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At the height of the soft-rock era, Bread scored the biggest hit of its career with “Make It with You.” Written and produced by singer David Gates, the smooth 1970 single became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 56 years ago today, on August 22, 1970.

Gates had been around the music business for years by the time Bread broke through. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and got his start in the local scene alongside Leon Russell before making the move to California. In the 1960s, he released records as a solo artist, occasionally going by Del Ashley, and picked up work as a songwriter, producer and arranger. 

His songs found an audience through other artists, too. Gates wrote “Popsicles and Icicles,” which became a hit for The Murmaids in 1963, and wrote “Saturday’s Child,” later recorded by The Monkees. In 1967, he produced the debut album by Pleasure Fair, whose member Robb Royer would eventually become his bandmate. 

Royer introduced Gates to Jimmy Griffin, and the three formed Bread. The group signed with Elektra Records in 1969 and released its self-titled debut album that same year. It failed to make much of an impact, putting pressure on the band to deliver a stronger follow-up. 

“Make It with You” was the song that changed things for Bread. Released on the band’s second album, On the Waters, in 1970, it was written and produced by Gates. He and drummer Mike Botts recorded the track, with Gates handling every instrument except drums. 

The record became Bread’s first Top 10 hit and their only No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. It also helped On the Waters climb to No. 12 on the Billboard 200. The song finished at No. 13 on Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 chart for 1970. 

Bread’s version wasn’t the only way to hear “Make It with You.” Aretha Franklin covered it on her 1971 live album Aretha Live at Fillmore West, putting her own soulful spin on the song. 

Bread kept the momentum going with Manna in 1971, Baby I’m-a Want You in 1972 and Guitar Man later that same year. But success couldn’t keep the band together forever.

Royer left in 1971 and was replaced by Larry Knechtel, a session musician who had played on albums including The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water. Bread eventually called it quits in 1973. 

By the time the group broke up, Bread had become a familiar name in Southern California’s soft-rock scene. Along with Carole King, James Taylor, the Carpenters and the Eagles, the band helped define the easygoing sound that filled FM radio in the early 1970s.

Related: 1964 Pop Song, First Recorded by Lulu, Launched a 15-Year-Old Singer’s Career

In the mid-’70s, Canadian rock band The Guess Who brought out a track that would become a major success, both commercially and with fans.

“Clap for the Wolfman” was released as a single in June 1974 and is the second single off the band’s 12th studio album, Road Food. The unique track was written by lead singer Burton Cummings, bassist and vocalist Bill Wallace, and late lead guitarist and songwriter Kurt Winter. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, reportedly, Billboard ranked the song at No. 84 on its list of Top Hot 100 songs of 1974.

The song pays homage to iconic disc jockey Wolfman Jack — real name Robert Weston Smith — whose own vocals feature throughout. Having previously worked with Jack during appearances on the late-night music TV show The Midnight Special, which he would regularly host, The Guess Who asked him to feature on the track.

“A couple of the guys in the band had an idea for a song,” front man Cummings reminisced about the song in a Facebook video posted in Oct. 2024, saying that it “brings back great memories.” “They were going to call it ‘Clap for Napoleon.'”

Cummings shared his concerns for the title and the trucker theme with his bandmates, as he was unsure if it was something that would “catch on with the public.” It was then that he suggested adding Wolfman to the title, before switching up the lyrics and inviting Jack to feature on the song.

“I was originally going to imitate the Wolfman for a few lines, but we somehow got hold of Wolfman,” Cummings said, explaining that the band happened to be in Toronto at the same time as the DJ.

According to American Songwriter, he was initially skeptical of the idea, but once he had heard the track, he jumped on board. In the song, Jack can be heard speaking raspy spoken-word ad-libs, along with on-air DJ chatter and playful howls and growls.

Related: 1972 Glam Rock Song, Written By David Bowie, Became a Legendary Band’s Career-Saving Hit

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If you are looking for ways to get more movement into your everyday life, investing in a walking pad is a fantastic step (pun intendede. These make exercise possible from wherever you please, and you can do so in the privacy of your own home. If that sounds up your alley, Best Buy is selling a great, highly rated option right now.

Brick Attic’s Walking Pad is a sleek upgrade for any home office. However, you can use it anywhere in your home, from your family room to your bedroom. It makes exercise possible from anywhere thanks to its portability. From your desk to in front of your TV in the living room, this walking pad meets you wherever you are. It has a compact design, at only 4.5 inches thick, as well as front wheels, making it easy to move about. What’s more, it has a 300-pound weight capacity.

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Brick Attic Walking Pad, $119.99 at Best Buy

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This walking pad features a six-percent manual incline to increase your calorie burn. You can run, walk or jog, and it operates quietly at less than 45 decibels.

Related: Ulta Just Dropped a ‘Gorgeous’ New Cool-Toned Neutral Eyeshadow Palette That Is Perfect for Day or Night

This walking pad is rated highly on Best Buy’s website, with an average rating of 4.6 stars and 100 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend it to a friend. Fans appreciate it for work-from-home setups, but also like to use it to make exercise more convenient at home.

“I purchased this for my son who works from home and wanted to start moving more. We also purchased a standup desk so he can walk while working. This was just the thing, it is compact and easy to store and he really likes it. I would recommend,” one Best Buy customer in a five-star review on BestBuy.com.

“It’s a great walking pad! It’s been a great addition to my life. I now can walk while I watch TV or listen to music in the privacy of my home,” said another fan in a five-star review on Best Buy’s website.

You can order this walking pad on BestBuy.com. It retails for $119.99.

Related: Aldi’s Striking New Wreath Adds a Touch of Autumnal Elegance to Your Front Door

Fans get to hear a different kind of music from the ‘90s rock legend as he releases his new music video.

Eddie Vedder, the iconic frontman of Pearl Jam and one of the “40 Greatest Musicians” of the last four decades, is back with a new song.

Following the impressive live debut of “Better Believe” at the Obama Presidential Center dedication on June 18, the 61-year-old musician proudly announced the release of the song’s official music video.

In an Instagram update, the post featured a teaser that not only showcased Vedder’s distinct voice and powerful stage presence but also highlighted a special collaboration with Guitars Over Guns, a nonprofit organization that focuses on music as a way to mentor and support young people in vulnerable communities.

