Today in Tunes
On this day in music

December 29

10 moments from 1876 to 1980: 5 things that happened, 3 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
Time in a Bottle
Jim Croce
Why today: 1973 · Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" goes to No. 1 after his death
Play on Spotify

What happened on December 29

  1. 195175 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    Johnnie Ray's "Cry" reaches No. 1

    Ray and the Four Lads replaced Eddy Howard's "(It's No) Sin" at the top of the Best Sellers chart.

    Play on Spotify Source: List of Billboard number-one singles of 1951 - Wikipedia
  2. 196660 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    The Beatles start recording "Penny Lane"

    The first session at EMI's Studio 2 built the track around piano. Weeks later, David Mason recorded the piccolo trumpet solo.

    Play on Spotify Source: Penny Lane - Wikipedia
  3. 196660 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe" enters the UK chart

    The Experience's first single came out on December 16 and got a lift from TV spots on Ready Steady Go! and Top of the Pops. It climbed to No. 6.

    Play on Spotify Source: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Wikipedia
  4. 197353 yrs ago
    HappenedFolk

    Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" goes to No. 1 after his death

    It was Croce's second No. 1, and it arrived after his death.

    Play on Spotify Source: List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1973 - Wikipedia
  5. 197947 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Wings play their last concert, closing the Kampuchea benefits

    Four nights of benefit shows for the people of Kampuchea at London's Hammersmith Odeon ended on this date. That closing show was also the final Wings concert.

    Play on Spotify Source: Concerts for the People of Kampuchea - Wikipedia
  6. 1876150 yrs ago
    BornClassical

    Cellist Pablo Casals is born in Catalonia

    Bach's Cello Suites had been largely neglected until Casals revived and recorded them. Those recordings are perhaps what he is best remembered for.

    Play on Spotify Source: Pablo Casals - Wikipedia
  7. 194680 yrs ago
    BornPop

    Marianne Faithfull is born

    Her UK top 10 single "As Tears Go By" was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Andrew Loog Oldham. Her 1979 album Broken English brought a Grammy nomination.

    Play on Spotify Source: Marianne Faithfull - Wikipedia
  8. 197353 yrs ago
    BornHip-hop

    UGK rapper Pimp C is born

    He formed UGK with Bun B in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1987. The duo featured on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'," which reached No. 18 on the Hot 100.

    Play on Spotify Source: Pimp C - Wikipedia
  9. 195274 yrs ago
    DiedJazz & Blues

    Bandleader Fletcher Henderson dies at 55

    Louis Armstrong spent a year in his orchestra. Henderson later sold arrangements to Benny Goodman, and many of Goodman's swing-era hits had first been played by Henderson's own band.

    Play on Spotify Source: Fletcher Henderson - Wikipedia
  10. 198046 yrs ago
    DiedFolk

    Folk songwriter Tim Hardin dies at 39

    His "If I Were a Carpenter" was recorded by Bobby Darin, Johnny Cash, the Four Tops and many more. Rod Stewart's take on his "Reason to Believe" was a UK No. 1.

    Play on Spotify Source: Tim Hardin - Wikipedia