Friday, June 29, 2007

Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1, 2007

So you think your computer is fast eh???

I don't care if you use broadband, high-speed or supersonic speed, if you're living in these United States of America your computer in comparison with Japan, South Korea, France and even Canada is this sloooooooooooooooooooooow. France doesn't deserve to lead us in anything, no less computer speed. The median U.S. download speed (1.97 megabits per second) is a fraction of the speed in the countries mentioned. What takes you 2 hours to download takes them about 15 seconds and why are we lagging so far behind you might ask???

Speed matters on the Internet. Broadband speed is a function of network capacity. The more capacity you have, the more speed you can deliver. Speed allows more and better Internet applications like photo sharing and video streaming. Superfast speeds are imperative for critical applications such as telemedicine. Broadband is also essential to draw businesses and jobs. The Communications Workers of America just concluded a study of computer speed across America and in the words of CWA President Larry Cohen "People don't pay attention to the fact that the country that started the commercial Internet is falling woefully behind". The reason our computers are so slow? The FCC defines "high-speed" as 200 kilobits per second which was the benchmark that was adopted here more than a dozen years ago when most people were still using dial-up. 200 kilobits isn't even recognized as broadband in most countries today...

A report from the FCC will come some time this fall and you can only hope that we get faster and more competitive with the rest of the world. In the meantime, if you live in Rhode Island, Kansas, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts you're ahead of the rest of the country. Those are our top 5 states in computer speed...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1652] Yeah, says who?: Massachusetts declares itself an independent commonwealth. 355 years later people in the Bay State are still independent...

2. 1916] Diamond Dust: The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds play a 9-inning game with just one baseball...1986] The Boston Red Sox trade Steve "Psycho" Lyons for Tom Seaver. One's a Hall of Famer, the other can only buy a ticket to get into the hallowed Hall...1990] For the 1st time in baseball history there are no-hitters in both leagues (and it hasn't happened since either) with Dave Stewart for Oakland and Fernando Valenzuela of the Dodgers pitching no-hitters...

3. 1925] A lightbulb goes off: Marvin Pipkin files for a patent for the frosted electric light bulb. This will result in the "soft" white light bulbs...

4. 1956] Wedding Bells: Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller say "I want to be loved by you" as they walk down the aisle. Sadly the marriage will end with a Mexican divorce in 1961...

5. 1967] Highway 90 tragedy: 34-year old blond bombshell Jayne Mansfield and 2 others are killed when their car goes into the back of a truck on U.S. highway 90 and here's news coverage of the tragedy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCw8o05uApk ...

6. 1972] Supreme Rule: The high court rules the death penalty could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment". Isn't that what it was intended for?...

7. 1995] What's up dock?: The shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir dock, forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the earth...

8. 1996] SOLD! To the highest bidder: Superman's Action Comic #1 (1938) is auctioned at Sotheby's to Maryland businessman Steve Geppi for $61,900 and a pound of krypton...

9. 2002] A shaky hand on "the button": VP Dick Cheney is acting President for 2 hours as President Bush gets a routine colon screening...

10. 2002] "Happy Trails": Singer Rosemary Clooney dies at her Beverly Hills home at 74 following a long battle with lung cancer...2003] Legendary actress Katharine Hepburn dies of natural causes at 96...



Music Memory:



[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...



Commentary...

WFAN (660) celebrates its 20th anniversary on Sunday, July 1st with a "WFAN REUNION WEEKEND" Saturday and Sunday. Former hosts and anchors featured will be Howie Rose, Spencer Ross, Ian Eagle, Russ Salzberg, Jim Lampley, Bill Mazer and you-know-who: Don Imus (on tape). WFAN became the 1st All-Sports station in the nation when Suzyn Waldman opened the mic to a new format at 3 p.m. July 1, 1987, a Wednesday. WFAN has an average audience of 1.2 million listeners a week and is usually the top billing station in the country. Happy Anniversary WFAN...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Evelyn "Champagne" King (47), Colin ("Men At Work") Hay (54), Dan Dierdorf (58), former Congressman Fred ("The Love Boat") Gandy (59), Richard Lewis (60), Gary Busey (63) and Robert Evans (77)...


Timeline Countdown: 5 days until July 4th and 11 days until the All-Star game...

...


Saturday, June 30, 2007...



10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1908] Diamond Dust: Cy Young pitches his 3rd no-hitter and at 41 becomes the oldest pitcher to do so. The Red Sox blank the Yankees 8-0...1962] The Dodgers' Sandy Koufax no hits the Mets 5-0 in Los Angeles. The future Hall of Famer picks up his 4th no-hitter which included a perfect game...

  2. 1921] Debuted on this date: The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) is formed...1936] "Gone With The Wind", written by Margaret Mitchell is published...

  3. 1952] Lighting the way: "The Guiding Light" moves from radio to TV...

  4. 1953] America's 'Dream Car": The 1st Corvette rolls off the Chevrolet assembly line in Flint, Michigan. The 3rd 'Vette' to roll off the line was sold in 2006 for a cool million...

  5. 1971] Old enough: The 26th Amendment to the Constitution lowers the minimum voting age to 18...

  6. 1975] Wedding Bells: Cher and Greg Allman rock down the aisle 4 days after she and Sonny are divorced. Cher and Greg will be wedded in bliss for all of 10-days. And they said it would never last - it didn't...

  7. 1982] The Devil you say: New Jersey fans pick the name 'Devils' (by ballot) for their new NHL franchise. Runner-up names: Meadowlanders and Americans. The Devils it is...

  8. 1994] Tonya un-plugged: The U.S. Figure Skating Association strips Tonya Harding of the national championship and bans her from the organization for life for an attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan. Remember?: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6T09XWRkq5M ...
  9. 1997] Hong Gone: The Union Jack is lowered for the last time over Hong Kong's Government House as Britain prepares to hand the colony back to China July 1st after 156 years of British rule...
  10. 2001] "Happy Trails": Legendary Nashville musician Chet Atkins is a victim of cancer at 77...

