ON THIS DAY in 1890,

actor Frank Morgan was born Francis Wuppermann in New York City.

The jovial, somewhat flamboyant Morgan had a successful radio career on Maxwell House Coffee Time in which he was notorious for tall tales that stretched human credulity, to the weekly exasperation of host John Conte. Morgan shared the program for years with Fanny Brice’s Baby Snooks.  He is best remembered today as The Wizard of Oz in the 1939 film classic.   He died after a heart attack Sept. 18, 1949 at age 59.

In 1921, musician Nelson Riddle was born in Oradell New Jersey.  He became one of the most admired and versatile arranger/composers of the post-war era, with major radio, television, film, and recording successes to his credit. Some of his best work was in backing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee & Nat Cole on Capitol records.  He died of liver ailments Oct 6, 1985 at age 64.

In 1922, actress (Beatrice) Joan Caulfield was born in West Orange New Jersey. She is best remembered as Liz Cooper (the role created on radio by Lucille Ball) in TV’s My Favorite Husband.  She died two weeks after cancer surgery June 18, 1991 at age 69.

In 1923, the first seeds of the CBC were sown as Canadian National Railways formed the CNR Radio Department under W.D. Robb.   By 1936 the CNR’s radio stations, including CNRV Vancouver, would form the nucleus of the CBC.

In 1926, actress Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Baker Mortenson in Los Angeles.  Probably THE star of all female movie stars, she never worked on any TV projects, and apparently only guested as herself on the Jack Benny TV show. On network radio she did a bit of light dramatic work, and is fondly recalled sparring verbally with Charlie McCarthy, the famous wooden creation of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. She died of a drug overdose Aug 5, 1962 at age 36.

Also in 1926, actor/producer Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina.  After beginning his career on Broadway, and starring in Elia Kazan’s film A Face in the Crowd (1957), he achieved widespread fame on the small screen as the star of the 1960–1968 situation comedy The Andy Griffith Show, and the 1986–1995 legal drama Matlock.  He suffered a fatal heart attack July 7, 2012, at age 86.

In 1928, comedian Bob Monkhouse was born in Kent England. One of British TV’s most popular performers with a career that spanned four decades, funnyman Bob Monkhouse started off as a radio writer & comic and became a hit quiz & variety TV host.  He died of prostate cancer Dec. 29 2003, at age 75.

In 1930, actor Pat Corley was born in Dallas.  Best known as Phil the bartender on TV’s Murphy Brown, he also had recurring roles on Bay City Blues, Hill St. Blues, He’s the Mayor, Robert Kennedy & his Times, Roots,  & Fresno.  He died of congestive heart failure Sept. 11 2006, at age 76.

In 1936, the NBC Blue network’s Lux Radio Theater moved from New York City to Hollywood. On the first show from Tinseltown, program host and “producer” Cecil B. DeMille introduced Clark Gable and Marlene Dietrich in The Legionnaire and the Lady. It attracted a remarkable (for the era) listening audience of 40 million.

In 1938, the caped super-hero who would become a sensation on radio & TV was born in a comic book. Toronto-born cartoonist Joe Shuster teamed up with Jerry Siegel to create Superman, who made his first appearance in Action Comics. The cost of issue #1 (above) was 10 cents (collectors will pay almost $100,000 today).

In 1939, actor Cleavon (Jake) Little was born in Chikasha Oklahoma. The Tony & Emmy Award winner appeared on TV over almost 30 years, with recurring roles in Dear John, Bagdad Cafe, True Colors, Temperatures Rising, Felony Squad & Another World.  He died of colon cancer Oct 22, 1992 at age 53.

Also in 1939, the 1st televised heavyweight boxing match, at least a decade before TV became a major influence, featured Max Baer vs Lou Nova.

In 1948, blues singer Sonny Boy Williamson was killed during a robbery in Chicago. He was only 34. The first of two singers to perform under that name, Williamson was a major influence on later blues harp players, such as Little Walter and Junior Wells.

