Monday June the 23rd

ON THIS DAY in 1910  
radio commentator & writer Edward P. Morgan was born in Walla Walla Wash.  After two decades in print journalism, from 1955-67 Morgan broadcast an evening radio program of news and commentary, "Edward P. Morgan and the News," on ABC, that in 1956 won him the George Foster Peabody Award, broadcasting's most venerable honor. Later he would become one of the rotating anchors on TV's ABC Evening News.  He died Jan 27, 1993 at age 82.

                
In 1925, TV host/actor Larry Blyden was born Ivan Lawrence Blieden in Houston Tex.  He starred in TV comedy (Joe & Mabel, Harry's Girls) before becoming an accomplished game show host {What's My Line, the syndicated version.)  He died in a motorcyle accident while travelling in Morocco June 6, 1975 at age 49.

In 1927,  Chilliwack's (BC) first radio station CHWK signed on at 1210 KHz with 5 watts. It only broadcast an hour or two a day, as the owners of Menzies Hardware (and the station) used it as a tool to sell radios.  One U.S. publication called CHWK "the smallest commercial radio station in North America".

In 1929, country singer June Carter Cash was born in Scott County Virginia. She was a singer, songwriter, actress and comedian and was a member of the Carter Family, and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash. She played the guitar, banjo, and autoharp. With her thin and lanky frame, she often played a comedic foil during the Carter Family's performances alongside other Grand ole Opry stars Faron Young and Webb Pierce.  She wrote one of her husband's major hits, Ring of Fire.  She died after heart valve replacement surgery May 15, 2003 at age 73.

In 1933, the "Pepper Pot" radio program in Chicago welcomed a new host. Don McNeill (below) took over and renamed it The Breakfast Club. The show, a huge success for the NBC Blue network and later, ABC Radio, became one of the longest-running radio programs in history. It aired with McNeill as host until December 27, 1968...a 35 year run.  The Breakfast Club was a morning show that had its share of corny jokes, visiting celebrities and lots of audience participation.
                

In 1941, Front Page Farrell was heard for the first time on Mutual radio. In 1942, the program moved to NBC and stayed on the air until 1954. Sally and David Farrell were the central characters. A young actor, who would become a major motion picture star, played the role of David Farrell. He was Richard Widmark.

Also in 1941, sultry songstress Lena Horne recorded St. Louis Blues for Victor Records] and launched an illustrious singing career in the process. She was 23 years old at the time. Horne continued performing well into her 60s.

In 1944, Chester Morris starred in a summer-replacement  for Amos & Andy, the crime drama Boston Blackie on NBC.  After 13 weeks it disappeared from the networks, but would have a 5-year syndicated run starring Richard Kollmar.

In 1947, Wendy Warren and the News debuted on CBS radio. The broadcasts continued until 1958. No, the program was not a newscast, in the traditional sense. It was a serial -- one of many of the time. The unique thing about this particular show, however, was that Wendy Warren and the News did utilize a real three-minute newscast to open the show. The newscaster, delivering the news as part of the show, chose not to stay in the entertainment side of radio, but continued to be a true journalist and a legend at CBS. That newsman was Douglas Edwards, who became the network's first TV anchorman.  

              
In 1951, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Too Young,'' by Nat King Cole.

In 1956,  "The Jimmy Durante Show" appeared for the last time on NBC-TV.

In 1960, "The Pat Boone Show" had its last airing on ABC-TV.

In 1965, the Supremes made the studio recording of "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart.'' The song reached No. 9 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Also in 1965, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles released "Tracks Of My Tears".

              
In 1969, actor Stanley Andrews, who played The Old Ranger on TV's "Death Valley Days", died at age 78.

In 1970, rocker Chubby Checker was arrested after police in Niagara Falls discovered marijuana and other drugs in his car.

Also in 1970, "The Red Skelton Show" aired for the last time on CBS-TV, and moved back to NBC-TV in a half-hour format for one final season.

Still in 1970, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "The Love You Save'' by The Jackson 5.

In 1972, 2,200 CBC broadcast technicians ended their five-month strike.

              
Also in 1972, country singer Elton Britt, a fine yodeller who parlayed his Jimmie Rodgers imitation into a radio, TV & recording career, died at age 54.

Still in 1972, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles perform together for the last time. They have since reunited for two performances.

In 1973, actress Fay Holden, who played Andy Hardy's mother in MGM films & The Hardy Family radio series, died of cancer at age 77.

Also in 1973, Three Dog Night performed "Joy to the World," "Black and White" and "Shambala" on "American Bandstand."

              
In 1974, Orillia-born singer Gordon Lightfoot's Sundown was the Number 1 Billboard hit for the second week in a row.

