Doll-A-Day 40: Happy Birthday Ken! with Bendleg Ken and The Beatles 50th Anniversary

  That's MY Ken, not Ken the doll. But since it's my Ken's birthday, we're celebrating with Ken Week! 
  The Ken doll was introduced as Barbie's boyfriend in 1961. He was in continuous production, in many different forms, until 2004, (except for a slight break between 1967 and 1969),when Mattel decided Barbie needed a different boyfriend. (What were they thinking?! Can't dolls even stay together any more?!) He reappeared in 2006. He has obviously overlooked being dumped for a couple of years because he and Barbie are back together.
  Today's Ken is one we saw recently, but he's 'my Ken' too, so it's fitting we take a better look at him.

This is my childhood Ken doll.He is a bend leg Ken, and was produced in 1965 I think.He was advertised as having 'Lifelike Bendable Legs'.

1965? Was I really only 3 or 4 when I got this guy?

Looks like he's doing that Pee Wee Herman dance.

He originally came in red swim trunks and a short blue jacket with a K for Ken on it.And of course, his little cork sandals.Today he's wearing a red shirt,(I like my Ken in a red shirt),and some really cool socks, which are more something I would wear, and WHY is he wearing shorts in the middle of winter? BECAUSE HE'S KEN! It's what they do, apparently.

As usual, bend leg Ken came in brunette or blonde. I always preferred dark haired men, but I married a blonde Ken.

Bendleg Ken has blushy cheeks.

 

My Ken has bendlegs and blushy cheeks too.His hair is alot crazier though.
Happy Birthday Ken! I love you!
Today is also the 50th anniversary of The Beatles first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. (Which was also a Sunday too.)

The Beatles as most of America first saw them, singing All My Loving on The Ed Sullivan Show.

It wasn't their first U.S. TV appearance, as they had appeared on network newcasts in November of 1963, and Jack Paar  had shown a film clip a month before the Ed Sullivan appearance,in January of 1964.It was their first actual performance on American TV. Credit to Ed, who booked them after a trip to England where he witnessed the huge crowds that met them at the airport