The Midday Distraction #85: C. Layne

Today's episode features lo-fi pop from a Magnatune artist.

Here's what you'll hear today (right-click to download MP3 or to open in a new tab or window):

• C. Layne: "Bathe in the Rain"
• C. Layne: "Everybody's Going Underground"

(Total play time: 9:32)

Today is Independence Day in Bangladesh, Prince Kuhio Day in Hawaii, and Purple Day for epilepsy awareness.

William Caxton printed his translation of Aesop's Fables this day in 1484. Utrecht University was established in the Netherlands this day in 1636. German composer Ludwig van Beethoven died this day in 1827. English poet A.E. Housman was born this day in 1859. American poet Robert Frost was born this day in 1874. Poet Walt Whitman died this day in 1892. Author Joseph Campbell was born this day in 1904. Austrian neurologist, psychologist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl was born this day in 1905. American playwright Tennessee Williams was born this day in 1911. Actor and director Leonard Nimoy was born this day in 1931. Native American scholar Vine Deloria was born this day in 1933. Actor Alan Arkin was born this day in 1934. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was born this day in 1940. British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins was born this day in 1941. American author Erica Jong was born this day in 1942. Journalist Bob Woodward was born this day in 1943. Singer Teddy Pendergrass and comic/actor Martin Short were both born this day in 1950.

*but wait, there's more!*

Jonas Salk announced the development of his polio vaccine this day in 1953. Writer Raymond Chandler died this day in 1959. Elvis Presley's "Surrender" was the No. 1 song in the U.S. this day in 1961. The Supremes' "Stop! In the Name of Love" was No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart this day in 1965. Actor Michael Imperioli was born this day in 1966. A crowd of 10,000 gathered for a Central Park Be-In in New York City this day in 1967. Actor T.R. Knight was born this day in 1973. The Biological Weapons Convention took effect this day in 1975. Actress Amy Smart was born this day in 1976. Anwar al-Sadat, Menachim Begin and Jimmy Carter signed the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty this day in 1979. Ground for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was broken in a ceremony this day in 1982 in Washington, D.C. English actress Keira Knightley was born this day in 1985. Rapper Eazy-E died this day in 1995. Authorities found the bodies of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate suicide cult this day in 1997. The computer virus called the Melissa worm affected Microsoft products this day in 1999. And British singer-songwriter Nikki Sudden died this day in 2006.