ON THIS DAY in 1895,

actor William Boyd was born in Cambridge Ohio.

Over a 20 year period beginning in 1935 he played Hopalong Cassidy in movies, on radio & TV.  He negotiated ownership of all his Cassidy films just as the TV era was dawning; they became popular Saturday morning viewing fare, leaving him with financial security for life.  He died of Parkinson’s & heart failure Sept. 12 1972 at age 77.

In 1928, actor Robert Lansing was born in San Diego Calif.  His rugged leading man personna made him ideal for TV roles as Gen. George Custer on Branded, Gen. Frank Savage on Twelve O’Clock High, Peter Murphy/Mark Wainwright on The Man Who Never Was, Control on The Equalizer, and Paul Blaisdell in Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.  He died of lung cancer Oct. 23 1994 at age 66.

In 1933, the original CKY Winnipeg, owned by Manitoba Government Telephones, moved to 910 KHz.  In 1948 CKY was sold to the CBC and became CBW.  Lloyd Moffat revived the CKY call letters on December 31, 1949, when he signed on at 580 KHz in Winnipeg.  It quickly became the market leader.

In 1937, country singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings was born in Littlefield Texas.  He recorded 60 albums and had 16 No. 1 country singles in a career that spanned five decades. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2001.  He narrated, and sang the theme song for the TV series Dukes of Hazzard. He died Feb. 13 2002 of a diabetes-related illness at age 64.

In 1941, Gene Krupa and his band recorded “After You’ve Gone” with Roy Eldridge on trumpet.

In 1942, Sammy Kaye and his Swing & Sway Orchestra recorded one of the first hits of WWII, “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen.”  With the ballad featuring the voice of Don Cornell it peaked three months later at #3 on the Billboard pop singles chart.

In 1947, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Mam’selle,” by Art Lund.

In 1954, “Little Things Mean a Lot” by Kitty Kallen (below) topped the charts and stayed there for 9 weeks.

Also in 1954, the music business bible, Billboard magazine, reported that most record companies were ready to begin supplying radio stations with 45 r.p.m. singles instead of the old 78s.

In 1955, Elvis Presley‘s mother Gladys awoke in a cold sweat after dreaming that her son was in danger. At that moment, Elvis’ three-month-old pink cadillac went up in smoke when a brake lining caught fire, on the road between Hope and Texarkana, Ark.  Elvis escaped unhurt.

In 1956, Elvis made his second appearance on NBC TV’s Milton Berle show.  His hip-twitching gyrations during his performance of “Hound Dog” provoked howls of outrage. When Presley later appeared on Ed Sullivan’s show on CBS TV, he was pictured only from the waist up.

Also in 1956, Capitol Records released Gene Vincent‘s future million-selling rockabilly hit “Be-Bop-A-Lula.”

In 1957, “Susie Q” was released by Dale Hawkins.

Also in 1957, saxophonist and leader of the Sun Records house band Bill Justis recorded “Raunchy.” It was one of three versions of the tune to reach Billboard’s Top 10 that year.

In 1958, Teresa Brewer was the musical guest on NBC-TV’s Tennessee Ernie Ford Show.

In 1959, Canada’s longest running radio program, “The Happy Gang,” was heard for the last time. “The Happy Gang” musical troupe began its weekday mid-morning (Pacific time) broadcasts on the C-B-C out of Toronto in 1937.

Also in 1959, 18-year-old Bob Zimmerman (later to find fame as Bob Dylan) graduated from Hibbing High School in Minnesota, noting in the yearbook that he intended “to follow Little Richard”.

In 1960, Brenda Lee‘s “I’m Sorry” entered the pop charts, eventually making it to number one. The flip side, “That’s All You Gotta Do,” was also a sizeable hit.

In 1961, “Running Scared” by Roy Orbison (below) topped the charts .. but surprisingly in retrospect, only stayed there for the one week.

In 1963, a press release from Canadian television broadcasters warned of cable television systems being linked into a national network that would unfairly compete with them. Ottawa reacted by banning U.S. TV signals from Canadian cable for another 13 months. 

