Died On This Date (July 28, 2010) John Aylesworth / Co-Created “Hee Haw”
themusicsover John Aylesworth
DOB Unknown – July 28, 2010
John Aylesworth was a television writer and producer who’s biggest mark on popular music came with the hit country music infused program, Hee Haw. Aylesworth moved from Canada to the U.S. in the late ’50s and quickly found himself as a writer for the popular music program, Your Hit Parade. He went on to write for other music programs like Hullabaloo and specials for Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Judy Garland, to name a few. During the late ’60s, Aylesworth and partner, Frank Peppiatt developed a show that married the best elements of Laugh-In to those of The Beverly Hillbillies, and Hee Haw was born. The show, hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark,went on to become one of the most popular programs for many years thanks to its down home humor and weekly performances by the biggest names in country music. John Aylesworth was 81 when he died from complications of pneumonia on July 28, 2010.
Marie Castello was the real life “Madam Marie” character in the Bruce Springsteen song “4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy).” The 1973 song finds Springsteen asking, “Did you hear the cops finally busted Madam Marie for tellin’ fortunes better than they do,” even though in real life, she never was. Castello began telling fortunes in her small Asbury Park boardwalk shop in 1932, and by the late ’60s, a young Springsteen reportedly visited with her often and would play his guitar outside her shop. According to Springsteen lore, it was during one of those visits that Castello told him he would one day be famous. Springsteen continued to stop by and visit in recent years. Over the years, Castello read fortunes of many famous entertainers who came to town. That list included 
Perry Como was one of America’s most popular singers of the 20th century. With a career that spanned over 50 years, Como sold many millions of records. He also starred in his own weekly variety show in the ’50s. Because of its immense popularity, it became the benchmark for all such shows to come. At the time, Como was the highest paid television entertainer in history, earning him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Como died in his sleep on May 12, 2001 at the age of 88. It has been reported that he suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease in his final years.