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3 April 2026

EVENTS on 3 APRIL;

On this day in 1888  in Whitechapel, London, England – The first of eleven brutal murders of women was committed.  The murderer, nick-named Jack The Ripper, was never identified.

1897,  Western Tasmania – The last spike was driven in the construction of the original Abt railway between Queenstown and Strahan.  The railway was used to carry copper ore for shipment from Strahan, as well as passengers, but closed in 1963.
The rails were pulled up, the locomotives and rolling stock were sold and the formation left to nature.  The line was rebuilt in the late 1990s for tourism purposes, and renamed the West Coast Wilderness Railway..

1929,  Launceston and North-East Tasmania – Heavy rainfall commenced, which led to unprecedented flooding in the region over the next few days.

1954,  Canberra – Vladimir Petrov, third secretary at the Soviet Embassy in Canberra,  defected from the Soviet Union and requested political asylum in Australia.  A diplomatic furore, to be known as the Petrov Affair, erupted after his wife, Evdokia, was seized from Russian agents by Australian police at Darwin airport, whilst she was being escorted back to Russia.

 1982, Britain sent a naval task force to the South Atlantic to reclaim the Falkland Islands from invading Argentinian troops.  A brief, but bitter war ensued.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1922,  Cincinnatti, Ohio, U.S.A.:  Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff  alias Doris Day, singer, actress, and outspoken animal rights activist.  She began her career her late teens as a big band singer, and in 1945 had her first hit recording with Sentimental Journey.
In 1948, Doris appeared in her first film, Romance On The High Seas.   She since appeared in 39 films, and recorded over 650 songs.  She died in 2019.  

1928, Shelby, North Carolina, U.S.A.:   Don Gibson, songwriter, singer and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, who had a string of country hits from the late 50s into the early 1970s.  He died 2003.

1941,  Los Angeles, California, U.S.A:   Jan Berry, who, with Dean Torrence, was part of the duo Jan & Dean, which pioneered the California surf pop music style adopted later by the Beach Boys.  He died 2004.

1942,  Norfolk, Virginia U.S.A.:  Wayne Newton, singer and entertainer who has performed over 30,000 shows in Las Vegas over 40 years.   His hits include Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast and Red Roses For A Blue Lady (1965), but is best known for his signature song, Danke Schoen.

1942,  Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.A.:  Billy Joe Royal, singer and entertainer best known for his 1965 Top 10 hit Down In The Boondocks  He died in 2015.

1944,  New York U.S.A.:  Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis alias Tony Orlando, singer and entertainer best known for his work with the group Dawn in the early 1970s. One of the best known is Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree.

Today’s photo:  Morning fog in the Derwent Valley. [J Kingshott]

Today’s Playlist

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Gregory M Dillon – Your Battery’s Low 202609:05
70s Classic    Pilot – January 197509:1020/7/2025
Tres Chic – On The Wings Of A Nightingale 202609:1329/3/2026
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs
+ Kamahl – You’ve Got To Learn  
 09:1925/8/2019
+ Vic Damone & Nelson Riddle Orchestra – Games That Lovers Play  09:2228/1/2024
Chillin – Let It In 202609:26
Romantic Strings Orchestra – And I Love You So  09:31
Shelley Minson – Dance When The Music Plays  202609:36
Ray Conniff Singers – Yesterday  09:41
For a Listener Merle Haggard – Mama’s Hungry Eyes  09:45
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966
Patsy Cline – Seven Lonely Days 
196609:493/3/2017
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966
Lou Christie – Lightnin’ Strikes 
196609:5119/2/2023
Kerri Perrett – White Crosses And The Rose  09:5523/5/2025
Mrs Mills – Shine On Harvest Moon 09:5828/12/2025
Jonathan King – Everyone’s Gone To The Moon 196510:055/9/2025
Allan Caswell – Swing The Blues 202610:10
Roseann Sureda – Back To My Heart 202610:13
Band Of Rain – I Love You Whatever 202610:18
Vintage Vinyl  
Doris Day – The Black Hills of Dakota  From the 1953 musical film Calamity Jane
195310:251/8/2025
Don Gibson – Country Green  10:29
Jan & Dean – New Girl In School  196410:3212/4/2024
Dresden Philharmonic – Thunder and Lightning Polka  10:3718/2/2022
Wayne Newton – The Tip Of My Fingers 196810:41
Billie Jo Royal – Hush 196710:44
Tony Orlando – Halfway To Paradise 196110:4813/3/2020
Toni West – Your Days Are Numbered 202610:5129/3/2026
For a Listener ABBA – Fernando  10:552/1/2026
Ramona Bruins – Happiness For Free 202611:05
Country Road – Old style country songs
+ Chris Strohfeld – G’Day Blue 
201811:1018/10/2019
+ Reg Lindsay – Country Music Hall of Fame  11:13
For a Listener Peter Sarstedt – Where Do You Go To  196911:212/6/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Everly Brothers – Devoted To You 195811:2713/7/2025
Johnny Gregory & His Orchestra – Chariots Of Fire   11:32
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966
Hermans Hermits – Listen People 
196611:3725/3/2022
Diamond 45s –  Charting on this day 1966
Barbra Streisand – Second Hand Rose 
196611:3924/4/2020  
Nancy Sinatra – Flowers On The Wall  11:43
Gary R Farmer – South Of The Border202611:4627/2/2026
Foster & Allen – Mockingbird Hill  11:51
Aaron Michaels – This Small Town202611:54
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29 March 2026

► EVENTS ON 29 March;

On this day in 1964, Radio Caroline became England’s first pirate radio station, transmitting from a ship Mi Amigo which was anchored just outside English territorial waters.
 Radio Caroline was formed to circumvent the control exercised by record companies of popular music broadcasting, and the monopoly then held by the BBC in radio broadcasting.  Today it’s broadcasts are primarily via the internet.

1965, and the Tasman Bridge in Hobart, was officially opened by the State Minister for Lands and Works, Mr Cashion.

1972, in Berlin, Germany, West Berliners were permitted to enter the walled-off eastern half of the city for the first time in 20 years.

1973, and the last United States combat soldiers left South Vietnam, upon the end of the Vietnam War.  The principal city, Saigon, was renamed Ho Chi Minh City.

1974, and America’s Mariner 10, which had been launched the previous November, became the first space probe to fly by and return close-up photographs of the planet Mercury.

Also in 1974, but in Xian, China, workmen and archaeologists uncovered a series of pits containing over 8,000 life-size terra-cotta figures, depicting soldiers, chariots and horses.   Considered to be one of the greatest archeological sites in the world, some of the figures, known as the Terra-cotta Army, can be visited by foreign travellers.

1987,  near Derby, West Australia,  A young American woman was taken by a crocodile while swimming in the Prince Regent River.  The Federal Minister for the Environment later said that warning signs erected along the river, which was known to be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles, had been ignored.

2004, the Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants.

  ► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1932, Sydney, New South Wales:  Patricia Lamond Lawman, alias Toni Lamond, singer, actress, dancer and comedienne who performed since the age of 10.  As an actress, she has starred in numerous Australian stage, movie and television productions.  She died in November 2025, aged 93.