Eddie Vedder entertains guests before President Barack Obama delivers a farewell speech to the nation on January 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Through the Obama Foundation, what started as an introduction between Vedder and the organization eventually sparked a real musical project.

The veteran vocalist co-wrote “Better Believe” with Guitars Over Guns participants and collaborators, including Mason Harris, Giselle Castro, Michael “Myskie” Hightower, Naomi Owens, Joy Viltz, Jeremiah Fristoe, Iya Waters and Andre “Add-2” Daniels.

From unique collaborations, the music video highlights the behind-the-scenes process of recording and performing the track, from working in the studio to taking the stage in front of a massive audience, including former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Adding to the significance of the collaboration, Vedder shared that the royalties earned from “Better Believe” “will benefit Guitars Over Guns.”

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The music video also received praise and positive feedback, with many expressing their admiration for the Pearl Jam vocalist.

“Ed has always been such a sweet soul. I’m so happy for those kids!” one wrote on their YouTube post.

“This is why we’ve loved Pearl Jam for 35 years!” a fan commented.

“This is fabulous! The time you give to youth is so important. These kids need to believe in themselves; they all have something to contribute to our society,” a follower added.

While others were calling Vedder the “GOAT,” a commenter remarked on how “beautiful” it was to witness “how the magic was done.”

“Better Believe” was the Pearl Jam singer’s first song since 2025, when he released a cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done.”

Interestingly, his latest work adds another notable chapter to his decades-long career.

Related: 1991 Rock Song, Written by One of the ‘Greatest Supergroups’ of All Time, Became a Timeless Anthem

Roland Orzabal did not want “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on his own album.

The beat was the problem. “The shuffle beat was alien to our normal way of doing things,” he said in a 1985 interview resurfaced by Ultimate Classic Rock. “It was jolly rather than square and rigid in the manner of ‘Shout.'”

He had come up with the thing himself. “I tuned the E string down to D and came up with this riff,” Orzabal told Guitar Player in 2024. “I didn’t really think anything of it.” Set against the rest of what he had been writing, he said, “it didn’t have the depth.”

His wife at the time liked it, which gave him pause. “So I thought, Okay, maybe I’m wrong,” Orzabal said.

He turns 65 today.

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Chris Hughes Would Not Let It Go

Producer Chris Hughes had no doubts at all. Orzabal has said the song would not exist without him, that Hughes “pushed that, 100 percent.” What they were after, Orzabal told Guitar Player, was “some kind of drive-time American hit.”

They got one. It was the last song written and recorded for Songs from the Big Chair, it came together in roughly a week, and Orzabal lifted the title from a line in The Clash’s “Charlie Don’t Surf.”

Joe Strummer noticed. He ran into Orzabal at a restaurant and told him, “You owe me a fiver.” By Strummer’s telling, Orzabal reached into his pocket and handed one over.

The album landed on Feb. 25, 1985. The single hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 on June 8 and held for two weeks. In the U.K. it stopped at No. 2.

Curt Smith Came Around

Curt Smith, who co-founded Tears for Fears with Orzabal, has never dressed up who read it correctly. He has said it was one of those times when “the record company was right and we were wrong.”

Then he went further.

“For America, yes, it was a better first single.”

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From cookware and furniture to clothing and decor, Walmart has become a reliable place to find both everyday essentials and seasonal gems. And when shoppers discover something especially good, it tends to make its way onto our feeds, which is exactly what happened with the retailer’s viral nightgowns. These loose, tee-inspired sleep dresses have earned plenty of attention on TikTok for their roomy silhouettes and charming patterns.

@mainstmuse

They’re here! If ya want em: I gathered all the 🔗’s and they’re in my B10 under Walmart storefront then head to my collections! This is my favorite time of year…when Walmart drops their Halloween pajamas and this year we got spoiled. Halloween pajama sets, Halloween pajama dresses and more…and they’re all so incredibly cozy and affordable! #walmarthalloweenpajamas #walmartpjsets #pjset #halloweenpajamas pajamas #martmusthaves walmartfinds

♬ original sound – MainStMuse

Now, Walmart is giving the social media favorite a spooky-season makeover. The retailer just dropped the $12 Way to Celebrate Halloween Sleepshirt Top and Socks Set, available in an array of festive prints that are sure to sell out quickly. You could wear one for a cozy night of scary movies, while handing out candy, or just because you believe the frightful festivities should start well before Oct. 31.

Way to Celebrate Halloween Sleepshirt Top and Socks Set, $12 at Walmart

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Made from 93% polyester and 7% spandex, this nightgown’s fabric has a little stretch, while the relaxed cut — available in sizes X-small through 3X — falls loosely from the crewneck to a curved hem. Short sleeves keep it comfortable for lounging, and two side-seam pockets give you somewhere to stash your phone, lip balm, or a few pieces of Halloween candy. Each set also comes with coordinating stretchy socks, so you can keep your toes warm once the season’s chill sets in.

The coffee print looks made for crisp fall mornings, with takeaway cups, iced drinks topped with whipped cream, pumpkin-colored mugs, and blended drinks scattered across a creamy background. Burnt orange, caramel, brown, and cream details give it a cozy coffee-shop palette, while the orange socks with white pumpkins make the set feel especially autumnal.

Way to Celebrate Halloween Sleepshirt Top and Socks Set, $12 at Walmart

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For a more traditional Halloween look, the orange print features tiny white kittens dressed in jack-o’-lantern costumes, with little pieces of candy scattered throughout. It’s absolutely adorable and a fabulous pick for any animal lover. The matching black socks are covered in candy corn, adding another classic Halloween touch.

The black ghost print takes a sweeter, more botanical approach, with tiny white sheet ghosts floating across the dark background among delicate floral sprigs and leafy stems in pink, yellow, green, and purple. The scattered blooms soften the spooky motif, while the coordinating pink socks feature a floating ghost for a pop of color.

