► EVENTS on 8 MAY;

On this day in 1886, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., pharmacist John Styth Pemberton first sold a carbonated beverage named “Coca Cola” as a patent medicine.

1902,  Saint Pierre, the capital city of the Caribbean island of Martinique, was enveloped and totally destroyed when Mont Pelee erupted and created a pyroclastic flow, a fast-moving cloud of intensely hot gas and rock
Of the population of over 30,000 people, there was only one survivor, a man who had been imprisoned for drunkenness.
A pyroclastic flow can reach temperatures of 1,000C and travel at 700 km/h.

1928,  Glenorchy, Tasmania, a crowd estimated at 10,000 assembled at the Elwick racecourse to witness the arrival of pioneer aviator Bert Hinkler and his wife, by plane from Launceston.

1928,  Cloncurry, Queensland, the first Flying Doctor service commenced.  Today, it is one of the largest aeromedical providers in the world, providing health care to people who do not have ready access to hospitals or doctors, due to immense distances in the Australian Outback. 

1943, Wodonga, Victoria  26 military servicemen were killed when the bus they were travelling in was involved in a level crossing crash.

1968, Hobart, Tasmania, 400 letters arrived at various addresses, after having survived a plane crash at London airport.

1970, London, England,  The Beatles released their 12th and final album, Let It Be.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1913,  Solomon Joel Cohen, alias Sid James, in Johannesburg, South Africa – He was an actor and comedian who appeared in English movies from 1947.  In the 1960s, he was regularly cast in the Carry On comedy films, and starred in the Bless This House sitcom from 1971 till his death, whilst performing on stage, in 1976.

1907,  Kathryn Elizabeth Smith alias Kate Smith, in Greenville, Virginia U.S.A.  She was a singer and recording artist.  Some of her biggest hits were River, Stay ‘Way From My Door (1931), The Woodpecker Song (1940), The White Cliffs of Dover (1941),  and Now Is The Hour (1947)  She died in 1986.

1926,  David Attenborough, in Isleworth, London, England – He is renowned broadcaster and naturalist, famed for his wildlife documentaries.  He turns 100 today.

1940,  Eric Hilliard Nelson alias Ricky Nelson, inTeaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.  He was a singer-songwriter, and actor who had 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 charts between 1957 and 1973, including nineteen top-ten hits.  He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame posthumously on January 21, 1987.  He died in 1985.

1940,  Cathryn Antoinette Tennille, inMontgomery, Alabama, U.S.A.  She was one-half of the 70s’ Grammy Award-winning duo, Captain & Tennille.  Their first single, Love Will Keep Us Together, sold over a million copies.

1942,  Jack Blanchard, in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. He is a guitarist, keyboardist and/vocalist who, with his wife Misty Morgan released fourteen singles between 1969 and 1976, including the 1970 country hit Tennessee Bird Walk.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1994,  George Peppard Jr,, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A, aged  65 – He was an actor who appeared in numerous movies and television productions including Breakfast At Tiffanys, How The West Was Won, Tobruk, The A Team and Night of the Fox.

1999,  Dirk Bogarde, in Chelsea, London, England, aged 78.  He was an actor and writer who appeared in movies such as Doctor In The House, A Tale of Two Cities, Night Flight From Moscow and A Bridge Too Far.  .

2008,  Richard Edward Arnold alias Eddy Arnold inNashville Tennessee, U.S.A., aged  89.   He was a country singer who performed for 60 years, selling more than 85 million records from 1943.

2022,  Dennis Waterman,  in Madrid, Spain, aged 74  He was an actor and singer, best known for his tough-guy roles in television series such as The Sweeney, Minder and New Tricks. 

Today’s photo:  A recent view of Arthur Square, New Norfolk.     [Yours Truly]

Today’s Playlist –

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Dee Jay Rufus & Jazz Aughton – Never Gonna Give You Up	2026	09:05	–
70s Classic    Blondie – Heart of Glass	1979	09:11	7/11/2025
Allan Caswell & Lindsay Waddington – Twelve Good Men	2026	09:14	–
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs + Percy Faith Orchestra & Chorus – Leaving On A Jet Plane		09:18	16/1/2026
+ Robert Goulet – I Remember You		09:22	15/6/2025
Adrian Payne – Molly	2026	09:26	17/4/2026
Harry James & His Orchestra – Red Roses For A Blue Lady		09:32	5/7/2024
Vintage Vinyl   Rick Nelson – Hello Mary Lou  Ricky Nelson, born this day in 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.  He died in 1985.	1961	09:37	26/12/2021
Captain & Tennille – The Way I Want To Touch You Cathryn Antoinette Tennille, born this day in 1940.  Turns 86 today	1975	09:41	23/2/2018
For a Listener Demis Roussos – Forever and Ever		09:44	24/10/2025
Ran Dels – The Martian Hop	1963	09:50	25/7/2025
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 + Johnny Cash – One On The Right	1966	09:55	1/2/2019
+ Tornados – Popart Goes Mozart	1966	09:58	17/4/2020
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan – Tennessee Birdwalk  Jack Blanchard, born this day in 1942 in Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.  Turns 84 today	1970	10:05	1/6/2025
Julie Healy & George Langan – Never More To Part	2026	10:10	–
For a Listener Sarah Brightman – Scarborough Fair		10:14	–
Cara McGillion – One Day At A Time	2026	10:20	–
Vintage Vinyl   Lonnie Donegan – My Old Man’s A Dustman	1960	10:23	19/1/2025
Chucho Zarsoza & His Orchestra – Sombra En Los Medanos		10:30	–
Eddy Arnold – Make The World Go Away  Eddy Arnold died this day in 2008 in Nashville Tennessee, U.S.A., aged  89	1965	10:34	10/11/2014
For a Listener Pussycat – Mississippi	1976	10:37	27/2/2026
Denis Waterman – I Could Be So Good For You  Dennis Waterman, died this day in 2022 in  Madrid, Spain  Aged 74	1979	10:43	24/2/2023
70s Classic    Village People – In The Navy	1979	10:49	25/5/2025
Anthony Snape – Red Dirt Road	2026	10:53	–
Chad Morgan – The Party In The Local Hotel		10:56	26/1/2025
Ricki Starr & All Stars – Shooting Star	1962	10:58	23/11/2014
Joy Adams – If It’s Not Love	2026	11:05	3/5/2026
Country Road – Old style country songs + Caoimhe Murney – Wrong Road Again	2024	11:11	9/5/2025
+ Colin Harney – Dance With Me Annie	2022	11:13	–
Chillin – Maybe Heaven Knows	2026	11:20	–
Vintage Vinyl    Kay Starr – Rock And Roll Waltz	1956	11:27	3/11/2023
Joel Herron & His Orchestra – Look For The Silver Lining		11:33	10/11/2023
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 + Lovin’ Spoonful – Daydream	1966	11:38	6/10/2023
+ Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – Spanish Flea	1966	11:40	30/10/2020
Lawson Vallery & Lene Lie – Lying In The Darkness	2026	11:44	–
Gary R Farmer – I’m Hanging Around	2026	11:48	–
Kym Cormack – Immediate Attraction	2026	11:51	–
Gerry & Pacemakers – Pretend	1965	11:55	28/3/2025

► EVENTS ON 3 MAY;

On this day in 1901  in Jacksonville, Florida U.S.A. – The Great Fire of 1901 began in a kitchen, at a mattress factory.  Although the fire was quickly discovered, those who caused it, thought it could be put out with a few buckets of water and did not sound an alarm.  Over the next eight hours, the fire destroyed 146 city blocks, over 2,300 buildings and left almost 10,000 homeless.

1951,  in London, England – The Royal Festival Hall opened with the holding of the Festival of Britain, a national exhibition held by the Government to promote the country’s recovery in the aftermath of World War 2..

1961,  in Hobart, The new model EK Holden cars were released for sale in Tasmania.  These were the first Holdens to feature an optional automatic transmission. 