1940, Bahia, Brazil: Astrud Weinert alias Astrud Gilberto, singer famous for her samba and bossa nova music, including the Grammy Award-winning song The Girl From Ipanema.  She died 2023.

1941, Delhi, India:  Richard Graham Sarstedt alias Eden Kane, British teen idol and pop singer of the pre-Beatles era in the early 1960s.

1943, Volos, Greece:  Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou alias Vangelis, musician and composer of electronic jazz, progressive, ambient and orchestral music, best known for his Academy Award winning score for the film Chariots Of Fire, and scores for the films Blade Runner and 1492: Conquest of Paradise.  He died in May 2022, aged 79.

1944, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Terry Jacks, singer, songwriter, record producer and environmentalist best known for his 1974 hit, Seasons In The Sun.

1946, Manchester, England:  William Richard Thorpe alias Billy Thorpe,  Australian pop singer, songwriter and musician.  As lead singer of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, he had success in the mid 1960s with Poison Ivy, Over The Rainbow, Sick and Tired, and Mashed Potato.  These were followed in the 70s with Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy He died in May 2007, aged 60.

DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1980, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England:  Annunzio Paolo Mantovani, alias Mantovani, aged 74.  He was an Anglo-Italian orchestra conductor and light-orchestra-style entertainer known for his cascading strings musical signature. 

Today’s Playlist :

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Tres Chic – On The Wings Of A Nightingale 202606:06
Toni West – Your Days Are Numbered 202606:11
Ron Callaghan – Poor Man 202606:1527/3/2026
Eden Kane – Forget Me Not 
BORN THIS DAY 1941, Richard Graham Sarstedt alias Eden Kane, in 1941 in Delhi, India. 
196206:2229/3/2015
Vangelis – Chariots Of Fire 198106:2418/7/2025
Lolita – Weisser Holunder 198106:28
Simon May Orchestra – Orrin (New England)  06:32
Vintage Vinyl    Bing Crosby – Around The World 195706:35
Terry Jacks – Hey Country Girl  06:4024/3/2019
Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs – Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy 197206:4529/2/2024
For A Listener: Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs – Poison Ivy196406:5028/2/2025
Diamond Album – From the L P “THE BEATLES 65” Charting on this day 1966
Beatles – I’ll Follow The Sun 
196606:5415/6/2025
Celine Dion – River Deep Mountain High  06:56
Destiny Band Oz – Tell Him 201707:0618/10/2024
COUNTRY ROAD
+ Dianne Lindsay – Bushland Sweetheart 
 07:1217/4/2020
+ Slim Dusty & Travelling Country Band – The Three Rivers Hotel  07:144/7/2025
For A Listener: Daniel O’Donnell  –  That’s Amore  07:203/9/2017
Vintage Vinyl   Buddy Holly – Every Day 195707:2415/5/2015
Raymond Smith – Between You And I 202607:2627/3/2026
Mantovani – The Carousel Waltz 
DIED THIS DAY 1980, Annunzio Paolo Mantovani, alias Mantovani, in 1980, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England aged 74. 
 07:3329/9/2024
Behind the Sea – Kiss Kiss Moi 202607:3813/3/2026
Bill Anderson – Green Green  07:4131/5/2024
Diamond Classic – From the L P “FAIRYTALE” Charting on this day 1966
Donovan – Universal Soldier 
196507:4517/10/2025
Michael T Wall – Daddy’s Girl  202107:4719/4/2024
Sarah & Sabrina Wall – We’re Still Daddy’s Girls 202107:5119/4/2024
David McCaffrey – Walk Of Life  07:5629/8/2025
Grandpa Jones – Daylight Savings Time  08:04
For A Listener: Foster & Allen – Nobody’s Darling But Mine  08:0915/2/2026
COMFORT ZONE
+ John Rowles – Island In The Sun 
 08:1327/8/2023
+ Tony Barber – And I Love You So  08:1614/2/2016
Warren Kearney – Let It Be Me 202608:2315/3/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Dickie Valentine – The Finger of Suspicion 195408:314/11/2022
Manuel & The Music of the Mountains – A Banda  08:3611/2/2024
Diamond Classic – From the L P “SEPTEMBER OF MY YEARS” Charting on this day 1966
Frank Sinatra – It Was A Very Good Year 
196508:406/3/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “SOMEWHERE THERE’S A SOMEONE” Charting on this day 1966
Dean Martin – I Walk The Line 
196608:4431/1/2025
David Hammerschlag – One Certain Thing 202608:498/3/2026
Lindsay Butler – Mama’s Hungry Eyes 202608:52
    
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27 March 2026

EVENTS on 27 MARCH;

On this day in 1939  in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia’s first locally built military aircraft, the Wirraway, made its first test flight.  It was a training and general purpose military aircraft manufactured by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1939 and 1946,

1952,  New York, USA,   The comedy musical Singin’ in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds and with Kelly also providing the choreography, was released. It was a comic depiction of Hollywood, and its transition from silent films to “talkies.”   Although its initial reception was not good, it is now regarded as one of the best musicals ever made.

1956,  Hobart, a four lane bridge was first proposed as a replacement for the floating-pontoon bridge across the Derwent River.   

1964,  Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.A., the most powerful earthquake in U.S. history, with a magnitude of  9.2 struck.   It resulted in 125 deaths and massive damage to the city.   

1986, Melbourne, Victoria,  A car bomb exploded outside Russell Street police headquarters, causing the death of a policewoman and injuring 20 other people.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1863 – Henry Royce, was born in Alwalton, Peterborough, England.   He was an engineer and car designer who, together with Charles Rolls, founded the well-known Rolls Royce car company  He died in 1933.

1924 –  Sarah Vaughan was born in New Jersey U.S.A. She was a four-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer whose career extended from 1943 till 1989.  She died in 1990.

1931 –  David Harold Meyer alias David Janssen, was born in Naponee, Nebraska, U.S.A.  He was a film and television actor best known for his starring role as Dr. Richard Kimble, a doctor wrongly convicted of murder and on the run after escaping from custody in a train crash, in the television series The Fugitive (1963–1967)   He died in 1980.

DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1968 – Colonel Yuri Gagarin, in 1968, in a plane crash,70 kilometres north of Moscow, aged 34..  He was a Soviet cosmonaut, who became the first human in space when his craft made one orbit of the Earth in 1961.  He was

1998 – Ferdinand Anton Ernst Porsche alias Ferry Porsche, in Zell am See, Austria aged 88.  He was a car designer, manufacturer and entrepreneur, who operated the Porsche company in Stuttgart, Germany.

2002 – Dudley Moore, in Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.A. aged 66. He was an actor, comedian, composer and musician famous as half the popular television double-act with Peter Cook.

