ON THIS DAY in 1894, comedienne and singer Beatrice Lillie was born in Toronto. She moved to England at the age of 16, and later became a star in London's West End and on Broadway. She made a series of US radio guest appearances including a memorable one on the Fred Allen Show. In TV she twice was host of the Colgate Comedy Hour and guested 5 times on the Ed Sullivan Show. She died at her home in England Jan. 20 1989 of Alzheimers at age 94.
In 1903, comedian Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in London England. He debuted on NBC radio in 1935, and was heard on a weekly basis for the next 23 years, though the last 4 years were repeats. His TV show debuted in 1952, and his final special aired in 1996 when he was 93. He died July 27, 2003 at the remarkable age of 100.
In 1914, actor (Walter) Stacy Keach Sr. was born in Chicago. He made his TV debut in 1955, and for the next 43 years appeared in supporting roles in such series as Get Smart, Lone Ranger, Thundarr the Barbarian, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, The Rockford Files, Bonanza, Longstreet, Maverick etc. He was the father of actors Stacy and James Keach; he died of congestive heart failure Feb 13, 2003 at age 88.
In 1918, humourist/radio-TV host Herb Shriner was born in Toledo. He had his own CBS radio show in the late 40's, and later scored on TV as quizmaster (a la Groucho) on Two for the Money. Homespun humour (a la Will Rogers) was a feature of all his appearances. He died in an MVA April 23 1970 at age 51.
In 1939, the popular daytime soap opera When a Girl Marries was first heard on CBS Radio. It moved to NBC in 1941 and to ABC in 1951 for a total run of 18 years.
In 1942, Bing Crosby recorded what would become the world's biggest-selling record -- ''White Christmas.'' It's estimated to have sold more than 30-million copies. (It was only overtaken by the 1997 Elton John version of ‘Candle In The Wind’.)
In 1943, The Million Dollar Band was heard for the first time on NBC radio. Charlie Spivak was the first leader of the band that featured Barry Wood as vocalist. The unusual feature of the show was the awarding each week of five diamond rings!
In 1949, Allen Funt's "Candid Camera," which began on radio as "Candid Microphone," debuted on NBC TV.
In 1951, actress Fanny Brice, a star of the Ziegfeld Follies who struck it rich on radio as Baby Snooks for 15 years, died of a cerebral hemmorhage at age 59. She was still playing Snooks weekly until the end.
In 1952, country singer Hank Williams was divorced by his wife, Audrey Shepherd. Williams, who had less than a year to live, soon married Billie Jean Jones.
In 1954, "Little Things Mean a Lot" by Kitty Kallen hit #1 for 10 weeks on the Billboard Pop Music chart.
In 1957, Buddy Holly was back at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico, where he taped two of his most memorable & important tracks, "Everyday" and "Not Fade away."
In 1958, crooner Frank Sinatra was at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood to tape six songs for his next LP, "Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely." The ballads included "Ebb Tide," "Angel Eyes," "Only The Lonely," "Spring Is Here," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," and "Willow Weep For Me."
Also in 1958, In New York City, Little Anthony and the Imperials recorded their future million-seller, "Tears On My Pillow."
In 1959, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed and The Drifters gave a concert for about 9,000 people at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta, in one of music's first outdoor rock & roll events.
In 1960, "Cathy's Clown'' by the Everly Brothers reached the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. It was their most successful single, selling more than two-million copies.
In 1961, Ricky Nelson reached the top spot on the Billboard singles chart with Travelin' Man. It was was Nelson's second chart-topping hit. Poor Little Fool made it to the top in August of 1958.
In 1962, Henry Mancini's "Moon River'' won a Grammy for Record of the Year, and Judy Garland's "Judy at Carnegie Hall'' won a Grammy for Album of the Year.
Also in 1962, 20-year-old Barbra Streisand appeared on CBS TV's "The Garry Moore Show." She sang "When The Sun Comes Out," and debuted her now-classic slow-tempo version of "Happy Days Are Here Again."
In 1963, Del Shannon's cover version of "From Me to You" became the first Lennon-McCartney composition to appear on North American charts. He'd learned the song while touring the UK with The Beatles.
In 1965, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit "Help Me, Rhonda,'' by The Beach Boys.