In 1953, “The Mask of Medusa,” on ABC-TV’s Twilight Theater, featured the network-TV acting debut of New Westminster’s Raymond Burr. He later became the star of Perry Mason and Ironside.

In 1955, Patsy Cline had her first recording session, at Owen Bradley’s Studio in Nashville. “A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye”/”Honky-Tonk Merry-Go-Round” became her first single, released the following month on Coral Records.

In 1957, NBC featured Ricky Nelson as one of its “Five Stars For Springtime” on the TV special of the same name, along with Patti Page, Nat “King” Cole, Gordon MacRae, and Andy Williams.

Also in 1957, Sam Cooke was in Los Angeles at his first professional recording session which would produce his first and only #1 single “You Send Me.” It was the first single released by the new Keen label.

In 1958, after years of using kinescope films to serve the far reaches of the network, CBC-TV finally initiatedCanada-wide television broadcasts.

In 1959, celebrating a solid year at the top of the album charts was Johnny’s Greatest Hits (Johnny Mathis) on Columbia Records. The LP stayed for several more years at or near the top of the album charts. It became the all-time album leader at 490 weeks.

Also in 1959, ‘The Battle Of New Orleans’ by Johnny Horton went to No.1 on both the Country and Pop charts, where it would stay for two months.  Horton later won a Grammy Award for the song.

Still in 1959, at the RCA VIctor studios in Nashville the folksinging trio The Browns recorded their future #1 hit “The Three Bells (Les Trois Cloches).”  It is considered the first example of the “Nashville Sound” to reach the top of the pop charts.

Again in 1959, the Kingston Trio were at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood to record a future signature song, “A Worried Man.”

In 1960, CHEK-TV Victoria celebrated its 3-and-a-half-year birthday by increasing power to 100,000 watts, from a new transmitter site on Saturna Island.

In 1961, there was a new sound on US airwaves.  FM multiplex stereo broadcasting was enjoyed by FM listeners in Schenectady, Los Angeles and Chicago, on the first day it was authorized by the FCC.

In 1963, Lesley Gore started a two week run at No.1 on the Billboard singles chart with the Quincy Jones (then a staff producer for Mercury Records) produced ‘It’s My Party.’

In 1964, the Rolling Stones arrived in New York to begin their first American tour. Their first date was at a high school stadium in Lynn, Massachusetts. The Stones also stopped in Chicago to record at the Chess studios, but a riot broke out when they tried to hold a news conference.

Also in 1964, looking to be discovered, 18-year old Dolly Parton moved some 200 miles west to Nashville, one day after she graduated high school in the Knoxville area.

Still in 1964, The Beatles recorded “Matchbox,” “I’ll Cry Instead,” “Slow Down,” and “I’ll Be Back” at the Abbey Road studios in London.

In 1965, Penticton radio station CKOK FM 97.1 signed on with effective radiated power of 1800 watts.

In 1966, Toronto’s CFTO became Canada’s first private TV station to be equipped with studio colour cameras, and transmitted its first programming in colour.

Also in 1966, the final episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” aired on CBS-TV, completing a highly successful 5 year run.

In 1967, the Beatles’ landmark concept album, “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” was released in Britain — two days before its North American release. The album took 700 hours over three months to record, with a then state-of-the-art four-track recorder used to build each song layer by layer. The album is estimated to have sold more than 15-million copies, and stayed on the Billboard chart for 113 weeks.

In 1968, Simon & Garfunkel reached the top of the U-S charts with “Mrs. Robinson,” a song featured in the soundtrack of the film “The Graduate.” The song won a Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary Pop Performance by a Vocal Duo or Group.

Also in 1968, the Rolling Stones released “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” in North America, a week after its release in Britain.

In 1969, the ban on advertising tobacco on Canadian radio and TV came into effect.

Also in 1969, during their Montreal bed-in, John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded “Give Peace a Chance” with Tommy and Dick Smothers, Derek Taylor, Murray the K and Timothy Leary. “All we are saying is give peace a chance.”

