Drewsky1211

4/19/2024 77 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah -2 35 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody +3 33 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 32 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 32 Taylor Swift — Love Story +1 31 Adele — Chasing Pavements 30 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 29 La Roux — In For The Kill 22 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 19 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold -4

Lord Byron died on this day 200 years ago, aged 36. - Byron's first name was George. He gained his "lord" title when he was 10 upon the death of his great-uncle William Byron- specifically, he was a baron. - One of Byron's earlier works, his poetry book Hours of Idleness, received scathing reviews from the Edinburgh Review; as such Byron would write the satirical piece English Bards and Scotch Reviewers anonymously in 1809, the same year he entered the House of Lords. - Byron's breakout book was 1812's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, which Byron personally did not believe would sell well. From there, he became a star of Romantic era novels, which included The Giaour, The Bride of Abydos, and The Siege of Corinth. Equally successful was his Hebrew Melodies collection of poems from 1815, which were lyrics Byron wrote to accompany music composed by Jewish composer Isaac Nathan. - Byron would leave England in 1816 due to his split from his wife, and rumors that he had an incestuous affair with his half-sister. He first went to Switzerland (where he befriended Percy and Mary Shelley), then to Italy the following year. - In 1823, he decided to assist Greece in their war of independence against the Ottoman Empire, because he wanted a life of adventure. He would use his own money to supply his own legion of troops. Byron did not die in battle- rather, he fell sick, and his condition was exacerbated due to how much blood was drained from his body (due to bloodletting). - Byron's daughter and only legitimate child was Ada Lovelace.

Tim Curry is 78.

4/18/2024 71 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 39 Adele — Chasing Pavements 35 La Roux — In For The Kill 35 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 33 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 32 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody 32 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 30 Taylor Swift — Love Story 26 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold -2 19 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved -2 17 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +4 10 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 5 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough -2 I think most people are downvoting Day 'n' Nite because of Crookers. I'm upvoting on virtue of the original song:

Erasmus Darwin died on this day 222 years ago, aged 70. - Darwin started off as a doctor, and managed to be such a success that king George III invited him to become the Royal Physician- which he declined. - Darwin was much more famous for his biology studies, with his first publications being translations of Carl Linnaeus works into English- Darwin would coin several plant names. In 1791, he would write The Botanic Garden, a compilation of two long poems that incorporated lurid vocabulary and anthropomorphizing the plants in the book to pique readers' interests in botany. - Darwin's most famous work is 1796's Zoonomia, which focused on the study of bacteria and viruses, wheree would categorize diseases into four different groups (irritation, sensation, volition and association). However, what was the lasting impact of the book was his ideas that supported the theory of evolution- namely a common ancestor to life, and inheritance of characteristics with each passing generation. - Darwin was also an inventor- his inventions included a carriage designed to not tip over while riding, a machine that was used to produce sounds similar to human speech, and meteorological devices. - Darwin's ideas in Zoonomia would later be further developed by his more famous grandson- none other than Charles Darwin.

Clive Revill is 94.

4/17/2024 67 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 35 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 33 La Roux — In For The Kill 33 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold 33 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 33 Adele — Chasing Pavements 32 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody +1 28 Taylor Swift — Love Story 28 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 24 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +3 21 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved 17 Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror 15 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 13 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough -3 6 Leona Lewis — Happy -3

Deanna Durbin died on this day 11 years ago, aged 91. - Durbin's first name was actually Edna. When she was 10, her parents would enroll her in a singing academy, and she would soon be singing at clubs and churches. - In 1935, Durbin would be called to audition for the role of a young Ernestine Schumann-Heink. Her performance of the opera "Il Bacio" was so impressive that MGM would sign her to a contract. The following year, she made her film debut opposite Judy Garland in Every Sunday. - Also in 1936, Durbin would audition to be the singing voice of Snow White in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but Walt Disney rejected her for sounding 'too old'- she was 15 at the time. - Durbin would have a string of leading roles in the late '30s, such as Three Smart Girls, Mad About Music, That Certain Age, and First Love. In the 1940s, she would move from musical films to try establishing herself as a serious actress, particularly in comedy movies, but also in dramatic movies that included Christmas Holiday and Lady on a Train. By 1946, she was the second-highest paid US actress, behind Bette Davis. - After her contract with Universal expired in 1948, and then moved to France where she married the director of the aforementioned Lady on a Train, Charles Henri David. The two would be married until Charles' death in 1999. - Durbin was known for her reclusiveness, often denying 'where are they now' interviewers from interviewing her. She would grant a rare interview in 1983, referring to her stage name in the third person due to it being manufactured by Hollywood- at the time, she had gone back to calling herself by her birth name. She would remain in a private life for the rest of her life, with her death being announced about two weeks after it had actually happened.

Sean Bean is 65.

