Keener Today – May 31
Today in Detroit History:
- Today in 1967, STP’s Andy Granatelli predicted that gas turbine engines would power all racing cars within a decade after his entrant in the Indy 500 came within a hairs breath of winning the Greatest Spectacle in Racing on Memorial Day. A $6 dollar ball bearing failed late in the race, sidelining the turbine-powered vehicle as it was headed for an historic victory.
- Today in 1972, trading on the Detroit Stock Exchange all but halted for a time after a steam pipe burst in the basement of Detroit’s Penobscot Building, interrupting phone service to the majority of the 47 story structure. Bell Telephone engineers restored service by late afternoon. Stock exchange head, George White said trading was “very, very slow” and it was impossible to calculate the potential losses during the outage.
What’s Happening via JJ Duling:
According to the WSJ, (Paywall) calling off plans at the last minute has become a fixture of social life. Covid has made those prone to breaking plans feel less guilty about bailing last-minute. Some still take exception to the practice, including couples headed to the altar. Wedding planner, Ginny Boland, told the Journal many of her clients are more upset by last-minute cancellations unless it is a documented case of Covid-19 or obvious symptoms. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 31”
Keener Today – May 30
Today in Detroit History:
- Today in 1967, fewer than 10,000 people showed up for the City of Detroit’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The same event drew over 100,000 17 years earlier. While Detroit’s celebration lasted less than an hour, an estimated 125,000 showed up for a three-hour celebration in St. Claire Shores. Spectators stood ten deep in Dearborn and 16,000 lined the parade route in Farmington.
- Today in 1972, the Michigan Senate senate passed a bill to launch a state lottery in October. The weekly drawings would be run by a single lottery Czar and provisions to allow cities like Detroit to hold their own lotteries were removed from the bill before it passed.
- Today in 1977, only 10 people attended a $15 dollar a head fund raiser for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. There wasn’t any pot smoking at the outdoor event as the organization’s Michigan coordinator, John Sinclair noted, “I noticed a rather strong reluctance to do so.”
- Today in 1979, CBS owned the top there prime-time television shows, Eight is Enough was number three, Laverne & Shirley held down number two and the number one show in the nation was Three’s Company, starring Joyce Dewitt, Susan Somers and John Ritter. The program ran from March 1977 through September, 1984.
- Today in 1982, The biggest measles outbreak in two years hit Dearborn High Schoolk. Twenty-eight suspected cases were identified with five other related cases diagnosed in the city’s junior high and elementary schools. Those who balked at a nationwide immunization drive were told to stay home. The measles shot was introduced in 1963 but officials reported a significant number of Americans were still resisting immunization 19 years later.
- Today in 1987, theatrical releases playing in Detroit included Rocky III, Victor Victoria, Conan the Barbarian, Chariots of Fire, Porky’s and Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. There was also an add noting we were 4 days from stardate 8206:04 when “Somewhere in the darkest reaches of the universe, a battle is about to begin.”
Keener Today – May 29
(Songs featured on-air today are highlighted.)
Today in Detroit History:
- Today in 1967, NBC told affiliates like Detroit’s WWJ (Channel 4) what it pays actors for guest shots on it’s TV series. $5000 is the going rate for I Spy. Guest stars get $3500 for Ben Gazarra’s Run For Your Life. And Bonanza guests command $3000. Variety shows pay much more with stars like Rock Hudson and Herb Alpert earning $25 grand for a spot on The Kraft Music Hall.
- Today in 1972, a Great Lakes Steel blast furnace on Zug Island exploded, injuring 9 workers and shaking homes as far as two miles away. Furnace C, where the blast took place had been rebuilt just two months prior.
