Saturday April the 26th

ON THIS DAY in 1921


Weather Broadcasts
were heard for the first time on radio when WEW in St. Louis aired weather news. Weather forecasts continue to be the top reason why people listen to radio; rating higher than music, news, sports and commercials! A sunny day to you wherever you may be on the planet...

In 1924, jazz tenor sax man Teddy Edwards was born in Jackson Mississippi. He was often credited by fellow musicians as the first tenor player to explore bebop, and was based on the West Coast for most of his career.  His friend & musical partner singer Tom Waits said he was an elegant man with a large heart and generous spirit, and always carried himself with poise and confidence. He died Apr 20, 2003, a week short of his 79th birthday.

          
In 1931, NBC radio presented Lum and Abner for the first time. The popular program starring Norris Goff & Chester Lauck, continued for 24 years on the air, not all of them on NBC. In fact, all four networks (CBS, ABC, Mutual and NBC) carried the program for a period of time. Lum and Abner hailed from the fictitious town of Pine Ridge, Arkansas. Fictitious, that is, before 1936, when Waters, Arkansas, changed its name to Pine Ridge.

In 1932, Ed Wynn was heard on radio's Texaco Star Theater for the first time. Wynn, a popular vaudeville performer, demanded a live audience to react to his humor if he was to make the switch to radio. The network consented and Wynn became radio's first true superstar. Less than two decades later he would make the switch to TV.

In 1937, the initial broadcast of the soap Lorenzo Jones was heard over NBC radio. Karl Swenson played the lead role for the entire run of the serial. And quite a run it was, as Lorenzo Jones stayed on the air until 1955.

In 1952, the sound patterns of radio's adult western Gunsmoke were heard for the first time on CBS. Radio veteran William Conrad starred as Marshall Matt Dillon.

          
In 1956, actor Edward Arnold, who starred in Mr. President for 6 seasons on radio and hosted Strange Stories on TV, died of a cerebral hemmorhage at age 66.  

In 1964, the Beatles attended the 28th birthday party for Roy Orbison.

In 1966, the New York Times reported Ray Charles would undergo tests to see whether or not he had abstained from narcotic drugs.

In 1967, CBS-TV broadcast "Inside Pop -- The Rock Revolution."

          
In 1970, celebrity stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, the subject of the musical Gypsy, who starred in TV's The Pruitts of Southampton, died from cancer at age 56.

In 1973, actress Irene Ryan, who was part of the Bob Hope troupe on radio, and starred as Granny on TV's Beverly Hillbillies, died of a brain tumour at age 69.

In 1975, on top of the Billboard popular music chart was B.J. Thomas, with the longest title ever for a number one song. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song was number one for one week, though it took that long just to say the title.

In 1976, CBS radio newsman Allan Jackson died at age 60. For over 25 years he was the head anchor at CBS Radio News in New York, reading the 6:00 PM (Eastern) national evening news (then the network's main news program) and anchoring coverage of many of the major news headlines of the day. He anchored CBS coverage of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, of the joining of US and Soviet forces in April of 1945, and of V-E Day in May of that year.

Also in 1976, Ontario-born actor Neil McCallum, who had numerous supporting TV roles including on the Mark Saber series The Vise, suffered a brain hemmorhage and died at age 45.

            
Still in 1976, British comedian Sidney James, who was featured in 14 different series including Hancock's Half Hour, The Sid James Show, Carry On Laughing & Bless This House, died at age 65.

In 1977, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Southern Nights'' by Glen Campbell.

In 1978, an updated version of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper appeared on television. In the lead role (his first TV special), was former Beatle, Ringo Starr. He sang new versions of Act Naturally, Yellow Submarine and With a Little Help from My Friends.

In 1980, the Carpenters' "Music Music Music" TV special aired on ABC-TV.

Also in 1980, actress Dame Cicely Courtneidge, who played Mum in the popular English TV series On the Buses, died at age 87.

In 1981, actor Jim Davis, who played Jack Ewing on TV's Dallas, and had feature roles on Rescue 8 & Stories of the Century, died of complications from ulcer surgery at age 65.

In 1982, the CBS Radio Network began "Radio Radio", a youth-oriented series of broadcasts.

          
In 1984,  the jazz piano great William "Count" Basie died of pancreatic cancer at age 79.  He's best remembered for tunes like "Jumpin' At The Woodside" and "One O'Clock Jump."

In 1986, actor Broderick Crawford, the intensely brusk star of early TV's Highway Patrol, died after a series of strokes at age 74.

In 1987, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "(I Just) Died in Your Arms'' by Cutting Crew.

In 1989, actress Lucille Ball, the comedienne who set the standard for TV comedy in I Love Lucy, which is still seen in black & white reruns more than 50 years later,  died of a massive heart attack at age 78.

