Monday February the 8th

ON THIS DAY in 1888
actress Dame Edith Evans was born in London.
            
Regarded as the greatest actress of the English stage in the 20th century, she had limited broadcast credits in North America.  She appeared a couple of times on CBS radio's Suspense, on TV on The Hallmark Hall of Fame, David Copperfield, and in mini series The Gambler & QB VII.  She died Oct 14, 1976 at age 88.  

On this day in 1905, actor/announcer Truman Bradley was born in Sheldon Missouri.  He was an iconic announcer in bigtime radio, from the early days of The Red Skelton Show to the Roma Wines commercials on the Suspense series. On TV he was the on-screen host & narrator for Science Fiction Theater.  He died July 28 1974 at age 69.

On this day in 1908, actor Myron McCormick was born in Albany Indiana. One of the great character actors on the Broadway stage, he made a few memorable appearances on TV in the likes of Ben Casey, Naked City, The Untouchables, 87th Precinct, Outlaws, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.  He died of cancer July 30 1962 at age 54.

                                                                                                          
On this day in 1921, actress Lana Turner was born in Wallace Idaho. After an impressive big screen career she accepted a handful of mature roles on TV series Falcon Crest, The Survivors & The Love Boat.  She also appeared as herself with Carol Burnett, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore and Johnny Carson. She died of throat cancer June 29, 1995 at age 74.                                                                                                          

On this day in 1922, President Warren G. Harding had a radio installed in the White House.

On this day in 1924, the first coast-to-coast US radio hookup took place for a speech by General John Joseph Carty from Chicago.

On this day in 1925, actor Jack Lemmon was born John Uhler Lemmon III in Newton Mass.  Besides a host of big screen successes he lit up the TV screen in Tuesdays with Morrie, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Inherit the Wind, 12 Angry Men & The Long Way Home.   Early in his career he was seen repeatedly in the Kraft Television  Theatre, Playhouse 90, Studio One & Alcoa Theatre, and a couple of short-lived series.  Lemmon succumbed to bladder cancer June 27, 2001 at age 76.

                                                                    
On this day in 1926, actress Audrey Meadows was born in Wuchang China.  She won an Emmy for her memorable role as Alice in  the Jackie Gleason Show sketch, The Honeymooners.  She also appeared at least 7 times on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.  She died of lung cancer Feb 3, 1996 just days short of her 70th birthday.

On this day in 1928, the first transatlantic TV image was received, at Hartsdale NY.

Also this day in 1928, Scottish inventor J. Blaird demonstrated color-TV.

On this day in 1930, actor Alejandro Rey was born in Buenos Aires.  His TV credits include The Flying Nun, Days of Our Lives, Dallas, Slattery's People & The Dick Powell Theatre.  He died of lung cancer May 21, 1987 at age 57.

On this day in 1931, iconic actor James Dean was born in Marion Indiana.  Before his tragically brief Hollywood career he did an impressive array of TV, much of it live in Kraft TV Theatre, Studio One, US Steel Hour, Campbell Playhouse & Danger. He was killed in car crash Sep 30, 1955 at the tender age of 24.  

On this day in 1946, at 5 pm CKPG signed on the air in Prince George, B.C. at 1230 khz with a 250-watt transmitter located at South Fort George.

On this day in 1952,  "The RCA Victor Show Starring Dennis Day" debuted on NBC TV.

On this day in 1956, Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records. He left the "e" out of his last name (Holley) and dropped it from his stage name as well.

On this day in 1958, KIRO TV channel 7 in Seattle (CBS) began broadcasting.

        
On this day in 1960, U.S. Congressional investigators began exploring the influence of payola in the radio and record industries. Alan Freed (above) and "American Bandstand" host, Dick Clark, among others, were called to testify.
                                                                                        

On this day in 1961, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Calcutta'' by Lawrence Welk. Welk and his orchestra - which includes a harpsichord - recorded the song in one take.

