Sunday April the 6th

ON THIS DAY in 1892


Lowell Thomas, one of America's most respected newscasters was born in Woodington, Ohio.  He began his long broadcasting career in 1930, as a replacement for NBC's Floyd Gibbons. Thomas' radio career spanned five decades and three networks. The first sixteen years were spent at NBC where his broadcasts became so important that the network placed two microphones in front of him ... just in case one failed. Lowell Thomas would scoop the other networks and the newspapers wielding a clout and influence never before heard on the airwaves. After NBC, Thomas moved to CBS, where he stayed for thirty years. Then, in his last years (he died Aug. 29, 1981 at age 89), he hosted Lowell Thomas Remembers, a series on National Public Radio.

In 1914, actor George Reeves was born in Ashland Kentucky.
        
Although he had supporting roles in 40 movies & many TV shows like The Silver Theatre, Suspense & Kraft TV Theatre, it was his starring role in TV's Superman that was a mixed blessing. Apparently depressed at being typecast he committed suicide June 16 1959 at age 45, although friends believe his death may have resulted from his longtime affair with the wife of an MGM executive.

        
In 1925, comedian & soon-to-be early radio star Eddie Cantor recorded the standard, If You Knew Susie, for Columbia Records. There was none classier.

In 1927, jazz musician Gerry Mulligan was born in Queens, New York.  The jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger was acclaimed for his baritone sax work, plus his writing and arranging for Claude Thornhill, Miles Davis & Stan Kenton.  He died following complications from knee surgery Jan 20, 1996 at age 68.

In 1928, actress Joi Lansing (below) was born Joyce Wassmansdoff in Salt Lake City. The well-endowed starlet proved she could act in a regular role on TV's Bob Cummings show, and also had a recurring spot on The Beverly Hillbillies, plus dozens of one-and-two guest shots.  She died much too young of breast cancer Aug. 7 1972 at age 43.
        

In 1931, Little Orphan Annie, the comic strip character developed by Harold Gray, came to life for an 11 year radio run on NBC Blue, then NBC Red and finally Mutual. About 5 decades later, the comic strip inspired a Broadway play and a movie, both titled, Annie.

In 1941, tenor Henry Burr, the most prolific recording artist of his era, died in New York. Born in 1885 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Burr recorded an estimated 12-thousand titles from 1902 to about 1930.

In 1945, This is Your FBI debuted on ABC radio. Frank Lovejoy served as narrator for the following eight years.

In 1954, four weeks after being criticized by Edward R. Murrow on CBS'"See It Now," Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy (R-Wis.) delivered a filmed response in which he charged that Murrow had, in the past, "engaged in propaganda for Communist causes."

Also in 1954, the new concept of a frozen TV Dinner was 1st put on sale by Swanson & Sons.

In 1956, Capitol Tower, the home of Capitol Records in Hollywood was dedicated. It was the first circular office tower designed in America. It is 13 stories tall and 92 feet in diameter.


In 1957, "Round and Round" by Perry Como topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

Also in 1957, Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" was released.

In 1959, America's funny men, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and Mort Sahl, and comedic actor Tony Randall, along with the Great Britain's outstanding actors, David Niven and Laurence Olivier, entertained the guests at the 31st Annual Academy Awards where Gigi was named best picture, with a total of 10 Oscars.  

In 1962, the Soviet newspaper "Pravda" warned youths about the dangers of twisting.

In 1965, Intelsat 1 ("Early Bird") was launched, the first commercial geosynchronous communications satellite.

Also in 1965, the Beach Boys recorded "California Girls."
        

In 1968, The Beatles' Apple Corps Limited opened in London. The Fab Four's business enterprise was a failure, eaten away by debts and dissension.

Also on this date in 1968, guitarist Syd Barrett left Pink Floyd, the British psychedelic group he founded. Dave Gilmour was his replacement, and Pink Floyd went on to become one of the world's most popular bands.

