Today in Tunes
On this day in music

December 8

10 moments from 1865 to 2013: 3 things that happened, 5 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
(Just Like) Starting Over
John Lennon
Why today: 1980 · John Lennon is shot dead in New York at 40
Play on Spotify

What happened on December 8

  1. 195670 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    Guy Mitchell's "Singing the Blues" hits No. 1

    Backed by Ray Conniff and his orchestra, the record took over Billboard's Best Sellers in Stores chart and held the top spot through the rest of December.

    Play on Spotify Source: List of Billboard number-one singles of 1956 - Wikipedia
  2. 197650 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    The Eagles release Hotel California

    It reached No. 1 in January 1977, and its title song won the Grammy for Record of the Year. The RIAA has certified it 28 times Platinum.

    Play on Spotify Source: Hotel California (Eagles album) - Wikipedia
  3. 201313 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Metallica play Antarctica, completing all seven continents

    About 120 researchers and contest winners watched the show at Argentina's Carlini Base. Guinness recognized Metallica as the first band to play every continent, all within a single year.

    Play on Spotify Source: Freeze 'Em All - Wikipedia
  4. 1865161 yrs ago
    BornClassical

    Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is born

    Finlandia, a deeply patriotic piece first performed in 1899, is likely the most familiar thing he wrote.

    Play on Spotify Source: Jean Sibelius - Wikipedia
  5. 1914112 yrs ago
    BornCountry

    Country songwriter Floyd Tillman is born

    His 1949 "Slippin' Around" was among the earliest country songs about cheating and a hit for several singers. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984.

    Play on Spotify Source: Floyd Tillman - Wikipedia
  6. 1925101 yrs ago
    BornPop

    Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. is born

    He joined Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in the Rat Pack, and "The Candy Man" gave him his only No. 1 on the Hot 100.

    Play on Spotify Source: Sammy Davis Jr. - Wikipedia
  7. 194383 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Jim Morrison of the Doors is born

    Born in Melbourne, Florida, he sang and wrote most of the lyrics for the Doors. "Light My Fire" spent three weeks at No. 1 in the summer of 1967.

    Play on Spotify Source: Jim Morrison - Wikipedia
  8. 198244 yrs ago
    BornHip-hop

    Nicki Minaj is born in Trinidad

    Born Onika Maraj in Port of Spain, she took Pink Friday to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the slow-burning "Super Bass" climbed to No. 3.

    Play on Spotify Source: Nicki Minaj - Wikipedia
  9. 198046 yrs ago
    DiedRock

    John Lennon is shot dead in New York at 40

    He was shot at the Dakota building in New York City, weeks after he and Yoko Ono released Double Fantasy. The album went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.

    Play on Spotify Source: John Lennon - Wikipedia
  10. 199432 yrs ago
    DiedLatin

    Bossa nova great Antônio Carlos Jobim dies

    Counted among the fathers of bossa nova for blending samba with cool jazz in the 1960s, he wrote "The Girl from Ipanema", which other artists have recorded more than 240 times.

    Play on Spotify Source: Antônio Carlos Jobim - Wikipedia