ON THIS DAY IN 1924
radio station CKFC first took to the air from First Congregational Church, at Thurlow & Pendrell in Vancouver, broadcasting only on Sundays. Together with its shortwave sister CKFX it was one of the stations which were later amalgamated into the present-day CKWX (News 1130). .
In 1927, television pioneer Philo T. Farnsworth succeeded in transmitting an image through purely electronic means by using an image dissector.
in 1929, the forerunner to Let’s Pretend, a Saturday morning radio show for kids was heard for the first time on CBS. The Adventures of Helen & Mary became Let’s Pretend 5 years later, all of it written & directed by Nila Mack, and hosted by ‘Uncle’ Bill Adams. It continued for another 20 years, until 1954.
In 1934, Top 40 radio disc jockey Dan Ingram was born in Oceanside, New York. Best remembered for his many decades at WABC and WCBS New York he was noted for his quick wit and ability to convey a humorous or satiric idea with quick pacing and an economy of words, a skill which rendered him uniquely suited to, and successful within, modern personality-driven music radio. He died June 24 2018 at age 83.
Born in 1936, rock & roll innovator Buddy Holly was born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock Kansas. His name was misspelled on his first record contract and he decided to leave it that way. He was killed in a plane crash Feb 3, 1959 along with Ritchie Valens and J.P.Richardson (Big Bopper.) Holly was just 22.
Also in 1936, Canadian actor Bruce Gray was born in San Juan Puerto Rico. He was probably best known to Canadian audiences for his portrayal of investment banker Adam Cunningham on the Global TV series Traders, the father of the groom in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the recurring role of Judge J.E. Reilly on the TV serial Passions, and the ghost of Joe’s father on the hit television show Medium. Gray succumbed to cancer Dec. 13, 2017 at age 81.
In 1940, Artie Shaw, his clarinet and his orchestra recorded Temptation on the RCA Victor label.
In 1943, singer/songwriter Frank Crumit died at age 53. For 14 years beginning in 1929 he and Julia Sanderson were “the singing sweethearts of the air”: the very first husband-wife team to achieve radio stardom.
In 1949, Windsor (Ont.) radio station CKLW, later to become Canada’s all-time most listened-to station (due to its huge US audience), increased power from 5000 to 50,000 watts. The station had moved from 1030 to 800 KHz, a Canada/Mexico clear channel, in the great frequency shuffle of 1941.
In 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on the cover of TV Guide magazine.
In 1957, in West Hollywood, Elvis continued to record seasonal favorites, including “O Little Town Of Bethlehem,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Santa Bring My Baby Back,” and “Santa Claus Is Back In Town.”
Also in 1957, Keen Records’ first release was Sam Cooke‘s “You Send Me,” the million-selling single that would make him a star.
In 1959, Frankie Avalon, the Coasters, Lou Rawls, Bobby Rydell and Annette Funicello performed at the Michigan State Fair as part of a tour organized by Dick Clark.
In 1962, Ray Charles was in New York to record a future Top 10 pop single, “Take These Chains from My Heart.”
In 1963, The Beatles spent the afternoon at the Playhouse Theatre in London, recording six numbers for an October appearance on the BBC radio program ‘Saturday Club.’ They taped ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘Memphis’, ‘Happy Birthday Saturday Club’, ‘I’ll Get You’, ‘She Loves You’, and ‘Lucille’.
Also in 1963, Bobby Vinton took over top spot on the Billboard Easy Listening chart with “Blue Velvet”. It was #4 on the pop chart.
In 1964, the Beatles made the first of their three annual appearances at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The top ticket price for this first concert was just $5.50.
In 1966, double talk comedian Al Kelly, who was featured in many early TV shows such as the Ernie Kovacs Show, died at age 67.
Also in 1966, the final episode of the original “Dick Van Dyke Show” was seen on CBS-TV. Van Dyke played Rob Petrie, the head comedy writer for “The Alan Brady Show,” who worked with two other comedy writers, played by Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam. His wife Laura was Mary Tyler Moore.
In 1967, the situation comedy “The Flying Nun” debuted on ABC TV. Sally Field starred as a novice nun who discovers she can fly. 82 episodes were filmed over the next three years.