In 1969, the only Palm Springs Pop Festival turned ugly when 25-thousand people jammed a drive-in theatre parking lot to see Ike and Tina Turner and Procul Harum. Police helicopters arrived to disperse the crowd, and a riot began. A nearby gas station was trashed, and two people were wounded when the station owner fired a rifle into the mob.

In 1971, Rolling Stones Records was formed to promote the hits of The Rolling Stones. The famous Stones trademark, the lips logo, became widely used. Brown Sugar was the first hit by the Rolling Stones on the new label, followed by Wild Horses, Tumbling Dice and Bill Gates' favorite song, Start Me Up.

Also in 1971, Carly Simon performed her first concert, opening for Cat Stevens in New York. James Taylor was in the audience and went backstage to meet her.


In 1973, The Stylistics received a gold record for their ballad hit, Break Up to Make Up. The Philadelphia soul group placed a total of 10 hits on the charts in the 1970s.

In 1974, the first concert film featuring a soundtrack in quadraphonic sound opened -- at the Ziegfeld Theatre. 'Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones' turned out to be a "stone" smash. Two-thousand white doves, a 20-metre-long dragon and a 12-metre inflatable tongue were used to promote its New York premiere.

Also in 1974, the first California Jam rock festival opened in Ontario, California. More than 200-thousand people gathered to hear such acts as Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

In 1975, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Philadelphia Freedom'' by Elton John.

In 1977, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Dancing Queen'' by Abba. This was the only No. 1 song by the international phenomenon.

        
In 1978, the final episode, number 37, of "Black Sheep Squadron" aired on NBC.

In 1983, U-S Interior Secretary James Watt declined to invite the Beach Boys to Fourth of July celebrations in Washington. Watt said rock 'n' roll bands attracted the wrong element, but changed his mind under pressure from a powerful Beach Boys fan -- First Lady Nancy Reagan.

In 1985, Bryan Adams' single Somebody peaked at #11 on the Billboard pop chart.

Also in 1985, the country group, Alabama, went five-for-five as the album 40 Hour Week grabbed the top spot on the Billboard country chart. The group had a number one album for each of the previous five years. The popularity of the quartet (three are cousins from Fort Payne, Alabama) continues today.


Still in 1985, Steve Van Zandt announced he was leaving the E Street Band. Springsteen hired guitarist Nils Lofgrin as the replacement.

Again in 1985, British singer Gilbert O'Sullivan won a $2 million lawsuit against his former manager for unpaid royalties.

In 1987, Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis said on ABC's "Nightline" that blacks "may not have some of the necessities" to hold managerial jobs in major league baseball (Campanis ended up being fired over his remarks).

Also in 1987, the 22nd Academy of Country Music Awards gave top honours to Randy Travis & Hank Williams Jr.

In 1988, jazz guitarist Larry Carlton was shot and wounded in the neck by a youth who broke into his Los Angeles home. His left arm was paralyzed and his voice was severely damaged, but Carlton performed again eight months later. No one was ever charged in the shooting.

Also in 1988, Elton John joined George Michael in a duet on "Candle in the Wind'' during Michael's concert in Honolulu.

In 1990, Tommy Lee, of Motley Crue, suffered a mild concussion in New Haven, CT. when he fell after swinging from scaffolding above his elevated drum kit.

        
In 1991, former child actor Adam Rich (Eight is Enough) was arrested for breaking into a pharmacy.  

In 1992, Yiddish actress Molly Picon, who was a memorable guest star on TV's Car 54, Somerset & The Facts of Life, died of Alzheimers at age 94.

Also in 1992, George Harrison appeared in his first British post-Beatles solo concert -- a London benefit for the Natural Law Party.

In 1994, Herbie Hancock and Vanessa Williams hosted a 50th anniversary tribute to Norman Granz and his Verve record label. Granz organized his first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in Los Angeles in 1944, and later formed both Clef Records and Verve.

In 1996, "Nobody Knows" by the Tony Rich Project topped the charts for just one week.

