Monday March the 8th

ON THIS DAY in 1902
                                                                                                          
actress Louise Beavers was born in Cincinnati. She appeared in more than 125 films over a thirty-year period, but is probably best remembered today for her role as Beulah, the maid, in the TV series of that name. The part was originally played by Ethel Waters. In 1952 when actress Hattie McDaniels of Gone with the Wind fame was to replace Waters, she became ill so Louise Beavers took over. She also played Louise the maid on the first two seasons of TV's Danny Thomas Show (1953-55).  She died after a heart attack Oct. 26 1962 at age 60.

In 1909, Oscar-winning (supporting) actress Claire Trevor was born Claire Wemlinger in Brooklyn.  She appeared on the big screen over 50 years, with several dozen TV credits in 30-plus years.   Trevor was the female lead opposite Edward G. Robinson at the start of radio's "Big Town." She won an Emmy for Best Live Television Performance by an Actress as the flighty wife of Fredric March in "Dodsworth" (1956) on the NBC Producer's Showcase.  She died of respiratory ailments Apr. 8, 2000 at age 91.

                                                          
In 1921, actor Alan Hale Jr. was born in Los Angeles.  He will forever be typecast as the skipper on TV's iconic sitcom Gilligan's Island.  He died Jan 2 1990 of cancer-related respiratory failure at age 68.  

In 1925, Bernard McFadden was a physical culturist who had a radio show in New York City. But not for long. McFadden failed to show up for his daily morning program, causing a young, studio engineer, John Gambling, to ad-lib on the air for a solid hour. As a result, the radio station (WOR) decided to give Gambling the morning announcer's job. John Gambling stayed at WOR for many years, then turned the mike over to his son, who, finally, turned the program over to his son ... all named John. The Rambling with Gambling program attracted huge tri-state audiences for 75 years on the 50,000 watt talk-radio powerhouse at 710 AM. And since April 2008 the 3rd generation John Gambling is back again hosting mornings on WOR.

In 1942, ''Transit Through Fire: An Odyssey of 1942,'' the first opera commissioned by the CBC, was broadcast coast-to-coast. The music was by Healey Willan, and was orchestrated by Lucio Agostini.

        
In 1959, Groucho, Chico & Harpo Marx made their final TV appearance together.  

In 1962, the Beatles made their radio debut on the B-B-C program "Teenager's Turn." They performed a cover of the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman."

In 1964, the Dave Clark 5 made their first appearance on CBS TV's "Ed Sullivan Show".

In 1966, Bob Dylan recorded ‘Just Like A Woman’ for his Blonde On Blonde album at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville.

In 1969, Sly and the Family Stone were starting their fourth (and final) week at number one on the pop music charts (also #1 on the soul charts) with Everyday People. When presented with the coveted gold record for this achievement, Sly ripped it out of its case, threw it on the platter player and heard, People, by Barbra Streisand.

                                                                  
In 1970, Diana Ross performed her first solo concert after leaving the Supremes. It took place in Framingham, Massachusetts.

In 1971, Radio Hanoi opened its first broadcast of American rock music with Jimi Hendrix's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner.'' The program was heard by U-S soldiers throughout Vietnam.

In 1973, Ron (Pigpen) McKernan, keyboards and harmonica player with the Grateful Dead, died of liver disease in San Francisco. McKernan, a heavy drinker, was only 28.

Also on this date in 1973, Paul McCartney was fined 240 dollars for growing marijuana outside his farm in Scotland. McCartney claimed fans gave him the seeds and he didn't know what would grow from them.

In 1974, the last original episode of TV's "The Brady Bunch" aired.

Also in 1974, Bad Company gave their debut performance in England.

                                                                                                          
In 1975, Olivia Newton-John reached the top spot on the pop charts with Have You Never Been Mellow'. her 2nd number one hit.  

In 1977, American character actor Henry Hull died in England at age 86.  Besides his 74 movie roles he'd been in demand for scores of guest spots in the first 15 years of TV, repeatedly on Wagon Train, Restless Gun, Suspense, Armstrong Circle Theatre & Playhouse 90.  

In 1983, guitarist-vocalist Roger Hodgson announced he was leaving Supertramp for a solo career. Hodgson had shared the singing and songwriting duties in Supertramp with Rick Davies.

In 1985, readily identifiable supporting actor Edward Andrews died of a heart attack at 70.  
                                                                
His career didn't begin until the TV era when he was already in his 40's, getting multiple assignments on Studio One, US Steel Hour, Robert Montgomery Presents, and Disneyland.  He was a regular on the shortlived series Broadside.  

In 1986, Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the Billboard album chart with her self-titled album. It spent a total of 14 weeks in the top spot.

In 1987, Detroit rocker Bob Seger announced during a concert in his hometown that his current "Like a Rock'' tour would be his last.

            
In 1989, gospel-country singer Stuart Hamblen died after having a malignant brain tumor removed at a California hospital. He was 80. Hamblen was best known for his spiritual tunes, including "It Is No Secret What God Can Do'' and "This Ole House,'' which Rosemary Clooney turned into a million-seller in the early 1950's.