In 1968, The Doors were appearing at The Roundhouse, London; tickets cost 30 shillings.($3.60) The band also scored their only US No.1 album on this day with ‘Waiting For The Sun.’
Also in 1968, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham made their live debut as the Yardbirds at a teen club in Gladsaxe, Denmark. They would soon morph into Led Zeppelin.
Also in 1968, Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 reached #1 on the Easy Listening chart with their instrumental version of the Beatles’ “The Fool on the Hill”.
In 1969, the Saturday morning cartoon “The Beatles” aired for the last time. The 30-minute show had debuted on September 25, 1965.
In 1970, young James Taylor‘s career was about to take off with the release of his first single “Fire and Rain.”
In 1971, actress Spring Byington (who played the lead role of Lily Ruskin on CBS-TV’s December Bride), died of cancer at age 84.
Also in 1971, after nine years and 216 shows, “The Beverly Hillbillies” was seen for the final time on CBS-TV. However the show continued to be seen in syndicated reruns for years.
In 1972, Curtis Mayfield earned a gold record for his “Superfly” album, from the movie of the same name. The LP contained the hits, “Freddie’s Dead” and “Superfly.”
In 1973, Elton John performed for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl; he was introduced to the crowd of 25,000 by porn star Linda Lovelace.
In 1974, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John was certified as a Gold Record.
In 1975, the Guess Who performed their final concert (before the inevitable reunion 12 years later), in Montreal.
Also in 1975, The Eagles released their future smash “Lyin’ Eyes.” It would peak at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and also made the Country Top Ten.
In 1978, Keith Moon, drummer with The Who, died of an overdose of heminevrin, a drug prescribed to combat alcoholism. A post-mortem confirmed there were 32 tablets in his system, 26 of which were undissolved. Moon was just 32 years of age.
In 1979, ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, made its debut on US cable TV as the world’s first fulltime sports TV station.
In 1980, the cross-Canada telethon supporting Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope raised over $10 million for cancer research. Terry succumbed to the disease the following year.
In 1981, “The People’s Court” with Judge Joseph Wapner began a 12-year run on TV. With different judges on the bench the syndicated feature is still running today.
In 1984, disc jockey Rick Dees replaced singer Marilyn McCoo as host of syndicated TV’s “Solid Gold” show.
In 1985, David Bowie and Mick Jagger were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Martha Reeves and The Vandellas 1964 hit ‘Dancing In The Street.’
Also in 1985, John Parr started a two week run at No.1 on the Billboard pop singles chart with ‘St Elmo’s Fire’, from the film of the same name.
Still in 1985, Montreal-born actor William Shatner‘s second hit TV series T.J. Hooker was seen for the last time on ABC. It moved to CBS late-night for one final season of original shows.
Again in 1985, Ringo Starr became the first Beatle grandfather when his son Zak’s wife gave birth to a daughter.
In 1986, Mike Nesmith (front, right) joined the other three Monkees on stage at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. It was their first time appearing together since 1969.
In 1988, Barry Sadler, who had a 1966 hit with “Ballad Of The Green Berets,” was shot in the head while riding in a taxi in Guatemala City, where he made his home. Whether someone shot him or the pistol he carried accidentally discharged is unknown. The former Viet Nam hero was hospitalized for 14 months before dying of his injuries.
In 1991, Gloria Estefan was awarded damages of $5 million for the injuries she sustained 18 months earlier in Pennsylvania when her tour bus was involved in an accident.
Also in 1991, Motley Crue signed a record deal for which they were guaranteed $22.5 million.
In 1992, Bryan Adams finally performed for 20-thousand fans at Big Valley, Alberta after a two-day delay caused by snow and freezing temperatures.
About two-thousand people camped out for four days at a tent city known as “Mudville.” Over 40-thousand tickets were sold, but more than half the concert-goers went home after the show was postponed for two days.
In 1996, Michael Jackson played the first date on the HIStory World Tour, his third solo world concert tour, in Prague. The tour consisted of 82 concerts and was attended by approximately 4.5 million fans, beating his previous Bad Tour with 4.4 million, and grossing more than $163.5 million.
Also in 1996, Los Del Rio had Billboard’s #1 song for a sixth week with “Macarena.” Donna Lewis remained at #2 with “I Love You Always Forever.”