1966,  in Clovelly, Sydney, New South Wales – A 9 year old boy with a broken collarbone, leapt into his mother’s runaway car as it rolled down a steep hill with his 4 year old sister at the wheel.
He steered the car past 4 parked vehicles, and braked just before it would have crashed into a double decker bus.  

1967,  Hobart – A fire which broke out on the 4^th floor of a building in Argyle St threatened to engulf the entire city block.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1903,  Harry Lillis Crosby alias Bing Crosby, in Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A. -, His singing and acting career extended over 50 years from 1926 until his death in 1977.  Crosby’s unique bass-baritone voice made him a best-selling recording artist, with record sales in the hundreds of millions.

 1919, Pete Seeger, in Manhattan, New York U.S.A.  He was a folk singer who had a string of hits during the early 50s as a member of The Weavers, who were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era.  In the 1960s, he re-emerged as a singer of protest music in support of international disarmament, civil rights, and environmental causes.  He died in 2014.

1921, Joseph Urick, alias Joe Ames, in Malden, Massachusetts USA  He was a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet ,very popular in the 1950s, with million selling hits such as The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane, You You You, Tammy and Melodie D’Amour.  He died in 2007.

1934,  Francis Stephen Castelluccio alias Frankie Valli, born in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.- As lead singer of the rock group The Four Seasons, he was well-known for his falsetto voice.  The Four Seasons, hits included Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, and Rag Doll

1950,  Mary Hopkin, in Pontadawe, Wales.  She is best known for her 1968 singles Those Were The Days and Temma Harbour  and was one of the first musicians to sign to The Beatles’ Apple label.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

Wally Schirra, died this day in 2007 in La Jolla, California, U.S.A. Aged 84.   He was one of the original astronauts chosen for Project Mercury, America’s first effort to put humans in space, and became the only person to fly in each of America’s first three space programs (Mercury, Gemini and Apollo).  

2021,  Lloyd Price, died this day in New York, U.S.A. Aged 88.  He was a R&B vocalist known as “Mr. Personality”, after one of his million-selling hits.

Today’s Photo: The Manse, Kempton, in the southern midlands. (Yours Truly)

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Aron Michaels – This Small Town	2026	06:06	10/4/2026
Chase Stevens – As Good As It Gets	2024	06:11	8/3/2026
Jason Carruthers – She’d Taken Her Life	2026	06:15	26/4/2026
Bing Crosby & Bugs Bower Orchestra – Thoroughly Modern Millie  Harry Lillis Crosby alias Bing Crosby was born on this day in 1903 in Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A.  Died 1977.	1968	06:22	3/5/2024
Pete Seeger – Little Boxes  Pete Seeger, born on this day in 1919 in Manhattan, New York U.S.A.  Died 2014	1965	06:24	3/5/2024
Four Seasons – Walk Like A Man  Francis Stephen Castelluccio alias Frankie Valli, born on this day in 1934 in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.	1963	06:27	3/3/2023
Pete King & His Orchestra – What Have They Done To The Rain		06:33	23/2/2024
For A Listener: John Williamson – Cootamundra Wattle		06:36	8/3/2026
Mary Hopkin – Goodbye	1951	06:41	21/5/2021
Vintage Vinyl    Dean Martin – The Man Who Played The Mandolino	1956	06:43	28/12/2014
John Oakes – Blinded By Your Light	2026	06:47	17/4/2026
Debbie Cameron & Tommy Seebach – I See The Moon	2023	06:54	–
Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 Bobby & Laurie – Hitch Hiker		06:57	1/5/2026
Joy Adams – If It’s Not Love	2026	07:05	17/4/2026
COUNTRY ROAD + Trevor Knight – I Love A Sunburnt Country		07:11	23/1/2026
+ Vanessa Delaine – Forever And A Day	2020	07:14	23/8/2024
For A Listener: Alan Jackson – Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’		07:19	13/4/2025
Lloyd Price – Personality   Lloyd Price, died this day in 2021in  New York, U.S.A. Aged 88	1959	07:23	9/3/2025
Dave Varacalli – What You Mean To Me	2026	07:27	19/4/2026
European Show Band – Maria		07:33	–
Vintage Vinyl   Kirby Stone Four – Baubles Bangles and Beads	1958	07:37	7/5/2017
Chillin’ – Little Hands	2026	07:39	17/4/2026
Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 + Seekers – Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen	1966	07:46	1/5/2026
+ Beach Boys – Sloop John B	1966	07:49	1/5/2026
Merle Haggard – The Soldier’s Last Letter		07:53	26/4/2026
Jim Reeves – Beatin’ On The Ding Dong		07:56	2/4/2026
Nancy Su – Every Country Dance	2026	08:05	–
COMFORT ZONE + Mary Duff – Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool		08:10	30/6/2024
+ Ollie Austin – Walking The Floor Over You		08:13	5/7/2024
Chantays – Wayward Nile		08:19	–
Ella Fitzgerald – Happy Talk		08:27	26/11/2023
Ferrante & Teicher – Quiet Village		08:33	8/3/2024
Peggy Gilchrist – Waltz With Me My Love		08:37	24/4/2026
Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 + Dionne Warwick – Message to Michael	1966	08:40	1/5/2026
Roffe Lee Larsson – Don’t Blame Me	2026	08:45	–
Lindsay Waddington – Talking to a Drover	2026	08:49	–
Chillin’ – Straight Into Your Heart	2026	08:53	20/3/2026

► EVENTS on 1 MAY;

On this day in 1915, New York, U.S.A., RMS Lusitania departed on her 202nd, crossing of the North Atlantic. The ship was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland with the loss of 1,198 lives, including 128 Americans.  This disaster roused American resentment against Germany and led to the country’s entry into World War 1.

1931,  Canberra, Australian Capital Territory  A mailbag containing £10,000 in banknotes was stolen from the Sydney-Canberra mail train.  Three men were charged with the theft on June 9.

1952,  Hobart, Tasmania,  The transmitters for ABC radio stations 7ZL and 7ZR were relocated to Ralphs Bay, east of Hobart, and the aerial power increased..

1955,  New South Wales,  Severe storms, gales and flooding along the coast between Murwillumbah and Kiama resulted in five deaths. 

1964, London, England,  A 25 C heatwave caused office workers to leave their offices for nearby parks, and many car engines overheated, resulting in major traffic congestion.

1969 Sydney, New South Wales,  The State Governor (Sir Roden Cutler) was pelted with tomatos as he passed through a crowd of protesting students, to review the Sydney University Regiment parading on campus.

1973 Perth, West Australia, A bus driver whose passengers complained of a wild ride across the Nullarbor was sacked by the bus company.  On one occasion he was locked out of the bus and the passengers ultimately refused to allow him to drive.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1852,  Martha Jane Canary, alias Calamity Jane, in Princeton, Missouri U.S.A.  She was a famous American frontierswoman, but the source of her nickname is uncertain.  She may have acquired it through warning men that to offend her was to “court calamity.”
She had that nickname by 1876, as her arrival on a wagon train in Deadwood was reported in the town’s newspaper, the Black Hills Pioneer, with the headline, “Calamity Jane has arrived!”  She died in 1903.
Her story was dramatised in 1953, in the musical production Calamity Jane, with Doris Day in the lead role.

1907,  Kathryn Elizabeth Smith alias Kate Smith, in Greenville, Virginia U.S.A.  She was a singer and recording artist.  Some of her biggest hits were River, Stay ‘Way From My Door (1931), The Woodpecker Song (1940), The White Cliffs of Dover (1941),  and Now Is The Hour (1947)  She died in 1986.

1916,  Glenn Ford, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.  He was an actor from Hollywood’s Golden Era whose career spanned 70 years   He died in 2006.

