What happened in the world of entertainment on September 16? A British group released a single that flopped (the first time around); an American group recorded a single (that should have done better); six classic television shows premiered; a celebrated actor, a 70s rock star, and a 60s folk legend all passed.
1963 –The Beatles released She Loves You in the U.S. on the Swan Label.
The single failed to generate much interest in the U.S. until it was re-released in 1964 on Capitol Records following the success of I Want To Hold Your Hand.
1963 – Remember this?
“There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical.”
The Outer Limits premiered on ABC. Although it is often cited as a “cult classic,” the series lasted just 16 months before low ratings brought it to an end.
1964 – Shindig! premiered on ABC.
The musical variety show ran for 15 months and focused on popular rock and roll acts.
The first show featured Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers and the Righteous Brothers.
1965 – The Dean Martin Show debuted on NBC. The weekly variety show continued on the network for nine years.
1965 – The Byrds recorded Set You Free This Time.
The song, written by vocalist Gene Clark, was first released on the group’s Turn! Turn! Turn! album and later issued as a single but only reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1972 – The Bob Newhart Show premiered on CBS.
Newhart played Robert Hartley, a Chicago psychologist, for six seasons.
1972 – Bridget Loves Bernie premiered on CBS.
The series was regarded as controversial at the time since the premise featured the marriage between a wealthy Irish Catholic teacher and a Jewish cab driver.
Even though it was ranked 5th among all shows that season, CBS executives decided to cancel the show after one season in response to hate mail from viewers who objected to the inter-religious marriage depicted on the series.
It was the highest-rated television program ever to be canceled after only one season.
1977 – Musician Marc Bolan died in an automobile accident.
Bolan, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with T. Rex – Bang A Gong (Get It On) – was a passenger in the car. He never learned to drive as he feared he would die in a car accident.
1993 – Frasier, a spin-off of the long-running mega-hit sitcom Cheers, made its debut on NBC.
The series lasted 11 years.
2002 – Actor James Gregory died of natural causes at the age of 90.
Gregory was well known for playing the character of Inspector Frank Luger in the television sitcom Barney Miller.
Among his films, Gregory earned particular notice for his performance in the 1962 political thriller The Manchurian Candidate, starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey.
2009 – Folk singer Mary Travers, legendary folk singer as part of Peter, Paul & Mary, died at 72 from complications arising from chemotherapy treatments for leukemia.
The legendary trio recorded Blowin’ In The Wind, Lemon Tree, Puff The Magic Dragon, Leaving On A Jet Plane and many, many others.
Compiled by Ray Lemire ©2005-2020 RayLemire.com / Streamingoldies.com. All Rights Reserved.
I must say it’s fun to look back at these. I had no idea She Loves Me was released twice … certainly remember the second time as anything the Beatles released after their Ed Sullivan appearance went directly to the top. The Outer Limits intro was a trip down memory lane. I remember Bridget Loves Bernie but didn’t remember (or ever realize before now) why it was cancelled. Shows our dark side again.. Peter, Paul & Mary tried to send a message when they sang…. I wonder how many of us listened intently or just enjoyed the music for the moment … Rock the Day Ray …. I’ve got some catching up to do with music but will not let them slip by … take care
Thank you, Barbara. 🙂
I am still puzzled why Peter, Paul & Mary are not in the Rock Hall of Fame. They certainly were influential (one of the criteria for induction), and if the Sex Pistols are in, then PP&M more than deserve the honor.
I’m very happy these columns are bringing back so many memories for so many people.
ROCK THE DAY!
Ray you are pushing all my buttons today.
Shindig a show for people my age,(at the time). Could not wait to see who was on each week. The show always seemed way to short. Time just flew by when it was on.
The Outer Limits, wow. I am not a big fan of Science Fiction but I was a big fan of that show. Anthology shows were a hard sell. The Suits thought that could not handle something differs each week. There were some exceptions, I can think of Twilight Zone of course and Police Story but not many.
Gene Clark, another sad music story. So talented and so troubled. Wonderful songwriter but had to deal with some difficult personalities. His solo work is so good but not really recognized. He is mostlly a cult classic.
Thanks for some good memories.
Thank you, Don. 🙂
I never missed Shindig. It was a real treat to have a network air a program designed for teenagers.
I am VERY impressed with your knowledge of Gene Clark. I remain a huge fan of his music, eve though he’s been gone for years. He was, without question, one of the great songwriters of the 60s.
I did not know about She Loves You but it really wasn’t me of their best so riding the coattails of I Want to hold your Hand isn’t surprising to me. And yet anything Beatle was on everyone’s lips.
Yup we all watched Shindig but at my house there was a low rumbling about how disgusting it all was to the grownups at my house.
Dean Martin Show was funny and gave us exposure to lots of stars.
Again you introduce me to a song I don’t remember hearing and I was a Byrd’s fan! I like it.
Bob Newhart such a funny funny guy and his show was hysterical!
Wow! I didn’t know about the controversy around Bridget Loves Bernie. A black eye for CBS!
Ironic to feat you will die in a car crash so you don’t learn to drive and then….maybe if he had been driving himself…
Wasn’t a big fan of Fraser but obviously it dint hurt their ratings.
I loved everything about Peter Paul & Mary and agree they belong in the Hall of Fame.
Thanks for entertaining us with entertainment memories.
Thank you, Donna 🙂
I was never a big fan of Frasier but I guess 11 years of being on the air shows how many other people were. 🙂