Friday September the 12th  

ON THIS DAY in 1901
actor & comedian Ben Blue was born Benjamin Bernstein at Montreal; he died Mar 7, 1975 at age 73.
                                                    
Blue was a celebrated comedian and dancer whose origins in Vaudeville translated to the silent screen, then to films and TV. He acted with Jerry Van Dyke in the sitcom Accidental Family, and was a regular on  the Frank Sinatra Show.

On this day in 1915, singer Billy Daniels (That Old Black Magic) was born in Jacksonville Fla.

On this day in 1920, actress Irene Dailey (Liz-Another World, Grissom Gang) was born in New York City.  She is the sister of movie song-and-dance man Dan Dailey.

On this day in 1921, former NBC news host (Today show) & anchor Frank McGee was born in Oklahoma City.  He succumbed to bone cancer at age 55.  

On this day in 1924, singer Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield Texas.

Her hits include Cow Cow Boogie, Shoo Shoo Baby, & The Blacksmith Blues.  She was the 1st artist to record for Capitol Records; died Oct 16, 1999 at age 75.

In 1938, H.V. Kaltenborn made broadcasting history by covering a crisis in Czechoslovakia for CBS radio beginning on this day.  Kaltenborn was so devoted to his work that he slept in the studio for 18 days while bringing updates to his appreciative audience.

On this day in 1940, Johnny Long's orchestra recorded the classic In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town for Decca Records.

On this day in 1944, singer Barry White .. he of the deep voiced, sexy singing style .. was born in Galveston Texas.  He died July 4, 2003 at age 58.

On this day in 1948, Elvis Presley, age 13, moved with his parents to Memphis, TN.

On this day in 1951, actor Joe Pantoliano (Sopranos) was born in Hoboken New Jersey.
                                    

On this day in 1952, heavy metal drummer Neil Peart, of the Canadian supergroup Rush, was born on the outskirts of Hamilton.

On this day in 1953, actor Lewis Stone died at 73 of a heart attack.  He was Judge Hardy in The Hardy Family (With Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland) on radio and on film.

On this day in 1954, Lassie was seen on CBS-TV for the first time. Despite being called "girl" by Tommy Rettig, who starred as Jeff Miller, and Jan Clayton, who starred as Jeff's mom, Ellen, Lassie was, in reality, a male dog. In fact, there were more than a half-dozen Lassie dogs doing stunts. Lassie ran on CBS for exactly 17 years. The last show aired on September 12, 1971.

On this day in 1959, NBC aired its western drama Bonanza for the first time, starring Toronto-born Lorne Greene.  It was the first western broadcast in colour, and went on for 14 seasons.

On this day in 1963, the last episode of "Leave it to Beaver" was aired. The show had debuted on October 4, 1957.

On this day in 1966, the sitcom "Family Affair" premiered on CBS television.
                

Also this day in 1966, the Beatles received a gold record this day for Yellow Submarine.

Also in 1966, NBC-TV kicked off the fun-filled weekly series "The Monkees" starring 4 young men in a Beatles-wannabee group. The same night "The Roger Miller Show" debuted, also on NBC.

On this day in 1970, more than 18-thousand people attended the Woody Guthrie memorial concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Guthrie's son Arlo were among the performers.

Also this day in 1970, James Taylor's first single, Fire and Rain, was released.  It was the first of 14 Taylor hits on the charts in the 1970s and 1980s.

On this day in 1972, cowboy actor William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy on radio, TV & the movies), died at age 77.

Also in 1972, the first episode of "Maude" aired on CBS TV.

On this day in 1978,  the sitcom "Taxi" premiered on ABC television.

On this day in 1980, an in-depth report on the death of Elvis Presley aired on ABC-TV's 20/20. It raised so many unanswered questions that the official case concerning Elvis'  death was reopened.

On this day in 1980, actress Lillian Randolph(TV's Roots, Amos n Andy), died at 65.

On this day in 1986, character actor Frank Nelson (Ralph-I Love Lucy, Jack Benny Show), died at 75.  He worked with Benny over an incredible 38 years on radio & TV.

Also in 1986, Vancouver's 1040 AM radio signed on at 7 pm Friday with a commercial free music weekend of adult contemporary music.  Official sign on was Monday the 15th at 5:30 am with Huey Lewis & the News: "Stuck with you".  Veteran broadcaster Don Hamilton was the original owner. You know the station now as the all-sports TEAM 1040.

On this day in 1993, New Westminster-born actor Raymond Burr (Perry Mason, Ironside) died of liver cancer at 76.
  
On this day in 1994, country singer George Jones underwent triple bypass surgery on his 63rd birthday.

On this day in 1998, a concert by Shania Twain was televised live on DirecTV.

It was the first time a satellite broadcast service had originated a country concert.

Also in 1998, CNN journalist John Holliman, one of CNN's "Boys of Baghdad" during the Persian Gulf war, died of injuries sustained in a car crash at age 49.  

Also this day in 1998, country singer Vince Gill made his 100th appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

On this day in 1999, singer Graham Nash was injured in a freak boating accident in Hawaii. He broke both his legs.

On this day in 2001, XM Satellite Radio began service.

On this day in 2003, country superstar Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes, at age 71.


Today's Birthdays:

Actress Irene Dailey (Another World) is 88.

Actor Dickie Moore (Capt. Video & his Video Rangers) is 83.  

Actor Freddie Jones (Heartbeat, Nicholas Nickleby) is 81.

Country singer George Jones is 77.

Actress Linda Gray(Dallas, Bold & the Beautiful) is 68.

Singer Maria Muldaur is 65.

Actor Joe Pantoliano (Sopranos) is 57.

Singer-guitarist Gerry Beckley of America is 56.

Hamilton-born drummer Neil Peart of Rush is 56.

Actor Peter Scolari (Newhart) is 53.

Actress Rachel Ward (Thorn Birds) is 51.

Actress Amy Yasbeck (Wings, I've Got a Secret) is 46.

Bassist Norwood Fisher of Fishbone is 43.

CTV (BC) news anchor/reporter Mi-Jung Lee is 42.

Actor Darren E. Burrows (Northern Exposure) is 42.

Singer Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) is 42.

Actor Paul Walker (Young & the Restless) is 35.

Country singer Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland is 34.

Actor Benjamin McKenzie (The O.C.) is 30.

Singer Ruben Studdard (American Idol) is 30.

Singer-actress Jennifer Hudson (American Idol) is 27.

Actress Emmy Rossum (As The World Turns) is 22.


Chart Toppers - Sept. 12

1946
To Each His Own - Eddy Howard
They Say It’s Wonderful - Frank Sinatra
Surrender - Perry Como
Wine, Women and Song - Al Dexter

1955
The Yellow Rose of Texas - Mitch Miller
Maybellene - Chuck Berry
Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams
I Don’t Care - Webb Pierce

1964
The House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
Because - The Dave Clark Five
Bread and Butter - The Newbeats
I Guess I’m Crazy - Jim Reeves

1973
Let’s Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose - Tony Orlando & Dawn
Loves Me Like a Rock - Paul Simon
You’ve Never Been This Far Before - Conway Twitty

1982
Hard to Say I’m Sorry - Chicago
Jack & Diane - John Cougar
You Should Hear How She Talks About You - Melissa Manchester
She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft) - Jerry Reed

1991
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You - Bryan Adams
The Promise of a New Day - Paula Abdul
Motownphilly - Boyz II Men
Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn

2000
Jumpin’, Jumpin’ - Destiny’s Child
Doesn’t Really Matter - Janet Jackson
Music - Madonna
It Must Be Love - Alan Jackson