| June 9 |
1963 -- Barbra Streisand makes her first appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' (Read a terrific perspective on Babs's career with my good buddy Tom Santopietro's book The Importance of Being Barbra.) 1967 -- made for TV or not, The Monkees appear at the Hollywood Bowl. 1968 -- Canadian political party leaders, including Pierre Trudeau, debate policy on television for the first time. 1975 -- Tony Orlando & Dawn receive a gold record for 'He Don't Love You (Like I Love You).' With the popularity of their music, beginning after their first release in November, 1970, Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis, Joyce Vincent Wilson and Telma Hopkins (according to imdb.com, the name 'Dawn' was the name of one of their agent's daughter) had their own CBS variety show in '74 and '75. 1980 -- Richard Pryor is rushed to the hospital after suffering third-degree burns over most of his upper body. He's hospitalized for more than two months after the accident. 1981 -- Allen Ludden dies in Los Angeles. Although the original host of the 'GE College Bowl,' Allen is best-known as host of both 'Password' and 'Password Plus.' According to Wikipedia.org, Allen married his first wife, Margaret McGloin, in 1943; she died from cancer in October 1961, just two weeks after their 18th wedding anniversary. He met the twice-divorced Betty White on 'Password' and they eventually wed June 14, 1963. Allen was diagnosed with stomach cancer in early 1980 and ultimately succumbed on June 9, 1981 -- days before his and Betty's 18th wedding anniversary. He was 63 years old. He is buried beside his father in his hometown of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. In January 2001, TV Guide named Allen Ludden the greatest game-show host of all time. The Allen Ludden Papers collection, donated by Betty White, is located at the Free Public Library in Mineral Point. Imdb.com cites the collection as including letters, typed radio scripts, personal photographs and a pair of broken horn-rimmed spectacles. (NOTE: Dazzle your friends: see what's happening in Allen Ludden's hometown 24 hours a day here. You're welcome . . . ) 1989 -- As part of the soundtrack of the new 'Batman' film, Prince releases the song 'Batdance.' Neither Chief Gordon nor Commissioner O'Hara are allowed to take the dance floor. Aunt Harriett, however, proves surprisingly adept. |