Saturday February the 9th

On This Day in 1891
        
actor Ronald Colman was born in England. Following an impressive (mainly US) film career he starred (with his wife Benita Hume) in the popular radio show, The Halls of Ivy, which transferred briefly to television.  He also was host of radio's syndicated Favorite Story.  He died May 19, 1958 of a lung infection at age 67.

On this day in 1901, actor Brian Donlevy was born in Cleveland.  Most of his productive years were on stage & the big screen; on TV he starred in the 50's action series Dangerous Assignment, plus dozens of guest roles. He succumbed to throat cancer Apr 5, 1972 at age 71.

On this day in 1902, radio actor Chester H. Lauck was born in Allene Arkansas.  With fellow Arkansan Norris Goff he would create one of radio's alltime favorite programs, "Lum & Abner," hillbilly proprietors of the "Jot 'Em Down Store" in Pine Ridge Arkansas.  Their idea was a switch on Amos 'n' Andy. He died Feb. 21 1980, 12 days after his 78th birthday.

                                                                                                                          
On this day in either 1911 or 1914, Gypsy Rose Lee was born Rose Louise Hovick in Seattle.  Famous as a stripper, her life was the subject of the Broadway musical "Gypsy."  In TV she had her own two short-lived series, and guested on The Steve Allen Show, Batman, Burke's Law, The Name of the Game, US Steel Hour, Hollywood Squares & Pantomime Quiz, among others. She hosted a daytime talk show on KGO TV San Francisco, before dying of lung cancer Apr 26, 1970 at age 56 or 59.

On this day in 1914, Country Music Hall of Famer Ernest Tubb was born near Crisp Texas.  He remained a regular on the Grand Ole Opry radio show for 4 decades, and headlined the first Opry broadcast from Carnegie Hall.  He died of emphysema Sep 6, 1984 at age 70.  

                                                                
On this day in 1955, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Sincerely'' by The McGuire Sisters.

On this day in 1957, "Don't Forbid Me" by Pat Boone topped the charts .. but only stayed on top for a week.

On this day in 1958, the CBS Radio Network first aired "Frontier Gentleman" starring John Dehner.  The classy western production came too late in the radio era to achieve the success it deserved.

Also this day in 1958, the American Research Bureau stated that "American Bandstand" was the number one daytime TV program.

          
On this day in 1962, Neil Sedaka recorded "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" for the first time.

On this day in 1963, the song "Hey Paula" by Paul & Paula topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

On this day in 1964, the Beatles made the first of three record-breaking appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show". The audience viewing the Fab Four was estimated at 73,700,000 people in TV land. The Beatles sang "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". One could barely hear the songs above the screams of the girls in the audience.

On this day in 1964, singer & bandleader Willie Bryant, who was a regular on the 1949 TV series Sugar Hill Times, died at age 55.

On this day in 1966, Liza Minnelli brought her night club act to the Big Apple. She opened in grand style at the Persian Room of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

                                                                                                          
On this day in 1966, Russian-born burlesque entertainer Sophie Tucker died of lung & kidney disease at age 79.   She was Ed Sullivan's guest 16 times, and did a small number of other TV appearances, including on the series The Good Life.

On this day in 1969, [George] Gabby Hayes, western sidekick in scores of movies & on the radio, and the star of two TV series (The Gabby Hayes Show) in the 50's, died of a heart ailment at age 83.

On this day in 1969, a young lady named Roslyn Kind made her quiet TV debut this night on "The Ed Sullivan Show". Ed said she's "....America's teenager who wasn't protesting or playing a guitar." She only appeared once. Her sister appeared many times. Roslyn Kind is the sister of Barbra Streisand.

                                                                      
On this day in 1970, Sly and The Family Stone received a gold record for the single, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)". Sly (Sylvester) Stewart was a DJ in Oakland, CA.

On this day in 1974, Toronto columnist/broadcaster Gordon Sinclair's recording of his radio commentary, The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion) peaked at #24 on the pop singles chart.

Also this day in 1974, the song "Love's Theme" by the Love Unlimited Orchestra topped the charts .. but only for a week.

On this day in 1975, Cher's TV show premiered with guests Elton John and Bette Midler.

On this day in 1976, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover'' by Paul Simon. The song was Simon's first No. 1 single since ending his 13-year partnership with Art Garfunkel in 1970.

