Thursday in Broadcast History .. October 5th

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ON THIS DAY in 1904

actor John Hoyt was born in Bronxville NY. The veteran of film, television, and theater portrayed Dr. Philip Boyce in Star Trek‘s first pilot, “The Cage”. Footage of his role as Boyce was later incorporated into the two-part episode “The Menagerie, Part I” and “The Menagerie, Part II”.  He capped a 40 year career in episodic TV playing Grandpa on “Gimme A Break” (’82-’87.)  He died Sept. 15 1991 from lung cancer, at age 86.

Tony Marvin

 

On this day in 1912, Arthur Godfrey‘s longtime radio & TV announcer  and the original voice of “Tony the Tiger,” Tony Marvin was born in Brooklyn. He died Oct 10, 1998 at age 86.

 

 

Allen Ludden

On this day in 1918, radio & TV host Allen Ludden was born in Mineral Point, Wisc. The affable host of Password & G.E. College Bowl was married to TV actress Betty White; he died June 9, 1981 from cancer at age 62.

On this day in 1921, the first World Series broadcast on radio got underway between the New York Yankees and Giants. KDKA Pittsburgh and WJZ New York broadcast direct from the Polo Grounds, while WBZ Springfield and announcer Thomas Cowan recreated the games in their studios from reports phoned in from the stadium.

On this day in 1925, radio station WSM in Nashville  began transmissions. One of its first regular programs was a Saturday night feature called the “WSM Barn Dance.” Two years later, the program was retitled the “Grand Ole Opry.”  The Opry became the world’s premiere showcase for country music, and is the longest running radio show in history, having been on the air for more than 85 years.

Father Coughlin

 

On this day in 1930, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was first heard on the air over CBS from Carnegie Hall. The Sunday afternoon concerts set CBS back $15,000. Not per week, but for the entire season! Then, right after the concert, Father Coughlin, The Fighting Priestwas heard for the first time on the radio web.  The Canadian-born Catholic priest lit up the airwaves with dynamic, sometimes controversial oratory every Sunday into the early forties.

 

On this day in 1934, the first major network radio show to originate from Hollywood was aired coast to coast.  “Hollywood Hotel” on CBS was heavily promoted as being the first program broadcast from the US West Coast, and continued to do so weekly for the next four years.

On this day in 1936, coaxial cable strung between New York City and Philadelphia made it possible for the first intercity telecast.

On this day in 1938, the Texaco Star Theater began its 12 year run, initially on CBS radio. The variety format boasted a number of hosts over the years, most notably Fred Allen and Milton Berle.

On this day in 1945, the public affairs program “Meet the Press” debuted on Mutual radio.   It is still on the air today, more than 70 years later, Sundays on NBC-TV.

On this day in 1947, the first U.S. president to make use of television, Harry Truman addressed the nation from the White House. ‘Give ‘Em Hell Harry’ requested that the American people not eat meat on Tuesdays, nor poultry on Thursdays, to save on feed grains to help the starving in Europe.

Bing Crosby

Also this day in 1947, a small Northern California company got a major boost from Bing Crosby.Bing’s first radio show recorded on tape was broadcast on ABC radio. “Der Bingle” was so popular, that his taped show promoted wide distribution of the new magnetic tape recorders that would become broadcast classics — the venerable Ampex 200.

Groucho Marx

On this day in 1950, the game show  “You Bet Your Life” premiered on NBC-TV, with Groucho Marx as the wise-cracking host. It had already been running for three years on radio.

“The Honeymooners”

 

On this day in 1951. “The Honeymooners” was introduced during Jackie Gleason‘s first variety series, “Cavalcade of Stars” on the Dumont Network.

On this day in 1952, following an 11-year run, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, the legendary radio series, was heard for the final time on ABC Radio. We’ll never know if they oiled that squeaky door…

On this day in 1953, singer Eartha Kitt was in RCA Victor’s New York studios to record what would soon become a seasonal classic, “Santa Baby.”

Clyde Gilmour

 

On this day in 1956, the former Vancouver movie critic Clyde Gilmour began his famous “Gilmour’s Albums” on CBC Radio. The weekly show would run on the network for more than 40 years. Gilmour played an incredible range of music — classical, folk, jazz and even such offbeat things as recordings of train whistles and rhino mating calls. Clyde Gilmour died less than 5 months after the program ended, Nov. 7 1997, at age 85. 

Bernie Mac 

 

On this day in 1957, comedian Bernie Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on the south side of Chicago.  He starred in a series of movies, and his own Bernie Mac Show on Fox TV before succumbing to pneumonia Aug. 9 2008 at age 50.

 

On this day in 1958, “Lawman,” a 30 minute TV western starring John Russell, debuted on ABC.