1929,  James Loden alias Sonny James, in Hackleburg, Alabama, U.S.A.  He was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, Young Love.  He died in 2016

1934,  John Meillon, in Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales  He was an Australian actor best known for his role as Walter Reilly in the Crocodile Dundee films, and also as working class battler Wally Stiller in the TV sit-com My Name’s McGooley, What’s Yours.  He also voiced Victoria Bitter beer commercials until his death in 1989.

1946, Joanna Lumley, in Srinigar, India.  She is an actress, voice-over artist, and author, and has hosted several travelogue television programmes.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1965,  Lindley Armstrong Jones alias Spike Jones in Beverley Hills, California, U.S.A., aged 53.  He was a popular musician who specialised in satirical arrangements of popular songs, punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells, and ridiculous vocals.

1970,  Nancen Beryl Masterman, alias Nan Chauncy, at her Chauncy Vale home, near Bagdad, Tasmania, aged 69.  She was an author of 12 children’s books including Mathinna’s People, Tangarra, and They Found A Cave.

1994,  Ayrton Senna, in Bologna, Italy, aged 34   He was a racing driver, who died in a crash whilst leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix race .

2023,  Gordon Lightfoot, died this day in 2023 in Toronto, Canada, aged 84.  He was a  singer-songwriter who achieved international success during the 1960s and 70s. 

Today’s photo:  April in Kempton, in the Tasmanian midlands # 2.     Yours Truly

Today’s Playlist –

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
BeatWizzies – So We Dance	2026	09:05	27/3/2026
70s Classic    David Soul – Don’t Give Up On Us	1977	09:12	18/5/2025
Chasing Twisters – All The Way To Deja Vu	2026	09:16	10/4/2026
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs + Frank Sinatra & Nelson Riddle Orchestra – I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter	1968	09:21	5/8/2022
+ Roger Whittaker – Feelings		09:23	10/11/2023
Chet Atkins – Get On With It	2026	09:28	–
Leroy Anderson & His Orchestra – Bugler’s Holiday		09:32	–
Vintage Vinyl   Doris Day – The Deadwood Stage  Martha Jane Canary, alias Calamity Jane, born on this day in 1852 in Princeton, Missouri, U.S.A. She died in 1903.	1953	09:38	1/8/2021
Sonny James – Clinging Vine  James Loden alias Sonny James, in Hackleburg, Alabama, U.S.A.  He died in 2016	1965	09:45	9/8/2024
For a Listener Rick Nelson – Today’s Teardrops	1963	09:50	12/7/2019
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 + Bobby & Laurie – Hitch Hiker	1966	09:54	23/4/2021
+ Beach Boys – Sloop John B	1966	09:57	18/5/2018
Tres Chic – On The Wings Of A Nightingale	2026	10:05	3/4/2026
Damian Davis – Donegal Katie	2026	10:09	–
For a Listener Slim Dusty – Looking Forward Looking Back	2001	10:13	3/3/2024
Gordon Lightfoot – Steel Rail Blues  Gordon Lightfoot, died this day in 2023 in Toronto, Canada, aged 84.		10:18	28/8/2022
Vintage Vinyl   Burl Ives – Marianne	1957	10:23	12/3/2017
Carol Markstrom – Juniper and Sage	2026	10:27	–
Ricardo Santos & His Million Strings – The Fisher Girl From Bodensee	2026	10:32	22/6/2012
Ray Malcolm – What In The World’s Come Over You	2026	10:35	19/4/2026
Mark Griffin – Taking Over My Mind	2026	10:39	5/12/2025
70s Classic    Mary MacGregor – Torn Between Two Lovers	1976	10:44	18/5/2025
Anthony Baxter & Lindsay Butler – Mount Scoria	2026	10:49	19/4/2026
Sharon Whitcroft – My Home Sweet Home	2026	10:51	10/4/2026
John Gilheaney – The Wind On The Hill	2026	10:56	26/4/2026
Karl Heinz Kaestel – Jackson		10:59	11/1/2026
Roger Whittaker – New World In The Morning		11:05	9/2/2024
Country Road – Old style country songs + Phil Steans – River Of Memories	2026	11:09	–
+ Tex Morton – The Green Green Grass of Home		11:13	30/8/2019
William Alexander – All I Stand to Lose	2026	11:20	13/2/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Carmens Boogie – Crew Cuts	1955	11:28	28/11/2014
Richard Clayderman – Lentement Tombe La Neige		11:34	–
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 + Seekers – Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen	1966	11:37	–
+ Dionne Warwick – Message to Michael	1966	11:40	4/9/2020
Susan Muranty – Night Undresses The Day	2026	11:45	–
Lindsay Butler – Mama’s Hungry Eyes	2026	11:48	29/3/2026
Royce Twins – We Will Be The Rain	2026	11:52	–

► EVENTS ON 26 APRIL;

On this day in 1938  in Boyer, Tasmania, Australian Newsprint Mills Limited commenced construction of the world’s first pulp and paper mill to use hardwood to produce newsprint paper.  It became a major industry in the Derwent Valley.

1952,  in the Atlantic Ocean – The United States aircraft carrier USS Wasp collided with the destroyer USS Hobson, with the loss of 175 lives.

1960,  in the Derwent Valley – Over 650 were declared homeless, due to major flooding of the Derwent River and tributaries..

1962,  America’s Ranger 4 spacecraft crashed onto the the far side of the Moon without returning any scientific data.
It was designed to transmit pictures of the lunar surface for 10 minutes prior to crash landing, to rough-land a seismometer, and collect gamma-ray data, but a power failure stopped the spacecraft’s master clock and sent it out of control.  It became, however, the first U.S. spacecraft to reach another celestial body.  

1966,  Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, was destroyed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake, leaving over 300,000 homeless.

1967, Melbourne, Victoria, the Ford Motor Company announced production of the fastest car ever built in Australia at the time, the XR Ford Falcon GT.
It was powered by a 287 cubic inch V8 engine, coupled to a 4 speed manual transmission, and came in one colour only – a shade of bronze named G T Gold.

1986, Chernobyl, Ukraine, the world’s worst civil nuclear disaster occurred when an explosion at the local nuclear power plant released 400 times more radio-active material than the Hiroshima atomic bomb.
This radio-activity forced the permanent evacuation of 53,000 people from nearby Pripyat, caused hundreds of deaths, and reached countries as far distant as Scotland, Norway and Sweden.

  ► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1894, Rudolf Hess, in Alexandria, Egypt.  He was a prominent Nazi official who flew solo from Germany to Scotland in an attempt to negotiate peace with the United Kingdom, but was immediately arrested and gaoled.
After being tried at Nuremberg after World War Two ended, he was given a life sentence.  He died in Spandau Prison, Berlin, in 1987.

 1938, Duane Eddy, in New York, U.S.A. He was a guitarist, who had many hit records during the late 50s and early 60s, noted for their “twangy” sound, including Rebel Rouser, Peter Gunn, and Because They’re Young.
He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994, and is Rock and Roll’s all-time #1 instrumentalist.  He died in 2024.

1940, Ian Geoghegan, in Sydney, New South Wales.  He was a racing driver and five-time winner of the Australian Touring Car Championship, co-winner of the 1973 Bathurst 1000 race with Alan Moffat, driving an XA Ford Falcon.  Ian Geoghegan was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 1999.   He died in 2003.

1942,  Robert Louis Ridarelli alias Bobby Rydell, in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – He was a teen idol of early 60s  rock and roll, famed for his hits Wild One and Volare.   He died in 2022.

1947,  Warren Clarke, in Oldham, Lancashire, England.  He was an actor, whose first television appearance was in the long running soap opera Coronation Street.  He appeared regularly as Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel in the TV series Dalziel and Pascoe.  He died in 2014.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1973, Irene Ryan, in Santa Monica, California, U.S.A., aged 70.  She was an actress best known for her portrayal of the feisty, shotgun-toting Granny, in the television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.     

