Have You Heard, today (11/28) marks the 55th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s 15th number-one hit topping the charts.
“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” was actually written back in 1926 and released by at least two acts the following year. However, it didn’t achieve its legacy until Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, asked Presley to record it in 1960 because it was Col. Parker’s wife’s favorite song.
Singer/songwriter Bruce Channel is 75 today.
Channel had one huge hit, “Hey! Baby!”, which hit number-one in 1962.
That song featured the harmonica of Delbert McClinton. That inspired John Lennon’s harmonica contribution in the Beatles’ hit “Love Me Do.”
Lennon’s last stage appearance came 41 years ago today.
He joined Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden in a duet of “I Saw Her Standing There.”
Exactly five years later (11/28/1979), Ringo Starr’s home in Hollywood burned down.
Sparks from the fireplace started the fire that destroyed a fair amount of Ringo’s Beatles memorabilia.
492 people died when Boston’s Cocoanut Grove nightclub burned 73 years ago today.
It remains the second-deadliest building fire in U.S. history (behind only a theatre fire in Chicago in 1903 that killed more than 600).
On a positive note, the Cocoanut Grove fire led to a reform of safety standards and codes across the country, as well as changes in the treatment of burn victims.
Canadian actor/comedian Leslie Nielsen died five years ago.
Nielsen did a number of serious roles but he’s probably best known for his comedic parts in films like Airplane! and the Naked Gun series.
Nielsen was 84 when he passed.
The Grand Ole Opry made its radio debut 90 years ago today (11/28/1925) on Nashville radio station WSM.
Today is also “Small Business Saturday” and “French Toast Day”!
You can see “Have You Heard” each weeknight after weather on News13 at 11:00.