Still in 1996, Tupac Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight were shot in Las Vegas after a Mike Tyson fight. Shakur died six days later.
In 1997, Fleetwood Mac went to No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘The Dance’. The album went on sell over 5 million copies in the US alone.
In 1999, Sumner Redstone’s Viacom Inc. announced plans to buy CBS Corp. for $35.6 million in the largest media merger ever to that point.
In 2001, Michael Jackson was reunited onstage with the Jackson Five at his 30th Anniversary Celebration in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Also in 2001, “Animal Planet” launched a Canadian digital TV service along with 25 other TV channels.
In 2002, Gordon Lightfoot was rushed to hospital in Hamilton, Ontario after experiencing stomach pains. He underwent emergency stomach surgery for a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
Also in 2002, “A Rush Of Blood To The Head” by Coldplay was the #1 album in eleven countries, including the U.K. and Canada – but not in the U.S.
In 2003, singer/songwriter Warren Zevon died from lung cancer at age 56. He recorded more than 15 solo albums, but is probably best known for his 1978 US No.21 single ‘Werewolves Of London.’
Also in 2003, the Farm Aid ’03 concert was held in Columbus, Ohio, featuring Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crowe, Brooks & Dunn, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Billy Bob Thornton. Organizers Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young also performed.
In 2004, CJRY-FM Edmonton signed on as Shine-FM, with 100,000 watts at 105.9 MHz.
Also in 2004, CBU Vancouver was approved for an FM rebroadcast transmitter in Abbotsford on 101.7 MHz. The station already had rebroadcasters in Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs.
In 2005, Kanye West debuted at #1 on the album chart with Late Registration.
In 2007, Victoria’s CHEK TV (which rebranded as “CH” in 2001) was rebranded this date as “E! Everything Entertainment.” The change took place during a special “Countdown to E!” at 7 pm. Since 2009 CHEK has been under local employee-led ownership with a news-centred program schedule.
Also in 2007, a British report showed that two-thirds of young people who regularly used MP3 players faced premature hearing damage. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People said its findings were alarming, with research showing that 72 out of 110 MP3 users tested in the UK were listening to volumes above 85 decibels.
In 2008, Britney Spears was the big winner at the MTV Video Music Awards, with Video of the Year, Best Female Video, and Best Pop Video all for “Piece of Me”.
In 2011, the late Buddy Holly‘s 75th birthday tribute concert was at Hollywood’s Music Box Theater. Stevie Nicks, Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) were among those performing Holly songs. That same day, Holly’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled, directly in front of the Capitol Records tower.
Also in 2011, Bon Jovi marked the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by visiting a Manhattan firehouse to pay tribute to firefighters. He performed “America The Beautiful” which was taped by NBC-TV for their football season kick off show.
in 2012, Dorothy McGuire, the middle sibling in the hitmaking McGuire Sisters, died in Paradise Valley, Ariz. at age 84 of dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. Beginning in the mid-1950’s the McGuires put nearly 30 songs on the Billboard pop charts.
Also in 2012, Bruce Springsteen’s concert at Chicago’s Wrigley Field featured guest appearances by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and former Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello.
In 2013, on the 45th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s debut concert (see ‘Yardbirds’ 1968 above), a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the Gladsaxe School in Copenhagen, which stands on the location where the original concert took place (the Gladsaxe Teen Club).
In 2014, KISS bassist Gene Simmons was widely quoted saying Rock is not only dead but that it was ‘murdered’ by file sharing and fans’ sense of entitlement.
In 2015, 
“HitNRun Part One,” an album by Prince, began streaming online as part of an exclusive partnership with Jay Z’s Tidal. “Part Two” was issued in December, becoming Prince’s final album released before his death April 21 2016.
In 2016, eight-time Grammy winner Usher joined a crowd that included Stevie Wonder and Kelly Rowland to help unveil his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2018, rapper, songwriter & record producer Mac Miller died from an accidental drug overdose due to a “mixed drug toxicity” of fentanyl, alcohol, and cocaine, at age 26.
Today’s Birthdays
Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins is 92.
Singer Ronnie Dove is 87.
