Today in Tunes
On this day in music

October 15

10 moments from 1938 to 2006: 5 things that happened, 4 birthdays and 1 farewells.

Tune of the day
Red Red Wine
UB40
Why today: 1988 · UB40's "Red Red Wine" tops the Billboard Hot 100
Play on Spotify

What happened on October 15

  1. 196066 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Ringo first records with John, Paul and George

    In Hamburg, the four future Beatles played together on a recording for the first time, backing Hurricanes singer Lu Walters on "Summertime".

    Play on Spotify Source: Ringo Starr – Wikipedia
  2. 196660 yrs ago
    HappenedR&B / Soul

    Four Tops hit No. 1 with "Reach Out I'll Be There"

    Holland-Dozier-Holland pushed Levi Stubbs to the top of his range so he was half singing, half shouting, partly as a nod to Bob Dylan.

    Play on Spotify Source: List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1966 – Wikipedia
  3. 197155 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Rick Nelson booed at Madison Square Garden

    He played a Rolling Stones cover at a rock and roll revival show, heard boos and later wrote "Garden Party" about the night. It became his last Top 40 hit.

    Play on Spotify Source: Garden Party (Rick Nelson song) – Wikipedia
  4. 198838 yrs ago
    HappenedReggae

    UB40's "Red Red Wine" tops the Billboard Hot 100

    UB40 only knew Tony Tribe's 1969 reggae version and took the "N Diamond" credit for a Jamaican artist. They had no idea Neil Diamond wrote it.

    Play on Spotify Source: Red Red Wine – Wikipedia
  5. 200620 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Patti Smith plays CBGB's last-ever show

    Her set ran about three and a half hours. During her final encore, "Elegie", she named musicians from the club's history who had died.

    Play on Spotify Source: CBGB – Wikipedia
  6. 193888 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti born in Abeokuta, Nigeria

    He mixed West African music with funk and jazz to create Afrobeat, and declared his Kalakuta Republic commune independent of military rule.

    Play on Spotify Source: Fela Kuti – Wikipedia
  7. 194680 yrs ago
    BornPop

    Richard Carpenter born in New Haven, Connecticut

    Karen's brother and the Carpenters' arranger, he arranged "(They Long to Be) Close to You", their breakthrough No. 1 in 1970.

    Play on Spotify Source: Richard Carpenter (musician) – Wikipedia
  8. 195373 yrs ago
    BornR&B / Soul

    Tito Jackson born in Gary, Indiana

    Guitarist of the Jackson 5, born Tariano Adaryll Jackson.

    Play on Spotify Source: Tito Jackson – Wikipedia
  9. 198145 yrs ago
    BornR&B / Soul

    Keyshia Cole born in Oakland, California

    Her 2005 debut The Way It Is sold over a million US copies on the strength of "Love" and "I Should Have Cheated".

    Play on Spotify Source: Keyshia Cole – Wikipedia
  10. 196462 yrs ago
    DiedJazz & Blues

    Cole Porter dies in Santa Monica

    He wrote "Night and Day" and Kiss Me, Kate, the first winner of the Tony for Best Musical, despite chronic pain from a 1937 riding accident.

    Play on Spotify Source: Cole Porter – Wikipedia