In 1964, The Rolling Stones played their first-ever live date in the US when they appeared at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, California.

Also in 1964, David Bowie, under his real surname ‘Jones,’ released his first record, “Liza Jane.” It was not a hit.

In 1967, John Sullivan, Lonzo of the Lonzo and Oscar country comedy team, died in Nashville at age 49. Their biggest hit was a 1940’s recording of “I’m My Own Grandpa.” Lonzo and Oscar played the Grand Ole Opry for years, dishing out cornball gags years before “Hee Haw” was even dreamed of.

In 1971, Warner Bros. Records released James Taylor‘s future #1 hit, his cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend.”

Also in 1971, tickets went on sale for a Grand Funk Railroad concert at Shea Stadium in New York. All were sold within 72 hours, and the concert grossed more than 300-thousand dollars. That was about two-thousand more than the Beatles’ 1965 Shea concert.

In 1972, 22-year-old Maureen McGovern quit her full-time secretarial job in Youngstown Ohio to follow her dream of being a professional singer. Her #1 hit recording of “The Morning After” was less than a year away.

In 1973, Toronto newsman Gordon Sinclair wrote and first broadcast the words to one of the most popular spoken-word recordings of all time: “The Americans”. Originally just a script for his “Let’s Be Personal” program on CFRB Toronto, it was Gordon’s reaction to the U.S.-bashing that had reached a fever pitch around the world. Versions of “The Americans” by CKLW News Director Byron MacGregor (below), Country singer Tex Ritter and Gordon himself hit US charts in 1974. 

Also in 1973, NBC West Coast announcer Hal Gibney, who was heard on all the Dragnet radio & TV episodes, died at age 61.

In 1974, Sly Stone married Kathy Silva on stage during a Sly and the Family Stone concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Also in 1974, CBS-TV premiered the summer replacement show “The Bobbie GentryHappiness Hour.”

In 1975, the Rolling Stones became the first artists to receive record royalties from the Soviet Union when copyright laws there were changed.

In 1976, Canadian singer J.J. Barrie was at No.1 in the UK with the single ‘No Charge’. It made J.J. a One hit wonder.

In 1977, (Sleepy) John Estes, among the last first-generation bluesmen, died of a stroke in Brownsville, Tennessee while preparing for a European tour. He was 74.

In 1977, DJ Charlie Van Dyke did his last show on KHJ Radio, Los Angeles.

Also on this date in 1977, Alice Cooper‘s pet boa constrictor was fatally bitten by a rat it was being fed for breakfast. Cooper held a public audition a week later in Los Angeles to find a replacement for the snake, which was featured in his act.

In 1982, CISN-FM Edmonton signed on with 100,000 watts on 103.9 MHz as “Kissin’ Country“.

Also in 1982, legendary DJ Cousin Brucie (below) returned to New York City Radio on WCBS-FM.

In 1983, U2 performed a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. The concert was recorded and released as an EP and a video cassette, both called “Under A Blood Red Sky.” Footage was also used in the “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” video.

In 1984, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Time After Time,” by Cyndi Lauper.

In 1986, the US HBO cable channel debuted the music special “Fats Domino and Friends,” featuring Fats’ friends Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles.

In 1987, ABC’s “Nightline” presented it’s 1st “Town Meeting.” The subject was AIDS, & the open-ended show ran until 3:47 AM.

Also in 1987, Canadian pop star Bryan Adams joined Ringo Starr and George Harrison on stage at London’s Wembley Arena to close the second annual Prince’s Trust rock gala. They joined with Elton John, Boy George, Eric Clapton and Ben E. King in a rendition of King’s ”Stand By Me.” Prince Charles set up the Prince’s Trust fund in 1976 to help young people who are socially, economically or physically handicapped.

In 1993, country superstar Conway Twitty died at age 59 of a ruptured stomach vessel after collapsing in his tour bus following a show in Branson, Mo. He scored 39 No. 1 Billboard country hits – including four duets with Loretta Lynn – among them “Hello Darlin’,” “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” and “Happy Birthday Darlin’.”