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• Way to Celebrate Hacci Knit Short Sleeve Sleep Top, $10 at Walmart
• Way to Celebrate Halloween Hacci Knit Sleep Pants, $14 at Walmart
• Way to Celebrate Halloween Notched Top and Shorts Pajama Set, $17 at Walmart

Finally, the pale pink print is for the Halloween maximalists. Flying bats, black cats, jack-o’-lanterns, skulls, wrapped candies, masks, potion bottles, and stars are scattered across the blush background, creating the busiest of the four patterns without going completely overboard. Matching pink socks with bold black bats finish the look.

Even though Halloween is months away, Walmart shoppers are getting in on the “Augtober” fun, praising this “super comfortable” and “adorable” set. “The Halloween print is super cute and fun, and the side pockets are a great added touch,” one reviewer wrote. 

That same shopper also highlighted the matching socks as a selling point, saying that they are “soft, warm, and complete the look perfectly.”

Related: Kohl’s Adorable $24 Ghost Braided Basket Makes Halloween Decor Surprisingly Practical

Whether you’re relaxing at home or getting a cozy night’s sleep, you’ll look super cute in the Way to Celebrate Halloween Sleepshirt Top and Socks Set. Select sizes are already selling out, so shop it at Walmart now before your favorite print disappears!

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Frank Sinatra and New York City go together like street-cart hot dogs and subway rides, but this century’s most memorable ‘New York’ song surprisingly had little to do with Ol’ Blue Eyes and more to do with homesick songwriters missing their beloved hometown.

In 2009, the catchy hit song celebrating everything from yellow cabs and Broadway to the bright lights of Times Square took the country by storm, eventually becoming nearly as inseparable from New York as Sinatra himself.

Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” featuring Alicia Keys, became that modern-day anthem, though Keys later released a solo rendition, showing off her pipes over a stripped-down piano arrangement on her 2009 album, The Element of Freedom.

Related: Two Hip-Hop Legends Share Stage for the First Time in 16 Years

What many fans may not know is that Mary J. Blige was originally considered for the future No. 1 hit, which held court at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 5 weeks.

Songwriters Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic were in London in early 2009 when homesickness began setting in. The two “Yankees” found themselves reminiscing about home — even some of the city’s less glamorous quirks.

That longing became the seed for “Empire State of Mind.” British producer Al Shux helped lay the track, while Hunte originally sang the now-famous hook herself.

There was just one problem: Jay-Z wasn’t involved yet.

The song was eventually pitched to his camp, which was initially turned down before reaching the iconic rapper known as “Hov”.

The song received a second life months later when longtime music executive Jon “Big Jon” Platt heard it at a cookout and immediately believed it belonged with Jay-Z. Platt sent it directly to the rapper the following day — and this time, there was no hesitation.

He requested the recordings, wrote his own verses and recorded his piece that same night.

However, the song still needed a voice capable of making its already-powerful hook soar. Enter fellow New Yorker, Alicia Keys.

Related: 2000s Rock Hit, Written While ‘Naked’ and Sick, Remains a Classic 20 Years Later

With lyrics like “I’m the new Sinatra” and “I can make it anywhere,” it’s easy to confuse Sinatra’s influence on the finished product with the song’s original inspiration. Despite the close parallels, Sinatra wasn’t the creative spark behind it — not even one of his songs was sampled for the beat.

Year after year, thousands herd themselves like cattle into Times Square to watch the famous ball drop, followed by a loud serenade of Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”

Though the more modern Big Apple anthem would undeniably be “Empire State of Mind,” especially back in 2016, when Keys performed what fans thought would be a solo rendition, only to be shocked when Jay-Z walked out on stage at the perfect time for his verse, sealing a full-circle moment in the city that inspired it all.

Dwayne Johnson says becoming an official Disney Legend came with one very important perk — at least, according to the story he told his daughters.

Per People, the Moana star was honored as a Disney Legend during the 2026 Disney Legends Awards in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 16. During the event, Johnson revealed that his daughters, Jasmine, 10, and Tiana, 8, were thrilled about the milestone, but also had one big question.

“They said, ‘Congratulations, Daddy, you’re a Disney Legend. What does it mean?'” Johnson recalled.

His response?

“It means we get free tickets to Disney for life,” he joked.

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Disney)

The actor shares Jasmine and Tiana with his wife, Lauren Hashian. He is also father to 25-year-old Simone Johnson, whom he shares with ex-wife Dany Garcia.

Johnson said his younger daughters even sent him a heartfelt congratulatory video the night before the ceremony, making the honor even more meaningful.

“It’s been a great year for my little girls,” he said, noting that both Jasmine and Tiana also made brief cameos in the live-action Moana film after previously appearing in Moana 2.

The Disney honor recognized Johnson’s contributions to the company’s storytelling legacy, including his beloved role as the voice of Maui in the Moana franchise. He is also set to return as the demigod in the upcoming Moana 3.

(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Disney)

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Reflecting on the recognition, Johnson said the title means far more than awards or accolades.

“I believe it’s powerful what Disney does,” he said. “What it means, in my opinion, to be a Disney Legend is to treat people good and treat them with kindness and try your best to create experiences for them that are meaningful for them and their families all over the world.”

During his acceptance speech, Johnson also shared a touching memory of taking his eldest daughter, Simone, to Disneyland when she was 5 years old. He recalled watching her close her eyes to make a wish while meeting the Disney princesses. He said the moment has stayed with him ever since.

“It’s just experiences like that that we create that I know she’ll never forget,” Johnson said. “I’ll never forget. That’s the beauty of Disney.”

Screaming Trees guitarist Gary Lee Conner turns 64 today, more than three decades after “Nearly Lost You” helped carry the Washington rock band to a much bigger audience.

Born Aug. 22, 1962, Conner spent much of his career slightly outside the spotlight, but his guitar playing and songwriting were essential to Screaming Trees’ unmistakable sound. Mixing psychedelia, garage rock and heavier influences, the group carved out its own corner of the Pacific Northwest scene before grunge became an international phenomenon.

The band’s story began in Ellensburg, Washington, where Conner joined his younger brother Van Conner, singer Mark Lanegan and drummer Mark Pickerel to form Screaming Trees in 1985. Years of albums, touring and underground acclaim followed before the wider rock world finally caught up with them in the early ’90s.

