February 5 In Radio History

In 1916...Alexanderson successfully tested the multiple tuned antenna.


In 1924...The BBC time signals, or "pips," broadcast at the top of every hour from Greenwich Observatory, were heard for the first time.

In 1931...Eddie Cantor made his radio debut singing on Rudy Vallée's musical variety show, "The Fleischmann Hour" on NBC.

In 1940..."Amanda of Honeymoon Hill" first aired on radio.

In 1941...WNYC FM signs on as W39NY

In 1962...Ringo Starr appeared with the Beatles for the first time when he filled in for ailing Pete Best. They played two shows that day, a lunchtime date at the Cavern Club and an evening show at the Kingsway Club in Southport.

In 1963...At the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, exactly one month before her death in a plane crash, Patsy Cline recorded three songs, including the Don Gibson composition "Sweet Dreams (Of You)." The song was later used to title the 1985 Patsy Cline biopic starring Jessica Lange and Ed Harris.


In 1977..."General Mills Adventure Theater" first aired on the CBS Radio Network.

In 1979...the "Sears Radio Theater" first aired on the CBS Radio Network.

In 1989...the Z-Rock Radio Network broadcasted Metallica's concert at Reunion Arena in Dallas, TX.