Again in 1993, a protest in New York City against explicit rap lyrics sort of ran out of steam. Reverend Calvin Butts rented a small steamroller to drive over some offensive C-D’s and tapes in front of his Harlem church. But he abandoned his plan after crushing only a few cassettes when some counter-demonstrators stood in front of the pile of rap music.

Also in 1993, singer Mariah Carey married her boss, Sony Music president Tommy Mottola, at a Manhattan church. Celebrities in attendance included Robert DeNiro, Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel and wife Christie Brinkley. Carey and Mottola ended their marriage after only four years.

Still in 1993, Janet Jackson started a six-week run at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Janet’.

In 1994, singer/cornetist Ish Kabbible, whose real birth name was Merwyn A Bogue, a long time member of & manager of Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge on radio, died of respiratory failure & pulmonary disease at age 86.

In 1995, the 29th Music City News Country Awards saw top honors go to Alan Jackson and Reba McEntire.

In 1996, actor Vito Scotti, who played the title role for the 1953 run of CBS-TV’s Life with Luigi, and appeared in supporting roles for another 40 years, from Peter Gunn to Mad About You, lost his battle with lung cancer at age 78.

Also in 1996, an arrest warrant was issued for former Milli Vanilli member Rob Pilatus after he disappeared from a drug treatment center in Los Angeles. He turned up 6 days later at another center.

In 1998, actress Jeanette Nolan died following a stroke at age 86. During the golden age of radio she played a variety of characters on such programs as “The March of Time”, “Cavalcade of America“, “The Court of Missing Heirs”, “The Adventures of Mister Meek”, “Life Begins” and “Manhattan at Midnight”.  She appeared in more than 300 television shows, including “Perry Mason” (1957), “I Spy” (1965), “MacGyver” (1985), “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (1955), and as a regular on “The Richard Boone Show” (1963) and “The Virginian” (1962). She received four Emmy nominations.

Also in 1998, thousands of Gloria Estefan fans danced in the streets of Miami Beach in a huge block party celebrating the release of her album “Gloria.”

In 1999, Mel Torme, the Russian-Jewish kid from the South Side of Chicago who became an international singing star with sidelines as an actor, a songwriter, an arranger, a drummer and a writer, died from compilations of the stroke that halted his career in 1996. He was 73.

In 2001, “The Beat” Vancouver was approved on 94.5 MHz from a Mount Seymour transmitter site. It would be another ten months before the official startup. 

Also in 2001, CFSR AM850 Abbotsford was approved by the CRTC to move to FM at 107.1 MHz, while Nanaimo’s CKEG AM1570 was approved to switch to FM, at 106.9. 

Still in 2001, officials in Singapore threw out an appeal against a ban on Janet Jackson‘s latest album, ‘All For You’. They decided that the lyrics of the album, particularly one song, ‘Would You Mind’, were “not acceptable to our society”. The record was initially outlawed because of its “sexually explicit lyrics”, including “I just wanna touch you, tease you, lick you, please you, love you, make love to you.”

In 2002, Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Glenn Colvin), bass guitarist with The Ramones died at his Hollywood apartment of a heroin overdose aged 49. He was the group’s primary songwriter, penning songs such as ‘Rockaway Beach’, ’53rd & 3rd’, and ‘Poison Heart’

Also in 2002, singer R. Kelly was arrested in central Florida on 21 counts of child pornography, stemming from a video allegedly of Kelly having sex with an underage girl.

In 2003, country music’s Dwight Yoakum was on hand to help unveil his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2004, actor Ronald Reagan who broadcast baseball on midwest radio, and hosted Death Valley Days & GE Theatre on TV, and who 1n 1980 was elected the 40th President of the US, died of Alzheimer’s at age 93.

Also in 2004, rocker Ted Nugent and country’s Toby Keith performed for soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen at a U.S. installation in Iraq. The pair had previously performed for U.S. service members in Kosovo, Germany and Italy.

In 2005, Audioslave were at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Out of Exile.’

In 2006, Vancouver’s AM 730 became the first commercial radio station in North America to broadcast all-traffic during the rush hours.  Time shifting CKNW talk shows throughout the rest of the day filled out the schedule.  Beginning Oct. 12 all day continuous traffic reports were heard from 6 am-7:30 pm; six weeks later traffic would become the station’s focus 24/7.

