Day Tripping: November 8

Something to Talk About

From almost the moment she was born in 1949, Bonnie Rait was surrounded by music. Her mother was a pianist and her father performed in musical theater. Intimidated by her mother’s skills, Bonnie chose to pursue guitar instead of piano.

She never took a lesson, preferring to learn by mimicking folk musicians. While in school at Harvard taking African Studies, she joined a music group where she met blues promoter, Dick Waterman.

“I think people must wonder how a white girl like me became a blues guitarist. The truth is, I never intended to do this for a living.”

Rait’s intention after college was to travel to Tanzania because the new President, Julius Nyerere was forming a new democratic government. Bonnie never finished Harvard, instead, choosing to leave with Waterman and other musicians and headed for Philadelphia.

Bonnie’s breakout year came in 1989 after working as a session player for Leon Russell, John Prine, Jackson Browne, and Little Feat. She has since won 10 Grammy’s and been voted 89th on Rolling Stone magazine’s top 100 guitarists of all time.

Today is:

National Cappucino Day — if you like overpriced coffee with froth.

Musical Ride

One of the greatest rock albums of all time, Led Zeppelin IV was released in 1971, featuring Rock and Roll, Going To California, and Stairway To Heaven. The opening song, Black Dog, was named for the Labrador that roamed the grounds around the country house where the album was recorded.

Interesting Notes

Cher’s former husband and singing partner Sonny Bono was elected to the US House of Representatives for California in 1994. He had already served as the Mayor of Palm Springs.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Alex Trebek turned his work as a quiz show host into an avenue for learning and philanthropy. His passing in 2020 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 80 has left a void in the television community that remains difficult to fill.

Notable Births

1847 — Bram Stoker: “Nothing is too small. I counsel you, put down in record even your doubts and surmises. Hereafter it may be of interest to you to see how true you guess. We learn from failure, not from success!”

1966 — Gordon Ramsay: “Chefs are nutters. They’re all self-obsessed, delicate, dainty, insecure little souls, and absolute psychopaths. Every last one of them.” No argument here.

K. Barrett Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Terry Trueman Dr. Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Holly Kellums Michael Burg, MD Lucy Dan Dave Logan

All previous Day Tripping entries are available at the following links:

The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present

A comprehensive directory for Day Tripping