Friday May the 2nd

ON THIS DAY in 1902
actor Brian Aherne was born in Worcester England.
            
In 1945, he played sleuth Simon Templar in the CBS radio series, The Saint. He also appeared in a dozen TV series, including G E Theatre, Rawhide, Twilight Zone & Robert Montgomery Presents, after an extensive stage & bigscreen career. He died of heart failure Feb 10, 1986 at age 83.

In 1904, crooner Bing Crosby was born Harry Lillis Crosby in Tacoma. His is the most electronically recorded human voice in history.  Bing is also credited as being the major inspiration for most of the male singers that followed him, including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, and Dean Martin. He was a top star of radio from the early 30's to the late 50's, and starred on TV in The Bing Crosby Show & Hollywood Palace, plius numerous specials most predictably in the Christmas season.  He also was a pioneer in the development of tape recording equipment, both audio and video.  He died of a massive heart attack Oct 14 1977 at age 73.

In 1907, entertainer Pinky Lee was born Pincus Leff in St. Paul Minnesota.
            
The baggy-pants burlesque comic hosted a national children's TV show in the early 50's that was copied in considerable detail by Pee Wee Herman for Pee Wee's Playhouse decades later.  Pinky Lee died after a heart attack Apr 3, 1993 at age 85.

In 1922, pioneer Calgary radio station CFAC first aired as CQCA with 10 watts on 400 metres.  It was the station of The Calgary Daily Herald.  The CFAC call was first used August 26th.  Today the station is all-sports The Fan 960.

In 1925, actor Roscoe Lee Browne was born in Woodbury New Jersey. His classy but disdainful demeanor courted applause on all the top 70s TV sitcoms including "All in the Family", "Maude," "Sanford and Son", "Good Times" and "Barney Miller", and he played an equally joyous sardonic role as Saunders, the Tate household butler on "Soap". In 1986 he won an Emmy for his guest appearance on "The Cosby Show".  He died three weeks ago on April 11 2007 at age 81.

In 1928, KPQ-AM, Wenatchee, Washington, began broadcasting.

In 1932, NBC radio introduced an entertainer who started work at a salary of $1,400 a week. His name: Jack Benny.  He entertained the world for the next 40 years.

In 1937, actor/producer Lorenzo Music was born in Brooklyn. He is best remembered as the voice of Garfield, and the unseen Carlton the Doorman on TV 's Rhoda.  He wrote & produced The Bob Newhart Show. He died Aug 4, 2001 at age 64.

            
In 1938, Ella Fitzgerald recorded one of her biggest hits, A-Tisket, A-Tasket, with Chick Webb's band. Following Webb's death, Fitzgerald took over the band for some three years.

In 1941, the Federal Communications Commission agreed to let regular scheduling of TV broadcasts by commercial TV stations begin on July 1, 1941. It was the start of what would become (by the end of the decade) network television.

In 1956, for the first time in "Billboard" chart history, five singles were in both the pop and the R&B top 10. The singles were Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes," Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally," the Platters' "Magic Touch," and Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love."

In 1960, Ben E. King left the Drifters and signed a deal with ATCO Records.

Also in 1960, WLS-AM, Chicago, Illinois, switched its format from Country to Top 40

In 1964, the Beatles' "Second Album" went #1 & stayed on top for 5 weeks

            
In 1965, Ed Sullivan had said he would not have this British rock group on his CBS-TV Sunday night show again. This night, however, Ed softened up -- and allowed Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones to make a second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Stones got satisfaction at last!

Also in 1965, the "Early Bird" satellite was used to transmit television pictures across the Atlantic.

In 1966, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Monday, Monday" by The Mamas & the Papas.

In 1972, rocker Les Harvey (Stone the Crow) was electrocuted on stage in Swansea, Wales. He died several hours later at the age of 25.

In 1974, Stevie Wonder won four Grammy Awards: Pop Vocal Performance (Male), R&B Song (Male), R&B Vocal Performance (Male) and Album of the Year.

In 1975, Apple records closed down.

            
In 1976, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian. The song was the theme of the TV show "Welcome Back Kotter."

