Wednesday October the 1st

ON THIS DAY in 1909, actor Everett Sloane was born in New York City. From the mid-1930's to the 1960's, for 20 years on radio & 15 on TV, Sloane was a prominent part of New York's drama broadcast scene.  He won raves for a supporting role in the movie classic Citizen Kane.  Reportedly depressed over the onset of blindness, Sloane committed suicide in 1965 at age 55.

On this day in 1920, actor Walter Matthau was born in New York City.
                              
Prior to his major successes in Hollywood, Matthau was busy in TV anthology & guest roles from 1950-64.  He died July 1, 2000 following a heart attack at age 79.

On this day in 1922 the first daily news program on radio, "The Radio Digest," debuted on WBAY in New York City.

On this day in 1928, prominent BC business man and broadcast group owner
James Allen 'Jimmy' Pattison was born in Saskatoon.
      
Pattison was raised in Vancouver, where he built up the largest car dealership in Western Canada. In 1967 he purchased Claude Neon signs, the first of his Pattison Group's over 50 acquisitions. He also managed Vancouver's Expo 86 World's Fair, making it a great success.

On this day in 1928, the song "Forever," by Ben Pollack and his band, was recorded on Victor Records. In Pollack's band were two talented young musicians who would go on to form their own prominent swing bands: Benny Goodman and Jack Teagarden.

On this day in 1930, actor/singer Richard Harris was born in Ireland.  In addition to his many big-screen roles, his seven-minute recording of Jimmy Webb's "MacArthur Park" has become a classic on & off the radio.

He succumbed to Hodgkin's Disease Oct. 25 2002 at age 72.

On this day in 1933, Vancouver radio station CJOR  moved from 1210 kc to its longtime home at 600 kc. (khz)
                                                        

On this day in 1937, Vancouver's new CBC radio station officially changed call letters from CRCV to CBR, still at AM 1100, with a broadcast day from 8 am-11 pm daily.

On this day in 1942,
young broadcaster Art Linkletter

took over as host of NBC's  "People Are Funny". Art Baker was the original host for the first 18 months of the long-running series.

On this day in 1949, singer Buddy Clark (Linda, You're Breaking My Heart) died in a private plane crash at Los Angeles.  Clark starred on radio's Your Hit Parade 1936-38.

On this day in 1952, Ralph Edwards began a new TV program on NBC-TV called This is Your Life. Each show began with Edwards surprising some unsuspecting victim, er, lucky person. The surprisee would then be presented with the story of his or her life, complete with friends and relatives who had been brought in for the big occasion. The popular show ran for nine years.

Also this day in 1952, the world's first Ultra High Frequency (UHF) TV station was offically on the air.  KPTV was also Portland Oregon's very first television outlet.

On this day in 1955, the half-hour filmed version of  
"The Honeymooners" premiered on CBS.

It was an offshoot of a popular skit on Jackie Gleason's Saturday night show.

On this day in 1961, the CTV Network launched across Canada with stations in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.

On this day in 1962, a new host took over NBC's Tonight Show
                                              
..and stuck around for about 30 years!   "From New York ... heeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" Ed McMahon for the first time introduced Johnny Carson.

Also this day in 1962, Barbra Streisand signed her 1st recording contract (with Columbia.)

Still in 1962, the CBC's Dominion Network went dark, leaving the Trans Canada Network as the CBC's only radio web coast-to-coast.  The Dominion Network, composed of private stations in larger centres (CJOR in Vancouver), had been formed in 1944 to carry mostly commercial programs which couldn't be squeezed into the main network's schedule.

Again in 1962, Brian Epstein signed a contract to manage the Beatles through 1977.

On this day in 1963, the first recordings from the Canadian Talent Library (CTL) were played on radio stations across Canada.

On this day in 1964, Duncan B.C. got its own radio station.  CKAY 1500 signed on with 1000 watts of power day/night.
                                                                  
The original owner was Dr. John Coleman and a group of Duncan businessmen.

Also in 1964, Vancouver's CBU-FM opened a new era as the CBC FM network (now Radio Two) went coast-to-coast for the first time.

On this day in 1966, the CBC began colour television broadcasting....in Montreal.

Also in 1966, the song "I Love My Dog" was released by Cat Stevens, then just 19 years old. Five years later, he recorded such hits as Wild World, Morning Has Broken, and Peace Train.  Stevens became a convert to Islam in 1977, after a near-death experience, & adopted the name Yusuf Islam in 1979.

On this day in 1967, Pink Floyd arrived in the U-S for their first American tour, a month after their debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn," was released. By this time, the behaviour of Syd Barrett, the group's lead vocalist and guitarist, was becoming more and more erratic, likely because of his overuse of L-S-D. At some concerts, Barrett wouldn't play at all -- he just stood on stage. Barrett was replaced in 1968 by David Gilmour.

Also in 1967, "Man Alive" debuted on CBC TV with host Roy Bonisteel (1967-89).  Other hosts included Peter Downie (1989-96) and R.H. Thomson (1996-2001). The series examined the issues surrounding human faith.

On this day in 1970, rock icon Jimi Hendrix was buried in his hometown of  Seattle.

