 |
| Laura Marling Likes to sing songs |
On the 1st of February, in the village of Eversley, Hampshire, a little girl named Laura Marling was born.
Perhaps Laura gained her musical inspiration from the UK's number 1 single at the time, "Nothing Compares 2 U" from Sinead O'Connor.This was to be O'Connor's only number 1, but she stayed there for 4 weeks, dominating the charts throughout February. She would go on to achieve a number 1 in the US with the same song later in the year.
It was cool to cry publicly in 1990, as you will find out in later blogs, and the tear that rolled down Sinead's face went on to be the defining moment of her career.
On the same day this chap was born. Dan Gosling, who would go on to play for Everton and Newcastle United Football Club.
Far away from Eversley, in Miami, Florida, a baby boy named Kisean Anderson was born. Kisean who you may ask? Well as he grew up, he became better known as Sean Kingston who has gone on to achieve relative success having been discovered on Myspace. Back in 1990 we didn't have Myspace to showcase our talents. We had this.
 |
| Maxine Barrie The 90's Sean Kingston. |
In 1990, Stars in Their Eyes was won by Maxine Barrie. If you're reading this Kisean, take note.
Back in 1990 things stopped. They let us rest. We weren't required to have on demand television to keep our minds occupied. In fact we had 4 channels (Sky had arrived in 1989, but not many had it).
They even provided us with these helpful reminders of when enough was enough.
But before that time of the night there were some great television shows cropping up. As I mentioned in my earlier post, The Simpsons were beginning to reshape humanity with their three fingers and thumb, but the country was still fascinated by the rather grumpy Victor Meldrew who had debuted on BBC 1 back in January, as well as this chap who was on ITV. Television in the UK was looking up, especially with Art Attack arriving. We all wanted to be the next Picasso.
News
 |
| Perrier Water. Troublesome. |
The biggest news story by far of February 1990 was that on the 11th in South Africa, Nelson Mandela was freed from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl after serving 27 years, bring about the end of Apartheid.
In other news, Perrier had a tough St Valentine's Day this year as they had to recall 160 million bottles of sparkling water after traces of benzene were found.
Argentina and Great Britain patched things up somewhat and began diplomatic relations for the first time since the Faulklands War.
We also allowed Germany to unify. Pretty big.
This guy was still annoying his neighbours a bit. Especially Kuwait.
 |
| Saddam - Don't ask him for a cup of sugar. |
Sports
James Buster Douglas became a household name around the world on February 11th, when he knocked out Mike Tyson, the previously undefeated, undisputed World Heavyweight Champion.
 |
| Buster Douglas. Came out with both ears |
Staying with upsets, on February 18th 1990, one of the most unlikely results in Daytona 500 history took place when the great Dale Earnhardt blew a tyre on the final lap to allow Derrike Cope his first victory. Perhaps it was this very race that went on to inspire the Pixar classic "Cars", with their take on the final lap tyre blowout.
Larry Bird was on fire for the Boston Celtic, scoring successful free throws in 71 consecutive games.
In England, Graham Taylor led Aston Villa to a 2-0 away win in the 5th Round of the FA Cup against local rivals, West Bromich Albion, keeping alive their hopes of a league and cup double.
Movies
Steven Segal was making the money for Warner Brothers in February, with "Hard To Kill" raking in over $40 million, easily beating Kevin Costner who starred in "Revenge".
Summary
The world in February was a going through some big changes, with Nelson Mandela dominating the headlines throughout the month, but there was trouble not too far away brewing in the Middle East.
