ON THIS DAY in 1905
blues artist Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup was born in Forest, Mississippi. He wrote the Elvis Presley hit ‘That’s All Right (Mama).’ Crudup died in 1974 after a heart attack at age 68.
In 1911, announcer/host Durward Kirby was born in Covington Kentucky. After war service starting in 1946 he co-hosted Club Matinee with Garry Moore on NBC Blue, then moved to TV in ’49 and worked on Garry Moore & Perry Como’s TV shows throughout the ’50’s. In the ’60’s he co-hosted Candid Camera with Allen Funt. He died of congestive heart failure Mar 15, 2000 at age 88.
In 1917, TV announcer/host Dennis James was born in Jersey City New Jersey. He is credited as the host of TV’s first game show, the DuMont Network’s Cash and Carry in 1946. James was the first person to ever host a telethon and even the first to do a TV commercial. He is best remembered as emcee of Chance of a Lifetime, High Finance, The Name’s the Same, and the nightime version of The New Price is Right. He died of lung cancer June 3, 1997 at age 79.
In 1943, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “In the Blue of the Evening” by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Frank Sinatra.
In 1948, CBC radio station CBX AM1010 in Lacombe, Alberta, signed on with 50,000 watts, although the official opening was not until September 8th. This was the Mother Corp’s attempt to serve Edmonton and Calgary with one transmitter, an unsuccessful move that resulted in separate transmitters to serve each city within 5 years.
In 1950, the summer replacement radio show for Suspense, titled Somebody Knows, was heard for the final time on CBS Radio. The program offered a reward of $5,000 for information that led to the solving of crimes. Somebody Knows began with the introduction, “You out there. You, who think you have committed the perfect crime — that there are no clues, no witnesses — listen. Somebody knows.”
In 1954, Nat “King” Cole was at Capitol Records in Hollywood to record “Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup.” It became the best-selling version of the song written back in 1935.
In 1956, Elvis Presley was at the 20th Century Fox Studios in Hollywood, recording songs for the soundtrack of his next film, “Love Me Tender. ” Besides the title song, Elvis taped “We’re Gonna Move” and a few takes of “Poor Boy.”
Also in 1956, Buddy Holly was at the Cotton Club in his hometown of Lubbock Texas to take in a show headlined by Little Richard.
In 1957, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Tammy” by Debbie Reynolds. The song, featured in Debbie’s film “Tammy and the Bachelor,” was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 1958, Bobby Darin recorded his future Top 10 hit “Beyond The Sea” in New York, with trumpeter Doc Severinsen among the studio musicians hired for the Atco Records session.
In 1959, “The Three Bells” by The Browns topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.
In 1961, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn),” by Joe Dowell. The song was a cover of a song Elvis Presley sang in the film “G.I. Blues.”
In 1963, Stevie Wonder became the first artist ever to score a Billboard No.1 album and single in the same week. Wonder was at No.1 on the album chart with ‘Little Stevie Wonder / The 12 Year Old Genius’ and had the No.1 single ‘Fingertips part 2’.
Also in 1963, country singer Bobby Bare was in RCA Victor’s Nashville studios to record his next hit, “500 Miles Away From Home,” which would make the Top 10 on both the country and pop charts.
In 1964, Beatles manager Brian Epstein met Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker for the first time, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
In 1966, The Doors started work on their first album at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles.
In 1967, a drunk Keith Moon, drummer wth The Who, in the aftermath of his 21st birthday celebration the previous evening, drove his Lincoln Continental into the swimming pool of the Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. This was the most notorious of a number of “hotel-destruction” events in Moon’s short career, and it led to The Who being banned from the hotel chain. He died days after his 32nd birthday, due to a prescription drug overdose.
Also in 1967, 17-year old singer and guitarist Bruce Springsteen joined a group called Earth.
In 1968, Montreal-born actor William Shatner appeared for the first time on the cover of TV Guide, with fellow actors Deforest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek.