 1976, Solomon Joel Cohen, alias Sid James, in Sunderland, England, aged 62.  He was an actor and comedian who appeared in English movies from 1947.  During the 1960s, he was regularly cast in the Carry On comedy films, and starred in the Bless This House sitcom from 1971 till his death.
He was appearing in a play at the Sunderland Empire Theatre, in Sunderland, England, when he died on-stage during a performance.  Some people claim to have subsequently seen James’ ghost at the theatre

1984, William James Basie, alias Count Basie, in Hollywood, Florida, U.S.A., aged 79.  He was a jazz pianist, organist, composer and bandleader.  He led his own jazz orchestra for nearly 50 years. One of his theme songs was April In Paris.

1989, Lucille Ball, in Beverley Hills, California, U.S.A.  aged 77.  She was a comedienne, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy and Life With Lucy.

1997, Gene Urick, alias Gene Ames, in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A. aged 74.  He was a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet very popular in the 1950s, with million selling hits such as The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane, You You You, Tammy and Melodie D’Amour. 

Today’s Photo – Origin unknown, but highly appropriate for ANZAC Day (yesterday).

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Allan Caswell – Swing The Blues	2026	06:06	3/4/2026
John Gilheaney – The Wind On The Hill	2026	06:12	–
Jason Carruthers – She’d Taken Her Life	2026	06:14	10/4/2026
For A Listener: Billy Joel – Uptown Girl		06:18	6/6/2025
Duane Eddy – Around The Block In 80 Days  Duane Eddy, born on this day in 1938 in New York, U.S.A.  Died 2024	1965	06:25	–
Bobby Rydell – Do The Cha Cha Cha Robert Louis Ridarelli alias Bobby Rydell, was born on this day in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He died in 2022.	1962	06:27	17/12/2023
Australian National Concert Orchestra – The Shadow Of Your Smile		06:32	28/7/2019
Gail Russell  – Heart of Stone	2026	06:35	24/4/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Helen O’Connell – Slow Poke	1951	06:41	23/5/2014
Garry Jones – Eyes Shine Bright	2026	06:43	20/2/2026
Nancy Muller – Heartbeat	2026	06:51	24/4/2026
Wendy Maree – Apricot Sky	2026	07:05	10/4/2026
COUNTRY ROAD + Clint Bradley – Soul of the West	2024	07:11	31/1/2025
+ Gene Watson – This Song Is Just For You	2026	07:14	5/4/2026
For A Listener: Merle Haggard – Mama’s Hungry Eyes		07:19	3/4/2026
Count Basie & His Orchestra – Basie’s Boogie William James Basie, alias Count Basie, died on this day in 1984 at the age of 79, in Hollywood, Florida, U.S.A.		07:25	–
Ames Brothers & Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra & Chorus – Little Serenade  Gene Urick, alias Gene Ames, died on this day in 1997 at the age of 74, in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A.	1958	07:27	12/2/2026
Eric Jupp & His Orchestra – Theme From Number 96		07:32	4/7/2014
Vintage Vinyl   Harry Belafonte – Coconut Woman	1957	07:37	1/3/2020
Tim Withano – This Is Not My Place	2026	07:40	–
Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 + Easybeats – Women Make You Feel Alright	1966	07:46	24/4/2026
+ Beach Boys – Barbara Anne	1966	07:49	24/4/2026
For A Listener: Merle Haggard – The Soldier’s Last Letter		07:53	–
Caroline J Harte – If This Ain’t Love	2024	08:05	31/1/2025
COMFORT ZONE + Vera Lynn – The Rainbow Connection		08:11	–
+ Daniel O’Donnell – Distant Drums		08:15	3/7/2020
Allan Barron – Misty River	2026	08:23	24/4/2026
Philip Wildman – High Country	2026	08:28	–
Brian May & ABC Melbourne Showband – String of Pearls		08:34	8/10/2023
Alan Percy – They Waltzed With Matilda	2026	08:38	26/4/2026
Diamond 45 – Charting on this day 1966 +Slim Dusty – The Decimal Currency Pub	1966	08:42	24/4/2026
+ Cliff Richard – Blue Turns To Grey	1966	08:45	24/4/2026
Shelley Minson – Dance When The Music Plays	2026	08:48	19/4/2026
Clayton Saunders – Uluru	2025	08:52	1/2/2026

► EVENTS on 24 APRIL;

On this day in 1892, In western Tasmania, the 11 km long branch line railway from Zeehan to the mining town of Dundas, opened.  However, closure of the Silver Bell smelters in 1913 ended mining in the area and by 1921, Dundas had only 55 residents.
It wasn’t long until the railway carried no passengers, and only a small amount of freight, so the line closed in 1932, and was dismantled in 1940.

1947,  in Dunedin New Zealand,  A downpour of  229 mm in 24 hours, caused flooding which rendered hundreds homeless.

1967,  in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, Vladimir Komarov became the first human to die during a space mission, when the parachute braking system of the Soyuz 1 capsule he was piloting failed during re-entry, causing it crash to Earth at 140 km/h.

1986,  The movie Crocodile Dundee was released in Australia.  It was a comedy drama, set in both the Australian outback and New York .  It became extremely popular in both Australia and the USA.

 1990, in Cape Canaveral, Florida U,S,A.,  The Hubble Space Telescope was launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery.  It has been in continuous operation since, capturing extremely high resolution astronomical photographs.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1934,  Shirley MacLaine, in Richmond, Virginia U.S.A. –  She was an award-winning film, television and theatre actress whose career spans over 70 years.  She turned 92 today.  

1936,  Jill Ireland, in London, England.  She was an actress best known for the many films she made with her second husband, Charles Bronson.  She died in 1990.

1942,  Barbra Streisand, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.  She is an actress, singer, director and songwriter, one of the most successful entertainers in modern entertainment history, with more than 140 million albums sold worldwide.  She turned 84 today.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1974,  William Alexander Abbott, alias Bud Abbott, aged 78 in Woodland Hills, California, U.S.A.   He was an actor, producer and comedian who teamed with Lou Costello to form the comedy duo, Abbott and Costello.

1986,  Bessie Wallis Warfield alias Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor aged 89, in Paris, France.  She was a former socialite who married, as her third husband, King Edward 8^th of the British Empire.
The marriage created controversy which was solved when King Edward abdicated the throne, to become Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor – and the shortest reigning British monarch in history.

2001,  Albert George Hibbler alias Al Hibbler, aged 85, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.  He was a baritone vocalist who sang with Duke Ellington’s orchestra before having several pop hits as a solo artist in the 1950s.

2004,  Josephine Esther Mentzer alias Estee Lauder, aged 97, in Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.  She was the co-founder, with her husband Joseph Lauder, of a pioneering cosmetics company.

Today’s photo:  April in Kempton, in the Tasmanian midlands.     Yours Truly

Today’s Playlist – This edition sets a record (??) for the greatest number of first-time-plays on either of my programmes, for many years.

