Tuesday June the 10th

ON THIS DAY in 1895
actress Hattie McDaniel was born in Wichita Kansas.
              
In the 1910s she was a band vocalist, then began playing increasingly assertive maid roles on the big screen, culminating in the supporting-actress Oscar for her 'Mammy' in Gone With The Wind (1939), the first African-American to be so honored.  She played on the "Amos and Andy" and Eddie Cantor radio shows in the '30s and '40s, and had the title role in her own radio show "Beulah" (1947-51), which she also played on TV ('50-'52) until her death from  breast cancer Oct 2, 1952 at age 57.

In 1908, actor Robert Cummings was born in Joplin Missouri. He won an Emmy for his role in the live TV courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men (1954), but had continuing success headlining three sitcoms in the 50's & 60's, The Bob Cummings Show, My Hero & My Living Doll.  He died of kidney failure Dec. 2 1990 at age 82.

In 1910, Chester Arthur Burnett, the bluesman known as Howlin' Wolf, was born in West Point, Mississippi. He was among the most influential musicians of the post-Second World War era, and his blues helped shape rock 'n' roll. He appeared frequently at blues and rock festivals in the '60s and '70s. He died Jan. 10 1976 of complications from kidney disease. He was 65.

                
In 1922, Judy Garland, whose real name was Frances Gumm, was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her greatest triumph came in 1939 with the film ''The Wizard of Oz,'' which introduced the never-to-be forgotten song ''Over the Rainbow.'' Garland's recording sold over one-million copies, and the film became a TV classic.  She received a special Academy Award in 1939 for her outstanding performances as a screen juvenile. Plagued by health and drug problems, Judy Garland died in London in 1969 at age 47.

In 1924, the first political convention on radio was presented by NBC. Graham McNamee provided coverage of the Republican National Convention from Cleveland. McNamee was one of the great sports broadcasters of radio's Golden Age.

In 1931, two legendary country acts, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, recorded together.

              
In 1950, "Sentimental Me" by The Ames Brothers topped the charts, for just the one week.

In 1954, PBS reached San Francisco as KQED (Channel 9) began broadcasting.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones met 2 of their idols during a recording session, when they ran into bluesmen Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters at Chicago's Chess studios.

Also in 1964, The Beatles released "A Hard Day's Night," both the album and the single.

In 1966, a Beatles record featuring a new audio effect was released. "Rain" used a tape played in reverse. John Lennon said the reverse-tape effect wasn't planned; the tape was just put on the wrong way.

              
Also 1966, Janis Joplin was featured for the first time in a live concert at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom.

In 1967, Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Love Her" was released.

Also in 1967, Bob Dylan and The Band began recording sessions that remained unreleased for a long time but eventually surfaced as an album titled "The Basement Tapes."

In 1970, organist-pianist-singer Earl Grant died in an auto accident in New Mexico. He was 39. Grant had a top-10 vocal hit in 1958 with "The End."

In 1971, the rock band Jethro Tull and the audience were tear-gassed by police at a Denver concert. Twenty-eight people were treated in hospital, but the show went on.

              
In 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. earned his place at the top of the popular music charts for the first time, after years in the entertainment business. His number one song, The Candy Man, stayed at the top for three consecutive weeks. The Candy Man was truly a song of fate for Sammy. He openly did not want to record the song, but did so as a favor to MGM Records head Mike Curb, since it was to be used in the film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Davis said he would give the tune one take, "and that's it!" Sure enough, in that one-time recording, Sammy nailed it. The Candy Man stayed on the pop charts for 16 weeks. And the reluctant Sammy then included it in his stage shows and concerts -- and collected huge royalties from it.

In 1975, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Sister Golden Hair,'' by America.

In 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings set a record for an indoor concert crowd as 67,100 fans gathered at Seattle's Kingdome, to hear the former Beatle and his new group.

In 1977, Joe Strummer and Topper Headon of The Clash were arrested in London for spray-painting the group's name on a subway wall.

              
In 1978, "You're the One That I Want" by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John topped the charts, but rfemained #1 for just a week.

Also in 1978, Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good" was released.

In 1981, the rock supergroup Asia was formed by Steve Howe and Geoff Downes from Yes, Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer and John Wetton of Uriah Heep.

              
In 1982, the TV sitcom "Taxi," aired for the final time on ABC, and moved to NBC in the fall.

In 1982, Micki Harris of the 1960's girl group, the Shirelles, died in Los Angeles at 42.

In 1985, actor George Chandler, who played Uncle Petrie Martin on TV's Lassie (1950-59) & guest starred in other series for another 20 years, died of Alzheimer's disease at age 87.

Also in 1985, sportscaster Bob Prince, for 28 years the voice of baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates, many of them during the team's hey day, died of mouth cancer at age 68.

Still in 1985, Frank Sinatra was portrayed as a friend of organized crime in a "Doonesbury" comic strip. Over 800 newspapers carried the panel.

                
In 1986, Irish rocker Bob Geldof was awarded an honourary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth to recognize the millions of dollars he had raised for the starving of Africa.

Also in 1986, more than 10-thousand fans helped the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band celebrate their 20th anniversary at a Denver concert. The guest stars included Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris and Nicolette Larson.

In 1987, more than 30 people were hurt in clashes between police and fans locked out of an open-air concert by David Bowie in Milan.