        
In 1996, Britlish-born actress Greer Garson died at 92.  Memorable on the bigscreen as Mrs. Miniver, and for roles in Goodbye Mr. Chips & Blossoms in the Dust, she capped her career with 4 appearances on TV's Hallmark Hall of Fame, & repeated assignments on General Electric Theatre & The Little Drummer Boy.

In 1997, Hamilton-born sports tycoon Jack Kent Cooke,  owner of the Washington Redskins, died at age 84. He had been owner of radio station CKEY Toronto.  When his bid for the first private Toronto TV license failed he had left for the US.

In 1998, country star Tammy Wynette died at her Nashville home from a blood clot in her lungs. She was 55. Wynette's chart-toppers included "D-I-V-O-R-C-E'' and "Stand By Your Man.'' Her third of five husbands was another country star, George Jones.


Also dying on this date in 1998, Wendy O. Williams, lead singer of the sex-and-violence punk rock band the Plasmatics. She shot and killed herself near her Connecticut home at 48. Williams' on-stage theatrics in the '70s and '80s included blowing up equipment and chainsawing guitars.

Still in 1998, Dick Clark, Chubby Checker, Fabian and Lesley Gore appeared on CBS-TV's "Murphy Brown."

In 1999, Red Norvo, who performed with such greats as Charles Mingus and Frank Sinatra and is credited with introducing the xylophone to jazz, died at the age of 91.

Also in 1999, Johnny Cash returned to the stage for the first time since his recent bout with pneumonia, and electrified an audience in New York with a surprise appearance at an all-star concert in his honor.

Still in 1999, "Mamma Mia,'' a musical based on the songs of ABBA, opened in London. A hit Toronto production opened the following year.

In 2000, US cable channel TNT held an all-star tribute to Joni Mitchell. James Taylor, Cyndi Lauper, Elton John, and others performed her songs.

        
In 2003, NBC newsman David Bloom died while embedded with US forces in Iraq of cardiac problems, at age 39.


Today's Birthdays:  

Pianist/conductor/composer Andre Previn is 79.

Country singer Merle Haggard is 71.

Actor Billy Dee Williams (Dynasty, Guiding Light, Another World) is 71.

Actor Roy Thinnes (Dark Shadows, Falcon Crest, The Invaders) is 70.

Director Barry Levinson (Homicide: Life on the Street, Oz) is 66.

Actor John Ratzenberger (Cheers, 8 6 Simple Rules) is 61.

Actress Marilu Henner (Taxi, Evening Shade) is 56.

Actor Michael Rooker (Thief, Crime Story) is 53.

Singer-guitarist Frank Black of The Pixies is 43.

Actress Ari Meyers (Kate & Ally, Stanley) is 39.

Actor Paul Rudd (Friends, Sisters, Wild Oats) is 39.

Actor Jason Hervey (The Wonder Years, Diff'rent Strokes) is 36.

Bassist Markku Lappalainen of Hoobastank is 35.

Actor Zach Braff (Scrubs) is 33.

Actress Candace Cameron (Full House) is 32.

Actor Bret Harrison (Grounded for Life, That 70's Show, The Loop) is 26.
  

Chart Toppers  

April 6
1944
It�s Love, Love, Love - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra (vocal: Skip Nelson)
Besame Mucho - The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Bob Eberly & Kitty Kallen
I Love You - Bing Crosby
Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry - Al Dexter

1952
Wheel of Fortune - Kay Starr
Anytime - Eddie Fisher
Please, Mr. Sun - Johnnie Ray
(When You Feel like You�re in Love) Don�t Just Stand There - Carl Smith

1960
The Theme from "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith
Puppy Love - Paul Anka
Sink the Bismarck - Johnny Horton
He�ll Have to Go - Jim Reeves

1968
(Sittin� On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
Young Girl - The Union Gap
La - La - Means I Love You - The Delfonics
How Long Will My Baby Be Gone - Buck Owens

1976
Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor
Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
Sweet Thing - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
You�ll Lose a Good Thing - Freddy Fender

1984
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Phil Collins
Let�s Stop Talkin� About It - Janie Fricke