In 1969, Atlantic Records released the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" (below) which lifted the unkown trio to stardom.
In 1971, "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
Also in 1971, Paul McCartney released "Mary Had A Little Lamb," after seeing his protest song "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" banned by the BBC.
In 1972, the Osmonds received a gold record for their album, Phase III.
In 1973, record executive Clive Davis was fired from Columbia Records for misappropriating $100,000.
Also in 1973, the breakup of The Byrds became official as founding memberRoger McGuinn made his solo debut in concert in New York.
In 1977, Columbia Records president Goddard Lieberson died of cancer at age 66. Lieberson was responsible for the introduction of the LP record and for popularizing soundtracks and original cast albums.
Also in 1977, the NBC News & Information Service, which was a 24-hour-a-day radio news service, came to an end.
Still in 1977, Elvis Presley left the stage in Baltimore in the middle of a concert, upset with his performance. It was the first time he terminated a show in this manner.
In 1978, former disc jockey and actor Bob Crane (Donna Reed Show, Hogan in Hogan's Heroes), died at age 49, the victim of a brutal murder.
In 1979, "The Source", considered radio's first rock news network, made its debut.
Also in 1979, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Hot Stuff,'' by Donna Summer.
In 1981, Burnaby's Michael J. Fox made his professional acting debut in the CBC TV series "Leo and Me." At the time of its filming 2 years earlier, the 16-year old Fox had been chosen to play the 12-year old "Me" in the title because he appeared small and youthful for his age.
In 1982, Paul McCartney started a three-week run at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with 'Tug Of War'.
In 1987, George Michael's single "I Want Your Sex" was released.
In 1988, Bob Dylan dueted with Band drummer Levon Helm on the group's "The Weight" at a Helm show at New York's Lone Star Cafe. The duo also performed Chuck Berry's "Nadine."
In 1989, guitarist John Cipollina, a founder of the 1960's San Francisco band Quicksilver Messenger Service, died of emphysema at age 45.
In 1991, after just completing the recording of the 'Nevermind' album, Nirvana played a last-minute show at the Jabberjaw in Los Angeles. In the audience was Iggy Pop, Dave Grohl’s girlfriend and L7 bassist Jennifer Finch who brought along her best friend Courtney Love.
In 1992, actor Bill Beyers (Wally on the TV soap Capitol), died of AIDS at age 37.
Also in 1992, Procul Harum and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra got together for the first of two reunion concerts. Twenty-one years earlier, the British rock group and the orchestra performed a legendary show that resulted in a million-selling album and a hit single, "Conquistador."
In 1995, in Los Angeles, a guard at Madonna's mansion shot and wounded a pschotic intruder carrying a wooden heart with the words -- "Love to my wife, Madonna." 37-year-old Robert Dewey Hoskins had allegedly threatened to slit the throat of the pop star. After a jury trial he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Also in 1995, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman,'' by Bryan Adams.
In 1996, jazz pianist James George "Jimmy" Rowles died at the age of 78.
In 1997, announcer George Fenneman, who was best known for his work on radio's Dragnet and You Bet Your Life on both radio & TV, died of emphysema at age 77.
Also in 1997, Tom Cochrane performed a private concert for the students of Burnsview Secondary School in the Vancouver suburb of North Delta. The singer's performance honoured the students for their fundraising efforts for World Vision, a Christian humanitarian relief organization. Cochrane's hit, "Life Is a Highway," was inspired by a trip he took to World Vision projects in Mozambique.
In 1998, country star Shania Twain opened her long-awaited first concert tour in Sudbury, one of several Ontario communities where she spent her youth. She had sold 12 million copies of her 1993 debut album, "The Woman in Me,'' and had just released her second, "Come on Over.''
In 1999, the body of Philip "Taylor" Kramer (Iron Butterfly) was found in a valley in Malibu, Calif. He had been missing since 1995.
Also in 1999, the Rolling Stones launched the European leg of their Bridges to Babylon tour, performing in front of 80,000 enthusiastic fans in an open-air concert in Stuttgart, Germany.
In 2002, Frasier star Kelsey Grammer and his production company, Grammnet Inc., were ordered to pay more than $2 million in unpaid commissions to his former talent agency.
