➦In 1886..iconic performer Al Jolson born Asa Yoelson (Died at age 64 - October 23, 1950) was a Russian-born American singer, comedian, and actor. At the peak of his career, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer". In the 1920s, Jolson was America's most famous and highest-paid entertainer.
 |
| Al Jolson - 1938 |
Although best remembered today as the star of the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer (1927), he starred in a series of successful musical films during the 1930s. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was the first star to entertain troops overseas during World War II.
After a period of inactivity, his stardom returned with The Jolson Story (1946), for which Larry Parks played Jolson, with the singer dubbing for Parks. The formula was repeated in a sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949). In 1950, he again became the first star to entertain GIs on active service in the Korean War, performing 42 shows in 16 days. He died weeks after returning to the U.S., partly owing to the physical exertion of performing. Defense Secretary George Marshall posthumously awarded him the Medal for Merit.
➦In 1903...Canadian radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden was granted a patent for the liquid barretter microphone.
➦In 1920...singer Peggy Lee, whose real name is Norma Delores Egstrom, was born in Jamestown, North Dakota.
She was among the few singers who can handle any type of song — pop, ballad, country, rhythm-and-blues or jazz. Benny Goodman gave her her stage name when she performed with his band from 1941 to ’43. Lee went out on her own after marrying Goodman’s guitarist, Dave Barbour. Her hit records included “Manana (mahn-YAH’-nah),” ”Fever” — a cover of Little Willie John’s r-and-b song — and ”Is That All There Is?” Peggy Lee died of a heart attack January 21st, 2002. She was 81.
 |
| Jimmie Rodgers |
➦In 1933...Jimmie Rodgers, the “Father of Country Music,” died of tuberculosis in New York City at age 35, just two days after making his final recording.
He was so ill during his final recording sessions that he had to rest between takes on a cot. Jimmie Rodgers recorded his first million-seller “T for Texas,” also known as “Blue Yodel,” in 1927, becoming country music’s first superstar. He never appeared on any major radio show or played the Grand Ole Opry. But he, Hank Williams and songwriter-publisher Fred Rose were the first to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.
➦In 1940...CBS Radio first presented “Invitation to Learning”. The 30-minute Sunday morning program that featured a discussion of great books, with Lyman Bryson as host, continued for 15 years.
 |
| Joe Kelly |
➦In 1959...Chicago-based radio host Joe Kelly, who MC’d the WLS National Barn Dance & NBC’s Quiz Kids (1940-53), died at age 57.
➦In 1962...the original version of “Twist and Shout,” by the Isley Brothers, was released. The song was revived two years later by The Beatles.
➦In 1971...Don McLean was in New York to record his soon-to-be iconic signature song “American Pie.”
➦In 1989...Radio stations staged 30 seconds of silence at 7:42 AM (EST), to honor Radio.
