ON THIS DAY in 1910
Kenneth Howard “Kenny” Delmar was born in Boston. He was an actor in radio, films, and animation. An announcer on the pioneering NBC radio news series The March of Time, and for many years on the Lucky Strike Hit Parade, he became a national radio sensation in 1945 as Senator Beauregard Claghorn on the Fred Allen Show. He had played multiple roles in Orson Welles’ 1938 sensation for CBS, The War of the Worlds. NBC radio’s Cavalcade of America featured him in their repertory cast, and he also was heard as Commissioner Weston in early episodes of Mutual radio’s The Shadow. Delmar died July 14, 1984 at age 73.
In 1916, a future Canadian star in broadcast comedy, Frank Shuster was born in Toronto.
Shuster was a lifelong comedy partner of Johnny Wayne (1918-90). In World War II they wrote and performed for The Army Show, and by 1946 Wayne & Shuster had their own CBC radio program. They successfully made the transition to TV, and became 67-time guesting regulars on the Ed Sullivan Show out of New York. Frank died Jan 13, 2002, twelve years after his partner. He was age 85.
In 1936, Sydney Nova Scotia radio station CJCB covered the crash landing of the first woman to fly the Atlantic from East to West, Mrs. Beryl Markham. We’re told the station’s interview was carried worldwide.
In 1938, the NBC Red network broadcast “Life Can Be Beautiful” for the first time. The 15-minute daily drama (or ‘soap opera’) was introduced as “an inspiring message of faith drawn from life.” LCBB aired until 1954.
In 1945, Iva Toguri D’Aquino was arrested. D’Aquino was suspected of being the wartime radio propagandist “Tokyo Rose”. She served six years before being pardoned by U.S. President Ford.
In 1956, Johnny Cash hit the record charts running with “I Walk the Line”. Cash’s debut hit song climbed to #17 on the pop music charts.
Also in 1956, Elvis Presley surprised his mother Gladys with the gift of a pink Cadillac. The car remained in the Presley family and eventually went on display at Graceland.
In 1957, Elvis was in studios in West Hollywood to record two future giants for RCA Victor, “Blue Christmas” and “Treat Me Nice.”
In 1958, the first-ever color videotaped program was aired. It was “The Betty Freezor Show” on WBTV-TV in Charlotte, NC.
In 1962, Beatles manager Brian Epstein went to the office of record producer George Martin to check out the group’s first recording, “Love Me Do.”
Also in 1962, Ray Charles was in New York to record a future #1 R&B hit (and Top 10 pop single) “You Are My Sunshine.”
In 1964, The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” made it to #1. It stayed at the top until it was replaced three weeks later by Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman”. Orbison’s smash was just entering the pop charts on this day for a 14-week run.
Also in 1964, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” by Manfred Mann was released.
In 1965, The Rolling Stones recorded their eighth single ‘Get Off Of My Cloud’ at RCA studios in Hollywood. The song eventually made it to No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1967, at London’s Abbey Road studios, The Beatles began work on John Lennon’s new song ‘I Am the Walrus’, recording 16 takes of the backing track.
In 1968, Herbert Khaury, known better as Tiny Tim of Tiptoe Thru the Tulips fame, sued Bouquet Records for US $1 million in damages after the label released early recordings of Khaury without his permission.
In 1971, during their seventh tour of North America Led Zeppelin appeared in concert at the Chicago International Amphitheatre.
In 1972, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway won a gold record for their duet, “Where is the Love”. The song got to number five on the pop music charts and was one of two songs that earned gold for the duo. The other was “The Closer I Get To You” (1978 ).
In 1975, Glen Campbell‘s #1 hit single on both Pop and Country charts {b]Rhinestone Cowboy[/b] was certified Gold.
Also in 1975, Paul McCartney’s Wings released “Letting Go.”
In 1976, after years of estrangement, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin were reunited on Jerry’s Labor Day Telethon, a move orchestrated by their mutual friend Frank Sinatra.
Also in 1976, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” by KC & the Sunshine Band.
In 1977, Linda Ronstadt released her remake of the Roy Orbison song “Blue Bayou”.
In 1980, a statue of the late Buddy Holly was unveiled in Lubbock, Texas, his hometown.
In 1981, Bruce Springsteen joined the Pretenders onstage in Pasadena in singing the Jackie Wilson song “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”.
In 1983, the US got its first network hour-long news show as the Public Broadcasting System’s “MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” expanded to 60 minutes.
Also in 1983, Canadian Alan Thicke hosted a new syndicated TV talk show, Thicke Of The Night. It did not last a year, after losing the ratings battle bigtime to Johnny Carson.
In 1986, after 23 years of “oohing” and “aahing,” laughing and kibitzing as host of various talk shows, 61-year-old Merv Griffin signed off his 90-minute syndicated program for the final time.
In 1987, TV producer Quinn Martin, who had given us the hit series The Fugitive, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco and Barnaby Jones, suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 65.
Also in 1987, “American Bandstand,” hosted by Dick Clark on ABC, was cancelled after 30 years on television. It continued in syndication without Clark for three more years.