Also in 2002, Australian actress and singer Natalie Imbruglia became the new face of L'Oreal when she signed a deal worth $170,000 with the French cosmetics manufacturer.
In 2005, singer/songwriter/civil rights activist Oscar Brown Jr. died of complications from an infection in his lower spine at age 78.
Also in 2005, System of a Down were at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with 'Mezmerize.’
In 2006, Pink Floyd singer-guitarist David Gilmour played the first of two solo shows at London's Royal Albert Hall, which were filmed for a DVD. David Bowie joined in on the Floyd classics -- "Arnold Layne" and "Comfortably Numb." David Crosby and Graham Nash were also on hand.
In 2007, a piano used by John Lennon on the night he died was put up for sale for $375,000 on The Moments in Time memorabilia website. The upright grand piano was part of the Record Plant Recording Studios in New York where the former Beatle taped his 1971 LP "Imagine."
In 2008, comedian Harvey Korman died of heart failure at age 81. Korman won four Emmys for his outrageously funny antics on CBS-TV’s The Carol Burnett Show, and played the conniving politician Hedley Lamarr to hilarious effect in the film Blazing Saddles.
In 2009, 69-year old record producer Phil Spector was sentenced to 19-years-to-life after his conviction for murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003.
In 2010, actor Dennis Hopper died of prostate cancer at age 74.
Today's Birthdays:
Actor Clifton James (Dallas, City of Angels, Another World) is 91.
Bassist Eugene Wright of the Dave Brubeck Quartet is 89.
Canadian broadcaster/TV host Roy Bonisteel (Man Alive) is 82.
CBS News Correspondent Bob Simon (60 Minutes) is 71.
Actor Kevin Conway (Black Donnellys, Oz, Outer Limits) is 70.
Singer/actor Monti Rock III is 70.
Actor Helmut Berger (Dynasty) is 68.
Singer Gary Brooker of Procol Harum is 67.
Actor Anthony Geary (General Hospital) is 65.
Ontario-raised actor Nick Mancuso (Matrix, Stingray) is 64.
Singer Rebbie Jackson is 62.
Composer Danny Elfman is 59.
Bassist Michael Porcaro of Toto is 57.
Singer LaToya Jackson is 56.
Actor Ted Levine (Monk, Justice League) is 55.
Actress Annette Bening (Mrs. Harris, Liberty's Kids: Est. 1776) is 54.
Actor Rupert Everett (Boston Legal, Far Pavilions) is 53.
Singer Melissa Etheridge is 51.
Actress Lisa Whelchel (The Facts of Life) is 49.
Actress Tracey Bregman (Young & the Restless) is 49.
Singer Jayski McGowan of Quad City DJ's is 45.
Guitarist Noel Gallagher of Oasis is 45.
Guitarist Chan Kinchla of Blues Traveler is 43.
Guitarist Mark Lee of Third Day is 39.
Singer Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) of the Spice Girls is 37.
Rapper Playa Poncho is 37.
Actor Justin Chon (Just Jordan) is 31.
Actress Alessandra Torresani (Caprica) is 25.
Actor Brandon Mychal Smith (Sonny With a Chance) is 23.
Chart Toppers - May 29
1948 Nature Boy - Nat King Cole Now is the Hour - Bing Crosby Baby Face - The Art Mooney Orchestra Texarkana Baby - Eddy Arnold
1957 All Shook Up - Elvis Presley Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation) - Marty Robbins Four Walls - Jim Reeves
1966 When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge A Groovy Kind of Love - The Mindbenders Paint It, Black - The Rolling Stones Distant Drums - Jim Reeves
1975 Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender How Long - Ace I’m Not Lisa - Jessi Colter
1984 Let’s Hear It for the Boy - Deniece Williams Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper Oh Sherrie - Steve Perry As Long as I’m Rockin’ with You - John Conlee
1993 That’s the Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson Freak Me - Silk Knockin’ da Boots - H-Town I Love the Way You Love Me - John Michael Montgomery
2002 Foolish - Ashanti A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton Don’t Let Me Get Me - Pink Drive (For Daddy Gene) - Alan Jackson
2011 Rolling in the Deep - Adele E.T. - Katy Perry featuring Kanye West The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga Heart Like Mine - Miranda Lambert
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