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Brendan McMahon – Head ‘Em Up	2026	09:05	–
70s Classic    Boney M – Daddy Cool	1977	09:11	18/5/2025
Patsy & Dave with James Blundell – I’m Suddenly Old	2026	09:14	–
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs + Herman’s Hermits – Something’s Happening	1968	09:19	–
+ Johnny Mathis – I Can’t Stop Loving You		09:23	29/9/2023
Nancy Muller – Heartbeat	2026	09:27	–
Chet Atkins & Les Paul – Limehouse Blues		09:32	–
Barbra Streisand – Woman In Love  Barbra Streisand, born on this day in 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.		09:36	–
Chillin – Let It In		09:42	10/4/2026
For a Listener Marty Robbins – Bound For Old Mexico		09:47	–
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 + Beach Boys – Barbara Anne	1966	09:51	–
+ Easybeats – Women Make You Feel Alright	1966	09:54	–
John Williamson – Diggers of the ANZAC		09:57	25/4/2025
No PROMISES – Midnight Rider	2026	10:06	19/4/2026
Allan Barron – Misty River	2026	10:11	–
For a Listener Roger Whittaker –  Das Namenlose Land		10:16	–
Vintage Vinyl   Al Hibbler – Count Every Star  Al Hibbler, died on this day in 2001, aged 85, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.	1956	10:22	1/6/2025
Gail Russell  – Heart of Stone	2026	10:27	–
Fausto Papetti – Summertime		10:33	–
Peggy Gilchrist – Waltz With Me My Love	2026	10:39	–
70s Classic    Smokie – Living Next Door To Alice	1976	10:43	24/10/2025
Emma Jene – The Beat Of A Drum	2016	10:52	10/11/2024
Glenn Jones – Western Herald	2026	11:05	12/4/2026
Country Road – Old style country songs + Johnny Cash – Oh Lonesome Me		11:10	–
+ Hank Williams – A Mansion On The Hill		11:12	–
For a Listener Andy Stewart – A Scottish Soldier	2024	11:19	13/3/2026
Anastasia Lee & Celesta da Vinci – Swan Song (Tchaikovsky)	2026	11:23	19/4/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Kay Starr – Side By Side	1953	11:30	–
Francisco Garcia – Woman In Love		11:35	–
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 + Slim Dusty – The Decimal Currency Pub	1966	11:39	19/5/2023
+ Cliff Richard – Blue Turns To Grey	1966	11:43	11/9/2022
New Vaudeville Band – Holiday Inn	1966	11:47	–
Max Bygraves – Medley~Hey Look Me Over~Consider Yourself~Standing On The Corner		11:49	6/4/2025
Ashley Cook – The Sydney Jillaroo		11:53	25/1/2026

► EVENTS ON 19 APRIL;

On this day in 1937  Hobart’s second commercial radio station, 7HT, was opened with a recorded speech by the Tasmanian Premier of the day, Albert Ogilvie.

1947,  A fire aboard a ship in Texas City (near Galveston) in Texas, U.S.A. spread to a nearby chemical factory and adjacent oil refineries. A series of massive explosions claimed 714 lives and devastated the city.

1956,  In Portsmouth, England, British naval diver Lionel Crabb vanished after diving into the harbour to investigate a visiting Soviet cruiser.

1966,  Throughout Australia, controversy erupted when the first conscripts were flown to the Vietnam War.. 

1966,  In Auckland, New Zealand, a parachutist survived a one-in-a-million mid-air collision with a Tiger Moth aircraft, 366 metres above the Ardmore Airfield.

1971, The first space station, Salyut 1, was launched into a low Earth orbit of around 200 km.  It was later de-orbited and destroyed after the only crew to occupy it died of asphyxiation during re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere.

  ► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1907, Alan Wheatley, in Tolworth, Surrey, England.  He was a radio announcer who turned to stage and screen acting during the 1930s, and was much seen during the black and white era.
He was probably best known as the malevolent Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1950s TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood the latter being portrayed by Richard Greene.  He died in 1991.

 1933, Vera Jayne Palmer alias Jayne Mansfield, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.A,. American actress in film, theatre, and television, also a nightclub entertainer, singer, and one of the early Playboy Playmates.
One of Hollywood’s original blonde bombshells, Mansfield was a sex symbol of the 50s and 60s.  She died in 1967.

1940, Bobby Russell, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. He was a songwriter who penned several hit songs, including Little Green Apples, The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Honey (which was a big hit for Bobby Goldsboro), and The Joker Went Wild.
Bobby Russell also recorded several hit records, including 1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero. He died in 1992.

1942, Alan Price, in Fatfield, England. He was a musician, best known as the original keyboardist for the rock group The Animals. He is also known for his solo work and with the Alan Price Set.
His organ playing is evident in The Animals hits,  House of the Rising Sun, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and Bring It On Home To Me.  Turns 84 today.

Today’s photo: Going back 150 years, facing the northern shore of New Norfolk, as it was, then. The original black-and-white print has been colourised.
This comes to us from the Tasmanian Archives, via the New Norfolk Memories FB page.

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Ramona Bruins – Happiness For Free	2026	06:07	3/4/2026
Rob Cass – I’ve Hit Rock Bottom	2026	06:12	–
No PROMISES – Midnight Rider	2026	06:16	–
Bobby Russell – 1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero  Bobby Russell, BORN THIS DAY in 1940, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.  Died 1992	1968	06:23	19/4/2024
Alan Price – The House That Jack Built  Alan Price, BORN THIS DAY in 1942, Fatfield, England Turns 84 today.	1967	06:26	19/4/2024
Francisco Cavez & His Orchestra – The Pines Of Portofino		06:32	8/3/2026
For A Listener: Barbra Streisand – People	1964	06:35	21/11/2021
Vintage Vinyl:    Gogi Grant – The Wayward Wind	1956	06:40	10/3/2024
Dave Varacalli – What You Mean To Me	2026	06:43	–
Seamog Buckley – Little White Cross	2026	06:48	17/4/2026
Diamond 45 Charting this day 1966 Jim Reeves – Snow Flake	1966	06:51	17/4/2026
Roseann Sureda – Back To My Heart		06:54	3/4/2026
Christa Fartek – Don’t Wait	2024	07:05	27/10/2024
COUNTRY ROAD + Ashley Cook – The Waters of Lake Eyre	2025	07:10	27/2/2026
+ Andy Penkow – The Lone Drover	2024	07:13	24/11/2024
For A Listener: Charley Pride – Crystal Chandelier		07:19	31/7/2022
Vintage Vinyl:   Joan Regan – If I Give My Heart To You	1953	07:24	19/7/2013
Johnny Cash – Girl In Saskatoon		07:27	–
Living Strings – Aquarius		07:32	–
Ray Malcolm – What In The World’s Come Over You	2026	07:35	–
Raymond Smith – Between You And I	2026	07:40	29/3/2026
Diamond 45 Charting this day 1966 Simon & Garfunkel – Homeward Bound	1966	07:45	17/4/2026
Gerry & Pacemakers – Girl On A Swing	1966	07:48	3/1/2025
Graham Oliver – I Don’t Know How I’ll Ever Get Over You	2024	07:50	–
For A Listener: Craig Giles – Picture On The Mantle	2017	07:53	8/2/2026
Don Smythe – Daddy’s In Kandahar		07:57	7/11/2025
Markus Schoffl & Jutta Cappallo – Endless Love		08:05	–
COMFORT ZONE + Kamahl – Key Largo		08:12	21/8/2024
+ Little Patti – Torn Between Two Lovers		08:15	9/11/2025
Anthony Baxter & Lindsay Butler – Mount Scoria	2026	08:20	10/4/2026
Shelley Minson – Dance When The Music Plays	2026	08:22	12/4/2026
For A Listener: Box Car Willie – Hobo Heaven		08:29	–
Vintage Vinyl:    Buddy Holly – Words Of Love	1957	08:32	7/2/2016
Perry Botkin Jr & His Orchestra – Norwegian Wood		08:36	18/8/2023
Diamond 45 Charting this day 1966 S-Sgt Barry Sadler – Ballad Of The Green Berets	1966	08:37	17/4/2026
Diamond 45 Charting this day 1966 Bob Lind – Elusive Butterfly	1966	08:43	17/4/2026
Anastasia Lee & Celesta da Vinci – Swan Song (Tchaikovsky)	2026	08:47	27/3/2026
Jan Holland – The Last Waltz		08:50	–
Graeme Clarke – Wrong Road Again		08:54	26/1/2025

—O0O—

► EVENTS on 17 APRIL;

On this day in 1948, Winsford, Cheshire, England – Twenty-three passengers died and 34 were injured when the Glasgow~London night mail train crashed into rear of a preceding express train, which had been halted by a passenger pulling the communication cord.
The passenger, a conscripted soldier who previously worked for the railway, used the cord to leave the train;  meanwhile, the local signalman accepted the mail train into the track section, in the belief that the express had departed.
The soldier later attended the inquiry to confess.  He later returned to the railway and was a signalman at Winsford until his retirement.