Today’s photo:  Part of the dolerite “Organ Pipes” formation, Mt Wellington, Tasmania [Yours Truly]

Today’s Playlist

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Ariel Franz – Heart On Down 202609:0527/6/2025
70s Classic    Three Degrees – When Will I See You Again 197509:1011/5/2025
Mackhigh Stanton & Ray Roper – Blue Harley 202609:13
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs
+ Doris Day – The More I See You 
 09:19
+ Val Doonican – Stranger On The Shore  09:2223/11/2025
Sammie Soravia – You’re In My Heart Too 202609:27
Joe Reisman & His Orchestra – MacArthur Park  09:31
Sarah Vaughan – Make Yourself Comfortable 
Sarah Vaughan, born 1924 in New Jersey U.S.A. A four-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer whose career extended from 1943 till 1989.  She died in 1990.
 09:36
Aaron Boultinghouse – Fading Away 202609:40
For a Listener Sarah Brightman – Love Changes Everything  09:4514/8/2020
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Roger Miller’s Golden Hits” Charting on this day 1966
Roger Miller – Engine, Engine  Number Nine 
196509:514/4/2025
Diamond Classic – From the Album “The Best of Herman’s Hermits” Charting on this day 1966
Hermans Hermits – I’m Into Something Good 
196409:5329/11/2024
Johnny Cash – Sunday Morning Coming Down 197009:5715/2/2026
Chasing Twisters – All The Way To Deja Vu 202610:0528/6/2024
Samantha Dann – Wild Child 202610:11
Ron Callaghan – Poor Man 202610:1323/3/2025
Seekers – Blowin’ In The Wind  10:1926/7/2020
Vintage Vinyl   Debbie Reynolds – Tammy
From 1957 romantic comedy film Tammy and the Bachelor
195710:2428/3/2021
Jean Pierre & His Grand Orchestra – I Could Have Danced all Night   10:275/12/2025
Nick Ingman & His Orchestra – Theme From The Godfather  10:31
Anastasia Lee & Celesta da Vinci – Swan Song (Tchaikovsky) 202610:368/3/2026
John Greene – Sail Away 202610:395/7/2024
70s Classic    Curly Rivers & Dusty Trail Ramblers – The Ferryboat Shuffle 197510:4325/1/2026
Seamog Buckley – Little White Cross 202610:47
Michelle Murphy – River Shannon 202610:4922/3/2026
For a Listener Victoria Eman – Lieve Hilda Lieve Oma 202610:548/3/2026
ABC Showband – Theme From Upstairs Downstairs197510:5824/5/2024
BeatWizzies – So We Dance202611:05
Country Road – Old style country songs
+ Porter Wagoner – One Way Ticket To The Blues 
 11:1228/10/2022
+ Chris Strohfeld – At Home In The Mountains  11:1423/1/2026
For a Listener Roger Whittaker – Die Bilder Der Kindheit   11:2011/10/2024
For a Listener Johnny Horton – When It’s Springtime in Alaska  196011:2516/1/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Stanley Black Orchestra – Delicado 195211:3319/5/2017
Ronnie Price His Piano & Orchestra – Three Times A Lady   11:39
Diamond Classic – From the Album “The Sound of Silence” Charting on this day 1966
Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence 
196611:429/1/2026
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Going Places” Charting on this day 1966
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – A Walk In The Black Forest 
196611:4625/5/2018  
Raymond Smith – Between You And I 202611:49
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22 March 2026

► EVENT ON 22 March;

On this day in 1931 –  Australian National Airlines’ airliner Southern Cloud, which had left Sydney for Melbourne at 8.30 a.m. with 6 passengers and 2 crew, was reported missing.  The aircraft, was one of ten triple-engined aircraft which flew regular services within Australia.
An 18-day search by 20 aircraft failed to reveal its whereabouts.
This remained a mystery until 26 October 1958, when a worker on the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric project accidentally discovered the remains of the aircraft in mountainous terrain, 25 kilometres east of the direct Sydney-Melbourne route.

  ► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1912, Dublin, Ireland:  Henry Wilfrid Brambell alias Wilfred Brambell, film and television actor best known for his role in the television series Steptoe and Son.   He also starred alongside The Beatles in the film A Hard Days Night, playing Paul McCartney’s’s fictitious grandfather.  Died in 1985.

1920, Cologne, Germany:  Werner Klemperer, comedian and actor, best known for his role as Colonel Klink on the television sitcom Hogan’s Heroes.   He was also musically talented, being a violinist and an accomplished concert pianist  Died 2000.

1931, Montreal, Quebec, Canada:  William Shatner,  actor, recording artist, and author famous for his portrayal of Captain James T Kirk of the USS Enterprise, in the television science fiction series Star Trek;  also Star Trek: The Animated Series;  and in seven of the subsequent Star Trek feature films from 1979 to 1994.

1936, Nairobi, Kenya:  Roger Whittaker, singer-songwriter and musician with worldwide record sales of over 55 million.  He is best known for his baritone singing voice and trademark whistling ability.  Died 2023.

1948, Kensington, London, England:   Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer of musical theatre who has achieved great popular success, and has been referred to as “the most commercially successful composer in history.”

DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

1991, Strafford County, New Hampshire, U.S.A.: Donald David Guard, alias Dave Guard,  aged 56.  He was a founding member of the Kingston Trio folk group. 

1996, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.: Billy Williamson, aged 71.  He was a steel guitar player for the group Bill Haley & Saddlemen and its successor, Bill Haley & Comets, from 1949 till 1963.  

Today’s photo: Today’s photo: A mural in the making, Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy.

Today’s Playlist :

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Cat Lion – Stop! 202606:062/11/2025
Graeme Clarke – Ramblin’ Fever 202606:1113/3/2026
Wendy Maree – Apricot Sky 202606:15
Roger & Jessica Whittaker – A Perfect Day 
BORN 1936, Nairobi, Kenya:  Roger Whittaker, singer-songwriter and musician.  Died 2023
 06:2117/9/2023
Michael Farrell – Country Boy 202506:245/12/2025
Ray Lani – Every Time That I’m With You 202606:2913/3/2026
Ned Miller – From A Jack To A King 196306:2812/4/2024
Bebo Valdez & His Orchestra – Tu Sabes Bien Que Te Quiero  06:3221/8/2016
Vintage Vinyl    Bobby Darin – Somewhere Beyond The Sea 196006:3514/5/2023
Ray Lani – What If You Were Mine 202606:38
Frans Van Den Borg – Swimming Into Deep Water 202606:43
Diamond Classic – From the L P “The Four Seasons Gold Vault of Hits” Charting on this day 1966
Four Seasons – Silence Is Golden 
196606:473/5/2024
Clabe McGuire – Just One More Time 202606:521/3/2026
A Love Story True – Written by Gregory Dillon 
Recorded by A I, for the current visit to Tasmania of King Frederik X and Queen Mary, of Denmark
202606:5720/3/2026
Lance Friend – My Home Australia   202307:0611/5/2012
COUNTRY ROAD
+ Chris James – Red Dirt On His Hands 
202507:1124/8/2025
+ Terry Bennetts – Slab Hut Gully 202507:1426/12/2025
For A Listener: Anne Murray – Snowbird 197107:185/4/2024
For A Listener: Eric Bogle – Aussie Barbecue  07:209/2/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Kingston Trio – Tom Dooley 
DIED 1991, Strafford County, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Donald David Guard, alias Dave Guard, a founding member of the Kingston Trio folk group.  Aged 56. 
195807:247/7/2024
Holly Wild – Fire In The Rain  202507:2712/12/2025
Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra – Friends  07:3228/10/2022
Ray Malcolm – Together Again 202607:361/3/2026
Emma Jene  – Alone 202007:3818/9/2020
Diamond Classic – From the L P “Remember Me I’m The One Who Loves You” Charting on this day 1966
Dean Martin – Welcome To My World 
196707:4420/8/2023
Boyzone – Words   07:4629/11/2024
Justin Landers – Be A Little Kinder 202007:522/10/2020
Joe Maher – The Streets Of London 202007:5611/10/2020
Lance Friend – My Home Australia   202308:0416/2/2025
COMFORT ZONE
+ Vera Lynn – I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter 
 08:1020/3/2026
+ Charlie Landsborough – Always  08:1311/10/2023
For A Listener: Lionel Rose – Pick Me Up On Your Way Down 197008:2019/10/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Four Aces – Stranger In Paradise 195508:2730/7/2017
Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra – Downtown  08:345/8/2016
Diamond Classic – From the L P “Andy Williams’ Newest Hits” Charting on this day 1966
Andy Williams – Almost There 
196508:389/1/2015
Diamond Classic – From the L P “The Lonely Bull” Charting on this day 1966
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – Tijuana Sauerkraut 
196608:4131/8/2014
Gene Watson – This Song Is Just For You 08:4520/3/2026
Michelle Murphy – River Shannon 202608:4813/3/2026
Stan Freberg – Making A Hit Record  08:5211/3/2022
0 Comments

