Wednesday January the 30th


ON THIS DAY in 1882
the future 32nd US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born at Hyde Park NY.  Not only was he the only President elected 4 times, he was the first to use broadcasting (radio) to effectively communicate with his constituency (Fireside Chats).  
                                                                                                                                                                         
On this day in 1911, influential jazz trumpeter Roy Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh.  It was said that from the mid 1930's on, he superceded Louis Armstrong as the exemplar of hot trumpet playing.  At the end of World War II he toured with the Jazz at the Philharmonic group.  He died Feb 26, 1989 at age 78.

On this day in 1911, actor Hugh Marlowe was born in Philadelphia. He played the Crime Doctor & Ellery Queen on CBS radio, and was cast repeatedly in guest spots on TV's Perry Mason & Alfred Hitchcock Presents series.  He was in his 13th year of playing Jim Mathews on the daytime drama Another World, when he suffered a fatal heart attack May 2 1982.  He was 71.

On this day in 1914, actor John Ireland (below) was born in Vancouver, but raised in New York City. Much of his career was starring in B movies, but he also guested on episodic TV over a 40 year period. He died of leukemia Mar 21, 1992 at age 78.
                      

Also this day in 1914, Tony-winning actor David Wayne was born in Traverse City Michigan. His TV credits include the series Batman, Dallas and House Calls, with recurring characters as well on St. Elsewhwre, Ellery Queen, Matt Houston, & Disneyland.  He died of lung cancer Feb 9, 1995 at age 81.

On this day in 1917, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded a classic for Columbia Records titled, "The Darktown Strutters' Ball". It was one of the first jazz compositions recorded.

On this day in 1918, actor David Opatoshu was born in New York City.  He delivered the evening news in Yiddish on New York radio during the World War II years on WEVD.   In a span of 40 years guesting on TV he appeared repeatedly in Philco Playhouse, Studio One, Dr. Kildare, The FBI & Medical Center.  He died April 30 1996 at age 78.  

                                                          
On this day in 1928, Tony-winning R&B singer Ruth Brown was born in Portsmouth Virginia.  Her hits include So Long, Teardrops from My Eyes, Hours, Mambo Baby, Lucky Lips, & This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'.    She died at age 78 November 17, 2006, from complications following a heart attack and stroke suffered after surgery in October.

On this day in 1933, "The Lone Ranger" was heard for the first time on WXYZ Detroit.  The famous radio western was not sponsored for most of the first year, until Silvercup Bread came abaord in November. It gradually built a network, and ran for 2,956 episodes before ending production in 1955. George Seaton (Stenius) was the first voice of the Lone Ranger. Jack Deeds and Earle Graser followed in the role. However, it was Brace Beemer (below) who is best remembered as former Texas Ranger, John Reid. He played the part of the black-masked ranger, fighting for frontier justice, for thirteen consecutive years.
                                                                                                                

On this day in 1936, Horst Jankowski, the pianist who gave us the 1965 hit "A Walk In The Black Forest," was born in Berlin.  He died of cancer June 29, 1998 at age 62.  

On this day in 1947, English singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Marriott was born in London. He is best remembered for his musical work in the groups Small Faces and Humble Pie. He was killed in an Essex, England house fire Apr 20, 1991 at age 44.

On this day in 1950, NBC-TV debuted the drama series, "Robert Montgomery Presents". The show was well received and played for seven seasons on the Peacock Network.

On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley recorded "Blue Suede Shoes," at the RCA Victor studios in New York.

                                                                    
Also this day in 1956, Jerry Lee Lewis played piano for Billy Lee Riley's recording of "Red Hot."

On this day in 1960, Vancouver was awarded its first private TV station.  Art Jones headed the group that brought us CHAN TV, which became BCTV, and eventually Global BC.

On this day in 1961, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by Shirelles topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

Also this day in 1961, singer Bobby Darin becomes the youngest performer to headline a TV special on NBC.

On this day in 1965, the song "The Name Game" by Shirley Ellis hits #3 on the Billboard pop chart.  

On this day in 1967, western actor Lee Morgan, who guest starred on TV's Cisco Kid & Gene Autry Shows, died of heart disease at age 64.

On this day in 1968, singer Bobby Goldsboro recorded his biggest hit, "Honey."

On this day in 1969, the Beatles made their last public appearance -- at a free concert at their Apple corporate headquarters in London. The group recorded "Get Back"; and were also filmed performing it for the movie "Let It Be".

On this day in 1973, Kiss gave its debut performance at the Coventry Club in Queens, N.Y.