On this day in 1964, the publisher of the hit song "Louie Louie" offered $1,000 to anyone would could find suggestive lyrics in the song.

Also in 1964, on their first full day in New York, The Beatles (minus George who had a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around Central Park.  Extra police were called in to keep fans away.  Later in the day The Ronettes interviewed the band for radio.

On this day in 1965, the Supremes released 'Stop In the Name of Love'.

On this day in 1967, the Brit duo of Peter & Gordon split up.  Peter (Asher) & Gordon (Waller) ended their singing partnership.
              

On this day in 1969, George Harrison's tonsils were removed at London's University College Hospital. The tonsils were destroyed so they could not be sold.

Also this day in 1969, the "supergroup" Blind Faith was formed, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood.

On this day in 1971, the Bob Dylan film "Eat The Document" was shown at the New York Academy of Music. Dylan had wanted the documentary to appear on T-V, but it didn't until ten years later.

Also this day in 1971, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "One Bad Apple'' by The Osmonds.

On this day in 1972, the official Beatles Fan Club disbanded.

                                                                                    
On this day in 1973, Carly Simon received a gold record for the single "You're So Vain."

On this day in 1974, Ringo Starr released his soon-to-be-hit record "You're 16."

On this day in 1974, the sitcom "Good Times" with Jimmie Walker debuted on CBS TV.

On this day in 1975, the song "Fire" by the Ohio Players topped the charts... but only for a week.

Also this day in 1975, Queen's single "Killer Queen" was released. It was their first hit single.

On this day in 1981, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Celebration'' by Kool & the Gang. The song was the theme song of the 1981 Super Bowl and was played for the 52 American hostages upon their return to the U.S. from Iran.

On this day in 1982, Cher opened on Broadway in "Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean."

On this day in 1985, actor Marvin Miller died at age 71 after a heart attack.  He was best known as the Signal Oil announcer on radio's memorable series The Whistler, and as Michael Anthony, the man who passed out a weekly cheque on TV's The Millionaire.  

Also this day in 1985, "The Dukes of Hazzard" ended its 6-1/2 year run on CBS television. The series was credited with using more stunt men than any other TV series in history. The show had used as many as eight cars per episode when the crash sequences got complicated. Waylon Jennings did the theme song, "The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)".
                                                              

On this day in 1987, actress Harriet E. MacGibbon died of pulmonary failure at age 81.  She is best remembered as Mrs. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies; she also had a recurring role on The Smothers Bros. Show.

On this day in 1988, The Who (without Keith Moon) reunited for their 25th anniversary at a London awards ceremony.

On this day in 1990, singer Del Shannon (Charles Westover) shot himself in the head with a .22 caliber rifle at his home in Santa Clarita, California. He was 50. Shannon's first and biggest hit was "Runaway", which hit number one in the U.S. in April 1961. His other top-20 singles included "Hats Off to Larry", "Little Town Flirt" and "Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)".

Also this day in 1990, "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney was suspended by CBS for racial remarks attributed to him by a gay magazine. Rooney denied the quotes, and was reinstated.                                                                      


                                                                                            
On this day in 1992 the single by R*S*F (Right Said Fred), "I'm Too Sexy", was #1 in the U.S. It was a smash, staying at number one for three weeks, then dropping to number two for three more.

On this day in 1993, GM sued NBC, alleging that the "Dateline NBC" program had rigged 2 car-truck crashes to show that 1973-87 GM pickups were prone to fires. The suit was settled the following day by NBC.

Also this day in 1993, Tom Jones guest starred on NBC-TV's "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

On this day in 1994, composer/orch leader Raymond Scott died of pneumonia at age 85. He was musical director on radio & TV for Your Hit Parade in the 1950's, and for TV's What's My Line.  His music is familiar to millions because of its adaptation by Warner Brothers in over 120 classic Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck animated features. Scott's melodies have also been heard in 12 Ren & Stimpy TV episodes.  

