ON THIS DAY in 1909,

down East fiddler/leader Don Messer was born at Tweedside, New Brunswick.

In 1929 he started his own radio show on CFBO Saint John. In 1939, he moved to Charlottetown where Don Messer and the Islanders had a show on CFCY. But he’s best known across Canada for his Don Messer’s Jubilee on CBC-TV (1959-69), where fellow performers included Marg Osburne and Charlie Chamberlain.   He died in Halifax on March 26, 1973 at age 63.

In 1914, country & western singing star Hank Snow was born Clarence Eugene Snow in Brooklyn Nova Scotia, near Liverpool.  His first radio job was with CHNS Halifax in 1933 where he was billed as Clarence Snow and his Guitar. In 1936, he made his first recordings for RCA Victor in Montreal as Hank, The Yodeling Ranger, becoming Canada’s #1 best-selling artist. Hank was also featured on CBC radio  where he gained coast-to-coast exposure. In 1944, Hank made his first appearances in the US and made several tries to break into the US market. On January 7, 1950, he made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, and on March 28, recorded I’m Movin’ On, which became a monster hit. In the career that followed, he placed over 85 singles on the Billboard best seller list and sold nearly 90 million records. He died Dec 20, 1999 at age 85.

Also in 1914, British arranger/orchestra leader Frank Chacksfield was born in East Sussex, England. He is remembered by many music lovers for his numerous albums and appearances on radio and TV following the second world war. His biggest hits were “Ebb Tide” and “Limelight.”  During his recording career with Decca alone, (London records in North America) it is estimated that he sold 20 million copies.  He died June 9 1995 at age 81.

In 1924, shapely sultry singer Connie Russell was born in New York City.  Her career stalled in films, but she auditioned for Dave Garroway and became a regular on his “Garroway at Large” (1949) TV show. She appeared on a number of variety TV shows for Morey Amsterdam, Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Milton Berle and Eddie Cantor.  She died of heart problems Dec 18 1990 at age 66.

In 1937, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy started their own radio show on NBC — less than 5 months after they had debuted the ventriloquist act on Rudy Vallee’s radio program. W.C. Fields, Don Ameche and Dorothy Lamour were a few of the stars that helped Bergen and the little blockhead, McCarthy, jump to the top of radio’s hit parade, where they (& Bergen’s other dummy Mortimer Snerd) remained for more than 19 years.

Also in 1937, singer Dave Prater was born in Ocilla Georgia. He was half of the duo Sam and Dave, (together with Sam Moore) with whom he created a body of sweaty, gritty soul that ranks among the finest and most popular produced in the late ’60s.  He died in a car crash enroute to his mother’s house April 9 1988 at age 50.

In 1939, singer Ray Eberle recorded the future #1 single “Stairway to the Stars” with theGlenn Miller Orchestra for Bluebird records.

In 1942, pioneering NBC radio announcer Graham McNamee died.

In 1946, TV’s 1st hour long entertainment show, “NBC’s Hour Glass” aired for the first time.

In 1953, “The Song from Moulin Rouge” by Canadian-born Percy Faith & his Orchestra hit #1 for 9 weeks on the (US) Cashbox Singles chart.

In 1954, a fire in another part of the building caused extensive water damage to New Westminster radio station CKNW. The studios moved to owner Bill Rea’s Danceland in downtown Vancouver while the building was renovated.

In 1956, Patti Page taped her next Top 10 hit “Allegheny Moon” for Mercury Records.

In 1958, announcer Bill Goodwin, who was a regular for more than 10 years on the Burns & Allen Show (radio & TV) & for over a decade on the Bob Hope radio show, died at age 47 following a heart attack.

Also in 1958, Richard Burton made his first US television appearance, starring in The Dupont Show of the Month presentation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ on CBS-TV.

Still in 1958, New York disc jockey Alan Freed, who created the term ‘rock & roll,’ was indicted for ‘inciting unlawful destruction of property’ after fans in Boston rioted at one of his travelling shows.

