WEDNESDAY in Broadcast History .. March 1st

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ON THIS DAY in 1903

jazz cornetist/pianist Leon Bismarck “Bix” Beiderbecke was born in Davenport Iowa.  He played with some of the musical giants of his time, and was revered by generations for decades after his death at 28 from chronic alcoholism & pneumonia.

In 1904,  Glenn Miller, the man whose name is synonymous with the big band era of the 1940’s, was born in Clarinda, Iowa. His orchestra had 23 No. 1 songs, including the million-sellers “In the Mood” and “Tuxedo Junction.” His plane was lost over the English Channel on Dec. 15, 1944 and no trace of it was ever found. The Glenn Miller Orchestra continued after Miller’s death under various leaders. In 1954, “The Glenn Miller Story,” starring James Stewart, was a big movie hit.

Also in 1904, actor Paul Hartman was born in San Francisco.  He is best remembered as the drunken Emmet Clark in the TV series Andy Griffith Show & Mayberry RFD, and as handyman Bert on Petticoat Junction.  He died Oct. 2 1973 at age 69, after a heart attack.

In 1910, actor David Niven was born in London.  Besides his extensive big screen career, he was one of the few major stars to embrace early TV as one of the 4 rotating stars in 1956’s Four Star Playhouse. He also had The David Niven Show, was host of David Niven’s World, and starred in the mini-series A Man Called Intrepid.  He died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease July 29 1983 at age 73.

In 1914, beloved sportscaster Harry Caray was born Harry Carabina in St. Louis, 
where he began his big league career as voice of baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals for 24 years. He worked briefly for the Oakland A’s before moving to Chicago, where he was voice of the White Sox for a decade.  In 1982 he began 15 years of calling the Cubs games on superstation WGN which won him a national following. He suffered a fatal heart attack after a series of strokes Feb 18, 1998 & died just days before his 84th birthday.

In 1928, Paul Whiteman and his orchestra recorded a future #1 hit ‘Ol’ Man River’ for Victor Records. The featured vocalist on the up-tempo arrangement was Bing Crosby.


In 1932, radio’s first great effort of on-the-spot news coverage began as NBC and CBS radio rushed to Hopewell, NJ to cover the kidnapping of the Charles and Anne Lindbergh baby.

Also in 1932, one of daytime radio’s comedic gems Easy Aces written by and starring Goodman Ace with his ditzy wife Jane, moved from local Chicago exposure to the full CBS network, three times a week. It would delight audiences on that schedule for much of the next 15 years.

In 1933, the Canadian Broadcasting Radio Commission bought the CNR Radio Network. The Commission acted not only as the forerunner of the CBC, but was also the regulator.

In 1941, commercial FM broadcasting began in the U.S. when station W47NV in Nashville started operations on this day. W47NV was the first commercial FM radio station to receive a license, some 20 years after its pioneering US AM counterpart, KDKA in Pittsburgh. Today more than 80% of American radio broadcasting is FM.

Also in 1941, Downbeat magazine scooped the entertainment world with news that Glenn Miller‘s renewed contract with Chesterfield Cigarettes was worth $4,850 a week (for three 15-minute programs).


Again this day in 1941, Duffy’s Tavern starring Ed “Archie” Gardner, debuted on CBS radio — then moving to NBC Blue in 1942 and the main NBC network two years later, remained a popular weekly hit for the next 10 years.

In 1949, Perry Como was in RCA Studio 2 in New York City with the Fontaine Sisters to record his next #1 hit “A You’re Adorable.”

In 1953, KTNT (now KSTW) TV channel 11 in Tacoma-Seattle began operation as an independent station.

Also in 1953, radio station WJZ in New York City became WABC.


In 1956, the Toronto-based Four Lads recorded one of their most memorable hits “Standing On The Corner” for the Columbia label.

In 1957, Chuck Berry’s “School Day” was released by Chess Records. It became his second #1 hit atop the R&B chart, after “Maybellene” two years earlier.

Also in 1957, The Everly Brothers signed with Cadence Records and then recorded “Bye Bye Love,” a Boudleaux and Felice Bryant song that had been turned down by 30 others.

In 1958, Buddy Holly and the Crickets opened their only British tour at London’s Trocadero Club. They played 25 dates of two sets a night.

Also in 1958, the mayor of New Orleans DeLesseps “Chep” Morrison, noting Elvis Presley‘s arrival to begin filming “King Creole,” officially declared it “Elvis Presley Day” in his city.

Still in 1958, Johnny Mathis‘ fifth LP “Johnny’s Greatest Hits” was released on Columbia Records.  It was the first “Greatest Hits” album ever produced, and remained on the Billboard charts for an incredible 490 weeks!


In 1963, Gerry & the Pacemakers released their first British single, “How Do You Do It.” It would become a UK #1 the following month.

In 1964, The Beatles recorded “I’m Happy Just To Dance With You,” with George Harrison singing lead on the vocal

In 1965, having sold more than 3 million singles in the US alone Petula Clark‘s “Downtown” was certified Gold.

Also in 1965, the 150th episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” aired.

In 1966, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “The Ballad of the Green Berets” by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler. The single sold more than 1 million copies in its first two weeks and was the top song of 1966, according to Billboard.

In 1967, radio station CHQB 1280 Powell River signed on the air owned by the Sunshine Coast Broadcasting Company.

Also in 1967, three thousand fans at Ottawa’s Coliseum riotted after waiting an hour for Eric Burdon & the New Animals to perform (the group was gone, however, since their demand to be paid in advance had been turned down.)

Still in 1967, The Beatles were in EMI Studio 2 in London to begin work on “Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds.” Seven takes were taped.