In 1970, at the Columbia studios in New York Bob Dylan began five straight days of recording for his 11th studio album “New Morning.”  Tracks taped the first day include “The Ballad Of Ira Hayes” and “Sara Jane.”

Also in 1970, Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album in the U.S. It had been issued in Britain 3½ months earlier.

In 1971, the CBS/CBC Sunday night TV showcase which drew families together for 22 years, the Ed Sullivan Show aired for its final time.

Also in 1971, Elvis Presley’s birthplace — a two-room home in Tupelo, Mississippi — was opened to the public… at a price.

Still in 1971, the band tChicago began a five-night engagement at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

In 1972, at the Abbey Road Studios in London, Pink Floyd began work on their landmark LP “Dark Side Of The Moon.”

In 1973, Robert Wyatt, the former drummer for the British progressive rock band Soft Machine, was paralyzed after falling, drunk, from a 4th-storey window during a party.

Also in 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings released their future US #2 single “Live and Let Die.”

Still in 1973, the George Harrison LP “Living in the Material World” was certified to be a Gold Record.

In 1974, the British weekly music paper the New Musical Express published its list of the 100 Greatest Albums. Voted #3, was the Beach Boys’  “Pet Sounds,” #2 was Bob Dylan’s “Blonde On Blonde,” and the Beatles’ “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was chosen #1.

Also in 1974, John Cale, Brian Eno, Kevin Ayers and Nico recorded the live LP “June 1, 1974.”

In 1975, guitarist Ron Wood celebrated his 28th birthday by making his debut with the Rolling Stones, replacing Mick Taylor, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This was the start of the Stones’ biggest-ever U.S. tour, with 45 shows in 26 cities.

In 1977, Billy Joel completed his four-month tour of the U.S. with a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York.

In 1980, Ted Turner‘s great ‘experiment’ in 24-hour TV news, the Cable News Network (CNN) began broadcasting.

In 1984, Nate Nelson, lead singer of the doo-wop group the Flamingos, died in Boston after a heart attack at age 52. He was with the group when they recorded their biggest hit, “I Only Have Eyes For You,” 25 years earlier. Nelson joined the Platters in 1962.

In 1985, British actor Richard Greene, who starred in TV’s Adventures of Robin Hood in the 1950’s, suffered cardiac arrest & died at age 67.

Also in 1985, one year after his “Born in the USA” world tour began Bruce Springsteen opened the European leg at Slane Castle in Dublin, Ireland.

In 1990, Mariah Carey made her national TV debut on the “Arsenio Hall Show” performing “Vision of Love.”

In 1991, former Temptations member David Ruffin died in Philadelphia of a cocaine overdose at age 50. Ruffin, who had a history of drug problems, was the lead singer on such Temptations hits as “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.”

Also in 1991, Sting appeared on the debut airing of a new Soviet TV rock show, called ‘Rock Steady’.

In 1992, Marilyn Monroe’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was rededicated in honor of what would have been her 66th birthday.

In 1993, Toronto Top 40 radio station CFTR-680 laid off all its announcers, and repeatedly aired a pre-recorded Top 500 countdown. The ‘stunting’ continued until 6 a.m. June 7th, when CFTR became Rogers’ first All News station.

Also in 1993, against his wishes, Dan Rather was joined by Connie Chung at the anchor desk of “The CBS Evening News.”  The experiment ended less than two years later.

In 1994, actress Frances Heflin, who played Mona Kane Tyler on TV’s All My Children, died of lung cancer at age 70.

In 1996, jazz musician Don Grolnick, who played with the likes of James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Peter Erskine, Dave Holland and Steely Dan, died at the age of 49.

In 1997, Kenny Rogers married his production assistant Wanda Miller (below) at their farm in Athens, Ga. It was the fifth marriage for Rogers, 58, and the second for Miller, 30.

Also in 1997, Bob Dylan was discharged from a Los Angeles hospital after a week of treatment for histoplasmosis, a possibly fatal fungal infection that causes swelling of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. Dylan told reporters, “I’m just glad to be feeling better. I really thought I’d be seeing Elvis soon.”

