Born on this day – Sonny Curtis:

Sonny Curtis

Singer

Songwriter

May 9, 1937 – September 19, 2025

Credits:

Albums:

Beatle Hits Flamenco Style Guitar (1964); Love Is All Around (1980); Rollin' (1981); Sonny Curtis (1979 / 2007); Spectrum (1987); The 1st of Sonny Curtis (1968); The Sonny Curtis Style (1969).

Songs:

A Beatle I Want to Be; Atlanta Georgia Stray; Buddy Holly Medley; Cowboy Singer; Day Drinker; Destiny's Child; Do Your Remember Roll Over Beethoven, Eager for the Edge; Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover; How Little Men Care; Hung Up in Your Eyes; I Fought the Law; I Like Your Music; I Wanna Go Bummin' Around; It’s Not Easy Being Fifteen; Love Is All Around; Married Women; My Little Girl; Now I’ve Got a Heart of Gold; Peggy Sue; Rock 'n' Roll; Soul Fever; Talk About My Baby; The Collector; The Mary Tyler Moore Show / Them; The Real Buddy Holly Story; The Straight Life; This Is the Last Song I'm Ever Gonna Sing; This Time Tomorrow; Walk Right Back; You Made My Life a Song.

Movies and television:

55th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (2020); 7th Heaven (1999); A Good Year (2006); A Somewhat Gentle Man (2010); A.P. Bio (2018); Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007); Arena (1984–1985); Ashes to Ashes (2008); Attachments (2000); Aurora Borealis (2005); Badge '69' (1974); Bees Make Honey (2017); Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert (2020); Broadcast News: James L. Brooks - A Singular Voice (2011); Brothers: The Return (2006); Buddy Holly: Rave On (2017); Buffalo Gun (1961); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992); Cannonball (2017); CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (2022 / 2025); Cheers (1990); Christine (2016); City on a Hill (2022); Classic Albums (2019); CODA (2021); Convoy (1978); Cook Off! (2007); Crossing Jordan (2007); Daddy's Home (2015); Dancing with the Stars (2009–2011); Dawson's Creek (2002); Donkey Xote (2007); Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999); EastEnders (2006); El camino de Martín Negri (2021); Evening Shade (1990–1991); Family Guy (2000–2009); Family Switch (2023); Femme Fatales (2011); Firehouse Dog (2007); For All Mankind (2021); Freddy Got Fingered (2001); Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (2021); Get It Together (1978); Gila! (2012); Glory Daze (2010); GLOW (2018); Go Fact Yourself (2023); Gone (2006); Hawaii Five-0 (2012); Hee Haw (1980); Hellfest (2019); History of the Euros (2016); Hollywood a Go Go (1965); Hot Rod (1979); In Living Color (1993); Intermission (2003); Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: Live! (2001); Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007); Just for Fun (1963); Killer Elite (2011); Kings of Rock 'n' Roll (2008); Kiss the Future (2023); Le palmarès des chansons (1966); Leo Sayer: More Than I Can Say (1980); Les invincibles (2005); Love & Kisses (1965); Lulu's Back in Town (1968); Mafia III (2016); Man of the House (2005); Man vs Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Nibbler (2015); Mary and Rhoda (2000); Mary Tyler Moore: The 20th Anniversary Show (1991); Masterminds (2016); Miami Vice (1985); Mooch (1974); Motive (2016); My Dead Boyfriend (2016); My Family (2025); Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1993–1994); Ocean's Eight (2018); Orphan Black (2016); Poor Little Rich Girl (1965); Por Ahora (2013); Prima che la notte (2018); Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2007); Ready, Steady, Go! (1964); Real Wild Child: Joan Jett Music Video Anthology (2003); Reckless Kelly (1993); RoboCop (2014); Rogue Heroes (2022); Rökrock - The Non-History of Rock'n Roll (1990); Rude Boy (1980); She's the Man (2006); Shindig! (1965); Sing a Country Song (1973); Sing Street (2016); Sleeping Dogs (2012); St. Vincent (2014); Stillwater (2021); Strictly Come Dancing (2004); Swingin' Along (1961); Tatort (2014); The '70s (2000); The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1965); The Brass Teapot (2012); The Brothers O'Toole (1973); The Buddy Holly Story (1978); The Clash: I Fought the Law (1988); The Doctor J & Dangerous Dave Dog & Pony Show (2023); The Electric State (2025); The Final Day (2000); The Good Guys (2010); The Help (2011); The Hunting Party (2007); The Kraft Summer Music Hall (1966); The Love Punch (2013); The Mary Tyler Moore Hour (1979); The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977); The Midnight Special (1980–1981); The Muppet Show (1980); The Project (2023); The Simpsons (1995–2003); The Skull (2010); The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (1961); The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2016–2017); The Wonder Years (1991); This Life (1997); Top of the Pops (1979–1980); Top of the Pops: The Story of 1980 (2015); Tracy Beaker Returns (2010); Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (2006); Travelin' Light (1971); Unforgettable: The Sweeney (2012); Union Square (1997–2000); Unzipped (1995); War on Everyone (2016); We Can Be Heroes (2020); Wine Dancing (2015); Young Sheldon (2017).