20 March 2026

EVENTS on 20 MARCH;

On this day in 1980, in the North Sea off the English coast, the Radio Caroline pirate radio ship, Mi Amigo foundered in a gale.  Radio Caroline was formed in 1964 to circumvent the control exercised by record companies of popular music broadcasting, and the monopoly then held by the BBC in radio broadcasting in England.
The station continued to broadcast for many years from a ship moored in international waters, but today it’s broadcasts are primarily via the internet..

1982 – Mansfield, Victoria,  the movie Man From Snowy River,  which was based on the Banjo Paterson  poem of the same name, premiered in Mansfield, where it was filmed.  The cast included prominent Australian actors such as Jack Thompson, Sigrid Thornton and Terence Donovan..

2003 – The United States and three of its allies, England, Australia and Poland began military operations in Iraq, intended to locate and remove weapons of mass destruction allegedly held by the regime of Saddam Hussein.  Ultimately, none were found.

2006 – Near Innisfail, Queensland, Cyclone Larry made landfall, with wind gusts reaching 240 kilometres per hour.   The cyclone destroyed over 80% of Australia’s banana crop and caused damage estimated at over 1½ billion dollars.

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE

1917 – Vera Margaret Welch  alias Vera Lynn, in East Ham, London, England.  She became a singer and actress whose musical recordings and performances were enormously popular during the Second World War. Nicknamed “The Forces’ Sweetheart,” she devoted much time to charities associated with ex-servicemen, disabled children and breast cancer.
In 2000, Vera Lynn was named the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the twentieth century.  The songs most associated with her from the war years are We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover.   She died in 2020, aged 103..

1939 – Donald James Delbridge, alias Johnny Rebb, in Sydney, New South Wales.   He was a country singer turned rock and roll artist of the late 1950s/early 1960s, dubbed by disc jockeys of the time “The Gentleman of Rock and Roll”  He died in 2014.

1957 – David Foster in Devonport, Tasmania  He was the holder of the world woodchopping championship for 21 consecutive years, and is possibly the only athlete anywhere to win over 1,000 titles.

DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

2011 – Johnny Pearson , in England at the age of 85.  He was a pianist, orchestra leader and founder of the successful 1960s easy-listening group, Sounds Orchestral.  Pearson composed several memorable television theme tunes, including that for the original series of  All Creatures Great And Small. 

2015 – Malcolm Fraser, in Melbourne, Victoria, aged 84.  He was Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister.

2020 – Kenneth Donald Rogers alias Kenny Rogers, in Sandy Springs, Georgia, U.S.A., aged 81.  He was a country singer song-writer, photographer, record producer, actor and entrepreneur. 

2023 – Terry Norris in Geelong, Victoria, at the age of 92. He was an Australian actor who appeared in many productions, including Bellbird, Cop Shop and The Last of the Australians.  He left his acting career for a 10-year stint in the Victorian Legislative Assembly between 1982 and 1992.

Today’s photo:  The Bay of Fires, in north-east Tasmania.

 Photos – Yours Truly

Today’s Playlist

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Kathy Carver – Bingo Player 202609:048/3/2026
70s Classic    Air Supply – Bring Out The Magic 197809:10
Dan Jones – Lovin’ You 202609:14
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs
+ Anne Murray & Glen Campbell – Medley~I Say A Little Prayer~By The Time I Get To Phoenix 
 09:20
+ Andy Williams – It Had To Be You  09:23
A Love Story True – Written by Gregory Dillon 
Recorded by A I, for the current visit to Tasmania of King Frederik X and Queen Mary, of Denmark
202609:27
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town  09:3322/5/2020
Vera Lynn with Tony Osborne & His Orchestra – I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter  Vera Margaret Welch  alias Vera Lynn born this day in 1917 in East Ham, London, England.  Died 2020, aged 103. 09:3718/6/2023
Johnny Rebb – Hey Sherriff 195909:4128/7/2023
For a Listener Roger Whittaker – The Streets Of London 197109:4630/8/2024
Diamond Classic – From the Album “I Hear A Symphony” Charting on this day 1966
Diana Ross & Supremes – With a Song in My Heart 
196609:5122/11/2019
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Houston” Charting on this day 1966
Dean Martin – Down Home 
196609:5324/1/2025
Michael Russ – Trumpet Hearts 202609:5715/2/2026
Terry Bennetts – Backing In The Van 202410:059/11/2025
Nancy Muller – Help Pour Out The Rain 202610:1015/3/2026
Conor Owens – My Arney Home 202610:146/3/2026
Kenny Rogers – Daytime Friends 
Kenny Rogers, died this day in 2020  in Sandy Springs, Georgia, U.S.A., aged 81. 
197810:199/4/2023
Vintage Vinyl   Hollywood Argyles – Alley Oop 196010:2331/12/2023
Chillin’ – Straight Into Your Heart  202610:268/3/2026
Johnny Pearson Orchestra – Piano Parchment, also known as All Creatures Great and Small Theme, original series.
Johnny Pearson, died this day in 2011 in England at the age of 85. 
 10:3223/2/2024
Jade Hurley – My Country 202610:3527/2/2026
Rowdy’s Rose – Moved In, In My Mind 202610:38
70s Classic    ABBA – Dance While The Music Still Goes On 197310:433/11/2024
Shelly Jones Band – Peas In A Pod 202110:476/3/2026
Irish Rovers – Black Velvet Band 197110:511/3/2026
For a Listener Gene Watson – This Song Is Just For You  10:56
Erec Gebauer Pizzicato Orchestra – Poppa Piccolino 10:583/3/2019
Highway 95 – Bartender 202611:058/3/2026
Country Road – Old style country songs + Alan Gilmour – The Longest Country Mile  11:116/3/2026
+ Slim Dusty – When The Currawongs Come Down  11:1426/6/2022
For a Listener Margot Eskens – Jonny Komm Wieder Nach Helgoland  11:2030/4/2021
Vintage Vinyl    Stargazers – Sugarbush 195211:2713/10/2017
Acker Bilk – A Hundred Years From Today   11:3227/12/2021
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Spanish Eyes” Charting on this day 1966
Al Martino – Spanish Eyes 
196611:3612/12/2025
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Fairytale” Charting on this day 1966
Nancy Sinatra – These Boots Are Made For Walking 
196611:3917/1/2021
Sharon Whitcroft – My Home Sweet Home 202611:44
Brian Moon – Should I Be Doing This 202611:47
Alisha Smith – The Bouldy Bash  11:504/10/2024
Ben Gunn – Only In Australia 11:5327/12/2019
0 Comments