In 1990, Cher won the worst dressed female, and worst video for 'If I Could Turn Back Time', in The Rolling Stone Magazine's awards.  Donny Osmond won the most unwelcome comeback award.

In 1991, the 17th People's Choice Awards gave top honors to Julia Roberts, Bill Cosby, & the film Pretty Woman.  

In 1992, actress Annette Funicello revealed she had multiple sclerosis.

                                                            
In 1993, Billy Eckstine, one of the first black balladeers to cross over into the white market, died in Pittsburgh after suffering a stroke. He was 78.  His big hit was "I Apologize."

Also in 1993, "Beavis and Butthead" premiered as a series. Previously, the characters were shown on M-T-V's "Liquid Television" program.

In 1994, Britain's attorney general ruled out a new inquest into the death of Seattle's Jimi Hendrix. The legendary guitarist died in London on September 18th, 1970, at age 27. The original inquest recorded an open verdict, meaning there was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of death. A pathologist concluded that Hendrix choked to death after drinking wine and taking an overdose of barbituates. His former girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham, had been campaigning for a new inquest, claiming he died earlier than officially recorded.

In 1996, the first episode of "Muppets Tonight!" aired.

                                                                                                    
In 1999, Peggy Cass, actress & To Tell the Truth panellist, died at age 74.  She first gained widespread fame as a regular guest on Jack Paar's Tonight Show (NBC TV.)

Also in 1999, police were called to a Wal-Mart store in Hamilton to control thousands of swooning young girls trying to get utographs from the Moffatts. The appearance of the four brothers from Victoria had been expected to draw about 300 fans -- five-thousand showed up. Hundreds had camped out all night. Some of the young fans collapsed into clothing displays during the Moffatts' 45-minute show and subsequent autograph session. Wal-Mart officials reported an unspecified amount of damage to the store.

                        
In 2004, actor Robert Pastorelli, memorable as the housepainter Eldin on TV's Murphy Brown, died at age 49, due to an accidental heroin overdose.  

Also in 2004, Martha Stewart's syndicated television show, "Martha Stewart Living," was taken off the air by CBS and UPN. Stewart was found guilty on March 3 of lying about the reason for selling 3,298 shares of ImClone Systems stock, conspiracy, making false statement and obstruction of justice.


Today's Birthdays:  

Portland-born actor Booth Colman (Civil Wars, Daniel Boone, Planet of the Apes) is 87.

Actress Sue Ane Langdon (When the Whistle Blows, Honeymooners, Arnie) is 74.

Pianist Dick Hyman, musical director for Arthur Godfrey & Woody Allen, is 73.

Sarnia Ont.-born actress Susan Clark (Webster, Babe, Emily of New Moon) is 70.

Actress Lynn Redgrave (House Calls, Rude Awakenings) is 67.

Musician-actor Micky Dolenz of the Monkees is 65.

Bassist Randy Meisner (The Eagles, Poco) is 64.

Singer/songwriter Carole Bayer Sager is 63.

Singer Peggy March is 62.

Actress Rita Walter (As the World Turns, Secret Storm) is 59.

Singer Gary Numan is 52.

Actor Aidan Quinn (Third Watch, Empire Falls, An Early Frost) is 51.

Country guitarist Jimmy Dormire of Confederate Railroad is 50.

Actress Camryn Mannheim (Ghost Whisperer, The Practice) is 49.

Singer Shawn Mullins is 42.

Actress Andrea Parker (Less Than Perfect, The Pretender) is 40.

Actor Freddie Prinze Jr.(Freddie) is 34.

Actor James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek) is 33.

Singer Kameelah Williams of 702 is 32.

Singer Tom Chaplin of Keane is 31.

Guitarist Andy Ross of OK Go is 31.

Bob, Clint and Dave Moffatt of the Victoria-raised singing group The Moffatts are 26.


Chart Toppers - March 8

1952
Slowpoke - Pee Wee King
Tell Me Why - The Four Aces
Please, Mr. Sun - Johnnie Ray
Wondering - Webb Pierce

1961
Pony Time - Chubby Checker
Surrender - Elvis Presley
Wheels - The String-A-Longs
Don’t Worry - Marty Robbins

1970
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
Travelin’ Band/Who’ll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Rainy Night in Georgia - Brook Benton
It’s Just a Matter of Time - Sonny James

1979
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? - Rod Stewart
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Tragedy - Bee Gees
Golden Tears - Dave & Sugar

1988
Father Figure - George Michael
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
She’s Like the Wind - Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser
Face to Face - Alabama

1997
Wannabe - Spice Girls
Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down - Puff Daddy featuring Mase
You Were Meant for Me - Jewel
Me Too - Toby Keith

2006
Be Without You - Mary J. Blige
So Sick - Ne-Yo
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
When I Get Where I’m Going - Brad Paisley with Dolly Parton