In 1979, The Who performed their first concert after the death of Keith Moon. Kenney Jones, formerly of the Faces, was the new drummer.

Also in 1979, the 14th Academy of Country Music Awards saw top honors go to Kenny Rogers & Barbara Mandrell.

In 1980, the South African government banned the Pink Floyd song "Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)." The song, which includes children chanting the chorus, "We don't need no education," had been adopted as the anthem for black children who boycotted schools because of inferior education standards.

In 1981, Scottish singer Sheena Easton made it to the top spot on the pop music charts for her first -- and only -- time. Morning Train (Nine to Five) knocked Kiss on My List, by Daryl Hall and John Oates, out of the top of the music charts.

              
In 1982, actor Hugh Marlowe, who starred on radio as The Crime Doctor & Ellery Queen, and guest starred for 30 years more on TV, died after a heart attack at age 71.

Also in 1982, Adam and the Ants disbanded after singer Stuart Goddard decided to go solo rather than find replacements for his departed bassist and drummer. Goddard then became known as Adam Ant.

In 1986, Nova Scotia singer Anne Murray's Now and Forever (You and Me) reached the top spot on the Billboard pop chart.

In 1987, "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by the Cutting Crew topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

            
In 1994, singer Michael Bolton was found to have plagiarized the Isley Brothers "Love is Wonderful Thing."

In 1996, Phil Donahue taped the final edition of his syndicated talk show.

In 1998, Loretta Lynn made the announcement backstage at the Grand Ole Opry that she intended to return to college and get a degree. "I'm gonna try to get through college and make Barbara Bush, the former first lady, proud of me," she said.

Also in 1998, former X-Japan lead guitarist Hide died in Tokyo in an apparent suicide. He was 33. Hide, real name Hideto Matsumoto, was found hanging in his condominium and died shortly after arrival at a nearby hospital.

In 2000, the American-born star of one of CBC TV's favorite children's shows (The Friendly Giant), Bob Homme died of prostate cancer.  He was aged 81.
            

Also in 2000, country star LeAnn Rimes sued her father and former co-manager for allegedly funneling away millions of dollars from the company set up to manage her finances.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor/folksinger Theodore Bikel (Another Day, Dynasty, Falcon Crest) is 84.

Actor John Neville (X-Files, Amazon, The Eleventh Hour) is 83.

Singer Engelbert Humperdinck is 72.

Country singer R.C. Bannon is 63.

Singer Lesley Gore is 62.

Country singer Larry Gatlin is 60.

Singer Lou Gramm of Foreigner is 58.

Actress Christine Baranski (Cybil) is 56.

R&B singer Angela Bofill is 54.

Actress Elizabeth Berridge (The John Larroquette Show, Powers That Be) is 46.

Country singer Ty Herndon is 46.

Wrestler-actor The Rock (WWF Superstars) is 36.

Actress Jenna Von Oy (The Parkers, Blossom) is 31.

Actress Kay Panabaker (Summerland, Phil of the Future) is 18.


Chart Toppers

May 2

1946
Oh, What It Seemed to Be - The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Marjorie Hughes)
Day by Day - Frank Sinatra
All Through the Day - Perry Como
Guitar Polka - Al Dexter

1954
Wanted - Perry Como
Young at Heart - Frank Sinatra
Make Love to Me - Jo Stafford
Slowly - Webb Pierce

1962
Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley
Soldier Boy - The Shirelles
Stranger on the Shore - Mr. Acker Bilk
Charlie’s Shoes - Billy Walker

1970
ABC - The Jackson 5
American Woman/No Sugar Tonight - The Guess Who
Love or Let Me Be Lonely - The Friends of Distinction
My Woman My Woman, My Wife - Marty Robbins

1978
Night Fever - Bee Gees
If I Can’t Have You - Yvonne Elliman
Can’t Smile Without You - Barry Manilow
Every Time Two Fools Collide - Kenny Rogers & Dottie West

1986
Kiss - Prince & The Revolution
Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
Now and Forever (You and Me) - Anne Murray