15 March 2026

► EVENTS ON 15 March;

On this day in 1926 – The original National Park railway station opened on the Derwent Valley railway.

In 1936, Trains of tanker wagons were used to supply water to severely drought stricken areas of the Derwent Valley and Midlands.  

In 1952,  1870 mm of rain fell in one day in Cilaos, Reunion Island, setting a new world record.

In 1970, Amsterdam, Netherlands, All Kinds of Everything, sung by Dana (music and text by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith), won the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 for Ireland. 

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE


BORN:
 Harry Haag James, alias Harry James, in 1916, Albany, Georgia U.S.A.  He was a Big Band era bandleader, active almost continuously from 1939 till his death in 1983, at the age of 67.

BORN:  Albert Edward Calvert, alias Eddie Calvert, in 1922, Preston, Lancashire, England.  He was a trumpeter, who enjoyed his greatest successes in the 1950s. Calvert had his first British number one instrumental single in 1954, with Oh Mein Papa.  He died in 1978.

BORN:  Alan Bean, in 1932, Wheeler, Texas, U.S.A   He was the fourth man to set foot on the moon and Lunar Module Pilot of the Apollo 12 mission in 1969. He completed two moon walks and assisted crewmates Dick Gordon and Pete Conrad with lunar surface experiments, and with the installation of the first nuclear power generator station on the moon.  He died in 2018.

BORN: John Duttine, in 1949, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England  He is an  actor who has appeared in numerous television productions, including Doc Martin, Taggart, Midsomer Murders,  The Bill, and Dalziel and Pascoe.  He is best known for his role as Sergeant George Miller, in the TV drama series Heartbeat.

Today’s photo: Another view of Federation Peak, in Tasmania’s rugged Wilderness World Heritage Area

Par Avion https://www.facebook.com/paraviontas

Today’s Playlist :

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Dean Perrett – Road Train Country 202606:0620/2/2026
Russel Kitchin – Together Alone 202606:1113/3/2026
Alice Benfer – Wildflowers On The Outback 202606:156/3/2026
Eddie Calvert – Il Silenzio 196506:2110/10/2025
Warren Kearney – Let It Be Me 202606:2513/3/2026
Ray Lani – Every Time That I’m With You 202606:2913/3/2026
101 Strings Orchestra – A Hard Day’s Night  06:343/6/2022
Vintage Vinyl    Cathy Carr – First Anniversary 195906:3825/10/2024
Clyde McPhatter – A Lover’s Question 195806:415/9/2025
For A Listener: Beatles – All You Need Is Love 196806:4515/3/2026
Nancy Muller – Help Pour Out The Rain 202606:516/3/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “Roger Miller’s Golden Hits” Charting on this day 1966
Roger Miller – Do Wacka Do 
196406:5510/1/2025
Joy Adams – After All 202606:5713/2/2026
Jason McCahill – It’s Good To See You 202607:056/3/2026
COUNTRY ROAD
+ Jason Carruthers – Goats Ahead Upon The Road 
202207:1122/3/2024
+ Buddy Williams – The Flying Doctor 195807:135/5/2024
For A Listener: 19 0 1 – Along The Road To Gundagai  07:1926/1/2025
Dana – All Kinds of Everything 197007:2315/3/2024
Karl Heinz Kaestel – The Last Waltz  07:279/2/2024
Malando & His Tango Orchestra – Noche De Estrellas  07:3217/9/2017
Vintage Vinyl    Perry Como – Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes 195307:3622/10/2023
Hauntees – All Over Again 202607:396/3/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “People” Charting on this day 1966
Al Martino – My Cherie 
196507:4520/2/2026
Caoimhe Murney – Your Health Is Your Wealth  202607:476/3/2026
Graeme Clarke – Footprints in the Sand at Wallaroo 201807:5013/12/2024
Penny Jayne Black – Black Coffee202607:53
Taylor Brothers – Please Let Me Wonder 202608:056/3/2026
COMFORT ZONE
+ Michael Crawford – Love Changes Everything 
 08:101/6/2025
+ Foster & Allen – I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen  08:1228/8/2020
Toni West – If I Didn’t Love Him 195508:171/3/2026
Vintage Vinyl    Sheb Wooley – The Purple People Eater 195808:2528/6/2024
Herb Alpert – So What’s New 08:2730/4/2023
Francis Goya – Natacha  08:3312/2/2024
Diamond Classic – From the L P “Mary Poppins Soundtrack” Charting on this day 1966
Julie Andrews – A Spoonful of Sugar 
196508:398/8/2025
Diamond Classic – From the L P “Moon Over Naples” Charting on this day 1966
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – Red Roses for a Blue Lady 
196508:42
For A Listener: Neil Young – Harvest Moon 202608:445/12/2025
Susanna Colley – Bring Me Home 202408:5113/3/2026
0 Comments

13 March 2026

EVENTS on 13 MARCH;

On this day in 1781 William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in Bath, England.  The planet had been observed from Earth on numerous occasions over the centuries, but it had been mistaken for a star.

In 1876, in Tasmania, the first through express train ran between Hobart and Evandale Junction.  Previously, as the main line railway was being constructed southward from Evandale Junction and northward from Hobart, passengers had to disembark from one train and board stagecoaches to connect with another train at the opposite railhead.

In 1985, the television soap opera Neighbours began on the Ten Network.  The programme became the longest-running drama in Australian television history, running for 41 seasons and 9,363 episodes from 1985 till 2025.

In 1988,  In Japan, the 53.85-kilometre long Seikan railway tunnel opened between Aomori and Hakodate.  This tunnel, which has a 23.3-kilometre long portion 140 metres beneath the seabed, is both the longest and the deepest operational rail tunnel in the world, although the Channel Tunnel between England and France has a longer undersea portion. 

► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE


BORN:  Samuel Zarnocay Jr, alias Sammy Kaye, in 1910 in Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.A. He was a bandleader and songwiter of the Big Band era, famed for the tag line “Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye”  He died in 1987.

BORN Ronnie Hazlehurst, in 1928 in Dukinfield, Cheshire, England.  He was an orchestra conductor and composer who has composed theme music to  many television programmes, such as Yes Minister, Are You Being Served, Last of the Summer Wine and To The Manor Born.   Ronnie Hazlehurst died in 2007.

