Monday April the 7th

ON THIS DAY in 1897
            
gossip columnist/broadcaster Walter Winchell was born in Minneapolis.  He was the first to break the journalistic taboo against exposing the private lives of public figures, permanently altering the shape of journalism and celebrity. He broke into radio in 1930, and two years later had his own weekly quarter hour, the Jergens Journal, on the NBC Blue network (which became ABC.) "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea."  The Journal, gossipy news mixed with his opinion, was on the air for most of the next 30 years.  Later his star would brighten for a new generation when he narrated the TV series The Untouchables.  He died a recluse of prostate cancer Feb. 20 1972 at age 74.

In 1908, orchestra conductor, arranger and composer Percy Faith was born in Toronto. He began by playing music for silent films in the city's movie houses, later turning to arranging and composing when his hands were severely burned in an accident. After a stint at the C-B-C from 1933 to 40, Faith moved to the U-S and became an arranger-conductor for Columbia Records. He worked with Tony Bennett and other singers, plus his own orchestra and chorus. His "Theme From a Summer Place'' won the 1960 Grammy for Record of the Year. Percy Faith died Feb 9 1976 at age 67.

              
In 1915, Billie Holliday, probably the greatest jazz singer ever, was born in Baltimore. Her greatest recordings -- "Strange Fruit,'' "God Bless the Child'' and "Yesterdays'' -- were made in 1939 and '40.  Holliday was jailed for a narcotics offence in 1948, and died in a New York hospital July 17, 1959 while facing another possession charge. The 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues'' is based on her life.

In 1918, bigband clarinetist Peanuts Hucko was born in Syracuse NY.  He played with a succession of bands before, during & after WWII, including Charlie Spivak, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Ray McKinley, Eddie Condon, and Jack Teagarden.  In the 50's he was busy in New York as a studio musician for CBS and ABC. In the 1970's he led & toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, as well as playing with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra on ABC TV.  He died after a lengthy illness Jun 19 2003 at age 85.

              
In 1919, bandleader/pianist/arranger Ralph Flanagan was born in Lorain Ohio. He played in & arranged for the orchestras of Sammy Kaye, Blue Barron, Charlie Barnet, Gene Krupa, Tony Pastor, Boyd Raeburn, & Alvino Rey. He formed his own big band in 1949 which repopularized the Glenn Miller sound on such hits as Nevertheless, Rag Mop, Harbor Lights, Slow Poke, & Hot Toddy.  He died Dec 30 1995 at age 76.

In 1927, phone lines were used for the first time to send TV from Washington DC to New York City.  The audience to the demonstration saw an image of Commerce Secretary (& soon to be US president) Herbert Hoover.

In 1954, Gee, by The Crows, became the first rhythm and blues single to gain attention on pop music charts. Gee, written by William Davis, the baritone of The Crows, made it to #17 on the pop music chart. This was also one of the first songs by a black group to be played on white radio stations. The group split up in the late 1950s.

In 1956, neophyte English author Arthur Hailey had a script accepted and presented just 20 days after it was submitted to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The TV drama, Flight into Danger, had an unprecedented audience response.

Also in 1956, "Rock 'n Roll Dance Party" debuted on the CBS Radio Network.

              
In 1961, radio comedienne, Marian Jordan, died at age 62. For nearly 30 years she played the wife opposite her husband Jim Jordan on the comedy radio program "Fibber McGee & Molly"

In 1962, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met future Rolling Stone Brian Jones at a London blues club.

In 1970, the 42nd Annual Academy Awards ceremonies & the millions watching on TV saw John Wayne, a veteran of over 200 films, win his only Oscar: Best Actor for his role in "True Grit."  "Midnight Cowboy" was named best picture.

Also in 1970, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Let It Be'' by The Beatles. The song had entered the Hot 100 at No. 6, higher than any previous entry on Billboard's pop singles chart.

          
In 1973, Vicki Lawrence got her number one single as The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia made it to the top of the pop charts. Lawrence had become well known as the 2nd banana who played Eunice's mother on The Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family.

In 1974, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Bennie and the Jets'' by Elton John. The song was first released as the B-side to "Candle in the Wind,'' an ode to Marilyn Monroe.

In 1975, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple to form Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. His guitar riffs helped make Deep Purple one of the early 70's most successful groups.

              
In 1976, radio talk hostess Mary Margaret McBride died at 76. Her popular radio interview shows spanned 40 years, beginning in 1934 on New York's WOR, becoming a CBS feature in 1937, and moving to NBC in 1941 where her audience skyrocketted. A 1948 attempt to make her an early TV star ended after 3 months.

In 1979, "Music Box Dancer," an instrumental by Canadian pianist Frank Mills, became the number-one single in the U-S. It was the first instrumental to top the charts in several years.

In 1985. New York's annual Easter Parade was telecast live for the first time.