Singer Gloria Gaynor is 79.
Singer Alfa Anderson of Chic is 75.
Actress Susan Blakely (Southland, Rich Man, Poor Man, Falcon Crest) is 74.
Drummer Dennis Thompson of MC5 is 74.
Actress/voicist Julie Kavner (The Simpsons, Rhoda) is 72.
Singer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders is 71.
Keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is 71.
Actor Corbin Bernsen (LA Law, The Resident, The Young & the Restless, Psych, Cuts) is 68.
Actor Michael Emerson (Person of Interest, Lost, The Practice) is 68.
Actress Mira Furlan (Babylon 5, Lost) is 67.
Singer/pianist Michael Feinstein is 66.
Hall of Fame songwriter Diane Warren is 66.
Singer Margot Chapman (Starland Vocal Band) is 66.
Toronto-born actor Chris Owens (The Line, The X-Files) is 61.
Actor Cliff Simon (Stargate SG1) is 60.
Actor W. Earl Brown (Preacher, True Detective, Deadwood) is 59.
Actor Toby Jones (Wayward Pines, Titanic 2012) is 56.
Comedian/actress Leslie Jones (Sat. Nght Live) is 55.
Actress/model Angie Everhart (UC Undercover, Dream Team) is 53.
Actress Diane Farr (Numb3rs, Rescue Me) is 53.
Actress Monique Gabriela Curnen (The Following, Lie to Me, The Unusuals) is 52.
Actor Tom Everett Scott (13 Reasons Why, I’m Sorry, Southland, Saved, ER,) is 52.
Drummer Chad Sexton of 311 is 52.
Actress Shannon Elizabeth (Cuts, That 70’s Show) is 49.
Actor Noah Huntley (The Royals) is 48.
Actor Oliver Hudson (Nashville, Rules of Engagement) is 46.
Actress Monique Gabriela Curnen (Lie to Me, The Unusuals) is 45.
Vancouver-born actor Devon Sawa (Somewhere Between, Nikita, Night of the Twisters, Robin of Locksley) is 44.
Actor JD Pardo (Revolution, Clubhouse, American Dreams) is 42.
Actress/writer/producer Marianna Palka (GLOW) is 41.
Actress Kate Miner (Necessary Roughness, Persons Unknown) is 38.
Ontario-born actor Ben Hollingsworth (Code Black, PopFan, Lucky in Love, The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream) is 38.
Actress Alyssa Diaz (Army Wives, As The World Turns) is 37.
Actress Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld, True Blood, Once and Again) is 35.
Actor Paul Iacono (The Hard Times of R.J.Berger) is 35.
Ottawa-born actress Jess Brown (Omega) is 35.
Actor Paul Iacono (The Hard Times of RJ Berger) is 34.
Actress Rebecca Kessler (Pretty Little Liars) is 32.
Actor Taylor Gray (Star Wars Rebels, Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures) is 29.
Actor Cameron Ocasio (Sam & Cat) is 23.
Vancouver-born actress Michelle Creber (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic) is 23.
Actor Ian Chen (Fresh Off The Boat) is 16.
Chart Toppers – Sept. 7
1950
Mona Lisa – Nat King Cole
Play a Simple Melody – Bing Crosby
Goodnight Irene – The Weavers
Goodnight Irene – Red Foley-Ernest Tubb
1959
The Three Bells – The Browns
Sleep Walk – Santo & Johnny
I’m Gonna Get Married – Lloyd Price
The Three Bells – The Browns
1968
People Got to Be Free – The Rascals
Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Light My Fire – Jose Feliciano
Mama Tried – Merle Haggard
1977
Best of My Love – Emotions
(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher – Rita Coolidge
Easy – Commodores
Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Crystal Gayle
1986
Venus – Bananarama
Take My Breath Away – Berlin
Dancing on the Ceiling – Lionel Richie
Desperado Love – Conway Twitty
1995
You are Not Alone – Michael Jackson
Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio featuring L.V.
Run-Around – Blues Traveler
Not on Your Love – Jeff Carson
2004
She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
Pieces of Me – Ashlee Simpson
Move Ya Body – Nina Sky
Somebody – Reba McEntire
Today in Broadcast History compiled by Ron Robinson
