Tuesday April the 29th

ON THIS DAY in 1899  
          
the man who became one of the twentieth century's finest composers, Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington, was born in Washington, D.C.  He was one of the most influential figures in jazz, with a reputation that has only increased following his death, May 24 1974 at age 75.

In 1903, singer Frank Parker was born in New York City.  He hit the bigtime as the first singer on The Jack Benny Radio Show in the early 30's; 15 years later he became a longtime member of the Arthur Godfrey troupe, on CBS Radio & TV.  He died Jan. 10 1999 at age 95.

In 1904, sweet big bandleader Russ Morgan was born in Scranton Pennsylvania. In 1949, four of his recordings made it big on the charts. "So Tired", "Cruising Down the River", "Sunflower" and "Forever and Ever." On the latter he used a vocal quartet that became famous as the Ames Brothers.  He died Aug. 7 1969 at the age of 65.

              
In 1912, actor Richard Carlson was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  He starred in two major TV series, I Led Three Lives & MacKenzie's Raiders, and guest starred in dozens more.  He died of a cerebral hemmorhage Nov 24, 1977 at age 65.

In 1915, singer Donald Mills was born in Piqua Illinois.  He was the last surviving member of The Mills Brothers, the pop vocal quartet which produced 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and garnered at least three dozen gold records. He died of complications from pneumonia Nov 13, 1999 at age 84.

In 1929, Toronto radio stationCFRB aired its first program from the Columbia Broadcasting System, after signing up as the exclusive CBS outlet for Toronto, Hamilton & way points.  It helped fuel the movement for a  publicly-funded  Canadian radio service, which was addressed in the Radio Broadcasting Act of 1932.  

In 1931, singer Lonnie Donegan was born in Glasgow Scotland. He was a skiffle musician, possibly the most famous of them all, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. He is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s.  Hits include Rock Island Line, Cumberland Gap, & Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour [On the Bedpost Overnight]. He died Nov 3, 2002 at age 71.

In 1940, "Young Dr Malone" was first broadcast on the CBS Radio Network.

In 1950, "The Third Man Theme" by zither-playing Anton Karas topped the charts and stayed there for 11 weeks.

          
In 1953, Coke Time with Eddie Fisher began its TV and radio run on NBC-TV and Mutual radio. Fisher, a popular performer, was seen and heard on more TV and radio stations in 1954 than any other entertainer.

In 1954, comedian Joe Laurie Jr, one of the regulars on radio's jokefest Can You Top This?, died at age 61.

Also in 1954, Ernest Borgnine made his network television debut in Night Visitor on Ford Theatre on NBC-TV. The versatile film (Marty) star would later become a sitcom sensation in McHale's Navy with comedian Tim Conway on CBS and, later, as a helicopter owner in Airwolf.

In 1960, Dick Clark told a House of Representatives investigating committee looking into the payola scandal that he, the host of American Bandstand, never took payola for records featured on his daily TV show. Clark would, however, relinquish rights to music publishing that he owned. The value of those rights, Clark indicated 30 years later, amounted to about $80 million.

In 1961, a long-running sports tradition was born. "Spanning the globe ... to bring you the constant variety of sport, the constant variety of human competition, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. This is ABC's Wide World of Sports." A Saturday afternoon sports program began its long run on ABC-TV.
            
The show, featuring Jim McKay as host, along with Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Jack Whitaker, Heywood Hale Brun and others, was not an immediate hit. Although Roone Arledge's vision of a worldwide window on televised sports got off to a slow start, ABC's Wide World of Sports became one of TV's most popular and enduring programs.

In 1962, Jerry Lee Lewis returned to performing in Britain -- and was a success. News that he married his 13-year-old cousin caused a scandal four years before, and he was hounded out of the country.

In 1967, Aretha Franklin released the single "Respect."

In 1968, rocker Frankie Lymon  (of "Frankie  Lymon & the Teenagers"), died of a drug overdose at age 25.

In 1969, on his 70th birthday, Duke Ellington was honored with the presentation of the Medal of Freedom, the U.S. government's highest civilian honor.

In 1970, George Harrison announced plans to begin recording his first solo project following the breakup of The Beatles. At the time, he said the band eventually would reunite.

In 1972, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'' by Roberta Flack. The song was the first of Ms. Flack's three No. 1 songs.

          
In 1974, Phil Donahue's TV show was on the move. Donahue was moving to Chicago, IL, where it would remain until 1985. The show was originally based in Dayton, Ohio. Following more than a decade in the Windy City, the show again moved, this time to New York City. During its stay in Chicago, Donahue earned nine Emmy Awards.

