Friday April the 25th

ON THIS DAY in 1874  
Guglielmo Marconi, often referred to as the father of radio, was born in Bologna, Italy.

          
In 1908, Edward R. (Roscoe) Murrow was born in North Carolina. He is the most distinguished and renowned figure in the history of American broadcast journalism. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II.  He hired a top-flight cadre of war correspondents and was noted for honesty and integrity in delivering the news. A pioneer of television news broadcasting, Murrow produced a series of TV news reports that helped lead to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy.  A heavy smoker, Murrow died of lung cancer Apr 27, 1965 at age 57.

In 1913, alto sax man & bandleader Earl Bostic was born in Tulsa.  His sax playing influenced John Coltrane, among many. At age 36 he changed his style from jazz to playing standard tunes in a rough R & B style, which  proved to be Earl Bostic's niche, and soon his stylings were extremely popular on the R & B charts. He died after a heart attack Oct 28, 1965 at age 52.

In 1917, jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Va.
          
She made her professional debut in February 1935 and wrote "A-Tisket a-Tasket'' in 1938. The song sold more than 2 million copies, topped Billboard's pop chart for 10 weeks and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Fitzgerald won her first of 12 Grammy Awards at the inaugural ceremony on May 4, 1959, and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1967. She died June 15, 1996 at age 69.

In 1923, blues singer Albert King was born in smalltown Mississippi. One of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with B.B. King and Freddie King), he stood 6' 4" weighed in at 260 lbs and was known as "The Velvet Bulldozer". He died following a heart attack Dec 21, 1992 at age 69.

In 1938, the radio serial "Your Family and Mine" was first broadcast.  It turned out to be short lived.

In 1940, the experimental station W2XBS (now WCBS-TV) in New York City presented the first circus on TV. No, it wasn't a political debate or a daytime tabloid talk show. It was a three-hour special broadcast from Madison Square Garden.

In 1946, the popular Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra recorded the soon-to-be classic Cement Mixer for Majestic records.

          
In 1953, NBC-TV presented "Ethel and Albert", the video version of the popular radio show. Peg Lynch and Alan Bunce starred on the program in both media.

In 1960, actress Hope Emerson, who was the voice of Elsie the cow in radio commercials, and had feature roles in TV's Peter Gunn & The Dennis O'Keefe Show, died of liver failure at age 62.

In 1961, Elvis Presley made his last stage appearance for nearly eight years at Bloch Arena in Hawaii.

In 1967, the Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" during a British TV broadcast. Marianne Faithfull sang in the chorus.

In 1968, the Beatles refused to perform for the England's Queen Elizabeth at a British Olympic Appeal Fund show because "Our decision would be the same no matter what the cause. We don't do benefits."

In 1969, the 5,400th and final broadcast of the longtime favorite "Mrs Dale's Diary" occurred on BBC Radio.

In 1970, actress Anita Louise, who played the mother on the TV series My Friend Flicka, and another dozen television guest roles, died following a stroke at age 55.

Also in 1970, Disc-Jockey's around the U.S. played the new number one song, ABC, quite often, as The Jackson 5 reached the number one spot in pop music for two weeks. ABC was the second of four number one songs in a row for the family group from Gary, Indiana.

          
In 1972, actor George Sanders,  who played Mr Freeze on TV's Batman, and hosted The Geo. Sanders Mystery Theatre, committed suicide at age 65.

In 1973, the group, The Sweet, received a gold record for the hit Little Willy. The English rocker band recorded four hits in addition to their first million-seller, Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Action and Love is like Oxygen.

In 1974, Greg Allman played the last date of his solo tour. A 90-minute encore followed with the Allman Brothers Band.

In 1976, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Let Your Love Flow'' by the Bellamy Brothers.

In 1977, Elvis Presley recorded a concert in Saginaw, Michigan which would turn out to be his last recordings. Three of the songs later appeared on the album "Moody Blue," which was released posthumously

In 1981, Paul McCartney's Wings broke up with the departure of Denny Laine.

