Thursday May the 1st

ON THIS DAY in 1892,
conductor Howard Barlow was born in Plain City Ohio.  After 15 years as conductor of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra (CBS) he joined the Voice of Firestone in 1943, and remained with it, radio & TV, for 25 years. He died Jan. 31 1972 at age 79.

            
In 1907, singer Kate Smith was born in Greenville Alabama.  Most associated with Irving Berlin's God Bless America, Ms. Smith was a radio force in the 30's and 40's, first as hostess of a weekly variety hour, and later headlining a daily chat show.  She died of diabetes June 17 1986 at age 79.

In 1916, actor Glenn Ford was born in suburban Quebec City.  At the end of an impressive career as one of Hollywood's leading men, he came to the small screen as star of two fondly remembered TV series, Cade's County & The Family Holvak. He died Aug 30 2006 at age 90.

Also in 1916, actor/comedian/TV host Jack Paar was born in Canton Ohio.
                
He started in radio, filling in for Don McNeil on The Breakfast Club, and as summer replacement for Jack Benny.  Turning to TV he hosted two failed quiz shows (Up to Paar, Bank on the Stars) and did not make it big as host of CBS TV's Early Show. He had a short-lived ABC radio daytime show before he was tapped to host NBC's Tonight Show, where he quickly became a sensation.  He hosted Tonight for 5 years, before tiring of the grind and switching to a weekly NBC variety series in 1962 that flopped. He died Jan. 27 2004 at age 87.

In 1917, actor John Beradino was born in Los Angeles.  He was a major league baseball player who left the game at age 30 to concentrate on acting.  Along with scores of TV guest shots he had recurring roles in I Led Three Lives, The New Breed, and General Hospital.  He succumbed to pancreatic cancer May 19 1996 at age 79.

In 1922, the Edmonton Journal put the city's first radio station on the air.  CJCA broadcast on 450 metres with 50 watts, managed by the legendary G.R.A. 'Dick' Rice, who would later found radio station CFRN.  

In 1922, comic actor Louis Nye was born in Hartford Conn. After hitting the big time as one of Steve Allen's Men on the Street, he guest starred on a variety of TV shows, with regular roles on Happy Days & Curb Your Enthusiasm, among others. He succumbed to lung cancer Sept. 9 2005 at age 83.

In 1924, the first host of TV's Jeopardy, Art Fleming was born in the Bronx NY.  
            

In 1931, singer Kate Smith began her long and illustrious radio career with CBS on this, her birthday. The 22-year-old Smith started out with no sponsors and a paycheck of just $10 a week for the nationally broadcast daily program. However, within 30 days, her salary increased to a more respectable $1,500 a week!

In 1933, Vancouver radio station CKMO moved down the dial from 730 kilocycles to 1410.

In 1935, the first radio tube to be made of metal was produced in Schenectady, New York.

In 1939, newsman Max Robinson was born in Richmond Virginia. From 1978-1983 he was the Chicago-based co-anchor of ABC's multi-anchored 'World News Tonight.' Thus he became the first black man to regularly anchor a network newscast.  He died of AIDS Dec. 20 1988 at age 49.

In 1939, the two-part Sy Oliver arrangement of Lonesome Road was recorded by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Listening carefully, one might note that the lead trombone is not that of Tommy Dorsey, but of Dave Jacobs, instead.

In 1956, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. The song was Presley's first No. 1 single. Billboard ranks it the No. 1 single of 1956.

              
In 1957, Brooklyn's Larry Zeiger made his first radio broadcast in Miami after his boss renamed him Larry King.  

In 1964, bandleader Spike Jones died at age 62. Spike Jones & His City Slickers were one of the most popular novelty acts of the 1940s and '50s. The band's biggest hit was "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)," a 1948 song that topped Billboard's pop chart for three weeks and sold more than 1 million copies.

In 1965, "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

Also in 1965, the Supremes' "Back In My Arms Again" was released.

In 1967, Elvis Presley got hitched to a girl he had dated since his army days in West Germany. Elvis and Priscilla Beaulieu married in Las Vegas, NV. The wedding cake, incidentally, cost $3,500. The marriage lasted until 1973.

            
In 1969, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash taped a TV special at the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville.

Also in 1969, Jimi Hendrix was arrested at Toronto International Airport for possesion of narcotics and was released on $10,000 bail.

In 1970, radio stations CHNL 610 Kamloops and CJNL 1230 Merritt signed on the air.

Also in 1970, Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin combined for the first time on Elton's first American album simply titled, Elton John. The LP contained Elton's first hit, Your Song, which made it to the top ten on the music charts in December.

In 1971, the Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" was released.

In 1972, Paul Simon released his self-titled solo debut album.
            

In 1973, the Winnipeg-based Bachman-Turner Overdrive released its first LP (self-titled) featuring former Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman.

Also in 1973, "Marvin Gaye Day" was declared in Washington, DC.