On this day in 1959, “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin hit number one on the pop charts. And Paul Anka‘s “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” peaked at #2.

On this day in 1960, Liberty Records released Johnny Burnette‘s only US Top 10 single, “You’re Sixteen.”

On this day in 1961, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Hit the Road Jack,” by Ray Charles. The song was Charles’ second No. 1 hit.Also in 1961, Neil Sedaka recorded his next US Top 10 single, “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen” for RCA Victor.

On this day in 1962, The Beatles released their first single “Love Me Do” in the UK. Within hours it was played on Radio Luxembourg, representing the first time a Beatles song was ever heard over the air.

Henry Mancini

On this day in 1963, “Casper the Friendly Ghost” made its debut on ABC TV. On this day in 1965, arranger & orchestra leader Henry Manciniadded to his many honors with a Gold Record for his soundtrack LP from the movie, The Pink Panther.

On this day in 1968, Iron Butterfly performed their Top 40 hit “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida” on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” on ABC TV.

On this day in 1969, the off-the-wall comedy troupe ”Monty Python’s Flying Circus” made its debut on BBC Television.Also this day in 1969, Gladys Knight & the Pips provided the musical highlights on CBS TV’s“The Ed Sullivan Show.” The laughs this Sunday night came from comedians Phyllis Dillerand Flip Wilson.

On this day in 1970, NET (National Education Television) in the US became the Public Broadcast System (PBS) TV network.

On this day in 1972,  the consumer-friendly “Market Place” debuted on CBC TV.  The show investigates product claims, frauds, misleading advertising and consumer issues.

On this day in 1973, Toronto rocker Neil Young joined Graham Nash and David Crosby, in concert with Stephen Stills and his band Manassas at San Francisco’s Winterland ballroom. It was the first performance by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in two years.

Also in 1973, Apple Records released Ringo Starr‘s first #1 single Photograph, written by Ringo and his former Beatles bandmate, George Harrison.

On this day in 1974, the Beach Boys’ “Endless Summer”was the #1 album in the U.S. The lovely Olivia Newton-John had the number-one single. “I Honestly Love You” was #1 for two weeks. The album that single was taken from, “If You Love Me, Let Me Know”, hit number one the following week after the one-week run by the Beach Boys.

On this day in 1975, spearheaded by Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson, the Royal Canadian Air Farce began its 18 year run on CBC Radio.  In 1993 it became a weekly highlight on CBC TV, where it continued until 2008.

Also in 1975, the hit record “Cats in the Cradle” was released by Harry Chapin. On this day in 1976, actress Barbara Nichols   died at age 46 from a liver ailment. For twenty years on TV she specialized in playing the archetypal brassy, bosomy, Brooklynesque bimbo with the highly distinctive scratchy voice, from The Bob Cummings Show & Jack Benny to Disneyland.

On this day in 1979, the soundtrack album “The Kids Are Alright” by The Who was certified Platinum.

On this day in 1981, actress Gloria Grahame lost her battle with stomach cancer at age 55.  After pursuing a big screen career in the 40’s and 50’s, Grahame moved into TV for the next two decades, including the role of Sue in the memorable 1976 mini-series, “Rich Man, Poor Man.”

Jud Strunk

Also this day in 1981, singer/comedian Jud Strunk of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, and the hit song “Daisy a Day”, died at age 45 when the private plane he was piloting crashed in Maine. Strunk had suffered a heart attack during take off.

On this day in 1985, Finkleman’s 45s with Danny Finkleman began a 20-year run Saturday nights on the CBC AM network.

On this day in 1986, Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia performed at a soldout concert in San Francisco in his first appearance since he fell seriously ill with diabetes three months earlier.

Also in 1986, guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan cancelled a European tour after being admitted to a clinic in London for treatment of exhaustion.

Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle,

On this day in 1988, a debate was held between the candidates for vice president of the U.S.  In a memorable exchange, Democrat Lloyd Bentsen told Republican Dan Quayle, “You’re no Jack Kennedy.” YouTube presents this part of the debate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7gpgXNWYI

 

On this day in 1989, former evangelist, Jim Bakker,was convicted by a jury in Norfolk, VA of bilking 116,000 P.T.L. (Praise the Lord) TV show followers out of $158 million. Bakker was released from prison in 1994 after serving five years of his 45-year sentence. During his jail stay, Bakker’s wife and former co-host Tammy Fayedivorced him.

On this day in 1991, Canadian Bryan Adams scored his first UK No.1 album with ‘Waking Up The Neighbours.’ 

Also in 1991, Guns N’ Roses owned the top two positions on the Billboard album chart with “Use Your Illusion I & II,” respectively.