In 1975, shock rocker Alice Cooper fell off the stage in Vancouver, breaking 6 ribs. He was treated in the dressing room, returned to the stage wrapped in bandages, but was able to perform only several numbers before ending the shortened show to the cheers of the 17,000 strong crowd. He was then driven to hospital, where he received 15 stitches to his head.

In 1979, the Charlie Daniels Band released "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"

Also in 1979, the rock group, the Knack released "My Sharona."

              
In 1980, "The David Letterman Show" made its debut on NBC-TV daytime.

Also in 1980, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)'' by Paul McCartney & Wings.

In 1984, "The Reflex" by Duran Duran topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

In 1989, New Kids on the Block were nearly thrown out of a hotel in Anaheim, California. They were caught throwing balloons filled with Kool-Aid at guests.

In 1990, TV Guide selected Arsenio Hall as the TV personality of year.

In 1992, the 19th Daytime Emmy Awards were presented, and Susan Lucci lost for the 13th time.

In 1996, actor Robert Downey Junior was arrested on drug charges after authorities found crack cocaine, heroin and an unloaded .357 Magnum revolver in his truck during a traffic stop in Malibu, California.

Also in 1996, "You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best" was released by KISS.

              
In 2000, rapper "Ol' Dirty Bastard" (Russel Tyrone Jones) was ordered into a 180-day drug treatment program. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge decided that treatment was a better option for Jones than imprisonment for probation violations.

Also in 2000, rocker Neil Young was honored in Toronto with a star on the Canada Walk Of Fame. The Toronto native joined prior honorees Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Gordon Lightfoot, Rush, Christopher Plummer, Jim Carey, and director Norman Jewison.

Still in 2000, Michael Jackson was sued by his longtime Munich, Germany-based concert promoter Marcel Avram, who accused the pop king of refusing to perform two scheduled "Millennium Concerts."

In 2003, at a concert in London, Eminem gave a $450,000 necklace to a fan in the front row. He had announced while from the stage that "I'm going to give this to the sexiest woman I see."

              
In 2006, prolific television producer Aaron Spelling died in Los Angeles at age 83. He produced successful TV series from The Mod Squad (1968-1973) to Charmed in 2006. In between were Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Starsky and Hutch, Family, Hotel, The Rookies, Charlie�s Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Vega$, Hart to Hart, Dynasty, The Colbys, T.J. Hooker, Nightingales, Kindred: The Embraced, 7th Heaven, Burke�s Law, Honey West, and S.W.A.T., to name just a few.  

Also in 2006, the talented Phil Hendrie did the last of his very unique talk radio shows, in which he played both host and guests.  After trying to pursue a full-time acting career, he has since returned to syndicated radio.


Today's Birthdays:

Singer Diana Trask (Sing Along with Mitch) is 68.

Singer Rosetta Hightower of The Orlons is 64.

Actor Ted Shackelford (Knots Landing, Young & The Restless) is 62.

Actor Bryan Brown (Thorn Birds, A Town Like Alice) is 61.

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is 52.

Actress Frances McDormand (State of Grace, Leg Work, Hill Street Blues) is 51.

Rock musician Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) is 46.

Actor Paul La Greca (Airwolf, Knight Rider) is 46.

Actor Trent Bushey (All My Children) is 43.

Singer KT Tunstall is 33.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Virgo Williams (Ghostowns DJs) is 33.

Vancouver-born actress Emmanuelle Vaugler (Two-and a-Half Men, CSI: NY, Smallville) is 32.

Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is 31.

Singer Duffy is 24.


Chart Toppers

June 23

1946
The Gypsy - The Ink Spots
All Through the Day - Perry Como
They Say It�s Wonderful - Frank Sinatra
New Spanish Two Step - Bob Wills

1955
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
It�s a Sin to Tell a Lie - Somethin� Smith & The Redheads
Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young - Faron Young

1964
Chapel of Love - The Dixie Cups
A World Without Love - Peter & Gordon
I Get Around - The Beach Boys
Together Again - Buck Owens

1973
My Love - Paul McCartney & Wings
I�m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby - Barry White
Will It Go Round in Circles - Billy Preston
Kids Say the Darndest Things - Tammy Wynette

1982
Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
Don�t You Want Me - The Human League
Rosanna - Toto
Slow Hand - Conway Twitty

1991
Rush, Rush - Paula Abdul
Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
Unbelievable - EMF
The Thunder Rolls - Garth Brooks

2000
Oops� I Did It Again - Britney Spears
I Turn To You - Christina Aguilera
Try Again - Aaliyah
Yes! - Chad Brock