In 1973, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Brother Louie” by The Stories.
In 1974, Ottawa singer/songwriter Paul Anka‘s (You’re) Having My Baby remained #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart, Paul’s 24th US top 40 hit.
Also in 1974, Chicago took over the #1 spot on the Easy Listening chart with “Call on Me”.
In 1975, Queen started recording ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ at Rockfield Studios near Monmouth, Wales. (The song was recorded over three weeks).
in 1977, country singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings was arrested in New York City by federal agents and was charged with possession of cocaine. But errors by the DEA agents led to the charges being dropped.
Also in 1977, in Nashville, singer Johnny Paycheck recorded his only country #1 hit, “Take This Job and Shove it.”
In 1978, bandleader/trumpeter/singer/songwriter Louis Prima, who with wife Keely Smith recorded a Grammy-winning version of That Old Black Magic, and created an act that became a Vegas headliner, died of complications from brain surgery at age 67. He had been in a coma for the two years since the operation.
Also in 1978, rising rock star Bruce Springsteen appeared on the cover of “Rolling Stone” magazine.
In 1979, a spinoff of the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes,” “The Facts of Life” debuted on NBC-TV, starting a nine year run.
Also in 1979, celebrating 30 years in show business, B.B. King played a gig at the Roxy Club, on LA’s Sunset Strip.
Still in 1979, The Cars performed in New York at Dr. Pepper’s Central Park Music Festival before a crowd estimated at 500,000.
In 1981, Mark David Chapman was handed an at least 20 year jail sentence for the murder of John Lennon.
In 1982, a ‘live’ version of The Rolling Stones‘ 1964 smash “Time Is On My Side” was released as a single.
In 1983, the fifth wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, Shawn Michelle Stevens was found dead at their Mississippi home of a methadone overdose. They had been married less than three months.
In 1985, Huey Lewis and The News for the first time reached the top of the charts. The Power of Love was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks.
In 1987, Donny Osmond released his first single in 10 years ‘I’m In It For Love.’
In 1989, The Who performed the rock opera “Tommy” at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif. along with guests Elton John, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood, Billy Idol and Patti LaBelle.
In 1990, a Nevada judge cleared heavy metal group Judas Priest in a $6.2 million civil suit that charged subliminal suggestions on the group’s recordings provoked two youths to shoot themselves in 1985.
In 1991, Bryan Adams‘ (Everything I Do) I Do It for You stayed #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart.
In 1994, The Eagles appeared at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey, near New York City.
In 1995, Bing Crosby’s oldest son Gary Crosby, who recorded several hit songs with his father, and had a recurring role on NBC-TV’s police action series Adam 12, lost his battle with lung cancer at age 62.
Also in 1995, NBC TV’s Jay Leno was the host as Microsoft officially rolled out their Windows 95 operating system in the Seattle suburb of Redmond.
In 1996, “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis topped the charts and stayed there for 12 weeks.
In 1998, actor E.G. Marshall died of lung cancer at age 84. He starred in TV’s The Defenders and The Bold Ones: The New Doctors. Late in his career he hosted the nightly CBS Radio Mystery Theatre (1974-82.)
Also in 1998, country comedian Jerry Clower, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, died following bypass surgery at age 71. The pride of Yazoo City, Miss., Clower became famous for his humorous tales of rural Southern life.
Still in 1998, record producer Gene Page died after a long illness. He worked with Barbra Streisand, Barry White, The Righteous Brothers, & Dobie Gray, and produced Whitney Houston’s ‘Greatest Love of All’ plus Roberta Flack’s ‘Tonight I Celebrate My Love.’
In 1999, actress Mary Jane Croft, who frequently appeared in Lucille Ball’s TV & film projects, died of natural causes at age 83. She was a much-in-demand Hollywood radio regular from the 1940’s through the 70’s, with supporting roles in dozens of series such as One Man’s Family, Suspense, Sam Spade, Our Miss Brooks and Sears Radio Theatre.