BORN Neil Sedaka, was born on this day in 1939 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A  He was a pop singer, pianist and songwriter whose career spanned more than 50 years.  His biggest hits include Stairway To Heaven, Run Samson Run, Little Devil, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen and Calendar Girl.  He died on 27 February 2026.

Today’s photo: Federation Peak, in Tasmania’s rugged Wilderness World Heritage Area

Par Avion https://www.facebook.com/paraviontas

Today’s Playlist

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Jeff London Project – Washed Up 202609:0527/2/2026
70s Classic    Gene Pitney – Blue Angel 197509:1011/5/2025
Frans Van Den Borg – Swimming Into Deep Water 202609:13 –
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs
+ Irish Rovers – Lily The Pink 
196909:1825/2/2022
+ Anne Murray – Daydream Believer  09:2213/2/2026
Warren Kearney – Let It Be Me 202609:2627/2/2026
Johnny Pearson & His Orchestra – First Love  09:3219/2/2023
Neil Sedaka – Next Door To An Angel 196209:367/8/2020
Ray Lani – Every Time That I’m With You 202609:401/3/2026
For a Listener Brenda Lee – Night And Day  09:4529/11/2024
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Rubber Soul” Charting on this day 1966
Beatles – Nowhere Man 
196509:4814/5/2021
Diamond Classic – From the Album “I Hear A Symphony” Charting on this day 1966
Supremes – I Hear A Symphony 
196509:511/2/2026
Joy Adams – Hug202609:558/3/2026
Russel Kitchin – Together Alone 202610:0522/2/2026
Bobby Valentine – Two Sides To Every Story 202610:118/3/2026
Graeme Clarke – Ramblin’ Fever 201710:1511/5/2018
Daniel O’Donnell – Footsteps  10:1915/12/2024
Vintage Vinyl   Johnny Cash – I Walk The Line 195610:243/10/2025
Shadows – Dance On  196310:2823/3/2025
Joe Reisman & His Orchestra – Love Walked In  10:327/9/2025
For a Listener Pussycat – My Broken Souvenirs 10:3621/12/2025
ABBA – I Have A Dream 197910:4017/2/2023
 Randy C Moore – Forget Me Not 202610:468/3/2026
70s Classic    Buck Owens & His Buckaroos – Made In Japan 197310:494/5/2025
Michelle Murphy – River Shannon 202610:52 –
Kane Vincent – Tokyo 202610:568/3/2026
Heartland Roots Band – This Is Now 202611:057/9/2025
Country Road – Old style country songs
+ Slim Dusty – Old Riders In The Grandstand 
 11:1015/5/2020
+ Ray Kernaghan – Rocking Alone In A Old Rocking Chair  11:1328/2/2021
For a Listener Tom Curtain & Robyn Martin – When The Rain Comes Down  202311:1831/10/2025
Vintage Vinyl    Harry Grove Trio – Meet Mr Callaghan 195211:2622/4/2016
Johnny Douglas & His Orchestra – Manhattan   11:3219/12/2025
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Jim Reeves Volume 2” Charting on this day 1966
Jim Reeves – I Guess I’m Crazy 
196411:3616/7/2023
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Whipped Cream” Charting on this day 1966
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – Whipped Cream 
196511:394/7/2025
Susanna Colley – Bring Me Home 202611:43 –
Behind the Sea – Kiss Kiss Moi 202611:478/3/2026
Janey & Carla Kirk – A World Of Our Own 202311:502/3/2025
Andy Stewart – A Scottish Soldier196111:5310/11/2024
0 Comments

8 March 2026

► EVENTS ON 8 March;

On this day in 1925 in Melbourne, Victoria, radio station 3UZ was founded by electrical engineer, O J Nielsen, commenced broadcasting, and became the city’s first commercial station.

In 1948, several RAAF DC 3 aircraft dropped food supplies to the Queensland outback towns of Charters Towers and Winton, which were experiencing a shortage caused by a long running railway strike.  

In 1965  Southern Tasmania’s worst bushfires for 30 years threatened Moogara and Uxbridge in the Derwent Valley, and Osterley and Strickland in the central highlands.  Firefighters from Fingal to the Arve Valley were on alert with an extreme risk of the worst bushfires since “Black Friday” of 1934.

In 1966 The Soviet space probe Venera 3 crashed on the planet Venus and became the first spacecraft to reach another planet’s surface. 

In 1973 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland – The Whiskey Au Go Go nightclubfire occurred at 2.10 a.m. when the building was firebombed.  The loss of 15 lives made this Australia’s worst mass murder until the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

In 2014  Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a Boeing 777 carrying 239 people, disappeared over the Indian Ocean, having diverted for unknown reasons during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

► ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

BORN:  Cyd Charisse, in 1922, Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.  She became an actress and dancer, frequently paired with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.  Her films include Singin’ In The Rain (1952), The Band Wagon (1953) and Silk Stockings (1957).  She died in 2008.

BORN:  Lynn Redgrave, in 1943, Marylebone, London, England.  She was a screen and stage actress whose  films include Tom Jones (1963), and Georgy Girl (1966)  She died in 2010

BORN:  George Michael Dolenz, Jr., alias Micky Dolenz, in 1945, Los Angeles, California U.S.A.  He became an actor, musician, television director and radio personality; best known as a member of the 1960s pop band The Monkees.

BORN:  Margaret Annemarie Battavio alias Little Peggy March, in 1948, Lansdale, Pennsylvania U.S.A.   She became a pop singer primarily remembered for her 1963 million seller I Will Follow Him, which she recorded at the age of 14.  She turns 78 today.

BORN:  Laura Main, in 1981, Aberdeen, Scotland.  She is an actress best known for her role as nurse Shelagh Turner in the BBC drama series Call The Midwife.  She turns 46 today.

DIED:  Billy Eckstine, in 1993, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S.A., aged 78.  He was a ballad singer and bandleader of the swing era.  He also had some minor hits during the 1950s, and continued to record into the 1990s.

DIED:  John Ewart, in 1994, Sydney, New South Wales, aged 66.  He was an actor of stage, radio, television and film, who appeared in hundreds of Australian radio, film and television productions.

DIED:  Adam Faith, alias Terence Nelhams-Wright, in 2003, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, aged 62.  He was a teen idol of the early 1960s, singer, actor and financial journalist. 

DIED:  Wendy Hughes, in 2014, Sydney, New South Wales,  aged 61.   She was an award-winning Australian actress of stage and screen, whose career extended over 40 years.

DIED:  George Martin, in 2016, Wiltshire, England,  aged 90.  He was a record producer, arranger, composer, conductor, and audio engineer sometimes referred to as “The Fifth Beatle” due to his extensive involvement in the production of the Beatles’ earlier albums.

Today’s photo: Huonville, just over the mountain range (in the background) from the Derwent Valley.