Music Memory:

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Fantasia (Barrino) (23), Mike Tyson (41), Vincent D'Onofrio (48), Stanley Clarke (56), Ron Swoboda (63) and Lena Horne (90), here's a movie trailer featuring the great Miss Horne singing "Stormy Weather": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BegB-Sm1LqE ...

Timeline Countdown: 4 days until July 4th and 10 days until the All-Star game...

...

Sunday, July 1, 2007...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1863] Not so civil: The Civil War 'Battle of Gettysburg' begins...
  2. 1934] Musical Commissions: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replaces the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) as the regulator of broadcasting in the U.S...
  3. 1941] Brought to you by: The Bullova Watch Company sponsors the 1st commercial in New York City...
  4. 1963] Zip It!: The U.S. Post Office introduces 5-digit ZIP codes. And now for the big question: What does ZIP stand for? The answer follows Timeline Countdown...
  5. 1979] The Walk-what?: The 70s version of the iPhone, the Walkman is introduced by SONY. Does anyone still have one???
  6. 1979] A Susan we can do without: The Susan B. Anthony Dollar coin is introduced. Whose brilliant idea was this???
  7. 1987] All sports, all the time: WFAN becomes the 1st All-Sports station in the nation. The Country format moves to WYNY...
  8. 1995] "Happy Trails": Wolfman Jack dies from a heart attack at 57 and here's a video tribute to the Wolfman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA2m7KYqG5s ...1996] 42 year-old Margaux Hemingway takes a fatal overdose one day before the anniversary of her grandfather's suicide in 1961...1997] Actor Robert Mitchum is a victim of lung cancer at 79...2000] Walter Matthau dies from cardiac arrest at 79...2004] Marlon Brando dies from respiratory failure at 80...2005] Singer Luther Vandross passes away in New York, two years after suffering a stroke. He was 54...
  9. 2004] Deter takes a dive: Derek Jeter dives headfirst into the Yankee Stadium stands to catch a foul ball and inspires the Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Red Sox. Derek's father, an avid hockey fan, gave Derek the middle name "Sanderson" after Derek Sanderson (who was at my going-away party at one of the restaurants he owned in Boston)...
  10. 2005] Sandra's day is over: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor unexpectedly announces her retirement from the Supreme Court...

Music Memory:

  • 1956] You ain't nothing but a: Elvis Presley sings "Hound Dog" to? A hound dog, sitting on a pedestal on "The Steve Allen Show"...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Liv Tyler (30), Pamela Anderson (40), Dan Aykroyd (55), Deborah Harry (61) of Blondie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyYXa5_ycIc&mode=related&search= , Karen Black (65), Rod Gilbert (66), Wally Amos (71), Jamie Farr (73), Leslie Caron (76), Farley Granger (82) and Olivia DeHavilland (91)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until July 4th and 9 days until the All-Star game...

(the answer: ZIP stands for Zoning Improvement Plan)...

...

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Internet Radio "Day of Silence" worked...

Dave Van Dyke's Bridge Ratings show that more than half of Internet Radio listeners didn't like the static or sounds of silence they heard on Tuesday's 'Day of Silence'. Well, that percentage is kind of misleading because almost three quarters or 72% of those listeners went to other stations that were streaming while 23% didn't listen to Internet Radio at all that day. We don't know what those people listened to, if anything at all or where the other 5% went. Maybe they just went about their business and didn't listen to or watch anything. You know it is good to do that once in a while people...

The other startling statistic I found was that only 21% of the 3,000 people (13+) measured normally listen to Internet Radio. That's only one quarter of the listening audience but it is up from 19% earlier in the year...

Most people follow a routine based on how they occupy the time spent during their typical day. I listen to WEBE 108 in Connecticut because it reminds me of what a good top 40 station used to sound like. They play a good variety of music: oldies, some currents and re-currents, have personable disc jockeys that are easy to listen to and run fun promotions that are entertaining but not obtrusive. How I get their signal as well as I do is a mystery but then the East River is just a block away so the station probably skips over the water - something I learned from a very limited engineering 101 lesson I picked up somewhere...

There are times during my day at the computer that I listen to just my thoughts and I find that refreshing. The percentage of people who do that is probably very low but try it some time. I highly recommend it...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1914] WWI: Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sofia did not have a good day - they were assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serb nationalist, causing World War I...1919] 5 years to the day it started, WWI ends with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in France...
  2. 1917] Debuted on this date: Raggedy Ann is born 90 years ago today. Happy Birthday R.A...1942] The Dumont TV Network signs on, on flagship station WABD (channel 5) in New York...1951] Two brilliant years of TV comedy begin as "Amos 'n Andy" moves from radio to (CBS-TV) television and as a special treat here's a 9-minute clip of the episode called "Calhoun To The Rescue": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9ZoRDvUfhE ...
  3. 1949] Gee it's great to be back home again: The last U.S. combat troops are called home from Korea with just 500 'advisers' left...1950] North Korea forces capture Seoul, Korea (what did you expect?)...
  4. 1957] Diamond Dust: After Cincinnati Reds fans stuff the All-Star game ballot boxes, Commissioner Ford Frick removes the underachieving George Crowe, Gus Bell and Wally Post (all Reds) from the NL team and replaces them with Stan Musial, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. This is the best argument for managers and coaches to pick the teams, not the fans as they do now...1971] Rick Wise of the Phillies not only pitches a no-hitter against the Reds, he hits 2 home runs...1984] Dwight "Dewey" Evans hits for the cycle (double, triple, single, home run) in a 9-6 win for the Red Sox over Seattle (a team they can't beat these days)...
  5. 1971] Supes on: The Supreme Court overturns the draft evasion charges against Muhammad Ali by unanimous (8-0) vote...
  6. 1975] "Happy Trails": Rod Serling dies after open-heart surgery at 50. I met Serling at LAX airport in the early 70s and he told me he sold all his rights to "The Twilight Zone" for $ 1,000,000. He was then working on "Night Gallery". We started talking about radio, which is where he started in upstate New York, the only thing I had in common with the man although I didn't start in NY. Several months later there was a NG episode about a local disc jockey (played by Mickey Rooney) who sold his soul to the devil. I always wondered whether our conversation triggered something in him to write that episode. I like to think it did...
  7. 1976] I am woman, hear me roar: Women enter the U.S. Air Force Academy...1996] 20 years to the date later, The Citadel votes to admit women, ending a 153-year "men only" policy...
  8. 1997] A bite to the finish: Mike Tyson takes a bite out of Evander Holyfield's ear and is disqualified during their heavyweight championship rematch. Here's a video clip of the live coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctjWtmT52_U ...
  9. 2000] Back to Cuba: Elian Gonzalez returns to his native Cuba with his father 7 months after he was cast adrift in the Florida Straits on a journey to Florida...
  10. 2004] Ties renewed: The U.S. resumes direct diplomatic ties with Libya after a 24-year break with Daffy Khadafy...

