Pete Townshend
Rock musician and 'Tommy' creator
Musical contributions began in the 1960s as the guitarist and songwriter for a prominent rock band. Pioneered the rock opera format with the album 'Tommy', which was later adapted into a film and stage production. Continued to innovate in music and was involved in numerous charitable activities, including supporting disasters in the music industry. Also explored solo projects and collaborated with various artists throughout the decades.
Created the rock opera 'Tommy'
Co-founded and played with The Who
Wrote multiple iconic songs including 'My Generation'
Other People Born on May 19th
Albert Richardson
English architect, Manchester Opera House design
Born
May 19th, 1880 145 years ago
Died
1964 62 years ago — 84 years old
An English architect and educator contributed significantly to the architectural landscape of the early 20th century. Richardson was the designer of the Manchester Opera House, a notable example of his architectural style. His dedication to education led to influential teaching roles, inspiring future generations of architects. Richardson's work extended beyond individual projects, as he played a pivotal role in advocating for preservation and appreciation of historical architecture.
Continue ReadingManik Bandopadhyay
Indian author and playwright
Born
May 19th, 1908 117 years ago
Died
December 3rd, 1956 69 years ago — 48 years old
An influential Indian author, poet, and playwright, contributed significantly to Bengali literature. Wrote numerous short stories and novels, exploring themes of social justice, human relationships, and the struggles of rural life. His works often depicted the lives of common people, reflecting the socio-political landscape of Bengal. Notable works include the novel 'Padma Nadir Majhi' and the play 'Kalo Choshma'. Bandopadhyay's unique narrative style and deep psychological insights established a significant literary presence in the 20th century.
Continue ReadingDick Scobee
Astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander
Born
May 19th, 1939 86 years ago
Died
1986 40 years ago — 47 years old
Born in 1939, a pilot and astronaut served in the United States Air Force before joining NASA. Participated in several significant missions, including STS-41-C and STS-51-L, where he held the position of commander. During the latter flight, the Space Shuttle Challenger tragically disintegrated shortly after launch, resulting in the loss of all crew members. Scobee's contributions to space exploration and his leadership during missions are part of his legacy.
Continue ReadingAugustus Hervey
Admiral and Chief Secretary for Ireland
Born
May 19th, 1724 301 years ago
Died
December 23rd, 1779 246 years ago — 55 years old
Served as an English admiral and politician. Held the title of 3rd Earl of Bristol. Acted as Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1766 to 1768, facilitating governance during a significant period. Had an extensive naval career, participating in various battles and expeditions. Additionally, contributed to the political landscape of the time through participation in parliamentary duties.
Continue ReadingGary Kildall
Computer scientist, founded Digital Research
Born
May 19th, 1942 83 years ago
Died
July 11th, 1994 31 years ago — 52 years old
Contributed significantly to the development of operating systems, particularly through the creation of CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers). Founded Digital Research, which provided software for microcomputers and played a key role in the early personal computing revolution. Developed one of the first operating systems compatible with the IBM PC. Later, CP/M was overshadowed by MS-DOS but was pivotal in establishing software standards and practices in the industry.
Continue ReadingDick Slater
Professional wrestler and wrestling promoter
Born
May 19th, 1951 74 years ago
Died
2018 8 years ago — 67 years old
A professional wrestler and promoter, achieved recognition in the 1970s and 1980s. Competed in major wrestling promotions including World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Also contributed as a trainer to upcoming wrestlers throughout a long career spanning multiple decades. Gained a reputation for his technical wrestling skills and charismatic persona, influencing a generation of wrestlers.
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