ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: January 16th 1999; At the inaugural ball for Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, America plays Ventura Highway. Warren Zevon, Delbert McClinton and Johnny Lang also perform. Born James George Janos, on July 15, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating from high school in 1969, James Janos enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was accepted into the elite Navy SEALs program. During his service in Vietnam, he made over 100 parachute jumps as well as many deep-sea dives. He was honorably discharged in 1973 and settled for a brief time in California, where he joined a motorcycle gang and worked as a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones. A wrestling promoter spotted Janos and offered him a job wrestling. His stage persona was the California surfer-type Jesse the Body Ventura—bad guy in big sunglasses and bright pink tights. While he was never considered the most talented wrestler, he won fans with his charisma and his outspoken style. These qualities led to a steady gig as a color commentator for the WWF in 1985. Ventura quit wrestling completely in 1986 when doctors discovered he had a pulmonary embolism. His success as a commentator led to several movie roles, including a part in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator and a starring role in the B-movie Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe (1991). In 1990, Ventura became upset by what he perceived to be an ineffective local government in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he was living with his wife and two children. At his wife, Terrys urging, Ventura decided to run for mayor as an independent candidate. That November he shocked skeptics and scored an upset victory over the 18-year incumbent, becoming mayor of Brooklyn Park. Though conflict with the Democratic and Republican council members prevented Ventura from accomplishing much significant legislation, the towns crime rate dropped and citizen interest in local government grew during his four-year term. Ventura decided not to seek reelection and instead continued his career as a wrestling commentator, this time for the WWFs rival. In early 1994 he sued the WWF for $2 million, claiming they were cheating him out of videocassette royalties—he won the case and was awarded more than $810,000. Ventura also continued acting, landing roles in such high profile movies as 1993s Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone, and 1997s Batman and Robin, starring George Clooney. He and his family moved to Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Ventura began hosting several radio talk shows. In late 1997, Ventura decided to run for governor of Minnesota as a Reform Party candidate. His unusual platform—pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and pro-gun—and somewhat unorthodox background caused many observers to completely dismiss Ventura as a serious candidate. His promises to lower taxes and improve education appealed to Minnesota voters and his performances in the gubernatorial debates showcased his down-to-earth style and plain-spoken, Everyman politics. On November 3, 1998, Jesse The Body Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota. As CBS news anchorman Dan Rather put it on election night: The people of Washington could not be more surprised if Fidel Castro came loping across the midwestern prairie on the back of a hippopotamus. Heres Warren Zevon performing at the gubernatorial ball singing Lawyers, Guns And Money and, with Jesse Ventura Werewolves Of Minnesota..... Enjoy!
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:43:18 +0000
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