Q: I read in the AJC’s celebrity birthdays where Cuba Gooding of the group The Main Ingredient had a birthday. Is he related to actor Cuba Gooding Jr.? If he is, does Cuba Gooding Jr. have any musical talents?
— William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
A: Cuba Gooding, the lead singer of The Main Ingredient, is the father of Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Oscar for his role of Rod Tidwell in "Jerry Maguire." Gooding Jr. started his career as a break dancer, and performed with Lionel Richie in the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He sang Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" during the wedding scene in "Jerry Maguire," but hasn't had a recording career. The Main Ingredient's biggest hits with Gooding Sr. were "Everybody Plays the Fool" in 1972 and "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" in 1974.
Q: What is the explanation of May Day?
— Rick Brewer, Smyrna
A: May Day, celebrated on May 1, is a national holiday in many countries and cultures. It dates to pre-Christian Rome and pagan Europe, and in some cultures it was set aside to celebrate the arrival of spring or summer and honor Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. May Day later became known as a labor day, or a day of political protests, and sometimes is referred to as International Workers' Day. It was a national holiday in the former Soviet Union and was marked by a large military parade in Moscow's Red Square.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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