Wednesday April the 9th

ON THIS DAY in 1903                                                        
            
actor Ward Bond was born in Bekelman Nebraska.  Although he appeared in hundreds of bigscreen films (more of the AFI's Top 100 Movies than anyone else), his greatest fame came from his leading role in the well-crafted western TV series Wagon Train.  He was still working in the series when he suffered a massive heart attack Nov 5, 1960 and died at age 57.

In 1916, composer/saxophonist Julian Dash was born in Charleston South Carolina.  He is best remembered as the composer of the big band classic Tuxedo Junction. He died Feb 25, 1974 at age 58.

In 1932, rock 'n' roll pioneer Carl Perkins was born in Jackson, Tennessee. He wrote ``Blue Suede Shoes,'' which went to Number Two on the Billboard pop chart and Number One on the country chart in 1956. Perkins nearly died in a car accident in March of '56, and never had a similar hit. Perkins died in Nashville on January 19th, 1998, following three strokes.

              
In 1935, actor/comedian Avery Schreiber was born in Chicago.  He gained national attention as half of the comedy duo Burns & Schreiber, partnered with Jack Burns. Schreiber is remembered for his trademark bushy moustache, his many Doritos ads, and his appearances in classic television shows: My Mother The Car, Chico and the Man, Match Game, Days of Our Lives, and a first-season episode of The Muppet Show. He died of diabetes complications Jan 7, 2002 at age 64.

In 1939, about 10-thousand people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to hear black contralto Marian Anderson perform after she was denied use of a Washington hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution. U-S First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt quit the D-A-R over the incident.

In 1940, Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra, along with singer Helen O'Connell, recorded "Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga" for Decca Records.

              
In 1950, Bob Hope made his TV debut, hosting a "Star-Spangled Review" on NBC-TV. Hope became the highest-paid performer yet for a single TV show. The "Star-Spangled Review" was a musical special.

In 1954, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Wanted'' by Perry Como.

In 1962, the 34th Annual Academy Awards, hosted by comedian Bob Hope, handed the Best Picture Oscar to "West Side Story," plus 9 others.   The Best Music/Song was "Moon River" (Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer) from "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

In 1963, the Canadian Record Manufacturers' Association was formed by 10 companies. It was renamed the Canadian Recording Industry Association in 1972, when membership was opened to other firms and to individuals in the industry. In 1975, the organization began certifying gold and platinum records according to sales.

In 1965, the Beatles "Ticket to Ride" was released in the UK.

        
Also in 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys as the permanent replacement for Brian Wilson.

In 1966, "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" by the Righteous Brothers topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

Also in 1966, "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge was released.

Agiain in 1966, Jeff Beck collapsed onstage during a Yardbirds concert in France.

In 1970, Paul McCartney quit the Beatles.

In 1971, Ringo released "It Don't Come Easy" in UK

              
In 1973, the rock group Queen had its debut performance at the Marquee Theater in London. The group's biggest hits are "Crazy Little Thing Called Love,'' "Another One Bites the Dust'' and "We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You.''

Also in 1973, Paul McCartney released the song "My Love."

In 1974, Janet Jackson, at age 7, appeared on the TV show "The Jacksons" for the first time.

In 1976, folk singer and songwriter Phil Ochs hanged himself in the bathroom of his sister's home in Far Rockaway, New York. His suicide came only two days after his last performance -- at a benefit show for victims of Chile's military junta.

In 1977, Shaun Cassidy performed "Da Doo Ron Ron" on "American Bandstand."

        
Also in 1977, the Swedish pop group Abba made its debut at number one on the American pop charts, as "Dancing Queen" became the most popular record in the U.S.

In 1979, actor Staats Cotsworth died at age 71. He had played the lead in CBS Radio's Casey, Crime Photographer from 1943-55, and had supporting roles in episodic TV for another twenty years.

Also in 1979, the 51st Academy Awards were emceed by Johnny Carson.  Top honors went to "Deer Hunter", Jon Voight & Jane Fonda.  "Last Dance," from the soundtrack to the movie "Thank God It's Friday," won the best original song award.

In 1981, the Sam Goody record chain and a top company executive were convicted of trafficking pirated tapes.

