Sunday February the 3rd


ON THIS DAY in 1899  
British actress Doris Speed was born in Manchester.  For 23 years she played pub landlady Annie Walker on the BBC's long-running TV serial Coronation Street. She died Nov. 16 1994 at age 95.

On this day in 1920, actress Bibi Osterwald was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She was a regular on TV series The Imogene Coca Show & Bridget Loves Bernie. She died of lung disease Jan 2 2002, one month shy of her 82nd birthday.  

On this day in 1927, a forerunner of the F.C.C, the Federal Radio Commission, was created by a law signed into effect by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.

On this day in 1928, English pop singer Frankie Vaughan was born Frank Abelson in Liverpool.   He scored with UK hit covers of American hit records, like Perry Como's "Kewpie Doll," Jimmie Rodgers' "Kisses Sweeter than Wine,"Boyd Bennett's "Seventeen," Jim Lowe's "The Green Door," and the Fleetwoods' "Come Softly to Me."  He had his own BBC TV variety show in the 60's. He died of a heart ailment Sep 17, 1999 at age 71.

On this day in 1938, actor Victor Buono was born in San Diego. A very big man, he will be remembered by baby boomers for his indelible villains on the TV series Batman & Wild Wild West.  He guested on many talk shows, often reciting his own poetry.  He died after a heart attack Jan 1, 1982 at age 43.

Also in 1938, the kids radio adventure drama Challenge of the Yukon(about Sgt. Preston & his 'wonder dog' Yukon King) debuted in a 15 minute format on WXYZ Detroit.  It completed George W. Trendle's trilogy of juvenile adventures preceded by The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet.  The show went to the networks (ABC, then Mutual) in 30 minute form 1947 to '55.

On this day in 1940, singer Angelo D'Aleo was born in New York City.  He was first tenor in the doowop group The Belmonts, who recorded some huge hits in the late 50's with Dion. (I Wonder Why, A Teenager in Love, Where or When.) Happy 68th Birthday, Angelo!

On this day in 1941, Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded the classic, "Amapola", on Decca Records.
                                                        
Helen O'Connell (left) and Bob Eberly (right) joined Dorsey (center) in a vocal duet on this very famous and popular song of the Big Band era.

On this day in 1942, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "A String of Pearls'' by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

On this day in 1950, Ed, Gene, Joe and Vic, The Ames Brothers, reached the #1 spot on the pop music charts for the first time, as "Rag Mop" became the most favorite song in the U.S. The brothers enjoyed many successes with their recording efforts: "You You You" [1953], "The Man with the Banjo" and "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" [1954], "Tammy" and "Melody d'Amour" [1957].

On this day in 1951, the "Victor Borge Show" debuted on NBC TV.

On this day in 1953, the chimpanzee J. Fred Muggs became a regular on NBC's Today Show, joining Dave Garroway, Jack Lescoulie & Frank Blair.

On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash held a recording session at Sun Studios in Memphis. The sessions were named the "Million Dollar Quartet" but were only released decades later.

On this day in 1959, it was "the day the music died,"  as Don McLean named it in his 1972 hit, "American Pie."  22-year-old Buddy Holly, 28-year-old J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) and 17-year-old Ritchie Valens died in an airplane crash near Mason City, Iowa.

On this day in 1960, Reprise Records was formed by Frank Sinatra.

On this day in 1961, Bob Dylan made his first recording, taping "San Francisco Bay Blues'' in New York.

On this day in 1964, the Beatles received their first gold record award for the single, "I Want To Hold Your Hand". The group also won a gold LP award for "Meet The Beatles". The album had been released in the United States only 14 days earlier.

                                                                
On this day in 1967, the soon-to-be-smash-hit "Purple Haze" was recorded by Jimi Hendrix.

On this day in 1968, Paul McCartney recorded "Lady Madonna" at the Abbey Road studios. The record is credited to The Beatles, but McCartney played with unknown session musicians.

Also this day in 1968, "Green Tambourine" by the Lemon Pipers topped the US charts and stayed there for a week.

On this day in 1969, The Beatles, over objections from Paul McCartney, hired manager Allen Klein to straighten out the band's financial affairs. The band's mismanagement and money problems eventually led to its breakup.

On this day in 1971, actor Jay C Flippen died after suffering an aneurism during surgery.  He was 72.   He was a radio announcer for the New York Yankees, one of the first game show hosts, and on TV is best remembered as C.P.O. Nelson on the 1962 sitcom Ensign O'Toole.

                                                                                                              
Also this day in 1971, Lynn Anderson received a gold record for the single, "Rose Garden". The country singer from Grand Forks North Dakota, was raised in Sacramento. In addition to being a singer, she was an accomplished equestrian and California Horse Show Queen in 1966.  

On this day in 1973, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Crocodile Rock'' by Elton John. The single was the singer's first No. 1 song in the United States.

Also this day in 1973, Dr Hook's "Cover of the Rolling Stone" entered the Top 40 & peaked at #6.

On this day in 1977, Elton John resumed live performing in Sweeden 15 months after he had announced that he would not perform live anymore.

On this day in 1978,  Harry Chapin met with President Carter at the White House as Carter announced the establishment of a commission on hunger. Chapin spent months lobbying Congress for the creation of the commission.

On this day in 1978, the TV movie "Dead Man's Curve," the story of Jan & Dean, premiered on ABC-TV.

On this day in 1979, the song "YMCA" by the Village People peaked at #2 on the pop singles chart.

