Another of the superstars from the 1970s, Elton John, scored a hit album in this year with 'Too Low For Zero', his seventeenth studio album which went platinum, aided by two top five hit singles ('I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues', and 'I'm Still Standing'). The second of those hits was accompanied by a memorably camp promo video, directed by acclaimed video director Russell Mulcahy (who went on to direct the hit film 'Highlander' three years later) and shot in Cannes in the south of France.
At this point in his career, John was still renowned for wild partying and excess, which came about as a result of his sustained success throughout the previous decade. During the shoot for 'I'm Still Standing', he encountered the band Duran Duran, at that time becoming superstars themselves, and after John had told Duran singer Simon Le Bon that he was tired after having been up since 4am that morning, they decided to have a drink - this ended up with the whole band plus Elton 'getting blasted' (as Le Bon put it) on martinis in Elton's hotel. Following the drinks session, a drunk Elton then trashed his own suite; remembering nothing the next morning and suffering from a hangover he asked his personal assistant what had happened to the now-demolished suite. 'YOU happened', replied the assistant.
The video went on to become a frequently-shown clip on MTV, enabling 'I'm Still Standing' to chart on both sides of the Atlantic in July of 1983. Furthermore, it remained a staple play on the European version of the channel for many years after it had been a hit, ensuring its ongoing popularity. Written by John, and long-serving lyricist Bernie Taupin, it is an upbeat number with a short but memorable hard rock-style lead guitar solo from Davey Johnstone.
Elton's other top five hit from this album 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues' reached number 5 on the UK singles chart in April 1983; a slower number more in keeping with his style at this point. The song featured harmonica from Motown superstar Stevie Wonder. A further single, 'Kiss The Bride' fared less well, still reaching number 20 on the UK chart however. That song gained a little more popularity in early 1984 when in a surprise move, John married German recording engineer Renate Blauel. His bisexuality had been common knowledge since the 1970s, however the marriage lasted only four years with rumours circulating during that period that the couple actually spent little time together.
Elton John continued to enjoy success for the remainder of the 1980s and beyond, producing hit albums on an almost annual basis with a string of hit singles, although it was not until he released 'Sacrifice' at the end of the decade that he scored a UK number one hit, his first since he topped the charts in 1976 with 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', a duet with singer Kiki Dee. His musical output only began to slow in the 1990s, however he continued to make new studio albums and notch up further hits. By this time he was also doing a lot of music for film soundtrack albums. He remains a big draw as a live performer, and has proven to be one of Britain's most enduring figures in popular music.
2023 update: Elton John's final world tour took place after which he is to bring the curtain down on live performance.
From 1983's 'Too Low For Zero' this is 'I'm Still Standing':
Sunday 30 June 2013
Monday 17 June 2013
Sally Ride, first female US astronaut in space
A piece of space exploration history was made in June of 1983, when astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space, when she flew on board the space shuttle Challenger on mission STS-7. (The first woman in space was the Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, who had flown twenty years earlier). Joining NASA in 1978 after answering a newspaper advertisement, she had earlier served as capsule communicator on the ground for two earlier shuttle missions, and had played a role in the development of the robot arm used on the shuttle.
Even by 1983, attitudes had not shifted completely and Ride was subjected to some embarrassing questions from the press of the day such as: 'Do you plan to wear a bra or make-up in space?', or 'Do you cry on the job?'. Ride was a highly-qualified scientist, having a Ph.D. in physics and although she dealt with the questions politely, she was irked by the attitudes, saying that it was 'too bad' that the media made such a big deal of her flight.
The STS-7 mission deployed two communications satellites, conducted some pharmaceutical experiments, and Ride made another first by becoming the first woman to use the robot arm in space, using it to retrieve a satellite. She would make one further space flight in 1984, aboard the same craft, and was in training for a third, when the Challenger disaster happened in early 1986. Subsequently, she was named on the Rogers Commission investigating the disaster and was then assigned to NASA headquarters, before leaving the organisation in 1987. During the investigation into the Challenger disaster, she gave public support to engineer Roger Boisjoly, who had expressed concern over possible failure of the so-called 'O-rings', seals on the rocket boosters, could fail in cold weather. His concerns were dismissed by both NASA and his own bosses at the time.