In 1984, Johnny Carson was back for the 56th Annual Academy Awards, and "Terms of Endearment" won for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson); and Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine). "Flashdance" was named best original song.

In 1986, "Dallas" announced it wouldl revive the killed-off Bobby Ewing character.

In 1988, the music world lost two singers. Brook Benton ("Frankie and Johnny," "The Boll Weevil Song") died of an illness in New York. Dave Prater from the duo Sam and Dave died in a car accident in Georgia.

In 1990, Billy Idol released the single "Cradle of Love."

Also in 1990, David Milch's short-lived "Capital News" starring Lloyd Bridges premiered on ABC-TV.

        
In 1994, "Bump n' Grind" by R. Kelly topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.

In 1996, actor & TV host Sandy Becker who played Young Doctor Malone on radio, and went on to be a popular Kiddie TV Show host in New York City, died after a heart attack at age 74.  

In 1997, Soundgarden, one of the leading bands in the grunge movement, announced it was breaking up after five albums that sold 20 million copies. The band got together in Seattle in 1984, and shot to the top of the Billboard album chart a decade later with "Superunknown."

Also on this date in 1997, Mae Boren Axton, who co-wrote the Elvis Presley hit "Heartbreak Hotel," was found dead at her Tennessee home at 82. Axton's songs were also recorded by Patsy Cline, Faron Young and Hank Snow. Her son was singer-songwriter Hoyt Axton.

In 1998, Lorrie Morgan, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and Wynonna were among the performers at a memorial service for Tammy Wynette at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Wynette had died three days earlier from a blood clot in her lungs. Morgan moved many in the audience to tears with her closing performance of Wynette's signature tune, "Stand By Your Man."

Also on this date in 1998, a Los Angeles jury ordered a man to pay Michael Jackson 2.7 million dollars for failing to prove the existence of a videotape that allegedly showed the singer having sex with a young boy. Jackson had sued for 100 million after Victor Gutierrez told the T-V show "Hard Copy" that he had seen such a video. Jackson denied having sex with a minor.

            
In 1999, "Faith Hill's This Kiss Tour," the country singer's first solo outing, kicked off at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre.

In 2000, the final episode of "Pacific Blue", episode 101, aired on the USA Cable channel.  

In 2002, Eminem agreed to pay $100,000 minus attorney's fees to a man who had filed a civil lawsuit against him for allegedly hitting him in the head and face with an unloaded handgun. The man, John Guerra, had kissed Eminem's wife Kim.


Today's Birthdays:

Jazz accordionist Art Van Damme (Van Damme Trio/Quintet) is 88.

Song satirist Tom Lehrer is 80.

Naturalist Jim Fowler (Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom) is 76.

Actress Michael Learned (The Waltons) is 69.

Country singer Margo Smith is 66.

Country singer Hal Ketchum is 55.

Humorist Jimmy Tingle (60 Minutes II) is 53.

Country guitarist Dave Innis of Restless Heart is 49.

Actress-model Paulina Porizkova is 43.

Actress Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) is 42.

Singer Kevin Martin of Candlebox is 39.

Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show) is 29.

Calgary-born actor Ryan Northcott (The Beach Boys: An American Family) is 28.

Guitarist Albert Hammond Junior of The Strokes is 28.

Singer-actor Jesse McCartney (Summerland, All My Children) is 21.

Actress Elle Fanning (Taken, CSI: Miami) is 10.


Chart Toppers

April 9

1947
The Anniversary Song - Dinah Shore
How are Things in Glocca Morra - Buddy Clark
Managua, Nicaragua - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra (vocal: Don Rodney)
So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Merle Travis

1955
The Ballad of Davy Crockett - Bill Hayes
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
Unchained Melody - Les Baxter
In the Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce

1963
He’s So Fine - The Chiffons
South Street - The Orlons
Can’t Get Used to Losing You - Andy Williams
Still - Bill Anderson

1971
Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) - The Temptations
For All We Know - Carpenters
What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye
After the Fire is Gone - Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn

1979
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
I Just Fall in Love Again - Anne Murray

1987
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight - Genesis
Come Go with Me - Expose
Ocean Front Property - George Strait