Today in Broadcast History

June 23rd gave us the talented wives of two superstars .. Mary Livingstone (Jack Benny) and June Carter Cash (Johnny Cash.) It also gave Chilliwack BC its first radio station, a 5 watt powerhouse! Mary Hart began her 29 year run as host of TV's Entertainment Tonight, David Letterman debuted his ill-fated morning show on NBC-TV, and Don McNeill took over as host of radio's 'Breakfast Club' where he remained for the next 35 years! Taking a final bow this date were TV producing legend Aaron Spelling, Tonight Show announcer Ed McMahon, and the 'Old Ranger' of TV's Death Valley Days, Stanley Andrews. Both Jimmy Durante and Pat Boone aired their final TV shows, Red Skelton did his final hour for CBS-TV, and Alice Cooper fell head first from his Vancouver stage. Details of these and dozens more June 23rd anniversaries INSIDE.

It was the date of birth for actors Ralph Waite and Meryl Streep, singers Kris Kristofferson and Cyndi Lauper, and '60 Minutes' correspondent Ed Bradley. Gordon Lightfoot's 'Sundown' hit #1, the Beatles had their first formal recording session, Dennis Miller debuted as a commentator on Monday Night Football, and the 11-year run of 'The Groucho Show' (You Bet Your Life) ended on NBC. June 22nd saw the passing of Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, George Carlin, Dennis Day and Ann Landers. Details of these and other milestones for the date INSIDE.

June 21st gave us Canadian broadcast pioneer Ted Rogers Sr., actress Mariette Hartley, and both parents on TVs Family Ties, Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross. Columbia Records introduced the LP record, Bobby Darin's first million-seller,'Splish Splash' was released, and Victoria's The Zone took over the 91.3 FM dial position. Entertainment luminaries dying on this date include bandleader Bert Kaempfert, singers June Christy and Arthur Prysock, and actor & TV star Carroll O'Connor. Details of these and ALL the celebrity anniversaries for June 21st INSIDE.

This is the birthdate of Anne Murray, John Goodman, Lionel Ritchie and Chet Atkins. Ed Sullivan hosted his first Sunday night TV variety hour, American Bandstand celebrated its 20th anniversary with a 90-minute prime time special, Johnny Carson got married for the 4th and final time,Don Messer's Jubilee aired for the final time in its live slot after Saturday night hockey, and Betty Kennedy of the CBC's Front Page Challenge was appointed to the Senate. Departing this 'mortal coil' on this date were erudite radio quizmaster Clifton Fadiman, and Canadian trumpeter Bobby Gimby. Details of these and scores more anniversaries INSIDE.

Born on this date were musicians Guy Lombardo, Lester Flatt and Ann Wilson of Heart. The team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis split up, both Ricky Nelson and The Doors played Vancouver (although a decade apart), Pat Boone's Moody River made it to #1, and Bon Jovi played NBC-TV's Today Show. Sadly departing on this date were James Galdolfini of The Sopranos, radio & TV comedy pioneer Ed Wynn, rockabilly singer Bobby Helms, yodeller Slim Whitman, and one of the last surviving big-voiced network radio announcers Ken Roberts. Details of these and scores more anniversaries INSIDE.

This date saw the birth of big bandleaders Kay Kyser and Ray McKinley, Paul McCartney of The Beatles, radio's Superman Bud Collyer (later a TV game show host), and actor E.G Marshall, who uniquely became a radio celebrity (CBS Mystery Theatre) after starring on TV in 'The Defenders'. Radio's adult western Gunsmoke aired for the last time, vinyl recording's "all-star" the LP was unvweiled, and Vancouver radio's CJVB signed on as Western Canada's first multilingual station. Breathing their last were actresses Joan Caulfield (My Favorite Husband) and Nancy Marchand (The Sopranos, Lou Grant) along with UK strings conductor George Melachrino. Details and dozens more June 18th anniversaries INSIDE.

Born on this date were singers Barry Manilow and Red Foley, actors Greg Kinnear and Ralph Bellamy, and former allnight talk host Art Bell. The Suspense radio show debuted on this date, the Grand Ole Opry began webcasting, RCA Victor signed Perry Como to a recording contract, and The Walton's Mary-Ellen shocked her fans when she posed nude for Playboy magazine. Signing off forever on June 17th were singers Kate Smith and the Happy Gang's Bert Pearl, along with actors Jeff Chandler, who played Mr. Boynton on the Our Miss Brooks radio show, Arthur Franz and Cyd Charisse. Details of these and scores of other anniversaries INSIDE.

ON THIS DAY in 1895 comedian Stan Laurel was born in Lancashire England. With his portly pal Oliver Hardy he formed the classical comedy double act Laurel...

The date that gave us musicians David Rose, Errol Garner, Waylon Jennings and Janet Lennon; as well as actors Helen Hunt, Courteney Cox, Jim Belushi and Jim Varney. Al Jolson and his Canadian wife Ruby Keeler co-starred on the Lux Radio Theatre's 3rd broadcast from Hollywood. Hee Haw began its 25-year run on TV, Bob Barker's final "The Price is Right" aired on CBS-TV, and John Lennon first met Paul McCartney. It was also the date video of Vancouver's Stanley Cup riots went viral. June 15th was the date we lost jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald and Wes Montgomery, as well as conductor/composer Meredith Wilson, London Ontario's Hume Cronyn, actor Victor French, and the lead singer with Toronto's singing "Four Lads," Jimmy Arnold. Details of these and scores more anniversaries INSIDE.

ON THIS DAY in 1908 orchestra leader John Scott Trotter was born in Charlotte NC. He was musical director for Bing Crosby on NBC Radio's "Kraft Music...