Music Memories:

  • 1964] #1 on this date: "I Get Around" - Beach Boys (this was their 1st #1 hit. Their next one will have to wait until "Kokomo" in 1998)...1977] "Gonna Fly Now (from the movie 'Rocky')" - Bill Conti. Listen to the theme and watch video clips of the movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RwBhNdu2B4&mode=related&search= ...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to fashion designer Liz Claiborne who died at 78 yesterday after battling cancer for several years. Claiborne was often called "the working woman's best friend" because she catered to the masses with her styles...ESPN Radio noted this morning that the once great and legendary history of the Boston Celtics has been so tarnished by their play and poor management decisions in recent years that few free agents want to be traded there. Let's hope they use their draft pick wisely today to help restore Celtic Pride...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Former "AI" contestant Kellie Pickler (21), Gil ("Ally McBeal") Bellows (40), Mary Stuart Masterson (41), John Cusack (41), NFL Hall of Famer John Elway (47), Kathy Bates (59) and Mel Brooks (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until July 4th and 12 days until the All-Star game...

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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly of the Month (June, 2007)...

The Good
Previous weekly winners: Phil Mickelson (paying for college tuition for one of ailing Conrad Dobler's daughters), Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks (getting a statue at Wrigley Field) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (for getting tough on steroids and behavior and for trying to protect injured players). New candidates: Aging NFL players for telling their story to Congress yesterday in an effort for getting more health aid and money for players from the 50s, 60s and 70s who need it, PGA tour commissioner Tim Finchem for calling for uniform drug tests and the Chicago Bears for being brave and smart enough to drop Tank Johnson for his many run-ins with the law despite whatever opposition they will now get from the players union. The latest indiscretion was Johnson being stopped for speeding last week. And the winner is: Phil Mickelson for helping out a family that really needs it...

The Bad
Previous weekly winners: Philip Wellman, manager of the AA Mississippi Braves who went berserk during a game, John and Sherry Daly for the concocted story of the blowout they had at home and LeVar Arrington for losing control of his motorcycle on a highway ramp. New candidates: Mets catcher Paul LoDuca who lost it while arguing a called second strike, acting like a menacing madman and then hurling everything he owned on the field after being tossed from the game, Olympic track and field champion Marion Jones who is heavily in debt after being linked to steroids in the BALCO case and forfeiting almost half a million in appearance and performance fees, Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks saying he suspected that former MVP Juan Gonzalez may have used steroids, Astros catcher Chad Qualls, suspended 3 games for throwing a baseball into the stands at the Los Angeles Angels, Colorado placed under 2 years' probation by the NCAA for undercharging athletes for meals, Dawn Weniger, Rutger's aide to women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer for stealing credit card and bank accounts from the coach, Miami defensive tackle Fred Evans arrested and subdued by tasers by Miami Beach police. Thou shall not steal. The winner is: Dawn Weniger...

The Ugly
Previous weekly winners: Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman, accused of kicking and hitting 2 men in his Georgia hometown. He was also suspended for the 1st 4 games of 2006 for skipping a drug test. In other words, Odell belongs at Cincinnati, the home of NFL criminals, former NFL player Bob Buczkowski for running a million dollar prostitution ring, Adam "Pacman" Jones for still another incident involving gunfire, this time at an Atlanta nightclub. New candidates: Ex-MLB player Mel Hall, arrested on sexual assault charges, two of which were with minors and the most bizarre candidate, Philadelphia Park jockey Victor Molina who kicked his horse in the stomach before a race. He was suspended for 30 days and fined a measly $1,000. How can you trust him around thoroughbreds anymore? The 'Ugly' Award Winner of the Month is newcomer: Mel Hall...