In 1998, Scott Weiland, lead singer for the Stone Temple Pilots, was charged with heroin possession in New York City. The arrest forced the cancellation of the remaining four dates of Weiland’s tour to promote his first solo album, “12 Bar Blues.” After pleading guilty, Weiland received a conditional discharge and was ordered back into drug rehab.

In 1999, an 18-year-old Northeastern University dropout Shawn Fanning invented an internet file-sharing program he named Napster.

In 2000, Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson launched his official Web site with streaming audio feeds of songs from his latest double album, “Live At The Roxy Theater.”

Also in 2000, The Dixie Chicks opened an 85-date tour of North America with a show at the Winnipeg Arena.

In 2003, Staind were at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘14 Shades Of Gray’, the band’s second chart topper.

Also in 2003, Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was arrested on drugs and drink-driving charges after gpong through a red light and colliding with a car in his home town of Des Moines, Iowa.

In 2005, Ottawa radio station CIHT HOT 89.9 played host to the wedding of Lynn and Alex from CBS-TV’s The Amazing Race 7.

In 2006, in London, Pink Floyd‘s latter-day lineup reunited onstage when drummer Nick Mason made a surprise appearance during the last of guitarist David Gilmour’s solo concerts at Royal Albert Hall. Gilmour, Mason and Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright performed during the encore.

In 2007, British-born CBC Vancouver radio producer Robert Chesterman died at age 75. He is best remembered for his dramatizations of the lives of famous composers, and his conversations with world-class conductors, which were made into a book.

Also in 2007, contemporary musicians recorded their own versions of songs from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s album to mark 40 years since it was released. Acts including Oasis, Travis, The Fray, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, Bryan Adams and The Magic Numbers all worked with Geoff Emerick (below) – the engineer in charge of the original 1967 sessions, using the original analog 4-track equipment to demonstrate the techniques employed for the recording at Abbey Road studios in 1967.

In 2008, ZZ Top appeared on the two-hour NBC special “America United: In Support of Our Troops.” The show’s finale featured ZZ Top teaming up with soul legend Sam Moore.

Also in 2008, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl joined Paul McCartney onstage at the Liverpool Sound Concert. Grohl played guitar on the Wings hit “Band On The Run,” then moved to drums for The Beatles classics “Back In The U.S.S.R.” and “I Saw Her Standing There.”

In 2009, a concert by George Strait was the first event held under the dome of the brand new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Also in 2009, Pearl Jam was the first musical guest on the premiere of NBC’s Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien, playing “Get Some” from their “Backspacer” album.

In 2011, Buffalo Springfield (with surviving members Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay) launched their reunion tour at the Fox Theater in Oakland. It was the band’s first tour in 43 years.

In 2012, Madonna was in Tel Aviv, Israel, to open her 9th tour, in support of her twelfth album, “MDNA.” It would include 65 nights of concerts, reaching Vancouver and Seattle at the end of September.

In 2013, rocker Sammy Hagar‘s hometown of Fontana, California named a street after him: Hagar Way.

Today’s Birthdays:

Actor Richard Erdman (Community, Where’s Raymond, Perry Mason) is 89.

Singer/radio & TV host Pat Boone is 80.

Actor Morgan Freeman (Electric Company, Another World) is 77.

Actor Rene Auberjonois (Boston Legal, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) is 74.

Singer Linda Scott (I’ve Told Every Little Star) is 69.

Actor Brian Cox (Deadwood) is 68.

Guitarist Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones is 67.

Actor Powers Boothe (Nashville, Deadwood, 24, Phillip Marlowe Private Eye) is 66.

Actor John M. Jackson (JAG) is 64.

Singer Graham Russell of Air Supply is 64.

Actress Diana Canova (Home Free, Throb, Soap) is 61.

Country singer Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn is 61.

Actress Lisa Hartman Black (Knots Landing, 2000 Malibu Rd., Tabitha) is 58.

Actress Robin Mattson (General Hospital, Santa Barbara, All My Children) is 58.