After NASA, she worked for a time at Stanford University before becoming a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. In 2003, she found herself on another investigation into a shuttle disaster, when she served on the board investigating the breakup of Columbia during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Sally Ride died age 61 on 23rd July 2012, having fought a battle against pancreatic cancer for over a year. Current US President Barack Obama announced in May of this year that the Presidential Medal of Freedom would be awarded posthumously, and is to be presented to Ride's family later in 2013.
A news report from 1983, reporting on the STS-7 mission including Sally Ride, is below:
The song 'Mustang Sally' with its refrain of 'Ride, Sally, Ride' became popular again in 1983 as a result of Ride's spaceflight; it is presented below.
Even by 1983, attitudes had not shifted completely and Ride was subjected to some embarrassing questions from the press of the day such as: 'Do you plan to wear a bra or make-up in space?', or 'Do you cry on the job?'. Ride was a highly-qualified scientist, having a Ph.D. in physics and although she dealt with the questions politely, she was irked by the attitudes, saying that it was 'too bad' that the media made such a big deal of her flight.
The STS-7 mission deployed two communications satellites, conducted some pharmaceutical experiments, and Ride made another first by becoming the first woman to use the robot arm in space, using it to retrieve a satellite. She would make one further space flight in 1984, aboard the same craft, and was in training for a third, when the Challenger disaster happened in early 1986. Subsequently, she was named on the Rogers Commission investigating the disaster and was then assigned to NASA headquarters, before leaving the organisation in 1987. During the investigation into the Challenger disaster, she gave public support to engineer Roger Boisjoly, who had expressed concern over possible failure of the so-called 'O-rings', seals on the rocket boosters, could fail in cold weather. His concerns were dismissed by both NASA and his own bosses at the time.
After NASA, she worked for a time at Stanford University before becoming a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. In 2003, she found herself on another investigation into a shuttle disaster, when she served on the board investigating the breakup of Columbia during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Sally Ride died age 61 on 23rd July 2012, having fought a battle against pancreatic cancer for over a year. Current US President Barack Obama announced in May of this year that the Presidential Medal of Freedom would be awarded posthumously, and is to be presented to Ride's family later in 2013.
A news report from 1983, reporting on the STS-7 mission including Sally Ride, is below:
The song 'Mustang Sally' with its refrain of 'Ride, Sally, Ride' became popular again in 1983 as a result of Ride's spaceflight; it is presented below.
Saturday 15 June 2013
1983 in television: The Black Adder debuts
In the news this week are actors Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson, since both have been honoured as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours list. However, the media have been somewhat amused at the news that it is Robinson who has received a knighthood, becoming Sir Tony (or, as some tabloids had it, 'Sir Baldrick') while Atkinson has been awarded with a 'mere' CBE.
Rowan Atkinson was already well-known to UK television viewers as part of the team behind the topical comedy sketch show 'Not The Nine O'Clock News', when he came up with the historical comedy series 'The Black Adder', which he co-wrote with Richard Curtis (with 'additional dialogue by William Shakespeare', added to the credits). He played the title role, with the series being set in the 15th century just after the events of the Battle of Bosworth field. The series diverges from actual history in the first episode, showing King Richard III (portrayed by guest star Peter Cook) to have won the battle, only to be killed by Edmund (Atkinson) in a case of mistaken identity. In the aftermath, Richard IV (Brian Blessed) becomes King and Edmund spends the remainder of the series trying to win favour, as he is the less-favoured of Richard IV's two sons.
The series established the character of Blackadder, as well as Baldrick (played by Tony Robinson), seen here in his original guise. Subsequent versions of Baldrick were portrayed as unintelligent, but this version is actually as cunning as he claimed through his 'cunning plans'. Also established is Lord Percy (Tim McInnerny), Blackadder's sidekick throughout this series.
