Wednesday July the 23rd

ON THIS DAY in 1894,
Arthur Treacher was born in Brighton England.  
              
After a film career playing butlers & various supporting English-accented characters, he found a high-profile role on TV as announcer/sidekick on the Merv Griffin syndicated talk show.  That led to establishment of a fast food chain, Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, which at one point had 500 outlets.  He died of a heart ailment Dec 14, 1975 at age 81.  

In 1908, actor Karl Swenson was born in Brooklyn. Throughout the late 30s and 40s, his voice could be heard all over the radio dial, appearing in scores of daytime serials, such as "Lorenzo Jones," and mystery dramas such as "Inner Sanctum Mysteries". Later he would guest on TV's "Dr. Kildare", "Gunsmoke", "Maverick", "Mission: Impossible" and "Hawaii Five-O." He had a continuing role as the lumber mill owner on "Little House on the Prairie." He died Oct 8, 1978 at age 70.

In 1921, actor Calvert DeForest was born in Brooklyn.  He played bumbling sidekick Larry 'Bud' Melman on the David Letterman late night show on NBC, but when Dave moved to CBS had to appear under his own name, since 'Melman' was claimed as intellectual property by NBC.  His appearances ended with his 81st birthday in 2002.  He died Mar 19, 2007 at age 85.

              
In 1933, actor/game show host Bert Convy was born in St. Louis.  He is best remembered as the host of CBS TV's Tattletales, Win Lose or Draw, and later Super Password.  He acted in a number of TV projects, including Love of Life & The Snoop Sisters.  He succumbed to a brain tumour July 15, 1991 just days short of his 58th birthday.

In 1934, the program "Home Sweet Home" debuted on the NBC Red radio network. The principal characters were Fred, Lucy, Di ck Kent and Uncle Will.

In 1937, legendary Top 40 Disc Jockey Robert W. Morgan (below) was born. He did most of his work in Los Angeles at stations such as KHJ, where he was known as one of the "boss jocks" that dominated the Top 40 market during the late 1960s. His trademark greeting during his morning drive shift was "Good Morgan!!"  He died from cancer May 22, 1998 at age 60. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame the following year.
              

In 1941, Sonny Dunham and his orchestra recorded the tune that was to become Mr. Dunham’s theme song. Memories of You was Bluebird record #11289.

In 1950, to the strains of Back in the Saddle Again, TV viewers were treated to the first performance of The Gene Autry Show. The singing cowboy made the move from Hollywood films to the tube on this night 57 years ago.

In 1951, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Come on-a My House,'' by Rosemary Clooney.

In 1962, the Telstar communications satellite sent the first live TV broadcast to Europe. The bird was used to send TV programs between North America and Europe.

In 1963, Toronto rocker Neil Young held his first recording session in Winnipeg.

              
In 1966, Frank Sinatra hit the top of the pop album chart with his Strangers in the Night. It was the first #1 Sinatra LP since 1960. The album’s title song had made it to number one on the pop singles chart on July 2nd.  

Also in 1966, singer Donald Novis, who was the vocalist on NBC Radio's "Fibber McGee & Molly" show during its early Chicago days, died at age 60.  

In 1966, the one-hit-wonder Napoleon XIV released the soon-to-be-novelty-smash "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha! Ha!"

In 1969, Three Dog Night received a gold record for the single, One. It was the first of seven million-sellers for the pop-rock group.

In 1969, James Brown walked out of the Los Angeles mayor's office when Sam Yorty failed to show up on time to present him with a proclamation for James Brown Day.

              
In 1971, actor Van Heflin, who guest starred 3 times on TV's Playhouse 90, and was narrator of the series The Great Adventure, died after a heart attack at age 60.

In 1971, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian),'' by The Raiders (formerly Paul Revere and the Raiders). It was the group's biggest hit and last to hit the top 20.

In 1977, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Zeppelin manager Peter Grant and two bodyguards were arrested for beating up three employees of promoter Bill Graham following a show in Oakland, California. The four pleaded guilty to misdemeanours and settled out of court for about two-million dollars in damages.  Judas Priest began its first U.S. tour as opening act for the Zeppelin.

              
Also in 1977, "Looks Like We Made It" by Barry Manilow topped the charts..but just for the one week.

Still in 1977, Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" was released.

In 1980, Keith Godchaux, former keyboards player with the Grateful Dead, was killed in a car accident in Marin County, California. Godchaux and his wife, Donna, a background vocalist, joined the Dead in 1971 and were asked to leave in '79.

In 1981, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "The One That You Love,'' by Air Supply. The group was the first from Australia to hit Billboard's Hot 100.

In 1982, US broadcast regulator the FCC approved AM stereo radio; station KTSA San Antonio was the first to go stereo.

              
Also in 1982, actor Vic Morrow, the star of TV's Combat, and two child actors were killed during the filming of "Twilight Zone:The Movie."  A helicopter crashed on top of them during a Vietnam War scene. (Director John Landis and four associates were later acquitted of manslaughter charges.) Morrow was aged 53.

In 1984, Vanessa Williams (who now plays a key role on TV's Ugly Betty) became the first Miss America to resign her title, after nude photographs of her were published in Penthouse magazine.

