Sunday February the 24th

ON THIS DAY in 1897
Emile Berliner took out a Canadian patent on his gramophone talking machine. Manufacturing facilities were set up in Montreal. Berliner had built a crude model of his machine 10 years earlier at his home lab in Washington, D-C, and he applied for a U-S patent on it on September 26th, 1887.

On this day in 1914, actor Zachary Scott was born in Austin Texas.  He played lboth leading men & villains in film, and when TV arrived he was cast in several dozen guest star roles over a 15 year period.  He died Oct 3, 1965 of a malignant brain tumor at age 51.

On this day in 1932, actor John Vernon was born in Zehner Saskatchewan.  He first achieved Canada-wise celebrity as the star of the CBC coroner drama Wojek. He went on to a Hollywood career as actor/voice actor in TV series like Delta House, Matrix, Acapulco HEAT & Batman.  He died after heart surgery Feb 1, 2005 a few weeks shy of his 73rd birthday.

                                                                      
On this day in 1940, Frances Langford recorded one of the classic songs of all time -- and one that would become a Walt Disney trademark. "When You Wish Upon a Star" was recorded on Decca Records during a session in Los Angeles. One can hear the song not only on record, but as the theme in the opening credits of any Disney movie, video and TV program and those "I'm going to Disneyland/World!" commercials, too.

On this day in 1942, the Voice of America (VOA) radio service signed on, as a US propaganda tool during WWII.  The worldwide, shortwave transmitters continue to beam a variety of programming around the globe under the auspices of the United States Information Agency (USIA).

                                                                                                            
On this day in 1943, former Beatle George Harrison was born in Liverpool.  The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer believed for most of his life his birthday was Feb 25 but a family birth record has his birth at near 11:50 p.m. Feb 24.  He died Nov 29, 2001 at age 58, of lung cancer that had mestasticized to the brain.  

On this day in 1944, Nicky Hopkins, one of the foremost studio keyboard players in rock music, was born in London. He got his start with Screamin' Lord Sutch's Savages and the Cyril Davies R-and-B All-Stars, two groups which included many soon-to-be-famous musicians. In 1964, Hopkins began working as a sessions player, recording with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and other British bands. He died on September 6th, 1994, in Nashville of complications from abdominal and heart ailments. He was 50.

On this day in 1956, Cleveland, now the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, invoked a 1931 law barring people under 18 from dancing publicly without an adult guardian.

                                                                
On this day in 1958, "Get a Job" by the Silhouettes topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

On this day in 1964, the Canadian music industry magazine RPM began publication in Toronto. RPM and its publisher, Walt Grealis, were major lobbyists for the Canadian content regulations imposed upon radio stations by the CRTC.   RPM also began the RPM Gold Leaf Awards in 1964 to honour Canadian talent. These awards later became known as the  Junos, after then-CRTC chairman Pierre Juneau.

On this day in 1965, the Beach Boys recorded "Help Me Rhonda".

On this day in 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience played its last concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. After the Experience broke up, Hendrix formed Band of Gypsies.

                    
Also on this date in 1969, Johnny Cash recorded his second live prison performance, this one at San Quentin. It followed a concert the previous year at Folsom Prison. The L-P "Johnny Cash at San Quentin" contained the hit single "A Boy Named Sue."

On this day in 1970, actor Conrad Nagel died at age 73.  A veteran of silent movies, his broadcasting credits include hosting both radio & early TV versions of The Silver Theatre, then on TV hosting Hollywood Preview & The Conrad Nagle Theatre.  As well he guest starred on dozens of TV dramas including Studio One, Kraft TV Theatre, The Defenders & Route 66.  

On this day in 1973, "Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack topped the charts and stayed there for 5 weeks.

On this day in 1976, The Eagles' "Greatest Hits" L-P became the first album in the U-S to be certified platinum -- at least one million copies sold. The new award was conceived because high sales meant too many artists were winning gold records.