On this day in 1982, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Centerfold'' by The J. Geils Band. Band member Peter Wolf once said the group turned down an offer to perform at Woodstock because the musicians didn't want to spend three days in the mud.

In 1984, Richmond's four-year-old CISL was given approval to move from 940 to 650 kHz and to increase power from 2,500 watts to 10,000 watts day and 7,500 watts at night. The move to 650 took place July 1, swapping frequencies with BCIT's carrier current campus station in Burnaby.

On this day in 1989, actor/director John Cassavetes died of cirrhosis of the liver at age 59.  Besides directing his big screen 'cinema verite' successes he found time for frequent guest appearances on TV, and the lead in the series Johnny Staccato.

On ths day in 1991, actress Nancy Kulp, (below)forever remembered as Jane Hathaway on TV's Beverly Hillbillies, died of cancer at age 69.
                                                                        

Also this day in 1991, singer Sinead O'Connor said she wouldn't accept any Grammy Awards or attend the ceremony because the show reflected "false and destructive materialistic values.'' The Irish pop singer had been nominated in four Grammy categories.

On this day in 1993, Gloria Estefan received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The pop star got the 1,974th star on the famous avenue, in front of the Hollywood Galaxy Shopping Complex on Hollywood Boulevard.

Also ths day in 1993, Grammy-winning singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr. entered a plea bargain with New York authorities stemming from his arrest in December for having a gun in his carry-on luggage at New York's Kennedy Airport. Under the deal, Connick did not have to plead guilty to the crime, avoided going to jail and would make - at his own expense - a public service announcement about carrying guns in the city.

Also this day in 1993, actor Tristan Rogers, who played Robert Scorpio on daytime TV's General Hospitl, was convicted of drunk driving.

                                                                                                              
On this day in 1996, actress Audrey Meadows, who played Ralph Kramden's wife Alice on Jackie Gleason's The Honeymooners, died of lung cancer at age 69.

Also in 1996, blues legend B.B. King guest starred on CBS-TV's "Touched by an Angel".

Again this day in 1996, much-in-demand session guitarist Wild Jimmy Spruill died after a heart attack at age 61.

                                                                      
On this day in 1999, Trace Adkins ruined any chance fans had of seeing him dance on stage for a while when he seriously injured his ankle. The country singer was surveying some property outside Nashville when his truck got stuck in the mud. Working to get it out, he stepped into a sinkhole, fracturing and dislocating his ankle. He underwent surgery the following day.

On this day in 2002, Britney Spears performed the national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVI. A Pepsi commercial featuring Britney was premiered during the game.

On this day in 2003, authorities arrested producer Phil Spector at his mansion in suburban Los Angeles. The body of actress Lana Clarkson had been found in the foyer.

On this day in 2006, actor Al Lewis ("The Munsters") died in New York at age 95.

On this day in 2007, The Dixie Chicks won five Grammys, including album of the year for "Taking the Long Way." The album had been largely ignored by country music radio.


Today's Birthdays:

Singer Russell Arms (Your Hit Parade) is 86.

Comedian Shelley Berman (Boston Legal, Curb Your Enthusiasm, LA Law) is 82.

New Brunswick singer 'Stompin' Tom' Connors is 72.

Former NBC newsman/Today anchor Jim Hartz is 68.

Singer Angelo D'Aleo (see 1940 above) is 68.

Seattle-born actress Bridget Hanley (Trial By Jury, Harper Valley PTA, Here Come the Brides) is 67.

Actress Blythe Danner (Huff, Will & Grace) is 65.

Singer Dennis Edwards (The Temptations) is 65.

Actress Mariclare Costello (The Waltons, Sara, The Fitzgeralds) is 6?

Nova Scotia-born actor Stephen McHattie (Emily of New Moon, Cold Squad, Justice League) is 61.

Actress Brenda Dickson-Weinberg (Young & The Restless) is 61.  

Guitarist Dave Davies of The Kinks is 61.

Singer Melanie is 61.

Actress Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest, Flamingo Road, Dallas) is 58.

Actor Nathan Lane (Charlie Lawrence, Teacher's Pet, Encore! Encore!) is 52.

Guitarist Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth is 52.

Actor Thomas Calabro (Melrose Place) is 49.

Actress Michele Greene (The Unit, L.A. Law) is 46.

Country singer Matraca Berg is 44.

Actress Maura Tierney (ER, NewsRadio) is 43.

Singer Daddy Yankee is 32.

Musician Grant Barry is 31.

Singer Jessica Harp of The Wreckers is 26.

Rapper Sean Kingston is 18.


Chart Toppers

February 3

1946
Symphony - The Freddy Martin Orchestra (vocal: Clyde Rogers)
I Can�t Begin to Tell You - Bing Crosby with the Carmen Cavallaro Orchestra
Let It Snow - Vaughn Monroe
Guitar Polka - Al Dexter

1954
Oh! My Pa-Pa - Eddie Fisher
Secret Love - Doris Day
Make Love to Me - Jo Stafford
Bimbo - Jim Reeves

1962
Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee & The Starliters
Can�t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Norman - Sue Thompson
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke

1970
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Venus - The Shocking Blue
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
A Week in a Country Jail - Tom T. Hall

1978
Baby Come Back - Player
Short People - Randy Newman
Stayin� Alive - Bee Gees
Out of My Head and Back in My Bed - Loretta Lynn

1986
That�s What Friends are For - Dionne & Friends
Burning Heart - Survivor
I�m Your Man - Wham!
Just in Case - The Forester Sisters