In 1959, 16-year-old singer Wayne Newton, with his girlish voice, began a two-week engagement at the Freemont Hotel in Las Vegas.

Newton proved so popular that he headlined at the venue for more than three years, and later went on to earn $20 million annually.

In 1961, FCC chairman Newton N. Minow delivered his famous speech to the National Association of Broadcasters criticizing TV as a “vast wasteland”

Also in 1961, Ann-Margret was in Nashville to record “I Just Don’t Understand,” which would become her one and only Top 40 hit, peaking at #17.

In 1963, The Rolling Stones signed their first management contract with Impact, Andrew Loog Oldham’s management company.

In 1964, Hello Dolly! became the top pop record in the U.S. The milestone put Louis Armstrong on the Billboard music chart in the top spot for the first time in his 41-year music career. Later, “Satchmo” was cast in the movie version of Hello Dolly!.

Also in 1964, Chuck Berry started his first U.K. tour in London, supported by theAnimals, Carl Perkins and the Nashville Teens.

Still in 1964, the English vocal duo Peter & Gordon released “World Without Love.”

In 1965, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were in the audience at a Bob Dylanconcert at Royal Albert Hall in London.

In 1966, The Doors played at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California, auditioning to serve as the house band there.

In 1968, actress Marion Lorne, who played memorable dithery roles on the TV sitcoms Mr. Peepers and Bewitched, suffered a fatal heart attack at age 84.

In 1970, “American Woman” by the Winnipeg-based Guess Who topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

Also in 1970, Toronto rocker Neil Young and his group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young saw their song “Woodstock” peak at #11 on the pop singles chart.

In 1971, the 23rd Emmy Awards saw “All in the Family”, Jack Klugman & Jean Stapleton take top honors.

In 1973, the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger topped up with his own $150,000 the $350,000 that had been raised at the Stones’ benefit concert in January in aid of the victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua.

In 1974, Bruce Springsteen gave the most important performance of his career to date, opening for Bonnie Raitt at the Boston Arena. Rolling Stone’s Jon Landau was so impressed he wrote “I saw rock and roll’s future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen.” Landau later became Bruce’s manager and producer.

In 1983, the 18th Academy of Country Music Awards saw Alabama & Willie Nelson win the top prizes.

In 1985, actor Edmond O’Brien, who began on bigtime radio as private investigator Johnny Dollar, and played the title role on the NBC-TV legal drama Sam Benedict, died at age 69 of Alzheimer’s disease.

In 1986, actor Herschel Bernardi, best remembered by TV audiences as Lieutenant Jacoby on TV’s Peter Gunn, and for his lead role in the sitcom Arnie, suffered a fatal heart attack at age 62. His deep baritone tones were also heard in commercials as the voice of Charley the Tuna, and as the “ho-ho-ho” of the Jolly Green Giant.

In 1988, Prince’s 10th album was released entitled “Lovesexy.” Some stores refused to sell it due to the nude portrait of Prince on the cover.

In 1990, former NBC news correspondent Pauline Frederick, the first woman to moderate a Presidential debate (1976), died following a heart attack at age 84.

In 1991, Michael Landon appeared on the “Tonight Show” and talked about his condition with pancreatic cancer.  He died less than two months later, July 1.

In 1992, the final episode of “The Golden Girls” aired on NBC.

Also in 1992, Bruce Springsteen made his TV debut on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” with three songs, “Lucky Town,” “Living Proof” and “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On.”

In 1993, Kurt Cobain was treated at a Seattle hospital for a drug overdose. He had in his system a combination of heroin (self-inflicted) and bupreorphine (injected by his wife, Courtney Love).

In 1994, singer Willie Nelson was arrested on a misdemeanor drug charge after police in Hewitt, Texas, found the butt of a joint in the ashtray of his Mercedes-Benz.