The original series was produced by the BBC in association with Seven Network of Australia and boasted a large budget, allowing for a great deal of location filming. However, criticism of the series was largely focused on it not being as funny as hoped, and it would be three years before the BBC went ahead with the follow-up series, Black Adder II, on a much-reduced budget and with much more studio-based filming. Also brought in was writer Ben Elton, to work alongside Curtis and beef up the humour content. Set in the Elizabethan era, it reunited Atkinson, Robinson and McInnerny as descendants of the original triumvirate.
Seen here is the original closing theme to 'The Black Adder':
Rowan Atkinson was already well-known to UK television viewers as part of the team behind the topical comedy sketch show 'Not The Nine O'Clock News', when he came up with the historical comedy series 'The Black Adder', which he co-wrote with Richard Curtis (with 'additional dialogue by William Shakespeare', added to the credits). He played the title role, with the series being set in the 15th century just after the events of the Battle of Bosworth field. The series diverges from actual history in the first episode, showing King Richard III (portrayed by guest star Peter Cook) to have won the battle, only to be killed by Edmund (Atkinson) in a case of mistaken identity. In the aftermath, Richard IV (Brian Blessed) becomes King and Edmund spends the remainder of the series trying to win favour, as he is the less-favoured of Richard IV's two sons.
The series established the character of Blackadder, as well as Baldrick (played by Tony Robinson), seen here in his original guise. Subsequent versions of Baldrick were portrayed as unintelligent, but this version is actually as cunning as he claimed through his 'cunning plans'. Also established is Lord Percy (Tim McInnerny), Blackadder's sidekick throughout this series.
The original series was produced by the BBC in association with Seven Network of Australia and boasted a large budget, allowing for a great deal of location filming. However, criticism of the series was largely focused on it not being as funny as hoped, and it would be three years before the BBC went ahead with the follow-up series, Black Adder II, on a much-reduced budget and with much more studio-based filming. Also brought in was writer Ben Elton, to work alongside Curtis and beef up the humour content. Set in the Elizabethan era, it reunited Atkinson, Robinson and McInnerny as descendants of the original triumvirate.
Seen here is the original closing theme to 'The Black Adder':
Wednesday 12 June 2013
1983 in music: Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams come true
1983 was a breakthrough year for the Eurythmics, a duo comprised of singer Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart (then known simply as Dave Stewart), who handled multiple instruments. The pair had split from previous band The Tourists in 1980, releasing their debut as Eurythmics 'In The Garden' to only limited success the year later. All that would change for them with their second album, 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)'; released at the beginning of 1983 the record spawned two hits in this year, the title track and 'Love Is A Stranger'.
The band's synth-heavy music (at least during this period) fitted in well with the era, alongside Lennox's soulful vocal. With the importance of promotional videos growing, thanks to the still-new MTV channel, they embraced that medium fully, producing memorable videos for their singles. Lennox, with her closely-cropped hair dyed bright orange, and dressed in a suit, made a memorable impression in the video for 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)'. They took it a stage further for the 'Love Is A Stranger' video; Lennox playing the role of a high-class hooker in furs, glamorous make-up and in a blonde wig is chauffered by Stewart, removes the wig to reveal (once again) a style of short, dyed orange hair, the video ended with her once again dressed in a suit. Her frequent changes of image were reminiscent of David Bowie, and helped ensure the band were featured in magazines and on television. The album was a success, reaching number 3 on the UK album chart, and a follow-up album ('Touch', released June 1983) soon followed.
The 'Touch' album was recorded in just three weeks, and its lead-off single 'Who's That Girl' was another smash hit single. Once again, Lennox was exploring the gender roles in the video to that song, playing both a male and female. She was seen as a female nightclub singer and also as a male member of the audience, and the video included numerous cameos from pop stars of the day, including all of Bananarama, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee, and notably 'gender-bender' pop star Marilyn (aka Peter Robinson) whose appearance in this clip helped his own music career, also in this year.