In 1985, bandleader Kay Kyser, host of radio's longrunning Kollege of Musical Knowledge, died at age 79.

In 1987, longtime St. Louis Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck, who won a national audience with his work on radio & TV Games of the Week (& World Series), was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, as 11th winner of the Ford Frick Award.

              
In 1988, No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 was Richard Marx's "Hold on to the Nights." It was the fourth single from his debut album.

In 1989, FOX-TV topped ABC, NBC and CBS for the 1st time, thanks to "America's Most Wanted."

Also in 1989, Ringo Starr kicked off his first tour since the breakup of the Beatles with a show in Dallas. Starr began the concert with his 1971 hit ``It Don't Come Easy.'' His backup band included guitarist Joe Walsh, organist Billy Preston and saxman Clarence Clemons.

In 1990, jazz pianist Joe Turner, who played with such greats as Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter, died of cardiac arrest at age 82, in Paris, where he had lived for 30 years.

              
In 1991, actor James Farentino of Dynasty was arrested in Vancouver, after RCMP intercepted a package containing 3.2 grams of cocaine being sent to his hotel room. Farentino was in town filming the TV movie Miles From Nowhere.  He was charged with cocaine possession and released on bail.

In 1992, Bruce Springsteen opened his first US tour since 1988. The show was in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Also in 1992, Chicago got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1993, a gunman firesd into New York night club Danceteria, injuring Eric Tallman, the lead singer of the rock band Erotic Exotic. A bullet grazed Tallman's skull and he was taken to Bellevue Hospital.

                
Also in 1993, Nirvana played a surprise show at the New Music Seminar at Roseland in New York City. The band showcased songs from its yet to be released album, "In Utero."

In 1994, the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter after Frank Zappa, who had died the previous December.

In 1996, Rob Collins, keyboardist with the Manchester band The Charlatans U-K, died in a car accident in Wales. The band was working on its fifth album at the time. A single and video, "One to Another," completed with Collins just a week before he died, was released the following month.

In 1998, it was announced that Iron Maiden will have to cancel the remainder of its U.S. dates due to throat troubles for vocalist Blaze Bayley, whose doctor advises him not to sing for one month.

In 1999, the US public TV performance series "Sessions At West 54th" introduced John Hiatt as its new host, replacing David Byrne.

Also in 1999, Woodstock '99 began in Rome, New York. The 3-day festival started off peacefully but ended in fires, lootings and accusations of rape.

              
In 2002, actor Leo McKern, star of the British-produced PBS series Rumpole of the Bailey, died after a long illness at age 82.  


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Gloria DeHaven (All My Children, Ryan's Hope, Nakia) is 83.

Actor Ronny Cox (Stargate SG 1, The Agency, Apple's Way) is 70.

Radio shock jock Don Imus is 68.

Country singer Tony Joe White is 65.

Actor Larry Manetti (Magnum, P.I.) is 61.

Singer David Essex is 61.

Singer-turned-US Congressman John Hall (Orleans) is 60.

Guitarist Blair Thornton of Bachman-Turner Overdrive is 58.

Actress Edie McClurg (Hogan Family, WKRP in Cincinnati, 7th Heaven) is 57.

Actor Woody Harrelson (Cheers, Will & Grace) is 47.

Guitarist Martin Gore of Depeche Mode is 47.

Actor Eriq La Salle (ER) is 46.

Drummer Yuval Gabay (Soul Coughing) is 45.

Guitarist Slash of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N' Roses) is 43.

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (Empire Falls, Liberty! The American Revolution) is 41.

Singer Sam Watters of Color Me Badd is 38.

Actress Charisma Carpenter (Veronica Mars, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is 38.

Singer Dalvin DeGrate of Jodeci is 37
.
Bluegrass singer Alison Krauss is 37.

Drummer Chad Gracey of Live is 37.

Actor-comedian Marlon Wayans (The Wayans Brothers) is 36.

Country singer Shannon Brown is 35.

Actor Omar Epps (House MD) is 35.

Actress Stephanie March (Law & Order: SVU, Conviction) is 34.

Singer Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child) is 28.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe ("Harry Potter" movies) is 19.


Chart Toppers: July 23rd

1949
Some Enchanted Evening - Perry Como
Bali Ha’i - Perry Como
Again - Gordon Jenkins
One Kiss Too Many - Eddy Arnold

1958
Hard Headed Woman - Elvis Presley
Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
Willie and the Hand Jive - The Johnny Otis Show
Alone with You - Faron Young

1967
Windy - The Association
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
Light My Fire - The Doors
With One Exception - David Houston

1976
Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band
Kiss and Say Goodbye - Manhattans
I’ll Be Good to You - The Brothers Johnson
Teddy Bear - Red Sovine

1985
A View to a Kill - Duran Duran
Raspberry Beret - Prince & The Revolution
Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young
Dixie Road - Lee Greenwood

1994
I Swear - All-4-One
Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
Fantastic Voyage - Coolio
Summertime Blues - Alan Jackson

2003
Crazy In Love - Beyoncé Knowles featuring Jay-Z
Miss Independent  - Kelly Clarkson
Are You Happy Now? - Michelle Branch
Beer for My Horses - Toby Keith (with Willie Nelson)