“We had a lot of music song-wise,” Conner told Goldmine in 2023. “We didn’t have a very much punk influence but playing wise… None of us really could play that well, and we would just kind go up there and “give it all you got” kind of thing. The thing is, we were used to playing in front of no one, because we’d do that plenty of times. We wouldn’t just be like, ‘F***, no one’s here.’ We’d be like, ‘Yeah, let’s just give it like we’re playing an arena show or something.'”

But then came “Nearly Lost You.”

Released in 1992, the song was written by Gary, Van and Lanegan and appeared on the band’s sixth album, Sweet Oblivion. With its surging guitars, huge chorus and Lanegan’s weathered vocal, the track distilled much of what made Screaming Trees different into a little more than four minutes.

“We did two rehearsals before going into the studio in New York,” Conner told SPIN. “‘Nearly Lost You’ was done in one or two takes — it just kind of happened. It was a wild time for the band. We were basically running around, raising mayhem, using the record label’s limo vouchers like they were going out of style.”

The song’s appearance on the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s Singles gave it an even larger platform. The movie’s soundtrack became a snapshot of the Seattle-area rock explosion, placing Screaming Trees alongside acts including Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.

“When we were making Sweet Oblivion, suddenly Nirvana exploded, and so did Pearl Jam right after that,” Conner said in a 1997 interview. “So, by the time we got that record out, it was suddenly a completely different environment for a band that was from Seattle. Even though we were never really ‘grunge’ at all. In the early days we were half punk, half psychedelic, especially live — we were more punkish, you know. But by the time Sweet Oblivion got out, we were a bit more hard rock, probably. But, you know, that didn’t matter, we were from Seattle, so we were considered grunge as well.”

Screaming Trees never became quite as commercially dominant as several of their Pacific Northwest contemporaries, but that was hardly the end of their story. The band continued evolving through albums like 1996’s Dust, while Conner’s swirling, muscular guitar work remained a crucial part of its identity.

Today, “Nearly Lost You” still sounds like the moment Screaming Trees’ strange combination of heaviness and psychedelia clicked perfectly into place. As Gary Lee Conner celebrates his 64th birthday, the song remains an enduring reminder of the guitarist’s role in shaping one of the grunge era’s most distinctive bands.

Related: 1972 Soft Rock Song, Produced by Brian Wilson, Became a Collector’s Item Despite Never Reaching No. 1

The ’90s were the golden age of boy bands. They were also a renaissance of British indie rock. Robbie Williams, the renegade member of British teenage heartthrobs Take That, embodied both, leaving the squeaky-clean group in 1995 as Britpop acts like Oasis and Blur were taking over the charts.

Now, more than three decades after Take That became pop sensations, Williams is bringing that larger-than-life energy to one of Australia’s biggest sporting events. According to Billboard, the singer will headline this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Nov. 3 at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, just days before kicking off the Australian leg of his Britpop tour.

Williams will headline the Elms Live Stage at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse following the day’s final race, then deliver a second performance in the mounting yard as part of the Nine Network broadcast, immediately before the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy presentation. The VRC is calling it the biggest pre-Cup performance ever staged at the venue.

“Australia, I’m coming in hot. Lexus Melbourne Cup Day will be my first stop before the Britpop Australian tour, and I’m ready to make it unforgettable,” Williams said in a statement. “Expect big songs, big energy and a massive celebration after the race that stops the nation.”

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The timing is fitting for Williams, who released his 13th studio album, Britpop, in January. The album debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. Official Albums Chart, giving him his 16th chart-topper there and making him the artist with the most No. 1 albums in the chart’s history, surpassing The Beatles‘ previous record of 15.

Britpop also features Chris Martin, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and Mexican duo Jesse & Joy. Williams’ Australian and New Zealand dates are part of his Britpop Tour, with The Lottery Winners and G Flip supporting the Australian shows and Drax Project joining him in New Zealand.

For an artist who once broke away from the boy-band mold, headlining one of Australia’s biggest cultural events offers Williams another chance to let him entertain you.

Karoline Leavitt has revealed what’s next after stepping down as White House press secretary.

The 28-year-old announced Friday, Aug. 21, that she’ll return to work for MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC where she previously served as a spokesperson before joining President Donald Trump‘s 2024 campaign.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, per NBC News Leavitt said she’ll remain involved in politics after leaving the White House, though she did not reveal what her new title will be.

“I’ll miss the job,” Leavitt said, adding, “But I love my kids even more.”

Karoline Leavitt and her son. Photographer: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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The outgoing press secretary also said she and her family plan to remain in the Washington, D.C., area for now.

“You guys will still see me all the time,” she told reporters.

Leavitt announced earlier this month that she would be stepping down from her role, saying she wanted to spend more time with her two young children.

President Trump later praised Leavitt in a Truth Social post, calling her “one of my top outside advisors” and saying she would remain “an influential voice within the Republican Party” heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Holds Briefing At The White House

(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Per NBC, Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history when she joined the second Trump administration. Before that, she served as a White House assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term, later worked for Rep. Elise Stefanik, ran for Congress in New Hampshire, and eventually joined MAGA Inc. before returning to Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Her final official trip abord Air Force One as White House press secretary was an August 21 visit to South Carolina, though she said she’ll be back with the president for the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in September.

Stevie Nicks didn’t need much help becoming a rock star, but when she launched her solo career, Tom Petty gave her exactly the song she needed. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” became a major 1981 hit and helped establish Nicks on her own.

By late 1980, Nicks was ready to move in a different direction after the grueling Tusk sessions with Fleetwood Mac. She was especially taken with Petty and the Heartbreakers and had even joked about leaving Fleetwood Mac to join them.

“Stevie Nicks was saying all the time: ‘I’m going to leave Fleetwood Mac and join The Heartbreakers,’” Petty recalled in the 2007 documentary Runnin’ Down a Dream. He joked back, “Yeah, that’s good, Stevie, but there aren’t any girls in The Heartbreakers.” 

Nicks didn’t end up joining the Heartbreakers, but she did find a way to bring their sound into her own music. She approached producer Jimmy Iovine about making her first solo album, hoping to capture some of the Heartbreakers’ rock ’n’ roll sound. 

“I almost preferred the Heartbreakers’ music to Fleetwood Mac’s music at that point,” Nicks said in the documentary. “So I called Jimmy Iovine and asked him if he would consider producing my first solo record.” 