Bassist Simon Gallup of The Cure is 54.

Actress Teri Polo (The Fosters, West Wing, Wedding Bells) is 45.

Actor Adam Garcia (HawthoRNe) is 41.

Model/TV personality Heidi Klum (Project Runway, America’s Got Talent) is 41.

Ottawa-born singer Alanis Morissette is 40.

Actress Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead, Prison Break) is 37.

Actress/voiciist Danielle Harris (That’s Life, The Wild Thornberrys) is 37.

Halifax-born actor Craig Olejnik (The Listener) is 35.

TV host Damien Fahey (MTV’s Total Request Live) is 34.

Comedienne & TV host Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer) is 33.

Singer Brandi Carlile is 33.

Actor Taylor Handley (Hidden Palms, The O.C.) is 30.

Actress Willow Shields (Beyond the Blackboard) is 14.

Chart Toppers – June 1

1951
On Top of Old Smokey – The Weavers (vocal: Terry Gilkyson)
Too Young – Nat King Cole
Mockingbird Hill – Patti Page
I Want to Be with You Always – Lefty Frizzell

1960
Cathy’s Clown – The Everly Brothers
He’ll Have to Stay – Jeanne Black
Paper Roses – Anita Bryant
Please Help Me, I’m Falling – Hank Locklin

1969
Get Back – The Beatles
Love (Can Make You Happy) – Mercy
Oh Happy Day – The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Singing My Song – Tammy Wynette

1978
With a Little Luck – Wings
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late – Johnny Mathis/Deniece Williams
You’re the One that I Want – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Do You Know You are My Sunshine – The Statler Brothers

1987
With or Without You – U2
You Keep Me Hangin’ On – Kim Wilde
Always – Atlantic Starr
It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow) – The Oak Ridge Boys

1996
Tha Crossroads – Bone thugs-n-harmony
Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
My Maria – Brooks & Dunn

2005
Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
Let Me Go – 3 Doors Down
Behind These Hazel Eyes – Kelly Clarkson
Making Memories of Us – Keith Urban

ON THIS DAY in 1894  

comedian Fred Allen was born John Florence Sullivan in Cambridge Mass.

He was star of his own radio show under several titles and sponsorships from 1932 to 1949, was featured on NBC radio’s The Big Show from 1950-52, and guested on TV’s What’s My Line & Colgate Comedy Hour until his death from a heart attack March 17, 1956 at age 61.

In 1898, author/columnist/radio minister Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was born in Bowersville Ohio. For 54 years (from 1935 to 1989), Peale hosted the weekly radio program The Art of Living.  He was best known for the best selling book The Power of Positive Thinking.  He served as mentor to televangelist Robert Schuller. He died Dec 24, 1993 at age 95.

In 1908, actor/radio host Don Ameche was born Dominic Felix Amici in Kenosha Wisconsin.  The movie star was first a star of bigtime radio.  His radio credits include Betty & Bob, Grand Hotel, First Nighter, The (Battling) Bickersons, & the Charlie McCarthy Show.  On TV the Frances Langford-Don Ameche Show ran one season.  In 1992 he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.  He died of prostate cancer Dec. 6 1993 at age 85.

In 1912, actress Barbara Pepper was born in New York City.  She is best remembered as Doris Ziffel in the CBS TV sitcoms Green Acres & Petticoat Junction.  She also played numerous bit parts on I Love Lucy & The Jack Benny Show. She died July 18 1969, of a coronary thrombosis, at age 57.

In 1917, widely regarded as the first jazz single, “Dark Town Strutters’ Ball,” was recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. In 2006 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

In 1943, another comic strip came to radio, as Archie Andrews was heard on the Blue Network for the first time. Archie, Veronica and the gang stayed on network radio for about nine years.

In 1948, John Bonham, drummer with Led Zeppelin, was born in Redditch, England. Led Zeppelin, formed by guitarist Jimmy Page after the demise of the Yardbirds, became the world’s premier heavy-metal band in the 1970’s. Keith Moon, drummer with the Who, is said to have been responsible for naming the band — he said they’d go over like a lead balloon. The group released their final album in 1979.  A year later, John Bonham choked to death after drinking and falling asleep at Page’s home in Windsor, England.  He was only 32.