Still in 1999, Christina Aguilera released her self-titled debut album which quickly became a #1 best seller and established her as an international star.
In 2005, Justin Timberlake accepted libel damages for a fabricated story that he had an affair behind girlfriend Cameron Diaz’s back. A News of the World article in 2004 alleged Mr Timberlake had sexual relations with model Lucy Clarkson. The singer’s solicitor told London’s High Court Ms Clarkson had admitted lying to the newspaper. Timberlake donated the “substantial” damages paid by the newspaper and Ms Clarkson to charity.
Still in 2005, Hilary Duff had the top album with Most Wanted, a compilation of her hits.
In 2007, Mark Lindsay, lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders, opened Mark Lindsay’s Rock And Roll Cafe in his native Portland, Oregon. But it closed just nine months later.
In 2008, Ed Robertson, lead singer with Canada’s Barenaked Ladies, escaped serious injury when the Cessna 206 floatplane he was piloting crashed shortly after take-off outside of Bancroft Ontario.
In 2009, the Los Angeles County Coroner ruled Michael Jackson‘s death a homicide caused by a mix of drugs meant to treat insomnia.
In 2010, in London, George Michael pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs. He’d been arrested in July as he returned home from the London Gay Pride parade and crashed his car into the front of a Snappy Snaps store. Michael’s driving privileges were suspended for six months.
Also in 2010, Bob Dylan said in the future he would sell just one ticket to each fan who showed up for his concerts, in an attempt to thwart the rampant ticket-scalping industry.
In 2012, legendary radio truck show host Dale Sommers, The Truckin’ Bozo died of complications from diabetes and Addison’s disease at age 68. For 20 years beginning in 1984 he hosted an overnight show for truckers on WLW Cincinnati, then went to XM Satellite Radio with an afternoon talk show also geared toward long distance truck drivers.
Also in 2012, actor Steve Franken, who had a continuing role in early TV’s “The Loves of Dobie Gillis” (1959-63), who went on to play comedic supporting roles in another 50 years of episodic TV, succumbed to cancer at age 80.
In 2013, acclaimed Broadway actress Julie Harris, who won three Emmys (11 nominations) for her TV guest roles over a 60 year span, and was a regular on the CBS ’80’s prime time soap Knots Landing, died of congestive heart failure at age 87.
In 2014, UK actor/director Sir Richard Attenborough died five days short of his 91st birthday.
Also in 2014, Talmadge “Tommy” Gough, an original member of the Crests, whose biggest hit was 1957’s ‘Sixteen Candles,’ succumbed to throat cancer at age 74.
In 2016, a full-size statue of late Motorhead icon Lemmy Kilmister was unveiled in his favorite haunt, the Rainbow Bar & Grill in L.A.
In 2017, one of the best radio voices Vancouver has ever produced, Bill Phillips succumbed to multiple myeloma after a nine-year battle .. and months of being unable to speak. He was 83.
Also leaving us this day in 2017 was actor and deejay Jay Thomas, who lost his battle with throat cancer at age 69. His TV credits include Mork & Mindy, Cheers and Murphy Brown; and he was an annual Christmas show guest on CBS’ Late Night with David Letterman. For more than 15 years he was a highly rated radio personality in both New York and Los Angeles.
In 2018, Robin Leach, whose voice crystalized the opulent 1980s on the TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, died at the age of 76, some nine months after suffering a debilitating stroke.
Also in 2018, Alice In Chains released “Rainier Fog.” The set was recorded in L.A., Nashville, and for the first time in more than 20 years, in the band’s hometown of Seattle.
Today’s birthdays
Guitarist/writer Mason Williams (Smothers’ Bros. Comedy Hour, Glenn Campbell Goodtime Hour) is 86.
Singer Ernest Wright of Little Anthony & the Imperials and The Platters is 83.
