Friday August the 1st

ON THIS DAY in 1912  
actor Henry Jones was born in Philadelphia.  After success on Broadway & in film, he became much in demand as a character actor on TV series like Phyllis, Falcon Crest, Kraft TV Theatre, Playhouse 90, Studio One, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Mrs. Columbo & Gun Shy. He died May 17 1999 of complications from injuries suffered in a fall at the age of 86.

in 1922, actor Arthur Hill was born in Melfort Sask.  
              
After serving in WWII he enrolled at UBC where he helped support himself by playing in CBC radio drama from Vancouver.  He found success on the London stage, on Broadway & in film before coming to TV, where he starred in the series Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law(1971), the 1984 series Glitter, and a score of guest roles. He died of Alzheimer's Oct 22, 2006 at age 84.

In 1927, at 6 pm CKWX signed on as a Vancouver radio station from studios in the Belmont Hotel, after being known as CFDC in Nanaimo from 1923 to '27.

In 1937, Mutual radio debuted "The Goodwill Hour", with its familiar phrase, “You have a friend and advisor in John J. Anthony.”   A Bob & Ray spoof kept the 'tales of woe' concept alive for a later generation in the 50's & 60's.

In 1942,  Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded Charleston Alley, on Decca Records.

                
Also in 1942, musician/spngwriter Jerry Garcia, leader of the Grateful Dead was born in San Francisco. The original group members were part of Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions and later the Warlocks. Precipitated by an unhealthy weight, bad eating habits, and drug use, Garcia collapsed into a diabetic coma in 1986, and died of diabetes complications Aug. 9 1995 at age 53.

Still in 1942, the American Federation of Musicians went on strike. Union president James C. Petrillo told musicians that phonograph records were “a threat to members’ jobs.” As a result, musicians refused to perform in recording sessions over the next several months, leading to hit recordings without much instrumentation.  Live, musical radio broadcasts continued, however.

In 1954, Victoria radio station CKDA 1340 moved to AM 1280 and increased its power from 250 watts to 5000 watts.

Also in 1954, the "Moondog Jubilee of Stars Under the Stars" took place at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Acts on the bill included Fats Domino, Muddy Waters, the Clovers, the Orioles, and Little Walter.

              
In 1960, Chubby Checker’s The Twist was released. The song inspired the dance craze of the 1960s. Round and around and around...

Also in 1960, Elvis Presley was named Public Enemy #1 by the East German newspaper, "Young World."

Still in 1960, Aretha Franklin made her first secular recordings, including "Today I Sing the Blues.''

In 1962, radio station WMCA New York City published its first music chart.

In 1963, Winnipeg's CKY-FM signed on, less than year before owner Lloyd Moffat died suddenly on vacation in Hawaii. His son, Randy Moffat, took over as General Manager of CKY AM & FM in 1965.

In 1964, singer Johnny Burnette (below) drowned in a boating accident at Clear Lake, California. He was 30. He's probably best known for the songs "You're 16" and "Dreamin'."
              

In 1964, "A Hard Day's Night" by the Beatles topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

In 1971, "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour'' launched on CBS-TV with a short summer run followed by three regular seasons.

Also in 1971, the Concert for Bangladesh was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Ravi Shankar and Billy Preston performed. A multirecord set commemorating the event was a super sales success. Together, the concert and the album raised over $11 million to help the starving minions of Bangladesh.

In 1974, Robert Charlebois, Félix Leclerc and Gilles Vigneault held a live concert on the Plains of Abraham, telecast by Radio Canada.

In 1977, the book "Elvis: What Happened?" went on sale. It was an expose' by two former bodyguards who presented Elvis as an overweight recluse. Elvis died two weeks later.

                  
In 1979, CBS TV aired the last episode of "Good Times."

In 1981, MTV (Music Television) made its debut in the US at 12:01 a.m.  The first music video shown on the rock-video cable channel designed for 18-24 year olds, was, appropriately, Video Killed the Radio Star, by the Buggles. MTV’s original five veejays were Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, J.J. Jackson and Alan Hunter.

Also in 1981, "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

In 1984, singer Jermaine Jackson made a guest appearance on the TV soap opera, As the World Turns.

                
In 1986, Canada-raised actor Matt Frewer starred in the Max Headroom TV Talk Show, which debuted on the US movie channel Cinemax.

In 1987, "Shakedown (From Beverly Hills Cop II)" by Bob Seger topped the charts, but stayed #1 for just a week.

In 1992, NBC's "Saturday Today" premiered.

In 1994, The Rolling Stones began their Voodoo Lounge world tour; that same day they turned down an invitation from U.S. President Bill Clinton to play at the White House .

Also in 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley announced that they were married 11 weeks earlier in a private ceremony in the Dominican Republic. Rumors of the marriage between the pop superstar and the only child of Elvis Presley had circulated after a Dominican official said he had been paid $50 to perform the ceremony.
                

In 1995, sportscaster Brian Smith was shot in the head by a mentally ill person as he was leaving work at CJOH-TV. The former NHL player died the following day.

Also in 1995, Westinghouse Electric Corporation made a deal to buy CBS for $5.4 billion.

In 2000, CKAY-AM Duncan (B.C.) became SUN-FM on 89.7 MHz. CKAY's 1500 KHz frequency went silent on August 27th.

In 2003, CKBL-AM Kelowna switched from Country to become Oldies 1150, changing call letters to CKFR in May 2004.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor-director Geoffrey Holder (Tarzan, Cyberchase) is 78.

Singer Ramblin' Jack Elliott is 77.

Actor-comedian Dom Deluise (The Charlie Horse Music Pizza, All Dogs go to Heaven: the Series) is 75.

Quebec born pianist Andre Gagnon is 66.

Bass guitarist Ronnie King of The Stampeders is 61.
  
Blues musician Robert Cray is 55.

Singer Michael Penn is 50.

Singer Joe Elliott of Def Leppard is 49.

Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy is 48.

Guitarist Suzi Gardner of L7 is 47.

Actor Jesse Borrego (24) is 46.

Rapper Coolio is 45.

Singer Adam Duritz of Counting Crows is 44.

Country singer George Ducas is 42.

Country musician Charlie Kelley (Buffalo Club) is 40.

Actress Tempestt Bledsoe (The Cosby Show) is 35.

Actor Jason Momoa (Stargate:Atlantis, North Shore, Baywatch) is 29.

Singer Ashley Parker Angel (O- Town) is 27.

Actress Taylor Fry (Kirk) is 27.


Chart Toppers - August 1st

1949
Some Enchanted Evening - Perry Como
Bali Ha’i - Perry Como
Again - Gordon Jenkins
I’m Throwing Rice (At the Girl that I Love) - Eddy Arnold

1958
Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
Patricia - Perez Prado
Splish Splash - Bobby Darin
Alone with You - Faron Young

1967
Light My Fire - The Doors
I was Made to Love Her - Stevie Wonder
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
Tonight Carmen - Marty Robbins

1976
Kiss and Say Goodbye - Manhattans
Love is Alive - Gary Wright
Moonlight Feels Right - Starbuck
Teddy Bear - Red Sovine

1985
Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young
Shout - Tears For Fears
You Give Good Love - Whitney Houston
Love Don’t Care (Whose Heart It Breaks) - Earl Thomas Conley

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
Are You Happy Now? - Michelle Branch
Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake
My Front Porch Looking In - Lonestar