Hank Moore

Chapter 15 in my book "Non-Profit Legends" is "History of Public Media. Non-Profit Stations Serving Communities." This was the first printed history of PBS and NPR together. So proud to have written it and their 100-year heritage of serving America.

"The Art of Being Ed McMahon." Every person in the company matters to its success. Every job is important, filling them with the best people for each job. Great support staff is cornerstone of business success. Ed McMahon was TV’s premier second banana. Pictured: Hank Moore with Ed McMahon in 1968.

Aug. 1, 1981: MTV signed on the air at 12:01 a.m. First song played: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. The second video was Pat Benatar's "You Better Run." This version of radio on TV ran 24 hours a day. MTV influenced prime-time TV, movies, youth fashions, commercials and the internet.

Remembering the premiere of “Batman” movie, July 30, 1966, at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX. Present were stars Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero, Lee Meriwether, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin. The “Batman” movie was filmed between the first seasons of TV series. Holy feature film, Batman!

"Baby's First Christmas," 1961, by Connie Francis, who just died at 87. This song continued making comebacks by other artists. Connie Francis sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She had 53 chart-topping hits, including "Stupid Cupid," "Where the Boys Are" and "Lipstick on Your Collar."

Remembering Lady Bird Johnson, 18 years since her death. Hank Moore with Mrs. Johnson in 1993. I started visiting with Mrs. Johnson when I was 10, discussing societal issues around her family kitchen table in Austin, TX. She mentored me: "You are a visionary & humanitarian. Now grow into the roles."

Remembering Connie Francis, who just died at 87. She was an American pop singer, actress and one of the top-charting female vocalists of the late 1950s-1960s. She was estimated to have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She had 53 chart-topping hits.

July 13, 1985: Live Aid was a benefit concert held at both Wembley Stadium in London (attended by 72,000) & John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia (attended by 100,000). It was organized to raise funds for Ethiopian famine. Stars included Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Queen.

Song in the current Target commercial is "Never on Sunday," 1960 hit for The Chordettes. Title song of the 1960 movie "Never on Sunday," starring Melina Mercouri.

One-third of Gross National Product goes toward high costs of doing nothing or doing the wrong things. Categories of doing nothing, doing far too little or doing the wrong things in business: Fixing Problems, Rework, Missed Marks, Damage Control, Recovery-Restoration, Retooling-Restarting.

National Day of Rock & Roll reflects on the genre's rich history, its legendary artists & timeless anthems that continue to inspire generations. Appreciates the raw energy, the storytelling, and the sheer joy that rock 'n' roll brings to so many. Book: "Pop Music Legends," Pulitzer Prize nominated.

National Day of Rock & Roll is July 7. Hank Moore emceed in concert: The Beatles, Kenny Rogers, Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald, Simon & Garfunkel, Little Richard, George Jones, Dionne Warwick, Count Basie, Nelson Riddle, Roy Orbison, Beyoncé, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, etc.

July 4, 1776: Congress voted to accept the American Declaration of Independence. drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

July 4. 1876: The American Centennial was held

July 4, 1976: The American Bicentennial was held.

July 4, 2026: The American 250th birthday will be held.

Independence Day is celebrated July 4th, anniversary of adoption of Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. “America (My Country Tis of Thee)” was first sung in Boston on July 4, 1831. The Statue of Liberty was presented to the U.S. in Paris on July 4, 1884.

This day in history--July 3, 1775: George Washington took command as Commander-in-Chief of American forces at Cambridge. Massachusetts.

July 3. 1928: The world's first color TV transmission was accomplished.

This day in history--- July 2, 1890: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed by Congress.

July 2. 1881: President James Garfield was assassinated at a Washington railway station by Charles Jules Guiteau.

July 2. 1760: The French were defeated by the British in India.

July 1 is Canada Day. it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the British North America Act, 1867, when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas were united, called The Dominion of Canada.

June 29. 1888: First musical recording was made by Thomas Edison. Previous inventing the electric light bulb, Edison introduced the first outdoor electric Christmas light display to the world in 1880. He displayed the lights outside of his laboratory, where many people could see each night.

Remembering Bill Moyers, who just died at age 91. He was my mentor at KTBC Radio in 1958. I later worked with him & guested on his PBS-TV show. Moyers was an adviser to President Lyndon B. Johnson, serving as White House Press Secretary from 1965-1967. He was publisher of Newsday, then joined PBS.

June 22, 1963: Little Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips” became the 13-year-old’s first of 61 chart records through 1988.

Make Music Day is the world’s largest annual music event, celebrated June 21 in 4,700+ cities. Make Music Day is a free celebration of music around the world on June 21. Hank Moore with one of the geniuses of music, Sir Andre Previn, film composer, jazz pianist and symphony conductor.

Juneteenth is federal holiday. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, TX, announced that 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as Juneteenth. Legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.

Remembering Brian Wilson (June 20, 1942–June 11, 2025): musician, songwriter, singer & record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and significant songwriters of the 20th century. He died June 11 at age 82.

Remembering Sylvester Stewart (March 15, 1943–June 9, 2025), better known as Sly Stone. He fronted Sly and the Family Stone, playing a critical role in the development of funk with his pioneering fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel in the 1960s and 1970s. He died in June 2025 at age 82.

Memories from 1967, Hank Moore with Congressman Lloyd Doggett. Serving as leadership in UT-Austin Students’ Association. Hank & Lloyd appearing on radio talk show. Lloyd was Texas State Senator 1973-1985, Justice of Texas Supreme Court 1989-1994. Since 1995, member of U.S. House of Representatives.

This day in music history--June 7, 1979: At the request of President Jimmy Carter, singer-guitarist Chuck Berry performed at the White House. Carter had designated June as Black Music Month. A month later, Berry was sentenced to four months in jail for income tax evasion.

Remembering Muhammad Ali, on the 9th anniversary of his death. The three-time world heavyweight boxing champion was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. I met him in 1968 in New York City. Again when we received awards at a charity gala in Houston in 1974. Honoring his legacy.

This day in music history--June 2, 1953: Elvis Presley recorded “My Happiness” & “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” as a birthday present for his mother. This launched an extraordinary recording and performing career. Four years later, Elvis re-recorded “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” for RCA.

This day in history -- May 31, 1962: Former Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann was hung in Jerusalem after an appeal was rejected.

May 31, 1924: Russian government recognized officially by the Chinese government.

May 31, 1961: South Africa became an independent republic, apart from British Commonwealth.

Recap Salute to Heroes Month in May: nurses, teachers, police, firefighters, military and volunteers. The honor of serving makes many of us heroes. We learn from first responders & those who serve communities. Inspired by them, we do heroic things. Continuum of serving brings the best to humanity.