Tuesday April the 8th

ON THIS DAY in 1903
actress/novelist Ilka Chase was born in New York City. For several years, she was host of a radio program, Luncheon at the Waldorf, and a panelist on Leave It to The Girls.  She was a panel member on early TV game shows Masquerade Party, Keep Talking, & The Eyes Have It, had a feature role in the 1965 series Trials of O'Brien, and played Stepmother in the '57 TV production of Cinderella starring Julie Andrews.  She died following an internal hemmorrhage Feb 15 1978 at age 74.  

          
In 1922, jazz singer Carmen McRae was born in New York City's Harlem district.   One of the most influential jazz vocalists, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretations of lyrics that made her most memorable.  A lifelong smoker, she died from emphysema Nov 10, 1994 at age 72.

In 1923, actor Edward Mulhare was born in Cork Ireland. A sort of "road company" Rex Harrison, he had lengthy recurring roles in TV's Knight Rider & The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and hosted two series in the 80's: Secrets & Mysteries, and Secrets of the Unknown.  He died of lung cancer May 24 1997 at age 74.

In 1928, actor Eric Porter was born in London England.  His signature role was that of Soames Forsyte in the landmark BBC serialized production The Forsyte Saga.  He also had important roles in two other TV series seen over here, Jewel in the Crown & The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.  He died of cancer May 15 1995 at age 67.

              
In 1941, for the first eight years of the radio series the voice of The Lone Ranger, Ontario-born actor Earl Graser died in an auto accident at age 32. Brace Beemer, previously the show's announcer, took over the title role and remained one of radio's icons for another 14 years.              

In 1942, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Moonlight Cocktail'' by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

In 1944, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Besame Mucho'' by Jimmy Dorsey's Orchestra.

In 1957, Jimmy Dean began a morning show on CBS-TV to compete with the first 45 minutes of the Today show on NBC-TV. No, he didn't stand around in an apron cookin' sausage and singing Big Bad John for the audience, though it may not have been a bad idea. No sponsors were found for the show and it was back to the smokehouse for Jimmy when CBS quickly sliced the show from the network.

In 1963, seven Oscars including the #1 award for Best Picture went to Lawrence of Arabia at the 35th Annual Academy Awards.

            
Also in 1963, the final episode of "The Rifleman" (starring Chuck Connors) aired on ABC.

In 1964, the Supremes recorded "Where Did Our Love Go." The song was their first No. 1 single.

In 1965, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "I'm Telling You Now,'' by Freddie & the Dreamers.

In 1968, the scheduled 40th Academy Awards were postponed to April 10th due to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Also in 1968, the Beatles went gold again, receiving a gold record for the single, Lady Madonna.

Again in 1968, the Petula Clark TV special "Petula" aired on NBC.
          

In 1971, Chicago became the first rock group to play Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In 1973, Canadian rock musician Neil Young's autobiographical film, "Journey Through the Past,'' premiered at the U-S Film Festival in Dallas.

In 1975, at the 47th Academy Awards, the top honors went to "Godfather II", Ellen Burstyn (for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore) & Art Carney (for Harry & Tonto).  

Also in 1975, Aerosmith released "Toys in the Attic."

In 1979, Van Halen began their first world tour.

Also in 1979, the last episode of "All In The Family" aired on CBS.
          

In 1981, Larry "Snortin" Norton from WGRQ-FM in Buffalo, found a place in the Guiness Book of World Records for the most consecutive hours on-the-air. He went 20 days, four hours.

In 1983, Danny Rapp, lead singer of Danny and the Juniors, committed suicide at 41. Their "At the Hop'' was a number-one record in 1958 and remains one of the most popular rock 'n' roll oldies.

In 1985, "Wham'' sold out the 12-thousand-seat Workers' Gymnasium in Peking, becoming the first Western rock group to appear in China.

Also in 1985, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "We Are the World'' by USA for Africa. Harry Belafonte helped organize the recording of this benefit record after the success of Band Aid, a British effort to raise money for famine relief. The song is written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

          
In 1986, it had taken 18 years of singing the U.S. national anthem, but at long last, baritone Robert Merrill of the Metropolitan Opera became the first person to both sing the anthem and throw out the first ball at Yankee Stadium for the Yanks home opener.

Also in 1986, a young lady named Lynda Matarazzo had her nose broken at an Aerosmith concert in Philadelphia. She sued the group, their record company and the concert promoter, claiming that Aerosmith's song "My Fist, Your Face'' encouraged the crowd to beat her up.

Still on this date in 1986, Japanese singer Yukiko Okada jumped to her death, prompting 33 teen suicides in Japan in the next 10 days.

In 1987, Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis resigned over apparently racist remarks he had made days earlier. While on ABC's "Nightline" Campanis said that blacks "may not have some of the necessities" to hold managerial jobs in major-league baseball.

Also in 1987, radio station WFIL-AM, Philadelphia, ended it's run as "Famous 56."

