Ono, aka Yoko Ono (Japan), widow of the late Beatle John Lennon, made chart history on 12 March 2011 when “Move On Fast’ became the 78-year-old’s eight charttopper and sixth successive No.1 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
Cuban singer/guitarist Compay Segunda (born Francisco Repilado, 18 November 1907, died 13 July 2003) has sold over one million albums around the world since his 88th birthday in 1995. The entertainer, who first recorded in the 1930s, found new fame as a member of the Buena Vista Social Club in 1996, before passing away in Havana, Cuba on 13 July 2003.
The oldest age at first appointment has been 81, in the case of Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (1896-1995) of India, March 1977. Leading an opposition coalition, he prevailed in the 1977 elections, ending Gandhi’s emergency rule. He served as prime minister until 1979, when the coalition broke apart. Philippe Petain (1856-1951), although not `Prime Minister’, became `Chief of State’ of the French State on July 10, 1940, at the age of 84.
The world’s oldest animal charity is the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Animals. The SPCA was established in London in 1824 and was given its Royal approval in 1840, thus becoming the RSPCA. Its headquarters are in Horsham, West Sussex, UK. The RSPCA is also the world’s largest animal charity, with international links all over the world. Their original aim was to change Victorian attitudes to animal welfare, however now, in addition to this, they also investigate and report animal cruelty. The establishment
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The oldest design for a humanoid robot was sketched by Leonardo Da Vinci (Italy) around 1495. Although his sketches of the finished model have never been found, other Da Vinci drawings show a human knight with anatomically correct joints operated by cables and pulleys.
Bakken, located in Klampenborg, North of Copenhagen (Denmark), opened in 1583 and is currently the oldest operating amusement park in the world. The park claims to have over 150 attractions, including a wooden roller coaster built in 1932. In medieval Europe, most major cities featured what is the origin of the amusement park: the pleasure gardens. These gardens featured live entertainment, fireworks, dancing, games and some primitive amusement rides. Most closed down during the 1700’s, but Bakken is the only one to survive.
The world’s oldest surviving banknote (banco-sedlar) is a five daler note issued in Stockholm, Sweden on 6 December 1662. Banknotes were first reportedly issued in Sweden from July 1661.
The oldest band is the Peace Old Jazz band, composed of six veteran musicians, whose average age is 76 (as of November 2007). They have performed every night for over 20 years in Shanghai, China. Zhou Wanrong 20.5.1920, Cao Ziping 3.7.1925, Ji Da 19.5.1926, Sun Jibin 19.1.1933, Li Mingkang 10.12.1936, Jia Xuetai 3.4.1945 Founded in 1980, the Peace Hotel Old Jazz Band is one of the most famous jazz bands in Shanghai.
The oldest male ballet dancer is Frank Russell Galey (USA, b. 7 September 1932) who was aged 74 years and 101 days at his latest performance in The Nutcracker with Mendocino Ballet, Ukiah, California on 17 December 2006.
The oldest ballboy to participate in a major tennis championships is Manny Hershkowitz (USA) who worked on court at the US Open at Flushing Meadow, New York, USA in September 1999 aged 82.