Today in Tunes
On this day in music

January 26

10 moments from 1790 to 2020: 5 things that happened, 3 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
You're Sixteen
Ringo Starr
Why today: 1974 · Ringo Starr hits No. 1 with "You're Sixteen"
Play on SpotifyApple Music

What happened on January 26

  1. 1790236 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    Mozart's Così fan tutte premieres in Vienna

    His third opera with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte opened at the Burgtheater. Its plot turns on a cynical bet that two engaged women will be unfaithful within a single day.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Così fan tutte - Wikipedia
  2. 196363 yrs ago
    HappenedFolk

    The Rooftop Singers reach No. 1 with "Walk Right In"

    The folk trio's single knocked Steve Lawrence's "Go Away Little Girl" from the top and held on for two weeks, until Paul & Paula's "Hey Paula" arrived.

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

    Ringo Starr hits No. 1 with "You're Sixteen"

    The former Beatle's single took over the top spot from Al Wilson's "Show and Tell" and stayed there one week before Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" moved in.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1974 - Wikipedia
  4. 198838 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    The Phantom of the Opera opens on Broadway

    Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical opened at the Majestic Theatre and ran until April 2023, totaling nearly 14,000 performances, the longest run in Broadway history.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical) - Wikipedia
  5. 20206 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    Billie Eilish sweeps the Grammys' top four awards

    At 18 she won Album, Record and Song of the Year plus Best New Artist, the first woman ever to take all four in one night. Her brother Finneas also won six awards.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: 62nd Annual Grammy Awards - Wikipedia
  6. 1908118 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli is born in Paris

    In 1934 he and guitarist Django Reinhardt formed the Quintette du Hot Club de France, one of the first jazz bands built entirely on strings, and he came to be called the grandfather of jazz violin.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Stéphane Grappelli - Wikipedia
  7. 195571 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Eddie Van Halen is born in Amsterdam

    He brought two-handed tapping to the masses with the 1978 showpiece "Eruption" and, without taking a fee, played the solo on Michael Jackson's "Beat It."

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Eddie Van Halen - Wikipedia
  8. 195868 yrs ago
    BornR&B / Soul

    Anita Baker is born in Toledo, Ohio

    Her 1986 album Rapture made her a star, and its ballad "Sweet Love" crossed over to the pop Top 10. She has won eight Grammys.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Anita Baker - Wikipedia
  9. 198541 yrs ago
    DiedJazz & Blues

    Bebop drum pioneer Kenny Clarke dies in France

    He moved the beat from the hi-hat to the ride cymbal and dropped surprise bass-drum accents, a style that became central to bebop drumming.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Kenny Clarke - Wikipedia
  10. 201115 yrs ago
    DiedCountry

    Country harmony singer Charlie Louvin dies at 83

    With his brother Ira he formed the Louvin Brothers, Opry members from 1955 whose close harmonies later earned them a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Charlie Louvin - Wikipedia