Today in Tunes
On this day in music

December 7

10 moments from 1842 to 2016: 5 things that happened, 3 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
Black or White
Michael Jackson
Why today: 1991 · "Black or White" goes to No. 1 in America
Play on Spotify

What happened on December 7

  1. 1842184 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    The New York Philharmonic plays its first concert

    Founded by conductor Ureli Corelli Hill, the orchestra debuted in the Apollo Rooms on lower Broadway. It is one of America’s longest-running musical organizations.

    Play on Spotify Source: New York Philharmonic - Wikipedia
  2. 196363 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    The Singing Nun's "Dominique" reaches No. 1

    It held the top spot through the final four weeks of 1963, yet it was the only song the Singing Nun ever placed on the Hot 100.

    Play on Spotify Source: List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1963 - Wikipedia
  3. 197452 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    "Kung Fu Fighting" kicks its way to No. 1

    Carl Douglas's single took over the top of the Hot 100 and stayed there for two weeks, his first time at No. 1 in America.

    Play on Spotify Source: List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1974 - Wikipedia
  4. 199135 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    "Black or White" goes to No. 1 in America

    Michael Jackson's single stayed on top of the Hot 100 for seven weeks and led the charts in at least 20 countries, the UK, Mexico and Zimbabwe among them.

    Play on Spotify Source: Black or White - Wikipedia
  5. 199630 yrs ago
    HappenedR&B / Soul

    Toni Braxton begins 11 weeks at No. 1

    Diane Warren wrote "Un-Break My Heart", which ruled the Hot 100 into February 1997 and won Braxton the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

    Play on Spotify Source: Un-Break My Heart - Wikipedia
  6. 1910116 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Louis Prima is born in New Orleans

    He wrote and recorded "Sing Sing Sing" in 1936, later a hit for Benny Goodman, and voiced King Louie the orangutan in Disney's The Jungle Book.

    Play on Spotify Source: Louis Prima - Wikipedia
  7. 194977 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Songwriter Tom Waits is born

    Born in Pomona, California, he won Grammys for Bone Machine and Mule Variations. NME picked his 1985 album Rain Dogs as its record of the year.

    Play on Spotify Source: Tom Waits - Wikipedia
  8. 197353 yrs ago
    BornFolk

    Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice is born in Dublin

    His 2002 debut album O reached No. 8 in the UK and won the Shortlist Music Prize, with "Cannonball" and "Volcano" becoming UK top 30 hits.

    Play on Spotify Source: Damien Rice - Wikipedia
  9. 196264 yrs ago
    DiedClassical

    Wagner soprano Kirsten Flagstad dies

    Her New York debut in February 1935 passed into opera legend, and it quickly made her the top Wagner soprano of the time.

    Play on Spotify Source: Kirsten Flagstad - Wikipedia
  10. 201610 yrs ago
    DiedRock

    Greg Lake of King Crimson and ELP dies at 69

    He was a founding member of King Crimson as singer and bassist, then wrote and recorded songs like "Lucky Man" with Emerson, Lake & Palmer. His 1975 single "I Believe in Father Christmas" made No. 2 in the UK.

    Play on Spotify Source: Greg Lake - Wikipedia