Friday May the 16th

ON THIS DAY in 1913
band leader Woody Herman was born in Milwaukee. He joined Isham Jones' band in 1934 and took over that orchestra two years later when Jones retired because of ill health. The band became the first Woody Herman Herd, and was known as ''The Band That Plays the Blues.'' The band's fortunes began to grow following the 1939 release of their recording of ''Woodchopper's Ball.'' Herman's band became louder and more brassy in the mid-'40s and topped major magazine polls. He died of congestive heart failure Oct, 29th, 1987 at age 74.

            
In 1916, broadcaster/actor Bernard Braden was born in Vancouver. He began in radio at CJOR & CBR, and left in the late 1940s with wife Barbara Kelly for England where he joined the BBC. Their first major success was called An Evening At Home With Bernard Braden And Barbara Kelly. Bernie Braden is probably best remembered in England for The Braden Beat, a popular consumer affairs TV programme. In 1976, he hosted a shortlived quiz show for London Weekend Television called the Sweepstakes Game. He died Feb 2 1993 following a series of strokes, at age 76.

In 1919, pianist Liberace, whose full name was Wladziu Valentino Liberace, was born in West Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His overly sentimental pop tunes and frilly, condensed versions of the classics built him into one of the hottest show business personalities in the 1950's. Liberace's trademarks included candelabra on the piano and outlandish costumes that weren't matched until some 1970's rock groups. He died February 4th, 1987 of AIDS-related conditions at age 67.

In 1925, radio station WHAS, in Louisville, Kentucky, originated the first network broadcast of the Kentucky Derby.

            
In 1929, Paul Whiteman and his orchestra backed Bing Crosby for the tune, Sposin', which "Der Bingle" recorded for Columbia Records.

In 1930, jazz singer Betty Carter was born Lillie Mae Jones in Flint Michigan.  She gained renown for her improvisational technique and idiosyncratic vocal style. She toured with Lionel Hampton & Miles Davis. In 1988 she won a Grammy for her album Look What I Got! and sang in a guest appearance on The Cosby Show. In 1994 she sang at the White House. She died from pancreative cancer Sept. 26, 1998 at age 68.

In 1947, Barbara Lee of the Chiffons was born in New York City. The group had several hits in the early 1960's, including 1963's "He's So Fine.'' She died May 15, 1992 on the eve of her 45th birthday.

              
In 1953, Bill Haley and His Comets made it to the Billboard music charts for the first time with Crazy Man Crazy. The tune went to number six and became the first rock 'n' roll record to make the pop music chart.

In 1955, the CBC Symphony Orchestra made its public debut at Massey Hall in Toronto. Formed in 1952, the orchestra was disbanded 12 years later.

In 1959, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Kansas City," by Wilbert Harrison.

In 1960, a research study reported that TV commercials 'in living color' were over three times more effective than black and white ads.

Also in 1960, in Detroit Berry Gordy formed Motown Records.

In 1965, the Rolling Stones appeared with Chuck Berry on the television show "Hollywood A-GO-GO."
        
              
That same night in 1965, the Beach Boys appeared on CBS TV's "Ed Sullivan Show" and performed "Help Me Rhonda."

Still with this Sunday in 1965, "Cross Country Check Up" debuted on CBC Radio.  Its first topic was a debate over a nationally publicly-funded health-care system--hence its title.  It remains one of CBC Radio's most popular programs and is still on the air 43 years later.

In 1966, the Beach Boys album "Pet Sounds" was released. Although it only barely made the top 10, the album has since become regarded as a classic and the Beach Boys' best.

in 1968, Tony Joe White recorded "Polk Salad Annie."

In 1969, rocker Jack Cassady (Jefferson Airplane) was arrested for possession of marijuana at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans.

Also in 1969, rocker Pete Townsend (Who) was arrested onstage after mistakenly kicking a New York police officer.

              
In 1970, co-founder Randy Bachman left the Winnipeg-based Guess Who. He was about to found the Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Also in 1970, Marty Balin, vocalist of the Jefferson Airplane, and two others were charged in suburban Minneapolis with possession of marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of minors after a party involving teenage girls. Balin ended up paying a 100-dollar fine.

In 1976, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Silly Love Songs," by Wings. The song was written in reaction to critics who said McCartney's music was fluff.

In 1980, Dr. George C. Nichopoulous was indicted in Memphis on 14 counts of overprescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and nine other patients.

In 1981, pianist, arranger and producer Ernie Freeman died of a heart attack at 58. His 1957 recording of "Raunchy" reached number four on the Billboard chart. Freeman also produced records for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Connie Francis.

In 1983, Michael Jackson's famous "moonwalk'' was seen by the public for the firsttime as he performed "Billie Jean'' on the "Motown 25'' anniversary special on NBC.

In 1984, comedian Andy Kaufman, who played Latka Gravas on the TV sitcom Taxi, and guested 15 times on Sat. Night Live, died of lung cancer at age 35.

              
In 1985, actress Margaret Hamilton, best remembered as the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, died from a heart attack at age 82. Over the first 30 years of the TV era she had acted on some of the great series, including Lou Grant, Studio One, US Steel Hour, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Playhouse 90, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, & As The World Turns.

In 1986, country singer Johnny Paycheck was convicted of shooting and wounding a man after an argument in a bar in Hillsboro, Ohio. Paycheck, best known for his 1978 hit ''Take This Job and Shove It,'' served a lengthy prison term.

