Saturday February the 2nd


ON THIS DAY in 1890
actor Charles Correll, (right) who gave birth to the 1930's radio sensation Amos 'n' Andy with co-creator Freeman Gosden, was born in Peoria Illinois.  The two developed Sam & Henry in 1926 for WGN Chicao, which they renamed Amos 'n' Andy when they jumped to WMAQ in 1928. They would be staples of network radio for more than 30 years, with Correll throughout portraying Andy Brown.  Later, for the early TV show Calvin & the Colonel, he was the voice of Calvin.  He died after a heart attack Sep 26, 1972 at age 82.

On this day in 1912, composer Burton Lane was born Burton Levy in New York City.  Most of the hit songs from his Broadway musicals became radio/TV standards over the decades, e.g. How Are Things in Glocca Morra, That Old Devil Moon, How About You, I Hear Music, Look to the Rainbow, When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love, Too Late Now,  & On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.  He was credited with discovering Judy Garland at age 11.  He died of lung cancer Jan 5, 1997, weeks short of his 85th birthday.

                                                                          
On this day in 1927, jazz musician Stan Getz was born Stanley Gayetzby in Philadelphia. He is considered one of the greatest tenor saxophone players of all time, topping the annual Downbeat poll 17 times.  His most successful recording was the Grammy-winning Girl from Ipanema [w/vocalist Astrud Gilberto].  He died from liver cancer June 6, 1991 at age 64.

On this day in 1928, actor Howard Caine was born in Nashville.  He had recurring roles as bad guys in the TV series Hogan's Heroes & Get Smart; he played Canadian Lord Beaverbrook in War & Remembrance, plus voice work on the Scooby Doo & Scrappy Doo cartoon series, and dozens of other TV guest roles.  He died after a heart attack Dec 28 1993 at age 65.  

                                                                                                                      
On this day in 1932, jazz vibraphonist Arthur Lyman was born.  With unique vibraphone stylings, bird songs and bells, Lyman helped turn exotic music into a national trend in the 50's and 60's, producing more than 30 albums and almost 400 singles and earning three gold albums.  He played with Martin Denny's Orchestra from the age of 21.  He died after a battle with throat cancer Feb 24, 2002 at age 70.

On this day in 1937, Guy Lombardo and his orchestra recorded one of Guy's most famous tunes. "Boo Hoo" was waxed on Victor Records and became one of the group's all-time great hits.

On this day in 1940, rocker Alan Caddy was born in London.  He helped found two of Britains most successful groups, The Tornadoes, and Johnny Kidd and The Pirates.  He died Aug 16, 2000 at age 60.  

On this day in 1946, the Mutual Broadcasting System presented "Twenty Questions" for the first time on radio. Bill Slater was the master of ceremonies; it was a major Monday night hit via delayed broadcast on CKWX Vancouver. The show moved to television in 1949.

                                                                        
On this day in 1950, Goodson-Todman's "What's My Line" debuted on CBS television.

On this day in 1955, North Shore radio station CKLG ("Lion's Gate") signed on at 1070 khz.  Initially it aired from 6 am-midnight with easy listening music, Broadway show tunes, classical music, international music and voice your opinion on the topic of the day.  Power was 1000 watts.

On this day in 1956, Atlantic Records signed The Coasters.

On this day in 1957, Fats Domino appeared on NBC TV's "Perry Como Show'' to sing his hit singles "Blueberry Hill'' and "Blue Monday.''

On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper made what ended up being their last public appearances at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. They died in a plane crash the next day.

Also this day in 1959, Frankie Avalon's "Venus" was released, and quickly jumped to the top of the pop charts.

Still this day in 1959, the Coasters tune, "Charlie Brown" was released. The tune went to #2 and stayed there for three weeks, ut didn't make it to the top spot of the charts. A catchy song ("Fee fee fi fi fo fo fum. I smell smoke in the auditorium..."), it was on the charts for a total of 12 weeks. And what song was at number one, preventing "Charlie Brown" from reaching the top, you ask? "Venus", by Frankie Avalon.

On this day in 1963, the Beatles began their first British tour supporting Helen Shapiro.

On this day in 1966, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "My Love'' by Petula Clark. Clark was the first British woman to have two No. 1 hits in the United States - the first was "Downtown'' in 1965.

                                                                                                                
On this day in 1969, actor & film horror icon Boris Karloff died of emphysema at age 81.   Best remembered for his movie portrayals of Frankenstein's monster, he guested in many radio dramas & variety shows, and starred in early TV's Colonel March of Scotland Yard.  He also hosted the horror TV anthology Thriller.

