Saturday March the 1st

ON THIS DAY in 1903                                                        
jazz cornetist/pianist Leon Bismarck "Bix" Beiderbecke was born in Davenport Iowa.  He played with some of the musical giants of his time, and was revered by generations for decades after his death at 28 from chronic alcoholism & pneumonia.  

In 1904, Glenn Miller, the man whose name is synonymous with the big band era of the 1940's, was born in Clarinda, Iowa. His orchestra had 23 No. 1 songs, including the million-sellers "In the Mood'' and "Tuxedo Junction.'' His plane was lost over the English Channel on Dec. 15, 1944 and no trace of it was ever found. The Glenn Miller Orchestra continued after Miller's death under various leaders. In 1954, "The Glenn Miller Story," starring James Stewart, was a big movie hit.

Also in 1904, actor Paul Hartman was born in San Francisco.  He is best remembered as the drunken Emmet Clark in the TV series Andy Griffith Show & Mayberry RFD, and as handyman Bert on Petticoat Junction.  He died Oct. 2 1973 at age 69, afyer a heart attack.  

In 1910, actor David Niven was born in London.  Besides his extensive big screen career, he was one of the few major stars to embrace early TV as one of the 4 rotating stars in 1956's Four Star Playhouse. He also had The David Niven Show, was host of David Niven's World, and starred in the mini-series A Man Called Intrepid.  He died of Lou Gehrig's Disease July 29 1983 at age 73.

In 1914, beloved sportscaster Harry Caray ws born Harry Carabina in St. Louis,
where he began his big league career as voice of baseball's St. Louis Cardinals for 24 years. He worked briefly for the Oakland A's before moving to Chicago, where he was voice of the White Sox for a decade.  In 1982 he began 15 years of calling the Cubs games on superstation WGN which won him a national following. He suffered a fatal heart attack after a series of strokes Feb 18, 1998 & died just days before his 84th birthday.  

In 1928, Paul Whiteman and his orchestra recorded Ol' Man River for Victor Records. The featured vocalist on the track was 29-year-old Paul Robeson. The song became an American classic.  

                                                              
In 1932, radio's first great effort of on-the-spot news coverage began as NBC and CBS radio rushed to Hopewell, NJ to cover the kidnapping of the Charles and Anne Lindbergh baby.

In 1933, the Canadian Broadcasting Radio Commission bought the CNR Radio Network. The Commission acted not only as the forerunner of the CBC, but was also the regulator.

In 1941, commercial FM broadcasting began in the U.S. when station W47NV in Nashville started operations on this day. W47NV was the first commercial FM radio station to receive a license, some 20 years after its AM radio counterpart, KDKA in Pittsburgh. Today over 80% of US broadcasting is FM.

Also in 1941, Downbeat magazine scooped the entertainment world with news that Glenn Miller's renewed contract with Chesterfield Cigarettes was worth $4,850 a week (for three 15-minute programs).

                  
Again this day in 1941, Duffy's Tavern starring Ed "Archie" Gardner, debuted on CBS radio -- and became a popular hit for the next 10 years.

In 1945, reggae singer Burning Spear, whose real name is Winston Rodney; and country singer Arlene Harden of the Harden Trio, whose "Tippy Toeing" was a number-two country hit in 1966.

In 1953, KTNT (now KSTW) TV channel 11 in Tacoma-Seattle began operation as an independent station.

Also in 1953, radio station WJZ in New York City became WABC.

In 1957, Chuck Berry's "School Day" was released by Chess Records.

Also in 1957, The Everly Brothers signed with Cadence Records and then recorded "Bye Bye Love."

                                                                  
In 1963, Gerry & the Pacemakers released their first British single, "How Do You Do It."

In 1965, the 150th episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" aired.

In 1966, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "The Ballad of the Green Berets'' by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler. The single sold more than 1 million copies in its first two weeks and was the top song of 1966, according to Billboard.

In 1967, radio station CHQB 1280 Powell River signed on the air owned by the Sunshine Coast Broadcasting Company.
    
In 1968, Johnny Cash and June Carter were married in Franklin, Kentucky.

Also in 1968, Elton John's first record, I've Been Loving You, was released by Philips Records in England. Philips, not realizing the potential of the soon-to-be superstar, released him in 1969, just prior to his teaming with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Elton then signed a contract with Uni Records and began to turn out what would become a string of more than 50 hits over the next 25 years.

                                                                                                          
Again this date in 1968, NBC made the unprecedented on-air announcement, that Star Trek would return.
    
In 1969, Doors' lead singer Jim Morrison was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour, indecent exposure, open profanity and public drunkenness as a result of actions on stage during a concert in Miami.  Morrison was later sentenced, but he died while the sentence was under appeal.
    
Also on this date in 1969, country star Barbara Mandrell signed her first record contract with Columbia.

Again this day in 1969, the Beatles album Sergeant Pepper finally dropped off the charts after 88 weeks.
    
                                                      
In 1972, the 100th episode of "Adam-12" aired on NBC.

Also in 1972, country star Merle Haggard was pardoned by California Governor Ronald Reagan. Haggard had served time in San Quentin in the late 1950's for attempted burglary.

Also in 1972, John Lennon was granted an extension on his American work visa. Lennon then began recording "Sometime in New York City."

In 1974, the group Queen began their first headlining tour of England.
    
In 1975, Stevie Wonder won five Grammy Awards, including album of the year for "Fulfillingness' First Finale."

Also in 1975, "Best of My Love" by the Eagles topped the charts .. but only stayed #1 for a week.

In 1976, singer Claudine Longet, formerly the wife of Andy Williams, shot her boyfriend, world skiing champion Spider Sabich.  Sabich had tried to throw her and her three children out of his house. Longet was arrested for manslaughter.