In 1987, "With or Without You" by U2 topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

In 1990, singer-dancer-actor Sammy Davis Junior died in Los Angeles of throat cancer at age 64. Davis began his show business training early, travelling with his father Sammy Senior and uncle Will Mastin in a vaudeville act. He made his Broadway debut in "Mr. Wonderful" in 1956, and played New York again in 1966's "Golden Boy." Davis's movie appearances were largely forgettable, the highlight being his role as Sportin' Life in "Porgy and Bess" in 1959. He was also a frequent Las Vegas headliner and a recording star with such hits "I've Gotta Be Me" from 1969 and "The Candy Man," a number-one hit in 1972.

              
In 1990, innovatve muppeteer Jim Henson, of TV's Sesame Street & The Muppet Show, died of pneumonia at 53.

In 1992, Weird Al Yankovic's "Smell Like Nirvana" hit #35 in the U.S.

In 1993, singer Marv Johnson, who helped create the Motown sound with Berry Gordy Junior, died after suffering a stroke at a concert in Columbia, South Carolina. He was 54. Johnson recorded the first-ever Motown record, "Come to Me," in 1959.

In 1995, the final episode of "In the Heat of the Night" aired.

In 1997, the final episode of "Baywatch Nights" aired.
              

In 1998, Keith Richards hurt his chest and ribs when he fell off a ladder while reaching for a book at his Connecticut home. The accident forced the Rolling Stones to postpone the European leg of their "Bridges to Babylon'' tour.

Also in 1998, the "Titanic'' soundtrack slipped from the top of the Billboard album chart. It was dethroned after 16 weeks by "Before These Crowded Streets'' from the Dave Matthews Band.

In 1999, Paul Brandt and Claudia Church answered the call of their country when they headed to Bosnia to entertain U.S. troops there. The trip was the first USO junket for both.

Also in 1999, the 225th episode of "The Simpsons" was broadcast. The animated show had been airing since January 14, 1990.

In 2000, The Artist Formerly Known As Prince announced that he would start using his name again. The singer said the reason for switching back was because his publishing contract with Warner/Chappell, made under the name Prince, expired at the end of 1999.

Also in 2000, the Britney Spears album "Oops!..I Did It Again" was released.

In 2004, choreographer June Taylor, whose dance routines opened the Jackie Gleason Show on CBS TV each week, died at 85.

              
In 2005, the series finale of "Everybody Loves Raymond" aired on CBS.

In 2006, Richard Hatch, who had won $1 million in the debut season of "Survivor," was sentenced to more than four years in prison for failing to pay taxes on his reality TV prize and other income.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor George Gaynes (Punky Brewster) is 91.

Actor Harry Carey Jr. (Adventures of Spin & Marty, Have Gun Will Travel) is 87.

Actress/dancer Yvonne Craig (Batgirl on Batman TV series) is 71

Jazz musician Billy Cobham is 64.

Actor Bill Smitrovich (Without a Trace, The Practice, Life Goes On) is 61.

Actor Pierce Brosnan (Remington Steele) is 55.

Actress Debra Winger (Sometimes in April, Dawn Anna, SNL) is 53.

Actress Mare Winningham (Grey's Anatomy, Clubhouse) is 49.

Montreal-born comedian/actor Kevin McDonald (Invader ZIM, Lilo & Stitch: The Series) is 47.

Violinist Boyd Tinsley of The Dave Matthews Band is 44.

Singer Janet Jackson is 42.

Country singer Scott Reeves (Blue County) is 42.

Actor Brian F. O'Byrne (Oz, Alexander Hamilton) is 41.

Singer Ralph Tresvant is 40.

Actor David Boreanaz (Bones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is 39.

Montreal-born actor Yannick Bisson (Sue Thomas F.B. Eye, Soul Food, Undergrads) is 39.

Actress Tracey Gold (Growing Pains, Final Approach) is 39.

Country singer Rick Trevino is 37.

Actress Tori Spelling (Beverly Hills 90210, The Help) is 35.

Actress Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Drive) is 31.

Actress Megan Fox (Hope & Fath, Ocean Ave.) is 22.

Actor Marc John Jefferies (Fatherhood, Tracy Morgan Show) is 18.


Chart Toppers

May 16

1944
Long Ago and Far Away - Helen Forrest & Dick Haymes
I’ll Get By - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Dick Haymes)
San Fernando Valley - Bing Crosby
Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry - Al Dexter

1952
Blue Tango - The Leroy Anderson Orchestra
Kiss of Fire - Georgia Gibbs
Blacksmith Blues - Ella Mae Morse
The Wild Side of Life - Hank Thompson

1960
Stuck on You - Elvis Presley
Cathy’s Clown - The Everly Brothers
Night - Jackie Wilson
Please Help Me, I’m Falling - Hank Locklin

1968
Honey - Bobby Goldsboro
Tighten Up - Archie Bell & The Drells
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Hugo Montenegro
Have a Little Faith - David Houston

1976
Boogie Fever - Sylvers
Silly Love Songs - Wings
Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop
What Goes on When the Sun Goes Down - Ronnie Milsap

1984
Hello - Lionel Richie
Hold Me Now - The Thompson Twins
Let’s Hear It for the Boy - Deniece Williams
To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before - Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson