September 2, 1931: Introducing Bing Crosby Show Premiere

September 2, 1931: CBS aired a 15 minute premiere with Bing Crosby.

In summer 1931, Bill Paley of CBS contacted Bing to perform for an unsponsored radio show to be broadcast on August 31, 1931, but the show was canceled because Bing got laryngitis.

Bing continued his show at the famed Cocoanut Grove until May 1931.

The CBS 15 minute premiere of the radio show, Introducing Bing Crosby, commenced at 11 p.m. on September 2, 1931, and continued daily (except Sundays) with Bing giving an extra broadcast at 8:45 p.m. each Tuesday. By September 22 of that year the daily broadcasts were switched to the earlier time of 7:00 p.m. to put Bing in direct competition with Amos n’ Andy.

From station KHJ, CBS broadcast Bing's solo radio appearance on the Sunkist Musical Cocktails programme, accompanied by Raymond Paige and his Orchestra.

Comments

1946 Great Crepitation Fart Contest

Not for the faint of heart, here is the remarkable 1946 Crepitation (Fart) Contest (part of the 1946 News Broadcasts Collection ). You'll enjoy the fart-off between champion Englishman Lord Windsmear, and challenger, Australian Paul Boomer who had stowed aboard a cabbage freighter. The hilarious comedy recording was apparently created a spoof by two Canadian radio sportscasters in 1946, but this 15 minute recording definitely has some gems in it. Apparently they made several copies, but it was not for distribution. The recording was copied again and again on disc and reel to reel tape. It was distributed underground and played in dark rooms and back alleys around the world. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element This recording is available with many other delightful treats on Random Rarities #7 available on MP3 CD , Audio CD , and instant download .

April 27, 1932: The First Performance of Ed Wynn on Texaco Fire Chief Show

April 27, 1932: Ed Wynn , the Texaco fire chief, graced the airwaves for the first time on Texaco Star Theater. Wynn, who enjoyed popularity as a vaudeville performer, gave as a condition to his switch to radio, that a live audience react to his humor.His condition was granted by the network and so began Wynn's career as the first true superstar of radio. Ed Wynn was hosted a popular radio show on Tuesday nights for most of the 1930s. The radio show was heard in North America and sponsored by Texaco gasoline. On the show Wynn played as the " Texaco Fire Chief ". He was often seen wearing a fireman's helmet. For this show, Wynn would turned down the offer form The Wizard in MGM's adaptation of The Wizard of Oz , to play a role on that show.

January 27, 1948: Wire Recording introduced the 'Wireway'

January 27, 1948: The first magnetic tape recorder was introduced by Wire Recording Corporation of America. ‘Wire Way,’ as it was called, had an integrated oscillator and was sold for $149.50 at the time.

Old Radio

Search This Blog