Petty got involved, but Nicks had to do some convincing before he agreed to write a song for her. “She started a campaign for me to write her a song, and I kept saying: ‘No, I don’t have time,’” Petty recalled. Eventually, she wore him down. 

Petty’s “Insider” was a little outside Nicks’ usual lane, which was part of what made her like it. He played the bluesy track for Iovine, who loved it, and Nicks recorded it alongside Petty at Sound City in Los Angeles. 

The two immediately clicked when they sang together. “Stevie naturally gravitated to the harmony part,” Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench later recalled. “And Tom loved the way her voice sounded. The harmony blend was perfect.” 

Everything seemed to be falling into place, until Petty decided he wanted to keep “Insider.” “When she came in the control room, I said: ‘Stevie, I’m really sorry but I don’t want to give you this song,’” Petty recalled. Nicks accepted the decision, but she still wanted something from him. 

Petty eventually played her several songs from the Heartbreakers’ Hard Promises sessions, including “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” which he had co-written with guitarist Mike Campbell.

Nicks knew she’d found what she wanted. “That’s why I wanted you to write a song,” she told Petty. “It’s rock’n’roll, that’s what you do.”

However, Petty and Nicks weren’t quite on the same page. Petty thought he was giving her the song, not the existing Heartbreakers recording. Iovine, who was producing Nicks’ album and dating her at the time, heard the potential in the track and turned it into a duet. 

Petty wasn’t initially thrilled with the decision. “He plays me ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,’ the same track, with her singing,” he recalled. “I go: ‘Jimmy, you just took the song.’” But Iovine replied, “This is gonna buy you a house.”

“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” was released on July 8, 1981 as the first single from Nicks’ debut solo album, Bella Donna. It quickly became a major hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September and staying there for six straight weeks. 

Related: 1964 Folk Song, Written by Bob Dylan, Launched a 19-Year-Old Singer’s Solo Career

Sydney Sweeney is channeling Lynda Carter by dressing up as Wonder Woman, and the Internet is going crazy.

Sweeney, 28, rose to stardom on HBO’s hit series Euphoria and later earned critical acclaim for her role on The White Lotus. But the blonde beauty is taking a summer break from the chaos of Hollywood and enjoying time with family and friends. Showing off her famous curves in a Wonder Woman costume, the star posed with a smile on her face and that trademark silver lasso on her belt. Channeling Carter, who starred as the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman in the TV series of the same name from 1975 to 1979, Sweeney is a sharp contrast to Carter’s brunette look.

Check out Sweeney’s photo and video series below, including one clip that shows her sporting the costume as she runs across a giant float on the river.  

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How does Sweeney as Wonder Woman compare to Carter? Check out one of Carter’s classic stills from the series below!

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Executives Doubted the Potential Success of Wonder Woman

Last year, Carter attended the Paley Honors Spring Gala in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wonder Woman TV series.

“Lynda Carter’s iconic portrayal remains a timeless symbol of strength, courage, and empowerment,” Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, told Variety.

However, Carter revealed in an Instagram post looking back on the evening that execs doubted the show would succeed.

“It has meant so much to me to be Wonder Woman — she really is just the best,” Carter shared. “Back then, the executives didn’t think a woman could carry a whole TV series … shows how much they knew! Ha! More than ever, the world still needs Wonder Woman. She is within all of us and don’t you forget it.”

View this post on Instagram Lynda Carter Is Thriving at 75

One of Carter’s roles over the years has been her appearances in Super Troopers and Super Troopers 2 as Governor Jessman. In a new still from Super Troopers 3, Carter made it clear she’s back for a third round. And this time, she’s soaking in the bathtub next to a martini.

“@supertroopers Ride Again!!! Follow them and us (returning cast). For a fantastic road romp!! But….wait for it…the last scene! I’m naked in a bathtub???? Oh noooo, @jaychandrasekhar you promised not to show that! Super Troopers 3, only in theaters August 7th!!” Carter captioned the still, which accompanied several behind-the-scenes photos from the set.

Check out the shots of the beauty below, which prompted followers to be shocked by her ageless looks. One fan even said, “My God, is she getting younger?!”

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Related: ‘Wonder Woman’ Lynda Carter, 74, Makes Bold Statement With Anti-ICE Cartoon Starring Her Famous Character

In an emotional post, Anna Paquin is speaking out following the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, reflecting on the challenges many former child stars have faced behind the scenes.

The Oscar-winning actress, who was just 11 years old when she won an Academy Award for The Piano, took to Instagram on Friday, August 21, to share a candid message, saying child actors “were not as protected” as many believed.

Hayden Panettiere is seen on May 19, 2026 in New York City.

Raymond Hall/GC Images

“It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically presexualized female, child ‘stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,” Paquin wrote. “We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be.”

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Paquin’s post came less than a week after Panettiere’s death at age 36. She was found unresponsive in South Carolina on Sunday, Aug. 16 and an investigation into the cause of death is ongoing.

Paquin also remembered former child stars Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase, writing: “RIP HP, MT, DC, and too many others.”

Paquin also offered support to others who grew up in the entertainment industry, calling former child actors “a strange small club.”

“Literally DM me,” she wrote. “I believe you and I will stand by your side.”

(Photo by Dean Hendler/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Dean Hendler/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Paquin added: “You aren’t alone. Let’s have each other’s backs. It might make public disclosure less terrifying.”

After sharing the post, Paquin clarified in the comments that she was referring specifically to the experiences of children who were prematurely sexualized while working in entertainment.

“Quick edit—I’m speaking very specifically about the experience as a child on set that finds themselves prematurely a ‘sex object,'” she wrote in a caption for the post. “I’m not implying damage is not done outside of the context of entertainment. But that is a longer post for a different moment.”

She also addressed questions about referring to Panettiere, Trachtenberg and Chase by their initials, explaining it was simply because she “ran out of space” in the caption and that “nothing [was] to be read into” the decision.

Photo by Munawar Hosain/Fotos International/Getty Images

The post quickly resonated with fellow former child actors, including Matilda star Mara Wilson, Who’s the Boss? alum Alyssa Milano, and Roswell actress Shiri Appleby, all of whom voiced support for Paquin. Actress Gala Avary, who appeared alongside Paquin on True Blood, also shared a personal memory.