TGTBTU Update
Jason Giambi won't meet with baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell until July at the earliest as this part of the steroid investigation drags on...Troubled Tampa Bay outfielder Elijah Dukes was placed on the temporary inactive list, a move to enable the 22-year old rookie to get his personal life on track after several run-ins with his wife...Adam Cudworth, the bouncer who was shot and said his left ankle was bitten by Adam "Pacman" Jones at a February strip-club melee, sued the suspended NFL player and other members of his entourage for damages in a Las Vegas court...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1893] Panic on Wall Street: The New York Stock Market crashes. By the end of the year, 600 banks and 74 railroads go out of business...
  2. 1949] Debuted on this date: "Captain Video and his Video Rangers" debuts on the Dumont TV Network. It will run daily until April 1, 1955. This was the 1st of a trio of 'space operas'. The others were: "Space Patrol" and "Tom Corbett - Space Cadet". FYI: The 1st Capt. Video was Richard Coogan ('49-'50). Al Hodge took command for the rest of the shows run...
  3. 1950] Korean 'Conflict': President Harry S. Truman orders the Air Force and Navy into the Korean War at the urging of the U.N. to help South Korea repel an invasion from the north...
  4. 1955] Diamond Dust: Red Sox 1st baseman Harry "The Golden Greek" Agganis dies from complications of pneumonia at the age of 26...1981] Slugger Mo Vaughn makes his debut with the Red Sox where he will become a superstar. When he finally arrives on the Mets: zippo, zero, zilch, nada, nothing...1993] Speaking of nothing, Mets pitcher Anthony Young loses to the Cardinals 6-3 making him 0-10 for the year and loser of 24 straight games. The streak goes to 27 over 15 months an all-time record. Question: Why didn't the Mets drop him way before then? They didn't have anyone better??? 2005] Julio Franco (then with the Braves, now a Met) becomes the oldest player (at 46) to hit a grand slam home run...
  5. 1964] Wedding Bells: Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman say "I Do" (Ethel said it much louder than Ernie). This marriage lasts 38 days. That long, eh???
  6. 1974] Curtains: "The Flip Wilson Show" ends after 4 seasons of Wilson as "Geraldine Jones" talking about her boyfriend "Killer", the Reverend Le Roy of the Church of What's Happening Now and one of the greatest phrases of all-time, "the devil made me do it". Here's Flip, er-Geraldine with Muhammad Ali: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OCruefYl3FI , 1985] Route 66, originally stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica is decertified. It was no longer officially recognized. How can you do that to a landmark highway???
  7. 1988] Down for the count: Mike Tyson who said his only purpose in the ring was to inflict pain, does that and more to Michael Spinks in the first minute and 31 seconds of the fight. It's the 4th quickest KO in heavyweight championship history...
  8. 1988] A time for joy, a time for tears: Proving it's never too late to graduate, Cyndi Lauper and Debbie Gibson get their high school diplomas from different schools: Debbie from Calhoun in Merrick (LI) and Cyndi from Richmond Hills (Queens)...
  9. 1995] Busted: Hugh Grant is arrested in L.A. for engaging in "lewd behavior" with a prostitute (Divine Brown) in a rented BMW...2005] BTK serial killer Dennis Rader pleads guilty to 10 murders that spread fear across Wichita, Kansas beginning in the late 70s. Rader will receive multiple life sentences...
  10. 2001] "Happy Trails": Legendary actor Jack Lemmon dies from cancer at 76 (Here's a video tribute to Jack with Marilyn Monroe singing: http://youtube.com/watch?v=V9L0eNH3nE0 , 2002] John Entwistle of The Who dies from a heart attack induced by cocaine at the age of 57...

Music Memories:

  • 1964] #1 on this date: "A World Without Love" - Peter & Gordon (the first McCartney-Lennon song that tops the charts for a group or singer other than the Beatles)...1966] "Strangers in the Night" - Frank Sinatra...1972] "Song Sung Blue" - Neil Diamond...1981] "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes...
  • 1964] Released on this date: "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" - Jan & Dean...1969] "Ohio" - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (the ode to Kent State and here's a live version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Vy4Tq-5a8 ...
  • 1968] Taping tonight: Elvis Presley begins taping his 1st television special, "Elvis" at NBC-TV studios in Burbank...
  • 1971] Closing tonight: Bill Graham's Fillmore East starring the J. Geils Band, the Beach Boys, Allman Brothers and Mountain. The doors shut for good after the show...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

How nice to hear from Sal Ingeme, former Columbia Promotions legend from Boston: "Just finished watching the JFK video on Berlin. I still have a lump in my throat. What made it even more impressive is that I was stationed in Berlin in 1954-55. Thank you for reminding us of where we've been, where we are and in some cases where we're going. Few people have your background and insight and are willing to share it". Sal, the check is in the mail. Sal did want me to say hello to all his friends all the way from Naples (Florida - not Italy)...On the subject of yesterday's 'day of silence', Perry S. Ury comments: "After they stick it to the small entrepreneurs on the net, they are going to lobby and perhaps buy enough of the 'boys' in Washington to start charging us users for access. They do it now through cable and other hook-up fees, but that is not enough for the "greedies". If we do not rise up and really threaten Congress with an "out you go" attitude, open access will be a memory by the end of the decade. They intend to sell the idea by adding phony 'extra' services"...And finally from John Gorman on the same subject: "My feeling is that the decisions have been made regarding Internet radio. The Day of Silence is a noble effort. The problem is that it doesn't hit anyone in the pocketbook, except the Internet station owners/operators. Internet radio is a threat to labels and radio stations. Believe me, terrestrial radio hates streaming and are doing so only because it's a growing medium. They'd love nothing better than have the royalty rules become law so they can dismantle their streaming division. It'll save them money. Being heard in Boston doesn't help a station's ratings in New York. The other problem is selling the website. Right now, they serve as little more than a "value added" for existing radio clients. Salvation will come only through a grassroots campaign by Internet radio listeners. In these apathetic times, I just don't see that happening. Hope I'm wrong on this one"...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Tobey Maguire (32), Julia Duffy ("Newhart") (57), Rico Petrocelli (64), Bruce Johnston (65) and Ross Perot (77)...

Timeline Countdown: 7 days until July 4th and 13 days until the All-Star game...

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

The following static...brought to you by...


Well whether it's static or silence, millions of Internet radio listeners will get the silent treatment as the thousands upon thousands of webcasters observe a national day of silence in protest to the recent raise in music royalty rates being imposed on them by the Copyright Royalty Board. Starting July 15th, 17 months worth of retroactive royalty rates, at the new 300% increase rate, are due unless Congress intervenes with new, pending legislation...

Kurt Hanson, editor of the Radio and Internet Newsletter (RAIN) and the SaveNetRadio coalition are the key instigators in this day of silence, fearing that the new rates will simply put many webcasters silent, for good. The protest is wide-spread with even the big boys in on it, like Yahoo!, Pandora, AccuRadio, Live365stations, MTV Online and Rhapsody...