1960  Throughout Tasmania, severe gales left destruction in their wake, with houses unroofed and power supplies blacked out.

1964,  New York, U.S.A. – The Ford Motor Company unveiled the first Ford Mustang at the New York World’s Fair.  Within two years over one million had been sold.  It is now the longest produced Ford model.

1970,  The ill-fated Apollo 13 spacecraft arrived back on Earth.  The craft was the third, which was intended to land on the Moon, but the landing was aborted two days after launch after an oxygen tank exploded.
Despite major hardship resulting from limited electrical supply, interior heating, shortage of water and the necessity to rig a carbon-dioxide removal system, the crew, James Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, returned safely.

 1975, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Brutal Khmer Rouge forces took control of the country upon the fall of the capital after a 3½ month siege.
The country was isolated from the rest of the world, millions of city-dwellers were forced into labour camps, where 2 million people died from starvation, torture and execution.
The Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown in 1979 by Vietnamese troops.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1929,  Hans Last alias James Last, in Bremen, Germany.  He was a composer and big band leader, who has sold over 200 million albums worldwide..  He died in 2015.  

1930, Donald Christopher Barber alias Chris Barber, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, British jazz band leader and trombonist..   He died in 2021.

1940, Ronald Wycherley alias Billy Fury, in Liverpool, England, internationally successful pop singer from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, and songwriter until his death in 1983.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1941,  Al Bowlly, in London, England, aged 43. He was a British dance band vocalist and popular jazz crooner, who made over 1,000 recordings from 1927. His best known songs are Goodnight Sweetheart, The Very Thought Of You, Guilty, and Love Is The Sweetest Thing.
Bowlly had performed in a cinema in High Wycombe, and had turned down an offer of overnight accommodation.  He took the last train to his home in St James, London and, later that evening was killed by a Luftwaffe bomb which exploded outside his home.

1960, Eddie Cochran, in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England, aged 21, an American rockabilly singer.  He had performed at the Hippodrome theatre in Bristol, and was travelling in a speeding taxi late that evening when the driver lost control and the taxi struck a lamp post.  A plaque now marks the site of the crash.

Today’s photo:  April in the Derwent Valley.     [Yours Truly]

Today’s Playlist

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Johan Faber – Silverado	2026	09:05	–
70s Classic    Elvis Presley – Moody Blue	1977	09:10	19/10/2025
Samantha Dann – Wild Child	2026	09:14	27/3/2026
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs + Bobby Goldsboro – Yesterday		09:18	9/6/2024
+ John Gary – Sunrise Sunset		09:21	28/7/2023
Adrian Payne – Molly	2026	09:24	–
Shadows – 36-24-36		09:28	8/2/2026
Roberto Delgado & His Orchestra – Disco Tropicano		09:32	10/12/2023
For a Listener Foster & Allen – Bridge Over Troubled Water		09:36	28/6/2020
For a Listener ABBA – Does Your Mother Know		09:41	10/2/2023
Vintage Vinyl   Chris Barber – Petite Fleur	1959	09:46	14/9/2025
Billy Fury – When Will You Say	1963	09:49	28/1/2018
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Jim Reeves – Snow Flake	1966	09:53	20/10/2023
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Bob Lind – Elusive Butterfly	1966	09:55	1/12/2024
Joy Adams – If It’s Not Love	2026	10:05	15/5/2022
Alice Benfer – Wildflowers On The Outback	2026	10:11	15/3/2026
For a Listener White Plains – My Baby Loves Loving	1970	10:15	8/10/2023
Al Bowlly – It’s A Lovely Day Tomorrow	1940	10:20	7/1/2024
Vintage Vinyl   Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues	1958	10:24	2/10/2016
Seamog Buckley – Little White Cross	2026	10:26	27/3/2026
James Last & His Orchestra – La Mattinata		10:31	17/4/2016
Sammie Soravia – You’re In My Heart Too	2026	10:35	27/3/2026
Chillin – Little Hands	2026	10:38	–
70s Classic    10cc – The Things We Do For Love	1976	10:42	18/5/2025
Ashley Cook – Rough Diamonds	2026	10:47	–
Andrew Shipp – Still My Number One	2026	10:53	22/8/2025
Jason Owen – Thank God I’m A Country Boy		10:57	27/2/2026
Gail Barnard – Storms	2025	11:05	3/10/2025
Country Road – Old style country songs + Justin Landers – Rusty Austin Ute	2024	11:10	29/11/2024
+ Allan Gumm – Me And Annie Murphy	2024	11:14	10/5/2024
Victoria Eman – Beautiful	2024	11:22	28/2/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Guy Mitchell – Let It Shine Let It Shine	1958	11:29	29/5/2022
Stavros Xarhakos Orchestra – Patience		11:36	29/5/2016
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Simon & Garfunkel – Homeward Bound	1966	11:39	4/12/2022
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 S-Sgt Barry Sadler – Ballad Of The Green Berets	1966	11:41	25/4/2025
John Oakes – Blinded By Your Light	2026	11:45	–
Becky Hobbs – Those Baldwin Sisters	2024	11:49	20/12/2024
Caoimhe Murney – Your Health Is Your Wealth	2026	11:53	15/3/2026

► EVENTS ON 12 APRIL;

1835, The ship George III, which was carrying 308 people to Port Arthur from Woolwich, England, was wrecked in Tasmania’s D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
Over 100 of the 220 convicts who were confined to the hold, including 40 boys, perished because they were prevented from leaving.  A total of 134 lives were lost.

1934, in New Hampshire U.S.A., The strongest surface wind gust recorded in the world at the time, at 597 kilometres per hour, was measured on the summit of Mt Washington.

1937, in Rugby, Warwickshire, England,  Sir Frank Whittle ground-tested the first jet engine designed to power an aircraft..

1954, in New York, U.S.A., Bill Haley & His Comets recorded Rock Around The Clock.  It went to No 1 on the United States and United Kingdom charts and charted again during the 1960s. 

1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, orbiting Earth in 89 minutes 6 seconds, aboard Vostok 1.  

1962, The Southern Aurora became the first train to run direct from Sydney to Melbourne on the new standard gauge track

1966 in Melbourne, Victoria  Ford Australia announced that safety belts would be fitted to the front seats of all new Ford vehicles assembled in Australia after July, making that company the first to fit seat belts as standard equipment to its full range of vehicles.

1975 in Tarcoola, South Australia,  The first sod was turned for the new standard gauge Alice Springs railway, which was designed to replace the old, flood-prone narrow-gauge line between Oodnadatta and Alice Springs.  In 2001, work commenced on extending the railway from Alice Springs to Darwin.

1981 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.A. The Space shuttle Columbia was launched on its first mission.

1981 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory,  Advance Australia Fair officially became Australia’s National anthem, replacing God Save The Queen, which had been restored by the Fraser Government – after the previous Whitlam Government had previously proclaimed Advance Australia Fair as the National Anthem.

  ► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1981, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.A.: Helen Fogel alias Helen Forrest, jazz singer, who served as the female vocalist for three of the mosf popular band of the Big Band era, those of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Harry James.  She died in 1991.

 1919, Glasgow, Kentucky, U.S.A.:  Richard Vaughn alias Billy Vaughn,musician and orchestra leader who charted 42 singles and 36 albums, beginning with 1958’s Sail Along Silvery Moon and ending with 1970’s Winter World of Love.   He died in 1991.

1925, Rains, Utah, U.S.A.: Henry Ned Miller, alias Ned Miller, country singer song-writer who recorded between 1956 and 1970, and was best known for his 1963 No 1 hit From A Jack To A King.  He also composed and recorded Invisible Tears, which charted in 1965.    He died in 2016.

