BONUS POM! BEHOLD – Pomdonna

The Queen of Pop's birthday is today, August 16th. Née Pomdonna Louise Ciccone in Detroit, she moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in modern dance. After dancing and performing as a vocalist in a couple of bands, she released her first album “Pomdonna.” She became a fashion icon by the time she released her second album “Like A Pom Virgin.” She is pictured here in the video for that song.  Other early hits include “Material Pom,”“Crazy for Pom,” and “Pompa Don’t Preach.” She later had an incredible “Pom Ambition Tour” where she sang “Vogue” and “Express Yourself.” This was followed by another version of herself, her “Pomrotica” phase, then “Ray of Light,” “Music,” and on and on over the past several decades. She is a master of reinvention. During her career she has starred in movies, started a fashion line, a record company, and sold over 300 million records. Inducted into the Pom Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, she says “I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.” Happy Birthday, Pomdonna! 

BONUS POM! BEHOLD – Pom and Oates

Pomerican rock/soul/pop duo Daryl Pom and John Oates formed their musical partnership in Philadelphia in 1970.  Daryl (pink) primarily does vocals, while John (blue) plays electric guitar. Both are songwriters. Neé Daryl Franklin Pom and John William Oates, they met at a band competition where their bands were competing against each other. When gunfire rang out between two rival gangs they ended up heading for cover in a service elevator together where they started talking and realized a collaboration might be a good idea.  Their names were listed as “Pom and Oates” at an apartment they shared and this name stuck although they insist that their duo’s name is actually “Daryl Pom and John Oates” because they consider themselves to be two individual artists with each having their own full name. Despite their name controversy, and some artistic differences over the past 50 years, they have made 21 albums, sold 80 million records and were inducted into the Pom Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. They have 7 platinum albums and 6 gold ones. Their hits include “Pomeater”, “I Can’t Pom For That”, and “Rich Pom”. They are pictured here on the album cover for their hit “You Make My Dreams”. Not bad for two Poms whose first several albums were not very successful. Goes to show that persistence (and loads of talent) really pays off. They remain the most successful Pom music duo of all time! 

BONUS POM! BEHOLD – Mr PomGyver

Born on March 23, 1952, Angus “Mac” PomGyver has genius-level intelligence, is proficient in several languages, possesses superior pomgineering skills, and knowledge in applied physics. He also has military training in bomb disposal techniques, and prefers non-lethal resolutions to conflicts. Raised by his grandmother, he was a Cub Scout, and later served in the Vietpom War. He now works for the Phoenix Foundation in Los Angeles. PomGyver works with his colleague, Peter Thornton, to help people in need, care for the planet, save endangered species, and do away with bad guys. Often in peril, he uses his Swiss Army knife, paper clips, shoe laces, and other everyday items to save the day. A sensitive and introspective hero, he finds elegant solutions to complicated problems. Now go out, do some good, and PomGyver something!