Wednesday July the 2nd

ON THIS DAY in 1916
New York radio personality Barry Gray was born Bernard Yaroslaw in Red Lion, New Jersey.  
                
He is generally considered the father of the "Call-In" radio format after putting the telephone up to a microphone one night in 1945, and refining the technique over the next 50 years. Beginning in 1950 he ran for 39 straight years late-night on WMCA, then moved to WOR until his death Dec. 21 1996 at age 80.

Also in 1916, actor/singer Ken Curtis was born in Las Animas, Colorado.  He sang with Shep Fields Orchestra, with Tommy Dorsey, Roy Rogers & The Sons of the Pioneers before making a national breakthrough as Festus the cantankerous deputy on TV's Gunsmoke.  He also had a running role on the series The Yellow Rose.  He died in his sleep Apr 29, 1991 at age 74.

In 1921, the first prize fight boasting a million-dollar gate was broadcast on radio from Jersey City, NJ, as Jack Dempsey knocked out George Carpentier in the fourth round for the heavyweight championship.

In 1927, actor/singer Brock Peters was born George Fisher in New York City.  Besides his signature role as the black man falsely accused of rape in the movie To Kill a Mockingbird, he had guest & supporting roles in scores of TV series, including the continuing part of Joseph Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.    His deep resonant voice made him ideal for cartoon voiceovers, as well as stand out voice work in numerous musical recordings.  He played Darth Vader on NPR Radio.  He died of pancreatic cancer Aug 23, 2005 at age 78.

                
In 1932, another radio first as Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the first presidential nominating convention acceptance speech.

In 1939, The Aldrich Family debuted on NBC radio.
                        
Mother Aldrich was heard to call, "Hen-ree! Henry Aldrich!" Mrs. Aldrich was named Alice; Mr. Aldrich was Sam; Henry's sister was Mary; Henry's mischief-making friend was Homer Brown; and Henry's girlfriend was Kathleen. The teenaged Henry was played delightfully by Ezra Stone, then in his mid-20's.  

Also in 1939, singer Paul Williams was born in Birmingham Alabama.   He sang with the doo-wop group The Temptations on such hits as The Way You Do the Things You Do, My Girl, & Just My Imagination.  He also did the group's choreography.in the early stages of their career.  Alcoholism & sickle cell anemia forced his early retirement, and he apparently committeed suicide Aug 17, 1973 at age 34.

In 1941, the lighthearted comedy-mystery The Adventures of the Thin Man, based on the Nick & Nora Charles movie series of the same name, debuted on NBC radio.

              
In 1942, vocalist Jo Stafford joined Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra for Manhattan Serenade, which was recorded for Victor Records. The recording session, you may have guessed, took place in Manhattan.

In 1943, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer,'' by The Song Spinners. Recorded during one of the several militant musicians unions' recording bans it was virtually a capella.

In 1945, The Marlin Hurt & Beulah Show made its debut on CBS radio.  Marlin Hurt had first introduced his Beulah character (a black maid) while a cast member of the Fibber McGee & Molly Show.
In 1946, CBS signed the Old Redhead, Arthur Godfrey to do a weekly nighttime radio show. Godfrey was soon hosting one of radio's top shows, Arthur Godfrey'sTalent Scouts.

In 1949, one of New York radio's top sportscasters made his TV debut on  "Red Barber's Clubhouse," first on CBS  & later NBC.

              
In 1951, NBC radio presented Bob & Ray (Bob Elliott, pictured lower, and Ray Goulding) on a network radio show. The comedians had previously been heard locally on WHDH Radio in Boston.

In 1955, ABC Television premiered The Lawrence Welk Show, previously a LA local show only.  It ran for 27 years, on the network & in syndication.

In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded Hound Dog and Don't Be Cruel for his new record label home, RCA Victor. In addition, Elvis recorded Any Way You Want Me for later release. It marked the first time Elvis used the Jordanaires as background singers. The two-sided hit "Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog'' topped Billboard's Hot 100 for 11 weeks, setting a record in the rock era that stood until 1992.

Also in 1956, Buddy Holly's first single, "Love Me," was released.

In 1963, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Easier Said Than Done,'' by The Essex. The members of the group were all U.S. Marines, including lead singer Anita Humes.

Allso in 1963, singer Jose Feliciano had his first performance in New York City.

              
In 1964, country/pop singer Jim Reeves held what turned out to be his last recording session. Less than a month later, he was killed in a plane crash near Nashville.

In 1966, "Strangers in the Night" by Frank Sinatra topped the charts and stayed there for just the one week.

In 1969, the founder of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones drowned.

Also in 1969, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchel quit the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

In 1973, movie star Betty Grable, who capped her bigscreen career with guest spots in TV's Chrysler Shower of Stars, Ford Star Jubilee & Star Stage, died of lung cancer at age 56.

