Tuesday July the 29th

ON THIS DAY in 1914  
transcontinental telephone service began in the US with the first test phone conversation between New York and San Francisco.

In 1921, actor Richard Egan was born in San Francisco. Besides his big screen career, Egan also worked extensively in television, starring in the western drama Empire from 1962 to 1964. Later he made guest appearances on other television shows as well as acting in films made specifically for television. In 1982 he joined the cast of TV's new daytime political drama Capitol. He died from prostate cancer July 20th, 1987, 9 days before his 66th birthday,

              
In 1924, actor Lloyd Bochner was born in Toronto. At age 11 he started in radio doing voice-over work and radio dramas in Vancouver. His work in radio continued throughout his schooling and into his adult years. In the 1950's, he started to get work in New York, starring in TV's Studio One and One Man's Family opposite Eva Marie Saint. He later moved to Hollywood to play Neil Campbell in the television series Hong Kong, which led to regular roles on The Richard Boone Show and Dynasty. He died of cancer Oct 29, 2005 at age 81.

In 1936, despite the very few TV sets in existence, RCA showed the first real TV program, comprised of dancing, a film on locomotives, a Bonwit Teller fashion show, some comedy, and a monologue from the play Tobacco Road.  It would be more than a decade, after WW II, before commercial television took hold.

In 1938, television reporter/anchor Peter Jennings was born in Toronto.  His father, Charles, was a CBC announcer and executive, and at age 9, Peter hosted a half-hour weekly children's show on the network.
              
After dropping out of Trinity College School, he joined the CBC as host of a public-affairs program, then in 1962 co-anchored the CTV News. In 1964, he moved to New York and became a correspondent for ABC, then anchor of ABC Nightly News (1965-67). He returned to reporting in 1968, served as ABC's chief foreign correspondent in London. He was appointed sole ABC anchor when the show moved to New York City in 1983. He died of cancer Aug 7 2005 at age 67.

In 1939, the CBC's prairie powerhouse CBK-540 signed on with 50,000 watts from Watrous, Saskatchewan. At the time, it was the only CBC outlet between Winnipeg and Vancouver.

In 1940, the pilot for the radio comedy Duffy's Tavern aired on CBS.  Starring Ed Gardner as tavern manager Archie, and a title character who never appeared, Duffy's won its own weeekly slot the following March, and would continue as a radio staple into 1952.

In 1957, Jack Paar began a successful five-year run as host of the Tonight show on NBC-TV, changing its name to The Jack Paar Show.  
              
The very first show had as guests Alexander King, singer Robert Merrill, and funnyman Buddy Hackett.  King and Hackett became regulars over the years just as Jack Paar became a regular in our bedrooms every weekday night until March 30, 1962.  Hugh Downs was his announcer, Jose Melis led the band.

In 1959, the Isley Brothers recorded "Shout.'' The song reached only to No. 47. Joey Dee & the Starliters took it No. 6 three years later.

In 1961, Dick Clark premiered his summer stage show, the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City.

In 1963, Peter, Paul & Mary's soon-to-be smash hit "Blowin' In The Wind" was released.
              
In 1965, Queen Elizabeth attended the premiere of the motion picture, Help!, starring The Beatles. The command performance was held at the London Pavilion. The film later earned first prize at the Rio De Janeiro Film Festival in Brazil.

In 1966, Bob Dylan was injured in a motorcycle accident near his Woodstock, N.Y., home; he went into seclusion.
          

In 1967, "Light My Fire" by the Doors topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

Also in 1967, The Temptations' "You're My Everything" was released.

In 1973, Led Zeppelin's safe deposit box at The Drake Hotel in New York was robbed. The band lost $180,000 in concert receipts from two shows at Madison Square Garden.

In 1974, singer Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas died of a heart attack in London, at age 30.  She was found in her bed with a ham sandwich by her side.

Also in 1974, Jim Hartz was named to join Barbara Walters as co-host of the Today show on NBC.
              
Others who have hosted the show since 1952 include Dave Garroway, John Chancellor, Hugh Downs, Frank McGee, Tom Brokaw, Bryant Gumbel, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer.

In 1977, Clint Buehlmann did his last show on WBEN-AM, Buffalo, New York. He had been a highly-rated morning personality for about 40 years.

In 1978, 600,000 attended the "Summer Jam" rock festival, at Watkins Glen, New York.

Also in 1978, Kenny Loggins "Whenever I Call You Friend" was released.

In 1981, millions of people around the world watched on television as England�s Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer took center stage amidst the pomp and splendor of their royal wedding at St. Paul�s Cathedral in London.
              