On this day in 1992, Eddie Kendricks, the lead singer of the R&B group the {b]Temptations[/b] during the 1960s, died of lung cancer at age 52. Kendricks left the group in 1971 after such hits as the No. 1 songs “My Girl” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.”

Dick Jurgens

On this day in 1995, bandleader Dick Jurgens composer of “Elmer’s Tune” and “Careless,” died of cancer at age 85. His was a popular, sweet dance band, in the manner of Freddy Martin.

Also in 1995, singer/songwriter Merle Haggard, an “outlaw country” star and co-creator of “The Bakersfield Sound,” was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

On this day in 1997, Arthur Tracy, radio’s “Street Singer”   who delighted millions of listeners in the 1930s with his sweet, flexible tenor, died at the ripe old age of 98.

On this day in 1999, actor Kevin Spacey (Wiseguy) was on hand as his star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Also in 1999, after breaking up “permanently” in 1983, The Who reformed with the announcement by Roger Daltrey that the surviving three members were planning a concert in Las Vegas to be broadcast live on the Internet.

On this day in 2001, Nanaimo’s CHLY-FM officially signed on at 101.1 MHz as the campus radio station of Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University.) The station had been streaming live on the Internet since April 1st.

On this day in  2003,  “Baby Boy” by Beyonce Knowles featuring Sean Paul began a 9-week run at #1 on the Billboard Top 100.On this day in 2004, comedian Rodney Dangerfield died at age 82 following heart surgery.

Also in 2004, Neil Young showed up again on the Vote For Change tour, in St. Paul Minnesota. Wearing a “Homeland Security” T-shirt, Young joined R.E.M. on their song “Country Feedback” and performed Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” with Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M. and John Fogerty.

On this day in 2005, Pearl Jam plus former Led Zepplin frontman Robert Plant played an intimate show at Chicago’s House Of Blues to help raise funds for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Tickets were $1,000 each with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and Jazz Foundation of America.

Jackie Rae

On this day in 2006, Winnipeg-born Jackie Rae, one-time radio producer for Wayne & Schuster and later singing host of his own CBC TV series (1956-57), died in Toronto at age 84.

Also this day in 2006, Jeffrey Borer, who admitted secretly videotaping Michael Jackson on a private jet, was sentenced to six months of home detention and fined $10,000. Borer, the owner of private jet firm XtraJet, had instructed an employee to buy and install two video recorders on the plane.

Isaac Hanson 

On this day in 2007, Isaac Hanson from the US pop band Hanson had surgery to remove a blood clot from his lungs after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal condition. The guitarist who had developed Paget-Schroetter Syndrome, was expected to make a full and speedy recovery.

On this day in 2009, according to England’s Daily Telegraph, Elvis Presley‘s grandson, 17-year-old Benjamin Keough, was offered a $5 million contract by Universal Records to record up to five albums.

 

On this day in 2010, Bret Michaels bared all on the cover of Billboard magazine, to promote his VH1 reality-TV series, “Life as I Know It.” Wearing nothing more than his signature bandana, Michaels was partially hidden behind a headline that read “maximum exposure.”

Also in 2010, the Fox network hit teen musical TV show “Glee” featured performances of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (The Beatles),” “Losing My Religion” (R.E.M.) and “Only The Good Die Young” (Billy Joel).

On this day in 2011, the iconic computer and marketing genius who co-founded the Apple computer brand, Steve Jobs suffered respiratory arrest & died at age 56.

Also in 2011, former teen heartthrob David Cassidy filed suit against the Sony Corporation, seeking unpaid millions for his image on merchandise from the hit 1970’s TV show, “The Partridge Family,” in which he starred.

On this day in 2012, The Beatles issued a limited-edition 45 rpm of their first single “Love Me Do,” to mark the 50th anniversary of the song’s release. “P.S. I Love You” was on the B-side.

On this day in 2014, Geoffrey Holder, the Trinidad-born actor/dancer/choreographer/director who starred in hundreds of TV commercials for 7-Up in the 1970’s and 80’s while wearing a white suit, died of complications from pneumonia at age 84.

On this day in 2015, actor Frank Albanese, who played retired mobster ‘Uncle Pat Blundetto’ on HBO’s ‘The Sopranos,’ died at age 84.

On this day in 2016, we first learned that Rod Temperton, the British songwriter best known for penning Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Rock With You, as well as the 1970s disco classic Boogie Nights, had succumbed to cancer at age 66 the previous week,  A private funeral had already taken place in London.

On this day in 2017,  Netflix announced it was raising prices for its streaming-video services in the U.S., betting that subscribers would tolerate higher monthly fees and help fuel the company’s big investments in TV and movie programming.