In 2007, Vancouver’s 95-3 CRAVE FM debuted at 7 am with “Music” by Madonna. Z 95.3 had signed off 31 hours earlier. In Jan. 2009 the station was rebranded Virgin Radio 95.3.

Also in 2007, Sir Paul McCartney released his 21st solo album, ‘Memory Almost Full’ featuring the mandolin-led single ‘Dance Tonight.” It was the first recording on Starbucks’ new Hear Music label, and the CD was played non-stop in more than 10,000 Starbucks coffee outlets in 29 countries.

In 2009, the Dave Matthews Band performed on NBC-TV’s Today Show.

In 2010, CNN co-founder and former CBS executive Robert Wussler died following a long illness at age 73. At 39 he had become the youngest president ever at CBS.

Also in 2010, jazz saxophonist Danny Bank, a player in the big bands of Artie Shaw. Benny Goodman, Charlie Barnet, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, and Paul Whiteman, died at age 87.

Still in 2010, a phone-in poll by the BBC voted Led Zeppelin as Britain’s favorite band, ahead of both the Beatles and Queen.

In 2012, science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, whose stories were dramatized on NBC Radio’s “Dimension X” and “X Minus One,” and CBS Radio’s “Suspense,” as well as TV’s “Lights Out,” “Tales of Tomorrow,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Martian Chronicles,” etc., died after a long illness at age 91.

Also in 2012, Neil Young and Crazy Horse released “Americana,” their first album together since 03’s “Greendale,” and their first album with the full Crazy Horse line-up of Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina and Frank “Poncho” Sampedro since ‘96’s “Broken Arrow.” “Americana” was comprised of classic American folk songs.

In 2013, country singer/songwriter and comedian and radio host Don Bowman died at age 75.  He was the original host of the American Country Countdown r^{adio show; in 1978 he handed it over to} Bob Kingsley, who had been ACC’s producer since 1974.

Today’s Birthdays:

Bassist Eugene Wright of the Dave Brubeck Quartet is 91.

Singer/actor Bill Hayes (Your Show of Shows, Days of Our Lives) is 89.

Broadcast journalist Bill Moyers (PBS) is 80.

Actor Howard Platt (Bob Newhart Show, Sanford & Son, Empire) is 76.

Country singer Don Reid of the Statler Brothers is 69.

Guitarist Fred Stone of Sly and the Family Stone is 68.

Singer Laurie Anderson is 67.

Country singer Gail Davies is 66.

Actor Daniel Von Bargen (Malcolm In the Middle, Seinfeld) is 64.

TV financial guru/advisor Suze Orman (CNBC, PBS) is 63.

Drummer Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden is 62.

Actress Nancy Stafford (Matlock, Sidekicks, St. Elsewhere) is 60.

Saxophonist Kenny G is 58.

Singer Richard Butler of Psychedelic Furs is 58.

Actress Leslie Hendrix (Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) is 54.

Actor Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs, Curb Your Enthusiasm) is 52.

Actor Ron Livingston (The Practice, Band of Brothers) is 47.

Singer Brian McKnight is 45.

Musician Claus Norreen (Aqua) is 44.

Actor-singer-producer Mark Wahlberg, aka rapper Marky Mark (Entourage, In Treatment) is 43.

Actor Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Our House) is 40.

Bassist P-nut of 311 is 40.

Actress Navi Rawat (Numb3rs) is 37.

Actress Liza Weil (Gilmore Girls) is 37.

Bassist Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy is 35.

Actor Ryan Devlin (Brothers and Sisters, Cougar Town) is 34.

Guitarist Seb Lefebvre of Simple Plan is 33.

Langley BC-born actress Amanda Crew (Silicon Valley, Whistler, 15/Love) is 28.

Actress Ellary Porterfield (Video Game High School, Hidden Palms) is 25.

Actress Sophie Lowe (Once Upon a Time in Wonderland) is 24.

