Radio History: November 3

➦In 1906...International Radiotelegraph Conference in Berlin selects "SOS" (· · · – – – · · ·) distress signal as the worldwide standard for help

➦In 1946...This photo appeared in the NY Times...

➦In 1957...Sam Phillips, owner of legendary Sun Records in Memphis released Great Balls of Fire, by Jerry Lee Lewis. The single sold 5 million copies worldwide. Looking carefully at the original label, one will find credit to Lewis and “his pumping piano.”

➦In 1962...Billboard magazine drops the "Western" from its "Country and Western" chart title.

➦In 1961...Newscasters and deejays returned to the air on Top40 KFWB 980 AM in Los Angeles after a striking for 122 days. Major provisions included raising base wages of staff announcers (disc jockeys) for the first year as of May 1 to $187.50 a week, $197.50 the second year and $205 the third year. Base wages of three returning newsman will be increased to $195 a week as of December 1st.

The strike took its toll on the station as it slipped a bit in the ratings, seeing most its audience erosion dial over to competitor KRLA 1110 AM. KFWB has been the areas’ #1 station overall with its “Color Radio” format developed by Chuck Blore. The station was owned by Crowell-Collier Broadcasting. Over the next year, KFWB will be instrumental for bringing the “surf sound” to Top40 radio.

➦In 1985...FLASHBACK....From R&R...

➦In 2014...One of public radio’s most popular personalities, Tom Magliozzi died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at age 77. Tom and his brother, Ray, became famous as “Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers” on the weekly NPR show 'Car Talk'. For 25 years they bantered, told jokes, laughed and sometimes even gave pretty good advice to listeners who called in with their car troubles.

Shadoe Stevens is 77

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:

• Actor-radio personality Shadoe Stevens (“Dave’s World”) is 77. 
• Singer Lulu is 75. 
• Actor-comedian Roseanne Barr is 71. 
• Actor Kate Capshaw (“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”) is 70. 
• Actor Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show”) is 70. 
• Comedian Dennis Miller is 70. 
• Singer Adam Ant is 69. 
• Sports commentator Phil Simms is 68. 
• Film director Gary Ross (“Seabiscuit,” “The Hunger Games”) is 67. 
• Actor Dolph Lundgren (“Rocky IV”) is 66. 
• Actor Julie Berman (“General Hospital”) is 40. 
• Actor Antonia Thomas (“The Good Doctor”) is 37. 
• Musician Courtney Barnett is 36. 
• Reality show personality and model Kendall Jenner (“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”) is 28.

✞REMEMBRANCES

• In 1926..Annie Oakley, American sharp shooter (Buffalo Bill's Wild West), dies of pernicious anemia at 66
• In 1990..Mary Martin, American actress (Peter Pan) and Larry Hagman's mom, dies of cancer at 76
• In 2011..Matty Alou, Dominican baseball outfielder (NL batting champion 1966; MLB All-Star 1968-69; Pittsburgh Pirates), dies of diabetes complications at 72
• In 2016..Kay Starr [Katherine Starks], American pop singer ("Wheel of Fortune"), dies at 94