Today’s photo: A new, live cam photo taken early yesterday (11 April) of Dove Lake, in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

From the Weather Watch Network Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Weather.Watch.com.au

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
A Band Of Rain – I Love You Whatever	2026	06:06	3/4/2026
Larry Cann – Keepin’ It Real	2025	06:13	4/7/2025
Tommy Vlaeminck  – Bridge of Hope	2025	06:16	15/8/2025
Helen Forrest & Harry James Orchestra – It Must Be Him  Helen Forrest, BORN THIS DAY in 1918, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.  Died 1991		06:22	30/8/2024
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – I’m Moving On  Billy Vaughn, BORN THIS DAY in 1919, Glasgow, Kentucky USA Died 1991		06:25	18/4/2014
Ned Miller – From A Jack To A King Ned Miller, BORN THIS DAY in 1925, Rains, Utah  USA  Died 2016	1963	06:28	22/3/2026
Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra – This Guy’s In Love With You		06:32	19/6/2015
For A Listener: Rod Stewart – Sailing	1975	06:36	14/12/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Rosemary Clooney & Guy Mitchell – You’re Just In Love	1951	06:41	5/4/2019
Aaron Boultinghouse – Fading Away	2026	06:45	27/3/2026
David Hammerschlag – Country Calypso	2025	06:50	21/11/2025
Diamond 33 – From the L P “SPANISH EYES” Charting on this day 1966 Al Martino – One Has My Name The Other Has My Heart	1966	06:54	–
John Williamson – Just A Dog		06:57	30/9/2022
Allan Caswell & Lindsay Waddington – Always Ride A Train	2025	07:06	20/2/2026
COUNTRY ROAD + Glenn Jones – Western Herald		07:12	–
+ Wendy Jewel – Are You Looking At The Same Stars	2026	07:13	1/3/2026
For A Listener: Larissa Tormey – Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool	2018	07:18	5/9/2025
Vintage Vinyl   Bill Haley & His Comets – Rock Around The Clock	1955, 1964, 1968	07:24	28/9/2025
Vintage Vinyl   Buddy Holly – Listen To Me	1958	07:26	26/3/2013
Pepe Jaramillo & His Latin American Rhythm – The Shadow Of Your Smile		07:32	8/6/2014
Behind the Sea – Kiss Kiss Moi	2026	07:36	29/3/2026
Highway 95 – She Believes	2025	07:38	6/6/2025
Diamond 33 – From the L P “I HEAR A SYMPHONY” Charting on this day 1966 Supremes – Stranger in Paradise	1966	07:43	8/10/2017
Graeme Clarke – Baby With No Name	2025	07:46	14/11/2025
Shelley Minson – Dance When The Music Plays	2026	07:50	3/4/2026
Julian Lennon – Too Late For Goodbyes		07:56	1/2/2026
Dave Lawlor – Quando Quando Quando	2021	08:05	12/1/2024
CoL Joye – Fools Like Me	1959	08:11	–
COMFORT ZONE + Charley Pride – Wings Of A Dove	1971	08:14	11/1/2026
+ Anne Murray – Dream A Little Dream Of Me		08:16	7/12/2025
Deb Mepham – Merry Model T	2024	08:22	23/11/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Lonnie Lee – Defenceless	1960	08:27	18/10/2015
Roberto Delgado & His Orchestra – Rhodos Melody		08:32	6/10/2023
Diamond 33 – From the L P “BOOTS” Charting on this day 1966 Nancy Sinatra – As Tears Go By	1966	08:37	–
Engelbert Humperdinck – As Time Goes By		08:40	–
For A Listener: Box Car Willie – Sioux City Sue		08:45	–
The Charlesys – I`ve Got Tomorrow	2026	08:48	–
The Wolfe Tones – A Nation Once Again		08:51	–

► EVENTS on 10 APRIL;

On this day in 1815  in Sumbawa, Indonesia  The Mt Tambora volcano began a three-month-long eruption, which ultimately caused 71,000 deaths and affected Earth’s climate for the following two years.
The year 1816 became known as the  “Year Without A Summer” because of the effect the eruption had on North American and European weather.

1912,  Southampton, England – The RMS Titanic left port on her maiden, and only voyage. 

1916,  Devonport, Tasmania, the Don Junction to Melrose branch line railway opened.  It’s main purpose was to bring limestone from an inland quarry to Devonport, for export.  The railway closed in 1963, but a section was rebuilt during the early 1970s, as part of the Don River Railway’s museum..

1958,  The Tasmanian highlands, construction of the 51 metre high Catagunya Dam and power station, on the Derwent River had begun.

 1963, Atlantic Ocean,  All 129 crewmen perished when the U.S. nuclear submarine Thresher sank in 2,560 metres of water, 350 km east of Cape Cod..

1967, Throughout Australia, the country’s first national nightly television current affairs program, This Day Tonight, premiered on ABC-TV, hosted by Bill Peach.

1968, Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, Fifty-six lives were lost and 110 people were listed as  missing when the inter-island ferry Wahine, which was carrying over 700 passengers, struck a reef at the entrance to the harbour and capsized, while Cyclone Giselle created winds of 201 kph,  the strongest ever recorded in New Zealand.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1915,  Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.:  Harry Bratsburg, alias Harry Morgan,  actor most recently known as Colonel Sherman T Potter in the television sitcom MASH  from 1975 till 1983.  He appeared in more than 100 other films.  He died in 2011.  

1921, Erick, Oklahoma, U.S.A:   Shelby F. Wooley alias Sheb Wooley, an  actor and singer, best known for his 1958 million selling hit The Purple People Eater.  He starred as Ben Miller in the movie High Noon, and co-starred in the 1960s Western television series Rawhide.   He died in 2003.

1932,  Alexandria, Egypt:   Michael Demitri Shalhoub alias Omar Sharif, actor famous for his roles in the movies Doctor Zhivago, Funny Girl and Lawrence of Arabia   He died in 2015.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1962,  Hamburg, West Germany Stuart Sutcliffe, the original bass guitar player for the Beatles, but left to pursue a career as an artist.  He suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, aged 21. 

1975,  Los Angeles, California, U.S.A:. Mary Tomlinson, alias Marjorie Main, actress best known for her role as Ma Kettle in a series of ten Ma and Pa Kettle movies produced in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  She was aged 85.

2003,  Kinston, North Carolina, U.S.A.,, Eva Narcissus Boyd alias Little Eva, singer best known for her one and only No 1 hit released in 1962, The Locomotion

Today’s photo:  April in New Norfolk.

(Yours Truly)

Today’s Playlist

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Mackhigh Stanton & Ray Roper – Blue Harley	2026	09:05	27/3/2026
70s Classic    Sherbet – Summer Love	1975	09:12	11/5/2025
Chasing Twisters – All The Way To Deja Vu	2026	09:15	27/3/2026
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs + Charlie Landsborough – Heaven Knows		09:22	14/3/2025
+ Foster & Allen – Mockingbird Hill		09:26	3/4/2026
Anthony Baxter & Lindsay Butler – Mount Scoria	2026	09:29	–
Peter Ostroushko – Amorino		09:34	30/6/2019
Sheb Wooley – Hootenanny Hoot	1963	09:40	24/11/2023
Sharon Whitcroft – My Home Sweet Home	2026	09:44	20/3/2026
For a Listener Roy Orbison – Too Soon To Know	1966	09:49	31/10/2021
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Petula Clark – My Love	1966	09:53	24/3/2024
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Bobby Fuller Four – I Fought The Law	1966	09:56	18/7/2025
Ray Lani – What If You Were Mine	2026	10:06	22/3/2026
For a Listener Chuck Berry – You Never Can Tell	1964	10:11	24/10/2025
For a Listener Box Car Willie – If You’ve Got The Money		10:15	–
For a Listener Andy Stewart – Donald Where’s Your Troosers	1961	10:18	8/10/2021
Little Eva – The Locomotion	1962	10:23	14/1/2024
Vintage Vinyl   Skeets McDonald – Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes	1952	10:26	12/2/2021
Richard Clayderman – The Last Waltz		10:31	12/1/2024
Chillin – Let It In	2026	10:36	5/4/2026
Aaron Boultinghouse – Your Memory	2026	10:41	–
Rowdy’s Rose – Moved In, In My Mind	2026	10:45	20/3/2026
Freddy Fender – Before The Next Teardrop Falls	1975	10:50	20/7/2025
Wendy Maree – Apricot Sky	2026	10:53	5/4/2026
Aron Michaels – This Small Town	2026	10:56	3/4/2026
Wolfe Milestone – Ole Mexico	2026	11:05	1/11/2024
Country Road – Old style country songs + Porter Wagoner – The Green Green Grass of Home		11:10	5/4/2026
+ Colin Buchanan – The Local District Show		11:12	25/1/2026
Jason Carruthers – She’d Taken Her Life	2026	11:18	–
Vintage Vinyl    Platters – My Prayer	1955	11:26	14/6/2020
Horst Wende’s Accordeon Band – Schiffsjungentanz  (Ship’s Boy Dance)		11:32	28/4/2024
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Overlanders – Michelle	1966	11:36	20/10/2019
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966 Seekers – Someday Oneday	1966	11:39	29/3/2024
Rebecca Richards – Never Too Late	2026	11:43	–
Holly Wild – Fire In The Rain	2025	11:46	22/3/2026
Heartland Roots Band – Starcrossed		11:49	–

