Thursday February the 21st
On this day in 1915      
                                                                                                                
actress Ann Sheridan was born in Denton Texas. After 20 years of lighting up the big screen, the "oomph girl" began to accept offers from TV.  She starred in the western series Pistols n' Petticoats, and took a feature role in Another World.  She died from throat & liver cancer Jan 21, 1967 at age 51.

On this day in 1933, jazz singer Nina Simone was born Eunice Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina.
                                                                    
Known as "The High Priestess of Soul" because of her regal bearing & commanding on-stage presence, she recorded more than 40 live and studio albums, the majority of her work being released between 1958 (when she made her debut with Little Girl Blue) and 1974.  She died of natural causes Apr 21, 2003 at age 70.

On this day in 1943, "Free World Theatre" debuted on the Blue network (now ABC radio). The program was produced and directed by Arch Oboler.

On this day in 1945, "The Lion and the Mouse" was the first broadcast on "Brownstone Theatre", which premiered this day on the Mutual Broadcasting System.

On this day in 1947, the 1st broadcast of the 1st US TV soap opera "A Woman to Remember" was seen.

On this day in 1954, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Secret Love'' by Doris Day.

On this day in 1963, the Rolling Stones played Adelaide, Australia. Five-thousand fans clashed with police.

On this day in 1964, the Beatles returned to London following their first U-S visit, which included two appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show.''

Also this day in 1964, the 200th episode of "Perry Mason" aired on CBS TV.

On this day in 1970, The Jackson 5 made their TV debut on "American Bandstand."

On this day in 1972, the group known as Climax received a gold record for their one and only hit, "Precious and Few". The LA-based group was led by Sonny Geraci, formerly of the The Outsiders (of "Time Won't Let Me" fame).

On this day in 1975, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Pick Up the Pieces'' by The Average White Band.

                                                                                                            
In this day in 1975, record company executive Clive Davis became the first non-performing host of the television show "Midnight Special.'' Featured acts were Barry Manilow and Melissa Manchester, both from Davis's Arista label.

Also on this date in 1975, "NBC Nightly News'' ran a story on kung-fu dancing, a shortlived fad inspired by Carl Douglas's number-one record "Kung Fu Fighting.''

On this day in 1977, Neil Diamond's in-concert TV special aired on NBC.

                                                                
On this day in 1980, actor Chester H Lauck, who for 23 years played Lum Edwards in the radio favorite Lum & Abner, died at age 78. He is pictured in character, right.

Also this day in 1980, vocalist Bon Scott of AC/DC fell unconscious and died in a friend's car after an all-night drinking bout.

Still in 1980, Janet Vogel, a member of the 1950's vocal group the Skyliners, committed suicide in Pittsburgh. She was 38. "Since I Don't Have You,'' in 1959, was the Skyliners' biggest hit.

On this day in 1981, Charles Rocket clearly said the 'F' Word on the Saturday Night Live comedy show.  Prince was SNL's musical guest for the first time, and performed "Party Up."

Also this day in 1981, Dolly Parton reached the top spot on the pop music charts with "9 to 5", from the movie of the same name, in which Dolly starred with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. The hit song stayed at #1 for a week, gave way to Eddie Rabbitt's "I Love a Rainy Night" and bounced back two weeks later for another week at number one.

Again, this day in 1981 REO Speedwagon's "Hi Infidelity" was the #1 U.S. album, where it spent a total of 15 weeks.  

On this day in 1982, rock 'n' roll disc jockey Murray (the K) Kaufman, the self-proclaimed "fifth Beatle,'' died of cancer in Los Angeles. He had been one of the most popular and influential deejays in New York City from 1958 to '65 on W-I-N-S.

On this day in 1983, the 200th episode of "The Jeffersons" aired.

On this day in 1985, actor/producer Louis Hayward died of lung cancer at age 75.
                                                                                              
A shrewd businessman, the star of many Hollywood swashbucklers had produced three TV series, vehicles he himself starred in: Lone Wolf, The Pursuers & The Survivors.  

Also this day in 1985, Whitney Houston released her self-titled debut album.

On this day in 1986, Montreal-born folk singer and poet Leonard Cohen appeared in an episode of the T-V series "Miami Vice.''