In 1998, actress/singer Alice Faye, who starred in 20th Century Fox movie musicals in the 30’s, and co-starred on the very funny Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show on NBC radio in the 40’s & 50’s, lost her battle with stomach cancer, just 4 days after her 83rd birthday.

Also in 1998, Puff Daddy and Jimmy Page were musical guests on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” They performed their collaboration “Come To Me.”

Still in 1998, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson performed his first-ever solo concert, In St. Charles, Illinois,

In 2000, the Backstreet Boys and Christina Aguilera each took home two trophies at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. Backstreet Boys snag favorite pop group and favorite CD honors for “Millennium,” while Aguilera wins favorite new female artist and favorite single for “Genie In A Bottle.”

Also in 2000, a U.S. federal appeals court upheld a $5.4 million jury decision that Michael Bolton had plagiarized parts of the song “Love is a Wonderful Thing.” The original song, of the same name, was released in 1966 by the Isley Brothers.

In 2004, comedian & Friar’s Club roaster Alan King (below), who made 33 standup appearances in just over a decade on TV’s Ed Sullivan Show, succumbed to lung cancer at age 76.

Also in 2004, a pastor at Calgary’s New Hope Christian Reformed Church played “Metallica” music and “The Unforgiven” video during his sermon. “Metallica are a lot like the Old Testament prophets who would rail against the crap that`s going on in the world,” said Pastor John Van Sloten. Prior services had included tunes by Evanescenceand U2.

In 2005, country singer Kenny Chesney married actress Renee Zellweger in the Caribbean.

Also in 2005, Gwen Stefani held the Billboard No.1 singles spot with ‘Hollaback Girl.’

In 2006, OK Radio Group sold Victoria’s CKKQ-FM and CJZN-FM to Jim Pattison for $15.75 million.  

In 2007, Rush‘s “Snakes & Arrows” landed at #3 (behind Ne-Yo and Michael Buble) on the Billboard 200 selling 93,000 units in its debut week. It was the Canadian band’s first album in five years.

In 2008, Foxy Brown avoided a further spell in prison after pleading guilty in a New York court to menacing her neighbour with a BlackBerry phone.

The 28-year-old rapper admitted hitting Arlene Raymond during an argument over the volume of her car stereo last July. The incident landed the star in prison for violating the terms of her probation on a separate assault charge.

In 2009, Rick Ross went to No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Deeper Than Rap,’ the rappers third studio album.

In 2010, singer/actress Lena Horne, a trailblazer for black female performers in the 1940’s, whose signature song was Stormy Weather, died of heart failure at age 92.

In 2011, a week-long tribute to the late Bob Marley began on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It marked the 30th anniversary of the Reggae star’s death from melanoma in ’81. During the week there were performances from Marley’s son Ziggy, Chris Cornell, Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers) and Lenny Kravitz.

In 2012, Boston radio sportscaster Carl Beane, for the previous nine years the public address announcer for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, was killed in a single vehicle car crash at age 59.

Today’s Birthdays:

British actress Geraldine McEwan (Miss Jane Marple) is 82.

Actor-writer Alan Bennett (Beyond the Fringe) is 80.

Guitarist Nokie Edwards of The Ventures is 79.

British Labour MP/former actress Glenda Jackson (The Patricia Neal Story, Elizabeth R) is 78.

Guitarist/songwriter Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly and The Crickets is 77.

Producer-director James L. Brooks (Simpsons, Taxi, Mary Tyler Moore) is 74.

Singer Tommy Roe is 72.

Singer-guitarist Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco) is 70.

Singer Clint Holmes is 68.

Actress Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown, Boston Legal) is 68.

Singer Billy Joel is 65.

Bassist Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick is 64.

Actress Alley Mills (The Wonder Years) is 63.

Actress Amy Hill (Strip Mall, General Hospital) is 61.

Actress Jeanna Michaels (Dallas, Santa Barbara, General Hospital) is 58.

Hamilton-born actress Wendy Crewson (Revenge, Saving Hope, ReGenesis, Crimes of Passion) is 58.

