Thursday October the 2nd


ON THIS DAY in 1890,
"The one, the only, Groucho"

was born in New York City. In fact his birth name was Julius Marx. He topped the Marx Brothers` vaudeville & film career as host of the radio & TV quiz show You Bet Your Life.  He died from pneumonia Aug 19, 1977 at age 86.

On this day in 1896, the ultimate straight man (to partner Lou Costello) (William Alexander) Bud Abbott was born in Asbury Park New Jersey.  Movies, radio & TV all garnered laughter from Abbott & Costello.  Bud outlived his partner by 15 years, succumbing to cancer Apr 24, 1974 at age 77.

On this day in 1928, it was a very busy time at Victor Records Studios in Nashville.
Singer DeFord Bailey
        
cut eight masters. Three songs were issued, marking the first studio recording sessions in the place now known as Music City, USA.

On this day in 1929, the National Farm and Home Hour, which gave rural Americans information about farm products, growing crops, farm animal care and useful household tips, debuted on NBC radio, sponsored by the Montgomery Ward department stores. Don Ameche and Raymond Edward Johnson were featured, along with music and entertainment by The Cadets male quartet, Jack Baus and The Cornbusters and Mirandy of Persimmons Holler.

On this day in 1930, an NDP premier of BC (1970-75) Dave Barrett was born in Vancouver.  He quit politics briefly in the mid 1980's to become a radio talk show host (CJOR) before winning election as Vancouver East MP in 1988.

Also this day in 1930, "The Lutheran Hour" began its weekly broadcasts which continue on today.  It is the longest running Christian radio program in the world.

On this day in 1933, "Red Adams" was heard for the first time on NBC radio. Later, the program was retitled, Red Davis (starring Burgess Meredith, Forever Young,
and, finally, in 1936, Pepper Young's Family (starring Mason Adams).
                                          
(Mason would later find TV fame as Lou Grant's boss, and the voice of Smucker's Jams.)
Pepper Young's Family kept radio listeners tuning in for another 23 years.  

On this day in 1939, the swing classic "Flying Home" was recorded by Benny Goodman and his sextet
-- for Columbia Records.
                                                                          
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On this day in 1942, the juvenile western radio drama The Cisco Kid starring Jackson Beck debuted on Mutual.  After the network run ended in 1946 another cast headed by Jack Mather was syndicated 1947 thru 1956.  

On this day in 1946, the first TV soap opera, "Faraway Hill", aired for the first time on the Dumont Network.

On this day in 1949, the popular radio program, The Aldrich Family, became one of TV's first hits, as the longtime radio show appeared on NBC-TV for the first time. In addition to being a successful radio transplant, The Aldrich Family scored another distinction -- being the very first TV sitcom.

On this day in 1953, Person to Person with Edward R Murrow,
                        
premiered on CBS.  Murrow, with lit cigarette in hand, hosted the popular interview program which would establish him as a TV icon.

On this day in 1955, the master of mystery movies,
Alfred Hitchcock,

introduced his brand of suspense to millions of viewers on CBS. The man who put the thrill in thriller would visit viewers each week for ten years with Alfred Hitchcock Presents.  

On this day in 1957, Connie Francis recorded "Who's Sorry Now." She hated the song but recorded it after an argument with her father.

On this day in 1959, Rod Serling's introduction to The Twilight Zone was heard for the first time on CBS-TV.  "There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fear and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the twilight zone." The show ran for 5 years for a total of 154 episodes.

On this day in 1961, the hospital drama "Ben Casey"

{Dr. Maggie Graham (Bettye Ackerman) and Vince Edwards as the title character)
starring Vince Edwards premiered on NBC-TV.

On this day in 1962, actor Frank Lovejoy died at 50 after a heart attack. He enjoyed a successful radio career (Nightbeat, Gangbusters) before moving into films & TV in the late 1940's.

Also this day in 1962, the World War Two drama "Combat" premiered on ABC. The show told the story of one platoon and featured actor Vic Morrow.

On this day un 1965, the McCoys' "Hang on Sloopy" hit #1 in the U.S. The song snuck in at number one for one week, between "Eve of Destruction", by Barry McGuire and "Yesterday", by The Beatles.

Also this day in 1965, The Who made their debut on U.S.TV on the show "Shindig!"

On this day in 1971, "Soul Train,'' television's prime showcase for black artists, premiered in syndication. The show, produced and hosted by Don Cornelius, had begun a year earlier on a Chicago station. "Soul Train'' has consistently presented a cavalcade of top black entertainers such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, the Jacksons and James Brown.

This day in 1971 was also a very good day for singer Rod Stewart.  His "Every Picture Tells a Story" album hit number one in both the U.S. and the U.K.  And his single with two back-to-back hits from the album -- Maggie May and Reason to Believe -- rose to #1 on the Billboard singles chart.