Still in 1987, Ian Astbury of The Cult was charged with assault after a show at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum a week earlier ended in a riot. Staff at the concert claimed they were assaulted by Astbury, who spent a night in Vancouver police cells.
In 1988, the syndicated morning TV show “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” aired coast-to-coast for the first time.
In 1989, Deborah Norville replaced John Palmer as news anchor on NBC TV’s “Today” show.
in 1990, bluesman B.B. King helped unveil his new star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
In 1993, Dave Navarro, the former Jane’s Addiction guitarist, officially joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
In 1996, Capitol Records released The Beatles Anthology video set. More than ten hours of film clips and interviews were included in the package.
In 1997, R&B newcomer Erykah Badu found her hands literally full at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards as she garners an unprecedented four honors… best R&B/soul or rap new artist, R&B/soul album of the year, the solo accolade for her debut set “Baduizm,” and best R&B/ soul single, solo and song of the honors for “On & On.”
Also in 1997, talk show host Larry King, at 63, got married for the eighth time. The bride was 37-year-old singer/TV host Shawn Southwick. They have two children.
In 1998, The Max Ferguson Show aired for the final time on CBC Radio Two. It had debuted on the AM network on October 1, 1962, as a follow-up to Max’s tremendously popular Rawhide show (1946-62).
Also in 1998, Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” debuted at #1 on U.S. music charts. The Diane Warren composition, from the movie, “Armageddon”, was the first single by Aerosmith to reach number one. It held on at the top through the entire month of September.
In 1999, Allen Funt, Mr. Candid Camera, died 11 days short of his 85th birthday. He had suffered a debilitating stroke in 1993 and never fully recovered.
Also in 1999, after spending 58 weeks on the UK album chart, Shania Twain went to No.1 with ‘Come On Over’. It gave the Canadian singer the biggest selling UK album of the year.
In 2000, Camosun College radio statio CKMO Victoria switched from FM to AM, in a frequency swap with CJVI. It broadcast with 10,000 watts on 900 KHz. CJVI had signed off three days earlier, turning into CHTT FM on the college’s old frequency of 103.1 MHz.
Also in 2000, eager journalists and hardcore fans alike mingled at the Sony IMAX Theater in New York for the North American unveiling of Radiohead‘s long-awaited fourth album “Kid A.”
In 2001, Fox News Channel fired Paula Zahn after learning she was in negotiations with CNN. She would be rushed into action by CNN less than a week later to help cover the 9/11 terrorist attack.
In 2002, radio actor Jackie Kelk, who played Jimmy Olsen on Superman, and Henry Aldrich’s best friend Homer Brown on The Aldrich Family, died of a lung infection at age 79.
In 2003, Winnipeg-born singer Gisele MacKenzie succumbed to colon cancer at age 76. She had an immensely popular CBC radio daily quarter hour (1946-50) before leaving for the US and a starring role in TV’s Your Hit Parade, also becoming Jack Benny’s favorite TV guest.
In 2005, television station CHNU-TV in BC’s Fraser Valley switched its branding from NOW-TV to OMNI.10, based on its Channel 10 assignment by metro Vancouver cable companies. A Victoria repeater signed on the same day.
In 2006, Katie Couric made her first appearance as anchor on the “CBS Evening News”.
The former “Today Show” host failed to boost the program out of third place during her 5-year run.
Also in 2006, Bob Dylan‘s album “Modern Times” moved more than 192,000 copies in its first week to land at #1 on the Billboard 200. It had been 30 years (!!) since Dylan’s last chart topper.
Still in 2006, Aerosmith and Mötley Crüe started their Route Of All Evil tour in Columbus, OH. It was the first time the two groups had toured together. But Aerosmith was without bassist Tom Hamilton who was undergoing seven weeks of radiation-therapy for throat cancer.
In 2007, a new study revealed that rock stars were twice as likely to die early as the rest of us. Researchers said that the problem was so bad the industry should be labeled a “high risk” profession.
In 2008, Reba McEntire went to No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Keep on Loving You,’ the country singer/songwriter’s twenty fifth-studio album.
Also in 2008, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart protested the unauthorized use of their song “Barracuda” by presidential candidate John McCain. “Barracuda” was played to introduce vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin; her high school nickname was “Sarah Barracuda” due to her basketball prowess.
In 2012, singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe South, who had hits in the late 1960s and early ’70s, including ‘Games People Play,’ ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ and ‘(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden,’ died at his Atlanta home from a heart attack at age 72. As a session guitarist he played with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin.
Also in 2012, Rush‘s “Clockwork Angels” was named Album Of The Year at the inaugural Progressive Music Awards in London.
In 2014,
longtime CBS/CNN correspondent Bruce Morton died at age 83. He worked for CBS News for 29 years, from 1964-93. He reported from Viet Nam, covered the Space program, then was a congressional correspondent and also anchored the “CBS Morning News” in the 1970s. After leaving CBS in 1993, he worked at CNN as a national correspondent before retiring in 2006.