On this day in 1987, Sly Stone was jailed on drug charges. Not for the first time.  

On this day in 1990, the 32nd Grammy Awards saw top honors go to The Wind Beneath My Wings, and the band Nick of Time.

On this day in 1992, singer Jane Pickens Langley Hoving died of heart failure at age 74.  She was the lead vocalist of the 1930s music trio the Pickens Sisters, who starred on radio for five years before breaking up.  Later Jane sang on her own shows on NBC radio and ABC Televsision.

                                                        
On this day in 1995, Bruce Springsteen played with former members of his E-Street band for the first time in seven years. The brief reunion took place at a New York club, and was arranged to record a video for Springsteen's single "Murder, Incorporated."

Also on this date in 1995, Kenny Rogers proved the ultimate substitute at the Imperial Palace hotel and casino in Las Vegas. He filled in for impersonator Mark Hinds on "The Gambler" and "Ruby," then teamed with Dolly Parton impersonator Sandy Anderson on "Islands in the Stream." The audience wasn't told that the real Rogers was appearing.

On this day in 1996, award-winning composer and radio & TV conductor Morton Gould died in Orlando, Florida at age 82. He's perhaps best known for his albums of light classical and easy listening music recorded in the 1950's and '60s.

On this day in 2001, British crooner Ronnie Hilton died at 75. His 1950's hits included "No Other Love'' and "A Windmill in Old Amsterdam.''

On this day in 2001, at the 43rd Grammy Awards, U2, Steely Dan, Macy Gray and Sting won the major honors.

On this day in 2002, British actor John Thaw, who played Inspector Morse in all those mysteries on PBS, died of cancer at age 60.

On this day in 2003, folksinger Tom Glazer, best remembered for his 1961 novelty recording On Top of Spaghetti, died at age 88.

Also this day in 2003, it was announced on NBC's "Today" show that Jane Pauley would be leaving NBC the upcoming June. Pauley had been with the network for 27 years.

On this day in 2004, Bart Howard, a songwriter and pianist best known for his composition "Fly Me to the Moon,'' died in Carmel, New York at 88 of complications from a stroke.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Rue McClanahan (Golden Girls, Mama's Family) is 73.

Actor Gary Lockwood (Follow the Sun, The Lieutenant) is 71.

Record company executive David Geffen is 65.

Actress Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey) is 62.

Actress Jill Eikenberry (LA Law) is 61.

Keyboardist Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads is 59.

Actor William Petersen (C.S.I.) is 55.

Actress Christine Ebersole (Rachel Gunn RN, Valerie, Sat. Night Live) is 55.

Actor Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier) is 53.

Singer Mary Chapin Carpenter is 50.

Actor Jack Coleman (Heroes, Dynasty) is 50.

Actor Christopher Atkins (Dallas, Rock 'n' Roll Summer Action) is 47.

Singer Ranking Roger of General Public and of English Beat is 47.

Actor William Baldwin (Waterfront) is 45.

Country singer Eric Heatherly is 38.

Bassist Eric Wilson of Sublime is 38.

Bassist Tad Kinchla of Blues Traveler is 35.

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer, Time of Your Life, Party of Five) is 29.

Singer Charlotte Church is 22.  

Halifax-born actress Ellen Page (ReGenesis, Pit Pony, Trailer Park Boys) is 21.

Actor Corbin Bleu (Flight 29 Down) is 19.


Chart Toppers

February 21

1948
I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover - The Art Moonie Orchestra
Ballerina - Vaughn Monroe
Now is the Hour - Bing Crosby
I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) - Eddy Arnold

1956
Rock and Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
Lisbon Antigua - Nelson Riddle
It’s Almost Tomorrow - The Dream Weavers
Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

1964
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
You Don’t Own Me - Leslie Gore
She Loves You - The Beatles
B.J. the D.J. - Stonewall Jackson

1972
Without You - Nilsson
Hurting Each Other - Carpenters
Never Been to Spain - Three Dog Night
It’s Four in the Morning - Faron Young

1980
Do that to Me One More Time - The Captain & Tennille
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Yes, I’m Ready - Teri DeSario with K.C.
Love Me Over Again - Don Williams

1988
Seasons Change - Expose
What Have I Done to Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
Father Figure - George Michael
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star - Merle Haggard