Confusing? Coincidence? One of those tricksy little things that the Muse of History (Simon Schama) throws at us now and again? Today, in 1769 Arthur Wellesley, Britain's most brilliant soldier, was born. 120 years later Edward Kennedy Ellington, destined to become a legendary Jazz musician, accomplished the same feat. Wherein the coincidence? Mr Ellington took the name Duke and Mr Wellesley got the title Duke of Wellington. So ... Duke Ellington, Duke of Wellington. Get it?
I shall be asking questions later.
In other news ...
The Age of Aquarius dawned today in 1968 when the musical Hair opened at the Biltmore Theatre, New York. The songs and dance routines were fine but nobody cared about that. They all went to see people getting their kit off among cries of 'Vulgar', 'Juvenile', 'Offensive' and 'Good Lord, is that possible?'
Ah, great days.