In 1975, the Bee Gees released the album "Main Course." The album featured "Jive Talkin'" and "Nights on Broadway."

In 1976, Bruce Springsteen tried to climb over the fence at Elvis Presley's Graceland estate in an attempt to see Presley. He was escorted off the premises by guards.

In 1979, the final episode of the original "Battlestar Galactica" aired on ABC.

In 1980, Black Sabbath began their first tour with Ronnie James Dio as singer.

In 1984, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),'' by Phil Collins. The single was the title song of the film starring Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward.

In 1988, "60 Minutes" correspondent Diane Sawyer wed director Mike Nichols.

        
In 1991, actor Ken Curtis, best remembered as Festus on TV's Gunsmoke, who also was featured in the series Yellow Rose, died in his sleep at age 74.

In 1992, country music singer Doug Stone underwent quadruple-bypass surgery in Nashville, Tenn. Stone had experienced chest pains three days earlier at a concert in Oregon.

Also in 1992, the 27th Academy of Country Music Awards honored Garth Brooks.

In 1993, director Cy Howard, the man behind My Friend Irma on radio, TV & the movies, died of heart failure at age 77.

Also in 1993, one of rock'n'roll's preeminent guitarists and producers, Mick Ronson, 46, died of cancer of the liver in London. Ronson, aside from his solo credits, is probably best known for his guitar work with David Bowie and with Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue.

Still in 1993, an animated Barry White was a guest on "The Simpsons."

        
In 1995, the final broadcast of the sitcom "Empty Nest" aired on NBC TV.

In 1996, Phil Spector cancelled a recording project with Celine Dion due to a lack of a contract.

In 1998, Steven Tyler sustained a knee injury at Aerosmith's concert in Anchorage, Alaska. The injury was bad enough to require surgery and force the band to postpone the 14 remaining dates of its North American tour.

In 1999, it was announced that drummer Tommy Lee had quit Motley Crue to devote time to his new band and family, following his reunion with Pamela Anderson Lee. Lee's new band was called Methods of Mayhem.

In 2000, the 100th episode of "Pokamon" aired.

In 2002, "TV Guide" hit the newstands with a listing of the "Top 50 TV Shows" of all time. The televised version of the "Top 50 TV Shows" aired on May 13.

Also in 2002, Donovan Patton took over as host of the cable TV children's show "Blue's Clues." Steve Burns had been the host since the program's debut in December 1996.


In 2005, JAG ended it's ten-season run on CBS TV with a flip of a coin -- frozen in mid air -- that left us wondering if it was Harm, or was it Mac (Sara), who gave up their career in order for the couple to be together.

Also in 2005, singer Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary underwent a bone marrow transplant to help her battle with leukemia.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Celeste Holm (Archie Bunker's Place, Falcon Crest, Touched By An Angel) is 91.
  
Singer Carl Gardner of The Coasters is 80.

Poet/singer/composer Rod McKuen is 75.

Bluesman Otis Rush is 74.

Actor Lane Smith (Lois & Clark, Chiefs, V) is 72.

Singer April Stevens is 72.

Country singer Duane Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys is 65.

Actor Richard Kline (3's Company, Bold & the Beautiful) is 64.

Singer Tommy James is 61.

Bassist Wayne Secrest of Confederate Railroad is 58.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 54.

Actress Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager) is 53.

Actress Michelle Pfeiffer (D3lta House, B.A.D. Cats) is 50.

Actress Eve Plumb (The Brady Bunch) is 50.

Bassist Phil King (Lush) is 48.

Country singer Stephanie Bentley is 45.

Singer Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips is 40.

Rapper Master P is 38.

Country singer James Bonamy is 36.

Bassist Mike Hogan of The Cranberries is 35.

Actor Zane Carney (Dave's World) is 23.


Chart Toppers

April 29

1951
If - Perry Como
Mockingbird Hill -Patti Page
Would I Love You - Patti Page
The Rhumba Boogie - Hank Snow

1959
Come Softly to Me - The Fleetwoods
(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I - Elvis Presley
Guitar Boogie Shuffle - The Virtues
White Lightning - George Jones

1967
Somethin’ Stupid - Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You - The Monkees
Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
Need You - Sonny James

1975
(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song - B.J. Thomas
He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) - Tony Orlando & Dawn
Supernatural Thing - Ben E. King
Blanket on the Ground - Billie Jo Spears

1983
Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
Beat It - Michael Jackson
Der Kommissar - After the Fire
American Made - The Oak Ridge Boys

1991
Baby Baby - Amy Grant
Joyride - Roxette
I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) - Hi-Five
Down Home - Alabama