Actor John Corbett (United States of Tara, Sex & The City, Northern Exposure) is 53.

Singer David Gahan of Depeche Mode is 52.

Rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan is 44.

Guitarist Mike Myerson of Heartland is 43.

Toronto-born actor/voicist Chris Diamantopoulos (24, Arrested Development, Starter Wife, American Dad) is 39.

Singer Tamia is 39.

Trombonist Dan Regan of Reel Big Fish is 37.

South African actor Karl Thaning (Black Sails) is 37.

Actor Daniel Franzese (Electric City) is 36.

Actress Rosario Dawson (Gemini Division, Five) is 35.

Singer Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan is 35.

Actor Sean Nelson (The Money, The Corner) is 34.

Actress Rachel Boston (Witches of East End, In Plain Sight, American Dreams) is 32.

Actor Michael Roark (Sleepy Hollow) is 31.

Actor Chris Zylka (The Secret Circle) is 29.

TV personality/actress Audrina Patridge (The Hills, Dancing With the Stars) is 29.

Actress Grace Gummer (The Newsroom, Gigantic) is 28.

Actor Laurie Calvert (Episodes) is 24.

Chart Toppers – May 9th

1946
Oh, What It Seemed to Be – The Frankie Carle Orchestra (vocal: Marjorie Hughes)
Shoo Fly Pie – The Stan Kenton Orchestra (vocal: June Christy)
One-zy, Two-zy – Phil Harris
Guitar Polka – Al Dexter

1955
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White – Perez Prado
Unchained Melody – Les Baxter
Honey-Babe – Art Mooney
In the Jailhouse Now – Webb Pierce

1964
Hello Dolly! – Louis Armstrong
Do You Want to Know a Secret – The Beatles
My Guy – Mary Wells
My Heart Skips a Beat – Buck Owens

1973
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree – Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
The Cisco Kid – War
Little Willy – The Sweet
Behind Closed Doors – Charlie Rich

1982
Chariots of Fire – Titles – Vangelis
Ebony and Ivory  – Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
Don’t Talk to Strangers – Rick Springfield
Always on My Mind – Willie Nelson

1991
Baby Baby – Amy Grant
Joyride – Roxette
I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) – Hi-Five
Rockin’ Years – Dolly Parton with Ricky Van Shelton

2000
Say My Name- Destiny’s Child
Bye Bye Bye – ’N Sync
I Try – Macy Gray
The Best Day – George Strait

2009
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
Kiss Me Thru the Phone – Soulja Boy
It’s America – Rodney Atkins

ON THIS DAY in 1880

the first telephone service in British Columbia was established as the Victoria and Esquimalt Telephone Company.

In 1895, Archbishop/broadcaster Fulton J. Sheen was born in Fulton Illinois. His Tuesday night TV program attracted (at its peak) an audience of 30 million, rivalling and at times topping the crowd watching “Mr. Television” Milton Berle on NBC at the same hour.  He died Dec 9, 1979 at age 84.

In 1910, the first lady of jazz Mary Lou Williams was born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs in Atlanta, Georgia.  The self-taught pianist/composer/arranger worked with Benny Goodman, Andy Kirk, Duke Ellington & Thelonius Monk before forming her own group. Late in life she moved into teaching at Duke University. She succumbed to cancer May 28 1981 at age 71.

In 1936, radio &TV talk show host Tom Snyder was born in Milwaukee.  He is best remembered for The Tomorrow Show, which followed the Tonight Show on NBC television in the late 1970s and ’80s, and The Late Late Show, following David Letterman on CBS in the 1990s. He died July 29 2007 from complications associated with leukemia at age 71.

In 1940, singer/actor Ricky (Eric Hilliard) Nelson was born in Teaneck New Jersey. He began in show biz as a child actor, playing himself on radio on his family’s long-running sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.  When the show moved to TV he began singing at the end of each show, establishing himself as a record star. Hits include I’m Walkin’, Poor Little Fool, Lonesome Town, Never Be Anyone Else But You, Travelin’ Man, and Garden Party. He, his fiancee & 5 others were killed in a plane crash Dec 31, 1985 enroute to a New Year’s Eve performance in Dallas.  Rick was 45.

