Today in Tunes
On this day in music

December 25

10 moments from 1815 to 2016: 4 things that happened, 4 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
Last Christmas
Wham!
Why today: 2016 · George Michael dies on Christmas Day at 53
Play on Spotify

What happened on December 25

  1. 1815211 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    Boston's Handel and Haydn Society gives its first concert

    It debuted at King's Chapel with 90 men and 10 women singing, and it has kept performing without a break ever since.

    Play on Spotify Source: Handel and Haydn Society - Wikipedia
  2. 1870156 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    Wagner's Siegfried Idyll premieres on a staircase

    Wagner wrote it as a birthday gift for his wife Cosima. On Christmas morning, a small group from Zurich's Tonhalle Orchestra played it on the staircase of the couple's villa at Tribschen.

    Play on Spotify Source: Siegfried Idyll - Wikipedia
  3. 197749 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Sex Pistols play two Christmas Day shows in Huddersfield

    The first set at Ivanhoe's was played for kids whose firefighter parents were on strike. They were among the band's last UK shows for over 18 years.

    Play on Spotify Source: Sex Pistols - Wikipedia
  4. 200620 yrs ago
    HappenedR&B / Soul

    Dreamgirls opens across the US

    After roadshow screenings starting December 15, the musical film reached US theaters on Christmas Day and later won Jennifer Hudson the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

    Play on Spotify Source: Dreamgirls (film) - Wikipedia
  5. 1907119 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Cab Calloway, the Hi-de-ho man, is born

    A Cotton Club regular and a lively scat singer, he recorded "Minnie the Moocher," the first single by a Black American artist to reach a million in sales.

    Play on Spotify Source: Cab Calloway - Wikipedia
  6. 1926100 yrs ago
    BornLatin

    Cha-cha-chá creator Enrique Jorrín is born

    The Cuban violinist came up with the cha-cha-chá in the early 1950s while playing in Orquesta América. "La engañadora" is one of his tunes in the style.

    Play on Spotify Source: Enrique Jorrín - Wikipedia
  7. 195472 yrs ago
    BornPop

    Annie Lennox is born in Aberdeen

    The former Eurythmics singer has eight Brit Awards and won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for "Into the West" from The Return of the King.

    Play on Spotify Source: Annie Lennox - Wikipedia
  8. 197650 yrs ago
    BornElectronic

    Trance DJ Armin van Buuren is born

    He has hosted the weekly radio show A State of Trance since 2001 and has topped DJ Mag's DJ poll five times.

    Play on Spotify Source: Armin van Buuren - Wikipedia
  9. 200620 yrs ago
    DiedR&B / Soul

    James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, dies

    When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named its very first ten inductees in January 1986, he was among them.

    Play on Spotify Source: James Brown - Wikipedia
  10. 201610 yrs ago
    DiedPop

    George Michael dies on Christmas Day at 53

    He formed Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their "Last Christmas" peaked at No. 2 in 1984 and finally reached No. 1 in the UK on New Year's Day 2021.

    Play on Spotify Source: George Michael - Wikipedia