“I’ll never forget, my first TV gig on True Blood,” wrote Avary in a comment under Paquin’s post. “Watching as a mother whispered something awful into her daughter’s ear to make her cry. Fiona Shaw asked who would do something like that. And you said, everyone would. And that they had done it to you. I had just had my first child. I never forgot it. Thank you for speaking up. ❤️”

Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child star playing Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, also chimed in, writing, “Thank you Anna. Someone has to say something. Someone has to change this. Someone has to help.”

Before Van Morrison embarked on a solo career in 1966, he fronted the Northern Irish band Them that released a popular track titled “Here Comes the Night” that featured a famed guitarist.

Them had made the rounds with some hit songs like “Gloria” that launched Morrison’s career, and later released a follow-up hit, “Baby, Please Don’t Go.” According to UDiscoverMusic, “Here Comes the Night” was recorded during the same October 1964 session as “Baby Please Don’t Go.” Written and produced by Bert Berns, both tracks became hits for the band.

“One recording session. Approximately four or five hours work. That was all it took to produce two smash hits for Them,” said Richard Green to Record Mirror.

Band member Billy Harrison remembers he was sitting in Decca Studio in West Hampstead, London, when Berns told him he had a song and only had the riff for it done. The two ended up working on the track together, “and we came up with what you hear. We worked at it sitting in the studio—but no engineers or anything.”

“Here Comes the Night” was recorded not only with the band and Morrison on vocals, who was 19 at the time, but with guitarist Jimmy Page. In the ’60s, he was making his career as a studio session musician before he became a member of the Yardbirds in 1966 after the Them song was released. Page would later be the founder of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin in 1968.

According to reports, Them had every intention of the track being the follow-up to “Baby, Please Don’t Go.” Decca Records decided against it, as they had another artist, Lulu, record the same song and rushed its release in November 1964. Lulu’s version landed at No. 40 on the UK charts but quickly fell off. Them released their version months later in March 1965. The band had a “grim satisfaction” that the singer’s song was not making a big impact.

Instead, Them’s “Here Comes the Night” not only peaked at No. 2 in the UK, but it made its way abroad and landed at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track would stay on the charts for 10 weeks, as it also landed at No. 8 in Canada and charted in Australia and Ireland.

“We always do the type of thing we like,” said Morrison to Record Mirror. “We don’t think there’s any such thing as trends. We don’t call ourselves R&B or anything. That’s why the two hits have been so different. If we like something, we do it.”

In the years since the song’s release, it has been covered by multiple musicians and bands. David Bowie released his own version in 1973, and Rod Stewart released his own for a special edition album.

Related: 1978 Soft Rock Hit, Sung by Moody Blues Singer Justin Hayward, Is Still a Beloved Ballad 48 Years Later

It’s hard to imagine Stand by Me without River Phoenix as Chris Chambers.

But that wasn’t the role he originally auditioned to play.

The beloved 1986 coming-of-age movie, based on Stephen King’s novella The Body, follows four Oregon boys who set out to find the body of a missing teenager. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film starred Wil Wheaton as Gordie Lachance, Phoenix as Chris, Corey Feldman as Teddy Duchamp and Jerry O’Connell as Vern Tessio.

But when Phoenix first auditioned for the movie, he was actually trying out for Wheaton’s role.

River Phoenix Auditioned to Play Gordie

Phoenix was only 15 when he auditioned for Stand by Me, and Reiner was searching for young actors who could capture the complicated emotions at the heart of King’s, 78, story.

Phoenix initially read for Gordie Lachance, the sensitive aspiring writer at the center of the movie.

The part ultimately went to Wheaton, 54, who played Gordie as a quiet boy dealing with the death of his older brother while trying to find his place among his friends.

But Reiner saw something in Phoenix that made him reconsider where the young actor belonged.

Rather than cast him as Gordie, the director thought Phoenix would be better suited to Chris Chambers, the group’s unofficial leader.

Chris is initially presented as the toughest of the four boys, coming from a troubled family and carrying a reputation he doesn’t necessarily deserve. As the story unfolds, however, he reveals a much more sensitive and thoughtful side.

Phoenix’s ability to convey both sides of the character made him a natural fit.

Reiner later remembered Phoenix as an unusually intelligent and sensitive young actor.

“River was a very special person,” Reiner told Entertainment Weekly in 2016 while discussing the film and Phoenix’s performance.

The casting decision ultimately helped define one of the movie’s most memorable friendships: Chris and Gordie’s bond becomes the emotional heart of the story.

‘Stand by Me’ Found Its Four Young Stars

Once Phoenix moved into the role of Chris, the rest of the principal young cast came together around him.

Wheaton played Gordie, Feldman, 55, became Teddy and O’Connell, 52, was cast as Vern.

The four actors brought very different personalities to the characters, helping make the group feel like a believable collection of childhood friends rather than four interchangeable movie kids.

Phoenix’s Chris, in particular, became one of the film’s most enduring characters.

Although he initially appears to be the stereotypical tough kid, Chris understands Gordie’s potential and encourages his friend to believe in himself. Their conversations during the journey give the movie much of its emotional weight.

Phoenix was still a teenager when he filmed Stand by Me, but the performance became an important early milestone in his career. Stand by Me was released in August 1986 and gradually became one of the most beloved coming-of-age movies of its era.

He followed the film with roles in movies including The Mosquito Coast, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon and Running on Empty, earning an Academy Award nomination for the latter.

He later starred in My Own Private Idaho, Dogfight and Sneakers, establishing himself as one of the most acclaimed young actors of his generation.

Phoenix died in 1993 at age 23. 

RELATED: Michael Wright Turned Down This ‘New Jack City’ Role, Later Called It His ‘Worst Mistake’

It’s easy to find yourself intrigued by mythology, whether you have fond memories of reading about it back in school or you think about it in terms of how it informs the powers of celestial bodies like Venus and Neptune. The ancient Roman goddesses, in particular, harbor an especially magical kind of wisdom, representing an array of life experiences and aspects of the world around us, from the arts and love to fertility and wild animals. Whether you’re learning about Vesta, the goddess of home, or Abeona, the goddess of outward journeys, each character’s story is uniquely their own. To pinpoint the one that most mirrors your own personality, strengths, and point of view, consider looking to your birth date.   