Also in 1985, Prince ended his 32-city tour and said that he was withdrawing from live performances for “an indeterminate number of years.” That was when he changed his name to TAFKAP (The Artist Formerly Known As Prince).

Still in 1985, Wham! became the first Western act to play in China.

            
Again in 1985, at Farm Aid IV, Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind" for Ryan White. White, a young boy with AIDS, died later the same day.

In 1987, jazz singer Maxine Sullivan, whose big hit was her 1937 recording of ''Loch Lomond,'' died in New York at 75.

In 1988, Alice Cooper simulated hanging himself during a London concert. A safety rope snapped, and Cooper dangled by the neck for several seconds before being rescued by a stage hand.

In 1990, "Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne topped the charts.. but just for the one week.

In 1991, the 100th episode of "Married With Children" aired on Fox.

In 1994, media mogul Frank Griffiths died at age 77. He acquired Vancouver radio station CKNW in 1956, and built an enormous broadcasting empire under the Western Broadcasting (later WIC) banner. He owned the Vancouver Canucks over the last 20 years of his life.

Also in 1994, singer Percy Sledge pled guilty to tax evasion.

              
In 1997, Canadian country singer Patricia Conroy suffered a head wound and numerous bites and cuts when attacked by a German shepherd on a beach in Italy. The remaining seven dates of her European tour were cancelled.

Also in 1997, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis became the first jazz composer to win a Pulitzer Prize for music. He won for "Blood on the Fields," a three-hour work for big band and three singers.

In 1998, the widow of former entertainer Sonny Bono, Mary Bono won a special election to serve out the remainder of her husband's congressional term.

Also in 1998, Carlos Vega, a Los Angeles drummer best known for his work with James Taylor, died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Again in 1998, drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue pleaded no contest to felony spousal abuse. He was accused of kicking his wife, actress Pamela Anderson Lee, while she held their son. Lee was sentenced to six months in jail.

Still in 1998, singer George Michael was arrested in Beverly Hills for allegedly committing a lewd solo act in a park restroom. He later confirmed he was gay and that he'd been similarly "reckless" before. Michael pleaded no contest and was fined 810-dollars, banned from the park, and ordered to take counselling and perform community service.

In 2000, Michael Abram attended a hearing for his attempt to murder George Harrison and his wife Olivia on December 30, 1999. Abram was ordered to appear for trial, but a date was not set.

          
In 2001, actress Beatrice Straight died of pneumonia at age 86. Best known for her Oscar winning supporting role in the bigscreen's Network, and a paranormal investigator in Potergeist. But she was active in early anthology TV in Armstrong Circle Theatre, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Kraft Television Theatre, Studio One, The United States Steel Hour, Playhouse 90, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, as well as dramatic series like Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, The Defenders, Mission: Impossible, and St. Elsewhere. She was cast as the mother of TV's Wonder Woman.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor R.G. Armstrong (Gunsmoke, Trapper John MD, Friday the 13th) is 91.

Sitar player Ravi Shankar is 88.

Actor James Garner (8 Simple Rules, Rockford Files, Maverick) is 80.

Country singer Cal Smith is 76.

Actor Wayne Rogers (MASH, Trapper John MD) is 75.

Country singer Bobby Bare is 73.

Singer Charlie Thomas of The Drifters is 71.

English television personality (Sir) David Frost is 69.

Singer Patricia Bennett of The Chiffons is 61.

Singer John Oates of Hall and Oates is 59.

Drummer John Dittrich of Restless Heart is 57.

Singer Janis Ian is 57.

Actress Elaine Miles (Northern Exposure, The Rez) is 48.

Singer Mark Kibble of Take 6 is 44.

Actor Bill Bellamy (Last Comic Standing, Fastlane) is 43.

Rock musician Dave "Yorkie" Palmer (Space) is 43.

Former football player-turned-analyst Tiki Barber is 33.

Actress Heather Burns (20 Good Years, The $treet) is 33.

Actor Conner Rayburn (According to Jim) is 9.


Chart Toppers

April 7

1945
My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
I�m Beginning to See the Light - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen)
A Little on the Lonely Side - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra (vocal: Jimmy Brown)
Shame on You - Spade Cooley

1953
Pretend - Nat King Cole
Till I Waltz Again with You - Teresa Brewer
I Believe - Frankie Laine
Your Cheatin� Heart - Hank Williams

1961
Blue Moon - The Marcels
Apache - Jorgen Ingmann
On the Rebound - Floyd Cramer
Don�t Worry - Marty Robbins

1969
Dizzy - Tommy Roe
Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In - The 5th Dimension
You�ve Made Me So Very Happy - Blood, Sweat & Tears
Who�s Gonna Mow Your Grass - Buck Owens

1977
Rich Girl - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Dancing Queen - Abba
Don�t Give Up on Us - David Soul
Lucille - Kenny Rogers

1985
One More Night - Phil Collins
We are the World - USA for Africa
Crazy for You - Madonna
Country Girls - John Schneider