Saturday January the 12th


ON THIS DAY in 1902
versatile character actor Ray Teal was born in Grand Rapids Michigan.  He is best remembered as the no-nonsense Sheriff Roy Coffee on the NBC TV western Bonanza.  He also guest starred repeatedly on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Maverick, Cheyenne, Wide Country & Disneyland.  He died April 2 1976 at age 74.  

On this day in 1905, country recording star Tex Ritter was born Woodward Maurice Ritter in rural Texas. A singing cowboy in Hollywood 'B' westerns of the 30's & 40's, he is perhaps best remembered for his haunting vocalization of the theme song in the classic movie High Noon (1952).  In his later years, he was a disk jockey on Nashville radio. He died after a heart attack Jan 2 1974, ten days short of his 69th birthday.  

On this day in 1906, comedian Henny Youngman was born in England.  Famous for playing the violin between his one-liner jokes, and his oft repeated "Take my wife please..."   He appeared on all the major TV variety shows of his time, from Toast of the Town (Ed Sullivan Show) to Hollywood Palace to Rowan & Martin's Laugh In to the Tonight Show.  He even appeared twice on The Howard Stern Show.  He died from pneumonia Feb 24 1998 at the age of 92.

On this day in 1915, print & TV journalist Martin Agronsky was born in Philadelphia. In his 50 year career he worked for newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic, and all three US networks plus PBS. He has the distinction of moderating both major Sunday discussion shows, NBC's Meet the Press, and CBS's Face the Nation. His Agronsky & Company on PBS over 18 years is creditted with setting the format for the present Sunday discussion shows. He died of congestive heart failure July 25 1999 at age 84.  

On this day in 1925, Bill Burrud was born in Hollywood. A former child film actor, he would produce and host a plethora of TV nature- or travel-oriented documentary series, including Safari to Adventure, The Challenging Sea, and Animal World.  He suffered a heart attack & died July 12 1990 at age 65.

On this day in 1926, "Sam 'n' Henry" debuted on Chicago's WGN radio. The show's name was soon changed to "Amos 'n' Andy" and the voices of its creators, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll played to Depression-era audiences; portraying two characters who were constantly looking for extra income. Although the players were white, the characters were supposed to be black. The popular radio show would attract over forty million fans during its radio tenure which ended in 1948. (Gosden and Correll returned to radio with the "Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall" [1954-1960]).

                                                                                                                  
On this day in 1932, columnist & future TV host Ed Sullivan joined CBS radio in a program of gossip and interviews.

On this day in 1939, the Ink Spots gained national attention after five years together, as they recorded "If I Didn't Care", Decca record number 2286. Lead vocal was by Bill Kenny, who later in life settled in Vancouver.

On this day in 1940, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)'' by the Shep Fields Orchestra.

On this day in 1941, bluesman Long John Baldry was born in England. He had a 1967 pop chart number 1 with "Let the Heartaches Begin", but his first love has always been Blues singing.  Because of his deep voice he has done a ton of voiceover work, and is loved by a younger generation as the voice of Dr. Robotnik in TV's Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.  He died in a Vanouver hospital July 21 2005 at age 44, after a severe 4-month chest infection.

On this day in 1949, "Arthur Godfrey and His Friends" was first seen on CBS-TV. The simulcast of a daytime radio show stayed on the network for seven years.

Also this day in 1949, the Chicago-based children's show, "Kukla, Fran and Ollie", made its national debut on NBC-TV. Fran Allison was hostess with the mostest. The show was phenomenally successful.

On this day in 1953, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes'' by Perry Como.

On this day in 1955, Rod Serling's stellar career "lifted off" with the TV production of "Patterns", an original, hour-long drama. Within two weeks, the then struggling author had 23 other TV assignments.
                                                                                                                

On this day in 1957, Elvis Presley recorded "All Shook Up'' at a Hollywood studio.

On this day in 1959, Detroit's Berry Gordy borrowed $800 and founded the Motown record empire.

On this day in 1962, TV comedian Ernie Kovacs (Tonight, The Ernie Kovacs Show) was killed in an auto crash at age 42.
                                                                

On this day in 1963, the song "Go Away Little Girl" by Steve Lawrence topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

Also this day in 1963, songwriter Bob Dylan sang "Blowin' in the Wind" on the BBC radio presentation of "The Madhouse on Castle Street". The song soon became one of the classics of the 1960s protest movement.

On this day in 1965, the NBC-TV pop-music show "Hullabaloo" made its debut. A competitor of ABC's successful "Shindig" show, "Hullabaloo" tried to attract a wider audience by featuring both rock music and Las Vegas-type acts. Guests on the first show included the New Christy Minstrels, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Zombies and Woody Allen. "Hullabaloo" lasted on the air through Aug 29 1966.                                                                                      


          
On this day in 1966, "Batman" debuted on ABC-TV. Adam West starred as Batman and Burt Ward was the Bat-Boy, Robin. Pow! Zork! Crunch! Holy hot cakes, Batman!

On this day in 1967, one of broadcasting's greatest hits, "Dragnet", returned to NBC-TV after an eight year absence. Harry Morgan (of December Bride & MASH)  was Jack Webb's sidekick in the renewed series.

On this day in 1968, the nighttime version of "Hollywood Squares" debuted on NBC TV.

Also this day in 1968, the Supremes appeared in an episode of "Tarzan" on NBC-TV. The ladies played a group of nuns.

