Thursday April the 17th

ON THIS DAY in 1922  
San Francisco pioneer radio station KPO (later KNBR) went on the air from the 6th floor of Hale Bros. Dep't Store.  It began with a power of 50 watts at 833 khz.

          
In 1933, backed by the On the Trail portion of the magnificent Grand Canyon Suite, Johnny Roventini, pillbox hat and all, uttered the words "Call for Philip Morris" for the first time on radio. The famous phrase was said in perfect B flat pitch and tone to perfectly match the accompanying music. This "Call for Philip Morris" phrase became one of the most famous in all of advertising.

In 1935, people gathered around the radio to listen for the first time to what would become the ultimate horror show on NBC Radio. Lights Out remained a weekly dramatic highlight in radio until 1946.

In 1950, Tony Bennett made his first recording, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." Bennett had used the song, from the 1934 movie "Moulin Rouge," to audition for Columbia Records. The record began Bennett's 40-plus years with Columbia. He hit number one the following year with "Because of You."

In 1953, Benny Goodman returned to Carnegie Hall after 15 years.

            
In 1960, rock 'n' roll singer Eddie Cochran died of severe head injuries following a car crash on his way to the London airport following a British tour.. The other passengers, rocker Gene Vincent and Cochran's fiancee, Shari Sheeley, were seriously injured. Cochran was only 21, and had just begun to realize his potential. His two biggest hits were 1957's "Sittin' in the Balcony'' and 1958's "Summertime Blues.''

In 1961, the 33rd Annual Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Bob Hope, saw Best Picture honors go to The Apartment, for which Billy Wilder was named Best Director. Burt Lancaster took the Best Actor honors and Shirley Jones, the Best Supporting Actress, for their performances in Elmer Gantry. Elizabeth Taylor was voted Best Actress for her role in Butterfield 8.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones' self-titled first album was released in Britain. It sold more than 200-thousand copies and topped the British chart for 12 weeks.

Also in 1964, the CBS television network paid $1,800,000 for the rights to the 1964-1965 National Football League (NFL) Championship games.

Still in 1964, the FBI lab reported that it could not determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie."

In 1965, the Beach Boys' "Help Me Rhonda" was released.

            
In 1967, comedian Joey Bishop got the opportunity to attempt to unseat the king of late night, Johnny Carson. The Joey Bishop Show made its debut on ABC-TV this night. Bishop, Regis Philbin (announcer) and Johnny Mann (music) couldn't beat Carson, but held out until December 26, 1969 (the show's last broadcast).

In 1970, the breakup of the most influential rock group in music history was official when Paul McCartney's solo LP, McCartney, was released. Paul played all the instruments himself on this Apple album.

Also in 1970, Johnny Cash refused to perform "Okie from Muskogee" at President Nixon's request because it wasn't his song. He performed "A Boy Named Sue" instead.

In 1971, London Ont.-born saxophonist and singer Carmen Lombardo died in Miami at 67. He performed with his brother Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians from the band's beginning in 1923 until 1970. Carmen Lombardo was also a prolific songwriter, providing the Royal Canadians with such hits as ''Coquette,'' ''Sweethearts on Parade'' and ''Boo-Hoo.''

              
Also in 1971, Joy to the World, by Three Dog Night, made it to the top of the pop music charts.  The song was number one for six weeks.

In 1972, Betcha by Golly, Wow, by The Stylistics from Philadelphia, earned a gold record for the group. The Stylistics also scored million sellers with You are Everything, I'm Stone in Love with You, Break Up to Make Up and You Make Me Feel Brand New. The smooth R&B group could have won an award for the most creative use of the words, Betcha, by Golly, Wow, too, if anyone had thought about it...

In 1974, Today show host & NBC Newsman Frank McGee died of cancer at age 52.

In 1974, Vinnie Taylor of the rock 'n' roll revival group Sha Na Na died of a heroin overdose at age 25.

In 1977, Led Zeppelin fans stormed Miami's Orange Bowl in a riot over tickets.

In 1979, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Knock on Wood'' by Amii Stewart. The single was a disco rendition of Eddie Floyd's song.

            
In 1980, reggae musician Bob Marley played at Zimbabwe's Independence Day ceremonies, later calling it the greatest honour of his life. A little more than a year later, Marley was dead of brain and lung cancer.

In 1983, musician-producer Felix Pappalardi was shot and killed by his wife in New York City. He was 44. Pappalardi's first claim to fame was as a producer for the Youngbloods, Joan Baez and Cream. He later became bass guitarist for the heavy metal group Mountain, which had a 1970 hit with 'Mississippi Queen.''

In 1985, many fans of the TV soap opera, Days of Our Lives, lined up in Hollywood, in hopes of getting the hottest tickets in town -- for the wedding of Bo and Hope on the popular soap. It was the first soap wedding open to fans.