Chart Toppers – June 5 

1946
The Gypsy – The Ink Spots
All Through the Day – Perry Como
They Say It’s Wonderful – Frank Sinatra
New Spanish Two Step – Bob Wills

1955
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White – Perez Prado
A Blossom Fell – Nat King Cole
Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley & His Comets
In the Jailhouse Now – Webb Pierce

1964
Love Me Do – The Beatles
Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
Love Me with All Your Heart – The Ray Charles Singers
My Heart Skips a Beat – Buck Owens

1973
My Love – Paul McCartney & Wings
Daniel – Elton John
Pillow Talk – Sylvia
Satin Sheets – Jeanne Pruett

1982
Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
Don’t Talk to Strangers – Rick Springfield
I’ve Never Been to Me – Charlene
Finally – T.G. Sheppard

1991
More Than Words – Extreme
I Wanna Sex You Up – Color Me Badd
Love is a Wonderful Thing – Michael Bolton
Meet in the Middle – Diamond Rio

2000
Oops… I Did It Again – Britney Spears
I Turn to You – Christina Aguilera
Be With You – Enrique Iglesias
The Way You Love Me – Faith Hill

2009
Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
Halo – Beyoncé
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Then – Brad Paisley

ON THIS DAY in 1917

broadcast journalist Charles Collingwood was born in Three Rivers Michigan.

As a protege of Edward R. Murrow he was a top-level CBS news correspondent from WWII through Viet Nam. He went on to become chief correspondent of CBS and host of its “Eyewitness to History” TV series. He took over hosting of Murrow’s live celebrity interview show “Person to Person” for the final two years of the series (1959-61). Retiring from CBS in 1982, he died from cancer Oct 3, 1985 at age 68.

In 1924, actor Dennis Weaver (below) was born in Joplin Missouri. He rose to stardom as Chester on TV’s Gunsmoke, then went on to have feature roles in McCloud, Emerald Point NAS, Lonesome Dove:The Series, Pearl, Centennial, Stone & Wildfire.  He died of complications from cancer Feb 24, 2006 at age 81.

In 1934, the Dorsey Brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, recorded Annie’s Cousin Fanny on the Brunswick label. The track featured trombonist Glenn Miller, who also vocalized on the tune.

In 1942, Capitol Record Co. opened for business in Hollywood. Co-owner Glenn Wallichs came up with the idea that he could send new records to influential radio announcers all around the U.S. and, maybe, add to the chances that stations would play the records. The practice would soon become common among most record labels.

In 1943, the audience-participation show Ladies Be Seated was heard for the first time on the Blue network.  Two years later Johnny Olsen & his wife took over the daytime program, enroute to his becoming the legendary prototype for TV quiz show announcers.

In 1944, “Leonidas Witherall” was first broadcast on the Mutual Broadcasting System, and played weekly for 11 months. Witherall was a bearded detective who was the spitting image of William Shakespeare.

In 1949, “Cavalcade of Stars” debuted on the DuMont TV Network; Jackie Gleason was made host in 1950.

In 1955, the “Mickey Rooney Show” was aired on NBC-TV for the last time.

In 1958, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “The Purple People Eater,” by Sheb Wooley. Wooley played Peter Nolan on TV’s “Rawhide.” He also recorded comic recordings under the name Ben Colder and wrote the “Hee Haw” theme song.

In 1962, legendary sportscaster Clem McCarthy died at age 79. McCarthy was the first to announce the running of the Kentucky Derby back in 1928 and called every Derby through 1950. He also announced early boxing matches for NBC radio.

Also in 1962, The Beatles signed their first record contract with EMI to produce a series of demos. The group would still have to pass an audition to get signed to make actual records.

In 1963, “Pop Go the Beatles” was first broadcast on BBC radio.

Also in 1963, The Searchers released their debut single “Sweets For My Sweet” in the UK.  It had been a hit for the Drifters two years earlier.

In 1964, the Beatles “World Tour” began in Copenhagen Denmark.

In 1965, the Rolling Stones released “(Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”

In 1966, Janis Joplin arrived in San Francisco at the invitation of Big Brother and the Holding Company, who wanted her to become their new lead singer.

In 1967, “The Monkees” T-V show won an Emmy award for outstanding comedy series.