On this day in 1971, "All In the Family" debuted on CBS featuring TV's first toilet flush. Carroll O'Connor starred as Archie Bunker, Rob Reiner as Meathead, Sally Struthers as Gloria and Jean Stapleton as Edith, "The Dingbat". "Stifle yourself!"

On this day in 1974, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "The Joker'' by the Steve Miller Band.

On this day in 1979, the 6th American Music Awards were handed out on TV.  Big winners were Barry Manilow and Linda Ronstadt.

On this day in 1981, "Dynasty", a prime time soap opera inspired by Dallas, starring Joan Collins, premiered on ABC-TV.

Also this day in 1981, British Columbia launched its own educational channel--The Knowledge Network on cable 18 in Greater Vancouver, cable 4 in Victoria.

On this day in 1984, Motley Crue opened its first U.S. tour at Madison Square Garden, New York.

On this day in 1985, after a record 24 weeks as the #1 album in the nation, Prince slipped to the #2 spot with "Purple Rain". Replacing Prince on top: "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen's "Born In the USA", which spent 24 weeks waiting for "Purple Rain" to fall.

                                                                        
On this day in 1991, actor Keye Luke, born in China but raised in Seattle, died after a stroke at age 86. Forever identified in the movies as Charlie Chan's #1 son, he played scores of TV shows over a 40 year period, including Kung Fu, MASH, Perry Mason, Dragnet, Star Trek, Cannon, Night Court & MacGyver.

Also this day in 1991, Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1814" became the first album to generate seven top-five singles on the "Billboard" "Hot 100" (four went to number one). "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" reached #4 this day and it hit #1 the following week.

Again this day in 1991, country music singer Johnny Paycheck was released from an Ohio prison after serving two years of a seven year sentence for a barroom shooting. Before leaving office, Gov. Richard Celeste commuted the singer's sentence.

On this day in 1995, Canadian-born superstar Neil Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, along with the Allman Brothers Band, Al Green, the late Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Orioles and the late Frank Zappa.

On this day in 1997, British actress Jill Summers, who played Agatha on Coronation Street, died at age 86.

Also this day in 1997, the first episode of "King of the Hill" was aired on FOX.

On this day in 1998, the surviving original members of the Mamas and Papas performed together for the first time in 20 years as the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They sang "California Dreamin''' at the ceremony in New York. Also inducted that year were the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Lloyd Price and Gene Vincent.

On this day in 1999, Elton John filed suit in London against Price Waterhouse Coopers, the accountancy firm, and Andrew Haydon, a former managing director of John Reid Enterprises, his former management company, over an alleged shortfall of 20 million pounds from his business empire.

On this day in 2000, a cloud of troubled times hanging over the Smashing Pumpkins grows darker when manager Sharon Osbourne severs all ties with the Chicago rock quartet. She said it was for medical reasons - "[Pumpkins frontman] Billy Corgan was making me sick!''

On this day in 2003, Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees died after having surgery for intestinal blockage at a hospital in Miami. He was 53.

                                                                                                                      
On this day in 2004, NBC announced that the series "Frasier" would end the following May after 11 TV seasons


Today's Birthdays:  

Country singer Ray Price is 82.

Singer Glenn Yarborough is 78.

Actor Ron Harper (Planet of the Apes, The Jean Arthur Show, Garrison's Gorillas) is 72.

Country singer William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys is 69.

Trumpeter Cynthia Robinson of Sly and the Family Stone is 62.

Singer-keyboardist George Duke is 62.

Actor Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited, Danger UXB) is 60.

Actress Kirstie Alley (Fat Actress, Veronica's Closet, Cheers) is 57.

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh is 57.

Country singer Ricky Van Shelton is 56.

Radio personality Howard Stern is 54.

Drummer Tom Ardolino of NRBQ is 51.

CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour is 50.

Keyboardist Charlie Gillingham of Counting Crows is 48.  

Actor Oliver Platt (Huff, West Wing) is 48.

Singer Rob Zombie is 42.

Rapper TBird of B-Rock and the Bizz is 41.

Actress Farrah Forke (Wings) is 40.

Singer Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against The Machine) is 38.

Rapper Raekwon of Wu Tang Clan is 38.

Singer Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay is 35.

Bassist Matt Wong of Reel Big Fish is 35.

Singer Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice) of the Spice Girls is 34.

R & B singer Amerie is 28.

Actor Will Rothhaar (JAG, Listen Up) is 21.

Actor Andrew Lawrence (Kids From Room 402, Brotherly Love) is 20.


Chart Toppers  

January 12

1948
Ballerina - Vaughn Monroe
Civilization - The Louis Prima Orchestra
I’ll Dance at Your Wedding - Buddy Clark with the Ray Noble Orchestra
I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) - Eddy Arnold

1956
Memories are Made of This - Dean Martin
The Great Pretender - The Platters
Lisbon Antigua - Nelson Riddle
Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

1964
There! I’ve Said It Again - Bobby Vinton
Louie Louie - The Kingsmen
Popsicles and Icicles - The Murmaids
Love’s Gonna Live Here - Buck Owens

1972
Brand New Key - Melanie
American Pie - Don McLean
Let’s Stay Together - Al Green
Would You Take Another Chance on Me - Jerry Lee Lewis

1980
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
Rock with You - Michael Jackson
Do that to Me One More Time - The Captain & Tennille
Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers

1988
So Emotional - Whitney Houston
Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison
The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
I Can’t Get Close Enough - Exile