- Today in 1977, A University of Michigan Doctor presented his research paper on the concept of cold water drowning before the American Lung Association in San Francisco. Dr. Martin Neimiroff revived 18-year-old, Brian Cunningham of Jackson the youth had been submerged in an icy pond for 38 minutes. Eleven hours later, Brian Cunningham opened his eyes, gave his crying mother what doctors called “a rude gesture” and went back to sleep. After 11 days, he went home with no physical or mental impairment. Brian Cunningham became an Electrical Technician and died in Palm Bay, Florida at age 60.
- Today in 1979, Mary Pickford, Hollywood’s first movie queen, died of a stroke at the age of 86. At the pinnacle of her movie career, Pickford was the highest paid actress in Hollywood. Fellow silent screen star, Buddy Rogers, Pickford’s third husband was with her when she died. They had been married for 41 years.
- Today in 1982, an emotionally disturbed gunman took four hostages at KOOL-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, demanding airtime so that anchor Bill Close could read a rambling 20 minute statement live. Falcon Crest was interrupted at 9:30PM for the unusual broadcast, after which Joseph Billie Gwin surrendered to police. He was later declared insane and was incarcerated until 2006.
- Today in 1987, NPR’s All Things Considered audience was getting used to two new voices, replacing long time hosts, Susan Stamberg and Noah Adams. News executive Robert Siegel and science reporter Renee Montagne took over the 16 year old program and despite a few love letters to the former anchors, have been receiving favorable reviews.
Keener Today – May 27
One year ago today: English playwright William Shakespeare reported to have died after receiving COVID-19 vaccine by Argentine news channel Chanal 26 (case of mistaken identity, the Bard died in 1616)
Today in Detroit History:
- Today in 1967, the price of picnicking and camping in Michigan parks was expected to rise as the legislature began to debate rate increases for the 1968 season. The 50 cent daily entrance fee was expected to double to one dollar while a seasonal windshield sticker, currently costing a buck was likely to triple in price to $3 dollars. The money would underwrite a $10 million dollar revenue bond to improve and maintain Michigan’s network of parks and recreation areas.
- Today in 1972, Singer Al Martino was set to appear at the Montgomery Ward stereo and record department on Saturday at the Tel-Twelve store. Martino’s career got a boost from his appearance as Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather.
- Today in 1977, A three-year-old Hubbartston boy went for a joy ride in his mothers car, alternately pressing the accelerator and sterring the vehicle until the car fliped into a ditch. When confronted by a rescuer, Michael Delbert Ward indignantly said, “I was driving.” Ward wanted to take the family dog for a spin. Neither he nor the dog were injured.
- Today in 1979, upcoming shows at Cobo Arena included Journey with opening acts Graham Parker and Rumor, Peter Frampton with Chris DeBurgh, and the Average White Band was set to appear at the Punch and Judy Theater. Ticket prices ranged between $9 and $11 dollars a head.
- Today in 1982, The biggest measles outbreak in two years hit Dearborn High Schoolk. Twenty-eight suspected cases were identified with five other related cases diagnosed in the city’s junior high and elementary schools. Those who balked at a nationwide immunization drive were told to stay home. The measles shot was introduced in 1963 but officials reported a significant number of Americans were still resisting immunization 19 years later.
- Today in 1987, Detroit Free Press Business Writer, Rick Ratliff, reported that thousands of Detroiters were hooking personal computers to something called a “Modem” which allowed users to connect via telephone to computer bulletin board systems to share files and converse. “With the right hardware,” Ratliff wrote, “a vast world opens up, a world invisible to people without the gear.”
Keener Today – May 26
Today in Detroit – May 26
- Today in 1967, The Wayne County AFL-CIO and a restauraunt union asked the Detroit Common Council to issue an ordinance to force Detroit drive-in restaurants and theaters to hire police to control “hot-rodders, riffians and trouble-makers”. The Drive-In Restaurant Owners Association attacked the idea during a public hearing, saying it violated the drive-in”s constitutional rights.
