Today in Tunes
On this day in music

January 13

10 moments from 1864 to 1979: 5 things that happened, 3 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash
Why today: 1968 · Johnny Cash plays two shows inside Folsom Prison
Play on SpotifyApple Music

What happened on January 13

  1. 1910116 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    Caruso sings on an experimental radio broadcast

    Radio pioneer Lee De Forest sent parts of Pagliacci from the Metropolitan Opera stage over the air, with Enrico Caruso starring. The patchy signal reportedly reached listeners as far off as Newark, New Jersey.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts - Wikipedia
  2. 196264 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    "The Twist" returns to No. 1 on the Hot 100

    Chubby Checker first topped the chart with it in 1960. Its second trip to No. 1, fueled by a twist craze among adults and high society, made it the first song to reach the top in two separate chart runs.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: The Twist (song) - Wikipedia
  3. 196858 yrs ago
    HappenedCountry

    Johnny Cash plays two shows inside Folsom Prison

    Cash performed for inmates at 9:40 a.m. and again at 12:40 p.m. at the California prison. The tapes became At Folsom Prison, and its live "Folsom Prison Blues" hit No. 1 on the country chart.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: At Folsom Prison - Wikipedia
  4. 197254 yrs ago
    HappenedR&B / Soul

    Aretha Franklin starts recording Amazing Grace in church

    Over two days at a Los Angeles Baptist church, Franklin sang gospel with Rev. James Cleveland and a community choir. The double album became the best-selling live gospel record ever and her own top seller.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Amazing Grace (Aretha Franklin album) - Wikipedia
  5. 197353 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Eric Clapton returns with the Rainbow Concert

    After two years of near silence, Clapton played two London shows organized by Pete Townshend, backed by Townshend, Steve Winwood and Ronnie Wood. The recordings came out as an album that September.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert - Wikipedia
  6. 192997 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Jazz guitarist Joe Pass is born in New Jersey

    Born Joseph Passalacqua in New Brunswick, he became a master of unaccompanied jazz guitar, best heard on his 1974 solo album Virtuoso.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Joe Pass - Wikipedia
  7. 195571 yrs ago
    BornFolk

    Australian songwriter Paul Kelly is born in Adelaide

    Kelly built a long career on story-songs. "To Her Door" was his highest-charting home hit of 1987, and he co-wrote "Treaty" with members of Yothu Yindi.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Paul Kelly (Australian musician) - Wikipedia
  8. 196165 yrs ago
    BornPop

    Suggs of Madness is born in Hastings

    Graham McPherson took the stage name Suggs and fronted the ska band Madness, which put fifteen singles into the UK top ten.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Suggs (singer) - Wikipedia
  9. 1864162 yrs ago
    DiedFolk

    Stephen Foster dies in New York at 37

    Often called the father of American music, Foster wrote "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races." Weakened by fever, he was found badly hurt in his Bowery hotel and died at Bellevue Hospital; "Beautiful Dreamer" was published after his death.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Stephen Foster - Wikipedia
  10. 197947 yrs ago
    DiedR&B / Soul

    Soul singer Donny Hathaway dies at 33

    The Chicago-born singer and pianist gave us "This Christmas," "A Song for You" and classic duets with Roberta Flack such as "Where Is the Love."

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Donny Hathaway - Wikipedia