For more information about Day of Silence events and how you can help, contact jake@savenetradio.org or visit: http://www.savenetradio.org/ or http://www.kurthanson.com/dos . If I were a webcaster, I would also go the route of silence only I would make a loop of Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" and play it all day. That would make anyone crazy enough to protest anything: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZGWQauQOAQ ...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1870] On the boardwalk in Atlantic City: The 1st section of boardwalk in Atlantic City (NJ) opens to the public...
  2. 1916] Numbers: In a game against the White Sox, the Cleveland Indians appear on the field with numbers on their sleeves. It marked the 1st time players were identified by numbers corresponding to the scorecard...
  3. 1919] Debuted on this date: The New York Daily News publishes for the 1st time and it's still here...1981] "For Your Eyes Only" premieres starring Roger Moore as James Bond. Sheena Easton has a hit with the theme...1987] "Dragnet" premieres starring Dan Aykroyd as Sgt. Joe Friday. Christopher Plummer, Dabney Coleman, Henry Morgan and Tom Hanks also star...
  4. 1959] And the winner and new champ: Ingemar Johansson of Sweden knocks down heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson 7 times in the 3rd round to win the title on a TKO. One year later, Patterson becomes the 1st heavyweight to regain the title when he beats Johansson...
  5. 1959] Curtains: The legendary Edward R. Murrow interviews Lee Remick on "Person to Person". It's his 500th and final guest on the CBS-TV show...1977] Elvis Presley plays his final concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. 51-days later, Elvis would be dead...
  6. 1962] Oh-no: Earl Wilson of the Red Sox pitches a 2-0 no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Wilson helps his own cause by hitting a home run in the game...
  7. 1963] JFK goes to the Wall: The President visits the Berlin Wall and gives his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpaab-G6GTs ...
  8. 1974] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Richard Burton becomes divorce victim #5 for Elizabeth Taylor. He was also victim #4 after their 1st marriage...1975] Cher divorces Sonny Bono after the pair had been together since meeting in 1962...
  9. 1989] Wedding Bells: Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson marry for the 2nd time. Once wasn't enough??? 1993] Julia Roberts and Country singer Lyle Lovett swap "I Do's". Cue up Tammy Wynette...
  10. 2003] "Happy Trails": Strom Thurmond, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history dies at age 100...

Music Memories:

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

I'm not a fan of Wrestling but I'm also not a fan of death, at any age. Pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and their 7-year old son were found dead in their suburban Atlanta home yesterday in an apparent murder-suicide. Benoit was 40, his wife Nancy, 43. Sorry to hear the news...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Derek Jeter (33), Gretchen Wilson (33), Terri Nunn (46), Patty Smyth (50), Chris Isaak (51), Mick Jones of the Clash (52), Georgie Fame (64), Billy Davis Jr. (67) and Eleanor Parker (85)...

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until July 4th and 14 days until the All-Star game...

...








Monday, June 25, 2007

Monday, June 25, 2007

Free music sharing in a major way...

Back in April the New York Times had a story about a new music file-sharing service and today the New York Post picked up on it. Qtrax, a nearly-complete work in progress, will be providing free downloads from all four major record company catalogs come this fall. Your only price of admission is to view some ads first. And what a catalog it is. With the blessing of all four major labels, who will share the ad revenue, Qtrax will have access to between 20 and 30 million copyrighted songs compared to Apple's iTunes which offers 5 million...

Qtrax was started by Allan Klepfisz in Melbourne, Australia as a file-sharing service about 4 and a half years ago but come September or October the service will be available globally. Parent company Brilliant Technologies plans to merge Qtrax with Flooring Zone, a shell company and the file-sharing service can then be traded publicly with Brilliant holding 80% and with 20% available to the public...

With the iPhone about to set the consumer world on its ear on Friday, Apple has never been hotter, brighter or shinier but come this fall they will have a real fight on their music downloading hands when Qtrax launches. For the curious, Qtrax gives you its tease at: www.Qtrax.com ...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1867] Tough love: Lucien B. Smith patents the 1st barbed wire. And what was going on at that household???
  2. 1876] Curtains: Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the U.S. 7th Cavalry are wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians at Little Big Horn (MT). And yes, this was known as "Custer's Last Stand"...1993] The last original "Late Night with David Letterman" on NBC-TV airs with guest Tom Hanks. Re-runs follow until September. On August 30th, Letterman takes his show to CBS-TV which he still calls home...
  3. 1950] Across the 38th parallel: War breaks out on the Korean peninsula as forces from the communist North invade the South...
  4. 1951] ArthurbuyembythecartonGodfrey: Arthur Godfrey hosts the 1st commercial color telecast, a one-hour special from New York to 4 other cities...
  5. 1968] Diamond Dust: Bobby Bonds (father of you-know-who) becomes the 1st major leaguer to debut with a grand-slam home run...
  6. 1970] Beep It!: The FCC makes it illegal for radio stations to put telephone callers on the air without the permission of the person being called. A beep was then installed on the phone for that purpose...
  7. 1973] Ratted out: White House Counsel John Dean admits that President Nixon took part in the Watergate cover-up...
  8. 1985] Two and a half men: ABC-TV's "Monday Night Football" announces a new line-up in the booth: Frank Gifford, Joe Namath and O.J. Simpson. The worst play-by-pay team ever...
  9. 1993] Going to hall: Islander goalie Billy Smith is elected to the NHL Hall of Fame...
  10. 1997] "Happy Trails": Oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau dies of a heart attack at 87...

Music Memories:

  • 1966] #1 on this date: "Paperback Writer" - The Beatles...
  • 1967] Live from London: The Beatles sing "All You Need Is Love" on the BBC's "Our World" music special that reaches 350 million viewers globally. The 6-minute segment also featured Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and a host of friends singing backup...
  • 1969] Recorded on this date: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" - The Hollies (Elton John played piano)...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

"Happy Trails" to founding member of The Tokens, Hank Medress who passed away from lung cancer last Monday, June 18, 2007. The group, born the Linc-Tones because they all attended Brooklyn's Lincoln High School, counted Neil Sedaka as an original member. Neil quickly dropped out when his solo career was successfully launched. Jay Siegel and brothers Mitch and Phil Margo were the other Tokens. Medress went on to produce Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Chiffons and later became a successful record executive. He was 68 at the time of his death. Paul Power notes that the Tokens biggest national hits were: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (#1 for 3 weeks), (#15) "Tonight I Fell In Love", (#30) "I Hear Trumpets Blow", and (#36) "Portrait of My Love" and that all four were on different labels: Warwick, RCA, B.T. Puppy and Warner Bros. respectively..."Happy Trails" to 38-year old former major league relief pitcher, Rod "Shooter" Beck who was found Saturday in his suburban Phoenix home. Cause of death might not be known for days, although no foul-play is involved. This death was a shocker...And finally, Martha Stewart grabbed highly-regarded ad executive Wenda Harris Milliard from Yahoo to oversee her publishing, broadcasting and digital media. This was a real steal...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

"E.R.'s" Linda Cardellini (32), Carlos Delgado (35), George Michael (44), Phyllis George (58), Jimmie ("J.J.") Walker (60) (here's a wacky appearance by J.J. a few years back from "Late Night with David Letterman"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnM45HGwW04&mode=related&search= , Carly Simon (62) (Carly as one-half of The Simon Sisters): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Wp8qAFoQY , Willis Reed (65), Eddie Floyd (72) "Knock on Wood": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3rpmdxsF7o , June Lockhart (82) and Sidney Lumet (83)...