- Today in 1972, CBS was the only network not to have a talk show at 11:30. While Johnny was hosting Bill Dana and Barry Sullivan and Dick Cavett was in his ABC run with singer Melba Moore and actor Don Knotts, Channel two played the 1964 blockbuster “Becket”, with Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, followed at 1:30am by the Bowery Boys 1951 outing, “Let’s Go Navy.”
- Today in 1977, Forced retirement ruffled the feathers of Kentucky Fried Chicken king Col. Harland Sanders. The 86 yrear old said, “I’m dead against it.” He testified along side actress Ruth Gordon and actor Will Geer before the House Select Committee on Aging, which was considering mandatory retirement ages for both government and business.
- Today in 1979, news outlets were reporting the worst air disaster in US history, after an American Airlines DC10 lost an engine and crashed moments after take-off, killing all 270 persons on board. The FAA grounded all DC-10s in June and the aircraft ceased production several years later, tainted by safety and fuel efficiency concerns.
- Today in 1982, The US House of Representatives voted down a balanced budget bill favored by President Ronald Reagan, saying the plan relied on phony numbers and overly optimistic estamates of economnic growth and tax receipts for 1983. The administration also asked congress to raise the national debt celing to $1.25 trillion dollars. The debt ceiling today is slightly below $31.4 trillion dollars.
- Today in 1987, with the words “Hot Weather Hit” printed in bold above the title, the film Ishtar, starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Warren Beaty was showing at 12 dertroit area theaters. Apparently the rest of the theater going world disagreed with the one positive sentence lifted from Janet Maslin’s review in the New York Times. Ishtar is considered one of the worst movies ever made.
Keener Today – May 25
Today in Detroit
- Today in 1967, The Detroit Police Officers Association, in the midst of contract negations took out a quarter page ad in the city’s newspapers asking “How does it feel to be held up? Stick around and find out.” The ad went on to say that better police protection cost just four dollars per day per officer.
- Today in 1972, Warren city officials were taking heat for voting unanimously to double their pay, despite federal rules prohibiting large pay raises during President Nixon’s economic freeze. Mayor Ted bates said senior employees had not had a raise in 15 years with “70 employees making more than the mayor.” Bates said the increases would not go into effect until submitted to and approved by the Federal Pay board.
- Today in 1977, Detroit mourned the passing of commentator Lou Gordon who died the previous morning at age 60. A weekend fixture on Channel 50, Gordon, who considered himself “The people’s advocate.” rose to national prominence when former Michigan governor George Romney made the famous “Brain washing” statement on Gordon’s program that observers felt ended his political career.
- Today in 1979, Flint’s Star Theater announced it’s summer lineup, including Battlestar Galactica star Dirk Benedict in Oklahoma, Paul Lynde in Woody Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water and Ed Ames in Man of La Mancha. All Whiting Auditorium tickets cost $8.98.
- Today in 1982, General Motors announced an agreement to sell Japanese built Isuzu automobiles in the US. Chairman Roger Smith cited labor costs as a key factor in the decision.
- Today in 1987, some of the movies playing on the big screen in Detroit included the Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. penned Secret of My Success, starring Michael J. Fox, Ernest Goes to Camp, starring Jim Varney and Meadowbrook Theater was promoting their summer line-up including America and Three Dog night.
Keener Today – May 24
On This Date In Detroit
- Today in 1967, Detroit mourned the passing of Oscar Webber, chairman of the company his uncle, J.L. Hudson, founded in 1881. The 78 year old Webber was associated with Hudson’s for 64 years and was the youngest of 4 brothers to inherit control when the founder died in 1912
- Today in 1972, Detroit Board of Education President James A. Hathaway echoed Superintendent Charles J. Wolfe’s recommendation to keep the city’s schools closed until November after to millage proposals two fund operations failed at the ballot box. The move would violate a state requirement that schools operate for at least 180 days each year. The Board voted to try again at the polls, placing the same proposals on the August primary ballot.
- Today in 1977, nearly 47 million Americans who used the standard income tax deduction got a tax cut when when President Carter signed legislation into law. In all, Americans would receive 33.7 billion dollars in tax savings over the next 28 months.
