Ray Bradbury and Steve Vertlieb in 2011. By James H. Burns: Today marks the 70th birthday of long time science fiction and fantasy, and film music historian, Steve Vertlieb! Born and raised in Philadelphia, Vertlieb has also been a long-time fan, and a frequent guest speaker at Philcon, and other science fiction-related conventions (including many years at Fanex, and Monster Bash). In 1965, Vertlieb Famous Monsters of Filmland‘s loyal readers in Manhattan. That small event, held in Ackerman’s hotel room, led to many lifelong friendships. A few years earlier, when an episode of the classic television series Route 66 was shooting in Philly, Steve and his brother Erwin — frequently, Steve’s partner in his pop culture adventures! — realized that filmmaking was indeed something tangible.