Monday October the 6th


ON THIS DAY in 1866, Canadian radio pioneer Reginald Aubrey Fessenden was born at Milton [East Bolton] Quebec; he died in Hamilton, Bermuda July 22, 1932 at age 65.  After studies at Bishop University, Fessenden went to work for Thomas Edison, then the Westinghouse labs and the US Weather Service. In 1902, he started his own company to develop his superheterodyne discoveries, and in 1906 accomplished the first two-way radio voice transmission between Scotland and his shore station at Brant Rock Massachusetts. That Christmas he broadcast the world's first public program of music and voice transmitted over long distances, from Brant Rock to the ships at sea. He had over 300 patents, and was awarded $2.5 million by the US Radio Trust for his inventions, many of which were used by the US in World War I without his permission.

On this day in 1897, character actor
Jerome Cowan was born in New York City.

As well as a prolific film & Broadway career, Cowan was seen guesting all over the early TV dial, plus series commitments in "The Tab Hunter Show", "The Tycoon", "Valiant Lady" and "Not for Publication".  He died Jan 24, 1972 at age 74.

On this day in 1914, broadcaster Gerry Wilmot was born in Victoria BC.  After working pre-WWII at CJOR Vancouver & for the CBC as a hockey commentator, he went overseas as a CBC War Correspondent in Britain, for which he was awarded an MBE. After the war he worked at the BBC & Radio Luxembourg, continued his career in Bermuda, and ultimately South Africa, where he died in 1978.
He is identified in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest speaking broadcaster.

On this day in 1917, actor Robert Mitchum was born in Bridgeport Connecticut.  As well as an impressive big screen career, Mitchum appeared in two memorable TV mini-series, Winds of War, and War & Remembrance.  In the early 1990's he was cast in two forgettable series, "A Family for Joe", and "African Skies".  Mitchum lost his battle with lung cancer & emphysema July 1 1997.  He was 79.

On this day in 1925, journalist Shana Alexander was born in New York City.
                                           
Although she was a product of print journalism she is best remembered for her "from the left" Point-Counterpoint appearances on 60 Minutes from 1975-79.  She succumbed to cancer June 23, 2005 at age 79.

On this day in 1927, the era of talking pictures arrived with the opening of "The Jazz Singer," starring Al Jolson.

On this day in 1937, the human interest radio series Hobby Lobby debuted on CBS. The host was the dean of American hobbyists,
Dave Elman.

The show's theme was "The Best Things in Life are Free".   It would run, mostly on CBS, for large parts of the next 13 years.

On this day in 1941, Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra recorded one of his big hits, "Autumn Nocturne" on Columbia Records.

On this day in 1949, American-born Iva Toguri D'Aquino, convicted as Japanese wartime propaganda broadcaster Tokyo Rose, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $10,000.  She ended up serving more than 6 years.

On this day in 1949. the "Ed Wynn Show" became the first regularly scheduled network TV show to be broadcast from the US West Coast.

On this day in 1950, Saskatchewan born entertainer Art Linkletter premiered his 'Life With Linkletter' TV Variety show from Hollywood on ABC.
  
On this day in 1954, Nova Scotia-born country singer Hank Snow had a #1 hit with his RCA single, 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'.

On this day in 1963, a young Barbra Streisand appeared as guest on "The Judy Garland Show."

On this day in 1965, the Supremes released one of their big hits, "I Hear a Symphony."

On this day in 1969, for the first time in Beatles history a George Harrison song got the A side of a 45, "Something" backed with "Come Together."

On this day in 1970, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was "Cracklin' Rosie'' by
Neil Diamond.


On this day in 1973, actor Sidney Blackmer died of cancer at 58. After an 18 year career in supporting roles on the big screen, Blackmer became very active guesting in episodic television for another 20 years.

On this day in 1976, in his second televised debate with Jimmy Carter, President Ford asserted there was "no Soviet domination of eastern Europe." (Ford later conceded he'd misspoken.)

Also this day in 1976, "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots received a gold record. The novelty eventually went platinum, only the 4th single to do so.

On this day in 1978, Benny Andersson and Frida Lyngstad of ABBA were married.