On this day in 1979, K-Mart pulled Steve Martin's comedy album "Let's Get Small" for being in bad taste.

On this day in 1981, Bill Haley died n Harlingen, Texas at age 55. Haley, with his Comets, recorded what became known as the anthem of rock and roll: "Rock Around the Clock", from the movie, "Blackboard Jungle".

On this day in 1983, Prince's recording of "Little Red Corvette" was released.

                                                                
On this day in 1984, NBC Entertainment president Brandon Tartikoff, gave an interviewer the "10 Commandments for TV Programmers.  Number 1: Never schedule a show because you like it.  Number 10: All hits are flukes and never forget it!"

On this day in 1993, actress Kate Wilkinson, who had recurring roles on the soaps Guiding Light & Another World, died of cancer at age 76.

On this day in 1993, Mick Jagger released a solo album called "Wandering Spirit."  The same day, Paul McCartney released a solo album, "Off The Ground."

On this day in 1994, Chinese New Year's Eve, Memory Music CHQM 1320 ended its over 34 years of nostalgic and easy listening music at 9 pm with Bob Hope's "Thanks for the Memories."  After a brief pause CHMB 1320 signed on with an all night Chinese program.  This new multilingual format continued for about 7 months before becoming ALL Chinese Monday-Saturday.  CJVB 1470 would follow suit.

Also this day in 1994, the 100th episode of "Beverly Hills 90210" was aired on FOX.

                                                                                                            
On this day in 1995, actor David Wayne died of lung cancer at age 81.  Basically a bigscreen supporting actor, he had recurring TV roles in Dallas, St. Elsewhere, Matt Houston, Batman, House Calls, & Ellery Queen.

On this day in 1997, "The Simpsons" became the longest-running prime-time animated series. "The Flintstones" held the prior record.

On this day in 2004, at 5 a.m. MOJO Radio 730 dropped its "Talk Radio for Guys" to become Vancouver's 2nd all-sports radio station with the slogan "Just Sports". For the next 6 months most of its programming would originate from ESPN Sports Radio.

                                                        
On this day in 2006, Canada's premier leader of the big band era, Mart Kenney died after a long illness in Mission, B.C., at age 95.  From 1934 to 1947 he had a weekly national radio broadcast of dance music, first from Vancouver and later Toronto.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Kathryn Grayson is 86.

News correspondent Roger Mudd is 80.

Actress Ronnie Claire Edwards (The Waltons) is 75.

Actress-turned-politician Sheila James Kuehl (The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis) is 67.

Singer Carole King is 66.

Singer Barbara Lewis is 65.

Actor Joe Pesci (Half Nelson, Pink Panther) is 65.  

Actress Mia Farrow (Third Watch, Peyton Place) is 63.

Singer Joe Ely is 61.

Actress Judith Light (Who's The Boss, Loaw & Order:SVU, Ugly Betty) is 59.

Saxophonist Dennis "DT" Thomas of Kool and the Gang is 57.

Actor Charles Shaughnessy (The Nanny) is 53.

Country singer Travis Tritt is 45.

Actress Julie Warner (Nip/Tuck, Hidden Howie, Family Law) is 43.

Actor Jason George (What About Brian, Off Centre, Sunset Beach) is 36.

Actor-producer Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) is 32.

Actor David Gallagher (Seventh Heaven) is 23.

Actress Camille Winbush (The Bernie Mac Show) is 18.


Chart Toppers

February 9

1944
My Heart Tells Me - The Glen Gray Orchestra (vocal: Eugenie Baird)
Shoo, Shoo, Baby - The Andrews Sisters No Love, No Nothin’ - Ella Mae Morse
Pistol Packin’ Mama - Al Dexter

1952
Slowpoke - Pee Wee King
Cry - Johnnie Ray
Anytime - Eddie Fisher
Give Me More, More, More (Of Your Kisses) - Lefty Frizzell

1960
Teen Angel - Mark Dinning
Where or When - Dion & The Belmonts
Handy Man - Jimmy Jones
He’ll Have to Go - Jim Reeves

1968
Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers
Spooky - Classics IV
Love is Blue - Paul Mauriat
Skip a Rope - Henson Cargill

1976
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
Love to Love You Baby - Donna Summer
You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate
Sometimes - Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner

1984
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Joanna - Kool & The Gang
Running with the Night - Lionel Richie
Show Her - Ronnie Milsap