ALso in 1970, the 200th episode of "Bewitched" was aired on ABC.
                                          

On this day in 1974, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "I Honestly Love You'' by Olivia Newton-John. The single was her first No. 1 hit.

On this day in 1975, an intruder shot and killed Al Jackson, drummer for Booker T. and the M-G's, at his home in Memphis. The group was planning a reunion at the time of Jackson's death. The group, best known for their 1962 instrumental million-seller Green Onions,'' was planning a reunion at the time of Jackson's death. Booker T. and the M-G's also served as the backing band for many of the hits turned out by the Stax label in Memphis, including records by Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and Wilson Pickett.

Also this day in 1975,
Seattle radio station KOL changed its call letters to KMPS,

surrendering forever the three-letter call that had served the Puget Sound well for nearly 50 years. While the modern incarnation of 1300 AM uses KOL as its ID, the official call sign is KKOL.

On this day in 1977, Elton John became the first rock & roller to be honored in New York's Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame.

On this day in 1982, a recording revolution was underway as the first CD players were sold in Japan.

Also this day in 1982,

NBC aired the first episode of "Remington Steele."

On this day in 1983, Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" began a four-week run as the number one single in the U.S. The song ran 5 minutes, 36 seconds and it took a day or two to get out of your head after you listened to it...

On this day on 1986, STAR FM became the Fraser Valley�s own FM radio station.  It broadcast a mix of adult contemporary and easy listening at 104.9 in Abbotsford and 107.5 in Chilliwack.  Today it is Clear FM 104.9.

On this day in 1993, Vancouver's "Modern rock" CKST Coast 1040 turned into Q 104 with a nostalgic music format hosted by many former employees of CHQM.   Seconds after midnight the first song played on Q 104 was "Blues in the Night."

Also in 1993, soul singer Wilson Pickett was sentenced in Hackensack, New Jersey, to one year in jail and five years' probation for hitting an elderly pedestrian while driving drunk. Pickett pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by auto. He admitted he was drunk when he hit an 86-year-old man, who spent several months in hospital with head injuries.

On this day in 1994, Eric Clapton's album From the Cradle was number one in North America.

On this day in 1997, the 10th season of "Murphy Brown" began.

On this day in 1998, MUCHMOREMUSIC, another music video channel signed on. This one is mostly adult contemporary music featuring Celine Dion, Elton John, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart and a few classic videos from before 1983.  First song played was  Bob Marley's "Is This Love?"

Also in 1998, John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On this day in 1999, radio station CKEG 1570 Nanaimo dropped its country format to play "Good Time Oldies."

On this day in 2001, Janet Jackson cancelled a European tour because of safety fears after the previous month's terror attacks in the U-S.

On this day in 2004, Mel Cooper completed the sale of his Seacoast Communications including Victoria's CFAX and CHBE FM, to CHUM Broadcasting.


Today's Birthdays:

Actor James Whitmore (Mister Sterling, The Practice) is 87.  

Pianist Roger Williams (Autumn Leaves) is 84.

Actor Tom Bosley (Happy Days, Father Dowling Mysteries) is 81.

Canadian radio tycoon Jimmy Pattison is 80.

Actress-singer Julie Andrews is 73.

Actress Stella Stevens (Ben Casy, Flamingo Road) is 72.

Rock musician Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone) is 65.

British jazz musician Dave Holland is 62.

Actor Stephen Collins (7th Heaven) is 61.

Actor Randy Quaid (The Grubbs, Davis Rules) is 58.

CBS correspondent Richard Schlesinger (48 Hours) is 54.  

Actress Yvette Freeman (ER, Working) is 51.

Singer Howard Hewett is 51.

Singer Youssou N'Dour is 49.

Actor Esai Morales (Vanished, NYPD Blue) is 46.

Actor Christopher Titus ("Titus") is 44.

Model-actress Cindy Margolis (Cindy Margolis Show) is 43.

Rock singer-musician Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) is 40.

Irish singer Keith Duffy is 34.

Actress Jurnee Smollett (Wanda at Large, Cosby) is 22.

Actress Brie Larson (Raising Dad) is 19.


Chart Toppers - Oct. 1

1947
Feudin’ and Fightin’ - Dorothy Shay
I Wish I Didn’t Love You So - Vaughn Monroe
I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now - Perry Como
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Williams

1956
Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter & Eddie Heywood
The Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2) - Buchanan & Goodman
Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) - Bill Doggett
Don’t Be Cruel /Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

1965
Eve of Destruction - Barry McGuire
Hang on Sloopy - The McCoys
You Were on My Mind - We Five
Is It Really Over? - Jim Reeves

1974
Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim
I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John
Nothing from Nothing - Billy Preston
I’m a Ramblin’ Man - Waylon Jennings

1983
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Making Love Out of Nothing at All - Air Supply
(She’s) Sexy + 17 - Stray Cats
New Looks from an Old Lover - B.J. Thomas

1992
End of the Road - Boyz II Men
Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough - Patty Smyth with Don Henley
Humpin’ Around - Bobby Brown
Love’s Got a Hold on You - Alan Jackson

2001
I’m Real - Jennifer Lopez
U Remind Me - Usher
Fallin’ - Alicia Keys
What I Really Meant to Say - Cyndi Thomson