Also this day in 1978, Mick Jagger apologized to the Reverend Jesse Jackson for racist lyrics in the Rolling Stones song "Some Girls," but he refused to change the words.

On this day in 1985 bandleader/arranger Nelson Riddle died at age 64 of liver ailments.  

On this day in 1988, the sitcom "Dear John," starring Judd Hirsch, premiered on NBC.

On this day in 1989, iconic film actress Bette Davis
                                                    
died of breast cancer at age 81. She guested in dramatic TV roles as early as 1956, and continued to appear on the small screen, particularly in TV movies, until just before her death.

On this day in 1990, Garth Brooks joined the "Grand Ole Opry".

On this day in 1991, in televised US Senate committee hearings, university professor Anita F. Hill, former aide to U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, testified that Thomas sexually harassed her, and the allegations nearly undid Thomas nomination to the High Court.

On this day in 1992, distinguished British actor Denholm Elliott (Noble House, Bleak House) died of AIDS at age 70.  

On this day in 1995, Walter "Crash" Morgan, drummer for the Canadian blues-rock band, Big Sugar, suffered an aneurysm on stage in Iowa.  He collapsed and died at 35.  

On this day in 1996, country music artists
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw,

having recently met and worked together on a joint tour, were married in Rayville, La. The two postponed their honeymoon in order to resume their joint tour four days later.

On this day in 1996, actor/director Ted Bessell,
                                                
who played the boyfriend of Marlo Thomas on 'That Girl,"  died of an aneurism at 61.  

Also this day in 1996, US presidential candidates Bob Dole & Pres Bill Clinton met in their 1st televised debate.

Also in 1996, the fictional characters Lois & Clark of the TV series of the same name (Lois Lane & Clark Kent) got married in the weekly episode.  

On this day in 1998, country group Alabama
                                          
joined the "Hollywood Walk of Fame". The star is located at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard on the block which includes stars for Paul Newman, Sophia Loren, the Supremes, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis.  

On this day in 2000, the first episode of the soon-to-be smash hit "CSI" aired on CBS.

On this day in 2004, Howard Stern announced he would move his show to SIRIUS Satellite Radio beginning January, 2006.


Today's Birthdays:

CBS/Court-TV newsman Fred Graham is 77.

Actress Ellen Travolta (Charles in Charge, General Hospital) is 68.

Actress Britt Ekland (Fantasy Island, Superboy) is 66.

Impressionist Fred Travalena (ABC Comedy Hour, Scooby-Doo & Scrappy-Doo) is 66.

Singer Millie Small is 62.

CBS president Les Moonves is 59.

Singer-musician Thomas McClary is 58.

Rock singer Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) is 57.

Rock singer-musician David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) is 54.

Singer Matthew Sweet is 44.

Actress Jacqueline Obradors (NYPD Blue) is 42.

Country singer Tim Rushlow is 42.

Rock musician Tommy Stinson (The Replacements; Soul Asylum) is 42.

Actor Ioan Gruffudd (Horatio Hornblower, Forsyte Saga) is 35.

Actor Jeremy Sisto (Law and Order, Six Feet Under) is 34.


Chart Toppers - Oct. 6

1952
You Belong to Me - Jo Stafford
Wish You Were Here - Eddie Fisher
I Went to Your Wedding - Patti Page
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) - Hank Williams

1961
Take Good Care of My Baby - Bobby Vee
Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles
Runaround Sue - Dion
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke

1970
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
Lookin’ Out My Back Door /Long as I Can See the Light - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Candida - Dawn
There Must Be More to Love Than This - Jerry Lee Lewis

1979
Sad Eyes - Robert John
Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
Sail On - Commodores
Last Cheater’s Waltz - T.G. Sheppard

1988
Don’t Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
Loves Bites - Def Leppard
One Good Woman - Peter Cetera
We Believe in Happy Endings - Earl Thomas Conley with Emmylou Harris

1997
4 Seasons of Loneliness - Boyz II Men
You Make Me Wanna... - Usher
How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes
How Your Love Makes Me Feel - Diamond Rio

2006
SexyBack - Justin Timberlake
Too Little Too Late  - JoJo
Far Away - Nickelback
Give It Away - George Strait