In 1968, Johnny Cash and June Carter were married in Franklin, Kentucky.

Also in 1968, Elton John’s first record, I’ve Been Loving You, was released by Philips Records in England. Philips, not realizing the potential of the soon-to-be superstar, released him in 1969, just prior to his teaming with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Elton then signed a contract with Uni Records and began to turn out what would become a string of more than 50 hits over the next 25 years.


Again this date in 1968, NBC made the unprecedented on-air announcement, that Star Trek would return.

In 1969, Doors’ lead singer Jim Morrison was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour, indecent exposure, open profanity and public drunkenness after displaying his penis on stage during a concert in Miami.  Morrison was later sentenced to 8 months hard labour, but he died while the sentence was under appeal.

Also on this date in 1969, country star Barbara Mandrell signed her first record contract with Columbia.

Again this day in 1969, the Beatles album Sergeant Pepper finally dropped off the charts after 88 weeks.

in 1970, The Beatles made their last appearance (on film) on CBS-TV’s “The Ed Sullivan Show,” with two new songs “Let It Be” and “Two Of Us.” Both clips were taken from the movie “Let It Be.” Performing live on the Sullivan show were Dionne Warwick, Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, and The Muppets.

Today’s Birthdays:

Actor Robert Clary (Hogan’s Heroes, Bold & the Beautiful) is 91.

Singer Harry Belafonte is 90.

Actor Robert Conrad (Wild Wild West, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Hawaiian Eye) is 82.

Actor Jed Allan (General Hospital, Port Charles, Beverly Hills 90210) is 80.

Singer Mike D’Abo of Manfred Mann is 73.

Singer Roger Daltrey is 73.

Actor Dirk Benedict (A-Team, Battlestar Gallactica) is 72.

Actress Lana Wood (Peyton Place, The Long Hot Summer) is 71.

Actor Chuck Zito (Sons of Anarchy, Oz) is 64.

Actor-director Ron Howard (Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days) is 63.

Actress Camille Mitchell (Smallville, Legion) is 63.

Country singer Janis Oliver Cummins of Sweethearts of the Rodeo is 63.

Actress Catherine Bach (The Dukes of Hazzard) is 63.

Actor Tim Daly (Madam Secretary, Private Practice, Wings, The Fugitive) is 61.

Keyboardist Jon Carroll (Starland Vocal Band) is 60.

Bassist Bill Leen (Gin Blossoms) is 55.

Actor Russell Wong (Vanishing Son, Black Sash) is 54.

Actor Maurice Benard (General Hospital) is 54.

Actor Bryan Batt (Mad Men) is 54. 

Singer Jennifer McCarter of the country trio the McCarters is 53.

Actor Chris Eigeman (Malcolm in the Middle, Gilmore Girls, It’s Like You Know) is 52.

Actor Todd Lookinland (The New Land) is 52.

Actor J. D. Cullum (Judging Amy, Campus Cops) is 51.

Country singer Clinton Gregory is 51.

Actor George Eads (C.S.I.) is 50.

Actress Cara Buono (Stranger Things, Person of Interest, Third Watch, Mad Men) is 46.

Alberta-born guitarist Ryan Peake of Nickelback is 44.

Actor Jack Davenport (Smash, FlashForward, Swingtown) is 44.

Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Truth Be Told, Franklin & Bash, Raising the Bar, NYPD Blue, Saved By the Bell) is 43.

Actor Luke Mably (The Gates) is 41.

Ottawa-born actress Emily Holmes (Taken, Ladies’ Night, True Blue) is 40.

“Blues Clues” host Donovan Patton is 39.

Director/actor Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, Smallville, Dark Angel) is 39.

Actress Alicia Leigh Willis (General Hospital, American Heiress) is 39.

Actor Adam LaVorgna (7th Heaven, Brooklyn Bridge) is 36.

Writer/director/actor Zach Cregger (The Whitest Kids You Know, Wrecked, Guys With Kids) is 36.

Actor Shawn Toovey (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) is 34.

Actress Denise Vasi (All My Children) is 34.

Actress Lupita Nyong’o (Shuga) is 34.

Ontario-born actor John Bregar (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Family Biz, Chop Shop) is 32. 

Singer Sammie is 30.

Singer Ke$ha is 30.

Actress Katija Pevec (Just for Kicks) is 29.

Actress Daniella Monet (Victorious, Listen Up) is 28.

Actor Harry Eden (Bleak House) is 27.

Ontario-born singer Justin Bieber is 23.

 

Chart Toppers – March 1

1945
Accentuate the Positive – Johnny Mercer
I Dream of You – The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Freddy Stewart)
A Little on the Lonely Side – The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Paul Allen)
I’m Losing My Mind Over You – Al Dexter

1954
Make Love to Me! – Jo Stafford
Young-At-Heart – Frank Sinatra
Cross Over the Bridge – Patti Page
Slowly – Webb Pierce

1963
Hey Paula – Paul & Paula
Ruby Baby – Dion
From a Jack to a King – Ned Miller
The Ballad of Jed Clampett – Flatt & Scruggs

1972
Without You – Nilsson
Hurting Each Other – Carpenters
Precious and Few – Climax
It’s Four in the Morning – Faron Young

1981
I Love a Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbitt
Woman – John Lennon
Keep on Loving You – REO Speedwagon
Are You Happy Baby? – Dottie West

1990
Opposites Attract – Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair
Escapade – Janet Jackson
Dangerous – Roxette
On Second Thought – Eddie Rabbitt

1999
Believe – Cher
Angel – Sarah McLachlan
Angel of Mine – Monica
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Mark Chesnutt

2008
Low – Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
With You – Chris Brown
Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
Cleaning This Gun (Come On in Boy) – Rodney Atkins

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