          
In 1982, Jack Benny's announcer for more than 30 years on radio & TV Don Wilson died following a stroke at age 81.

In 1990, tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon died in Philadelphia of kidney failure at the age of 67. He helped define the be-bop movement, performing with such artists like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gilespie.

Also in 1990, George Strait was named entertainer of the year at the 25th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

In 1991, the 300th episode of "Knots Landing" aired.

In 1992, the song "Jump" by Kris Kross topped the charts and stayed #1 for 8 weeks.

Also in 1992, the final episodes of "Growing Pains" and "Who's the Boss?" aired on ABC.

In 1994, British actor David Langton, who played Richard Bellamy, the head of the household on the 70's series Upstairs Downstairs, died folllowing a heart attack at age 82.

          
In 1995, the original host of the TV game show Jeopardy, Art Fleming died of pancreatic cancer at age 74.  

In 1997, the "Dukes Of Hazzard" television movie entitled "The Reunion" was aired.

In 1998, "Too Close" by Next topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.

In 2000, Eric Clapton was reunited on a TV stage in London with his former Derek & the Dominos keyboard player Bobby Whitlock, for their first performance together in 29 years. The setting was the recording of the latest edition of the BBC2 TV series "Later With Jools Holland."

In 2001, Vancouver's CKST AM1040 moved from adult contemporary/easy listening to commercial-free Classic Rock promoting the launch of "The Team--110 Percent Sports."  Last song played May 7 was the Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter."  
          

In 2002, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, the effervescent, sometimes volatile member of the Grammy-winning trio TLC, died in a car crash in Honduras; she was 30.

In 2003, singer Sinead O'Connor announced on her Web site that she was going to retire.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Lynn Hamilton (The Practice, Port Charles, Sanford & Son) is 78.

Songwriter Jerry Leiber is 75.

Actor Al Pacino (Godfather Saga, Angels in America) is 68.

Bassist Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival is 63.

Singer Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA is 63.

Actress Talia Shire (Godfather Saga, Rich Man Poor Man) is 62.

Actor Jeffrey DeMunn (Law & Order, Empire Falls) is 61.

Keyboardist Michael Brown of The Left Banke is 59.

Country singer-songwriter Rob Crosby is 54.

Actor Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Huff, Mad About You) is 44.

Singer Andy Bell of Erasure is 44.

Bassist Eric Avery of Jane's Addiction is 43.

Former CBS reporter & "Early Show" host Jane Clayson is 41.

Actress Gina Torres (Standoff, Alias, 24) is 39.

Actor Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) is 38.

Actor Jason Wiles (Third Watch, Beverly Hills 90210) is 38.

Actress Emily Bergl (Men In Trees) is 33.

Actress Marguerite Moreau (What About Brian, Life As We Know It) is 31.

Singer Jacob Underwood (O-Town) is 28.


Chart Toppers

April 25

1947
Heartaches - The Ted Weems Orchestra (whistler: Elmo Tanner)
The Anniversary Song - Dinah Shore
Linda - Buddy Clark with the Ray Noble Orchestra
So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Merle Travis

1955
The Ballad of Davy Crockett - Bill Hayes
Unchained Melody - Les Baxter
Unchained Melody - Al Hibler
In the Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce

1963
He’s So Fine - The Chiffons
Can’t Get Used to Losing You - Andy Williams
I Will Follow Him - Little Peggy March
Still - Bill Anderson

1971
Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
Put Your Hand in the Hand - Ocean
Never Can Say Goodbye - The Jackson 5
Empty Arms - Sonny James

1979
Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart
Heart of Glass - Blondie
Music Box Dancer - Frank Mills
All I Ever Need is You - Kenny Rogers & Dottie West

1987
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) - Aretha Franklin & George Michael
Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House
Sign ’o’ the Times - Prince
Rose in Paradise - Waylon Jennings