► EVENTS ON 5 APRIL;

On this day in 1958, near Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada,  Ripple Rock, an underwater threat to navigation which had caused 119 shipwrecks and scores of deaths, was destroyed in one of the largest non-nuclear, controlled explosions of the time.
The explosion displaced 635,000 tonnes of rock and eliminated the two peaks which rose to within a few metres of the surface.

1968, and in Memphis, Tennessee, civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King was assassinated as he stood on a balcony outside his second-storey motel room.

1971, in Sicily, an eruption of Mt Etna took place.  This was one of the longest recorded eruptions of the volcano, lasting two months.  The molten lava it released narrowly missed two towns.

1998,  Kobe, Japan – The Akashi-Kaikyo bridge which spans the Akashi Strait opened to traffic.  With an overall length of 3,911 metres, and a deck height of 65 metres, it is the largest suspension bridge in the world.  It took 10 years to build.

  ► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.:  Spencer Tracy, actor, who appeared in 74 films from 1930 to 1967.  In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Tracy ninth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time.  He died in 1967.

1908, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.A. : Ruth Elizabeth Davis alias Bette Davis, actress of film, television and theatre noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters .   She died in 1989.

1912, Bedfordshire, England:  John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley alias John Le Mesurier, award-winning actor famous for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson on the popular 70s BBC comedy Dad’s Army He died in 1983.

1922, Bloomington, Texas, U.S.A. :  Josephine Owaissa Cottle alias Gale Storm, actress and singer, whose career started with a movie role in 1940 and continued till 1989.   She died in 2009.

1929, Coventry, Warwickshire, England: Nigel Hawthorne, actor, best remembered for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister  He died in 2001

1929, Newent, Gloucestershire, England:  Robert George Meek alias Joe Meek,  record producer and songwriter whose work and success in music is remarkable, as he was tone deaf .  He died in 1967.

1939, Swanley, Kent, England:  Robin Peter Smith alias Crispian St Peters,  pop singer and songwriter best known for his hits, The Pied Piper and You Were On My Mind  He died in 2010.

1950, Jonkoping, Sweden:  Agnetha Fältskog,  recording artist who achieved success in Sweden after the release of her debut album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968.  she reached international stardom as a member of the pop ABBA.

► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1983, Quartzsite, Arizona, U.S.A:  Danny Rapp, aged 74.  He was a pop musician with the group Danny & The Juniors, best known for their 1957 hit At The Hop

2006, Cardiff, Wales, Gene Pitney, aged 66.  American pop music singer-songwriter, musician and sound engineer, highly successful during the 1960s with numerous hit singles and albums.  One of his biggest hits was The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Today’s photo: The completed mural on the Tasmanian Transport Museum Society’s shed at Glenorchy. This was pre-viewed here, when incomplete, a few weeks ago.

Artist: Joel Gajda

Yours Truly

Today’s Playlist :

TRACK	RELEASE YEAR	PLAY TIME	LAST PLAYED
Joy Adams – Teach Your Children	2023	06:06	17/8/2025
Lance Friend – My Home Australia	2023	06:11	22/3/2026
Lindsay Waddington – Kakadu	2022	06:14	5/9/2025
Crispian St Peters – Free Spirit  Robin Peter Smith alias Crispian St Peters, BORN THIS DAY in 1939, Swanley, Kent, England.  Died 2010	1967	06:20	4/2/2022
ABBA – Hasta Manana  Agnetha Fältskog, BORN THIS DAY in 1950, Jonkoping, Sweden	1976	06:23	15/11/2024
For A Listener: Elvis Presley – How Great Thou Art		06:26	27/7/2014
Alan Tew Orchestra – Don’t Cry For Me Argentina		06:33	25/3/2022
Gordon Lightfoot – For Lovin’ Me		06:37	–
Vintage Vinyl    Patti Page – Tennessee Waltz	1950	06:40	7/8/2022
The Charlesys – Live Together	2026	06:43	22/2/2026
Ray Malcolm – Together Again	2026	06:48	22/3/2026
Diamond Album – From the L P “JOHNNY’S GREATEST HITS” Charting on this day 1966 Johnny Mathis – The Twelfth Of Never	1966	06:52	17/12/2023
Boney M – Hooray Hooray It’s A Holi Holiday		06:55	18/4/2025
Adam Faith – Green Finger		06:57	–
Jason McCahill – It’s Good To See You	2026	07:05	15/3/2026
COUNTRY ROAD + Slim Dusty – I’ll Take Mine Country Style		07:10	3/5/2019
+ Porter Wagoner – The Green Green Grass of Home		07:12	15/7/2016
For A Listener: Col Elliott – Proud To Be An Aussie		07:17	3/11/2023
Eric Devries – Shadow Of A Man	2024	07:21	1/11/2024
Vintage Vinyl   Danny & Juniors – At The Hop  Danny Rapp, DIED THIS DAY 1983, Quartzsite, Arizona, U.S.A. aged 74.	1958	07:26	27/2/2026
Gene Pitney – It Hurts To Be In Love  Gene Pitney, DIED THIS DAY 2006, Cardiff, Wales, aged 66.	1964	07:28	6/9/2024
Living Strings – Airport Love Theme		07:34	5/1/2024
For A Listener: Gene Watson – This Song Is Just For You		07:40	22/3/2026
Jade Hurley – My Country	2026	07:43	27/2/2026
Chillin – Let It In	2026	07:49	3/4/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “RUBBER SOUL” Charting on this day 1966 Beatles – I’m Looking Through You	1966	07:54	–
Cookies – Chains	1962	07:57	13/7/2018
Graeme Clarke – Ramblin’ Fever	2017	08:05	22/3/2026
COMFORT ZONE + Jack Jones – Strangers In The Night		08:10	12/5/2023
+ Sandy Scott & Tommy Tycho Orchestra – And I Love You So		08:16	14/7/2019
Wendy Maree – Apricot Sky	2026	08:23	22/3/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Buddy Holly – Think It Over	1958	08:26	27/6/2025
RnR Ranch Girls – On The Road Again	2022	08:28	21/1/2024
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – Alabama Jubilee		08:33	6/3/2020
Diamond Classic – From the L P “WHIPPED CREAM” Charting on this day 1966 Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – Tangerine	1965	08:35	–
Diamond Classic – From the L P “I HEAR A SYMPHONY” Charting on this day 1966 Diana Ross & Supremes – Unchained Melody	1966	08:39	5/5/2023
Rene Hage – We Welcome You	2026	08:44	–
Foster & Allen – Have You Ever Been Lonely		08:47	–
Hein Simons – Viel Zu Nah		08:50
Fishermens Friends – Strike The Bell		08:53	31/5/2024