December 25 In Radio History

In 1931...The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City was the subject of a broadcast for the first time. Lawrence Tibbett was featured as vocalist in "Hansel und Gretel". The productionw aired on the NBC Radio network.


In 1937...famed conductor, Arturo Toscanini, conducted the first broadcast of the radio program, "Symphony of the Air", across the NBC Radio netwrok.

In 1939..."A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, was recited for the first time over the CBS Radio network.

In 1945...Actor Gary Sandy, who played Andy Travis on TV's WKRP in Cincinnati was born.


In 1946...Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, of "Margaritaville" fame was born


In 1964...In New York, "Murray The K's Big Holiday Show" went on as scheduled, with the Zombies, the Nashville Teens, and the Hullabaloos, after the U.S. Labor Department lifted a ban on granting British artists work visas. Britain's Musicians Union had retaliated by canceling Fats Domino's upcoming tour, before the whole matter was dropped.

In 1995...Singer, actor and comedian Dean Martin died. He was 78

In 2006...Singer James Brown, nicknamed the "Godfather of Soul, died. He was 73.

In 2008...Singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt died. She was 81.