Friday June the 13th

ON THIS DAY in 1892,
actor Basil Rathbone was born in Johannesburg South Africa.  
              
Starting with bit parts on the London stage in 1911, he progressed to Broadway & Hollywood, but not until 1939 did he find his signature role as Sherlock Holmes in 12 films & hundreds of radio plays. From 1949 until his death he was active in scores of TV guest roles. He died after a heart attack July 21 1967 at age 75.

In 1910, actress Mary Wickes was born Mary Wickenhauser in St. Louis. She played wisecracking second banana to a queue of comedy's best known legends on TV screens of the 1950s & 60s, notably Lucille Ball, Danny Thomas, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, Peter Lind Hayes and Gertrude Berg.  She also stole scenes as Miss Cathcart on the Dennis the Menace series. She succumbed to cancer Oct. 22 1995 at age 85.

In 1913, announcer/host/producer Ralph Edwards (below) was born in Merino Colorado.  He is best remembered as radio's host for the audience particpation show Truth or Consequences, which he created in 1940, and the TV host of This Is Your Life. In his early years in radio he was announcer on as many as 45 shows a week.  In his later years he was one of TV's most prolific producers. He died of congestive heart failure Nov 16, 2005 at age 92.
              

Also in 1913, physical fitness expert Lloyd Percival was born at Toronto. In 1941 track coach Percival started his Sports College, a correspondence school of sport on CBC radio, and registered almost 800,000 students. The weekly broadcasts were heard around Foster Hewitt's Saturday night hockey broadcasts.  In 1963 he established the Fitness Institute in Don Mills, Ont., and set up conditioning programs for many of Canada's finest athletes.  He died July 23 1974 at age 61.

In 1917, trombonist/bandleader Si (Simon) Zentner was born in New York City. In the 1940's he played with Les Brown, Harry James & Jimmy Dorsey.  In the 50's he played in LA studio sessions & on MGM sound stages.  In 1959, having landed a Liberty Recording contract, he formed his own big band, and toured extensively, at one point claiming 178 consecutive one-nighters.  His big hit was 1961's Up a Lazy River. He died of leukemia Jan 31, 2000 at age 83.

              
In 1926, actor/comedian Paul Lynde was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.  Best remembered as the hilarious center square on Hollywood Squares, his other TV credits include The Perry Como Show, Bewitched, The Dean Martin Show, Donny & Marie, & The Paul Lynde Show.  Cardiac arrest due to extreme substance abuse led to his death Jan 10, 1982 at age 55.

In 1939, Lionel Hampton and his band recorded Memories of You for Victor Records.

In 1944, the wire recorder was patented by Marvin Camras. Wire recorders were the precursor of much easier to use magnetic tape recorders.

In 1946, Edward Bowes (below), who was host of radio's "Major Bowes Amateur Hour" which debuted in 1934, died at age 71.
                

In 1964, the Rolling Stones made a television appearance on "Hollywood Palace." The ABC show was hosted by Dean Martin.

In 1969, Mick Taylor joined The Rolling Stones as Brian Jones' replacement.

In 1970, the Beatles' "Long and Winding Road'' reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was never released as a single in Britain, and Paul McCartney disowned the record after producer Phil Spector added a background chorus of women's voices. Nonetheless, it was reported to have sold 1.2-million copies in its first two days of release.

Also in 1970, "In The Summertime" by Mungo Jerry hit #1 in the UK.

Still in 1970, the song "Make It with You," by David Gates and Bread, was released. It turned out to be the group's only number-one hit.

In 1971, singer Francis Albert Sinatra made an attempt to retire from show business following a performance this night at the Music Center in Los Angeles.. "Ol' Blue Eyes" got a bit restless in retirement, however, and was back in 'Sinatra - The Main Event' at Madison Square Garden in November 1973.

              
In 1972, Clyde McPhatter, former lead singer with the Drifters and Billy Ward and the Dominoes, died in New York at 38 of complications from heart, liver and kidney disease. McPhatter joined the Dominoes in 1950 at the age of 17, and was featured on their hit recordings "Sixty-Minute Man'' and "Have Mercy Baby.'' In 1953, McPhatter formed the Drifters, but was with them for only six records -- all of which made the R-and-B Top 10 -- before being drafted into the U-S Army. McPhatter had a successful solo career after leaving the service, scoring million-sellers with 1956's "Treasure of Love'' and 1958's "A Lover's Question.''

Also on this date in 1972, the Rolling Stones tour rolled into San Diego, California. Sixty people were arrested and 15 injured in rioting at the concert.

In 1975, John Lennon made his last TV appearance to sing "Imagine.'' He retired soon after to become a househusband and raise his son Sean.

In 1979, child actress Darla Hood, feaured in the Our Gang comedies (1935-41) which in the '50's became TV staples under the title "The Little Rascals," contracted acute hepatitis while undergoing minor surgery & died at age 47.

In 1980, Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" hit #1 on the pop charts.  

              
In 1981, host Tom Snyder interviewed serial killer Charles Manson on NBC's late-late night show "Tomorrow."

In 1984, the Jacksons' "State of Shock,'' with Mick Jagger doing guest vocals, was released. The million-seller reached No. 3 on Billboard's Hot 100.