In 1949, a crowd of 35,000 people paid tribute to radio personality Mary Margaret McBride at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, (one of the five boroughs that make up New York City). McBride was celebrating her 15th year in radio.

In 1951, in New York Tony Bennett, backed by Toronto’s Percy Faith and his Orchestra, recorded a future #1 pop hit single, “Cold Cold Heart” for producerMitch Miller and Columbia Records.

In 1954, the first Canadian TV signal on the prairies took to the air as CBWT Winnipeg signed on.  

In 1956, Buddy Holly found the inspiration to write “That’ll Be the Day” when he saw the movie “The Searchers.”  Star of the flick John Wayne uses that sarcastic phrase several times in the screenplay.

Also in 1956, the weekly Odessa Texas TV show featuring Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings boastedElvis Presley as their singing guest.

In 1957, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Love Letters in the Sand,” by Pat Boone.

In 1958, Sheb Wooley‘s “Purple People Eater” hit the top of the pop charts and stayed there for six weeks.

Also in 1958, guitarist Dick Dale introduced “surf music” for the first time when he played  “Let’s Go Trippin” at a concert in Balboa Calif.

In 1959, Bobby Darin appeared on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show singing his two top pop singles “Mack the Knife” and “Dream Lover.”  And Canada’s Wayne & Schuster did a takeoff on TV crime shows.

In 1961, in Seattle, 18-year old rocker Jimi Hendrix opted to sign up for a three-year tour in the US Army, rather than serve prison time for his part in stealing a car.

Also in 1961, rocker Chuck Berry opened Berry Park, an outdoor amusement complex in Wentzville, Missouri, near St. Louis. It included a miniature golf course, rides, a children’s zoo and a hotel.

In 1962, the shortlived (5 month) successor to “You Bet Your Life” called “Tell It To Groucho” aired for the final time on CBS-TV.

In 1964, the UK group the Dave Clark Five made the first of 12 appearances on CBS TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show.” A young Bill Cosby supplied comedy, while Helen Hayes did a dramatic scene from her Broadway play, “The White House.”

In 1966, filming began on The Monkees TV sitcom. Starting on NBC in September the weekly series chronicled the misadventures of a struggling rock band.

In 1969, Stevie Wonder‘s My Cherie Amour was released by  Tamla Records. The song made it to number four on the pop music charts on July 26 and stayed on the nation’s radios for eleven weeks.

Also in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded “Give Peace a Chance” during their Montreal bed-in.

Still in 1969, the Rolling Stones recorded “Honky Tonk Women.”

Again in 1969, ABC’s Saturday night variety show theHollywood Palace was hosted by Diana Ross & The Supremes. The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder andSammy Davis Jr. were among the guest performers.

In 1972, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “I’ll Take You There,” by The Staple Singers.

In 1974, Mel Cooper received approval to acquire 71% of CFAX AM 1070 Victoria from Clare Copeland. Formal ownership transfer occurred on September 1st.  Cooper kept CFAX at the top of the Victoria ratings for the next 30 years, before selling to CHUM in 2004. 

Also in 1974, William DeVaughn, a soul singer, songwriter and guitarist from Washington, DC, received a gold record for his only hit, Be Thankful for What You Got. The tune made it to number four on the pop music charts (6/29/74).

Still in 1974, Gordon Lightfoot received Gold Record certification for his tenth album, “Sundown,” on the Reprise label.  

In 1975, “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” by Freddy Fender topped the charts, his only #1 song.

Also in 1975, The Eagles released their soon-to-be classic “One Of These Nights.”

In 1976, five Toronto FM stations and four TV stations began broadcasting from transmitters atop the newly-constructed CN Tower.

Also in 1976, the Who played at the Charlton Athletic Grounds in England and made the Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest rock band ever. Their set measured 76,000 watts and 120 decibels. The record has since been broken.