The ceremony took place in the wee small hours on this side of the Atlantic, but was still a ratings success, with coverage on all networks. 2,500 guests were in actual attendance.

In 1983, Toronto-born actor Raymond Massey died at age 86. The brother of Governor General Vincent Massey, Raymond was best remembered for his TV role as Dr. Gillespie on the Richard Chamberlain series Dr. Kildare.  Massey was also very active in quality radio, cast in various productions for the esteemed Norman Corwin & Arch Oboler, and repeatedly guesting on the eerie Inner Sanctum Mysteries.

Also in 1983, suave English actor David Niven (below), who guested all over early US TV drama, who hosted David Niven's World, and acted in the series The Rogues, died in Switzerland at age 73.
                

Still in 1983, "Friday Night Videos" premiered on NBC TV.

In 1984, orchestra & chorale leader Fred Waring, who emceed the longrunning radio show Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians, and continued the program for 6 years in early TV, died suddenly of a stroke at age 84.

In 1987, Michigan's governor announced an annual "Four Tops Day'' to honor the group's contribution to American music.

In 1994, the last steel beam was placed on Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1995, bandleader Les Elgart died at age 76. Elgart�s recording of Bandstand Boogie was adopted by Dick Clark as the theme for American Bandstand. Elgart also had two top-selling albumsin the 50's: The Elgart Touch and For Dancers Also. He often jointly led a band with his brother Larry in the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1997, CBL-AM Toronto was approved to move to FM, on 99.1 MHz.
              

In 1999, Anita Carter, singer and stand-up bass player for the country act the Carter Sisters, died at home in Nashville at age 66. She was the younger sister of June Carter Cash.

In 2000, 'N Sync's annual Challenge For The Children celebrity basketball game, held at St. John's University in New York, raised $550,000 for a group of charities. The event saw musicians Queen Latifah, Youngbloodz, Jordan Knight, and Pink, actors Dean Winters and Duane Martin, and MTV VJ Ananda Lewis join members of 'N Sync in a star-studded game.

Also in 2000, actor Brad Pitt married actress Jennifer Aniston (Friends) in Malibu. They separated after four and a half years of marriage.

In 2005, CKCK-FM Regina became Jack-FM.

In 2006, actor-director Mel Gibson issued a lengthy statement apologizing for his drunken-driving arrest and for what he called his "despicable" statements toward the deputies who arrested him in Malibu, Calif.

              
Also in 2006, Ladysmith BC's Pamela Anderson and musician Kid Rock were married in St. Tropez, France. They both filed for divorce four months later.


Today's Birthdays:

Comedian 'Professor' Irwin Corey (Jackie Gleason Show, Edgar Bergen Radio Show) is 94.

Actor Robert Horton (Wagon Train) is 84.

Actor Robert Fuller (Laramie, Wagon Train, Emergency) is 74.

Actor David Warner (Star Trek: Next Generation, Batman, SpiderMan) is 67.

Keyboardist Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon is 62.

Actor Mike Starr (Ed, Joan of Arcadia) is 58.

Toronto-born singer-bassist Geddy Lee of Rush is 55.

Documentary maker Ken Burns (Civil War, Baseball, Jazz) is 55.

Singer Patti Scialfa with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is 55.

Actress Alexandra Paul (Baywatch) is 45.

Country singer Martina McBride is 42.

Drummer Chris Gorman (Belly) is 41.

Actor Rodney Allen Rippy (Jack in the Box commercials) is 40.

Actor Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: Next Generation) is 36.

Singer Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men is 35.

Actor Stephen Dorff (Earthly Possessions, What a Dummy) is 35.

Actor Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) is 34.

Musician Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley is 31.

Actress Allison Mack (Smallville) is 26.


Chart Toppers - July 29th

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

1955
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
Hard to Get - Giselle Mackenzie
Sweet and Gentle - Alan Dale
I Don�t Care - Webb Pierce

1964
Rag Doll - The 4 Seasons
A Hard Day�s Night - The Beatles
The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena) - Jan & Dean
Dang Me - Roger Miller

1973
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
Yesterday Once More - Carpenters
Shambala - Three Dog Night
You Were Always There - Donna Fargo

1982
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Rosanna - Toto
Hurts So Good - John Cougar
Take Me Down - Alabama

1991
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You - Bryan Adams
Right Here, Right Now - Jesus Jones
P.A.S.S.I.O.N. - Rythm Syndicate
I Am a Simple Man - Ricky Van Shelton

2000
It�s Gonna Be Me - �N Sync
Bent - Matchbox Twenty
I Think God Can Explain - Splender
I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack (featuring Sons of the Desert)