SUNDAY in Broadcast History .. August 31st
It's the birthdate of broadcasters Arthur Godfrey and Daniel Schorr, Richard Gere, Buddy Hackett, Alan Fotheringham (Photo on right) and Van Morrison.
The first news was aired on radio in the form of Detroit election returns on 8MK; 'Superman' began daily episodes on the Mutual network, the 'Great Gildersleeve' became the first spinoff series on radio (started on 'Fibber McGee & Molly'), Walter Cronkite became anchor of the CBS-TV Evening News, the sitcom 'Partridge Family' aired its final episode while 'Alice' aired for the first time on CBS-TV.
Leaving us Aug. 31st were journalists David Frost and Ike Pappas, UK entertainer Max Bygraves and US country music legend Jerry Reed.
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SATURDAY in Broadcast History .. August 30th
Born this date were actors Fred MacMurray, Bill Daily, Raymond Massey, David Paymer, Michael Chicklis and Joan Blondell.
David Letterman debuted on CBS-TV late night, Tom Brokaw began his tenure as 'Today Show' anchor on NBC-TV, 'Screen Director's Playhouse' aired for the final time on NBC Radio, Gene Chandler recorded his classic 'Duke of Earl,' The Beatles played the Hollywood Bowl (tickets.. $3), and CBC Radio's Bob Kerr aired his final 'Off the Record' show, 36 years after it began.
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FRIDAY in Broadcast History .. August 29th
Celebrities born this date include Peter Jennings, Robin Leach, Lea Michelle, Isabel Sanford, Elliott Gould and Rebecca DeMornay.
CBC Radio's Jurgen Gothe aired his final 'Disc Drive,' Merv Griffin began a 3-year late night CBS-TV run opposite Johnny Carson, the last episode of ABC-TV's 'The Fugitive' was aired, Anne Murray's 'Snowbird' hit #1, and Queen played the Mntreal Forum.
Both Elton John and Leeann Rimes checked into rehab (22 years apart), while final, permanent checkouts include newsman Lowell Thomas, actor Lee Marvin, bluesman Jimmy Reed and actress Jean Hagen.
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THURSDAY in Broadcast History .. Aug. 28th
A good day for actors to be born, like Jason Priestley, Daniel Stern, Charles Boyer, Simon Oakland and Nancy Kulp, along with singer Shania Twain.
On their final tour of North America the Beatles played Dodger Stadium, the Jamie Foxx Show debuted on The WB, the little wooden radio star Charlie McCarthy received an honorary degree from Northwestern University, and Canada's Happy Gang played two reunion concerts, 16 years after their radio show ended.
Tammy Wynette recorded 'Stand By Your Man,' the Lovin' Spoonful appeared on ABC-TV's American Bandstand, and Tina Turner's star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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WEDNESDAY in Broadcast History .. August 27th
Born this date were actresses Sarah Chalke, Tuesday Weld and MacKenzie Phillips, plus Martha Raye, Tommy Sands, Paul Reubens and Daryl Dragon.
CBC Toronto's CBLT moved up the dial from channel 9 to 6. The Beatles visited Elvis Presley for the one and only time. Boyz II Men started a 14 week run at #1 on the charts, Connie Francis was the celebrity mystery guest on CBS-TV's What's My Line, and Diane Sawyer started her 5 year run on CBS-TV's 60 Minutes.
Obits for Aug. 27th include Gracie Allen, Bennett Cerf, Sam Levinson, Jack Dennett, Greg Morris, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Brandon Tartikoff.
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TUESDAY in Broadcast History .. August 26th
This date gave us singers Valerie Simpson, Vic Dana and Canada's own Juliette, plus actors Melissa McCarthy and Macaulay Culkin, and radio innovator Lee DeForest.
Ted Rogers Sr. manufactured the first A/C vacuum tube, Red Barber did the play-by-play for the very first televised baseball game, The Board of Broadcast Governors took over Canada's radio regulating from the CBC, Calgarians first heard the radio call letters CFAC, and the Bachman-Turner overdrive released their best selling LP, 'Not Fragile.'
The lives of broadcasters Art Baker, Larry Keating, Knox Manning, and pretend broadcaster Ted Baxter (aka Ted Knight) ended this date.
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MONDAY in Broadcast History .. Aug. 25th
Happy Birthday to TV stars Regis Philbin, Monty Hall and Rachael Ray, as well as actors Sean Connery and Tom Skerritt, and musicians Gene Simmons and Elvis Costello.
'Father Knows Best' aired for the first time on NBC Radio, RCA announced the development of a compatible color TV system, 'Concentration,' hosted by Hugh Downs, debuted on NBC-TV, 'Hart to Hart' began its 5-year run on ABC-TV, Bobbie Gentry had a #1 song with 'Ode to Billy Joe,' and Bobby Darin gave what turned out to be his final concert in Las Vegas.
Big Band stars Stan Kenton and Ray Eberle died on Aug. 24th, as did writers Morley Callaghan and Truman Capote, while young singing sensation Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash.
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SUNDAY in Broadcast History .. August 24th
It's the birthday for actors Steve Guttenberg, Craig Kilborne, Anne Archer and Marlee Matlin, plus TV pioneers Durward Kirby and Dennis James.
Stevie Wonder became the first person to score the #1 single and album simultaneously, 'The Facts of Life' began its 9-year run on NBC-TV, William Shatner was on the cover of TV Guide, and Elvis recorded his smash hit ballad, 'Love Me Tender.'
Obits for Aug. 24th include Gary Crosby, Julie Harris, and acclaimed radio actors Mary Jane Croft and E.G. Marshall.
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SATURDAY in Broadcast History .. August 23rd
Shelley Long and Barbara Eden are celebrating birthdays, along with Vera Miles, Mark Russell, and The Who's late drummer Keith Moon.
The LP Johnny Cash at San Quentin was #1; Richard Hatch won the first-ever 'Survivor'; Joni Mitchell gave her first-ever concert in London, Seattle radio station KKND 'The End' FM 107.7 was born, the South Fork Ranch of 'Dallas' fame was sold, Larry Hagman received a liver transplant, and Trace Adkins joined the Grand Ole Opry.
Obits include bandleader David Rose, trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, singer Brock Peters, 'Meet the Press' creator Martha Rountree, and veteran Bay Area radio newsman Dave McElhatton.
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FRIDAY in Broadcast History .. August 22nd
ON THIS DAY in 1915
In 1906, The Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, New Jersey started manufacturing the first Victrola record player with the amplifying horn...
