Wednesday June the 25th

ON THIS DAY in 1886,
nineteen-year-old Arturo Toscanini, who would eventually become the world's most famous conductor as leader of the NBC Symphony, moved from the cello section to the conductor’s stand of the Rio de Janeiro Orchestra. The maestro conducted Aida this day.

                
In 1915, actor & broadcast host Peter Lind Hayes was born Joseph Conrad Lind in San Francisco.  A vaudeville entertainer and occasional movie supporting actor, he served with valor as a fighter pilot in WWII. He became a TV host in 1950, co-starring in several CBS series with his singing wife Mary Healey, and substituting for some years for Arthur Godfrey on his daytime simulcast.   Peter & Mary provided the vocals on the original jingle `See the USA in your Chevrolet.` He died from a vascular disease Apr 21, 1998 at age 82.

In 1938, Vancouver's CKWX 1010 moved to AM 950 and increased its power to 1000 watts.

              
In 1942, the first broadcast of the unique, hilariously-scripted panel show "It Pays to Be Ignorant" was aired on WOR Radio and the Mutual Broadcasting System. It eventually spanned 9 years on the air, moving first to CBS and then to NBC.

In 1951, CBS transmitted the first commercial color TV broadcast, an hour-long special hosted by Arthur Godfrey, from New York to 4 other cities on the US East Coast .. Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore & Washington DC.  But outside of 3 dozen sets owned by CBS, nobody saw the color .. As yet there were no color TV`s among the general public.

In 1955, "The Imogene Coca Show," aired for the last time on NBC-TV.

                
In 1957, "The Jonathan Winters Show" was seen for the final time on NBC-TV.

In 1961, Pat Boone spent this day at number one for one last time with Moody River. Boone, a teen heart-throb in the 1950s, had previously walked his way up the music charts, wearing white buck shoes, of course, with these other hits: Ain’t That a Shame, I Almost Lost My Mind, Don’t Forbid Me, Love Letters in the Sand and April Love.

In 1964, The Beatles reached the #1 spot on the music charts, as their hit single, I Want to Hold Your Hand, grabbed the top position in Cash Box magazine, as well as on the list of hits on scores of North American radio stations. It was the first #1 hit for the Beatles.

In 1966, "Paperback Writer" by the Beatles topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

              
Also in 1966, the gothic horror daytime serial "Dark Shadows" began running on ABC-TV.

In 1967, 400 million people around the world watched the Beatles "Our World" TV special.

In 1968, popular British TV & radio comedian Tony Hancock died at age 44 in Australia.  A heavy drinker beset with personal demons, he committed suicide by overdose.  

In 1969, the Canadian rock group The Guess Who were in New York to receive a gold record for their hit single, These Eyes.

Also in 1969, The Hollies recorded "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," with Elton John playing piano.

Also in 1969, guitarist Mick Taylor made his performance debut with the Rolling Stones in Rome. He replaced Brian Jones, who later drowned on July 3. Taylor left the group in 1975 and was replaced by Ron Wood.

In 1970, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission handed down legislative ruling 35 FR 7732, making it illegal for radio stations to put telephone calls on the air without the permission of the person being called.

              
In 1976, songwriter/singer & broadcast personality Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to more than 1,000 songs, including That old Black Magic, Swinging on a Star, Accentuate the Positive, Hooray for Hollywood, and Days of Wine & Roses,  who had 19 Academy Award nominations, died of brain cancer at age 66.  In 1942 he became a co-founder of Capitol Records.

In 1977, "Got to Give it Up" by Marvin Gaye topped the charts, but only for a week.

In 1984, his future wife Patti Scialfa joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

In 1985,  ABC’s "Monday Night Football" began with a revised line-up. The new trio in the booth was Frank Gifford, Joe Namath and O.J. Simpson.

              
In 1987, Boudleaux Bryant, pictured with his songwriting partner & wife Felice, who gave us numerous Everly Bros. hits, including "Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up, Little Susie", and "All I Have to Do is Dream," died at age 67.

In 1988, "Foolish Beat" by Debbie Gibson topped the charts .. but only for the one week.

In 1989, the sitcom "Day By Day," a sort of spinoff from "Family Ties," completed its year-and-a-half-run on NBC-TV.

In 1990, "The Dave Thomas Comedy Show" starring the Ontario-born SCTV alumnus, was seen for the last time on CBS-TV.