In 1986, bandleader and clarinetist Benny Goodman, known as the ''King of Swing,'' died in New York at 77. Of the big bands, none was bigger than Goodman's in the '30s and '40s. With the help of critic John Hammond, Goodman formed his first band in 1934. The following year, they created a sensation at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles and began the swing era. In 1938, they were the first jazz band to play Carnegie Hall in New York. The Goodman orchestra's hits included his theme, ''Let's Dance,'' ''Stompin' at the Savoy'' and ''Sing, Sing, Sing.''

              
In 1987, Garrison Keilor, host and storyteller on the award-winning public radio series, A Prairie Home Companion, left the program and its delightful shores of Lake Wobegon for Denmark where he intended to spend his time writing (he returned to the U.S. two years later). At the time he had been with the program for 13 years.

In 1987, one of the finest American actresses Geraldine Page, suffered a heart attack & died at age 62.  Although best known for her stage mastery, she won one Oscar & two Emmies, the latter for a pair of Truman Capote televised dramas in the 60's, A Christmas Memory & The Thanksgiving Visitor.  

Still in 1987, the song "Always" by Atlantic Starr topped the charts .. for just the one week.

In 1989, actress Fran Allison, who was Aunt Fanny on radio's Breakfast Club, and the human member of the TV kids trio known as Kukla, Fran and Ollie, dies at age 81.

Also in 1989, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1992, law enforcement officials in Texas called for a ban on Ice-T's "Cop Killer" album.

              
In 1995, Seattle rockers Pearl Jam gave up their 18-month fight against Ticketmaster. The band said it was impossible to run a tour without the agency. Pearl Jam had claimed Ticketmaster was a monopoly with unreasonable service charges. The band complained to the U-S Justice Department and testified before Congress.

Also in 1995, country singer Ty Herndon was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to an undercover policeman in a Fort Worth, Texas park. Herndon's arrest came about 90 minutes before he was to perform at a convention of Texas police chiefs. A charge of indecent exposure was dropped, but Herndon pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamines and received five years' probation.

Still in 1995, Alanis Morissette released the album "Jagged Little Pill."

              
In 1996, two former employees of talk show host Montel Williams sued him, claiming he sexually harassed them. Four other women eventually joined the suit.

On this date in 1998, 11 people were hurt when lightning struck the Tibetan Freedom Concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D-C. About 50-thousand people were in the stadium when the lightning hit, just after a set by Herbie Hancock. The rest of the evening's show was cancelled, but the second day went ahead.

In 2001, Los Angeles authorities received hundreds of frantic calls over false rumours of a fatal car crash involving singers Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.

In 2004, announcer Danny Dark (below), the voice of NBC Television for a number of years, the announcer who said "Sorry Charlie" in the StarKist Tuna commercials, and the voice of Superman in the 'Super Friends' TV cartoons, died at age 63.
              

In 2005, a jury in Los Angeles acquitted Michael Jackson of all ten counts of child molestation, bringing a dramatic end to a trial that put a harsh spotlight on the troubled life of one of the world’s best-known entertainers.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor Bob McGrath (Sesame Street) is 76.

Magician Siegfried of Siegfried and Roy is 69.

Singer Bobby Freeman is 68.

Actor Malcolm McDowell (Heroes, Entourage, Fantasy Island) is 65.

Singer Dennis Locorriere of Dr. Hook is 59.

Actor Richard Thomas (Waltons, Just Cause) is 57.

Actor Jonathan Hogan (One Life to Live, As the World Turns, The Doctors) is 57.

Guitarist Howard Leese (Heart, Spirit) is 57.

Comedian Tim Allen (Home Improvement) is 55.

Actress Ally Sheedy (The Best Little Girl in the World, Hill St. Blues) is 46.

ESPN anchor Hannah Storm (formerly of CBS & NBC) is 46.

Rock musician Paul deLisle (Smash Mouth) is 45.

Singer David Gray is 40.

Singer Deniece Pearson of Five Star is 40.

Musician Soren Rasted (Aqua) is 39.

Actor-singer Jamie Walters (Beverly Hills 90210) is 39.

Singer Rivers Cuomo of Weezer is 38.

Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster is 36.

Actor Ethan Embry (Brotherhood, Freaky Links) is 30.
  
Actress Sarah Schaub (Touched by an Angel, The Stand) is 25.

Singer Raz B (B2K) is 23.

Actresses Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen (Full House, So Little Time) are 22.

Actress Kat Dennings (ER, Raising Dad) is 22.


Chart Toppers

June 13

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

1954
Little Things Mean a Lot - Kitty Kallen
Three Coins in the Fountain - The Four Aces
If You Love Me (Really Love Me) - Kay Starr
(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely - Johnnie & Jack

1963
It’s My Party - Lesley Gore
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto
Da Doo Ron Ron - The Crystals
Act Naturally - Buck Owens

1972
The Candy Man - Sammy Davis, Jr.
Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
Nice to Be with You - Gallery
The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. - Donna Fargo

1981
Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
Stars on 45 medley - Stars on 45
Sukiyaki - A Taste of Honey
What are We Doin’ in Love - Dottie West (with Kenny Rogers)

1990
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe
It Must Have Been Love - Roxette
Love Without End, Amen - George Strait

1999
Livin’ La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
I Drive Myself Crazy - ’N Sync
Please Remember Me - Tim McGraw