RELATED: Which Roman Goddess Matches You, Based on Your Birth Month

The Ancient Roman Goddess Whose Spirit Matches Your Own, Based on Your Birth Date

Read on to learn which Roman goddess is your match, based on the day you were born.

Born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, or 28th: Juno

You were born on a date associated with the sun, the luminary that rules confidence, purpose, and self-image in astrology. You’re unafraid of claiming and commanding the spotlight, much like the queen of the gods, Juno, who was unflinchingly confident and ambitious in the pursuit of her goals. A fierce protector of the Roman state and the women who made up the state, regal Juno was self-assured in her ability to go to battle strategically and politically—a quality that mirrors your own fierceness. She was also the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth, her captivating beauty and loyalty also reflects your own. 

Born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, or 29th: Diana 

You were born on a day that’s aligned with the moon, which rules instincts and emotions. You’re a dreamer, an intuitive, and emotionally intelligent, as well as someone who will defend your loved ones and go well above and beyond to care for others. In other words, your personality best aligns with Diana, the Roman goddess who brought the moon out every night. She also oversaw fertility, wild animals, the countryside, hunters, and women in childbirth, echoing how protective you are at your core. 

Born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, or 30th: Abeona 

Your birth date reduces down to three, a number ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system that oversees abundance, expansion, spiritual growth, and good fortune. You believe in going big or going home and broadening your horizons as a must, which draws a parallel to Abeona, the goddess of outward journeys. She was the deity who protected travelers and children when they were taking their first steps away from home. As full of wanderlust as you are, you can relate to and cherish Abeona’s pioneering, initiative-taking energy that feels much like yours.   

Born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, or 31st: Urania

Your birth date reduces down to four, which is associated with Uranus, the planet of rebellion, innovation, electricity, and sudden change. You adore striking out against convention and might also be a fan of diving into inventive pursuits, much like Urania, a muse in Roman mythology who oversaw astronomy, astrology, and science. Urania is often depicted as pointing at a celestial globe with a rod. Your imagination, curiosity, and appetite for exploring the mysteries of the universe echo that of Urania’s.  

NEXT: The Throwback MTV Music Video That Fits Your Vibe, Based on Birth Date

Born on the 5th, 14th, or 23rd: Suadela

Because you were born on a day that boils down to the number five, your numerological planetary ruler is Mercury, the planet of technology, transportation, and information-gathering. You’re a naturally gifted storyteller, and your cerebral energy best mirrors Suadela, the goddess of persuasion. A close friend of Venus, Suadela was particularly charming when tackling topics of love, seduction, and romance, and she was referred to as one of the Graces. Your mastery of conversation, language, and even being especially witty and flirtatious at times echoes Suadela’s strengths. 

Born on the 6th, 15th, or 24th: Venus

If you came into the world on one of these dates, you were born with the influence of Venus, the planet of romance, pleasure, art, and music, which means that your heartfelt, harmony-seeking personality, of course, aligns with the Roman goddess of love herself. She also oversaw beauty, values, and femininity, and all of these aspects of life feel like top priorities to you as a person who does their best to bring more balance, heart, and connection into the world.     

Born on the 7th, 16th, or 25th: Aurora

You’re sensitive, artistic, imaginative, and even a bit psychic, because your birth date reduces down to the number seven, which is aligned with Neptune, the planet of illusion, spirituality, and dreams. In turn, the goddess associated with the morning and that ethereal period between slumber and waking feels most in line with your imaginative spirit. Aurora would fly across the sky every morning in a chariot to announce the arrival of Sol (the sun, her brother) and the dawn. She also showed up quite a bit in poetry, an artistic outlet that fits with your way of being in the world. 

Born on the 8th, 17th, or 26th: Minerva

Because you were born on a date that reduces down to the number eight, you’re hardworking, mature, wise, and grounded, because your birthday is associated with Saturn, which oversees authority, boundaries, and commitment. Your responsible way of showing up in the world aligns most with Minvera, the goddess of wisdom and strategic intelligence, as well as the patron of medicine, science, and skilled trades. Minerva’s serious terrain echoes your maturity and ability to step up and take on any challenge, no matter how great.  

MORE: Your Classic Soft Rock Anthem, Based on Birth Date

Born on the 9th, 18th, or 27th: Agenoria

If your birth date reduces down to nine, you’re passionate, driven, action-oriented, and vibrant, because the day you were born is associated with Mars, the planet of action, and energy. You’re a go-getter who can easily self-motivate by tapping into your inner spark. Enter Agenoria, the Roman goddess who oversaw activity, industriousness, and courage to act. A minor deity whose name comes from the Latin root related to “agere,” meaning “to act” or “to do,” Agenoria’s go-getter nature best reflects your personal style and how you show up in the world. 

UP NEXT:

James Wilkie Broderick, the son of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, is shutting down rumors of a modeling career.

Broderick, 23, posed for a series of photos back in June with photographer Brad Walsh. Wearing a variety of outfits, including a black tank, the celebrity son, who graduated from college last year, made it clear he’s all grown up these days. However, he wants to clarify that despite the stylish shots, he won’t be pursuing a modeling career anytime soon.

The photography company Backgrid spotted James strolling the streets of New York City after a workout and went big with the headline “‘Gym bro’ James Wilkie Broderick shows off his insane body transformation after turning to modelling career.” However, James had a few things to say about it. In his Instagram Story, James shared the post and declared that he was “definitely not turning to a modeling career,” HELLO! noted.

In the comments section of the original post, he reiterated his thoughts, saying, “I’m not tryna be a model lol!”

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He Showed Off His Muscles In Recent Photos

James originally set the Internet on fire back in June when he appeared in the original series of muscular shots.

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“So dope!! Thank you @bradwalsh ❤️,” James captioned the photo set. In the comments, his mother joined in, beaming with pride.

“Ah handsome. And happy. Xxx, mama,” Parker commented.

Walsh noted on his own page that the photos will be included in his forthcoming book FELLA: IMAGES OF MEN.

When Did James Wilkie Broderick Graduate From College?

James Wilkie Broderick graduated from Brown University in Providence, R.I., in 2025. The entire family descended on the tiny New England state in honor of the fun festivities.

