ON THIS DAY in 1892 comedian Joe E. (Evan) Brown was born in Holgate Ohio. After a lengthy career that took him from circus acts to vaudeville to Broadway to Hollywood, he ended up guesting on radio & TV in the 1950's & 60's. He died following a stroke July 6, 1973 at age 80.
In 1901, singer/bandleader Rudy Vallee was born in rural Vermont. In the 1920's and 30's he was host of radio's first big variety show, The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour, which introduced to the American public the likes of Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor & Kate Smith. Both The Aldrich Family & We The People originated as sketches on the Vallee show before becoming radio hits on their own. He died July 3, 1986 at age 84.
In 1910, announcer Bill Goodwin (below) was born in San Francisco. He was for years the announcer on The Burns & Allen Show, and as well was incorporated into the script playing a ladies man. He was spokesman for Swan Soap and Maxwell House Coffee, among others, on radio; Carnation Evaporated Milk on television. His last job was on The Bob Hope Radio Show (1953-55.) He died following a heart attack May 9 1958 at age 47.
In 1911, bit playing actress Ann Doran was born in Amarillo Texas. By one count she appeared in 500 movies & 1000 TV shows, the latter over a working span of 36 years. Her last three assignments in the late 80's were Twilight Zone, Cagney & Lacey, and Hunter. She died Sept. 19 2000 at age 89.
In 1914, bandleader Carmen Dragon was born in Antioch Calif. He conducted the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra on NBC Radio's "Standard Oil Hour" broadcast for elementary schools in the late 1940s. On a less cultural level he conducted the orchestra on Maxwell House Coffee Time, for the Bickersons, and The Railroad Hour starring Gordon Macrae. His son Daryl continues the family's musical tradition as the Captain of The Captain & Tennille. Carmen died Mar 28, 1984 at age 69.
In 1922, future CBS TV announcer Art Hannes was born in Kentucky. His voice was most often heard on The Ed Sullivan Show. He died March 30 1992 at age 69.
In 1933, the first singing telegram was sent. It was given to radio star Rudy Vallee on his 32nd birthday.
In 1939, Judy Garland recorded one of the most famous songs of the century with the Victor Young Orchestra. The tune became her signature song and will forever be associated with the singer-actress. Garland recorded "Over the Rainbow" for Decca Records. It was the musical highlight of the film, "The Wizard of Oz".
In 1951, "Come On-a My House" by Rosemary Clooney topped the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks.
In 1954, Victoria radio station CJVI 900 AM became the first Vancouver Island station to broadcast with 5000 watts!
Also in 1954, at 4 p.m. local time Regina's CKCK-TV signed on as a CBC affiliate on Channel 2. With no live network connection the CBC programs were all seen via kinescope.
Still in 1954, the Crew Cuts reached the top spot of the "Billboard" pop singles chart with "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)". It became the fastest-moving record to hit the music charts, making it to the top ten in only three weeks. The tune stayed atop the pop music listing for seven weeks.
In 1956, singer Gene Vincent made his first appearance on national TV on NBC's Perry Como Show. Vincent had released ‘Woman Love’ the previous month, but it was the B-side, ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula,’ that eventually made the top 10.
Also in 1956, "I Almost Lost My Mind" by Pat Boone topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
In 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut on the "Steve Allen Show,' singing "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On."
In 1958, three years after his "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" reached number one, Cuban-born bandleader Perez Prado captured the top spot again, with "Patricia". Prado was known as the Mambo King for his popular, Latin-flavored instrumentals.
In 1967, British Pirate Radio Station 390 (Radio Invicta) operating from offshore, closed down.
In 1971, country singer Charley Pride recorded "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" for RCA Victor.
In 1973, Canadian group The Band performed before 600,000 fans at the Watkins Glen (NY) Summer Jam, along with the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band. It was the biggest rock festival since Woodstock four years earlier.
Also in 1973, exactly a year after their first date, TV's "Six Million Dollar Man", Lee Majors, married one of "Charlie's Angels", Farrah Fawcett. The new Farrah Fawcett-Majors was named one of the 10 most beautiful women on the campus of the University of Texas. Farrah, famous for her blonde mane and brilliant smile, and Majors were divorced February 16, 1982
Still in 1973, Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band" was released.
In 1974, announcer Truman Bradley, who in radio's "golden era" was the golden voice of Roma Wines on CBS Radio's Suspense, died at age 69. His long career took him from baseball playbyplay to soap operas, from Lady Esther Cosmetics to Raleigh Cigarettes.
In 1976, the Steve Miller Band's album "Fly Like An Eagle" was certified Gold.
In 1979, actor/director/screenwriter George Seaton, who invented the cry 'Hi-yo Silver' as the first actor to play The Lone Ranger on radio, died of cancer at age 68. Later he would win Oscars for writing Miracle on 34th Street and The Country Girl.
Also in 1979, the World Series of Rock was held at Cleveland Stadium, with Journey, Ted Nugent and Thin Lizzy.
In 1984, Roger Waters played the first of two nights at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
In 1985, actor Grant Williams, who played Grant McKenzie on ABC TV's Hawaiian Eye, died of toxic poisoning at age 54.
Also in 1985, the city of Portland, Oregon celebrated "Kingsmen Day," which had been declared to honor their native sons in the garage rock band which recorded the huge hit "Louie Louie."
In 1987, the Beatles sued Nike and Capitol Records over the use of their song "Revolution" in shoe commercials. Terms of the out-of-court settlement reached two years later were never revealed.