In 1986, a truck containing equipment belonging to the Canadian rock band Honeymoon Suite was stolen in New Jersey. They had to borrow instruments from the group Heart to play their next gig. When the truck was finally recovered, only Honeymoon Suite's costumes and drum kit remained.

In 1987, Carlton Barrett, drummer for Bob Marley's backup group, the Wailers, was shot and killed outside his home in Kingston, Jamaica. Barrett's widow, her lover and another man were charged with murder, but convicted only of conspiracy and sentenced to seven years.

              
Also in 1987, NBC aired the final episode of "Remington Steele."

Still in 1987, Bruce Hornsby and the Range entertained an estimated 60-thousand people at a free beach concert in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Officials say the crowd was well-behaved, contrary to predictions by residents who wanted to ban the annual Spring Break bash.

In 1989, NBC launched the cable channel CNBC as the "Consumer News & Business Channel."

In 1991, lyricist Jack Yellen died in Springville, N.Y. Age 97. He wrote the words for about 130 songs, including "Happy Days Are Here Again,'' Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1932 campaign song.

            
Also in 1991, Nirvana performed "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in public for the first time, during a concert in Seattle.

In 1992, rapper Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew cancelled an appearance at an Omaha, Nebraska record store because of threats allegedly phoned into the Miami office of his record company. Campbell had planned the visit to protest censorship of the group's music. Police said they had no reports of any threats.

Also on this date in 1992, western swing singer and bandleader Hank Penny died in Camarillo, California at 73. Penny's biggest hit was 1950's "Bloodshot Eyes."

In 1994, NBC newsman Peter Hackes,(HACK-us) who also had a dramatic role in the movie Broadcast News, died after a heart attack at age 69.

In 1997, the British rock group Bush and Canadian guitarist Dominic Troiano settled a dispute over the right to use the band's name. Bush had been forced to add an "X" to the end of their name in Canada because Troiano had legal rights to the Bush moniker. Bush was the name of a group that Troiano had led in the early '70s. As part of the settlement, the British band donated 40-thousand dollars to charity.

            
In 1998, Linda McCartney, the wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, died of breast cancer at age 56 on a family-owned ranch near Tucson, Arizona. Linda Eastman, a photographer, met Paul at the 1967 London launch of the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper" album. They married two years later. Following the Beatles' breakup, Linda joined her husband's new band, Wings, as a keyboards player and backing vocalist.

Also in 1998, the man who founded CTV's Toronto flagship station CFTO-TV, John Bassett, died at age 82.

Still in 1998, all 13-thousand tickets for the Spice Girls' first New York City appearance were sold in 12 minutes.

In 2002, Tammy Wynette's four daughters reached a confidential agreement with Wynette's doctor over her death. Wynette's daughters filed a lawsuit that claimed the Pittsburgh doctor had contributed to Wynette's death in 1998.

Also in 2002, it was announced that the final episode of FOX's "Ally McBeal" would air on May 20.
              

Still in 2002, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences board voted unanimously to urge networks not to get rid of credits at the end of TV shows.


Today's Birthday:

German bandleader James Last is 79.

UK traditional jazz bandleader Chris Barber is 78.

Rock promoter Don Kirshner is 74.

Canadian pop singer Bobby Curtola is 64.

Composer-musician Jan Hammer is 60.

Actress Olivia Hussey (Lonesome Dove: The Series, Jesus of Nazareth) is 57.

Singer-guitarist Pete Shelley of The Buzzcocks is 53.

Actor Sean Bean (Scarlett) is 49.

Toronto-born actress Teri Austin (Knots Landing, Cop Rock) is 49.

Singer Maynard James Keenan of Tool is 44.

Actress Lela Rochon (The Wayans Bros., The Division) is 44.

Actor William Mapother (Lost) is 43.

Actress Kimberly Elise (Close to Home) is 41.

Singer Liz Phair is 41.

Rapper-actor Redman (Entourage) is 38.

Actress Jennifer Garner (Alias, Time of Your Life) is 36.  

Country musician Craig Anderson (Heartland) is 35.

Singer Victoria Adams Beckham of the Spice Girls is 34.

Actress Lindsay Korman (Passions) is 30.

Actor Paulie Litt (Hope & Faith) is 13.

Actress Dee Dee Davis (The Bernie Mac Show) is 12.


Chart Toppers

April 17

1947
The Anniversary Song - Dinah Shore
Heartaches - The Ted Weems Orchestra (whistler: Elmo Tanner)
How are Things in Glocca Morra - Buddy Clark
So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Merle Travis

1955
The Ballad of Davy Crockett - Bill Hayes
The Ballad of Davy Crockett - Fess Parker
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
In the Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce

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

1971
Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
Another Day/Oh Woman Oh Why - Paul McCartney
Put Your Hand in the Hand - Ocean
Empty Arms - Sonny James

1979
What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart
Music Box Dancer - Frank Mills
(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right - Barbara Mandrell

1987
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) - Aretha Franklin & George Michael
Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House
"You’ve Got" the Touch - Alabama