In 1976, "Let Your Love Flow" by the Bellamy Brothers topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

            
In 1980, CISL 940 went on the air at 6 am to become Richmond's first radio station.  CISL was low powered and could not be heard south of the Hwy 17 interchange south of the tunnel.  

            
In 1980, the 15th Academy of Country Music Awards saw Barbara Mandrell win top honors.

In 1982, I Love Rock 'N Roll, by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, appeared at the top of the pop music charts for the seventh, and final, week. The rocker stayed on the charts for 16 weeks. Jett from Philadelphia, PA played guitar and formed the all-female rock band, The Runaways in the mid-'70s. The Blackhearts were founded in 1980.

In 1984, orchestra leader Gordon Jenkins died of 'Lou Gehrig's Disease' at age 73. He had been very active in radio, scoring for The Mayor of theTown, The Man Called X, Al Jolson, Jack Carson & Dick Haymes, to name just a few. He also worked as musical director at Decca & Capitol Records where he recorded with some of the top stars of the day, including Frank Sinatra & Nat Cole.

Also in 1984, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac filed for bankruptcy.

In 1987, Jack Webster broadcast his last talk show, the 90-minute TV version, for BCTV Vancouver. He moved to his Salt Spring Island farm where he passed away March 2, 1999.

              
In 1988, the man who played, "Fibber McGee" on radio for more than a quarter century, Jim Jordan, died at age 91. (Pictured with his wife Marian, who played Molly.)

Also in 1988, the final episode of "Magnum, p.i." was aired.

In 1989, actor Douglass Watson, who played Mac Cory for 15 years on TV's Another World, died at age 68.

Also in 1989, police in California were called to a jewelry store after employees reported a suspicious person. The person turned out to be Michael Jackson shopping in disguise.

            
In 1990, international singing star Sergio Franchi, who recorded 25 albums and won a Tony for his starring role in the Broadway musical "Nine," died at his Connecticut estate after a bout with cancer.

In 1991, cable music channels banned the video for the Garth Brooks song "The Thunder Rolls" because it depicted adultery, domestic violence and murder. Brooks refused to alter the video.

In 1993, "Free Me" by Silk topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

            
In 1994, CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt retired after creating his own human interest news niche with On the Road.. and a Winnebago.

In 1996, talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford broke into tears on "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee." She was defending herself over accusations that a line of clothing bearing her name used children working in sweatshops.

In 1998, beleaguered rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg was arrested for possession of marijuana. Snoop and MC Delmar Arnaud were each found with less than an ounce of the drug, and were booked on one count of misdemeanor marijuana possession each.

In 2000, former Village Voice writer Jimmy McDonough sued veteran rocker Neil Young for $1.8 million for fraud. The suit stemmed from the musicians alleged refusal to allow publication of a biography written by McDonough with Young's permission and assistance.

              
Also in 2000, ABC broadcast the first celebrity "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

In 2005, FOX aired the 350th and 351st episodes of "The Simpsons".

In 2006, Seattle's  KSLY FM 92.5 closed down their Adult Top 40 format at noon with Semisonics's "Closing Time."  Then the call letters changed to KQMV (MOVIN'); its first song was The C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now.)"


Today's Birthdays:

Country singer Sonny James is 79.

Seattle-born singer Judy Collins is 69.

Actor Stephen Macht (State of Mind, Melrose Place, Knots Landing) is 66
.
Singer Rita Coolidge is 63.

Actor-director Douglas Barr (Designing Women, The Fall Guy) is 59.

Actor Dann Florek (Law and Order: SVU) is 57.

Singer-songwriter Ray Parker Jr. is 54.

Country singer Wayne Hancock is 43.

Bassist Johnny Colt (Black Crowes) is 42.

Actor Charlie Schlatter (Diagnosis Murder, Ferris Bueller) is 42.

Country singer Tim McGraw is 41.

Bassist D'Arcy Wretzky (Smashing Pumpkins) is 40.

Actor Darius McCrary (Family Matters) is 32.


Chart Toppers

May 1

1945
Candy - Johnny Mercer & Jo Stafford
I’m Beginning to See the Light - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen)
My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
Smoke on the Water - Bob Wills

1953
Pretend - Nat King Cole
Till I Waltz Again with You - Teresa Brewer
I Believe - Frankie Laine
Mexican Joe - Jim Reeves

1961
Runaway - Del Shannon
Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe
I’ve Told Every Little Star - Linda Scott
Don’t Worry - Marty Robbins

1969
Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In - The 5th Dimension
It’s Your Thing - The Isley Brothers
Hair - The Cowsills
Galveston - Glen Campbell

1977
Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
Hotel California - Eagles
When I Need You - Leo Sayer
She’s Pulling Me Back Again - Mickey Gilley

1985
We are the World - USA for Africa
Crazy for You - Madonna
Rhythm of the Night - DeBarge
Girls Night Out - The Judds