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until July 4th and 15 days until the All-Star Game...

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

Thursday, June 21, 2007 - Here Come's Summer...

Rupert to the rescue???


Mr. Murdoch doesn't get involved in any transaction unless there's a big jackpot on the other end and the sky's the limit on this one. Murdoch's News Corp. is in talks to swap the social networking web site MySpace for a 25% stake in Yahoo. He paid a paltry $580 million for MySpace in 2005...

There's the standard "no comment" from both sides but you can bet something is brewing between the two. Yahoo has been losing out to Google Inc., whose shares have increased six-fold since 2004 while Yahoo's share price has dipped, with profit down 11% in the first quarter and the second quarter not looking much better. No wonder the speculation that Yahoo might consider a walk down the aisle with eBay or MySpace. If this marriage does happen Murdoch will be well advised to hold on to Yahoo sales maven, Wenda Harris Millard who is being wooed by Madison Avenue for her mojo with agencies and advertisers...

One other observation on the electronic media which should be noted. Ebay pulls its ads from Google Web sites with little or no impact. What's going on? Although traffic from Google's search engine to eBay's auction site declined, the drop off wasn't dramatic. eBay averaged 9.9% of its visitors from Google in the first week of their ad boycott, compared with 10.7% the previous week. One theory is that much of the traffic going to eBay from Google comes from free searches rather than clicking on the paid search ads according to Bill Tancer of Hitwise which tracks such things for a living...

Things are heating up on the electronic front and so is the weather, at least officially as Summer arrives at 2:06 p.m. EDT. 'Happy Summer' for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere and to Lynn Phillips Brough and husband Lindsay, 'Happy Winter' in Wellington, New Zealand...

10 Timeline Memories:


  1. 1788] NH makes it official: The U.S. Constitution goes into effect as New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify it...

  2. 1893] Debuted on this date: The 1st Ferris Wheel premieres at the Chicago Columbian Exposition...1981] "Raiders of the Lost Ark" starring Harrison Ford opens...1985] The surprise summer hit of the season is "Cocoon" starring husband and wife team, Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy and let's not forget Don Ameche...

  3. 1932] Quote...unquote: A sports quote for the ages is born when Joe Jacobs, Max Schmeling's manager says: "We was robbed" in response to the decision stripping the heavyweight title away from his fighter and giving it to Jack Sharkey. In Brooklyn, the spelling changes to "We Wuz Robbed", used many times in headlines about the Dodgers...

  4. 1939] Diamond Dust: Lou Gehrig's doctors reveal that the Yankee slugger has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as he announces his retirement from baseball. The fatal disease will become known as 'Lou Gehrig's Disease'...1964] Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and U.S. Senator from Kentucky, Jim Bunning, pitches a perfect game against the Mets at Shea Stadium on Father's Day. Phillie catcher Gus Triandos becomes the 1st catcher to catch no-hitters in both leagues, having done it previously in the 50s when he caught Hoyt Wilhelm's no-hitter (great trivia question)...1989] White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk passes Yogi Berra as the American League catcher with the most home runs when he hits #307 against...the Yankees (Mike Piazza owns the major league record for most home runs by a catcher)...
  5. 1940] Wedding Bells: Richard Milhous Nixon and Thelma Catherine Ryan (but you can call her 'Pat') walk down the aisle...
  6. 1963] There he went: 20-year old Florida A&M freshman Bob Hayes earns the title of "World's Fastest Human" by shattering the 100-yard dash record in 9.10 seconds flat at the AAU championships in St. Louis. "Bullet Bob" will star as a receiver for the Dallas Cowboys...
  7. 1977] Lots of Mazel: Menachem Begin becomes Israel's 6th prime minister...
  8. 1982] His mind is INSANE!!!: John Hinckley Jr. is found innocent by reason of insanity in the shootings of President Ronald Reagan and 3 others...
  9. 1991] Going to Hall: Islanders Denis Potvin and Mike Bossy are inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame...
  10. 2001] "Happy Trails": Actor Carroll O'Connor dies of a heart attack brought about by diabetes at 76...2001] Legendary Blues man John Lee Hooker, believed to be 83, dies from natural causes at his home in Los Altos (CA)...

Music Memories:

  • 1948] LP Demonstration: Dr. Peter Goldmark of Columbia Records demonstrates the new 33 1/3 rpm LP record as Columbia announces mass production and plans to phase out 78s...
  • 1969] Released on this date: "In the Year 2525" - Zager & Evans...1975] "How Sweet It Is" - James Taylor (here's a live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UXZI-abJgU )...
  • 1975] #1 on this date: "Love Will Keep Us Together" - the Captain & Tennille (the Capt. and Schlemiel do it live on this video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEWU25aN67U )...
  • 1975] Live from Wembley: Elton John, the Eagles and the Beach Boys pack the stadium with 72,000 fans...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

If you live in New York or just visiting, the summer solstice at 2:06 p.m. will usher in a festival of hundreds of free concerts in parks and streets throughout the 5 boroughs and with relatively low humidity, the day promises to be perfect and near 80. Up until 10 tonight, Metropolitan Opera singers, high school rock bands, choirs, salsa bands, punk rockers, string quartets and more will be performing and all shows are free but it's not only here. France had to be famous for something other than being the only country that loves Jerry Lewis and in 1982 they started this summer festival business. In addition to the country we love to hate, there will be festivals in Rome, Barcelona, Toronto, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Sydney, Berlin, Amsterdam and Budapest. Here comes summer. Bring it on...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Prince William (25), Michael (Steven Keaton of "Family Ties") Gross (60) and Meredith (Elyse Keaton) Baxter (60), Brenda Holloway (61) (one of my favorite Motown singers of all-time and I love this song that wasn't but should have been a #1 hit, "When I'm Gone": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAIX1imfNEo&mode=related&search= ), Ray Davies of the Kinks (63), Mariette Hartley (67), Bernie ("Love Boat") Kopell (74) and Jane Russell (86)...