4/16/2024 63 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 40 Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror 36 Adele — Chasing Pavements 32 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +1 31 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 30 La Roux — In For The Kill 30 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody +1 29 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold 28 Taylor Swift — Love Story 28 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 27 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved 27 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 21 Leona Lewis — Happy 16 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough -4 11 T.I. ft. Rihanna — Live Your Life +2 05 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 0 The Noisettes — Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go) -2

Emperor Otho died on this day 1955 years ago, aged 36. - Otho's full name was Marcus Salvius Otho. Before he became emperor, he was appointed the governor of Lusitania (Portugal and western Spain) in 58 by emperor Nero- after Nero forced him to divorce his wife Poppaea so that he could marry her himself. - Otho did not forgive Nero for separating him from his wife, and would ally himself with Galba in his rebellion against Nero in 68. Galba would soon become emperor, and Otho accompanied him on the way to Rome. - Galba was hated by the Praetorian Guard, and they killed him in January of 69- and then proclaimed Otho as emperor. However, Otho's reign was entirely defined by fighting a rebellion led by Vitellius, and he committed suicide after a three-month reign in order to prevent a civil war; his forces had suffered a defeat in battle immediately beforehand. Vitellius became his successor. - Otho was the second emperor in the Year of Four Emperors (Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian). - In life, Otho was known for his lavishness and narcissism. He was known to gaze at himself in a mirror before entering battle, and would plaster dough on his face to make himself look more handsome.

Bobby Vinton is 89... ...and Akon is 51.

4/15/2024 57 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 44 Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror 29 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 29 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 29 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +1 28 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody +1 27 La Roux — In For The Kill 27 Adele — Chasing Pavements 26 Taylor Swift — Love Story 26 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 24 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold 23 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved 21 Leona Lewis — Happy 20 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough 16 T.I. ft. Rihanna — Live Your Life +2 14 Basshunter — All I Ever Wanted 13 Leona Lewis — Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand 13 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 11 The Saturdays — Forever Is Over -3 10 Mr Hudson ft. Kanye West — Supernova -3 09 The Noisettes — Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)

Tommy Cooper died on this day 40 years ago, aged 63. - Cooper served in Egypt during WWII. As a member of a group entertaining his fellow soldiers, Cooper would perform magic tricks combined with sketch comedy; in one sketch he forgot the pith helmet he was supposed to wear- and replaced it with his soon-to-be synonymous with him fez. - Cooper's comedy act would primarily consist of him failing his magic tricks, which he noticed got more laughs than successful ones- though he would occasionally succeed to add surprise to his shows. - Cooper quickly rose in popularity due to his appearances on TV, often on channels such as BBC and Thames Television. Cooper also had an acting career with roles in films that included The Cool Mikado, The Plank, and And the Same to You. - Cooper also delved into music, having covered Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again" and having a bottom of the Top 40 single in 1961 with his black comedy single "Don't Jump Off the Roof Dad": - Cooper had a history of alcoholism, which led to problems such as chronic back pain, bronchitis and blood circulation problems. He was also a heavy smoker who smoked up to 40 cigars a day. Cooper would have a heart attack on stage in 1977- but it wouldn't be the last time. - Cooper's last performance was live on TV on the show Live from..., at that time broadcasting from Her Majesty's Theatre. For a sketch, Cooper would be given a cloak by his assistant, while the host Jimmy Tarbuck would give him props that would make him look like he pulled them out of hammerspace. Shortly after putting on the gown, Cooper would suffer a fatal heart attack that was seen by many across the UK who tuned in to the program. Viewer discretion is highly advised: https://www.facebook.com/MyOLW/videos/comedian-tommy-cooper-died-on-stage-during-a-performance-in-london-in-1984-the-a/1479690115600512/ The audience believed Cooper crumpling to the ground to have been the intended punchline, and nothing was done to help. When the crew realized something was horribly wrong, they cut to commercial only for the episode to be continued as normal with the other comedians scheduled to perform on the episode. Cooper's death was not announced until the next morning.

Seth Rogen is 42.

4/14/2024 50 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 42 Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror 31 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 30 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +1 29 Adele — Chasing Pavements 27 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody 26 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 25 La Roux — In For The Kill 24 Taylor Swift — Love Story 24 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 23 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved 23 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold 21 Leona Lewis — Happy 21 Leona Lewis — Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand 21 T.I. ft. Rihanna — Live Your Life 20 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough 19 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 18 The Saturdays — Forever Is Over 17 Basshunter — All I Ever Wanted 15 Mr Hudson ft. Kanye West — Supernova 11 The Noisettes - Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go) -2 8 Flo Rida ft. T-Pain — Low +3 5 H Two O ft. Platnum — What’s It Gonna Be -4 Gonna put this here:

Pope Sergius III died on this day 1113 years ago, aged 51. - Sergius' father was named Benedictus, and he came from a noble Italian family- he has been speculated to be related to the counts of Tusculum (that family produced several Early Middle Ages popes). - After the death of Pope Theodore II in 898, Sergius (then a bishop) attempted to have himself elected as pope, and was supported by his father and other nobles. He ended up getting into a tie with another person, and since emperor Lambert did not support him, he managed to install the rival- Pope John IX. John would excommunicate Sergius in one of his first papal decrees. - Sergius would succeed the Antipope Christopher, who had taken the papacy by force and was himself deposed; Sergius was requested to accept the papacy by Rome's military commander, Theophylact. - Sergius is known as one of the worst popes in history largely due to his behavior. He was a nepotist who elevated family members and his supporters to positions of power within the clergy, he would threaten and bribe clergy members to align them with his decisions, reportedly ordered the murders of his immediate predecessors Antipope Christopher and Pope Leo V through the use of his private army, and he allegedly fathered an illegitimate son while as pope- that alleged son eventually became Pope John XI. - Sergius would die after a 7-year papacy, and he would be succeeded by Pope Anastasius III.