Today’s Playlist :

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMELAST PLAYED
Gary Anderson – A Real Good Time 202606:05 
Highway 95 – Bartender 202606:10 
Kane Vincent – Tokyo 202606:14 
Little Peggy March – I Will Follow Him 
Little Peggy March, born this day in 1948 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania USA
196306:198/3/2024
Bobby Valentine & Lauren Elizabeth- Two Sides To Every Story 202606:25 
Conor Owens – Texas Tornado 202506:2716/5/2025
Acker Bilk – Can’t Smile Without You  06:3112/11/2021
Vintage Vinyl    Hank Williams – Be Careful Of Stones That You Throw 195206:359/5/2021
Carrie Talarico – One Perfect Picture 202606:3820/2/2026
For A Listener: Beatles – Ob La Di Ob La Da 196806:434/3/2022
David Hammerschlag – One Certain Thing 202606:476/3/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “South Of The Border” Charting on this day 1966
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – South Of The Border 
196406:5213/2/2026
Denise Blum – Fahnen auf em Mond 202606:5427/2/2026
Kathy Carver – Bingo Player 202607:0522/2/2026
COUNTRY ROAD
+ Greg Champion & Anne Fraser – Ororroo Waltz 
 07:106/9/2024
+ Graeme Clarke – Always My Best Friend 201907:135/1/2025
For A Listener: Byrds – Turn Turn Turn 196507:1819/12/2025
Adam Faith – Someone Else’s Baby 
Adam Faith, died this day in 2003 in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire UK, aged 62
196007:2422/9/2023
John Inman – Are You Being Served  
John Inman, died this day in 2007 in Paddington, London UK, aged 71
 07:2628/6/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – La Paloma 195807:314/9/2020
Anastasia Lee & Celesta da Vinci – Swan Song (Tchaikovsky) 202607:3422/2/2026
Victoria Eman – Lieve Hilda, lieve Oma  (Dear Hilda Dear Grandma) 202607:37 
Diamond Classic – From the L P “People” Charting on this day 1966
Barbra Streisand – People
196407:4313/2/2026
Randy C Moore – Forget Me Not  202607:4620/2/2026
Ashey Cook – The Great Outback 07:515/5/2023
John Williamson – Cootamundra Wattle 07:5427/7/2025
Chillin’ – Straight Into Your Heart 202608:0522/2/2026
For A Listener: Buddy Williams & Ivy Somerfeld – Let’s Grow Old Together   08:117/9/2025
COMFORT ZONE
+ Demis Roussos – My Friend The Wind 
 08:146/10/2024
+ Edward Woodward – Wednesday’s Child  08:1824/11/2024
Vintage Vinyl    Pat Boone – Ain’t That A Shame 195508:3017/7/2016
Don Costa Orchestra – Baby Elephant Walk  08:352/8/2019
Behind the Sea – Kiss Kiss Moi  08:3927/2/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “The Best of Hermans Hermits” Charting on this day 1966 Hermans Hermits – Silhouettes  196508:4313/2/2026
Diamond Classic – From the L P “Help” Charting on this day 1966
Beatles – You’re Going To Lose That Girl 
196508:4513/2/2026
Joy Adams – Hug 202608:4827/2/2026
Chase Stevens – As Good As It Gets 202408:523/1/2025
0 Comments

6 March 2026

EVENTS on 6 MARCH;

On this day in 1917, a train on the Emu Bay Railway in western Tasmania was saved from disaster when it’s alert fireman caught a glimpse through some trees, of unsupported rails spanning the Ring River ahead.  After the train was quickly brought to a halt, it was discovered that the bridge had been washed away by floods.

In 1944, in Sydney, New South Wales, Antonio Agostini was charged with the murder of his wife, bringing an end to the investigation into the “Pyjama Girl” murder of 1934, which had begun after the body of a young woman was found in a culvert near Albury.
Agostini was found guilty of manslaughter, sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, but he was released and deported to Italy in 1948.

In 1958, construction of the first section of Hobart’s Brooker Highway, between Derwent Park Road and Risdon Road, was nearing completion, while earthworks were in progress on the section between Risdon Road and the city, including the Belle Vue Parade overpass.

In 1987 near Zeebrugge, Belgium , the British roll-on roll-off car and passenger ferry MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsized after leaving the port, with the loss of 193 lives.
The bow loading door had been left open, allowing the seawater to flood in.  This was the highest death-count of any peacetime maritime disaster involving a British ship since the sinking of the  RMS Empress of Ireland in 1914.

► ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE

BORN:  Frankie Howerd, born Francis Alick Howard in 1917 in York, England.  He was a comedian whose career spanned 60 years.  He died in 1992.

BORN Valentina Tereshkova, in 1937 in Yaroslavi Oblast, Russia.  She became a Soviet cosmonaut and the first woman to enter space.  As she was a honorary member of the Soviet Air Force, she was also the first civilian to enter space.

BORN:  Mary Wilson, in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. She was a foundation member of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s and 70s, and was the only consistent member of the group in its eighteen-year hit-making tenure. She died in 2021.

BORN Kiki Dee, born Pauline Matthews in 1947 in Little Horton, West Yorkshire, England.  She became a singer-songwriter for more than 40 years, best known for her 1976 duet with Elton John Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 

DIED:  Gottlieb Daimler, in 1900 in Cannstatt, now Stuttgart, in the-then German Empire, aged 65.  He was an engineer and pioneer of the internal combustion engine and automobile development.  In 1885, together with William Maybach, he designed the forerunner of the petrol engine, which was fitted to a two-wheeled vehicle.  This was the first motorcycle.     

DIED:  George Formby, in 1961 in Preston, Lancashire, England aged 57.  He was a singer and comedian, popular star of stage and screen, remembered for playing the banjo ukelele and as a singer of light, comical songs.

DIED:  Nelson Eddy, in 1967 in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. aged 65.  He was a singer and movie star who appeared in 19 musicals during the 1930s and 40s, as well as on the concert stage, radio, television, and in nightclubs.

Today’s photo:  Cottesloe Beach, Perth, West Australia.  Supplied by regular listener, Karin.