In 1977, the BBC announced a ban on the new Sex Pistols single ‘God Save The Queen’ saying it’s “in gross bad taste”.  Nveretheless the single reached No.2 on the UK chart.

Also in 1977, Emerson, Lake & Palmer began a tour of the US accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra.

In 1980, the song “Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc. topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.  The same day “Love Stinks” by the J Geils Band peaked at #38.

In 1982, the Rolling Stones played an unannounced show at the 100 Club in London. It was at the 100 Club that the Sex Pistols debuted about six years earlier.

Still in 1982, The Clash released the album “Combat Rock.”

Also in 1982, Survivor released the single “Eye of the Tiger.”

In 1987, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” by Kim Wilde.

In 1988, Bob Dylan released the album “Down in the Groove.”

In 1989, Los Angeles-based CBS News correspondent (for 25 years) Terry Drinkwater lost his six-year battle with cancer at age 53.

Also in 1989, “Rambling with Gambling” celebrated its 20,000th radio program on New York’s WOR,  with the third member of the Gambling clan as host.

In 1990, singer-actor Art Lund, who rose to fame with the Benny Goodman Orchestra, died in Holladay, Utah at age 75. Lund began a solo career in 1947, scoring a million-seller that year with “Mam’selle.” In later years, he concentrated on acting, appearing on T-V in such series as “Gunsmoke” and “Little House on the Prairie.”

Also in 1990, a summer replacement TV show debuted as The Seinfeld Chronicles on NBC.  It ran only through July, but the “show about nothing” returned in January 1991 as Seinfeld, to become a full-blown smash, running through May 14, 1998. The sitcom’s original cast, Jason Alexander as George, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine, Michael Richards as (Cosmo) Kramer and, of course, Jerry Seinfeld as himself, became part of North Americana, with millions of viewers discussing the show at work, and quoting the funny lines.

In 1991, Glass Tiger cut short a concert in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario after lead singer Alan Frew was hit in the head with a loonie.

In 1992, the final episode of the sitcom “Night Court” aired on NBC.

In 1996, Elsbeary Hobbs, bass singer on some of theDrifters‘ biggest hits, died in New York of throat and lung cancer. He was 59.

In 1997, a very nervous Lee Ann Womack made her Grand Ole Opry debut. The singer was so nervous that she barely moved from center stage during her performance. Womack later admitted “If I’d moved, I would’ve peed in my pants.”

In 1998, Geri Halliwell, better known as Ginger Spice, announced she was leaving the hugely popular British pop group The Spice Girls because of unspecified differences. The remaining four Spice Girls went ahead with a North American tour, but the group later disbanded.

In 1999, radio station WABC, New York, first presented “WABC Rewound” where the news/talk station broadcast airchecks from its glory days when it was a Top 40 formatted music station. It has since been repeated several times on Statutory Holidays.

In 2000, Latin jazz legend Tito Puente died on the operating table of a New York hospital as a result of complications following 12 hours of open-heart surgery. He was 77.

Also in 2000, soul singer Johnnie Taylor suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after his 66th birthday at the start of the month. Taylor had been a member of The Highway QCs and The Five Echoes and in 1957 Taylor replaced Sam Cooke in The Soul Stirrers. He scored the 1976 No.1 ‘Disco Lady.’

Still in 2000, the Guess Who’s “Running Back Through Canada” reunion tour opened at a baseball park in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

In 2001, actress/radio-TV hostess Arlene Francis, best known nationally as a regular panellist on CBS TV’s What’s My Line?, died at age 93. Sadly her last years were clouded by Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2002, Swift Current’s CJFB-TV closed its local studios, sold its transmitters, towers, repeaters and land to the CBC, and became nothing more than a repeater for CBC Regina.

In 2004, guitarist Robert Quine was found dead of a heroin overdose in his New York City home. He had worked with Lou Reed, Brian Eno, Lloyd Cole, Marianne Faithfull, Tom Waits and They Might Be Giants.