On this day in 1978, "The Second Barry Manilow Special" aired on ABC-TV with guest star Ray Charles.

On this day in 1979, the Sex Pistols released the album "The Great Rock N' Roll Swindle.''

On this day in 1980, NBC premiered the TV movie "Harper Valley P.T.A.,'' based on Jeannie C. Riley's hit single.

                                                                                                      
On this day in 1982, Pat Benatar won a Grammy for "Fire and Ice,'' as Best Female Rock Performance.   Kim Carnes, a former member of the New Christy Minstrels, wion the Record of the Year award for "Bette Davis Eyes.''  Al Jarreau won for Best Male Pop Vocalist.

On this day in 1985, rock singer David Crosby bolted from a drug treatment centre during his first supervised exercise period. He was recaptured the next day.

On this day in 1986, the Rolling Stones played a private gig at London's 100 Club in memory of pianist and sometime group member Ian Stewart.

On this day in 1987, radio & TV personality Larry King was stricken with a heart attack. He survived.

On this day in 1988, Peter Chatman, the blues pianist known as Memphis Slim, died in Paris at the age of 72. Chatman wrote the standard "Every Day I Have the Blues,'' and helped spread blues music throughout the world.

                                                              
On this day in 1990, 1950's balladeer Johnnie Ray died in Los Angeles of liver failure at age 63. Ray's biggest hit was his double-sided 1951 million-seller -- "Cry" and "The Little White Cloud That Cried." He was known as the "Prince of Wails" for his raw and emotional style, which some say paved the way for rock 'n' roll.

Also on this date in 1990, k-d lang, John Fogarty, Bonnie Raitt and Levon Helm were among the artists gathering in Los Angeles to honour Roy Orbison, who had died in December 1988. Proceeds from the concert went to benefit the homeless. Bob Dylan unexpectedly joined Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and David Crosby to sing "Mr. Tambourine Man.'' It was the first time in 25 years that the four former Byrds had performed together onstage.

On this day in 1991, Webb Pierce, one of the biggest country stars of the 1950's and early '60s, died in Nashville at age 65. The official cause of death was heart failure but he also suffered from pancreatic cancer. Pierce's high-pitched nasal voice was featured on three number-one hits in 1955 -- "In the Jailhouse Now," "Love, Love, Love" and "I Don't Care." He also recorded the original version of the Everly Brothers' hit "Bye, Bye Love."

                
Also this day in 1991, comedian "Lonesome" George Gobel, the star of his own top rated NBC TV show from 1954-60, died after heart surgery at age 71. Most people remember George as a regular on the "Hollywood Squares" game show.

On this date in 1992, Paula Abdul performed before six-thousand people in Guangzhou -- formerly Canton -- China, even though Chinese authorities had banned her album "Spellbound" for being too sexy. The concert was filmed by MTV for a "Paula Abdul in China" special.

Also this day in 1992, actress Tracy Gold went back to work on the set of the TV sitcom "Growing Pains." She had left the show to battle anorexia.

On this day in 1993, British rock legend Eric Clapton, who had been virtually ignored in the Grammy Awards for most of his career, won six Grammys, including the music industry's three major awards -- record, album and song of the year.

                                                            
On this day in 1994, Dinah Shore, star of radio, T-V, records and movies, died in Beverly Hills, California, of cancer. She was 76. She joined the Eddie Cantor radio show in 1941, and two years later had her own program. She began her T-V career in 1951, with "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show."  She once said that people identified her most with the slogan from that show -- "See the U-S-A in your Chevrolet."

On this day in 1994, the crooner often called France's Bing Crosby, Jean Sablon died at age 87.  During WWII he had his own NBC radio show.  

                                                                                                            
On this day in 1998, comedian Henny Youngman died of complications from the flu. He was 91. He was known as the king of the one-liners, including "Take my wife, please."