Along with Parker and Broderick, twin sisters Tabitha and Loretta joined in for the fun and could be spotted strolling through the cobblestone streets with their elder brother. Looking dapper in a suit and tie under his black graduation gown, James Wilkie sported clean white sneakers and carried his graduation cap in his hands as he walked alongside his sisters, the Daily Mail reported.

For those who recall Parker’s attempts to disguise her pregnancy during the fifth season of Sex and the City, it’s pretty wild to see her son graduate from college!

Parker Made Rare Comments About Her Family

While Parker tends to keep her personal life private, the Sex and the City alum made touching comments about her family while accepting the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes’ first-ever Golden Eve ceremony earlier this year.

“And to my beloved family, my brilliant husband Matthew Broderick, who has been my husband for just shy of 30 years,” Parker said, PEOPLE reported. “Who has given me a family discount, an all-access pass to his masterclass in acting, comedy and dedication.”

“And to the family we have made. Our divine James Wilkie, Loretta and Tabitha, oh God. I love you so deeply and admire so much the people that you are becoming. That every day at home and at work, I want to make you proud,” she noted.

Related: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s Twin Daughters Just Turned 17 and They Look So Grown Up

After several health-related cancellations, Dolly Parton is giving fans a clearer picture of what she’s been dealing with.

The 80-year-old country legend provided another update on her health while speaking to People on Friday, August 21, acknowledging that she’s been through some “hard times” over the past few years.

Parton acknowledged that she had put some of her own health concerns aside while caring for her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, before his death in March 2025. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she explained.

Parton said that health setbacks aren’t entirely new for her, recalling being sidelined for months with “female issues” in the early 1980s. This time, however, she believes the constant attention of social media has made her recovery seem even bigger. “Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’,” she assured fans.

The update comes one week after Parton was unable to attend the unveiling of NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood on August 14. Parton had been scheduled to appear at the Tennessee theme park but instead participated via a prerecorded video. NightFlight Expedition, a new indoor roller coaster and whitewater hybrid attraction, officially opened to the public August 19.

Her absence followed several other health-related schedule changes. In May, Parton said medications and treatments were helping her improve but sometimes left her feeling “a little bit swimmy-headed.”

READ MORE: Prue Leith Shares Health Update After Scary Hospital Visit

She also revealed that her immune and digestive systems had been “all out of whack over the past couple of three years,” while emphasizing that everything was treatable. Her previously postponed Las Vegas performances were canceled as she continued recovering.

Still, Parton hasn’t disappeared from public life entirely. She made a surprise appearance at the June 24 opening of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee.

And she’s continuing to look ahead. Along with working on music and her upcoming Broadway musical, Parton told People her team is in the early stages of developing “avatar performances” that could offer fans a new way to experience her music.

In 1979, Greg Evigan was a star in the popular NBC action-comedy series B.J. and the Bear. His co-star? A chimpanzee.

Evigan played trucker B.J. McKay for three seasons on the series, while his sidekick, a trained chimp named Bear, went along for the ride. But in one episode, Bear caused chaos on the set and cost producers a lot of money.

During an appearance on The Jim Masters Show in August 2026, Evigan, 72, recounted a wild situation while filming the November 1979 episode “Mary Ellen.” In the episode, B.J. and Bear transport a circus veteran and his trained elephant.

Evigan told Masters that the chimp, whose real name was Sam, was not happy to see an elephant and a tiger on set.

“We were working in this all around all these animals,” Evigan shared. “And so Sam’s supposed to ride out on this elephant. And then a tiger is supposed to pass in front of him. So our trainer had a tiger. He had a tiger, a lion, a couple chimps, another big chimp, full grown.”

Evigan noted that the trainer expressed concern because the lion and elephant were two “natural enemies” of the chimp and suggested it wasn’t a good idea to film with those animals, but the show’s director insisted.

“So now we’re trying to figure out how we’re going to do it,” Evigan continued. “So the only thing they come up with is, all right, we’ll blindfold the chimp, right? And then we’ll have them walk the elephant out. We’ll have a long line tied to the blindfold on the release of the blindfold. So we’ll roll the camera and then we’ll pull the thing off the chimp. He’ll be there. We’ll get the shot and the tiger will walk right in front of him and we’ll cut. …. So we rig up this whole elaborate shot. The chimp does not like being blindfolded. He’s like, he’s like crazy.”

NBC / Getty Images

Evigan said they strapped Sam down for the scene, but after pulling the blindfold off the chimp, he did indeed see the elephant—and he freaked out.

“He’s like, ‘Oh my God, I gotta get out of here,’” Evigan shared. “Then all of a sudden, this tiger walks into the scene in front of him. Well, he goes ballistic. He breaks out of the ties. He jumps off the elephant. He heads for the, you know, for the hills. I mean, nobody could stop him. …And there was these eucalyptus trees, like a whole line maybe for a mile of eucalyptus trees, and he climbs… these were probably some of the biggest ones I’ve ever seen. Well, here’s the chimp at the top of the eucalyptus and he doesn’t even climb trees. He’s a domestic, he’s an actor!”

Evigan recalled that everyone on set was rattled because time was money and producers were wasting time dealing with the chaos.

“So now we got they got bananas, fruit, they got everything you could think of that a chimp likes, you know, and he would knock them down for hours, hours,” the actor said. “He’s sitting up in the tree, you know, he’s just back and forth up in this windy tree.”

The trainer finally shot off a fake pop gun, which scared the chimp into climbing back down for good.

“We all felt bad. We felt bad for him, you know,” Evigan said. “And he was sobbing like a kid. He came running over to me. He gave me this hug. He’s holding me, and I’m like, ‘It’s okay, buddy. It’s okay.'”

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In 2020, Evigan told Page Six a show like B.J. and the Bear wouldn’t fly today due to animal rights issues.

“Looking back on it, I wish I’d known more then and I probably would have tried a lot harder to make sure [Sam] had a better life after the show,” the actor admitted. “The trainer that was working on the show had the chimp, but then they grow up and they’re the size of us and they’re pretty hard to handle.

“That’s why there aren’t too many shows like that because there shouldn’t be shows like that where you have animals in captivity that should be in the wild,” he added.

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