In 2005, San Francisco & LA-based NBC announcer Frank Barton died at age 87.  He worked on a wide range of bigtime radio shows, notably Dr. I. Q., One Man’s Family, and the Jack Carson & Dennis Day comedy shows.  He went on to TV booth work into the early 1970’s, including Truth or Consequences and Tom Snyder’s early ‘Tomorrow” shows.

In 2006, NBC’s “Today” show threw a going-away party for 15-year host Katie Couric, who left to become anchor of “The CBS Evening News.”

Also in 2006, the first ever Rock Honors aired on US cable channel VH1, honoring rock icons Queen, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, and Kiss. The show had been taped in Las Vegas six days earlier.

In 2008, Death Cab For Cutie were at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with their sixth release ‘Narrow Stairs.’

In 2009, KISS’ Gene Simmons was interviewed on the A&E cable channel’s “Private Sessions.”

In 2010, Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It debuted on cable channel VH1. The series took a “serious look” at the Poison frontman’s offstage life.

In 2011, Gibson Guitar’s website named Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham as the #1 Rock drummer of all time.

In 2013, actress Jean Stapleton, beloved by millions for her role as Edith Bunker on the CBS classic sitcom All in the Family, died of natural causes at age 90.

Today’s Birthdays:

Actor-director Clint Eastwood (Rawhide) is 84.

Singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary is 76.

Keyboardist Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornadoes and the Sir Douglas Quintet is 74.

Actress Sharon Gless (Cagney and Lacey) is 71.

Vancouver-born radio/TV talk hostess Vicki Gabereau is 68.

Actor Gregory Harrison (Falcon Crest, Logan’s Run, Safe Harbor) is 64.

Actor Tom Berenger (October Road, Peacemakers) is 65.

Tacoma-born actor Kyle Secor(Homicide:Life on the Street,Commander in Chief,Veronica Mars) is 57.

Actress Roma Maffia (Nip/Tuck, Profiler) is 56.

Comedian Chris Elliott (E’body Loves Raymond, Get a Life) is 54.

Actress Lea Thompson (Switched at Birth, Caroline in the City) is 53.

Montreal-born singer Corey Hart is 52.

Ontario-born musician/actor Hugh Dillon (Flashpoint, Durham County) is 51.

Rapper Kid Frost is 50.

Rapper DMC of Run-DMC is 50.

Actress Brooke Shields (Lipstick Jungle, Suddenly Susan) is 49.

TV producer & host Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race) is 47.

Country bassist Ed Adkins of The Derailers is 47.

Actress Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) is 42.

Actor Colin Farrell (Ballykissangel) is 38.

Trumpet player Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish is 37.

Actor Eric Christian Olsen (NCIS:Los Angeles, The Loop, Get Real) is 37.

Drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy is 34.

Actor Jonathan Tucker (Black Donnellys) is 32.

Actor Curtis Williams Jr. (Moesha) is 27.

Actress Meredith Hagner (As the World Turns) is 27.

TV personality Farrah Abraham (Teen Mom) is 23.

Chart Toppers – May 31

1950
My Foolish Heart – The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra (vocal: Eileen Wilson)
Bewitched – The Bill Snyder Orchestra
It Isn’t Fair – The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Don Cornell)
Birmingham Bounce – Red Foley

1959
Kansas City – Wilbert Harrison
Dream Lover – Bobby Darin
Personality – Lloyd Price
The Battle of New Orleans – Johnny Horton

1968
Tighten Up – Archie Bell & The Drells
Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel
A Beautiful Morning – The Rascals
Honey – Bobby Goldsboro

1977
Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
I’m Your Boogie Man – KC & The Sunshine Band
Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) – Waylon Jennings

1986
Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
Live to Tell – Madonna
On My Own – Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald
Whoever’s in New England – Reba McEntire

1995
This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? – Bryan Adams
Water Runs Dry – Boyz II Men
What Mattered Most – Ty Herndon

2004
The Reason – Hoobastank
Naughty Girl – Beyoncé Knowles
I Don’t Wanna Know – Mario Winans featuring Enya & P. Diddy
Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson