ON THIS DAY in 1895
actress Hattie McDaniel was born in Wichita Kansas.
In the 1910s she was a band vocalist, then began playing increasingly assertive maid roles on the big screen, culminating in the supporting-actress Oscar for her ‘Mammy’ in Gone With The Wind (1939), the first African-American to be so honored. She played on the “Amos and Andy” and Eddie Cantor radio shows in the ’30s and ’40s, and had the title role in her own radio show “Beulah” (1947-51), which she also played on TV (1950-’52) until her death from breast cancer Oct 2, 1952 at age 57.
In 1908, actor Robert Cummings was born in Joplin Missouri. He won an Emmy for his role in the live TV courtroom drama Twelve Angry Men (1954), but had continuing success headlining three sitcoms in the 50’s & 60’s, The Bob Cummings Show, My Hero & My Living Doll. He died of kidney failure Dec. 2 1990 at age 82.
In 1910, Chester Arthur Burnett, the bluesman known as Howlin’ Wolf, was born in West Point, Mississippi. He was among the most influential musicians of the post-Second World War era, and his blues helped shape rock ‘n’ roll. He appeared frequently at blues and rock festivals in the ’60s and ’70s. He died Jan. 10 1976 of complications from kidney disease. He was 65.
In 1922, Judy Garland, whose real name was Frances Gumm, was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her greatest triumph came in 1939 with the film ”The Wizard of Oz,” which introduced the never-to-be forgotten song ”Over the Rainbow.” Garland’s recording sold over one-million copies, and the film became a TV classic. She received a special Academy Award in 1939 for her outstanding performances as a screen juvenile. Plagued by health and drug issues, Judy Garland died in London in 1969 at age 47.
In 1924, the first political convention on radio was presented by NBC. Graham McNamee provided coverage of the Republican National Convention from Cleveland. McNamee was one of the great sports broadcasters of radio’s early years.
In 1931, two legendary country acts, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, recorded together.
In 1950, “Sentimental Me” by The Ames Brothers topped the charts, for just the one week.
In 1954, PBS reached San Francisco as KQED (Channel 9) began broadcasting.
In 1958, while on furlough from the US Army, Elvis Presley recorded five sides in a six hour session at the RCA studios in Nashville; “I Need Your Love Tonight,” “Big Hunk o’ Love,” “I Got Stung, ” “Ain’t That Loving You Baby?” and “(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I.” Floyd Cramer played piano and Chet Atkins was on guitar for the session, while The Jordanaires sang backup.
In 1964, the Rolling Stones met 2 of their idols during a recording session, when they ran into bluesmen Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters at Chicago’s Chess studios. The Stones recorded ‘It’s All Over Now’, and ‘Time Is On My Side’ during their first Chess session.
Also in 1964, The Beatles released “A Hard Day’s Night,” both the album and the single.
Still in 1964, Elvis Presley was in West Hollywood at Radio Recorders to tape “Puppet On A String” and “Meanest Girl in Town.”
Again in 1964, at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood Buck Owens recorded “Together Again” and “Love’s Gonna Live Here”; both would become #1 hits on the Billboard Country charts.
In 1966, a Beatles record featuring a new audio effect was released. “Rain” used a tape played in reverse. John Lennon said the reverse-tape effect wasn’t planned; the tape was just put on the wrong way.
Also 1966, Janis Joplin was featured for the first time in a live concert with Big Brother and the Holding Company at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom.
Still in 1966, RCA Victor released the Elvis Presley soundtrack album for “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.”
Again in 1966, The Mamas and the Papas‘ #1 hit single “Monday, Monday” was certified as a Gold Record.
In 1967, Ed Sullivan‘s 19th Anniversary Show on CBS-TV and the CBC featured Spanky & Our Gang with their big hit, “Sunday Will Never Be the Same.” Diahann Carroll and Robert Merrill also sang, while standup comics Norm Crosby and Jackie Mason supplied the laughs.
Also in 1967, Stevie Wonder‘s “I Was Made To Love Her” was released.
Still in 1967, Bob Dylan and The Band began recording sessions that remained unreleased for a long time but eventually surfaced as an album titled “The Basement Tapes.”
In 1969, Gary Lewis and the Playboys performed their biggest hit “This Diamond Ring” on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.” Gary Lewis is the son of comedian Jerry Lewis.
In 1970, organist-pianist-singer Earl Grant died in a car crash in New Mexico. He was 39. Grant had a top-10 vocal hit in 1958 with “The End.”
Also in 1970, one of the foremost protest songs of all time, “War” by Edwin Starr, his most popular recording, was released as a single.
In 1971, the rock band Jethro Tull and the audience were tear-gassed by police at a Denver concert. Twenty-eight people were treated in hospital, but the show went on.
In 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. earned his place at the top of the popular music charts for the first time, after years in the entertainment business. His number one song, The Candy Man, stayed at the top for three consecutive weeks. The Candy Man was truly a song of fate for Sammy. He openly did not want to record the song, but did so as a favor to MGM Records head Mike Curb, since it was to be used in the film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Davis said he would give the tune one take, “and that’s it!” Sure enough, in that one-time recording, Sammy nailed it. The Candy Man stayed on the pop charts for 16 weeks. And the reluctant Sammy then included it in his stage shows and concerts — and collected huge royalties from it.
In 1974, The Who began a four-night sold-out run at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
In 1975, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Sister Golden Hair,” by America.
Also in 1975, The Eagles released their fourth studio album, “One Of These Nights” which gave birth to three Top 5 singles: the title song, plus “Lyin’ Eyes”, and “Take It To The Limit”.
In 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings established a record for an indoor concert crowd as 67,100 fans took in their show at Seattle’s Kingdome. It was the first rock concert at that venue.
In 1977, Joe Strummer and Topper Headon of The Clash were arrested in London for spray-painting the group’s name on a subway wall.
In 1978, “You’re the One That I Want” by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John topped the charts, but rfemained #1 for just a week.
Also in 1978, Joe Walsh‘s “Life’s Been Good” was released.
In 1981, the rock supergroup Asia was formed by Steve Howe and Geoff Downes from Yes,Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer and John Wetton of Uriah Heep.
In 1982, the TV sitcom “Taxi,” aired for the final time on ABC, and moved to NBC in the fall.
Also in 1982, Micki Harris of the ’60’s girl group, The Shirelles, suffered a fatal heart attack during a performance in Los Angeles at age 42.
In 1985, actor George Chandler, who played Uncle Petrie Martin on TV’s Lassie (1950-59) & guest starred in a host of other series for 20 years more, died of Alzheimer’s disease at age 87.
Also in 1985, gravel-voiced sportscaster Bob Prince, for 28 years the radio play-by-play man for baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, many of them during the team’s hey day, lost his battle with mouth cancer at age 68.
Still in 1985, Frank Sinatra was portrayed as a friend of organized crime in a “Doonesbury” comic strip. Over 800 newspapers carried the panel.
In 1986, Irish rocker Bob Geldof was awarded an honourary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth to recognize the millions of dollars he had raised for the starving of Africa.
Also in 1986, more than 10-thousand fans helped the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band celebrate their 20th anniversary at a Denver concert. The guest stars included Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris and Nicolette Larson.
Still in 1986, Grateful Dead leader Jerry Garcia slipped into a diabetic coma from which he emerged five days later. His health problems resulted in the cancellation of the remaining dates of the Dead’s current tour.
In 1987, more than 30 people were hurt in clashes between police and fans locked out of an open-air concert by David Bowie in Milan.
In 1988, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra was rescued by a five-million-dollar financial aid package from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Also in 1988, harmonica player Herman Crook, the last remaining charter member of the Grand Ole Opry, died in Nashville at age 89. Crook and his country string band began entertaining on the Opry in 1927.
Still in 1988, emerging Country Music star Ricky Van Shelton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1989, the TV horror anthology series “Tales From The Crypt” aired the first of its 93 episodes on US cable channel HBO.
