WEDNESDAY in Broadcast History .. June 18th.
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.
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TUESDAY in Broadcast History .. June 17th
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.
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MONDAY in Broadcast History .. June 16th
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...
SUNDAY in Broadcast History .. June 15th
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.
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SATURDAY in Broadcast History .. June 14th
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...
FRIDAY the 13th (of June) in Broadcast History
June 13th was the birthday of Basil Rathbone of radio & film's Sherlock Holmes fame; broadcaster Ralph Edwards, and comedian Paul Lynde.
"Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong, "The Long & Winding Road" by The Beatles, and Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" hit #1.
Late night broadcaster Tom Snyder interviewed serial Killer Charles Manson, and several celebrities breathed their last, including Major Bowes, Tim Russert, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dean, Fran Allison and Clyde McPhatter.
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THURSDAY in Broadcast History .. June 12th
June 11th saw the start of Ed Sullivan's remarkable 25 year run Sunday nights on CBS-TV, and first gave us NBC Radio's weekend service, "Monitor."
Pioneer Toronto radio station CFCA had its grand opening, Sonny & Cher made their TV debut, Ella Fitzgerald recorded her first sides, and Lady Day Billie Holliday, while hospitalized, was charged with drug possession.
Concluding their earth-bound gigs were Mr. Wizard Don Herbert, Doc on Gunsmoke Milburn Stone, sportscaster Charlie Jones, and big bandleader Jimmy Dorsey.
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WEDNESDAY in Broadcast History .. June 11th
June 11th gave us actors Hugh Laurie and Gene Wilder, broadcasters Russ Hodges, Lawrence E Spivak and Greta Van Susteren.
Victoria's Nelly Furtado hit #1 on the UK record charts, NBC-TV aired Fear Factor for the first time, Chuck Berry pleaded guilty to tax evasion, and the Mamas and the Papas played The Ed Sullivan Show.
On this date we lost the Amos 'n' Andy TV Show, the Sopranos final episode played on premium cable, while Star Trek's doctor DeForest Kelley, Herb Anderson (the father of Dennis the Menace), and TV journalist David Brinkley checked out.
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TUESDAY in Broadcast History .. June 10th
Judy Garland, actress Hattie McDaniel and actor Robert Cummings were born on this date.
Sammy Davis scored his only #1 hit, Elvis Presley and Buck Owens were recording their next releases, and The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night,"
both the album and the single, were released. While Janis Joplin took another step toward stardom with her first concert fronting Big Brother and the Holding Company,
Ray Charles, organist Earl Grant, actress Jo Van Fleet, TV newsman Judd Rose and Pittsburgh sportscaster Bob Prince were among the celebrities checking out this date.
And the quirky TV serial Twin Peaks aired its final episode.
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MONDAY in Broadcast History .. June 9th
This date gave birth to Les Paul, Cole Porter, Jackie Wilson and Jackie Mason, not to mention TV journalist Marvin Kalb.
The novelty hit Purple People Eater reached #1 on the charts, Bobby Darin played his first date in Las Vegas, Tony Bennett played Carnegie Hall; and comedian Richard Pryor suffered life-threatening burns while freebasing cocaine.
Departing this vale of tears on June 9th were quizmaster Allen Ludden, Carol Burnett's ex Joe Hamilton, Penticton-born actress Alexis Smith, and UK orchestra leader Frank Chacksfield.
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