Born on this day – Constance Demby:

Constance Demby

Musician

Composer

Painter

Sculptor

Multimedia producer

May 9, 1939 – March 20, 2021

Credits:

Music:

Æterna (1995); Ambrosial Waves – Healing Waters (2011); Ambrosial Waves – Tidal Pools (2013); Arjuna Ardagh and Constance Demby – Guided Meditations: The Beloved (1998); Arjuna Ardagh and Constance Demby – Guided Meditations: The Heart Meditation (1998); Attunement: Live in Concert (2000); Breeze at Dawn (1989); Chronos (Original Soundtrack Recording) (1984); Constance Demby at Alaron – Live Concert Recording (1984); Eterna (Linda Bandino) and Constance Demby – The Journey Home; Eterna (Linda Bandino) and Constance Demby – The Master Healing Ray; Faces of the Christ (2000); Light of This World (1987); Live in Tokyo (2003); Novus Magnificat: Through the Stargate – 30th Anniversary Edition (2017); Novus Magnificat: Through the Stargate (1986); Polar Shift (1991); Sacred Space Music (1982); Sanctum Sanctuorum (2001); Set Free (1989); Skies Above Skies (1978); Sonic Immersion: A Vibratory Tonal Attunement (2004); Spirit Trance (2004); Sunborne (1980); Troubadour (1976); Various Artists – Illumination.

On this day in movie history - Death of a Cyclist (1955)

Death of a Cyclist

directed and written by Juan Antonio Bardem,

based on a story by Luis Fernando de Igoa,

was released at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 9, 1955.

Music by Isidro B. Maiztegui.

Cast:

Lucia Bosè, Alberto Closas, Bruna Corrà, Carlos Casaravilla, Otello Toso, Alicia Romay, Julia Delgado Caro, Matilde Muñoz Sampedro, Mercedes Albert, José Sepúlveda, José Prada, Fernando Sancho, Manuel Alexandre, Jacinto San Emeterio, Manuel Arbó, Emilio Alonso, Margarita Espinosa, Rufino Inglés, Antonio Casas, Manuel Guitián, Elisa Méndez, José María Rodríguez, Carmen Castellanos, José María Gavilán, José Navarro, Gracia Montes, Valeriano Andrés, Elsa Fábregas, Manuel Rojas.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958)

M Squad
Season 1. Episode 33.

Episode entitled: Day of Terror.

Released May 9, 1958.

Directed by Sidney Lanfield.

Written by Harry W. Junkin.

Music by Stanley Wilson.

 
Cast:

Lee Marvin, Fay Baker, Tom Pittman, Barbara Benson, Doris Packer, Paul Newlan, Jess Kirkpatrick, Alice Backes.

On this day in the Star Trek universe - The Next Generation, Voyager, Bring Back Star Trek, Disovery:

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992)
Star Trek: Voyager (2001)
Bring Back... Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek: Discovery (2024)
 

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 5. Episode 23.

Episode entitled: I Borg.

Released May 9, 1992.

Directed by Robert Lederman.

Written by René Echevarria, Brannon Braga.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Jay Chattaway.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Del Arco, Whoopi Goldberg, Rachen Assapiomonwait, Joe Baumann, Michael Braveheart, Cameron, Eben Ham, Mark Lentry, Lorine Mendell, Christina Wegler Miles, Keith Rayve, Joyce Robinson, Bill E. Rogers, Sissy Sessions.

Star Trek: Voyager
Season 7. Episode 22.

Episode entitled: Homestead.

Released May 9, 2001.

Directed by LeVar Burton.

Created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor.

Written by Raf Green, Michael Taylor, Robert Doherty, Phyllis Strong, Michael/Mike Sussman.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by David Bell.

Cast: Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Tim Russ, Garrett Wang, Jeri Ryan, Rob LaBelle, Julianne Christie, Ian Meltzer, Scarlett Pomers, John K. Shull, Christian Conrad, Majel Barrett, David Keith Anderson, Tarik Ergin, Hilde Garcia, Peter Scott Harmyk, Susan Henley, Joyce Lasley, Alicia Lewis, Tom Miller, Chip Murdock, Brita Nowak, Louis Ortiz, James Pearson, Stephen Pisani, Keith Rayve, Richard Sarstedt, Linnea Soohoo, Pablo Soriano, Jenna Z. Wilson, Phoenix Wong.

 

Bring Back... Star Trek

directed by Matt Gillbe and Katie Crawford,

released in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2009.

Cast: Justin Lee Collins, Bobby Clark, Michael A. Gill-Branion, Michael Anthony Gill-Branion, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, Dean Okrand, Marc Okrand, Eddie Paskey, George Takei, Grace Lee Whitney.