              
In 1993, Bruce Springsteen was a surprise guest on the final "Late Night with David Letterman." Ater more than 11 years at NBC, Letterman began a similar show (Late Show with David Letterman) on CBS two months later. (Springsteen played Glory Days and Letterman seemed genuinely touched by the performance.)

In 1994, the Stone Temple Pilots album, Purple, hit #1 in the U.S. where it stayed for three weeks. Do you remember Meatplow, Vasoline, Lounge Fly, Interstate Love Song, Still Remains, Pretty Penny, Silvergun Superman, Big Empty, Unglued, Army Ants and Kitchenware & Candybars?

In 1995, following the 5:00 p.m. News, Abbotsford's CFVR-AM changed call letters to CKMA with an oldies music format as "85 Radio Max." The station had originally signed on August 20, 1962 at 1240 KHz, with just five hours of local programming each weekday; the rest was simulcast from CHWK-1270 Chilliwack.

Also in 1995, Pearl Jam cancelled their current tour, citing their ongoing war with Ticketmaster as the reason.

              
In 2002, former CBC & CTV host Pamela Wallin became Consul General in New York City.

In 2003, the Recording Industry Association of America disclosed its plans to fight Internet piracy. The plan was to sue hundreds of individual computer users who illegally share music files online. The process was planned to begin the next day.

In 2004, Eric Clapton raised about $7.5 million for a drug addiction center he set up in the Caribbean. The items that were sold were the "Blackie" Stratocaster that Clapton played from 1970-185 for $1 million, a 1964 cherry-red Gibson for $847,000 and a 1939 Martin accoustic that Clapton played on his "Unplugged" album went for $800,000. All three sales were records for a guitar sale, a Gibson guitar and a Martin guitar respectively.

Also in 2004, we learned that Elton John had booked his first-ever China concert. The show was planned for the September.

In 2006, Nicole Kidman married Keith Urban in Sydney, Australia.
                


Today's Birthdays:

Actress June Lockhart (Lassie, Lost in Space) is 83.

R & B singer Eddie Floyd is 73.

Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand is 67.

Actress Barbara Montgomery (Amen, Evergreen) is 69.  

Singer Carly Simon is 63.  

Rock Musician Allen Lanier (Blue Oyster Cult) is 62.  

Rock Musician Ian McDonald (Foreigner, King Crimson) is 62.  

Comedian Jimmie Walker (Good Times) is 61.

TV director Michael Lembeck (Friends, Major Dad) is 60.  

TV personality Phyllis George (NFL Today, New Candid Camera) is 59.  

Rock singer Tim Finn (Crowded House) is 56.  

Rock musician David Paich (Toto) is 54.  

Actor/writer Ricky Gervais (BBC's The Office, Extras) is 47.  

Singer George Michael is 45.  

Actress Erica Gimpel (ER,  Profiler, Fame) is 44.  

Rapper Richie Rich is 41.  

Rapper Candyman is 40.  

Rock musician Sean Kelly is 37.  

Actress Angela Kinsey (The Office) is 37.  

Rocker Mike Kroeger (Nickelback) is 36.  

Rock musician Mario Calire (Wallflowers) is 34.

Acrtress Linda Cardellini (ER) is 33.  

Actress Busy Philipps (ER, Dawson's Creek) is 29.


Chart Toppers: June 25

1948
Nature Boy - Nat King Cole
Toolie Oolie Doolie - The Andrews Sisters
You Can’t Be True, Dear - The Ken Griffin Orchestra (vocal: Jerry Wayne)
Texarkana Baby - Eddy Arnold

1957
Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone
Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
I Like Your Kind of Love - Andy Williams
Four Walls - Jim Reeves

1966
Paperback Writer - The Beatles
Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra
Red Rubber Ball - The Cyrkle
Take Good Care of Her - Sonny James

1975
Love Will Keep Us Together - The Captain & Tennille
When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt
Wildfire - Michael Murphey
You’re My Best Friend - Don Williams

1984
The Reflex - Duran Duran
Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Self Control - Laura Branigan
When We Make Love - Alabama

1993
That’s the Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson
Weak - SWV (Sisters With Voices)
Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
Blame It on Your Heart - Patty Loveless

2002
A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
I Need A Girl (Part One) - P. Diddy featuring Usher & Loon
Hella Good - No Doubt
Living and Living Well - George Strait