          
In 1988, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, 52, was defrocked by the Assemblies of God following the disclosure of his involvement with a prostitute. (Swaggart was ordered to stay off TV for a year, but had returned after only three months.)

In 1989, 26-year-old David Hirsch replaced 59-year-old Dick Clark on "American Bandstand.'' His debut also marked "Bandstand's'' move to the U-S-A cable network from national syndication. Clark had hosted the program for 33 years, introducing teens to Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Madonna and dance crazes like the Twist and the Jerk.

Also in 1989, "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals topped the charts ..but only for the one week.

In 1990, the quirky primetime serial "Twin Peaks" with Peggy Lipton premiered on ABC-TV.
            

In 1992, broadcaster/actor Nelson Olmstead, who made such great use of the radio medium by creating the shadowy side of the Theatre of the Mind, died at age 78.  

In 1993, contralto Marian Anderson, whose 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D-C, helped many people rethink their racist attitudes, died at her Portland, Oregon home. She was 96. U-S First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for the outdoor concert, which attracted 75-thousand people, after the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to rent out their hall because Anderson was black.

In 1994, rocker Kurt Cobain was found dead in the greenhouse of his home in Seattle, the victim of what was officially ruled a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. In ensuing years, the circumstances of his death would become a topic of fascination and debate.

Also in 1994, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that Pink Floyd's 1973 album "Dark Side of the Moon" had become the fourth biggest-selling album in U-S history. Sales of more than 13 million made it the best-selling album ever in the U-S by a British act. Worldwide, "Dark Side of the Moon" has sold more than 40  million copies.

            
In 1997, singer-songwriter Laura Nyro died in New York of ovarian cancer at 49. Nyro wrote "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Stoned Soul Picnic" for the Fifth Dimension; "And When I Die" for Blood, Sweat and Tears; and "Eli's Coming" for Three Dog Night.

In 1998, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue was jailed (for 6 months) after breaking a probation order.

Also in 1998, it was reported that a boat carrying Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood burst into flames just days before the Brazilian leg of the band's Bridges to Babylon tour. Wood was aboard a small pleasure craft exploring islands south of Rio de Janeiro when one of the boat's engines caught fire. Nearby journalists rescued the 11 passengers.
        
In 2000, Sean "Puffy" Combs cancelled a sold-out appearance at London's Wembley stadium. The show was the planned finale of the rapper's European tour. Fans were not offered an explanation for the cancellation.  

In 2004, Vancouver's CKVX FM 104.9 changed its call letters to CKCL to match its "Clear" name.

            
Also in 2004, New York Radio personality, Gene Klavan, died at 79 from complications of multiple myeloma.  Klavan was best known as one-half of the successful morning show, "Klavan & Finch". The program ran for many years on WNEW.

In 2006, the Rolling Stones made their debut in mainland China with a censored - but still raucous - concert in Shanghai.


Today's Birthdays:

Comedian Shecky Greene is 82.

Radio/TV host John Bartholomew Tucker (Candid Camera, Treasure Island, radio: Monitor) is 78.

Original Mouseketeer Darlene Gillespie is 67.

Singer J.J. Jackson is 67.

Singer Peggy Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 67.

Actor Stuart Pankin (Falcon Crest, Nearly Departed, Bonkers) is 62.

Guitarist Steve Howe of Yes is 61.

Sportscaster Jim Lampley (HBO boxing, NBC Olympics) is 59.

Bassist Mel Schacher of Grand Funk Railroad is 57.

Singer-actor John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) is 48.

Guitarist Izzy Stradlin (Guns N' Roses) is 46.

Singer-guitarist Donita Sparks of L7 is 45.

Singer Julian Lennon is 45.

Rapper Biz Markie is 44.

Actress Robin Wright Penn (Empire Falls, Santa Barbara) is 42.

Actress Patricia Arquette (Medium) is 40.

Singer Craig Honeycutt of Everything is 38.

Drummer Darren Jessee (Ben Folds Five) is 37.

Actress Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Gallactica) is 28.

Kelowna-born actor Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) is 27.

Actor Taran Noah Smith (Home Improvement) is 24.

Actress Kirsten Storms (Kim Possible, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives) is 24.


Chart Toppers

April 8

1946
Oh, What It Seemed to Be - The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Marjorie Hughes)
Personality - Johnny Mercer
You Won’t Be Satisfied - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day
Guitar Polka - Al Dexter

1954
Wanted - Perry Como
Cross Over the Bridge - Patti Page
A Girl, A Girl - Eddie Fisher
Slowly - Webb Pierce

1962
Johnny Angel - Shelley Fabares
Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley
Slow Twistin’ - Chubby Checker
She’s Got You - Patsy Cline

1970
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
Let It Be - The Beatles
Instant Karma (We All Shine On) - John Ono Lennon
Tennessee Bird Walk - Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan

1978
Night Fever - Bee Gees
Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees
Lay Down Sally - Eric Clapton
Ready for the Times to Get Better - Crystal Gayle

1986
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. - John Cougar Mellencamp
Kiss - Prince & The Revolution
100% Chance of Rain - Gary Morris