Congatulations to Denny Farrell who hosts The Original Big Band Showcase, on the birth of his first grandson, Michael Patrick on St. Patrick's Day... Courting Mae West: Based on true events during the Prohibition Era when Mae West was arrested and jailed will be at the Algonquin Theatre in NYC this coming July.

This is a sad one. Mike Smith, the lead singer of the Dave Clark Five died from pnuemonia, just ten days before the DC5 were scheduled to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mike had the terrible misfortune of getting his trousers caught while trying to climb over his own fence. He landed square on his head and had been paralyzed ever since. Several years earlier, his only son died in a diving accident. Mike Smith had plenty to be bitter about, but he was always upbeat in his correspondence with his fans around the world. Although he wrote many of the Dave Clark Five's hits, Mike seemed to depend upon contributions from fans and peers (like Peter Noone of the Herman's Hermits) to help defer the cost of needed medical equipment.

The "Swamp Ghost" is (was) a great tourist attraction for the adventurous in the swamps of Northern New Guinea. The American B-17 bomber was forced to land over 60 years ago in treachrous swampland, partially submerged. The entire crew somehow managed to make their way out in several days, often needing to construct platforms from trees and twigs to keep their bodies above water to rest. The Flying Fortress was recently dismantled by an American entrepreneur and lifted by helicopter to the docks where it is was the process of being packed-up for shipment back to the U.S. for restoration, until New Guinea government officials stopped it. Now the plane is in limbo, packed in crates in a warehouse awaiting litigation. The B-17 is especially unique because the gunner on the bottom turret layed down which is unusual for any gunner.

Look what they keep doing to the Munsters' house ... This fellow has some great recent photographs with many stars from the past. I found him because I Googled Marge Champion. She was married to Gower Champion. They were a staple in N.Y.C.'s nightclub circuit in the 50's and a favorite of Mr. Dana's, who wrote the reviews on this site.

Chuck Conner's fans, there was a large "loop" in the rifle's trigger, that's how he could fire so fast. Here's how to get your own Rifleman's rifle with the same reflex.

It looks like the Hotel Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania 65 oh-oh-ho) which Bandleader Glenn Miller made famous in 1940 may not be destroyed after all. A resolution to protect it from demolition is on its way to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This review features Horace Heidt's 1954 performance there.

What's all the hullabaloo about tabloid sensation Amy Winehouse? She's described by YouTube fans as being "tragic," "brilliant" and "Billie Holidayish." This video shows Amy Winehouse really nailing the vocals on that old standard "Teach Me Tonight."

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