In 1979, Elvis Costello began a tour in Birmingham, Alabama to support his "Armed Forces" L-P. During a stop in Columbus, Ohio, Costello had a much-publicized confrontation with singers Bonnie Bramlett and Stephen Stills in a hotel bar after casting a racial slur against Ray Charles.
    
In 1980, the sign-on of Canada's first all-jazz radio station CJAZ FM 92.1 Vancouver.  It included all kinds of jazz with news and public affairs programs called "Word Jazz" Mon-Fri 6-9 am, noon-1 pm and 5:30-6 pm.  The jazz format was maintained for 4 years.  Due to reception problems in Vancouver's West End, the station moved to 96.9 FM in early 1984.

In 1981, the TV movie "Elvis and the Beauty Queen" was aired on NBC. Don Johnson played the role of Elvis.

In 1984, former child actor Jackie Coogan, who played Uncle Fester on TV's Addams Family, plus dozens of guest star spots, died after a heart attack at age 69.                    
                                                            
                                                                          

In 1985, singer Billy Ocean began his first U-S tour in San Diego.

Also in 1985, entertainer Liza Minnelli entered the Betty Ford Drug Center.

Again in 1985, a Beatles song was used for the first time in a U.S. TV commercial. The rights for Lincoln-Mercury to use the song, HELP!, cost $100,000, helping boost the fortunes of the Ford Motor Company.

In 1986, Mr. Mister's Kyrie rose to #1 on in the U.S. The single was a track from the album Welcome to the Real World, which also became the #1 album in the U.S. this day.

In 1987, rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, who played with the Count Basie orchestra for 50 years, died in Los Angeles at 75. He had played his last engagement the previous night in Las Vegas with singer Tony Bennett.
    
In 1988, comic actor Joe Besser, who was a regular on the Abbott & Costello, Joey Bishop & Jack Benny TV shows, died of heart failure at age 80.

                                                                                                                
In 1989, four members of the original Jefferson Airplane announced they were getting back together. The reunion of Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady came 17 years after the psychedelic San Francisco band broke up.

In 1990, Janet Jackson began her first concert tour in Miami. She would perform the 90-minute show, a showcase for songs from her "Rhythm Nation 1814" album, more than 100 times over the next nine months.

In 1991, Maclean-Hunter sold CHCH-TV to WIC Western International Communications for $46 million.
    
Also in 1991, Gloria Estefan made a triumphant return to performing after a career-threatening injury in a bus accident the previous March.
    
In 1994, composer Walter Kent, who wrote the Second World War anthem "The White Cliffs of Dover," died in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills. He was 82.
    
                                                                      
In 1995, Pete Townshend was on hand as the Canadian stage production of the Who's rock opera "Tommy" opened at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

Also in 1995, Bruce Springsteen won four Grammys for "Streets of Philadelphia" from the Tom Hanks film "Philadelphia." Sheryl Crow won three awards, including Record of the Year. Tony Bennett won Album of the Year honors for "MTV Unplugged" and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Again in 1995, Bill Berry collapsed in Lausanne, Switzerland due to a brain aneurysm. It was the first of several medical mishaps for R.E.M.'s world tour.
    
In 1999, Sony Music Distribution raised wholesale prices on audio CDs by 8 cents.
    
In 2001, the final episode of TV's Canadian-produced "La Femme Nikita" aired in the US.
                

In 2004, a new era on CKZZ FM (Z95-3) started at 6 am. Z95 3 shifted to a "hot adult contemporary" format with a greater variety of music and less repetition. The station also promised shorter commercial breaks, random commercial-free hours and commercial-free Sundays.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor Robert Clary (Hogan's Heroes, Bold & the Beautiful) is 82.  

Singer Harry Belafonte is 81.

Jazz trombonist Benny Powell is 78.

Country singer Jim "Ed" Brown is 74.

Actor Robert Conrad (Wild Wild West, Baa Baa Black Sheep) is 73.

Actor Jed Allan (General Hospital, Port Charles, Beverly Hills 90210) is 71.

Singer Mike D'Abo of Manfred Mann is 64.

Singer Roger Daltrey is 64.

Actor Dirk Benedict (A-Team, Battlestar Gallactica) is 63.

Ontario-born actor Alan Thicke (Growing Pains, Alan Thicke Show) is 61.

Actor-director Ron Howard (Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days) is 54.

Country singer Janis Oliver Cummins of Sweethearts of the Rodeo is 54.

Actress Catherine Bach (The Dukes of Hazzard) is 54.

Actor Tim Daly (The Nine, Wings, The Fugitive) is 52.

Keyboardist Jon Carroll (Starland Vocal Band) is 51.

Bassist Bill Leen (Gin Blossoms) is 46.

Singer Jennifer McCarter of the country trio the McCarters is 44.

Country singer Clinton Gregory is 42.

Actor George Eads (C.S.I.) is 41.

Alberta-born guitarist Ryan Peake of Nickelback is 35.

Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue, Saved By the Bell) is 34.

"Blues Clues" host Donovan Patton is 30.

Singer Sammie is 21.


Chart Toppers

March 1

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

1956
Lisbon Antigua - Nelson Riddle
The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter
Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
I Forgot to Remember to Forget - Elvis Presley

1964
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
She Loves You - The Beatles
Dawn (Go Away) - The Four Seasons
Begging to You - Marty Robbins

1972
Without You - Nilsson
Hurting Each Other - Carpenters
Precious and Few - Climax
It’s Four in the Morning - Faron Young

1980
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Yes, I’m Ready - Teri DeSario with K.C.
Longer - Dan Fogelberg
I Ain’t Living Long like This - Waylon Jennings

1988
Father Figure - George Michael
What Have I Done to Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
She’s like the Wind - Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser
I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love - Tanya Tucker