BORN ON THIS DAY

GLADYS HORTON ( 1945- 2011). The American was the lead singer of girl group The Marvelettes, whose 1961 hit Please Mr Postman was the Motown record label’s first No 1. Released when Horton was just 15, and featuring a young Marvin Gaye on drums, the song was covered by The Beatles and topped the u.S. charts again when released by The carpenters. MEL BLANC (1908-1989). The ‘man of 1,000 voices’ was the American actor behind cartoon characters including Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Barney Rubble, Sylvester the cat and Tweety Bird. He also sang the 1950 novelty song I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat. He won his job at the company that produced Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for Warner Bros. after being asked to do an impression of a drunken bull.