On this day in 1998, Elton John became Sir Elton when he was knighted at Buckingham Palace by the Queen. John's recording of "Candle in the Wind 1997," the song he sang at Princess Diana's funeral in September of that year, had sold more than 35 million copies.

Also this day in 1998, drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue was arrested for kicking his wife, Ladysmith BC's Pamela Anderson Lee. She filed for divorce. He eventually served four months in prison.

On this day in 1999, three Canadian singers won awards at the Grammys in Los Angeles. Celine Dion won best female pop vocal and record of the year for "My Heart Will Go On,'' Shania Twain won best country song and best country vocal performance for "You're Still the One'' and Alanis Morissette took the best rock song award for "Uninvited.'' Lauryn Hill was the big winner of the night, capturing five Grammys, including album of the year for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.''

On this day in 2001, Vancouver Broadcaster Rick Honey died of cancer at age 53..



On this day in 2003, Country Music Television (CMT) featured an entire day of Shania Twain programming.

                    
On this day in 2004, actor John Randolph, a familiar face on movie & TV screens for 55 years, died at age 88.  Among his scores of TV guest appearances were recurring roles as fathers on the sitcoms Angie and Roseanne.

On this day in 2004, "Bubba The Love Sponge" was fired by Clear Channel Communications from his several stations on the US East Coast.

On this day in 2005, Canadian singers Kate and Anna McGarrigle were honoured for lifetime achievement in folk music by ASCAP, the respected American songwriting association. The sisters, born a year apart in Montreal, have been recording music in English and French for 30 years.

On this day in 2006, death claimed popular actors Don Knotts in Los Angeles and Dennis Weaver (below) in Ridgway, Colo.; both were 81.
                                                                                                          


Today's Birthdays:

Actor Abe Vigoda (Barney Miller) is 87.

Seattle-born actor Steven Hill (Law and Order) is 86.

Actor Dominic Chianese (The Sopranos) is 77.

Movie composer Michel Legrand is 76.

Actor James Farentino (Dynasty, Blue Thunder, Jesus of Nazareth) is 70.

Singer Joanie Sommers is 67.

Singer Paul Jones of Manfred Mann is 66.  

Actress Jenny O'Hara (King of Queens, Big Love, Facts of Life) is 66.

Actor Barry Bostwick (Spin City, Law & Order:SVU) is 62.

Singer-producer Rupert Holmes is 61.

Actor Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Gallactica, American Family, Miami Vice) is 61.

Bassist Lonnie Turner of The Steve Miller Band is 61.

Actress Debra Jo Rupp (That '70s Show) is 57.

Ontario-born actress Helen Shaver (The Education of Max Bickford) is 57.

News correspondent Paula Zahn (CBS, CNN) is 52.

Country singer Sammy Kershaw is 50.

Singer Michelle Shocked is 46.

Actor Billy Zane (Charmed, Boston Public, Twin Peaks) is 42.

Actress Bonnie Somerville (NYPD Blue, Grosse Pointe) is 34.  

Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac is 33.  

R&B singer Brandon Brown of Mista is 25.


Chart Toppers

February 24

1951
If - Perry Como
My Heart Cries for You - Guy Mitchell
Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page
There’s Been a Change in Me - Eddy Arnold

1959
Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
Donna - Ritchie Valens
The All American Boy - Bill Parsons
Don’t Take Your Guns to Town - Johnny Cash

1967
Kind of a Drag - The Buckinghams
Love is Here and Now You’re Gone - The Supremes
The Beat Goes On - Sonny & Cher
Where Does the Good Times Go - Buck Owens

1975
Pick Up the Pieces - AWB
Best of My Love - The Eagles
Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk
I Care - Tom T. Hall

1983
Baby, Come to Me - Patti Austin with James Ingram
Shame on the Moon - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats
Faking Love - T.G. Sheppard & Karen Brooks

1991
All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston
One More Try - Timmy -T-
Someday - Mariah Carey
Walk on Faith - Mike Reid