Wednesday April the 2nd

ON THIS DAY in 1908
                                                                                                                      
actor/dancer Buddy Ebsen was born Christian Rudolph Ebsen in Belleville Illinois.  After co-starring as a dancer with Shirley Temple on the big screen in the 30's, Ebsen had an amazing TV career. He starred in three very different series (Northwest Passage, Beverly Hillbillies, Barnaby Jones) and was the hero's pal in half-a-dozen Davey Crockett TV features.  As well he guest starred in scores of other series.  He died of complications from pneumonia July 6, 2003 at age 95.

In 1912, singer Herbert Mills of The Mills Brothers was born in Piqua Ohio. Their many hits include Paper Doll, You Always Hurt the One You Love, Glow-Worm & Cab Driver.  He died Apr 12, 1989, just days after his 77th birthday.

                                                                
In 1914, actor Sir Alec Guinness  was born Alec Guinness de Cuffe in England. The versatile, distinguished Oscar-winner had only a few TV credits, notably in 1979's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He died of liver cancer Aug 5, 2000 at age 86.

In 1920, the creator & star of Dragnet Jack Webb (below) was born in Santa Monica.  Before Dragnet hit the bigtime on NBC Radio in 1949 he had already scored two west coast cult hits with Pat Novak for Hire, & Johnny Madero Pier 23.  Dragnet came to TV in '51 while continuing on radio until '56.  Pete Kelly's Blues, featuring the jazz he loved so much, was an unsuccessful Webb radio series in '51, a moderate film success in '55, and a so-so TV series in '59.  He scored one more TV hit, producing Emergency (1972-77.)  Webb died of a heart attack Dec 23, 1982 at age 62.
                  

In 1935, British inventor Sir Watson-Watt patented RADAR.

In 1939, Motown hitmaker Marvin Gaye was born in Washington, D-C. He's best remembered for his 1969 chart-topper "I Heard It Through the Grapevine,'' duets with Tammi Terrell his landmark 1971 album "What's Going On.'' Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father during a 1984 domestic dispute.

In 1942, Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded American Patrol for Victor Records. The jitterbug tune became one of Miller's most requested hits.

In 1947, The Big Story (dramas based on newspaper reporting) was first heard on NBC radio. It stayed on the air for eight years.

In 1953, actress Debralee Scott (below) was born in Elizabeth New Jersey. Her deadpan, plaintive appearance played for laughs won hearts on each of the 4 TV series in which she had a supporting role: Angie, Welcome Home Kotter, Sons & Daughters, and Mary Hartman Mary Hartman.  She fell into a coma & died Apr 5, 2005 just days after her 52nd birthday.
                                                                                                                          

In 1956, two very successful daytime dramas premiered on CBS TV. The Edge of Night and As the World Turns, which is still on the air and has become the second-longest running soap in TV.  

In 1957, Elvis Presley played two concerts at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. They were two of only four shows Elvis ever performed outside the U-S -- the others being the same year in Ottawa and Vancouver.

In 1960, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Theme from `A Summer Place'' by Canadian-born Percy Faith. The song was the most successful instrumental single of the rock era, staying at No. 1 for nine weeks. Billboard also ranked the song the top single of 1960.

In 1960, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers in the U-S presented its first awards. The top selling artists were Elvis Presley and Connie Francis.

                                                                    
In 1962, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Johnny Angel'' by Shelley Fabares. Fabares performed the song on "The Donna Reed Show,'' in which she played the daughter Mary Stone. Two decades later she would be the love interest on Coach.

In 1964, the Beach Boys recorded their future smash "I Get Around."

In 1965, British rockers Freddie & the Dreamers recorded "Do The Freddie."

In 1967, the Beatles finished recording the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'' The album topped Billboard's pop album chart for 15 weeks, longer than any other Beatles album.

              
In 1971, Ringo Starr's first solo single, "It Don't Come Easy," was released. Produced by George Harrison, it made number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1971, the sci-fi soap opera "Dark Shadows" concluded an almost 5 year run on ABC TV.

In 1973, the CBS Radio Network began to offer news on-the-hour 24-hours-a-day.

In 1974, the 46th Annual Academy Awards saw 7 Oscars go to the film of the year, The Sting.  Best Music/Song was The Way We Were -- Marvin Hamlisch (music), Alan and Marilyn Bergman (lyrics) from the movie of the same name.

In 1976, versatile supporting actor Ray Teal died at age 74.  In a 40 year film-&-TV career he is best remembered as the no-nonsense Sheriff Roy Coffee in the longrunning NBC western Bonanza.

                                                                      
In 1977, the restored Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver was opened as a civic concert hall and permanent home of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The Orpheum opened in 1927 as a vaudeville hall but was used mainly as a movie theatre.

Also in 1977, Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors," album rose to #1 & stayed on top for an amazing 31 weeks!

Still in 1977, Stevie Wonder's tribute to Duke Ellington, Sir Duke, was released.

In 1978, J.R. Ewing and the clan arrived at Southfork, when Dallas was seen for the first time -- on CBS-TV. It was originally set for a five-week run, but stayed for 13 years.

                                                                                                                      
In 1980, Anne Murray won four Juno awards, including best single for "I Just Fall in Love Again.'' Show host Burton Cummings was named top male vocalist.

