Salem-News.com History articles

Award-Winning Musical Biography of Beatles Returns to Salem Stage

Musical retelling of Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road at the Historic Elsinore Theatre.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Listening to songs like “Penny Lane” or “I Want To Hold Your Hand” from this tribute band is almost like listening to the original icons themselves.

While the great repertoire of songs bind this musical together, the audience also gets the opportunity to relive the most important moments of The Beatles’ epic legacy, which spans the entire 1960s period. The actors that portray the band members connect with the crowd through their lovable sense of humors and cheeky banter.

Memorial Service Set for KATU Veteran Kirby Brumfield

Kirby Earnest Brumfield, Jr
Feb. 06, 1932 - July 21, 2016

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - In 1962, Kirby Brumfield signed on with Portland's KATU Channel 2 as Director of Agricultural Programming, the station's first weatherman, and he was the first voice to come over the air.

As an actor, he was cast in many prime time TV shows including The Green Hornet (1966), Batman (1966) and 12 O'Clock High (1964), as well as Jessie James, FBI, and General Hospital.

Zane Grey Cabin Officially Designated Under the National Register of Historic Places

Grey's prose helped make the Rogue River a premiere destination.

(GRANTS PASS, Ore.) - The historic cabin is located at Winkle Bar, one of the most unique sites along the world-famous Rogue Wild and Scenic River.

This spot--and the entire Rogue River--was popularized by the western novelist and angler Zane Grey, who fell in love with and wrote about the pristine wilderness and abundant fishing opportunities on the river.

Aborted Nuclear Mission and Murder

Arrow Air 1285 blown-up to prevent public disclosure of an aborted nuclear attack on Iraqi nuclear facility.

(GANDER, Newfoundland) - A US Army Special Forces mission to use nuclear backpacks to blowup an Iraqi nuclear research facility in 1985 led to the death of hundreds of 101^st Airborne troops returning from a six-month tour with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai when the aircraft was deliberately destroyed in Gander, Newfoundland, with the loss of 248 Army personnel and six crew members.

Information from two informed sources supported the destruction of Arrow Air 1285 was done by a CIA faction or their cutouts to prevent the public disclosure of an aborted covert mission...

Still Wavy after All These Years
Flower Geezer turns 80.

Wavy Gravy - Counterculture Saint

(SALEM, Ore.) - Wavy has been there since the beginning of the Counterculture. He famously was Master of Ceremonies at Woodstock. He was a fixture at Peace Gatherings.

Wavy and his AIM buddy John Trudell joined in on a number of environmental causes. They again shared a cell with their pal and John's roommate Jackson Browne and 1900 others at the huge 1981 protest against the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

The Grace and Charm of Crystal Eastin Brown Remembered

Crystal Eastin Brown, Dec. 2, 1939-April 1, 2016

(SALEM, Ore.) - I was sad to hear of the passing of Crystal Eastin Brown. I was honored to have the opportunity to visit with her on one occasion, as I've been captivated by her story for many years.

During the Vietnam War, Crystal had a relationship with John Steinbeck IV, the son of the famous US author. Both journalists, they had adventures beyond compare, and Crystal gave birth to their child while living in Vietnam, a girl they named Blake. She is the only biological grandchild of author John Steinbeck.

Fallen Officers to be Honored by Oregon House

Three fallen law enforcement officers will be honored on the Oregon House Floor on Tuesday, February 9 at 10:30am.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Prior to the reading of these HCRs, Washington County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard will post the colors. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Chaplain Mike Vermace will offer the invocation.

HCR204 honors fallen Washington County Deputy Robert Talburt. Deputy Robert Talburt joined the Washington County Sheriff's Office in 1977. He was a member of the dive team and a mentor to young explorer scouts...

The RPP Commemoration of the 71st Anniversary of the Liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi Death Camp by Soviet troops.

The international community has not learned the lessons from these Genocides.

(LONDON) - The Rwanda People’s Party (RPP) wishes to join with the people of Israel and people from all over the world to mark the 71st anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Death Camp.

In this camp, up to three million Jews were cruelly murdered by German Nazis. On this date, the RPP wishes to call on the world to remember all those who died at this camp and to honour the soldiers of the former Soviet Union who helped to liberate the concentration camp.

John Trudell - Human

"He got a fast horse. Comanche warriors made sure he got their best. Hoofbeats thunder through the Time Ripple, cracking open the curtains that divide the spirit worlds, casting sparks back our way. Let's gather them up and build fires." --- Greta Montagne

(SALEM, Ore.) - There’s a reason John Trudell is in the Counterculture Hall of Fame. Several reasons.

The great Santee Sioux poet/philosopher/warrior passed December 8, 2015 after a long bout with cancer. He was at peace, surrounded by family and friends; many had tirelessly helped care for John thru this transition. He lived a magnificent life. He was 69.

The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald: 40 Years Ago

Gordon Lightfoot said this song is his most significant contribution to music.

(SALEM, Ore.) - 40 years ago, on November 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior. This two score anniversary commemorates the ship, an ore carrier, which went down in a November storm, taking all 29 crew members to their graves.

Most of us (outside the area) know about the tragedy because of one thing: the song.