- Today in 1979, a gas station in Weekapaug, RI was selling gas for a quarter. The catch? The quarter had to be a silver coin minted prior to 1965. The rare coinage was trading at a 500% premium in 1979, the equivalent of $1.25 per gallon.
- Today in 1982, Cable Television companies in 16 Detroit area communities took out a half page newspaper ad touting pay-tv first run programming as an alternative to “a dreary summer of network reruns.” The ad promoted the films Stripes and The Four Seasons, a Sugar Ray Leonard title fight and Richard Harris’s King Arthur in Camelot.
- Today in 1987, Radio Shack was touting its Tandy 3000HL desktop XT computer with floppy disk and compatibility with forthcoming OS-2 software for $1,299 dollars. That’s over $3,300 in today’s dollars.
Keener Today – May 23
- Today in 1967, Detroit announced the formation of a 39-man brigade of “litter police” who would begin ticketing sanitation code viiolators on June 1. Fines as high as $500 dollars and 90 days in jail could be issued for serious litterbugs.
- Today in 1972, A 15-year-old Ann Arbor 9th grader is suing the state, calling a law that bars people under the age of 18 from running for public office discriminitory. Sonia Yaco, a member of the Human Right’s Party who had successfully fielded two council members was an Ann Arbor School Board hopeful.
- Today in 1977, over 40,000 people were nursing sunburns after showing up at Metropolitan Beach over the weekend. A heatwave that brought temperatures in the upper 80s drove more than 100,000 area residents to Metro Park beaches.
- Today in 1979, A scenario from a government study of the effects of nuclear war estimated 220,000 Detroiters would die instantly of an atom bomb was dropped at the Ford-Chrysler Freeway interchange. The 150 page study was conducted at the behest of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- Today in 1982, At least a dozen law makers, including Governor Milliken and House Speaker Bobby Crim are among the list of lame duck public servants who will step down at the end of their next terms. The age old debate between loss of experienced legislators and the value of new political blood continued as a combination of the State’s financial misery and desire for higher public office motivated political vetrans to move onward.
- Today in 1987, Highland Appliance was advertising a Sanyo VHS VCR with 14 day scheduleing and a wireless remote control for the low, low price of $269.00. That’s over $800 dollars adjusted for inflation.
Keener Today – May 22
- Today in 1967, Grinnell’s was asdvertising a 7″, 19 transistor portable black and white television set with AC cord and earphone for just $124.95. A rechargable battery was optional.
- Today in 1972, The hit musical Purlie was in the midst of it’s Fisher Theater Run. Al Martino and Ella Fitzgerald were on the marquee at the Elmwood Casino in Windsor and The Godfather was on the big screen at the Americana, Macomb, Showcase Cinema, Southgate and the Terrace.
- Today in 1977, The Citizens Band Radio craze was in full swing in Detroit. Radio Shack was offering expanded 40 channel models starting at $79.95 and a converter so you could hear CB traffic on your car radio for just $19.95
- Today in 1979, A report from the Commerce Department said that Michigan Residents were in the top 5th of the nation when it came to income. The data revealed that Michiganders earned an average of $8,442 each. But the same report noted that inflation was taking a bite out of the 11% income increase year over year.
- Today in 1982, British troops stormed ashore on the Falkland Islands, establishing a beachhead on the territory Argentina had claimed as their won seven weeks earlier.
- Today in 1987, an offer of free season tickets for either the Pistons or the Red Wings lured 8 fugitives into the hands of police. A certificat from CAP productions reeled in the bad guys, who found themselves in handcuffs when they showed up to claimn their prizes.
Keener Today – May 21
- Today in 1967, Tickets went on sale for Frank Sinatra’s July 9th appearance at Cobo Hall. Backed by the Buddy Rich big band and supported by opening act, Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, tickets for the one night only show cost $4.50, 5.50, 7.50 and $ 10 dollars.
