ON THIS DAY in 1881
actor Leo Carrillo was born in Los Angeles.
Although he played character roles in 90 films, he is best remembered as Pancho, the amiable sidekick (pictured, right) in the 1950’s Cisco Kid TV Series starring Duncan Renaldo. He died of cancer Sep 10, 1961 at age 80.
Also in 1881, gossip columnist Louella Parsons was born in Freeport Illinois. Her rather lacklustre radio personality didn’t keep her from fronting a succession of big budget star vehicles on network radio, including Hollywood Hotel & Hollywood Premiere. For six years she also had a 15 minute showbusiness gossip show on Sunday night. She died of arteriosclerosis Dec 9, 1972 at age 91.
In 1911, actress/comedienne Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown New York. She was successful in film, on stage & in radio, but is best remembered as the Emmy Award-winning star of CBS TV’s I Love Lucy, and her successive sitcoms The Lucy Show & Here’s Lucy. Her career in TV spanned some 30 years. She died of an aortic aneurism April 26, 1989 at age 77.
In 1915, big-voiced announcer/actor Jim Ameche was born in Kenosha Wisconsin. His is best remembered as the original title character in radio’s youth adventure series Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. He succeeded his older brother Don Ameche as the host/announcer for NBC Radio’s The Chase and Sanborn Hour, and was heard as Mountie Jim West on ABC’s Silver Eagle (1951–55). He had featured roles in radio’s Grand Hotel, Hollywood Playhouse, and Big Sister. For many years, he was the afternoon announcer on WQXR, the classical radio station of The New York Times, and did numerous radio ads in Phoenix, Arizona in his later years. He died Feb. 4 1983 at age 67.
In 1917, actor Robert Mitchum was born in Bridgeport Connecticut. After a successful bigscreen career he starred in two of the most watched TV miniseries of all time, ABC’s The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance. He succumbed to lung cancer & emphysema July 1, 1997 at age 79.
In 1922, telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell died at age 75 at his home on Cape Breton Island.
In 1928, one of radio’s first serials, Real Folks debuted on NBC radio.
In 1939, after becoming a success with Ben Bernie and Eddie Cantor on network radio, and being featured on NBC’s Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street, Dinah Shore started her own Sunday evening radio show on the NBC Blue network. Later Dinah would also have a successful TV career spanning more than three decades.
In 1940, Columbia Records cut the price of its 12-inch 78 rpm classical records. The records were priced to sell at $1. Within two weeks, RCA Victor did the same and ended a record-buying slump brought on by disinterested consumers.
In 1956, Marty Robbins released his future #1 Country single ‘Singing the Blues.’
In 1960, Chubby Checker appeared on Dick Clark’s Saturday Night Beechnut Show (ABC TV) and introduced ‘The Twist,’ debuting the dance that became a national craze. The song shot to No.1 on the Billboard chart and again 18 months later in 1962. It is the only song to top the charts on two separate occasions.
Also in 1960, The Beatles invited drummer Pete Best to join them for their series of club dates in Hamburg Germany.
in 1963, in the evening at Studio A of the Columbia Recording Studio in New York, Bob Dylan recorded the first session for the album The Times They Are A-Changin’. It would be his first LP to feature only his original compositions, the title track being one of Dylan’s most famous.
In 1964, singer Rod Stewart made his TV debut on the BBC’s The Beat Room, as a member (along with Long John Baldry) of the ‘Hoochie Coochie Men.’
In 1965, the soundtrack album from The Beatles‘ movie “Help!” was released in the UK & in North America.
Also in 1965, in the UK the 5th National Jazz & Blues Festival was headlined by The Yardbirds, the Who and the Moody Blues.
In 1969, the UK heavy metal band Led Zeppelin performed in Sacramento, California, on one of several US tours during this, their first year under that name.
In 1970, Steppenwolf, Janis Joplin, Paul Simon, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The James Gang, Miles Davis, Dionne Warwick and Johnny Winter all appeared at the Festival For Peace at New York’s Shea Stadium, to benefit anti-war political candidates. The concert date coincided with the 25th anniversary of the US dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
In 1971, Procul Harum played a concert with the Edmonton Symphony in the Alberta capital. Portions would later be released as the album “Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.” It included the hit single, “Conquistador.”
In 1973, after one of the biggest promotional blitzes in TV history, writer/reporter Sally Quinn joined Hughes Rudd as co-host of the CBS Morning News. Not long after her TV debut, Ms. Quinn found that she wasn’t suited so much for TV and went back to writing fulltime for The Washington Post.
Also in 1973, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “The Morning After,’ by’ Maureen McGovern. The song was the theme to the film “The Poseidon Adventure.”
Still in 1973, Wolfman Jack did his first broadcast on WNBC-AM, New York, New York.
Again in 1973, Stevie Wonder came close to losing his life, following a freak auto accident. Wonder, one of Motown’s most popular recording artists, was in a coma for 10 days. Miraculously, he recovered and was back in the recording studio in less than eight weeks.