Also in 1967, The Young Rascals headlined CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show, singing “A Girl Like You” & “Groovin’.”  Also appearing were singer Nancy Ames and the Harry James Orchestra, and comedian Rodney Dangerfield.

In 1970, Elvis Presley began five days of recording at RCA’s studio B in Nashville, starting each day at 6pm and working until dawn.

In 1971, ABC-TV’s “Bobby Sherman TV Special” aired, featuring guest performers The 5th Dimension. It had been taped three weeks earlier.

In 1972, Pink Floyd started to record their next album, tentatively titled “Eclipse,” at Abbey Road Studios in London. The album was eventually released as “Dark Side of the Moon.”

In 1973, Murray Wilson, father of three of the Beach Boys, suffered a fatal heart attack at age 55. He managed the band and negotiated their first contract with Capitol Records in 1962. Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson later accused their father of verbal and physical abuse; Brian and Dennis harbored such resentment they did not attend the funeral.

In 1974, David Bowie kicked off his 73 date Diamond Dogs Tour at the Forum in Montreal. He played Ottawa the following night, and Toronto the night after that.

In 1975, The Rolling Stones became the first rock band to receive royalties for sales of their records in Russia.

In 1976, radio station CBK-540 Watrous, Sask. lost its transmitter tower in a severe wind storm. The 50 KW station, built in 1939 to serve both Regina and Saskatoon, was off the air for several days.

In 1977, the first personal computer, Apple II went on sale.

In 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter hosted Chuck Berry, who played a concert for the First Family and several hundred guests on thelawns of the White House.

Also in 1979, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Love You Inside Out,” by The Bee Gees.

In 1981, the final episode of “The Waltons” aired on CBS TV.  Six TV movies followed between 1982 and 1997.

In 1983, Canadian folk singer Stan Rogers was one of 19 Canadians killed as Air Canada DC-9, flying from Texas to Toronto, caught fire and made an emergency landing at Cincinnati. 23 of 46 passengers and crew died from smoke and flames due to a fire caused by smoking in a washroom.

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released the album, ‘Born In The USA’, which went on to top the Billboard chart for 7 weeks and spawn 7 Top 10 singles.

Also in 1984, Tina Turner released the single “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” while Sheila E. released the album “The Glamorous Life.”

Still in 1984, Lorrie Morgan joined the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1986, the first of six Amnesty International shows was held in San Francisco. A crowd of 14-thousand turned out to hear Bryan Adams, Sting, U-2 and Peter Gabriel.

Also in 1986, a Los Angeles judge ordered the producers of the ”Beatlemania” stage show and movie to pay Apple Corps Limited, the Beatles’ record and holding company, 10 million dollars. The judge ruled the show’s primary purpose was to exploit commercially the Beatles’ popularity. ”Beatlemania” featured four Beatle lookalikes who performed the group’s biggest hits.

In 1988, Tracy Chapman went to No.1 on the Billboard chart with her self-titled debut album.

In 1990, punk rock singer Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys and The Lords of the New Church died after being hit by a taxi in Paris, France. Bators had been out drinking when he was hit by a cab while crossing the road.

In 1991, British police seized 23-thousand copies of an album (Efil4zaggin) by American rappers N-W-A. A warrant had been issued under the Obscene Publications Act. But a judge cleared the album for release five months later.

In 1992, the “young Elvis” stamp beat out the “Vegas Elvis” stamp in a contest conducted by the US Postal Service. More than a million votes were tallied.

Also in 1992, Smokey Robinson‘s half sister, Rose Ella Jones filed a suit against Smokey claiming she had been cheated out of royalty payments from songs written during the 1980’s.

In 1993, Kurt Cobain was arrested after a dispute at his house in Seattle; the disagreement allegedly concerned the Nirvana’s guitarist’s collection of firearms.

In 1994, Derek (Lek) Leckenby, the lead guitarist with Herman’s Hermits, died in Manchester, England of cancer. He was 48. The group had such ’60s hits as “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry the eighth, I Am.”  Leckenby performed with the group until a month before his death.