 

Star Trek: Discovery
Season 5. Episode 7.

Episode entitled: Erigah.

Released May 9, 2024.

Directed by Jon Dudkowski.

Created by Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman.

Written by M. Raven Metzner, Brandon Schultz, Lauren Wilkinson, Carlos Cisco, Eric J. Robbins.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Jeff Russo.

Cast: Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Wilson Cruz, Blu del Barrio, Callum Keith Rennie, Tig Notaro, David Ajala, Oded Fehr, Annabelle Wallis, Tara Rosling, Eve Harlow, Elias Toufexis, Rachael Ancheril, Orville Cummings, David Benjamin Tomlinson, Christina Dixon, Victoria Sawal, Natalie Liconti, Tony Nappo, Dorian Grey, Emmanuel John, Dorren Lee, Jason Lee Bell, Shelley Owens.

On this day in music history - The album Love Comin' Down, by Sue Foley (2000)

Love Comin' Down

by Sue Foley

was released on May 9, 2000.

Track list:

Two Trains; Empty Cup; Love Comin’ Down; You’re Barkin’ Up the Wrong Tree; Same Thing; Let My Tears Fall Down; Let Me Drive; To Be Next to You; Mediterranean Breakfast; Am I Worthy; Oh Baby (We Got a Good Thing Goin’); How Strong.

Born on this day – Peter Benchley, author of Jaws:

 

Peter Benchley

Writer

May 8, 1940 – February 11, 2006

Credits:

Books:

Jaws (1974); The Deep (1976); The Island (1979); The Girl of the Sea of Cortez (1982); Q clearance (1986); Rummies / Lush (1989); Beast (1991); White Shark / Peter Benchley's Creature (1994); Time and a Ticket (1964); Ocean Planet (1995); Shark Trouble (2002); Shark! (2002); Shark Life (2002); The Movie Book (2016).

Movies, video and television:

A Quint-mas Carol (2016); Amazon (1999–2000); Byline Showtime (1988); CBS Summer Playhouse (1987); Creature (1998); Cruel Jaws (1995); Dolphin Cove (1989); E! True Hollywood Story (2002); Expedition Earth (1990); Film '80 (1980); Good Morning America (1976–1994); Great White Shark: Truth Behind the Legend (2000); Hollywood Insider (2020); Hunt for the Great White Shark (1994); Hunters of the Reef (1978); I Love 1970's (2000); In the Teeth of Jaws (1997); Jaws (1975); Jaws (1987); Jaws (2000); Jaws (2009); Jaws 2 (1978); Jaws 3-D (1983); Jaws Unleashed (2006); Jaws: Deleted Scenes (2000); Jaws: From the Set (1974); Jaws: The Revenge (1987); Jaws: Ultimate Predator (2011); Jeremiah of Jacob's Neck (1976); Jordan Hates (2016); Les nouveaux rendez-vous (1980); Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994); MythBusters (2005); Personal History: Foreign Hitchcock (2004); Shark (1975); Shark Week (2018); Sharksploitation (2023); The American Sportsman (1982); The Beast (1996); The Book Programme (1974–1975); The Deep (1977); The Great Houdini (1976); The Island (1980); The Making of 'Jaws' (1995); The Man Who Loves Sharks (1992); The Merv Griffin Show (1986); The Mike Douglas Show (1976–1977); The Reader (2008); The Search for Atlantis (2000); The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of 'Jaws' (2007); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1974–1980); Today (1976); Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure (2001); Wogan (1991); World of Audubon (1988).

#Jaws #TheDeep #Beast

Recommended reading:

Jaws

by Peter Benchley.
 
Published by Ballantine Books.
First published 1974.
Paperback.
 
ISBN-10: 0345544145
ISBN-13: 978-0345544148
 
Description from the original hardcover inner sleeve:

A girl swims lazily in the cool midnight sea - the shark, attracted by the movement, glides unerringly on to its prey; and the girl is next seen as a hideously mangled carcass in the flotsam left by the receding so begins the terror which will reign in Amity, a holiday resort on Long Island which is just preparing for another successful summer season.

Sharks are rare in those waters; and great white sharks – three-ton, thirty-foot eating machines which hunt alone – are almost unheard of. But Martin Brody, Amity’s police chief, realizes that the killer must be a shark, and begins to suspect which kind. The beach, he sees at once, must be closed.

But Amity depends on its summer season, and there are people behind the town’s development who are not prepared to contemplate a financial loss. The shark will surely move on. The girl’s death must be ‘an accident’. Reluctantly Brody gives way to pressure.

From that moment the monster in the sea becomes more than the killer of individual victims. It becomes an evil presence felt throughout the town, shaking it out of its complacency and exposing its innermost fears and tensions; and Brody will not be able to face himself again until he has cleared the ocean of its menace. Peter Benchley’s magnificent story ends with a sea-chase which for tension and drama is second to none.

This novel is a spectacular achievement and ensures that Benchley will be the most avidly read novelist of the year.