On this day in 1972, Toronto-born singer/pianist/bandleader Denny Vaughan died of cancer at age 49.  He had his own CBC Radio & TV shows in the 1950's, before working on the Smothers Bros. & Glen Campbell Shows at CBS in Hollywood.

On this day in 1973, actor Paul Hartman, best known for his roles as Bert on Petticoat Junction, and fix-it man Emmett Clark on the Andy Griffith Show, died at 84.

On this day in 1977, the bodies of Elvis Presley and his mother, Gladys, were moved from Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis to the grounds of Graceland after an apparent attempt to steal the bodies.

On this day in 1978, Jack Webster left CJOR-AM Vancouver for BCTV,
where he presided over an interview/talk show "Webster", weekday mornings from 9 to 10:30.

On this day in 1983, the 10th season of "The Jeffersons" began on CBS-TV.

On this day in 1985, actor Rock Hudson (McMillan & Wife, Dynasty) died at age 59 after a battle with AIDS.

Also this day in 1985, supporting actor Sidney Clute (Lou Grant, Cagney & Lacey) died at 69 after a battle with cancer.

On this day in 1986, Billy Vera and the Beaters 1981 recording of "At This Moment'' received a new lease on life with its broadcast on an episode of the TV sitcom "Family Ties.'' NBC received thousands of inquiries about the song, and when it was released it went to the top of the charts.

Also in 1986, the Everly Brothers were given a star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame".

On this day in 1994, actress Harriet Nelson (Ozzie & Harriet) died of heart failure at age 80.

On this day in 1995, the FCC eliminated licensed operator requirements.

On this day in 1995, Ottawa-born Alanis Morissette's debut album 'Jagged Little Pill' reached #1 on the Billboard albums chart in its 15th week. She was the third female artist to have a debut album reach No. 1 in the '90s.
                                                                                                

On this day in 1998, singing cowboy icon Gene Autry died after a long illness at age 91.

On this day in 2000, TNN: "The Nashville Network" became TNN: "The National Network".  Three years later it became SPIKE TV.  

On this day in 2002, Bruce Paltrow, producer, St. Elsewhere & White Shadow, and the father of Gwyneth Paltrow, died at 58 from pneumonia & a recurrence of throat cancer.

Also this day in 2002, the compilation album "Elvis 30 Number One Hits" went to number one in the U-S and 16 other countries, 25 years after Elvis Presley's death.

On this day in 2003, we first learned that talk show host Rush Limbaugh was being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of addictive painkillers from a black-market drug ring.

On this day in 2005, rhyming comedian Nipsey Russell died at 87.
He had a supporting role in the 1960's sitcom Car 54 Where Are You?
Russell also appeared in the TV soaps, "As the World Turns" and "Search for Tomorrow."  But he is perhaps best remembered for his guest spots on quiz shows & TV talk shows.


Today's Birthdays:

Singer-guitarist Leon Rausch of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys is 81.

Singer Don McLean is 62. Country singer Jo-el Sonnier is 62.

Actor Avery Brooks (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) is 60.

Musician Sting is 56.

Actress Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos) is 54.

Guitarist Greg Jennings of Restless Heart is 54.

Singer Phil Oakey of Human League is 53.

Singer Freddie Jackson is 50.

Singer-producer Robbie Nevil is 50.

Country singer Gillian Welch is 41.

Country singer Kelly Willis is 40.

Singer Dion Allen of Az Yet is 38.

Actress-talk show host Kelly Ripa (All My Children, Hope & Faith, Live With Regis and Kelly) is 38.

Singer Tiffany is 37.

Singer Lene Nystrom (Aqua) is 35.

Rhythm-and-blues singer LaTocha Scott (Xscape) is 35.

Gospel singer/former "American Idol" contestant Mandisa is 32.


Chart Toppers - Oct. 2

1948
A Tree in the Meadow - Margaret Whiting
It’s Magic - Doris Day
You Call Everybody Darlin’ - Al Trace (vocal: Bob Vincent)
Just a Little Lovin’ (Will Go a Long Way) - Eddy Arnold

1957
Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers
Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers
Chances Are/The Twelfth of Never - Johnny Mathis
My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You - Ray Price

1966
Cherish - The Association
Beauty is Only Skin Deep - The Temptations
Black is Black - Los Bravos
Almost Persuaded - David Houston

1975
I’m Sorry - John Denver
Fight the Power - The Isley Brothers
Run Joey Run - David Geddes
Daydreams About Night Things - Ronnie Milsap

1984
Let’s Go Crazy - Prince & The Revolution
Drive - The Cars
I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
Turning Away - Crystal Gayle

1993
Dreamlover - Mariah Carey
Right Here/Human Nature / Downtown - SWV-Sisters With Voices
The River of Dreams - Billy Joel
Holdin’ Heaven - Tracy Byrd

2002
Dilemma - Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
Gotta Get Thru This - Daniel Bedingfield
Gangsta Lovin’ - Eve featuring Alicia Keys
Beautiful Mess - Diamond Rio