Tag Archives: Music
WTF Fun Fact 13363 – The Oldest Musical Instrument
WTF Fun Fact 13347 – Metallica Concert in Antarctica
Stevie Wonder: From Frustration to Masterpiece
In 1975, the legendary artist Stevie Wonder found himself growing increasingly frustrated with the state of the U.S. government. At one point, he seriously considered leaving his music career behind and relocating to Ghana. Ultimately, however, he chose to channel his emotions into his work, which led to the creation of the now-iconic album, Songs… Read More »
Resusci Anne’s Echo: The CPR Dummy Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ Refrain
In the iconic Michael Jackson track “Smooth Criminal,” the memorable refrain “Annie, are you OK?” derives its inspiration from Resusci Anne, a mannequin commonly employed for CPR training. Interestingly, Resusci Anne, also known as the “most kissed face” in the world, was designed in the late 1950s to help teach people lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques.… Read More »
Zero Freitas: The Man Behind the World’s Largest Vinyl Record Collection
Brazilian businessman José Roberto “Zero” Alves Freitas, born around 1955, owns the largest record collection in existence, boasting over 8 million vinyl records. His passion for music began during his childhood when his father purchased a hi-fi stereo with 200 albums. Freitas’s mother, who owned a collection of 400-500 records, further influenced his love for… Read More »
Beethoven’s Eroica: From Napoleon Tribute to Musical Revolution
Beethoven originally composed his 3rd Symphony as an homage to Napoleon, whom he greatly respected. However, upon Napoleon’s self-coronation as emperor in 1804, Beethoven furiously denounced him as a despot and removed Bonaparte’s name from the title page of the score. In addition, this symphony, also known as the “Eroica,” marked a significant turning point… Read More »
The Lost Legacy of Maria Anna Mozart
Maria Anna Mozart, the elder sister of Wolfgang Mozart, was a remarkably gifted child prodigy in music, just like her brother. It is a sad fact that despite her exceptional talents, Maria Anna was not allowed to pursue her musical career as an adult due to societal constraints on women at that time. Although Maria… Read More »