In 1989, songstress Anne Murray opened the Anne Murray Centre in her hometown of Springhill, Nova Scotia. Packed with awards, photographs, memorabilia and audio-visual highlights of her life and career, the Centre is open every day from mid-May to mid-October.
In 1991, almost 100 arrests were made after an estimated 2,000 youths rioted after an MC Hammer concert in Penticton B.C.
In 1992, Patti LaBelle (below)abruptly ended a concert in Warwick, R.I., after complaining on stage about backstage food.
In 1993, the 10,000 Maniacs played their last show with lead singer Natalie Merchant. Merchant left the group to pursue a solo career.
In 1995, the TV special premiere of Michael Jackson's video "You Are Not Alone" featured a semi-clad Jackson cavorting with his bride, Lisa Marie Presley.
In 1996, Marge Ganser from The Shangri-Las died of breast cancer at age 49. The group scored more than ten hits during the 60's including the 1964 US No.1 'Leader Of The Pack.'
Also in 1996, "You're Makin' Me High" by Toni Braxton topped the charts and stayed there for a week.
In 1998, it was announced that after 12 years and six albums, the members of Columbia Records act Toad The Wet Sprocket would go their own ways. Of the split, the band's singer/guitarist Glen Phillips said, "We came together as kids but have grown in different directions as adults."
In 1999, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard was arrested for bouncing a check for a portion of his bail in his ongoing terrorist threat case in Santa Monica Superior Court.
In 2000, Kathie Lee Gifford made her final appearance as co-host of the ABC talk show "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee."
Also in 2000, a U.S. federal appeals court granted a last minute stay of an injunction that ordered Napster, Inc., to shut down. The order to stop operations came on July 26, two days previous.
In 2001, the Eagles played the first-ever concert at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
In 2002, the Dave Matthews Band went to No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Busted Stuff.’
In 2003, Aaron Bell, jazz bassist with Duke Ellington, Andy Kirk and Dizzy Gillespie, died in New York City at the age of 82.
In 2004, Jackson Beck, the man who introduced the Superman radio show with, "Faster than a speeding bullet!", died at age 92. He also starred in the title roles of radio's Cisco Kid and Philo Vance, and impersonated Joseph Stalin and other world leaders for the March of Time radio series.
Also in 2004, soul singer George Williams from The Tymes died of cancer at age 68. The Tymes had the 1963 US million seller ‘So Much in Love’ and the 1975 UK No.1 single 'Ms Grace'.
Still in 2004, singer Justin Timberlake obtained a restraining order against a photographer who allegedly stalked him. A judge in Santa Monica, California, granted the order against photographer Artemus Earl Lister.
In 2006, actor Mel Gibson was arrested in Malibu, Calif. for driving drunk. Radio & TV stations repeatedly detailed how Gibson screamed obscenities and derogatory things about Jewish people, an allegation the actor later confirmed in a TV interview with Diane Sawyer.
In 2008, Amy Winehouse was rushed to hospital after she started to have fits at her home in North London. A spokesman said it appeared the singer had suffered a reaction to medication she was taking to help her get off hard drugs.
Today's Birthdays:
Actor Darryl Hickman (A Pup Named Scooby Doo, Jonny Quest) is 80.
2nd generation pianist/bandleader Peter Duchin is 74.
Keyboardist Rick Wright of Pink Floyd is 68.
Actress Linda Kelsey (Lou Grant, Day By Day) is 65.
Singer Jonathan Edwards is 65.
Former NBC TV executive/ producer Dick Ebersol (NBC Olympics, Sat. Night Live) is 64.
Actress Sally Struthers (All in the Family, Gilmore Girls) is 63.
Actress Georgia Engel (E'body Loves Raymond, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Coach) is 63.
Drummer Simon Kirke of Bad Company is 62.
Guitarist Steve Morse of Deep Purple is 57.
Actor Michael Hayden (Murder One) is 48.
Actress Lori Loughlin (Summerland, Full House, Edge of Night) is 47.
Jazz musician-producer Delfeayo Marsalis is 46.
Actress Elizabeth Berkley (CSI:Miami, Saved By The Bell) is 39.
Singer Afroman is 37.
Drummer Todd Anderson of Heartland is 36.
Singer Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach is 35.
Country singer Carly Goodwin is 30.
Yellowknife-born actor Dustin Milligan (90210) is 26.
Rapper Soulja Boy is 21.
Chart Toppers - July 28th
1945 The More I See You - Dick Haymes Dream - The Pied Pipers Sentimental Journey - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day) Oklahoma Hills - Jack Guthrie
1954 Sh-Boom - The Crew Cuts If You Love Me (Really Love Me) - Kay Starr The Little Shoemaker - The Gaylords Even Tho - Webb Pierce
1963 Surf City - Jan & Dean So Much in Love - The Tymes Fingertips - Pt 2 - Little Stevie Wonder Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash
1972 Lean on Me - Bill Withers Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O�Sullivan Brandy (You�re a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass It's Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer - Charley Pride
1981 The One that You Love - Air Supply Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield Theme from "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It or Not) - Joey Scarbury Feels So Right - Alabama
1990 She Ain't Worth It - Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown Vision of Love - Mariah Carey Cradle of Love - Billy Idol The Dance - Garth Brooks
1999 Wild Wild West - Will Smith featuring Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee If You Had My Love - Jennifer Lopez Beautiful Stranger - Madonna Amazed - Lonestar
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