In 1941, jazz singer Anita O’Day recorded “Let Me Off Uptown” on Okeh Records with Gene Krupa and his band.

In 1945, this day was celebrated throughout the free world. It was V-E Day, and Radio spread the word.

The Allied Forces had achieved victory in Europe with the unconditional surrender of Germany. The surrender had been made official on May 7th at Reims, France.

In 1949, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Ghost Riders in the Sky” by Vaughn Monroe.

In 1954, Britain’s BBC banned the song “Such a Night” by Johnnie Ray after listeners complained about its “suggestiveness.”  Nevertheless the track went to #1 in the UK.  A decade later Elvis Presley would have a hit with the same song, and without the controversy.

In 1956, Pat Boone was in Chicago to record his future #1 hit “I Almost Lost My Mind.”

In 1959, the final broadcast of “One Man’s Family” was heard on NBC radio after being on the air 27 years. The Carleton E. Morse creation had completed 3,256 episodes since its beginning back in 1932.

Also in 1959, Frank Sinatra and a children’s chorus recorded “High Hopes,” one of the last big hits from the songwriting team of Jimmy van Heusen & Sammy Cahn.  John F. Kennedy used a version of the song in his successful 1960 presidential campaign.

in 1960, Canada’s Wayne & Schuster made one of their many appearances on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. Other “pairs” booked for the show included comedians Ford & Hines, Noonan & Marshall and singers Gordon & Sheila MacRae.

In 1961, “Shore Patrol Revisited” became one of the most memorable episodes of the CBS-TV series, Hennessey. The program marked the first time that actors Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney had appeared together professionally since they had been teenagers — some 25 years earlier.

Also in 1961, RCA Victor released Elvis Presley‘s future #5 pop single “I Feel So Bad.”

In 1962, Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, disappointed after the Decca label rejected his clients, ran into engineer Ted Huntly at a London record store. Huntly suggested sending a tape of the Beatles to producer George Martin at EMI .. and the rest is history.

In 1965, Bob Dylan made one of the earliest videos when he filmed a promotional clip for his current single, “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” It shows him flipping through cue cards containing the lyrics while standing in an alley in London.

In 1966, CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show featured the McGuire Sisters singing a medley of Big Band hits with the Harry James Orchestra. Gordon & Sheila MacRae also sang, as did the Serendipity Singers. Henny Youngman, John Byner and Jean Carroll supplied the laughs.

In 1967, the oldest of the three singing Andrews Sisters, Laverne Andrews (pictured, right) died at age 55, after a year-long battle with cancer.  Their many hits include Beer Barrel Polka & Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Also in 1967, the pioneering UK rock grop Gerry & The Pacemakers announced they were splitting up.

Still in 1967, Capitol Records released Al Martino‘s “Mary in the Morning,” which became his third #1 Easy Listening hit two months later.

In 1968, George D. Hay died at age 72. He was the originator of the Grand Ole Opry broadcasts over station W-S-M in Nashville. The program, originally called the “Barn Dance,” was first broadcast on November 28th, 1925.

In 1969, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by The 5th Dimension (below).

Also in 1969, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr of The Beatles signed a business management contract with Allen Klein and his company ABKCO. However Paul McCartney did not go along with them, choosing to continue to have his father-in-law, John Eastman represent him.

In 1970, The Beatles released the LP “Let It Be.” It was their twelfth and final album of original studio material.

In 1972, radio station CKGO AM 1490 Hope BC went on the air with 250 watts.  It broadcast two hours a day of local programming, while the rest of the programming came from CHWK Chilliwack.

Also in 1972, Billy Preston became the first rock artist to headline the bill at New York’s 39-year-old Radio City Music Hall.