Also in 1989, someone firebombed a McDonald’s restaurant in London two days after Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders advocated such action. Hynde told a news conference launching an all-star album in aid of Greenpeace that people “should petro-bomb McDonald’s.”
Still in 1989, “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler topped the charts … for just a week.
In 1990, sheriff’s deputies charged two members of 2 Live Crew for giving an obscene performance at a Hollywood, Florida club.
In 1991, the quirky TV serial drama “Twin Peaks” aired for the final time on ABC.
Also in 1991, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin were among the mourners at the Detroit funeral for ex-Temptation David Ruffin. About 25-thousand fans gathered outside the church. Ruffin had died nine days earlier of a drug overdose. Following the service, police arrested another former Temptation, Eddie Kendricks, for not paying nearly 30-thousand dollars in alimony.
Still in 1991, James Brown performed in Los Angeles in his first concert since serving more than two years in a South Carolina prison. He’d been convicted of aggravated assault stemming from a police car chase. Brown’s comeback “Living in America” show was broadcast live on pay-per-view T-V in the U-S.
In 1992, a Los Angeles judge threw out a $25 million palimony suit brought against British rock singer Rod Stewart by Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kelly Emberg, his longtime girlfriend. She had claimed the couple lived together as husband and wife from 1985 to 1990. Pictured above in happier times, they had one child.
Also in 1992, a Texas law enforcement agency called for a national boycott of “Cop Killer” by Ice-T. Sales of the song skyrocketed.
In 1993, a despondent actor Richard Webb, best remembered as TV’s Captain Midnight with over 50 movie acting credits, fatally shot himself at age 77.
Also in 1993, Sinead O’Connor took out a full-page ad in the Irish Times asking the public to “stop hurting me please.” O’Connor was still rattled by the furore over her ripping up a picture of the Pope during a “Saturday Night Live” appearance the previous October.
In 1996, Tony & Oscar-winning actress Jo Van Fleet, who also had more than 80 TV acting credits, died of undisclosed causes at age 81.
In 1998, Steve Sanders, a former singer with the country group the Oak Ridge Boys, shot himself to death at his Florida home. He was 45.
Also in 1998, rapper DMX (Earl Simmons) was arrested in New York on charges of rape, sodomy, and unlawful imprisonment. Simmons denied the charges, which related to an alleged incident earlier in the week with an exotic dancer.
In 2000, broadcast journalist Judd Rose, who built his reputation at ABC before becoming a CNN anchor, died from a brain tumour at age 44.
In 2004, sightless blues singing legend Ray Charles died from liver failure at age 73.
In 2005, Medicine Hat’s CHAT-1270 AM received approval to move to FM, at 94.5 MHz with 100,000 watts. The flip would take place seven months later.
Also in 2005, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson officiated in Ottawa as 63-year-old singer/songwriter Paul Anka was honored by being named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2006, the Dixie Chicks started a two-week run at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Taking the Long Way,’ the country girl group’s eighth album.
In 2007, The Rolling Stones played their first UK festival in over 30 years when they appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival.
In 2007, R. Kelly was at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Double Up.’ His eleventh studio album featured guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Nelly, T.I., Usher, Huey, Ludacris and Kid Rock.
In 2009, the daughter of Sonny & Cher, Chastity Bono was set to undergo a sex change to become a man. The gender-swap process began shortly after Bono’s 40th birthday in March and more than a decade after she came out as a lesbian. She has since emerged as Chaz Bono and is dressing as a man.
Also in 2009, the Neil Young documentary, Don’t Be Denied, had its TV premiere as part of PBS’ American Masters series. It included an exclusive interview with Young along with performance clips.
In 2010, three hundred Team Coco members (Conan O’Brien’s undying supporters after he got bounced from The Tonight Show) were treated to a concert by O’Brien and his Legally Prohibited touring band at Jack White‘s (White Stripes) Third Man Studios in Nashville
In 2013, “Wonderwall,” the ‘95 hit from Oasis, was voted the biggest song of the past 20 years in a poll conducted by Australia’s Triple J’s radio network. Nearly one million voters took part.