In 1984, Canada's broadcast regulator (CRTC) issued licenses for two then-called "pay TV" cable channels, Much Music and the Action Canada Sports Network, which signed on 5 months later as TSN.
                                                      

In 1987, Canadian country rocker kd lang made her Los Angeles debut at The Roxy nightclub. The appearance came as lang's ''Angel With a Lariat'' began its climb up the Billboard country chart.

Also in 1987, legendary jazz & big band drummer Buddy Rich died in Los Angeles of a heart attack at age 69. He had surgery for a brain tumour two weeks before.

In 1990, Lou Gramm departed as lead singer of Foreigner. Gramm had already begun a solo career several years earlier, scoring a top-five hit in 1987 with "Midnight Blue."

In 1992, country singer Wynonna Judd began her first solo tour in Midland, Texas. Her mother Naomi left their Grammy-winning duo several months earlier because of a liver disease.

Also on this date in 1992, Paula Kelly, the former lead singer of the Modernaires, died in Costa Mesa, California at age 72. The vocal group was featured on many Glenn Miller recordings, including the 1941 million-seller "Chattanooga Choo Choo."

In 1993, Roberta Flack (below) appeared on the ABC-TV soap opera "Loving."
            

In 1995, Julius Hemphill, an influential saxophonist and composer who helped found the World Saxophone Quartet, died in New York of complications from diabetes. He was 57.

In 1996, singer and guitarist, Guitar Gabriel, who was born Robert Lewis Jones, died at the age of 71.

In 1996, Grammy-winning rapper Hammer filed for bankruptcy, owing his creditors 10 million dollars. After his 1990 debut album, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em," Forbes magazine estimated his gross earnings at 33 million.

In 1997, Canadian-born folksinger/songwriter Joni Mitchell was reunited with Kilauren Gibb. Gibb was the daughter that Mitchell had given up for adoption 32 years before.

In 1998, Rob Pilatus, half of the dreadlocked lip-synching pop act Milli Vanilli, was found dead in a Frankfurt, Germany, hotel room. According to Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, Pilatus was alone and consuming alcohol and pills when he died.

In 1999, as Trisha Yearwood made a visit to Sesame Street, the Country Music Association female vocalist of the year got  to rub shoulders with a major childhood influence. "As a child," she explained, "Grover was my hero. To finally get to meet my childhood hero and have an opportunity to perform with him is something I will never forget."

Also in 1999, the Black Crowes performed in Knoxville, Tennessee. One of the concergoers later sued the band for $385,000 in a claim that he had suffered significant hearing loss at the show

                                                                                                                      
In 2001, singer Mariah Carey signed a five-album deal with Virgin Records said to be worth a record 23.5 million dollars (U-S) per album.

In 2002, Lee Anderson Minnelli sued her stepdaughter Liza Minnelli for elder abuse and breach of contract. The claim was filed based on the will of Vincente Minnelli.

In 2003, soul singer Edwin Starr, a one-hit wonder with the 1970 number 1 song "War," died after a heart attack at age 61.  

Also in 2003, dozens of fans walked out of a Pearl Jam show in Denver after singer Eddie Vedder impaled a mask of President George W. Bush with a microphone stand.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Elena Verdugo (Meet Millie, Marcus Welby MD) is 82.

Actress Rita Gam (Edge of Night, Love of Life, Hidden Faces) is 80.

Toronto-born actress Sharon Acker (Young & the Restless, Street Legal, Days of Our Lives) is 73.

Singer Leon Russell is 66.

Jazz guitarist Larry Coryell is 65.

Actress Linda Hunt (The Practice, Carnivale) is 63.

Singer Emmylou Harris is 61.

Tacoma-born actress Pamela Reed (Jericho, Grand, Family Album) is 59.

Drummer Dave Robinson of The Cars is 55.

Actor Ron Palillo (Welcome Back Kotter) is 54.

Actress Amelia Marshall (Guiding Light, All My Children) is 50.

Drummer Chris Steffler of the Canadian rock group Platinum Blonde is 49.

Country singer Buddy Jewell (Nashville Star) is 47.

Actor Chris Meloni (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) is 47.

Singer Keren Woodward of Bananarama is 47.

Country singer Billy Dean is 46.

Spokane-born actress Jana Marie Hupp (Ed, Brooklyn South) is 44.

Guitarist Greg Camp of Smash Mouth is 41.

Guitarist Tony Fredianelli of Third Eye Blind is 39.

Actress Roselyn Sanchez (Without a Trace, Kojak 2005) is 35.

Actor Adam Rodriguez (CSI: Miami) is 33.

Actor Jeremy Garrett (Jack & Jill, Legacy) is 32.

Keyboardist Jesse Carmichael of Maroon 5 is 29.

Actress Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) is 27.

Actor Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights) is 20.


Chart Toppers

April 2

1948
Now is the Hour - Bing Crosby
I�m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover - The Art Moonie Orchestra
Beg Your Pardon - Francis Craig
Anytime - Eddy Arnold

1956
The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
Rock Island Line - Lonnie Donegan
Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins

1964
She Loves You - The Beatles
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Suspicion - Terry Stafford
Saginaw, Michigan - Lefty Frizzell

1972
A Horse with No Name - America
Puppy Love - Donny Osmond
Mother and Child Reunion - Paul Simon
My Hang-Up is You - Freddie Hart

1980
Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd
Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl - Spinners
Call Me - Blondie
I�d Love to Lay You Down - Conway Twitty

1988
Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car - Billy Ocean
I Want Her - Keith Sweat
Love Will Find Its Way to You - Reba McEntire