In 1996, a show by Metallica in the parking lot of Tower Records in San Jose, California as their “Loaf” album was released, drew 10-thousand fans. The resulting traffic jam and overworked police officers left the record store, the promoter and the band’s record company facing charges of disturbing the peace, obstructing traffic and failure to get a permit.

In 1997, Ronnie Lane, bass guitarist and co-founder of the British group Small Faces, died of multiple sclerosis at his Colorado home. He was 51.

Also in 1997, the body of singer Jeff Buckley was pulled from the Mississippi River in Memphis, six days after he jumped into the city’s harbour. Buckley, who was 30, was in Memphis to record an album for Columbia. His father, folk singer Tim Buckley, died at 28 of a drug overdose in 1975.

Still in 1997, actor Matthew Perry of TV’s Friends entered a drug rehabilitation program for addiction to prescription painkillers.

Again in 1997, the final episode of “Married With Children” aired on FOX.

In 1998, Angel South, lead guitarist for the ’70s jazz-rock band Chase, died in Placerville, California of prostate cancer. He was 55. South played on the band’s debut album in 1971, which featured the hit single “Get It On.”

Also in 1998, Ray Charles celebrated his 50th year in the music industry by performing with an all-star reunion band at the 15th annual Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park.

Still in 1998, legendary composers George and Ira Gershwin posthumously were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Again in 1998, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and the pop group Hanson teamed up to benefit Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The entertainers gave a private concert, which was shown via satellite on TV screens in over 1,200 Wal-Mart electronics departments and broadcast in stores over “Wal-Mart Radio.”

In 1999, country singer Tim McGraw and more than 400 listeners are forced to evacuate his charity concert at the 7th House in Pontiac, Mich., after a woman uses pepper spray against a man she claims groped her. McGraw fell to his knees, choking, in mid-song, and frightened audience members fled the hall, coughing and holding shirts over their faces.

In 2000, Eminem started a eight-week run at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with his debut release ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’.

In 2001, folksinger/songwriter John Hartford lost his lengthy battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 63. He had been a Grammy winner in three different decades with compositions such as “Gentle On My Mind.”

In 2002, George Michael was jeered and heckled by the audience of a CNN news show as he took part in a phone interview. George was defending the content of the video for his new single ‘Shoot The Dog’ in which US President George Bush was shown in bed with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In 2003, TV hostess and homemaking maven Martha Stewart was indicted on federal charges of illegally using privileged information and obstructing an investigation. After a trial she would later serve 5 months prison time.

In 2004, American Idol winner Fantasia was at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I Believe.’ The first time in US chart history a debut single topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Also in 2004, Creed announced their breakup, due to a widening gap between singer Scott Stapp and the rest of the band.

In 2006, Orson went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Bright Idea,’ the US band’s debut album.

In 2007, sound effects genius Ray Erlenborn, a former child vaudeville singer and silent film actor whose career in the CBS sound department spanned the late 1930s on radio to the late 70’s on television, died at age 92.

Also in 2007, R&B singer Freddie Scott (Are You Lonely For Me, Hey Girl) died at the age of 74.

In 2008, the United Kingdom and Canada became the first countries where people could buy or rent films at the iTunes Store.

In 2009, Aerosmith were the subject of A&E’s Biography series, featuring conversations with guitarists Brad Whitford and Joe Perry, and the group’s ex-manager Tim Collins. But Steven Tyler declined to participate.

In 2010, Himan Brown, who created immensely popular radio dramas like “Inner Sanctum Mysteries,” “CBS Mystery Theatre,” “The Adventures of the Thin Man” and “Dick Tracy,” employing an arsenal of beguiling sound effects that terrified or tickled the listeners, died at his home in Manhattan at age 99.

Also in 2010, the Canadian band Rush warned Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul to stop using “Spirit Of Radio” at rallies and on web ads, since he neglected to ask permission. Said a Rush attorney, “This is not a political issue – this is a copyright issue.”

In 2011, the 5000-square foot suburban Nashville home of Trace Adkins was gutted, after a fire started in the garage and spread to the attic. No one was hurt, but little was saved.