A further single, the poppier 'Right By Your Side' followed in autumn of 1983 and by this time Eurythmics were one of the UK's biggest bands. They went on to enjoy a string of hits throughout the decade, slowly moving on from their synth-orientated sound to include other instrumentation. Their biggest hit came in 1985 with the gospel-influenced number 1 hit 'There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)', featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. They eventually called it a day in 1990 after seven albums and went their separate ways; Lennox would score more hit singles as a solo artist while Stewart became known as a renowned producer and respected guitarist. The pair made one final album together in 1999 ('Peace') before splitting once and for all.
From the Eurythmics' golden year of 1983, here is 'Who's That Girl'
The band's synth-heavy music (at least during this period) fitted in well with the era, alongside Lennox's soulful vocal. With the importance of promotional videos growing, thanks to the still-new MTV channel, they embraced that medium fully, producing memorable videos for their singles. Lennox, with her closely-cropped hair dyed bright orange, and dressed in a suit, made a memorable impression in the video for 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)'. They took it a stage further for the 'Love Is A Stranger' video; Lennox playing the role of a high-class hooker in furs, glamorous make-up and in a blonde wig is chauffered by Stewart, removes the wig to reveal (once again) a style of short, dyed orange hair, the video ended with her once again dressed in a suit. Her frequent changes of image were reminiscent of David Bowie, and helped ensure the band were featured in magazines and on television. The album was a success, reaching number 3 on the UK album chart, and a follow-up album ('Touch', released June 1983) soon followed.
The 'Touch' album was recorded in just three weeks, and its lead-off single 'Who's That Girl' was another smash hit single. Once again, Lennox was exploring the gender roles in the video to that song, playing both a male and female. She was seen as a female nightclub singer and also as a male member of the audience, and the video included numerous cameos from pop stars of the day, including all of Bananarama, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee, and notably 'gender-bender' pop star Marilyn (aka Peter Robinson) whose appearance in this clip helped his own music career, also in this year.
A further single, the poppier 'Right By Your Side' followed in autumn of 1983 and by this time Eurythmics were one of the UK's biggest bands. They went on to enjoy a string of hits throughout the decade, slowly moving on from their synth-orientated sound to include other instrumentation. Their biggest hit came in 1985 with the gospel-influenced number 1 hit 'There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)', featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. They eventually called it a day in 1990 after seven albums and went their separate ways; Lennox would score more hit singles as a solo artist while Stewart became known as a renowned producer and respected guitarist. The pair made one final album together in 1999 ('Peace') before splitting once and for all.
From the Eurythmics' golden year of 1983, here is 'Who's That Girl'
Monday 10 June 2013
1983 in music: The Police's final album 'Synchronicity' released
Within the space of about five years, power trio The Police had become one of the world's biggest bands. Comprising bassist/vocalist (and chief songwriter) Gordon 'Sting' Sumner, guitarist Andy Summers and American drummer Stewart Copeland, they'd enjoyed a string of hit singles and albums on both sides of the Atlantic. By 1983, the strain was taking its toll as the individual members began to drift apart, but the band reconvened at AIR Studios in Quebec at the end of 1982 in order to record what would become their biggest-selling album to date.
Reportedly the band members recorded their parts in separate rooms, ostensibly in order to obtain the best sound for their respective instruments, but as the album's co-producer Hugh Padgham admitted, it was also for 'social reasons'. Overdubs took place in early 1983 at Le Studio, Quebec, Canada - again with the band members adding their overdubs separately. The volatile relationship between Sting and Stewart Copeland boiled over with the two coming to blows, almost resulting in Hugh Padgham walking from the project.
When the album was released in June 1983 it was an instant success, topping both UK and US album charts - even dislodging the all-conquering Michael Jackson for a period whose 'Thriller' album ruled the year. The album spawned several hit singles, most notably 'Wrapped Around Your Finger' and 'Every Breath You Take', a chart-topper both sides of the Atlantic. The band won three Grammy awards the following year for 'Synchronicity', but despite the enormous success, the strain proved too much in the end and following a tour, the band finally splintered with Sting going on to solo success two years later with his solo album 'Dream Of The Blue Turtles'. A comeback was attempted in 1986, with a compilation album being released (featuring a re-recorded 'Don't Stand So Close To Me'), but this soon faltered, with Copeland suffering a broken shoulder rendering him unable to play drums.
It wasn't until 2007 that the band finally got back together for a tour, despite the lengthy hiatus interest was massive and the group sold out huge venues the world over. That tour ended in 2008, grossing a reported $358m. Since then the members have continued with their respective solo projects.
'Every Breath You Take' has become a signature song, its distinctive guitar riff being sampled by hip-hop artists Puff Daddy (later P. Diddy), Faith Evans and 112 for their tribute to deceased fellow rapper Notorious B.I.G., 'I'll Be Missing You' in 1997.
Shown is the memorable video to 'Wrapped Around Your Finger', very much of its time!
Reportedly the band members recorded their parts in separate rooms, ostensibly in order to obtain the best sound for their respective instruments, but as the album's co-producer Hugh Padgham admitted, it was also for 'social reasons'. Overdubs took place in early 1983 at Le Studio, Quebec, Canada - again with the band members adding their overdubs separately. The volatile relationship between Sting and Stewart Copeland boiled over with the two coming to blows, almost resulting in Hugh Padgham walking from the project.
When the album was released in June 1983 it was an instant success, topping both UK and US album charts - even dislodging the all-conquering Michael Jackson for a period whose 'Thriller' album ruled the year. The album spawned several hit singles, most notably 'Wrapped Around Your Finger' and 'Every Breath You Take', a chart-topper both sides of the Atlantic. The band won three Grammy awards the following year for 'Synchronicity', but despite the enormous success, the strain proved too much in the end and following a tour, the band finally splintered with Sting going on to solo success two years later with his solo album 'Dream Of The Blue Turtles'. A comeback was attempted in 1986, with a compilation album being released (featuring a re-recorded 'Don't Stand So Close To Me'), but this soon faltered, with Copeland suffering a broken shoulder rendering him unable to play drums.
It wasn't until 2007 that the band finally got back together for a tour, despite the lengthy hiatus interest was massive and the group sold out huge venues the world over. That tour ended in 2008, grossing a reported $358m. Since then the members have continued with their respective solo projects.
'Every Breath You Take' has become a signature song, its distinctive guitar riff being sampled by hip-hop artists Puff Daddy (later P. Diddy), Faith Evans and 112 for their tribute to deceased fellow rapper Notorious B.I.G., 'I'll Be Missing You' in 1997.
Shown is the memorable video to 'Wrapped Around Your Finger', very much of its time!
Sunday 9 June 2013
1983 General Election
For yours truly, 1983's General Election was especially significant. First of all, as I had turned 18 that year I had the vote for the first time ever, and up until this year my local Member of Parliament was none other than former Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson. He had served as MP for the Huyton constituency for 33 years, including all his time as Prime Minister, but by 1983 he had announced his intention to stand down as an MP, and was later created as Lord Wilson of Rievalux.
For the 1983 Election, the Conservative government of the day introduced a number of constituency boundary changes and one of those meant the abolition of Wilson's old Huyton constituency. The newly-created Knowsley South constituency replaced it, with a new candidate in Sean Hughes standing for the Labour party in what would still be considered an extremely safe seat. Indeed, Hughes won the seat comfortably in 1983 with a majority of 11,769.
However, nationally it was the Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher who romped the election with a landslide win, helped in part by her role in reclaiming the Falklands the year before but also by a split in the opposition vote, as many senior Labour figures had defected from the party in the two years previous, in order to join the new Social Democratic Party. The new party, headed by former Labour minister Dr David Owen, formed an alliance with the Liberal party in order to fight the election and despite gaining 25 percent of the popular vote (only a few thousand fewer than Labour) they won few seats in Parliament. Labour's vote fell by over 3 million, as they suffered from a 4 percent swing to the Conservatives, who eventually won with an increased parliamentary majority of 144 seats. Labour, led by veteran firebrand Michael Foot, came under media criticism, mainly for its manifesto pledging unilateral nuclear disarmament (described as 'the longest suicide note in history' by one of his own MPs, Gerald Kaufman) and also for its selection of an ageing leader whose public image contrasted badly against the more telegenic and dynamic Thatcher.