In 1991, actress Emily McLaughlin, who played Jessie on General Hospital for 28 years, died at age 61.

In 1991, the sitcom "Dinosaurs" began a 65-episode run (through 1994) on ABC-TV.

          
In 1993, NBC announced that comedy writer Conan O'Brien would replace David Letterman, who was leaving the network for CBS.  This was after the network snubbed him for the Tonight Show.  

In 1994, Grace Slick pleaded guilty to pointing a shotgun at police at her Tiburon, Calif., home on March 5. The former Jefferson Starship lead singer said she'd been under stress because her Mill Valley home had burned down the previous fall and she'd lost most of her memorabilia, including items stolen by Corte Madera firefighters

In 1995, Ontario-born actor Alexander Knox, who had recurring roles in TV's The Hidden Truth & Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, died of bone cancer at age 88.

Also in 1995, singer Bobby Brown was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct following a nightclub fight in Orlando, Florida.

          
In 1996, screenwriter Stirling Silliphant, who wrote most of the scripts for the hit TV series Naked City & Route 66, died of prostate cancer at age 78.

In 1998, country music fans raised $10,000 for tornado relief in Nashville. More than 1,500 tourists and local residents turned out for a special concert at the Wildhorse Saloon. Naomi Judd hosted, and performers volunteering their time and talent included Wade Hayes, Trace Adkins, David Ball, Eddy Raven, Burnin' Daylight and Deryl Dodd.

Also in 1998, the 200th episode of "The Simpsons" aired on FOX.

In 1999, the Internet search hub Lycos launched a Web radio network that featured five music channels. The Lycos Radio Network contained hip-hop, modern rock, smooth jazz, country, and pop formats. The service, which also contained video streaming, was hosted by live Internet DJs.

Also in 1999, Sinead O'Connor was ordained as the first woman priest in the Latin Tridentine Church, a Roman Catholic splinter group. O'Connor said that although she had already celebrated Mass four times, she would study for six weeks before starting her priestly career as Mother Bernadette Mary.

          
In 2001, the 100th episode of "Just Shoot Me" aired on NBC.

In 2002, it was announced that Henry Winkler would share producing duties on the syndicated game show "Hollywood Squares."

in 2008, Vancouver talk show host Ed Murphy lost his battle with cancer at age 79.  After starting his career with CFRB Toronto, the broadcast journalist became part of the Golden Era of Talk during the 1970's in Vancouver, with successive shows on CKWX, CKNW & CJOR.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress-comedian Carol Burnett (Carol Burnett Show, Mama's Family, Mad About You) is 75.

Guitarist-songwriter Duane Eddy is 70.

Singer Maurice Williams of Maurice and the Zodiacs is 70.

Singer Bobby Rydell is 66.

Singer Gary Wright is 65.

Actor Giancarlo Esposito (Homicide: Life on the Street)is 50.

Drummer Roger Taylor of Duran Duran is 48.

Actress Joan Chen (Twin Peaks, Children of the Dragon) is 47.

Drummer Chris Mars of The Replacements is 47.

Actor-singer Michael Damian (Young & the Restless) is 46.

Guitarist Jimmy Stafford of Train is 44.

Actor-comedian Kevin James (The King of Queens) is 43.
  
Actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace) is 41.

Fiddler Joe Caverlee of Yankee Grey is 40.

Singer T-Boz of TLC is 38.

Country bassist Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts is 37.

Country bassist Michael Jeffers of Pinmonkey is 36.

Drummer Jose Pasillas of Incubus is 32.

Actor Tom Welling (Smallville) is 31.

Actress Jordana Brewster (As the World Turns)) is 28.

Actress Marnette Patterson (Charmed, Something So Right) is 28.

Actor Aaron Meeks (Soul Food) is 22.


Chart Toppers

April 26

1948
Now is the Hour - Bing Crosby
Manana - Peggy Lee
The Dickey Bird Song - The Freddy Martin Orchestra (vocal: Glenn Hughes)
Anytime - Eddy Arnold

1956
Heartbreak Hotel/I Was the One - Elvis Presley
The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter
Ivory Tower - Cathy Carr
Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins

1964
Can�t Buy Me Love - The Beatles
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Do You Want to Know a Secret - The Beatles
Understand Your Man - Johnny Cash

1972
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
Rockin� Robin - Michael Jackson
I Gotcha - Joe Tex
Chantilly Lace - Jerry Lee Lewis

1980
Call Me - Blondie
Ride like the Wind - Christopher Cross
With You I�m Born Again - Billy Preston & Syreeta
A Lesson in Leavin� - Dottie West

1988
Where Do Broken Hearts Go - Whitney Houston
Devil Inside - INXS
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D�Arby
I�ll Always Come Back - K.T. Oslin