In 2012, Herb Reed, bass singer and last surviving original member of doo-wop group The Platters, died of complications from heart disease aged 83. The Platters scored four No.1’s in the late 50’s: The Great Pretender, My Prayer, Twilight Time and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Reed is credited with coming up with the group’s name – taken from disc jockeys who referred to their records as “platters”.

In 2013,  Jim Sundquist, half of the Fendermen, the one-hit wonders behind the Mule Skinner Blues (1960), succumbed at home to cancer at age 75.

Today’s Birthdays:

Sex therapist/TV celebrity Dr. Ruth Westheimer is 86.

Jazz singer Morgana King is 84.

Actor Bruce Dern (Big Love, Space) is 78.

Singer/actress Michelle Phillips (Knots Landing, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Shores) is 70.

Musician Roger Ball is 70.

Jazz musician Anthony Braxton is 69.

Singer Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon is 69.

Ex-ABC journalist Bettina Gregory is 68.

Late night radio host George Noory (Coast to Coast) is 64.

Ontario-born actor Derek McGrath (Doc, Little Mosque on the Prairie) is 63.

Bassist Danny Brown of The Fixx is 63.

Actor Parker Stevenson (Hardy Boys, Melrose Place, Baywatch) is 62.

Actress Carlene Watkins (It’s Not Easy, Mary, Bob) is 62.

Actor/narrator Keith David (Enlisted, The Job, The Bible, Ken Burns’ Films) is 58.

Actor Eddie Velez (General Hospital, A-Team, Live Shot) is 56.

Actress Julie White (Grace Under Fire, Six Feet Under) is 53.

Singer El DeBarge is 53.

Actress Lindsay Frost (As the World Turns, Birdland, Bird) is 52.

Actor Scott Wolf (V, Everwood, Party of Five) is 46.

R&B singer Al B. Sure! is 46.

Comedian Horatio Sanz is 45.

Actor Noah Wyle (Falling Skies, ER) is 43.

Actor James Callis (Battlestar Galactica, Eureka) is 43.

Bassist Stefan Lessard of The Dave Matthews Band is 40.

Comedian Horatio Sanz (Filmore!) is 40.

UK actor/comedian Russell Brand is 39.

Actor Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) is 39.

Actress Angelina Jolie (George Wallace, Gia) is 39.

Alt-country singer Kasey Chambers is 38.

Bassist JoJo Garza of Los Lonely Boys is 34.

Actor/voicist T.J. Miller (Silicon Valley, DreamWorks Dragons) is 33.

Ontario-born Melissa Molinaro (Jersey Shore Shark Attack) is 32.

Actress Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones) is 28.

Toronto-born actor Shane Kippel (Degrassi: the Next Generation) is 28.

Rock musician Zac Farro is 24.

Actress Kathryn Prescott (Reign, Skins) is 23.

Actress Jordan Hinson (Eureka) is 23.

Toronto-born actress Annie Clark (Degrassi: The Next Generation) is 21.

Chart Toppers – June 4

1945
Laura – The Woody Herman Orchestra
Dream – The Pied Pipers
Sentimental Journey – The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
At Mail Call Today – Gene Autry

[b]1954
Little Things Mean a Lot – Kitty Kallen
Three Coins in the Fountain – The Four Aces
The Happy Wanderer – Frank Weir
I Really Don’t Want to Know – Eddy Arnold

1963
It’s My Party – Lesley Gore
I Love You Because – Al Martino
Da Doo Ron Ron – The Crystals
Act Naturally – Buck Owens

1972
I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
The Candy Man – Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sylvia’s Mother – Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. – Donna Fargo

1981
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
Being with You – Smokey Robinson
Stars on 45 medley – Stars on 45
Elvira – The Oak Ridge Boys

1990
Vogue – Madonna
Hold On – Wilson Phillips
Alright – Janet Jackson
I’ve Cried My Last Tear for You – Ricky Van Shelton

1999
Livin’ La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
That Don’t Impress Me Much – Shania Twain
I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
Please Remember Me – Tim McGraw

2008
Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
Love in This Club – Usher featuring Young Jeezy
No Air – Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown
I’m Still a Guy – Brad Paisley