Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, April 1, 2022
1957 April Fool’s Prank, the BBC announced that because of a mild winter in Switzerland, spaghetti trees were producing more spaghetti than normal. And they showed footage of people pulling strands of spaghetti off tree branches.
People immediately started calling in asking how to grow their own spaghetti tree. So the BBC told them, quote, “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.”
1963, “General Hospital” made its debut. It is still on 59 years later!
1970, President Nixon signed the measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and TV.
1985 April Fool’s Prank “Sports Illustrated” claimed a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch was planning to play for the Mets. They said he could throw 168 miles an hour, and that he trained at a monastery in Tibet.
Mets fans went nuts, and the magazine was flooded with requests for more information on a guy who Didn’t exist.
Music History:
1984 Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father at his parent’s home in LA. An argument started after his parents squabbled over misplaced business documents, Gaye attempted to intervene, and was killed. Marvin Sr. was sentenced to six years of probation after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Charges of first-degree murder were dropped after doctors discovered Marvin Sr. had a brain tumor.
Notable Birthdays:
Singer Susan Boyle 61
Rudolph Isley 83
Actress Ali McGraw 84
Credit to:
Thisdayinmusic.com and Thisdaytrivia.com