                  
Still in 1973, actor George Macready, the man with the menace in his voice, who combined 200 TV appearances with an extensive big screen career, who played Martin Peyton in the TV series Peyton Place, died of emphysema at age 73.

Also in 1973, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Will It Go Round in Circles,'' by Billy Preston.

In 1976, Brian Wilson joined the Beach Boys on stage for the first time in 12 years. The next night the show was recorded for an NBC Beach Boys special.

In 1977, "Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)" by Bill Conti topped the charts, but only for the one week.

In 1980, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead were arrested for suspicion of inciting a riot at the San Diego Sports Arena after they tried to interfere in a drug-related arrest.

In 1984, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "When Doves Cry,'' by Prince. The song was the first single released from his "Purple Rain'' LP and his biggest hit, selling more than 2 million copies and topping the pop chart for five weeks.

              
Also in 1984, Epic Records set a record as two million copies of the Jacksons' new album, Victory, were shipped to stores. It was the first time that such a large shipment had been initially sent to retailers. The LP arrived just days before Michael and his brothers started their hugely successful Victory Tour.

In 1988, Michael Jackson became the first artist to have five number one singles from one album when Dirty Diana went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The other four chart-toppers from Bad were I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel and Man in the Mirror.

In 1990, singer Snooky Lanson, a star of TV's Your Hit Parade, died at age 76.

Also in 1990, representatives of the Italian Catholic Church announced that they would attempt to halt Madonna's concerts in Rome because of her alleged inappropiate use of crucifixes and sacred symbols.

              
In 1991, actress Lee Remick, who started in early TV on the likes of Studio One, Robert Montgomery Presents, Playhouse 90 & Hallmark Hall of Fame, died of cancer at age 55.

Also in 1991, Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose sparked a riot in a St. Louis suburb by jumping off the stage and attacking a fan videotaping the concert. Sixty people were hurt and the venue was wrecked.

In 1992, Mick Jagger's daughter Jade gave birth to a daughter. She was the first grandchild for the 48-year-old Rolling Stone.

In 1993, actor Fred Gwynne, who starred in two TV sitcoms, Car 54 Where are You & The Munsters, died of pancreatic cancer at age 66.

              
In 1997, actor James Stewart died of cardiac arrest at age 89.  The major movie star was a frequent guest on radio variety & dramatic shows, and starred in the 1953 series The Six Shooter.  On TV he headlined two series, The Jimmy Stewart Show & Hawkins, and guested on scores of other programs, both in & (more often) out of character.  

In 1999, latin pop star Enrique Iglesias gave a free public performance in front of the Lincoln Center Plaza in New York.

In 2005, MTV and VH1 aired the eight hours of the Live 8 concerts. The performances, featuring artists U2, Coldplay, Madonna, Dave Matthews Band, Jay-Z and Destiny's Child among many others, were held in eight cities to raise awareness of poverty in Africa.

Also in 2005, "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey became #1 in Canada, and stayed on top for 12 weeks.

            
In 2006, Jan Murray died.  Murray was a stand-up comedian, TV game-show host and actor who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows. He hosted the TV quiz show Treasure Hunt from 1956 to 1959.


Today's Birthdays:

Jazz musician Ahmad Jamal is 78.

Vancouver-born actor Robert Ito (Quincy) is 77.

Actress Polly Holliday (Alice) is 71.

Actor Ron Silver (West Wing, Veronica's Closet) is 62.

Writer-director-actor Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) is 61.

Actor Saul Rubinek (Frasier, Nero Wolfe Mystery, Ink) is 60.

Keyboardist Roy Bittan of the E Street Band is 59.

Actor Jimmy McNichol (California Fever, The Fitzpatricks) is 47.

Bassist Dave Parsons of Bush is 43.

Actress Yancy Butler (Witchblade, Brooklyn South) is 38.

Singer Michelle Branch is 25.

Actress Vanessa Lee Chester (Once & Again) is 24.

Actress Ashley Tisdale (Suite Life of Zach & Cody) is 23.

Actress Lindsay Lohan (Bette, Driven) is 22.


                      Chart Toppers

July 2

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

1955
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
Learnin� the Blues - Frank Sinatra
Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young - Faron Young

1964
A World Without Love - Peter & Gordon
I Get Around - The Beach Boys
My Boy Lollipop - Millie Small
Together Again - Buck Owens

1973
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) - George Harrison
Will It Go Round in Circles - Billy Preston
Kodachrome - Paul Simon
Don�t Fight the Feelings of Love - Charley Pride

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
Unbelievable - EMF
Power of Love/Love Power - Luther Vandross
The Thunder Rolls - Garth Brooks

2000
It�s Gonna Be Me - �N Sync
Try Again - Aaliyah
Oops� I Did It Again - Britney Spears
Yes! - Chad Brock