Today’s Playlist

TRACKRELEASE YEARPLAY TIMEPREVIOUS PLAYSLAST PLAYED
Jason McCahill – It’s Good To See You 202609:040 
70s Classic    Jim Ed Brown – How I Love Them Old Songs 197209:1324/5/2025
Shelly Jones Band – Peas In A Pod 202609:1501/3/2026
Comfort Zone –Well Known Artists and Songs
+ Hank Snow – Daisy A Day 
 09:1911/2/2024
+ Nana Mouskouri – Bridge Over Troubled Water  09:2217/7/2023
David Hammerschlag – One Certain Thing 202609:28115/2/2026
Ricardo Santos & His Million Strings – I Lost My Heart In Heidelberg  09:340 
Supremes – Someday We’ll Be Together 197009:38310/3/2023
Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 197609:431016/11/2025
For a Listener Frank Ifield – Please 196409:4972/5/2025
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Somewhere There’s A Someone” Charting on this day 1966
Dean Martin – Second Hand Rose 
196409:52618/5/2025
Diamond Classic – From the Album “The Beatles 65” Charting on this day 1966
Beatles – Mr Moonlight
196409:54324/11/2023
Statler Brothers – Flowers On The Wall196809:5842/1/2026
Taylor Brothers – Please Let Me Wonder 202610:05522/2/2026
Marty Howard Chambers – Frown Upside Down  10:1029/8/2024
Conor Owens – My Arney Home 202610:140 
Caoimhe Murney – Your Health Is Your Wealth 202610:19322/2/2026
Vintage Vinyl   Billy Eckstine – Taking A Chance On Love 195210:2428/3/2015
Cilla Black – Where Is Tomorrow 196410:27128/9/2014
Pedro Meslas & His Orchestra – Adios Muchachos  10:310 
Suzie So Blue – Bend 202610:340 
Willie Nelson – Always  10:39130/3/2025
70s Classic    Carpenters – On Top Of The World 197310:42134/5/2025
 Alice Benfer – Wildflowers On The Outback 202610:460 
Brendan McMahon – The Rivers Edge 202610:490 
Gregory M Dillon – Your Battery’s Low202610:550 
Kevin Shegog – Melbourne Airport Tullamarine 10:5729/11/2025
Hauntees – All Over Again 202611:0511/3/2026
For a Listener Manuela – Schuld war nur der Bossa Nova 11:101614/12/2025
Country Road – Old style country songs
+ Alan Gilmour – The Longest Country Mile 
202511:15229/8/2025
+ Troy Cassar-Daley – This Old Hat    11:18117/11/2019
For a Listener Manuela – Schuld war nur der Bossa Nova (Blame It On The Bossa Nova)   11:25514/7/2023
Vintage Vinyl    Johnnie Ray – Please Mr Sun 195211:31127/2/2026
Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra – Crackling Rosie   11:37413/8/2021
Diamond Classic – From the Album “September Of My Years” Charting on this day 1966
Frank Sinatra – It Was A Very Good Year 
196511:42116/10/2020
Diamond Classic – From the Album “Fairytale” Charting on this day 1966
Donovan – Colours 
196511:4658/8/2025
Nancy Muller – Help Pour Out The Rain 202611:510 
0 Comments

1 March 2026

► EVENTS ON 1 March;


In 1954
Adelaide was rocked by a severe earthquake which caused extensive damage throughout the city. 

In 1957 in Hobart, Tasmania, whilst several hundred people attended an exhibition on fire precautions and viewed a film on bushfires in the Hobart City Hall, a fire broke out in the rear of the hall, which caused several hundred pounds worth of damage..  

In 1964  At least three North Shore schools in Sydney banned Beatle-related clothing, haircuts and records – and banned pupils from singing Beatle songs around the school, and on the way to and from school.  Meanwhile, two butchers assistants donned Beatle wigs for a joke – and increased their employer’s takings substantially.

In 1966 The Soviet space probe Venera 3 crashed on the planet Venus and became the first spacecraft to reach another planet’s surface. 

In 1975 Full-time colour television broadcasting was launched in Australia.  

In 2006  Cosier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland – The remains of comedian Charlie Chaplin were stolen from a local cemetery by two unemployed migrants and held for ransom.  The culprits were apprehended two months later and Chaplin’s body was re-interred, surrounded by reinforced concrete.

► ARRIVALS ON 1 March

BORN:  Alton Glenn Miller alias Glen Miller, in 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa, U.S.A.  He became a jazz musician, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era.  Leading one of the best known “Big Bands,” he was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943.  He is presumed to have died when the plane he was travelling in disappeared over the English Channel in 1944.

BORN:  Harold George Bellanfanti Jr, alias Harry Belafonte,, in 1927 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, U.S.A.   He was a musician, singer, actor, and social activist.  One of the most successful pop singers in history, Belafonte was  dubbed the “King of Calypso” and is perhaps best known for his recording of The Banana Boat Song  .  He died in 2023.

BORN:   James Oswald Little, alias Jimmy Little in 1937, Cummeragunja Mission, New South Wales.  He was an aboriginal musician, actor and teacher (d. 2012)

 Today’s photo: Lake Dulverton, Oatlands, in the Tasmanian midlands.

Photographer: Yours Truly

Today’s Playlist :

TRACKRELEASE YEARTIMEPREVIOUS PLAYSLAST PLAYED
Sheila Pope – If Not For You 202606:06420/2/2026
Wendy Jewel – Are You Looking At The Same Stars 202606:11320/2/2026
Clabe McGuire – Just One More Time 202606:140 
For A Listener: Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love202606:19221/2/2025
Glen Miller & His Orchestra with Marion Hutton – The Woodpecker Song 194006:251515/2/2024
Harry Belafonte – Banana Boat Song195706:271312/1/2025
Jimmy Little – Royal Telephone 196306:31193/11/2024
Brian May & ABC Showband – Theme From Seven Little Australians  06:3627/6/2015
Vintage Vinyl    Lita Rosa – Walking To Missouri 195106:38212/9/2025
Ray Conniff Orchestra & Singers – Come Saturday Morning  06:41110/5/2024
Ray Malcolm – Together Again 202606:46120/2/2026
Dean Martin – Old Yellow Line 196506:4926/2/2026
Craig Sailer Project – Babe 202606:52120/2/2026
Hauntees – All Over Again 202606:560 
Kim Copedo – Save A Little Hope for Me 202607:05220/2/2026
COUNTRY ROAD
+ Aishling Rafferty – Two Steppin’ Texas Blue 
202307:1118/9/2023
+ Gerard Gormley – Two Rooms and a Kitchen 202307:1452/6/2024
For A Listener: Jade Hurley – I Love A Rainy Night  07:21627/4/2025
Toni West – If I Didn’t Love Him 202607:25215/2/2026
Ray Lani – Every Time That I’m With You 202607:290 
Vintage Vinyl    Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra – Sail Along Silvery Moon195807:341311/2/2024
Tony Christie – Can’t Get The Feeling  07:370 
Kym Cormack – Never Lie Again 202607:4128/2/2026
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass – Bittersweet Samba 196507:4626/2/2026
Two of a Kind – I Love You To The Moon And Back  202507:48425/5/2025
For A Listener: Neil Sedaka – Oh Carol195807:52217/12/2021
For A Listener: Neil Sedaka – Stairway To Heaven196007:5437/8/2020
Kumpu Brothers with Justine Pelmelay – Kumpu202507:5821/8/2025
Beatles – Norwegian Wood  196508:0576/2/2026
COMFORT ZONE
+ Irish Rovers – The Black Velvet Band 
197108:09814/8/2020
+ Roger Whittaker – Durham Town  08:131113/9/2022
Adrian Payne – If But Or Maybe 202608:1916/2/2026
Dan Jones – Lovin’ You 202608:270 
Henry Mancini & His Orchestra – Smoke Gets In Your Eyes  08:3218/4/2022
Soundtrack, The Sound of Music (Peggy Wood, Marnie Nixon, 2 x Uncredited) – Maria 08:3736/2/2026
Matt Monro – Gonna Build a Mountain 196208:400 
Lester Coombs – I’m Fine Thank You  08:4534/9/2016
Vintage Vinyl    Hank Thompson – Detour 195208:4855/3/2017
Shelly Jones Band – Peas In A Pod 202108:520 
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