Soul singer Marshall Thompson of the Chi-Lites is 82.
Singer Jim Brady of the Sandpipers is 80.
Musician Ken Hensley of Uriah Heap is 79.
Actress Anne Archer (Privileged, Falcon Crest) is 77.
Actor Joe Regalbuto (Murphy Brown, Knots Landing) is 75.
Actor Kevin Dunn (Samantha Who?, Bette, Arsenio) is 68.
Actor Stephen Fry (Kingdom, Bones) is 67.
Actor Steve Guttenberg (Veronica Mars) is 66.
Actor Jared Harris (Chernobyl, The Terror, Mad Men) is 63.
Talk-show host/actor Craig Kilborn (CBS’ Late Late Show, The Daily Show) is 62.
Actor/voicist David Koechner (The Office, American Dad, Sat. Night Live) is 62.
Singer John Bush (Anthrax) is 61.
Actress Marlee Matlin (Switched at Birth, The West Wing, The L-Word) is 59.
Actor Eric Edwards (American Dad!) is 58.
Actor Pierfarncesco Favino (Marco Polo) is 55.
Former NBC newsman/ex-Meet the Press host David Gregory is 54.
Country singer Kristyn Osborn (SheDaisy) is 54.
Actor Carmine Giovinazzo (CSI: NY) is 51.
Actor-comedian Dave Chappelle (Chappelle’s Show) is 51.
Actress Jennifer Lien (Men in Black:The Series, Star Trek: Voyager) is 50.
Actor Keith Andreen (The Resistance) is 50.
Actor James D’Arcy (Secret Diary of a Call Girl) is 49.
Actress Bonnie Root (As The World Turns, Cold Case) is 49.
Actor Alex O’Loughlin (Hawaii Five-0 2010) is 48.
Actress Beth Riesgraf (Leverage) is 46.
Actress Meital Dohan (Weeds) is 45.
Vancouver-born actress Sonja Bennett (Mistresses, Godiva’s, Cold Squad) is 44.
Actress Rachael Carpani (Against the Wall, The Glades, McLeod’s Daughters) is 44.
Actor J.D. Daniels (Beethoven, Gargoyles) is 44.
Actor Chad Michael Murray (Chosen, One Tree Hill) is 43.
Trainer/ TV personality Jennifer Widerstrom (The Biggest Loser) is 42.
Actress Martha Higareda (Royal Pains) is 40.
Actor Blake Berris (Days of Our Lives) is 40.
Actor Rupert Grint (Harry Potter movies) is 36.
Actress Elizabeth Debicki (The Night Manager) is 34.
Actor Griffin Gluck {Private Practice) is 24.
Chart Toppers – Aug. 24
1945
If I Loved You – Perry Como
I Wish I Knew – Dick Haymes
Till the End of Time – Perry Como
You Two Timed Me One Time Too Often – Tex Ritter
1954
Sh-Boom – The Crew Cuts
The Little Shoemaker – The Gaylords
Hey There – Rosemary Clooney
I Don’t Hurt Anymore – Hank Snow
1963
Fingertips – Pt 2 – Little Stevie Wonder
Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! – Allan Sherman
Candy Girl – Four Seasons
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
1972
Alone Again (Naturally) – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) – The Hollies
If You Leave Me Tonight I’ll Cry – Jerry Wallace
1981
Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Theme from “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It or Not) – Joey Scarbury
Slow Hand – Pointer Sisters
I Don’t Need You – Kenny Rogers
1990
Vision of Love – Mariah Carey
Come Back to Me – Janet Jackson
If Wishes Came True – Sweet Sensation
Next to You, Next to Me – Shenandoah
1999
All Star – Smash Mouth
Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera
Last Kiss – Pearl Jam
Amazed – Lonestar
2008
Forever – Chris Brown
I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry
Leavin’ – Jesse McCartney
Should’ve Said No – Taylor Swift
Today in Broadcast History compiled by Ron Robinson