On this day in 1973, Keith Emerson's hands were injured during a performance by Emerson, Lake & Palmer in San Francisco. His piano, rigged to explode as a stunt, detonated prematurely.

Also this day in 1973, NBC-TV debuted a new Friday night pop concert, "Midnight Special," with Helen Reddy as the hostess.

On this day in 1974, "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.
                                                              

On this day in 1978, Van Halen signed with Warner Brothers Records.

Also this day in 1978, British actress Wendy Barrie died following a stroke at age 65.  Following a big screen career on both sides of the Atlantic she was hostess on two early TV series, The Wendy Barrie Show, & Stars in Khaki & Blue.

On this day in 1979, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols died of a heroin overdose less than four months after fatally stabbing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, at New York's Chelsea Hotel. He was 21.

On this day in 1983, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Africa'' by Toto. The group dominated the 1983 Grammy Awards, winning in six categories including Record of the Year ("Rosanna'') and Album of the Year ("Toto IV'').

On this day in 1992, radio/TV host Bert Parks died of lung cancer at age 77.  He was an early announcer on radio for Eddie Cantor, and hosted both the Break the Bank & Stop the Music game shows on radio & Tv.  But he is best remembered as the singing host of The Miss America Pageant on TV for 25 years. ("There she is, Miss America....")

On this day in 1993, a judge in New York dropped gun charges against singer Harry Connick Junior. He had been arrested when he tried to bring a pistol on board a flight at Kennedy Airport.

Also this day in 1993, Willie Nelson and the IRS settled their longstanding tax feud. The government would keep $3.6 million in assets it already seized and Nelson would pay $5.4 million of the $13.1 million balance.

On this day in 1995, English actor Donald Pleasance died at age 75. On the small screen on this side of the Atlantic he was featured in The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Diary of Anne Frank, Centennial, All Quiet on the Westen Front, and The French Atlantic Affair, among many other things.

                                                                                      
On this day in 1995, the 100th episode of "Seinfeld" aired on NBC.

On this day in 1996, dancer, actor, singer Gene Kelly died in Los Angeles after complications from two strokes. He was 83 years old.  Besides his star turns on the big screen, Kelly was featured in the TV series Going My Way, and two mini-series Sins, and North & South.  He also hosted "The Funny Side" series.

On this day in 1999, the artist known as Prince released "1999 New Master." It was a re-release and re-done version of the 1982 recording of the song "1999."

On this day in 2002, Britney Spears (below)was both the host and musical guest on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
                                                                                                                                            

On this day in 2005, NBC & Donald Trump announced that Martha Stewart would host "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart."  (It was a bomb!)


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Elaine Stritch (E.S. At Liberty, My Sister Eileen, Life's a Bitch) is 82.

Former ABC/NBC newsman Herb Kaplow is 81.

Actor Robert Mandan (Soap, Three's A Crowd) is 76.

Comedian Tom Smothers is 71.

Singer Graham Nash is 66.

Actor Bo Hopkins (Dynasty, Doc Elliot, Rockford Files) is 66.

Broadcast exec Barry Diller (put the FOX TV network on the air) is 66.

Singer Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers is 62.

Actress Farrah Fawcett (Charlie's Angels, Burning Bed) is 61.

Actor Brent Spiner (Star Trek: The Next Generation) is 59.

Bassist Ross Valory of Journey is 59.

Model Christie Brinkley (Living in the 90's)is 54.

Actor Michael Talbott (Miami Vice) is 53.

Actress Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light) is 53.

Bassist Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots is 42.

Drummer Ben Mize of Counting Crows is 37.

Rapper T-Mo (Goodie Mob) is 36.

Actress Lori Beth Denberg (All That, Steve Harvey Show) is 32.

Singer Shakira is 31.


Chart Toppers

February 2

1945
Don’t Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
There Goes that Song Again - Russ Morgan
I Dream of You - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Freddy Stewart)
I’m Losing My Mind Over You - Al Dexter

1953
Why Don’t You Believe Me - Joni James
Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Perry Como
Keep It a Secret - Jo Stafford
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive - Hank Williams

1961
Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles
Calcutta - Lawrence Welk
Shop Around - The Miracles
North to Alaska - Johnny Horton

1969
Crimson and Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells
Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone
Worst that Could Happen - Brooklyn Bridge
Daddy Sang Bass - Johnny Cash

1977
Car Wash - Rose Royce
Dazz - Brick
Hot Line - The Sylvers
Let My Love Be Your Pillow - Ronnie Milsap

1985
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Easy Lover - Philip Bailey with Phil Collins
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael
A Place to Fall Apart - Merle Haggard with Janie Fricke