Also in 2013, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell (above) revealed that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Today’s Birthdays:
Montreal-born actress Alexandra Stewart (Sins, Mistral’s Daughter) is 76.
Singer Shirley Alston Reeves of The Shirelles is 74.
TV news analyst Jeff Greenfield is 72.
Actor Frankie Faison (The Wire, One Life to Live) is 66.
Football commentator/quarterback Dan Fouts is 64.
Country singer-songwriter Thom Schuyler is 63.
Actor Andrew Stevens (Dallas, Emerald Point NAS) is 60.
Singer Barrington Henderson is 59.
Actor Robert Clohessy (Blue Bloods, Boardwalk Empire, Oz) is 58.
Actor/director Timothy Van Patten (The Sopranos, The Wire, Now & Again) is 56.
Bassist Kim Deal of The Pixies is 54.
Singer Maxi Priest is 54.
Actress Gina Gershon (Ugly Betty, The Batman, Tripping the Rift) is 53.
Actress Carolyn Hennesey (General Hospital) is 53.
Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn (Big Love) is 52.
Actor Ben Daniels (House of Cards, Law & Order: UK) is 51.
Actress Kate Flannery (The Office) is 51.
Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan) is 51.
Actress Elizabeth Hurley (The Royals, Gossip Girl) is 50.
Guitarist Joey Santiago of The Pixies is 50.
Actor Doug McKeon (From Earth to the Moon, Big Shamus Little Shamus, Centennial) is 49.
Actress Laura Silverman (Bob’s Burgers, The Comeback, The Sarah Silverman Program) is 49.
Guitarist Emma Anderson (Lush) is 48.
Country guitarist Brian Hofeldt of The Derailers is 48.
Toronto-born actress Susan Haskell (One Life to Live) is 48.
Actor Bill Burr (Breaking Bad, Townies) is 47.
Montreal-born actor Mike Dopud (Continuum, Arctic Air, SGU Stargate Universe) is 47.
Singer Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing) is 45.
Singer Jo-Jo of K-Ci and Jo-Jo is 44.
Singer Faith Evans is 42.
Actress Nicole Bilderback (Dawson’s Creek) is 40.
Actor DJ Qualls (Perception, Z Nation, Legit, Memphis Beat) is 37.
Singer LeMisha Grinstead of 702 is 37.
Actor Shane West (Nikita, ER, Now and Again) is 37.
Actress/voicist Jessica DiCicco (Gravity Falls, Adventure Time, Loonatics Unleashed) is 35.
Singer Hoku is 34.
Olympic skating champ/actress Tara Lipinski (The Young & the Restless) is 33.
Actress Leelee Sobieski (NYC 22, Joan of Arc, Uprising, Hercules) is 32.
Actress Shanna Collins (Wildfire, Swingtown) is 32.
Actress Celina Jade (Arrow) is 30.
Model/actress Tristin Mays (The Vampire Diaries, Fail, Private) is 25.
Actor Julian De La Celle (The Fosters) is 19.
Chart Toppers – June 10
1951
Too Young – Nat King Cole
On Top of Old Smokey – The Weavers (vocal: Terry Gilkyson)
How High the Moon – Les Paul & Mary Ford
I Want to Be with You Always – Lefty Frizzell
1960
Cathy’s Clown – The Everly Brothers
Burning Bridges – Jack Scott
Paper Roses – Anita Bryant
Please Help Me, I’m Falling – Hank Locklin
1969
Get Back – The Beatles
Grazing in the Grass – The Friends of Distinction
Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Singing My Song – Tammy Wynette
1978
You’re the One that I Want – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Shadow Dancing – Andy Gibb
Feels So Good – Chuck Mangione
Georgia on My Mind – Willie Nelson
1987
You Keep Me Hangin’ On – Kim Wilde
Always – Atlantic Starr
Head to Toe – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
I Will Be There – Dan Seals
1996
Tha Crossroads – Bone thugs-n-harmony
Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman
Blue Clear Sky – George Strait
2005
Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
Behind These Hazel Eyes – Kelly Clarkson
Switch – Will Smith
Making Memories of Us – Keith Urban