In 1974, Abba scored their first Billboard top 10 hit when ‘Waterloo’ went to No.6. The Swedish group were also on their first North American tour.
In 1981, Stevie Nicks‘ first solo album, Bella Donna, was released.
The lead singer for Fleetwood Mac scored a top-three hit with Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (9/05/81) from the album. Nicks went on to record a total of 11 hits for the pop-rock charts through 1988.
In 1984, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Ghostbusters,” by Ray Parker Jr. Huey Lewis sued Parker, claiming the Academy Award-nominated song sounded too much like his “I Want a New Drug.”
In 1988, ‘Appetite For Destruction,’ Guns N’ Roses debut album went to No.1 in Billboard after spending 57 weeks on the chart and selling over 5 million copies. Singles from the album, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’ ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘Paradise City’ were all top 10 hits.
Also in 1988, the all-star group the Traveling Wilburys (Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne) started a brief tour in support of their first album.
In 1991, TV newsman Harry Reasoner, who anchored the ABC evening news between two stints with the CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” died at age 68, just three months after he retired. The cause of death .. a blood clot on the brain which resulted from a fall.
In 1994, Lisa Loeb started a three week run at No.1 on the Billboard singles chart with ‘Stay (I Missed You).’
In 1995, R&B singer Brandy received four trophies at the first Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. TLC took group honors for single and solo of the year.
In 1996, Vince Neil, the former singer of ’80’s metal band Motley Crue, attempted to play a show at a club in Indiana. The show, starting more than four hours late, ended after only three songs. Neil claimed that he wasn’t feeling well, and that the audience of “rednecks” didn’t appreciate his talent. No refunds were offered, and police, called to the scene shortly thereafter, barely staved off a riot of over 500 irate ticket-holders.
In 1998, sports broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, who joined WGN TV when the Chicago superstation went on the air in 1948 (see picture above), and called Chicago Cub games for 40 years, died following a heart attack at age 82.
Also in 1998, the last new episode of Magic Johnson‘s TV talk show “The Magic Hour” aired. The show – which featured performances by a variety of music acts, including Boyz II Men, Simply Red, Mary J. Blige, and Hanson – consistently suffered poor reviews and low ratings.
In 1999, Kathryn Murray, who with her husband hosted early TV’s “The Arthur Murray (Dance) Party,” died in her sleep at her Honolulu home at age 92.
In 2000, it was announced that Ice-T would play Detective “Fin” Tutuola on the TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He has done so through nearly two decades.
in 2001, harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler died in London at age 87. He was known for his original collaborations with the likes of George Gershwin, Elton John, Kate Bush, Sting and composer Vaughan Williams, but also his own virtuoso performances.
Also in 2001, Whitney Houston became one of the highest-paid recording artists in the world after signing a new deal with the Arista label, said to be worth more than $100 million.
In 2002 at 6am, MOJO RADIO debuted in Vancouver on AM730 with “talk radio for guys.” The station had been off the air for over a month, then stunted for two weeks with modern rock before initiating the new format … which proved to be a mistake.
In 2004, funk legend Rick James died following a heart attack at age 56. James was best known for his 1981 hit Super Freak — before his career disintegrated amid drug use and violence that sent him to prison.
Also in 2004, Bob Dylan launched a tour of minor-league ballparks across the U.S. Logically, the first show was in Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. “What we aim to do with this tour is hit the ball out of the park, touch all the bases and get home safely,” said Dylan in a prepared statement.
In 2005, White Stripes launched their North American tour at the Gorge in the town of George, Washington.
In 2006, ‘Promiscuous’ by Victoria-born Nelly Furtado & Timbaland was at No.1 on the Billboard singles chart.
In 2007, Vancouver-born writer/producer Philip Keatley (The Beachcombers, Cariboo Country, Cold Case) died at age 77.
In 2010, U2 performed their first tour date since Bono’s back injury and surgery two months earlier. “This band is like a family,” Bono told the sold-out stadium audience in Turin, Italy. “It’s a family business, U2. I am the prodigal son. I would like to thank my brothers for their patience.”
In 2011, bass player Marshall Grant, who accompanied Johnny Cash for more than 25 years (1954-80), died at age 83.
Also in 2011, songwriter/deejay Fred Imus, the younger brother of shock jock Don Imus, and himself a country music host on Sirius-XM Radio, was found dead in his mobile home in Tucson at age 69.
In 2012, pianist/composer and a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Marvin Hamlisch died of lung failure at age 68. One of the most decorated individuals in entertainment, he had received a Tony Award, three Academy Awards, four Emmys and the Pulitzer Prize for drama (A Chorus Line).
In 2014, after 37 years of trying, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers scored their first #1 album on the Billboard 200 with ‘Hypnotic Eye.’
In 2015, Jon Stewart closed out his sixteen year run as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performing “Land Of Hope And Dreams” and “Born To Run.” Stewart introduced Springsteen saying “here’s my moment of Zen.”
In 2016, Pete Fountain, the world-reknowned New Orleans jazz clarinetist who was a regular on ABC-TV’s “The Lawrence Welk Show” in the late 1950’s, and guested 22 times on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” suffered heart failure and died in hospice at age 86.