                                                  
Also this day in 1994, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee was charged with possession of a loaded firearm.

On this day in 1996, the "Telecommunications Act of 1996" deregulated radio ownership in the US.

On this day in 1996, trumpeter/bandleader Mercer Kennedy Ellington died at 76. He had taken over his father's (Duke Ellington) orchestra, but never escaped his shadow.

On this day in 1996, CKWX ended its country music format after 23 years by playing the country classic Ray Price's "For the Good Times" just before 8 a.m.  At the top of the hour CKWX NEWS 1130 debuted, bringing a 24-hour all news format to Vancouver with a tight 30-minute wheel of news every half hour.  The change would make the CKWX newsroom the largest radio newsroom in Western Canada.
        

On this day in 2004, at the 46th Grammy Awards, Coldplay, Outkast, Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake won the major awards.

On this day in 2006, the 48th annual Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles. Madonna opened the telecast (for a third time), U2 came away with 5 awards while Mariah Carey won 3 of her 8 nominations.

On this day in 2007, stripper/model/TV personality Anna Nicole Smith (below) died of an accidental prescription drug overdose at 41 years of age. The former Playmate of the Year (1992) and widow of an oil tycoon 63 years her senior, achieved a notoriety that resulted in her own reality show for two years on the E Television network.
                                                                                                          

On this day in 2009, R&B singer Chris Brown was questioned by Los Angeles police over a complaint of assault. The 19-year-old had pulled out of his performance at the Grammy Awards, as did his pop star girlfriend Rihanna. Police said Mr Brown argued with an unidentified woman while sitting in a car. Brown was later released on $50,000 bail.


Today's Birthdays:

Big Band leader Buddy Morrow (The Tommy Dorsey Orch.) is 91.

Actor Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen in TV's Adv. of Superman) is 82.

Composer-conductor John Williams (Boston Pops telecasts) is 78.  

Former ABC News anchor Ted Koppel is 70.

Actor Nick Nolte (Rich Man Poor Man) is 69.

Comedian Robert Klein is 68.

Country singer Dan Seals is 62.

Actress Brooke Adams (OK Crackerby, Family, Picture Windows) is 61.

Actress Mary Steenburgen (Joan of Arcadia, Ink) is 57.

Singer Vince Neil of Motley Crue is 49.

Singer-guitarist Sammy Llanas of The BoDeans is 49.

Actor Gary Coleman (Diff'rent Strokes) is 42.

Actress Mary McCormack (West Wing, ER, Murder One) is 41.

Guitarist Keith Nelson of Buckcherry is 41.

Actor Seth Green (Family Guy, Buffy The Vampire Slayer) is 36.

Bassist Phoenix of Linkin Park is 33.

Actor Ryan Pinkston (Quintuplets) is 22.

Actress Karle Warren (Judging Amy) is 18.


Chart Toppers - Feb. 8  

1951
My Heart Cries for You - Guy Mitchell
Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page
If - Perry Como
There’s Been a Change in Me - Eddy Arnold

1960
Teen Angel - Mark Dinning
Where or When - Dion & The Belmonts
Handy Man - Jimmy Jones
He’ll Have to Go - Jim Reeves

1969
Crimson and Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells
Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone
Touch Me - The Doors
Daddy Sang Bass - Johnny Cash

1978
Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees
Short People - Randy Newman
We are the Champions - Queen
Out of My Head and Back in My Bed - Loretta Lynn

1987
Open Your Heart - Madonna
Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Change of Heart - Cyndi Lauper
Leave Me Lonely - Gary Morris

1996
One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
Missing - Everything But The Girl
One of Us - Joan Osborne
(If You’re Not in It for Love) I’m Outta Here! - Shania Twain

2005
1, 2 Step - Ciara featuring Missy Elliott
Let Me Love You - Mario
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Mud on the Tires - Brad Paisley