- Today in 1972, An estimated 80,000 Detroiters turned out for the second annual drive to clean up 22 square miles of the city. Program coordinators hoped to fill 200,000 trash bags on the first day of the summer long drive to make Detroit a little more beautiful.
- Today in 1977, Detroit’s cost of living rose by 1.2% for the month. The annualized rate of 14.4% was nearly 50 percent higher than the predicted national average.
- Today in 1979, if you were born under the Gemini astrological sign, you were advised to “Cut loose from the past to build a strong foundation for future security.” New starts and contacts were favored. And the astrologers advised Gemini’s to be proud and not intimidated by members of the opposite sex.
- Today in 1982, The late Michigan football play-by-play commentator, Bob Ufer earned a spot in the Michigan Sports hall of fame for his prowes on the cinders. The 37 year broadcaster was an All American track star from 1939-1943, holding two worlds records. Ufer had passed away in October of 1981.
- Today in 1987, newspapers were reporting the American Motors Corporation approval of a merger with Chrysler Corporation at a stock price 0f $4.50 a share. AMC was formed by the merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company on May 1, 1954. At the time it was the biggest corporate merger in American history.
Keener Today – May 20
Today in 1968, WKNR-FM drops Top-40 to provide what the Inside Keener newsletter calls the first and foremost, truly authentic, progressive rock (underground) programming in the Metropolitan Detroit area.
- Today in 1967, The James Garner Formula One drama “Grand Prix” continued its Cinerama engagement at the Summit Theater. James Michener’s “Hawaii” had two shows at the United Artists on Bagley. And the reserved seat engagement of Julie Andrews as “Thoroughly Modern Millie” continued at the Northland Theater.
- Today in 1972, General Motors shareholders voted down a proposal by a group affiliated with social crusader Ralph nader to split the auto giant into tow or more companies. Only one percent of those in attendance voted in favor of the proposal.
- Today in 1977, Former President Richard Nixon told interviewer David Frost that a president had the right to crush anti-war dissent by any means short of murder, whether or not those means were legal. Asked for a reaction, President Jimmy Carter said he didn’t feel any president had the right to break the law.
- Today in 1979, The musical Grease, starring singer Rex Smith in the role John Travolta would make famous on screen was on stage at the Fisher theater for one week only. Prime time tickets were 8, 11 and 13 dollars.
- Today in 1982, Hudson’s was advertising a new video game system with a “bright and crisp color picture, realistic sound effects and no batteries required.” You could snag an Atari system and a free Atari jacket for just $139.99.
- Today in 1987, Detroit Police Commander, Gill Gil was greeted by fans before the Detroit premiere of Beverly Hills Cop II at Ford auditorium. Tickets were $50 with proceeds benefiting the Detroit Youth Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Keener Today – May 19
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- Today in 1967, Freda Payne was appearing at the Elmwood Casino in Windsor. A galaxy of stars were on deck at the Masonic Temple including Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, James and Bobby Purify, Johnny Taylor, Joe Simon and Moms Mabley. And Adam West joined the Flying Wallendas at the Dobritch International Circus at the State Fair Coliseum. Tickets were 2, 3 and 4 dollars.
- Today in 1972, a stagnant airmass over the midewest caused extremely high levels of polution 8n Detroit, so much so that the Wayne County Polution Control Board recommended persons with respiratory diseases should avoid strenusous activity.
- Today in 1977, Hudsons was advertising Code-a-Phone, a device that could record messages from people who called your land-line telephone when you weren’t home. The device came with a beeper that could signal it from any phone to play the messages back.
- Today in 1979, CBS debuted an animated musical version of J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit. Orson Bean supplied the voice of Bilbo Baggins, John Houston voiced Gandalf.
- Today in 1982, Volkswagen announced price cuts on it’s popular Rabbit automobile. You could score the fuel efficiant German import for just $5,990.