In 1976, the song “Welcome Back” by John Sebastian, the theme from TV’s “Welcome Back Kotter”, topped the charts and stayed there for just a week.

Also in 1976, Willie Nelson joined Bob Dylan on stage in Houston, for a duet version of the gospel classic “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

In 1977, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “When I Need You,” by Leo Sayer.

Also in 1977, Olivia Newton-John ended an SRO tour of the US with her New York debut at the Metropolitan Opera House.

In 1978, the list of guest stars was impressive as ABC TV aired “The Stars Salute Israel at 30.”

In 1979, Supertramp‘s sixth and best-selling album “Breakfast in America” was certified Platinum. It would eventually sell 6 million copies in the US alone.

In 1981, the debut album by Calgary-based Loverboy was certified gold in the U-S.

In 1982, the title tune from “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis topped the charts and stayed there for just a week.

In 1984, Joanie (Erin Moran) and Chachi (Scott Baio) got married on Happy Days! The comedy series, starring Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley and Marion Ross (Ron Howard and Anson Williams had already left the show), was winding down in its final season on ABC-TV. In the same episode, Fonzie (brilliantly portrayed by Winkler), filed papers to adopt a son.

In 1985, actor Dolph Sweet, best remembered for his roles on TV’s Gimme a Break and Another World, lost his battle with cancer at age 64.

Also in 1985, the 20th Academy of Country Music Awards saw top honors go to  Alabama & The Judds.

In 1987, Victoria Principal‘s character, Pam Ewing was killed off on the CBS-TV primetime soap Dallas.

In 1988, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Anything for You,” by Gloria Estefan & the Miami Sound Machine. The song was the group’s first No. 1 hit.

In 1990, a Los Angeles judge ordered Frito-Lay and an advertising agency to pay singer Tom Waits almost two-and-a-half million dollars. Without his permission the agency had hired a Waits imitator to sing a jingle praising Frito-Lay’s corn chips.

In 1991, Epic Records released Pearl Jam‘s first promo single, with the songs “Alive” and “Wash” and a cover of The Beatles’ “I’ve Got A Feeling.”

In 1993, Aerosmith‘s “Get a Grip” entered The Billboard 200 top pop album chart at No. 1, becoming the group’s highest-debuting album and highest-charting album ever. The group’s previous highpoint was “Rocks,” which peaked at No. 3 in 1976.

In 1994, actor George Peppard, who had headed up TV’s “A-Team” a decade after he starred in “Banacek,” died of pneumonia while battling lung cancer at age 65.

Also in 1994, Andy Rooney‘s 500th curmudgeonly commentary was heard at the end of CBS-TV’s 60 Minutes.

In 1996, in Los Angeles Tommy Lee and wife Pamela Anderson lost their court battle to prevent Penthouse magazine from publishing photos from their X-rated home movie that had been stolen from their home.

In 1997, broadcaster Larry King was on hand to help unveil his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1998, the Smashing Pumpkins filed suit against Westwood One, claiming the radio syndicator breached an oral and implied contract by licensing a 1991 interview with the band. According to the suit, the virgin band was never consulted about a licensing deal with Sound & Media; the U.K. company in 1996 released a “book with CD” product that contained the interview.

In 1999, innovative jazz vocalist Leon Thomas, 61, died of heart failure in the Bronx, N.Y. He had been suffering from leukemia.

Also in 1999, actress Dana Plato of “Diff’rent Strokes” fame committed suicide via an overdose of prescription drugs in Moore, Oklahoma. She was 34.

Still in 1999, the song “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin topped the charts and stayed there for 5 weeks.

In 2005, Bruce Springsteen was at No.1 on the Billboard album chart with ‘Devils and Dust’ his 13th No.1 studio album.

In 2006, The Rolling Stones called off their forthcoming European tour after guitarist Keith Richards underwent emergency brain surgery. The 62 year-old guitarist suffered a “mild concussion” when he fell out of a coconut tree while vacationing in Fiji.

