Sunday April the 27th

ON THIS DAY in 1900,
cartoonist & animator Walter Lantz, the creator of Woody Woodpecker, was born in New Rochelle New York.  He died of heart failure March 22 1994 at age 93.  

          
In 1918, jazz combo leader Kirby Stone was born in New York City. Originally an instrumental quintet, hiis group became a vocal foursome (Kirby Stone Four) before making a name for themselves in nightclubs and local television, as well as The Ed Sullivan Show. Signed to Columbia Records they had a Top 30 Hit with Baubles Bangles & Beads.

In 1927, radio station KIRO Seattle first began broadcasting as 50-watt KPCB at 521 meters (580 khz.) The initials stood for the Pacific Coast Biscuit Co.  Moved to 710 khz in 1934, and became KIRO in '35.

In 1933, Karl Jansky reported receiving cosmic radio signals in Washington, D.C. It became widely known through a report in The New York Times 10 days later.

In 1938, Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded I Hadn't Anyone 'til You for Victor Records. Jack Leonard was featured as vocalist. .

          
In 1947, the first broadcast of Canadian director Fletcher Markle's drama anthology Studio One aired on CBS radio. The show was full of great stars, but no sponsors. CBS dropped Studio One after a year on radio. Marklde's show, however, then moved over to CBS TV and began a successful, critically-acclaimed nine-year run ... with sponsors.

In 1959, Lloyd Price's soon-to-be-smash-hit, Personality, was released. Price had 10 songs that made it onto America's pop music charts in the 1950s through early 1960s.

Also in 1959, NBC TV's "Today" show went abroad for the 1st time .. to Paris France.

In 1963, "I Will Follow Him" by Little Peggy March topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

In 1965, actor Alan Bunce, who was Albert in the longrunning Ethel & Albert radio show, & also played the role on TV, died at age 61.

        
Also in 1965, the legendary CBS journalist & news executive Edward R Murrow, succumbed to lung cancer at age 57.

In 1968, Simon & Garfunkel's soon-to-be smash hit "Mrs. Robinson" was released.

In 1969, Glen Campbell and Dionne Warwick were guests on Jose Feliciano's TV special. Meantime, on CBS, Joe Cocker made his debut appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1971, the final episode of "Green Acres" aired on CBS.

In 1972, rocker Phil King of the Blue Oyster Cult, was shot in the head & died at age 24 while gambling.

In 1973, the country music theme park Opryland opened in Nashville, TN.

          
In 1976, Maxine Nightingale received a gold record for the single, Right Back Where We Started From. Nightingale was in the productions of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell and Savages in the early '70s. Right Back Where We Started From was a number two hit for two weeks in 1976.

In 1982, actor Tom Tully, who co-starred in CBS TV's answer to Dragnet, The Line-up, died at age 85.

In 1986, electronic engineer John R. MacDougall, also known as Captain Midnight,
jammed HBO's satellite signal to broadcast a message protesting their rates for satellite dish owners.

Also in 1986, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Addicted to Love'' by Robert Palmer. This was Palmer's first No. 1 single.

In 1990, David Bowie began the U-S leg of his "Sound and Vision" world tour. He said the tour would mark the last time he performed his old hits.

          
Also in 1991, the song "Baby Baby" by Amy Grant topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

In 1994, the historic Fillmore club reopened in San Francisco. The opening acts included Smashing Pumpkins, Ry Cooder & David Lindley and American Music Club.

In 1996, actress Joan Sterndale Bennett, who played Elizabeth on TV's Dark Shadows, died at age 86.

In 1999, A-list film composers Philip Glass ("The Truman Show") and James Horner ("Deep Impact," "The Mask of Zorro") were among those honored at ASCAP's 14th annual Film and Television Awards gala in Los Angeles.

          
Also in 1999, R.E.M. made its television series debut on FOX's "Party Of Five." The episode featured Claudia (Lacey Shabert) and her boyfriend Cody (Chad Todhunter) at a concert by the band.

Still in 1999, trumpeter & bandleader Al Hirt, aged 67, died in New Orleans of liver failure. Hirt, who began his career with Benny Goodman and Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey and was frequently partnered with clarinetist Pete Fountain, became a successful Dixieland bandleader and a ubiquitous TV performer during the '60s.

In 2001, the cable network A&E aired "Live By Request" in which the BeeGees performed many of their hit songs.

            
In 2002, Jack Cullen who was a loveable rebel on Vancouver radio for over 50 years (CKWX, CKMO, CKNW, CFUN, CKST) passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in New Westminster, at the age of 80.

In 2006 in Fiji, Keith Richards was admitted to a hospital after he reportedly suffered a head injury when he fell out of a palm tree.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor Jack Klugman (Quincy ME, The Odd Couple) is 86.

Announcer Casey Kasem (America's Top 40) is 76.

Former CBS newsman Phil Jones is 71.

Actress Judy Carne (Rowan & Martin's Laugh In) is 69.

Montreal-born drummer Jerry Mercer (April Wine) is 69.

Singer Cuba Gooding of the Main Ingredient is 64.

Singer Ann Peebles is 61.

Singer Kate Pierson of The B-52's is 60.

Singer Herbie Murrell of The Stylistics is 59.

Actor Douglas Sheehan (Knots Landing) is 59.

Guitarist Ace Frehley (Kiss) is 57.

Singer Sheena Easton is 49.

Actor James Le Gros (Ally McBeal, Sleeper Cell) is 46.

Bassist Rob Squires of Big Head Todd and the Monsters is 43.

Toronto-born actress Ingrid Rogers (Titans of Justice, All My Children) is 40.

Singer Mica Paris is 39.

Singer-guitarist Travis Meeks of Days of the New is 29.

Singer-guitarist Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy is 24.


Chart Toppers

April 27

1949
Cruising Down the River - The Blue Barron Orchestra (vocal: ensemble)
Forever and Ever - Perry Como
"A" You’re Adorable - Perry Como
Candy Kisses - George Morgan

1957
Little Darlin’ - The Diamonds
All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
Mama Look at Bubu - Harry Belafonte
Gone - Ferlin Husky

1965
Game of Love - Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders
Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter - Herman’s Hermits
I Know a Place - Petula Clark
This is It - Jim Reeves

1973
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree - Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
Sing - Carpenters
The Cisco Kid - War
Superman - Donna Fargo

1981
Kiss on My List - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Morning Train (Nine to Five) - Sheena Easton
Being with You - Smokey Robinson
A Headache Tomorrow (Or a Heartache Tonight) - Mickey Gilley

1989
Like a Prayer - Madonna
Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc
I’ll Be There for You - Bon Jovi
The Church on Cumberland Road - Shenandoah