Today's Tune: "Rocket Man" By Elton John

Phoenix Mars Lander launched August 4, 2007 via Delta II Rocket.
Photo found at LaunchPhotography.com .

I chose "Rocket Man" for today's installment for two very good reasons. On August 4, 1921 Canadian hockey player Maurice "Rocket" Richard was born. Richard was so prolific at scoring goals, the annual award that goes to the highest goal scorer of the season in the NHL, is named after him. My second reason is that NASA launched the Phoenix Mars Lander robotic spacecraft on the 4th of August in 2007. Phoenix was sent on it's way to the planet Mars via a Delta II (Model 7925) rocket. The mission of the Phoenix lander, which was equipped with a robotic digging arm, cameras and various types of analyzers, included searching for evidence of water and microbial life.

August 4th was also the birthday of: 1900 - "The Queen Mother" Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Consort of King George VI of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions), 1901 - American Jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong, 1944 - American comedian and actor Richard Belzer (Saturday Night Live, Homicide, Law And Order) and 1961 - current US President Barack Obama.

Elton John - "Rocket Man" Live at MSG in 2007.
This was a celebration for Elton's 60th birthday.