Sunday, December 3, 2017

December 3rd

Ray Charles performs on The Ed Sullivan Show, including a duet with Billy Preston on keyboards to the recent Edwin Starr hit "Agent Double-O-Soul".  (They also do "What'd I Say" with the Raelettes) 



Diana Ross and the Supremes (featuring Cindy Birdsong, who has now replaced Florence Ballard) performed their hits "Reflections" and "The Happening" on a Tennessee Ernie Ford television special. 

Surgeons led by Dr. Christiaan Barnard, perform the first human heart transplant at the Groote Shur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Patient Louis Washkansky lived 18 days with the new heart. The first heart transplant operation in the U.S. would happen three days later (on December 6, 1967, in New York City.) 

We've got a brand new #1 Movie at the Box Office this week … "Hell's Angels On Wheels" overtakes Disney's "The Jungle Book" to claim the top spot.  (Suffice to say these two films appeal to two COMPLETELY different audiences!!!)  Most likely carried by Jack Nicholson, its reign at the top would be short-lived … you won't believe what the #1 Movie will be NEXT week!!!



Ok, so they weren't ALL great movies in '67! (kk)

The 20th Century Limited makes its final run from New York City to Chicago.
The train was inaugurated in 1902 and in 1938, when it received a new steam engine, was able to make the 958 mile trip in just 16 hours.  It was considered to be the most famous train in US History and was also one of the most luxurious.  (Passengers entering and leaving the train did so via the red carpet, which originated the phrase still used today on airlines and major Hollywood events!)  Trainfare in 1928, which included a private cabin for overnight stay, ran about $52 ... and the service is believed to have grossed about ten million dollars that year, making it the most profitable train in the world.