In 2017, the latest round of earnings from major US media companies was stoking fears that as more consumers drop their traditional pay-TV services, the long-term health of the industry’s biggest players would be threatened.
Today’s Birthdays
Actor-director Peter Bonerz (Bob Newhart Show, Murphy Brown, Friends) is 86.
Actress Louise Sorel (Days of Our Lives, Santa Barbara) is 84.
UK-born Toronto-raised punk rock singer Carole Pope (Rough Trade) is 78.
Actor Dorian Harewood (Roots: the Next Generations, Boomtown, 7th Heaven) is 74.
Actress Catherine Hicks (Seventh Heaven) is 73.
Singer Pat MacDonald of Timbuk 3 is 72.
Actress Stepfanie Kramer (Hunter) is 68.
Actress Faith Prince (Huff, Spin City) is 67.
Singer Randy DeBarge of DeBarge is 66.
Actor Leland Orser (Berlin Station, Ray Donovan, ER) is 64.
Actress Michelle Yeoh (Star Trek: Discovery, Marco Polo) is 62.
Actor Dean Andrews (Last Tango in Halifax) is 61.
Actor Moosie Drier (Laugh In, Bob Newhart Show) is 60.
Model/actress Lisa Boyle (Married with Children, Baywatch) is 60.
Country singers Peggy and Patsy Lynn of The Lynns are 60.
Kitchener Ont.-born actor Jeremy Ratchford (Cold Case) is 59.
Actor De’voreaux White (Head of the Class, Little House on the Prairie) is 59.
Actor Benito Martinez (13 Reasons Why, How to Get Away with Murder, American Crime, The Shield) is 56.
Country singer Lisa Stewart is 56.
Producer/director M. Night Shymalan (Wayward Pines) is 54.
Actress Merrin Dungey (King of Queens, Summerland, Alias) is 53.
Singer Geri ‘Ginger Spice’ Halliwell (Spice Girls) is 52.
Actor Jason O’Mara (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Life on Mars) is 52.
Actress Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel, UC: Undercover, Touching Evil) is 51.
Actress Ever Carradine {Eureka, Commander in Chief, Once & Again) is 50.
Actress Melissa George (Home & Away, Grey’s Anatomy, Alias) is 48.
Actress Soleil Moon Frye (Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Punky Brewster) is 48.
Actress Jennifer Lyons (Valley Peaks) is 47.
Actress Ashlie Atkinson (Us & Them, Stuck on A, Rescue Me) is 47.
North Bay, Ont.-born actor Brendan Burke (Orange is the New Black) is 46.
Model/actress Marisa Miller (Victoria’s Secret TV) is 46.
Edmonton-born actress/stuntwoman Monique Ganderton (Continuum, Smallville) is 44.
Actor Leslie Odom Jr. (Smash, Vanished, Law & Order: SVU, Person of Interest) is 43.
Singer Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes is 43.
Model/TV producer/actress Adrianne Curry (My Fair Brady, My Antonio, The Tester, The Surreal Life) is 42.
Actor Ryan Sypek (Wildfire) is 41.
Actor Karl Davies (Happy Valley, Game of Thrones) is 41.
Bassist Eric Roberts of Gym Class Heroes is 40.
Actress Chelsee Healey (Waterloo Road) is 36.
Vancouver-born actress Kacey Rohl (Arrow, The Magicians, Wayward Pines, Hannibal, Working the Engels) is 33.
Ontario-born actress Amy Forsyth (The Path) is 29.
Twin actresses Vanessa & Veronica Merrell (Jane the Virgin) are 28.
Actress Harley Graham (Sofia the First, The Bold & the Beautiful) is 23.
Chart Toppers – August 6th
1945
The More I See You – Dick Haymes
Dream – The Pied Pipers
Sentimental Journey – The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
Oklahoma Hills – Jack Guthrie
1954
Sh-Boom – The Crew Cuts
The Little Shoemaker – The Gaylords
Hey There – Rosemary Clooney
One by One – Kitty Wells & Red Foley
1963
So Much in Love – The Tymes
Fingertips – Pt 2 – Little Stevie Wonder
(You’re the) Devil in Disguise – Elvis Presley
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
1972
Alone Again (Naturally) – Gilbert O�Sullivan
Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right – Luther Ingram
It’s Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer – Charley Pride
1981
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
Theme from “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It or Not) – Joey Scarbury
I Don’t Need You – Kenny Rogers
Dixie on My Mind – Hank Williams, Jr.
1990
Vision of Love – Mariah Carey
Cradle of Love – Billy Idol
Rub You the Right Way – Johnny Gill
Good Times – Dan Seals
1999
Beautiful Stranger – Madonna
All Star – Smash Mouth
If You Had My Love – Jennifer Lopez
Amazed – Lonestar
2008
I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry
Forever – Chris Brown
Leavin’ – Jesse McCartney
Good Time – Alan Jackson
Today in Broadcast History compiled by Ron Robinson