On this day in 2019, Margaret Lyons, a CBC program executive who pioneered the development of such CBC Radio stalwarts as Sunday MorningThis Country in the Morning [which became Morningside]Quirks and Quarks and As It Happens, underwent a medically assisted death at age 95.

Today’s birthdays

Retired actress Glynis Johns (Coming of Age, Batman) is 100.

Actress Stephanie Cole (Coronation Street, Doc Martin) is 82.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Arlene Smith (The Chantels) is 82.

Singer-musician Steve Miller is 80.

Rock singer Brian Johnson (AC/DC) is 76.

Actor Sal Viscuso (Los & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, M*A*S*H*, Soap, The Montefuscos) is 75.

Actress Karen Allen (Road Home, East of Eden) is 72.

Lethbridge-born, Victoria-raised actor Duncan Regehr (Fast Track, Body & Soul, Zorro, V: the Series) is 71.

Keyboardist/composer Harold Faltermeyer is 71.

Rock musician David Bryson (Counting Crows) is 69.

Rock singer and famine-relief organizer Bob Geldof is 69.

Madness saxophonist  Lee Thompson is 66.

Scientist/TV personality Neil deGrasse Tyson  (Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey) is 65.

Actor Daniel Baldwin (Cold Case, Homicide) is 63.

Rock singer-musician Dave Dederer (Presidents of the United States of America) is 59.

Actor Guy Pearce (Mildred Pierce) is 56.

Seattle-born model/actress Josie Bissett (Melrose Place, Secret Life of the Am. Teenager) is 53.

Actor Douglas Emerson (Beverly Hills 90210, Herbie the Love Bug) is 49.

Singer-actress Heather Headley (Chicago Med, She’s Gotta Have It) is 49.

Singer Colin Meloy of The Decemberists is 49.

Actress Kate Winslet (Mildred Pearce) is 48.

Actress Parminder Nagra (ER, The Blacklist) is 48.

Actor Scott Weinger (Full House) is 48.

Rock musician Brian Mashburn (Save Ferris) is 48.

Toronto-born TV host/personality Morgan Webb (X-Play, Attack of the Show) is 45.

Rock guitarist James Valentine (Maroon 5) is 45.

Rock musician Paul Thomas (Good Charlotte) is 43.

Actress Virginia Kull (Gracepoint, Big Little Lies) is 42.

TV personality Nicky Hilton (Simple Life, Hollywood Squares) is 40.

Actor Jesse Eisenberg (Get Real) is 40.

Actor Noah Segan (Days of Our |Lives, KaBlam!) is 40.

Actress Azure Parsons (The Astronaut Wives Club, Salem) is 39.

Actress Tiana Benjamin (EastEnders) is 39.

Rhythm-and-blues singer Brooke Valentine is 38.

Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts is 38.

Actor Myles Jeffrey (Stuart Little, Early Edition, Beverly Hills 90210) is 33.

Ontario-born actor Wesley Morgan (Degrassi: the Next Generation, Really Me, Majority Rules, Paradise Falls) is 33.

Dancer/actress Taylour Paige (Hit the Floor) is 33.

Actress Kara Royster (Pretty Little Liars, K.C. Undercover) is 30.

Actor Joshua Logan Moore (Desperate Housewives) is 29.

Actor  Zachary Williams (Romeo) is 29.

Actress Karen Ann Cabrera (How to Get Away With Murder, Batman Beyond: the Series) is 28.

Vancouver-born actor Jacob Tremblay (My Mother’s Future Husband, Motive, The Last Man on Earth) is 17.

Chart Toppers – Oct. 5

1951 Because of You – Tony Bennett I Get Ideas – Tony Martin Cold, Cold Heart – Tony Bennett Always Late (With Your Kisses) – Lefty Frizzell

1960 My Heart Has a Mind of It’s Own – Connie Francis Chain Gang – Sam Cooke Mr. Custer – Larry Verne Alabam – Cowboy Copas

1969 Sugar, Sugar – The Archies Jean  – Oliver Little Woman – Bobby Sherman Since I Met You, Baby – Sonny James

1978 Kiss You All Over – Exile Hopelessly Devoted to You – Olivia Newton-John Summer Nights – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John & Cast Heartbreaker – Dolly Parton

1987 Didn’t We Almost Have It All – Whitney Houston Lost in Emotion – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam I Heard a Rumour – Bananarama You Again – The Forester Sisters

1996 Macarena (bayside boys mix) – Los Del Rio I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis It’s All Coming Back to Me Now – Celine Dion Living in a Moment – Ty Herndon

2005 Shake It Off – Mariah Carey Beverly Hills – Weezer Pon De Replay  – Rihanna A Real Fine Place to Start – Sara Evans

Today in Broadcast History compiled by Ron Robinson

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