Timeline Countdown: Summer starts today and 13 days until July 4th...

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly of the Week...

The Good
Congratulations to the state of Florida for becoming the 3rd state (New Jersey, Texas) to pass legislation for random steroid testing of high school athletes. C'mon the rest of you states, it's time for you to step up too. The NFL will start protecting players from being pressured to take the field with a concussion beginning with the opening of training camps next month. Although the details need to be worked out with the players union, the new system allows anyone to anonymously report when doctors are pressured to clear players or when players are pressured to play. This is a great move. Another candidate for our 'Good' award is umpire Bruce Froemming who at 68 has the good sense to retire while still at the top of his game. Froemming owns all of the umpiring records in major league baseball in this, his 50th and final season. The 'Good' Award Winner of the Week: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for pressing for the protection of his league's players...

The Bad
There are so many candidates, naming them will be easier than identifying what they did but I'll try: Former NBA All-Star Vin Baker (DUI), NFL's LaVar Arrington (no motorcycle license after he crashes his bike), GB player Nick Barnett (physical altercation), owners of Curlin (defrauding clients), MLB players Derrek Lee, Chris Young, coach Steve Smith, Carlos Ruiz, Matt Capps (suspended for fights, arguments, etc.), Bengals Quincy Wilson (disorderly conduct), former NFL player Sean Jones (bank fraud), former NBA player Byron Houston (indecent exposure) and 3-time boxing champion James Toney (steroids). WOW!!! It's tough to pick a winner with all these losers this week but I'll eliminate the less offensive and pick someone who placed another's life in danger, which leaves Baker, Arrington and Barnett. Since Baker didn't crash and apparently no one was hospitalized in the Barnett altercation, this week's 'Bad' Award Winner of the Week is: LeVar Arrington for losing control of his motorcycle and hitting a guardrail on a highway ramp...

The Ugly
This is a snap. Back on the 'Ugly' charts is the NFL player who promised his commissioner that he was going to refocus his life and avoid situations in which he might be compromised after 10 encounters with the law, resulting in 5 arrests since 2005 and a season-long suspension from the NFL, the poster boy for 'Ugly' and 'Ugly' Award Winner of the Week (and maybe for the year and next century) is: Adam "Pacman" Jones who is now wanted for questioning about an incident at an Atlanta-area club that ended in gunfire this past Monday...

TGTBTU Update
Lawyers for Jason Giambi and MLB continue to finalize an agreement that would set up a meeting between steroids investigator George Mitchell and Giambi by the required Thursday (tomorrow) deadline. Of course we may get absolutely nothing and a recreation of Mark McGwire's steroid testimony from Giambi anyway. Stay tuned...Mike Nifong accused the Duke Lacrosse players wrongly, was disbarred as a lawyer and now suspended and stripped of his badge, keys to his office and all office sports pools and from ever wearing a Duke t-shirt (okay, so we added a couple of things but you get the point). Mike Nifong is having a bad year...A San Francisco federal judge has rejected a plea deal for an attorney who admitted leaking grand jury testimony of elite athletes to 2 newspaper reporters in the Balco case, which is now over...Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss faces 2 misdemeanor counts on a DUI charge in connection with his arrest last month...and finally, NBA player Stephen Jackson will admit to criminal recklessness in firing a gun outside a strip club which could lead to a suspension of one-year, a $5,000 fine and 100 hours of community service...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1840] What would his website address be?: Samuel Morse patents his telegraph...
  2. 1893] Free Lizzie: A jury in New Bedford (MA) finds Lizzie Borden innocent of the ax murders of her father and stepmother...
  3. 1941] Sprouting wings: The U.S. Army Air Force is established, replacing the Army Air Corps...
  4. 1947] The Mob Rules: Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel is rubbed out, gangland style in Beverly Hills, apparently over soaring costs of his pet project, the Flamingo resort in Las Vegas...
  5. 1948] Debuted on this date: "The Toast of The Town", soon to be known as "The Ed Sullivan Show"... 1975] "Jaws" premieres and will become the big summer blockbuster. Most of the exteriors were shot on Martha's Vineyard and here's a trailer complete with John Williams music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGqg-OUmW7s ...
  6. 1950] Diamond Dust: Willie Mays graduates from high school and is immediately signed by the New York Giants. He will debut in 1951...1967] Red Sox 3rd baseman Joe Foy returns home to the Bronx for a series with the Yankees and sees his house burn down. Joe manages to rescue his family and puts them up for the night in the team hotel. That night he hits a grand slam to beat the Yankees 7-1...
  7. 1955] Wedding Bells: The AFL and CIO agree to combine names and merge...
  8. 1960] Champ again: Floyd Patterson becomes the 1st man in the history of boxing to regain the heavyweight crown with a 5th round KO of Ingemar Johansson at the Polo Grounds...
  9. 1963] Too hot to touch: The U.S. and Soviet Union sign an agreement to set up a hotline between the 2 superpowers...
  10. 1997] "Happy Trails": Lawrence Payton of the Four Tops dies from liver cancer at 59...

Music Memories:

  • 1965] #1 on this date: "Mr. Tambourine Man" - Byrds - here's a live version from 1966: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENkAkvDVNpc ...1977] "Got to Give It Up (Part 1)" - Marvin Gaye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUW5_FNr6VI
  • 1969] Record breaker: Jimi Hendrix earns the largest paycheck (to date) for a single show when he earns $125,000 for a single set at the Newport Jazz Festival...
  • 1973] Anniversary Special: "American Bandstand" celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 90-minute special starring Little Richard, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Cheech and Chong & Three Dog Night...And yesterday (6/19/07) comes word that Dan Snyder buys Dick Clark Productions, Inc...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Here's some response to my editorial on the Internet and Radio Gurus ('The real action is on the Internet'):

Perry S. Ury: "I am sure you are aware that Internet advertising is chewing away at radio and newspapers and denting TV. However, there are some service cable outlets, newspapers and magazines where their on-air or print advertising revenue is being eclipsed by their Internet divisions. This is the cause of much concern at the major newspapers and other service sites. Many are frantically re-writing their short term business plans. As Drudge says: stay tuned"...

