Today in Tunes
On this day in music

October 18

10 moments from 1887 to 2008: 5 things that happened, 3 birthdays and 2 farewells.

Tune of the day
Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry
Why today: 1926 · Chuck Berry born in St. Louis, Missouri
Play on Spotify

What happened on October 18

  1. 1887139 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    Brahms premieres his Double Concerto in Cologne

    Brahms wrote his last orchestral work for Joseph Joachim after years of estrangement. Clara Schumann called it a work of reconciliation.

    Play on Spotify Source: Double Concerto (Brahms) – Wikipedia
  2. 195769 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Paul McCartney plays his first gig with the Quarrymen

    He debuted with John Lennon's group at a Conservative Club social in Liverpool, then kept practicing the guitar intro to "Raunchy", which irritated his bandmates.

    Play on Spotify Source: The Quarrymen – Wikipedia
  3. 196165 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    West Side Story film opens in the US

    The film of Bernstein and Sondheim's musical won 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, the most for any musical film.

    Play on Spotify Source: West Side Story (1961 film) – Wikipedia
  4. 198838 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    Traveling Wilburys release Vol. 1

    George Harrison needed a B-side, and "Handle with Care", cut with Dylan, Orbison, Petty and Lynne, was too good for one. So the five made a whole album.

    Play on Spotify Source: Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – Wikipedia
  5. 200818 yrs ago
    HappenedHip-hop

    T.I. jumps from No. 80 to No. 1 with "Live Your Life"

    The Rihanna duet set a record for the biggest leap to No. 1. It replaced his own "Whatever You Like", and the two songs held the top two spots.

    Play on Spotify Source: Live Your Life (T.I. song) – Wikipedia
  6. 1926100 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Chuck Berry born in St. Louis, Missouri

    "Johnny B. Goode" is the only rock and roll song on the Voyager Golden Record. Lennon said another name for rock and roll might be "Chuck Berry".

    Play on Spotify Source: Chuck Berry – Wikipedia
  7. 196165 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Wynton Marsalis born in New Orleans

    He is the only musician to win Grammys in jazz and classical in the same year. In 1997 he became the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

    Play on Spotify Source: Wynton Marsalis – Wikipedia
  8. 197947 yrs ago
    BornR&B / Soul

    Ne-Yo born in Camden, Arkansas

    Before his own No. 1 "So Sick", he wrote Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable", which spent 10 weeks on top.

    Play on Spotify Source: Ne-Yo – Wikipedia
  9. 1893133 yrs ago
    DiedClassical

    Charles Gounod, composer of Faust, dies

    His famous "Ave Maria" puts a new melody over the first prelude of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.

    Play on Spotify Source: Charles Gounod – Wikipedia
  10. 200719 yrs ago
    DiedReggae

    Reggae star Lucky Dube killed in Johannesburg

    Africa's best-selling reggae artist started out in Zulu mbaqanga before switching to reggae. He was shot dead during an attempted carjacking in Johannesburg.

    Play on Spotify Source: Lucky Dube – Wikipedia