Today in Broadcast History

It's the birthday of PSR's Michael Easton, along with Peter Lorre, Nick Offerman, Pat Morita, and the late Col. Tom Parker. Ted Rogers Sr. introduced the revolutionary A/C vacuum tube, Bill Hughes hosted Roving Reporter show #12,000 on CKNW, the Rolling Stones released their first #1 hit in Britain, and WNEW-FM was the 1st station anywhere to play the eight-minute version of Don McLean's 'American Pie.' Fred Allen hosted his last radio show under his own name, Edward R. Murrow carried out his 500th and final 'Person to Person' interview, and Baywatch star David Hasselhoff checked himself into rehab. All the milestones for June 26th INSIDE.

It's the birthday of singer Carly Simon, comedian Jimmie Walker, actress June Lockhart, and radio/TV host and singer Peter Lind Hayes, June 25th saw broadcaster Pamela Wallin appointed Consul General in New York City, Dark Shadows debut on ABC-TV, and CBS-TV air its first color TV show to the only 36 color sets in existence! I Want to Hold Your Hand became the Beatles' first #1 in North America. Vancouver's CKWX moved up the radio dial, and "It Pays to Be Ignorant" made its debut on New York's WOR Radio. Michael Jackson died on this date, as did actress Farah Fawcett, songwriting icon Johnny Mercer, UK comedian Tony Hancock, and CNN's first sportscaster Nick Charles. Details on these and scores more June 25th milestones INSIDE.

It was the date of birth for actors Chief Dan George, Mihelle lee and Minka Kelly, musicians Phil Harris and Mick Fleetwood, and comedian Jack Carter. 'A Date with Judy' debuted on NBC radio, the Steve Allen Show started its Sunday night run on NBC opposite Ed Sullivan, and Front Page Challenge started its 38 year run on CBC-TV. The BBC demonstrated the first home video recorder two decades before the VCR was introduced to North America. The CBS radio soap 'Romance of Helen Trent' aired its 7,222nd (and final) episode, and 'I Love Lucy' aired its last original show in prime time on CBS-TV, before reruns that will outlast us all! Checking out June 24th were Jackie Gleason, actor Brian Keith and ventriloquist Paul Winchell. Details of these and many more milestones for the date INSIDE.

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.