John Gorman: "The industry should read what you wrote. Then again, would they get it?...

And this was no in response but comes from the Greater Media, Inc. website, written by Peter Smyth: "It's now official that a major broadcast company has signed with Google to sell some of its inventory online and other broadcast groups are considering following in its footsteps. First, the decision to partner with Google must be good business or broadcasters wouldn't have done it. It's no secret that the past year or so has been difficult for the entire industry with the demand struggling to keep up with the supply of radio spot inventory. In this type of environment, it makes good business sense to put some of that unused inventory to work"...This is the gist of Peter's message which runs 2 pages in length...My feeling is that unless radio takes advantage of advertising with other media, it will not only continue to fail, it will be left, crumbling in the dust and scraps of whatever is left. For those who decide to wait: Well, there's always Pennysaver's and sandwich boards...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Nicole Kidman (40), John Goodman (55), Lionel Richie (58), Bob Vila (61), Anne Murray (62), Brian Wilson (65), John Mahoney (67), Danny Aiello (74), Martin Landau (76) and Olympia Dukakis (76)...

Timeline Countdown: One day until Summer and 14 days until July 4th...

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Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The real action is on the Internet...


While Radio gurus, past and present do what they do best - pontificate, nothing in the media is more eye-opening, educational and interesting than what's happening on the Internet. I can't tell you the difference between blue rays and red rays but it interests me enough to find out. My education these days is in all things Internet whether it's electronic or business...

Just yesterday Yahoo! made a major change, replacing their chief, former Hollywood studio boss Terry Semel ("Batman" was his big success) after 6 years at the helm. Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang has moved upstairs to replace Semel. Shares of Yahoo! went up 4.7% after the announcement so apparently this move was good for everyone but Semel. And do you know why Semel was replaced? Yahoo! was becoming a distant second to Google in ad sales. And in search percentages, Google has 48% with Yahoo! at 28%. Which makes me wonder where the 24% of remaining searches are made...

I can only speak for myself but I wonder how many other past or present radio programmer's or people who listen to radio because they love it, read some of the comments from the would-be radio gurus and scratch their heads like I do? The gurus (and you know who you are) talk about how great radio used to be or some independent research they've done with people in supermarkets, producing the most mundane, grade-school data to write about. I found this quote from An Wang, the late co-founder of Wang Laboratories, one of the first major computer companies, which places things in the proper perspective: "Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius"...

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1862] Free at last: Slavery is outlawed in the U.S. territories...1964] The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is approved after surviving an 83-day filibuster in the Senate...

2. 1934] The FCC Rules: Congress establishes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The original duties of the FCC were to: "regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest". Regulating the airwaves came later...

3. 1943] This I swear: Henry Kissinger becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen...

4. 1952] Diamond dust: Dodger pitcher Carl Erskine pitches a 5-0 no-hitter against the Cubs at Ebbets Field...1977] Carl Yastrzemski hits a 460-foot home run at Fenway Park that strikes the facade to the right of the retired numbers and is the only home run to reach Fenway's right field roof facade...1979] The reign of "Billy Martin II" begins in a cycle of 5 trips back as Yankee manager...

5. 1952] Debuted on this date: "I've Got A Secret" on CBS-TV: In this classic video clip, Philo Farnsworth, "the inventor of electronic TV" is the guest with the secret. This clip is brilliant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKM4MNrB25o ...1970] "Ball Four", the "tell-all" book about the Yankees makes former Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton, public enemy #1 on the pinstripers list...1978] Jim Davis' "Garfield" makes its 1st appearance as a comic strip...1987] Ben and Jerry and the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia introduce a new flavor: Cherry Garcia, still B&J's #1 flavor...

6. 1953] Dying for spying: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed at Sing Sing on charges of conspiring to pass U.S. atomic secrets to Russia, although their sons have been fighting to free their names for years...

7. 1956] Breaking up is hard to do: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis end their 10 year, 16 film career together as a team...

8. 1986] A Celtic tragedy: University of Maryland basketball star, Len Bias, Boston's 1st pick (and 2nd overall) in the NBA Draft, suffers a fatal cocaine- induced seizure...

9. 1992] Struck down: Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa is ambushed and shot twice in a cab. Two John Gotti Jr. trials have ended in mistrials and a 3rd trial is still possible...1999] Stephen King is struck from behind by a mini-van while walking in North Lovell (ME) near his home. King will spend the next 3 weeks in the hospital recovering...

10. 2000] And still champ: Phil Jackson, Laker coach, wins his 7th NBA title in 9 years, his 1st with Los Angeles which was led by Shaquille O'Neal...

Music Memories:

  • 1966] #1 on this date: "Paperback Writer" - Beatles...
  • 1971] Signed, Sealed & Delivered: Don Kirshner (Monkees, Archies) signs a group called Tomorrow. One of the members of the group has the initials O.N-J and here she is in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJpyG3PXoKw ...1980] David Geffen's 1st signing on his new Geffen label is Donna Summer. Donna had already had her biggest hits on Neil Bogart's Casablanca label, like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cPIT_T3mYU ...

[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...

Commentary...

Good luck to Paul Power who will walk in memory of his mother on Sunday, June 24th in the annual North Shore Cancer Center Walk. Channel 7 and WMJX (Magic 106) are co-sponsors of the walk that has contributed over $12 million to the NSCC. The 6.2 mile walk goes through downtown Salem. For more information, go to: nsmccancerwalk.org ...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

Poppy ("Without a Trace") Montgomery (32), Paula Abdul (45), Kathleen Turner (53), Ann (Heart) Wilson (57), Phylicia Rashad (59), Salman Rushdie (60), Elaine a.k.a. "Spanky" McFarlane (65), Tommy Devito (Four Seasons) (71) and Gena Rowlands (77)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until Summer and 15 days until July 4th...

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