In 1988, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra was rescued by a five-million-dollar financial aid package from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

              
Also in 1988, harmonica player Herman Crook, the last remaining charter member of the Grand Ole Opry, died in Nashville at 89. Crook and his country string band began entertaining on the Opry in 1927.

In 1989, someone firebombed a McDonald's restaurant in London two days after Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders advocated such action. Hynde told a news conference launching an all-star album in aid of Greenpeace that people "should petro-bomb McDonald's."

Also in 1989, "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler topped the charts ... for just a week.

Still in 1989, the TV anthology "Tales From The Crypt" debuted on HBO.

In 1990, sheriff's deputies charged two members of 2 Live Crew for giving an obscene performance at a Hollywood, Florida club.

              
In 1991, the quirky TV serial drama "Twin Peaks" aired for the final time on ABC.

Also in 1991, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin were among the mourners at the Detroit funeral for ex-Temptation David Ruffin. About 25-thousand fans gathered outside the church. Ruffin had died nine days earlier of a drug overdose. Following the service, police arrested another former Temptation, Eddie Kendricks, for not paying nearly 30-thousand dollars in alimony.

Still in 1991, James Brown performed in Los Angeles in his first concert since serving more than two years in a South Carolina prison. He'd been convicted of aggravated assault stemming from a police car chase. Brown's comeback "Living in America" show was broadcast live on pay-per-view T-V in the U-S.

              
In 1992, a Los Angeles judge threw out a $25 million palimony suit brought against British rock singer Rod Stewart by Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kelly Emberg, his longtime girlfriend. She had claimed the couple lived together as husband and wife from 1985 to 1990. Pictured above in happier times, they had one child.

Also in 1992, a Texas law enforcement agency called for a national boycott of "Cop Killer" by Ice-T. Sales of the song skyrocketed.

In 1993, a despondent actor Richard Webb, best remembered as TV's Captain Midnight with over 50 movie acting credits, shot himself at age 77.

In 1993, Sinead O'Connor took out a full-page ad in the Irish Times asking the public to "stop hurting me please." O'Connor was still rattled by the furore over her ripping up a picture of the Pope during a "Saturday Night Live" appearance the previous October.

                
In 1996, Tony & Oscar-winning actress Jo Van Fleet, who also had more than 80 TV acting credits, died at age 75.

In 1998, Steve Sanders, a former singer with the country group the Oak Ridge Boys, shot himself to death at his Florida home. He was 45.

Also in 1998, rapper DMX (Earl Simmons) was arrested in New York on charges of rape, sodomy, and unlawful imprisonment. Simmons denied the charges, which related to an alleged incident earlier in the week with an exotic dancer.

In 2000, broadcast journalist Judd Rose, who built his reputation at ABC before becoming a CNN anchor, died from a brain tumour at age 44.

              
In 2004, sightless blues singing legend Ray Charles died from liver failure at age 73.

In 2005, Medicine Hat's CHAT-1270 AM received approval to move to FM, at 94.5 MHz with 100,000 watts. The flip would take place seven months later.


Today's Birthdays:

Montreal-born actress Alexandra Stewart (Sins, Mistral's Daughter) is 69.

Singer Shirley Alston Reeves of The Shirelles is 67.

CNN news analyst Jeff Greenfield is 65.

Football commentator/quarterback Dan Fouts is 57.

Country singer-songwriter Thom Schuyler is 56.

Actor Andrew Stevens (Dallas, Emerald Point NAS) is 53.

Singer Barrington Henderson is 52.

Actor Timothy Van Patten (The Sopranos, Now & Again) is 49.

Bassist Kim Deal of The Pixies is 47.

Singer Maxi Priest is 47.

Actress Gina Gershon (Ugly Betty, The Batman, Tripping the Rift) is 46.

Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn (Big Love) is 45.

Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan) is 44.
  
Guitarist Joey Santiago of The Pixies is 43.

Actor Doug McKeon (From Earth to the Moon, Big Shamus Little Shamus, Centennial) is 42.

Guitarist Emma Anderson (Lush) is 41.

Country guitarist Brian Hofeldt of The Derailers is 41.

Singer Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing) is 38.

Singer Jo-Jo of K-Ci and Jo-Jo is 37.

Singer Faith Evans is 35.

Singer LeMisha Grinstead of 702 is 30.
  
Actor Shane West (ER, Now and Again) is 30.

Singer Hoku is 27.

Actress Leelee Sobieski (Joan of Arc, Uprising, Hercules) is 26.


Chart Toppers

June 10

1945
Sentimental Journey - The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
Dream - The Pied Pipers
Laura - The Woody Herman Orchestra
At Mail Call Today - Gene Autry

1953
Song from Moulin Rouge - The Percy Faith Orchestra
April in Portugal - The Les Baxter Orchestra
Pretend - Nat King Cole
Take These Chains from My Heart - Hank Williams

1961
Running Scared - Roy Orbison
Moody River - Pat Boone
Stand by Me - Ben E. King
Hello Walls - Faron Young

1969
Get Back - The Beatles
Love (Can Make You Happy) - Mercy
Grazing in the Grass - The Friends of Distinction
Singing My Song - Tammy Wynette

1977
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
I’m Your Boogie Man - KC & The Sunshine Band
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) - Waylon Jennings

1985
Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
Suddenly - Billy Ocean
Things Can Only Get Better - Howard Jones
Natural High - Merle Haggard