Mr. Pop History – This is a follow-up to Lizzie’s “2000″ popular phrases for this decade (scroll down). I call them “me” phrases: much like fads and they get way overused.
I’ve been getting e-mails and two that I really missed (and I’ll never use) are: “and I digress”… and… “that begs the question.”
Well, if you are digressing, do we need to know you are? And, why does it “beg” that question? Are questions like dogs? Throw it a bone and just say the question.
Mr. Pop History – hmmm – you’re reading this blog aren’t you? Not long ago, I answered a question about “The Twist” by Chubby Checker. Well, that too is your answer! The song was written by the late Hank Ballard who also choreographed the dance.
Also, according to some – “The Twist” was the first rock record embraced by adults (Dick Clark). 
Mr. Pop History – That is correct. The tiny Oregon town of Halfway changed its name to half.com for a year. Half.com was a sort of flea market, selling used goods, hence the name. That year was 2000.
Later purchased by EBay, half.com died in 2003 after EBay decided it was offering a lot of the same services.
Mr. Pop History – Great observation. How many “Extreme” whatever, do you see now-a-days? There’s even an “Extreme” used car dealer in my area (that’s pretty funny!). Take a look around – Extreme is used almost everywhere.
We can trace the first use of X and Extreme – with the “X-Games,” created by Ron Semiao. When? 1993.
X-Games are so popular – it’s one of ESPN’s big money makers – because they appeal to the 12-24-year-old male. “Extreme” sports then followed – which really is the measure of the popularity of action (not my description). Then of course, the ad folks picked it up – then on and on. It all began in 1993.
Mr. Pop History – Digging around – the press confirmed some 251 varieties of Pokemon. Can you believe it?
Mr. Pop History – No problem. “My bad” and the Iraq war gave us, “Shock and Awe” to describe bombing attacks. This one was so good – some 26 trademark applications were taken out for such things as gaming, fireworks and would you believe – condoms. “My bad” – well – it’s not one of my favorites, but it is popular and part of this decade. How about “my good?” www.mrpopculture.com
Mr. Pop History – McCartney here is candid. This probably wouldn’t be said in public by McCartney or anybody else these days. This is from the www.mrpopculture.com archives of November, 1985…
Paul McCartney , in a “Woman” magazine article, said about the late John Lennon, “He could be a maneuvering swine, which no one ever realized. Now since the death, he’s become ‘Martin Luther’ Lennon. But that wasn’t really
him either. He wasn’t some sort of holy saint. He was really a debunker.” McCartney said Lennon was insecure, jealous, suspicious and sometimes paranoiac about McCartney’s songs. “For 10 years together, he took my
songs apart. He was paranoiac about my songs. We had great screaming sessions about them,” said McCartney. “I saw somewhere that he says he helped on Eleanor Rigby. Yeah, abut half a line.” “No one ever goes on
about the times John hurt me. When he called my music Muzak. People keep on
saying I hurt him, but where’s their examples? When did I do it?” said McCartney
Mr. Pop History – I hope not. Stern left the confines of commercial radio so he wouldn’t be dogged. And – he wanted complete format freedom. He’s got that – but – look out – Howard’s looking back! If he goes back – he’ll never be able to do the shows he wants to do. Or will he? He’d have to compromise and do a wimpier version of his show. It would have to be Howard Light. Remember, guys like Al Sharpton are out there (just ask Imus). The landscape is way worse now – worse compared to earlier this decade – especially for guys like Stern.
But, because he’s just-about disappeared from celebrity-land (compared to his halcyon days) – he may believe he has no choice, then blame the media for his woes, lest he gets out of line. I don’t know. I’ll have more respect for him if he sticks to his guns. He made a big, big, big deal about leaving commercial radio – and how bad it was – and the people who program/enforce it. He couldn’t wait to get into satellite radio.
He’s a master at PR What we all need to really know – it doesn’t matter. He’ll do what he wants – and justify it somehow. In the end – you can either respect him or not. And, if you lose respect, why even bother listening?
Sometimes, it’s just better to know when to go away. Howard’s left his mark and doesn’t need to work another day. Do a Seinfeld – and come back with big projects every so often. Going back to regular radio would be bad for Stern. Those great days on morning commercial radio; the 1990′s are long gone. He hit the top and when he got there – didn’t like it. Then he went to satellite where his format dreams came true (and so did the loot).
Mr. Pop History – That’s correct. ITunes came to us back in March of 2003 and at first, things were slow. It was only available to Mac users, but Apple got smart and opened it up to Windows users in October of 2003. By the end of the year, ITunes sold 25 million downloadable songs! All of this before Ipod’s – which came quickly in 2004. And the rest is pop history. 
Mr. Pop History – (Mamas and Papas) Yes. Singer/songwriter John Phillips lived life in the fast lane for sure. He divorced Michelle in May of 1970 and she married his friend – actor Dennis Hopper almost immediately. Before this divorce – he was dating a lady by the name of Genevieve Waite. She was a “B” actress and at that time – and was supposed to be in a movie written and produced by John Phillips called “Byron & Shelley.” 
Mr. Pop Culture Report
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