In 2015, baseball announcer Gene Elston, who called the games of the Houston Astros (and their predecessor Houston Colt 45’s) for 25 years, died at age 93. He first came to national attention in the late 1950’s on Mutual Radio’s Game of the Day, and later on the CBS Radio Game of the Week and post season coverage in the 80’s and 90’s.
In 2016, actor Hugh O’Brian, who helped tame the Wild West as the star of ABC-TV’s “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” (1955-61), died at age 91.
In 2017,
“Villains,” by Queens Of The Stone Age, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart, even though at 69,000 units they had the top selling disc. Rappers Lil Uzi Vert and XXXTentacion were #1 and #2 based on streaming numbers.
In 2018, former ‘Weekend Update’ anchor & Canadian-born comedian Norm Macdonald told reporters he had a novel idea for his new Netflix show: Be entertaining. He promised no monologue, no band, and no political commentary.
American comedian and actor Bob Newhart died July 18, 2024.
Today’s Birthdays
Singer/dancer/actress Carol Lawrence (Valley of the Dolls, Ed Sullivan Show, Dean Martin Summer Show) is 92.
Actor George Lazenby (General Hospital, Batman Beyond, The Pretender) is 85.
Actor William Devane (Knots Landing, What About Brian, 24, Jesse Stone TV Movies) is 85.
Singer Al Stewart is 79.
Singer/songwriter/actor Loudon Wainwright III (Undeclared, Parks & Recreation) is 79.
Actor/director Dennis Dugan (Richie Brockelman Private Eye, Moonlighting, Empire) is 78.
Saxophonist Mel Collins of King Crimson and of Kokomo is 77.
Actor Michael Keaton (The Company, Report to Murphy. Working Stiffs) is 73.
Drummer Jamie Oldaker of The Tractors is 73.
Actor Peter Wingfield (Sanctuary, Caprica) is 62.
Model/actress Kristian Alfonso (Days Of Our Lives, Falcon Crest, Secret Lives) is 61.
Singer Terry Ellis of En Vogue is 61.
Actor Phillip P. Keene (The Closer, Major Crimes) is 58.
Drummer Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine (and Audioslave) is 56.
TV personality-musician Dweezil Zappa (Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man, Normal Life) is 55.
Actor Michael McLafferty (General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Second Noah) is 52.
Actress Rose McGowan (Charmed, Nip/Tuck) is 51.
Actress Carice van Houten (Game of Thrones) is 48.
Actor Joey Kern (Good Behaviour, Electric City) is 48.
Toronto-born actress Laura Bertram (Ready or Not, Robson Arms, Seasons of Love, Andromeda) is 46.
Actor Ian Nelson (What Goes On) is 42.
Actor Jeff D’Agostino (Zombie Roadkill, The Brotherhood of Poland New Hampshire) is 42.
Actress Christina Ulloa (Charmed) is 42.
Actress Julianne Michelle (Bus No. 9) is 40.
Keyboardist Kyle O’Quin of Portugal. The Man is 39.
Actor Andrew Ducote (Dave’s World) is 38.
Actress Davida Williams (Casual, As the World Turns, Lizzie McGuire) is 38.
Actress Christine Marzano (Fashion Star) is 38.
Model/TV personality Melissa Haro (Project Runway) is 37.
Actress Katerina Graham (The Vampire Diaries) is 35.
Actor/voicist Max Mittelman (Shimmer and Shine, Spider-Man, Miraculous:Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Transformers: Rescue Bots, Berserk, The Seven Deadly Sins) is 34.
Actor Skandar Keynes (Ferrari, Chronicles of Narnia) is 33.
Actress Gage Golightly (Teen Wolf, The Troop) is 31.
Actress Caroline Sunshine (Shake It Up!) is 29.
Chart Toppers – Sept. 5
1948
A Tree in the Meadow – Margaret Whiting
You Call Everybody Darlin’ – Al Trace (vocal: Bob Vincent)
It’s Magic – Doris Day
Bouquet of Roses – Eddy Arnold
1957
Love Letters in the Sand – Pat Boone
Tammy – Debbie Reynolds
Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On – Jerry Lee Lewis
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Elvis Presley
1966
Sunshine Superman – Donovan
You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
Almost Persuaded – David Houston
1975
Get Down Tonight – K.C. & The Sunshine Band
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) – James Taylor
At Seventeen – Janis Ian
Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell
1984
What’s Love Got to Do With It – Tina Turner
Missing You – John Wait
She Bop – Cyndy Lauper
Let’s Fall to Pieces Together – George Strait
1993
Can’t Help Falling in Love – UB40
Whoomp! (There It Is) – Tag Team
If – Janet Jackson
Thank God for You – Sawyer Brown
2002
Dilemma – Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
Complicated – Avril Lavigne
Just Like A Pill – P!nk
The Good Stuff – Kenny Chesney
2011
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Katy Perry
Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
She Will – Lil Wayne featuring Drake
Am I the Only One – Dierks Bentley
Today in Broadcast History compiled by Ron Robison