On this day in 1974, Bob Dylan made his first New York concert performance in eight years, playing Madison Square Garden.                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                      
On this day in 1977, the eighth (& final) part of the mini-series "Roots" became the most-watched TV entertainment show ever .. a record that lasted until the MASH finale in 1983.

On this day in 1978, the Mutual Radio network began airing the Larry King Show.  The first weeks of the show originated in Miami, before Larry relocated to Washington DC.  

On this day in 1982, comedian/actor Stanley Holloway, whose comic monologue recordings were featured in the 30's and 40's in specialized British programming on CJOR, CKWX & CKMO, died at age 91.

On this day in 1982, "I Can't Go forThat (No Can Do)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates topped the charts, but only for a week.

On this day in 1985, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "I Want to Know What Love Is'' by Foreigner. Although Foreigner had its first top five single in 1977, this was the group's first No. 1 song.

On this day in 1986, pianist & composer Ticker Freeman, the musical director for TV's Dinah Shore Chevy Show, died at age 74.

                                                                      
On this day in 1988, the song "Need You Tonight" by Inxs topped the charts.. but only  for a week.

On this day in 1989, singer Randy Travis won three American Music Awards, including one for favorite male country artist.

On this day in 1990, CBC President Gerard Veilleux announced that 500 jobs were to be cut at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation over the next year.

On this day in 1994, Natalie Cole sang the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XXVIII.

On this day in 1994, jazz vocalist/trumpeter Ernestine "Tiny" Davis, often referred to in her heigh day as the female Louis Armstrong, died at 86.

On this day in 1995, Led Zeppelin received the International Artists Award at the American Music Awards. Michael Jackson and Rod Stewart were the only others to have previously received the honor. Meantime, Boyz II Men nailed three awards, while Ace of Base, Michael Bolton and Reba McEntire each score two..

Also this day in 1995, Kevin Eubanks officially became band leader of NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

On this day in 1996, record producer Bob Thiele died at age 73.  His most successful production was the pop hit What a Wonderful World with Louis Armstrong.  He also produced for jazz greats Errol Garner, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, & Dizzy Gillespie, plus many others.  He was hosting a jazz radio show when he was only 14.

On this day in 1998, Elton John received a knighthood in British Prime Minister Tony Blair's first New Year's Eve Honours List.

On this day in 1999, "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

                                                                                                                                
On this dsy in 2002, Freddy Fender was released from a San Antonio hospital after having a kidney transplant the week before. Fender had been having problems related to diabetes and hepatitis C.


Today's Birthdays:  

Comedian Dick Martin (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In) is 86.

Actress Dorothy Malone (Peyton Place, High Hopes) is 83.

Actor Gene Hackman (US Steel Hour, Inside the Actors' Studio) is 78.

Actress Tammy Grimes (Loving, Tammy Grimes Show, Tartuffe) is 74.

Actress Vanessa Redgrave (Nip/Tuck, The Gathering Storm) is 71.

Country singer Jeanne Pruett is 71.

Country singer Norma Jean is 70.

Singer Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship is 66.

Horn player William King of The Commodores is 59.

Singer Phil Collins is 57.

Actor Charles S. Dutton (Roc, Threshold) is 57.

Comedian Brett Butler (Grace Under Fire) is 50.

Singer Jody Watley is 49.

Country singer Tammy Cochran is 36.

Actor Christian Bale (Mary Mother of Jesus, Heart of the Country) is 34.

Singer Josh Kelley is 28.

Actor Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) is 28.

Actor Jake Thomas (Lizzie McGuire, Cory in the House) is 18.

Actor Randy Brooks (West Wing, Emerald Point NAS, Generations) is ??


Chart Toppers

January 30

1950
Dear Hearts and Gentle People - Bing Crosby
The Old Master Painter - Richard Hayes
A Dreamer’s Holiday - Perry Como
Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me - Eddy Arnold

1958
At the Hop - Danny & The Juniors
Don’t/I Beg of You - Elvis Presley
Stood Up/Waitin’ in School - Ricky Nelson
The Story of My Life - Marty Robbins

1966
We Can Work It Out - The Beatles
Barbara Ann - The Beach Boys
No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In) - The T-Bones
Giddyup Go - Red Sovine

1974
You’re Sixteen - Ringo Starr
The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand
Love’s Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
I Love - Tom T. Hall

1982
I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Centerfold - The J. Geils Band
Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known) - Juice Newton

1990
How Am I Supposed to Live Without You - Michael Bolton
Downtown Train - Rod Stewart
Just to Make It Right - Seduction
Nobody’s Home - Clint Black