Mercury Seven Col. John "Shorty" Powers, who as a result became known in the press as the "eighth astronaut". They wrote first-hand accounts of their selection and preparation for the Mercury missions in the 1962 book "We Seven". Additionally, each of them separately wrote at least one book describing their astronaut experiences. In 1979, Tom Wolfe published a less sanitized version of their story in "The Right Stuff". Wolfe's book was the basis for the film of the same name directed by Philip Kaufman. The five Tracy brothers from the TV series "Thunderbirds" were named after five of the Mercury Seven astronauts.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (musical) among them - and fans of the show chanted and held picket signs demanding Rich retract his review presumably in vain hopes of a resultant reprieve for "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".) "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" would receive a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. The musical premiered in the West End at the Old Vic, starting on July 2, 1985 and running for 41 performances. It starred Roni Page and Steve Devereaux and included Michaela Strachan as the bride Liza. The show also played at The Prince of Wales Theatre, Leicester Square produced by Michael Winter, and