Labour would spend the next 14 years in opposition, as Thatcher consolidated her grip on power and set about changing the country for good. Foot resigned as Labour leader shortly after the election defeat as the party licked its wounds, eventually choosing the much younger Neil Kinnock as its leader.
As for Margaret Thatcher, her term as Prime Minister was defined partly by the Falklands conflict and also for her tough, uncompromising stance against unions, culminating in a bitter battle against Arthur Scargill's miners' union who opposed her plans for the industry. Although Thatcher prevailed in that battle, the scars remain to this day and were in evidence once again in April 2013, when her passing was mourned by some, yet joyfully celebrated by others who had not forgotten the bitter disputes three decades earlier.
The constituency of Knowsley South continued to be represented by Sean Hughes until his premature death in 1990, after which he was succeeded by Eddie O'Hara, in the safest Labour seat in the country. Further boundary changes in 2010 saw the constituency abolished and the new Knowsley constituency (taking in the old Huyton one), was represented by George Howarth who held it for Labour with an overwhelming majority of 25,690.
Wilson is commemorated today with a statue situated in Huyton town centre, sculpted by the local artist Tom Murphy.
Monday 3 June 2013
1983 in film: Trading Places
The 1980s have gone down as the 'greed is good' decade, a time when aspiration, achievement and monetary gain were what everyone was striving for. A hugely-successful film which satirised that ethos, came out in the summer of 1983. 'Trading Places', directed by John Landis, starred comedians Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy as the two protagonists. Both had been regulars on the US television comedy programme 'Saturday Night Live' and had broken through into films in the early 1980s. Aykroyd had scored a hit when he teamed up with John Belushi in 'The Blues Brothers' while Murphy's starring role opposite Nick Nolte in '48 Hours' established his movie career.
In 'Trading Places', Aykroyd played the well-to-do Louis Winthrope III, a managing director of a successful brokerage firm owned by brothers Randolph and Mortimer Duke (played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, respectively) while Murphy was cast as street hustler Billy Ray Valentine. Following a chance encounter between the two, resulting in an arrest for Billy Ray, the Duke brothers decide to conduct a little experiment. They frame Louis for theft and have him arrested, while bailing out Billy Ray, and have Louis fired from his highly-paid job and removed from his plush town-house. Billy Ray is installed in Louis's place, and soon becomes immersed in the brokerage business. However, when Billy Ray overhears a conversation between the Duke brothers he realises both he and Louis have been set up for a wager of just $1. Following this, he tracks down Louis who is by now homeless, and staying with Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), a local prostitute who took pity on him. Once they settle their own differences, the two team up and use their respective skills to turn the tables on the Dukes and put them out of business.
The film's plot owes much to the Mark Twain novel 'The Prince and The Pauper' as well as Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro' in which characters are switched in a similar manner. Music from 'The Marriage of Figaro' is used as background while the audience is introduced to Louis Winthorpe and his life of privilege, before it is all taken away from him. 'Trading Places' went on to become the fourth highest-grossing film of the year, taking $90.4 million during its run in US cinemas. It was nominated for several awards including an Oscar, two Golden Globes and three BAFTAs. Jamie Lee Curtis won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress while veteran British actor Denholm Elliot (who played Coleman, butler to Louis Winthorpe III) won another BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.
Here is the trailer for 'Trading Places':
In 'Trading Places', Aykroyd played the well-to-do Louis Winthrope III, a managing director of a successful brokerage firm owned by brothers Randolph and Mortimer Duke (played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, respectively) while Murphy was cast as street hustler Billy Ray Valentine. Following a chance encounter between the two, resulting in an arrest for Billy Ray, the Duke brothers decide to conduct a little experiment. They frame Louis for theft and have him arrested, while bailing out Billy Ray, and have Louis fired from his highly-paid job and removed from his plush town-house. Billy Ray is installed in Louis's place, and soon becomes immersed in the brokerage business. However, when Billy Ray overhears a conversation between the Duke brothers he realises both he and Louis have been set up for a wager of just $1. Following this, he tracks down Louis who is by now homeless, and staying with Ophelia (Jamie Lee Curtis), a local prostitute who took pity on him. Once they settle their own differences, the two team up and use their respective skills to turn the tables on the Dukes and put them out of business.
