Friday, December 29, 2017

December 29th

Dave Mason quits Traffic to forge a solo career.  (He'll rejoin … and quit … two more times in the future!)

The Doors performed at The Family Dog in Denver, Colorado. 

Bandleader Paul Whiteman, often referred to as "The King Of Jazz" back in the 1920's and 1930's, passes away.  In 1924, Whiteman was commissioned to perform (for the very first time) George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue".  In later years he hosted his own television series, an amateur hour during which a ten year old Bobby Rydell won the grand prize.  Rydell then became a regular on the program (filmed in the same studio that would later be home to American Bandstand).  When the show was cancelled a year later, Bobby was an eleven year old out of work.  Whiteman had 21 #1 Records during the 1920's, and 32 in his career overall.

Read Bobby Rydell's memories of this early part of his career right here:


Notice that the weekly WLS Survey has been renamed "The Hit Parade" this week.  This is during the time when Program Director John Rook took over the station.  Soon he would take on that same role at crosstown rival WCFL.  Years later, John founded The Hit Parade Hall Of Fame.  He also became a good friend and supporter of our efforts here in Forgotten Hits.  Sadly, we lost him on March 1st of last year.