Yuri Oganessian is 91.

4/13/2024 42 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 36 Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror 26 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 25 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody 25 La Roux — In For The Kill 24 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +2 24 Taylor Swift — Love Story 24 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 24 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 23 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved 23 Leona Lewis — Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand 23 Adele — Chasing Pavements 22 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold 21 Leona Lewis — Happy 21 T.I. ft. Rihanna — Live Your Life +1 20 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough 20 The Saturdays — Forever Is Over 19 Flo Rida ft. T-Pain — Low  18 Wiley — Wearing My Rolex 18 Mr Hudson ft. Kanye West — Supernova 17 H Two O ft. Platnum — What’s It Gonna Be 17 Basshunter — All I Ever Wanted 17 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 11 The Noisettes— Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go) 10 Soulja Boy Tell'em — Crank That +1 5 Robbie Williams — Bodies -3 5 Eric Prydz — Pjanoo -3

Annie Jump Cannon died on this day 83 years ago, aged 77. - Cannon became inspired to become an astronomer thanks to her mother, and also had an interest in photography. - In 1894, Cannon was hired as a junior physics professor at her alma mater Wellesley College, and would manage to gain access to observatory telescopes at other colleges and universities. She would receive her master's degree in 1907. - In 1896, Cannon was hired by fellow astronomer Edward Pickering to help catalog and categorize every star. In order to classify each one, she devised a new stellar classification system: (a mnemonic commonly used to remember this classification system is "Oh, Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me") The IAU would adopt this system in 1922, and it remains in use to this day. - Over her life, Cannon would classify over 300,000 stars, giving her the nickname "The Census Taker of the Sky". She would also be the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate from Oxford University.

Lou Bega is 49.

Robert MacNeil of The MacNeil/Lehrer Report dead at 93.

4/12/2024 32 Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror 32 Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah 25 Kid Cudi vs. Crookers — Day ’n’ Nite +2 24 Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind 23 Adele — Chasing Pavements 23 James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado — Broken Strings 22 Taylor Swift — Love Story 22 Rihanna — Russian Roulette 22 Leona Lewis — Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand 21 Kings Of Leon — Use Somebody +1 21 Sam Sparro — Black & Gold 21 La Roux — In For The Kill 21 The Script — The Man Who Can’t Be Moved 21 Leona Lewis — Happy 20 Flo Rida ft. T-Pain — Low 20 Basshunter — All I Ever Wanted 20 Eric Prydz — Pjanoo 20 T.I. ft. Rihanna — Live Your Life 20 The Saturdays — Just Can’t Get Enough 20 The Saturdays — Forever Is Over 18 Mr Hudson ft. Kanye West — Supernova 18 Robbie Williams — Bodies 17 H Two O ft. Platnum — What’s It Gonna Be 17 Wiley — Wearing My Rolex 15 Britney Spears — Piece Of Me 15 The Noisettes — Don’t Upset The Rhythm ( Go Baby Go) 15 Sugababes — Get Sexy 11 Soulja Boy Tell'em — Crank That +1 10 Nickelback — Rockstar -6 08 McFly — One For The Radio 06 Westlife — What About Now

Joanna of Castile died on this day 469 years ago, aged 75. - Joanna was a daughter of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II, and was an older sister of Catherine of Aragon. - Joanna married Philip of Austria in 1496, and the two were married for 10 years before Philip died. This partially led to her well known epithet "The Mad" due to the fact she would not part with his remains for years, going so far as to kiss his corpse nearly every day. - Joanna would become the queen regent of Castile after her mother's death in 1504, as her father had lost his rule over it. She was an inept monarch, and famine and disease quickly spread to the point a regency council was initiated, with her father becoming her regent- Ferdinand was effectively the king of Castile at this point. - Joanna would gain control of Aragon once Ferdinand died in 1516, though her Castilian claims remained under regency from high-ranking clergy members. Her son Charles would arrive to rule on her behalf, but nobles began to revolt against the ever-increasing Habsburg properties. It was known as the Revolt of the Comuneros, and Charles emerged victorious. - Charles would effectively oust his mother immediately after the revolt by forcing her to remain confined inside her palace, where she remained for the last 35 years of her life- albeit she was still technically considered queen. Her condition deteriorated further during her captivity- it's believed she suffered from chronic depression, psychosis, and/or schizophrenia.

Ed O'Neill is 78.