The film's plot owes much to the Mark Twain novel 'The Prince and The Pauper' as well as Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro' in which characters are switched in a similar manner. Music from 'The Marriage of Figaro' is used as background while the audience is introduced to Louis Winthorpe and his life of privilege, before it is all taken away from him. 'Trading Places' went on to become the fourth highest-grossing film of the year, taking $90.4 million during its run in US cinemas. It was nominated for several awards including an Oscar, two Golden Globes and three BAFTAs. Jamie Lee Curtis won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress while veteran British actor Denholm Elliot (who played Coleman, butler to Louis Winthorpe III) won another BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.
Here is the trailer for 'Trading Places':
Sunday 2 June 2013
Legendary jockey Lester Piggott wins record-breaking ninth Epsom Derby with Teenoso
Lester Piggott was a household name in Britain, by some distance the best-known jockey in horse racing. At the time he was Champion Jockey, having won the title for the eleventh time in 1982 at the age of 47. He had many wins in 'Classic' races to his name too, and was seeking a record ninth win this year.
For the 1983 renewal, Piggott was partnered with Teenoso, an American-bred colt trained in Britain by Geoff Wragg. With Piggott on board, the horse was sent off as favourite at 9/2. He was up with the leaders from the early stages, going clear as the field hit the straight and was never headed from there on in, winning by three lengths from nearest challenger Carlingford Castle. The ground was the heaviest in years, resulting in a slow time for the winner, clocking in at 2:49.07 - the slowest time of the 20th century.
With that victory, Piggott took the record for most wins in the race, which he holds to this day. He never won another Derby but at that year's Epsom meeting he had another win in the Coronation Cup on board Be My Native, coincidentally also his ninth win in that race. He would continue as a jockey until 1985, after which he went into training, sending out 34 winners before that career was cut short, in a well-publicised trial for tax fraud he was convicted and imprisoned, serving 366 days. That conviction also cost him his OBE, awarded in 1975. Following his release, in 1990 he elected to return to riding, and famously won the Breeders' Cup in the USA on board Royal Academy. He continued until 1995 when he retired once and for all from the saddle.
As for Teenoso, the horse did not win again in 1983 but went on to win several more races in the following year, most notably he won his final race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, partnered again by Piggott.
Lester Piggott, even after being retired for many years, remains a household name in horse racing and one of British sport's best-known figures.
Here is the 1983 Epsom Derby in full:
For the 1983 renewal, Piggott was partnered with Teenoso, an American-bred colt trained in Britain by Geoff Wragg. With Piggott on board, the horse was sent off as favourite at 9/2. He was up with the leaders from the early stages, going clear as the field hit the straight and was never headed from there on in, winning by three lengths from nearest challenger Carlingford Castle. The ground was the heaviest in years, resulting in a slow time for the winner, clocking in at 2:49.07 - the slowest time of the 20th century.
With that victory, Piggott took the record for most wins in the race, which he holds to this day. He never won another Derby but at that year's Epsom meeting he had another win in the Coronation Cup on board Be My Native, coincidentally also his ninth win in that race. He would continue as a jockey until 1985, after which he went into training, sending out 34 winners before that career was cut short, in a well-publicised trial for tax fraud he was convicted and imprisoned, serving 366 days. That conviction also cost him his OBE, awarded in 1975. Following his release, in 1990 he elected to return to riding, and famously won the Breeders' Cup in the USA on board Royal Academy. He continued until 1995 when he retired once and for all from the saddle.
As for Teenoso, the horse did not win again in 1983 but went on to win several more races in the following year, most notably he won his final race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, partnered again by Piggott.
Lester Piggott, even after being retired for many years, remains a household name in horse racing and one of British sport's best-known figures.
Here is the 1983 Epsom Derby in full:
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