest-running No.1 album ever – only to be replaced by The Beatles’ self-titled sophomore album in December. Featuring the hits “Love Me Do” and “Please Please Me,” the album was primarily recorded in one session at London’s EMI Studios.
In 1974, Led Zeppelin attended Elvis Presley’s show at the Los Angeles Forum. After a shaky start, Elvis jokingly remarked to his band, “Wait a minute, if we can start together fellas, because we’ve got Led Zeppelin out there, let’s try to look like we know what we’re doing.” After the show, the British rockers met Elvis backstage, where they signed autographs for The King of Rock‘n’Roll’s daughter.
In 1967, The Bee Gees made their debut on British TV, appearing on Top Of The Pops. The Australian brothers, who had recently finished recording their first international album, Bee Gees’ 1st, performed “New York Mining Disaster.” They would go on to play the show nearly 90 times.
In 2001, “The Tour of Brotherly Love” kicked off in Las Vegas, featuring Oasis, The Black Crowes, and Spacehog. The tour was aptly titled to recognize the three pairs of brothers on the line-up: Noel and Liam Gallagher (Oasis), Chris and Rich Robinson (Black Crowes), and Royston and Antony Langdon (Spacehog).
BORN ON MAY 11
1888: Irving Berlin (Composer)
1941: Eric Burdon (The Animals)
1943: Les Chadwick (Gerry and the Pacemakers)
1947: Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band)
1966: Christoph Schneider (Rammstein)
1983: Holly Valance
1986: Kieren Webster (The View)
National Nurses Week was observed last week. Ecumen of Litchfield made efforts to recognize their nurses and show appreciation for what they do. Adult Day Supervisor Dawn Doty says they appreciate what their nurses do every day and their work does not go unnoticed.
Doty says the Adult Day program at Ecumen of Litchfield gives older adults a sense of purpose and it’s a lifeline for families and for caregivers who need a break. She says the staff at Adult Day has over 30 years of experience.
Jillian Miller says Home Care and Hospice at Ecumen of Litchfield takes referrals and the Hospice program is Medicare-certified. She says there are all kinds of services available through both the Home Care and Hospice programs.
Miller says the Hospice program is especially beneficial if you sign up sooner rather than later and for more information, call 877-311-4997. She says Ecumen of Litchfield is planning to have a senior expo on October 27th called “Falling Into Great Care” and the location and time will be announced as the date gets closer.
The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a 2-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon at 3:59 on U.S. Highway 71 at County Road 148 in Lake Andrew Township in Kandiyohi County. All 3 people involved were taken to Rice Hospital in Willmar with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 2023 GMC Yukon, driven by 73-year-old Steven Scott Rambow of Spicer, was traveling northbound on US Highway 71. A 2019 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by 42-year-old Tara Rae Poluka of Spicer, was westbound on Kandiyohi County Road 148, when the two vehicles collided. There was also a passenger in Rambow’s vehicle – 68-year-old Cindy Lahr of Willmar. Also responding to the scene were the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Paynesville Ambulance, Willmar Ambulance, and Spicer Fire Dept.
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze has announced that the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office will once again host an annual memorial service. The short prayer service will be held in front of the Meeker County Law Enforcement Center at 326 North Ramsey Avenue in Litchfield on Friday, May 15th, at 9 a.m. The prayer service will be officiated by Meeker County Sheriff’s Office Chaplin Jeff Garland. The public is welcome to attend this service.