In 2007, a collection of Grateful Dead memorabilia earned more than $1.1 million during an auction in San Francisco. Guitars owned by the late Jerry Garcia drew the most action, including a cream-colored ’75 Travis Bean electric that netted $312,000.

In 2008, veteran country/pop singer Eddy Arnold died of natural causes, one week short of his 90th birthday. He sold more than 85 million records and had 147 songs on the US charts.

Also in 2008, Edmonton radio station CHQT was heard in its last live day as Cool 8-80, before switching twelve days later to All News as iNews880.com. The days in between were used to update the studio for the new format.

In 2009, Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis received the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at the fifth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert in Los Angeles. He was recognized for his contributions to the charity, which provides support to musicians with substance-abuse problems.

In 2010, 60 year TV career actress Betty White became the oldest person, at age 88, to host Saturday Night Live.

In 2011, guitarist Cornell Dupree, whose distinctive riffs are heard at the beginning of Brook Benton’s “Rainy Night In Georgia” and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” died at age 78 due to complications from emphysema.

In 2013, actress Jeanne Cooper, who for almost 40 years played matriarch Katherine Chancellor on CBS’ hit soap ‘The Young and the Restless,’ died at age 84.

Today’s Birthdays:

Comedian/actor Don Rickles (CPO Sharkey) is 88.

Singer Toni Tennille is 74.

Actor James Mitchum (Jake Spanner Private Eye) is 73.

Country singer Jack Blanchard is 72.

Singer Gary Glitter is 70.

Jazz pianist/composer Keith Jarrett is 69.

Drummer Chris Frantz of Talking Heads is 63.

R & B singer Philip Bailey (solo and with Earth, Wind and Fire) is 63.

Actress Deborah Harmon (The Ted Knight Show) is 63.

Country musician Billy Burnette is 61.

Drummer Alex Van Halen of Van Halen is 61.

Actor David Keith (Lone Star, The Class, Local Heroes) is 60.

Actor Stephen Furst (Babylon 5, Buzz Lightyear, St. Elsewhere) is 59.

Toronto-born actor Jeff Wincott (Night Heat) is 57.

Hamilton-born actor Patrick McKenna (Red Green, Traders) is 55.

Actress Melissa Gilbert (Little House on the Prairie) is 50.

Drummer Dave Rowntree of Blur is 50.

Drummer Del Gray of Little Texas is 46.

Singer Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) is 42.

Singer Enrique Iglesias is 39.

Timmins Ont.-born actress Elizabeth Whitmere (Being Erica, The Best Years) is 33. 

 Toronto-born actor Stephen Amell (Arrow) is 33.

Actress Julia Whelan (Once and Again) is 30.

Chart Toppers – May 8 

1945
Candy – Johnny Mercer & Jo Stafford
I’m Beginning to See the Light – The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen)
He’s Home for a Little While – Dinah Shore
Smoke on the Water – Bob Wills

1954
Wanted – Perry Como
Young at Heart – Frank Sinatra
Little Things Mean a Lot – Kitty Kallen
Slowly – Webb Pierce

1963
I Will Follow Him – Little Peggy March
Can’t Get Used to Losing You – Andy Williams
Puff the Magic Dragon – Peter, Paul & Mary
Lonesome 7-7203 – Hawkshaw Hawkins

1972
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
I Gotcha – Joe Tex
Betcha By Golly, Wow – The Stylistics
Chantilly Lace – Jerry Lee Lewis

1981
Morning Train (Nine to Five) – Sheena Easton
Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr./Bill Withers
Being with You – Smokey Robinson
Rest Your Love on Me – Conway Twitty

1990
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor
I Wanna Be Rich – Calloway
How Can We Be Lovers – Michael Bolton
Love on Arrival – Dan Seals

1999
No Scrubs – TLC
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
Livin’ La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
Wish You Were Here – Mark Wills

2008
Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
No Air – Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown
Love in This Club – Usher featuring Young Jeezy
I Saw God Today – George Strait