Today in Tunes
On this day in music

October 7

10 moments from 1746 to 2008: 5 things that happened, 4 birthdays and 1 farewells.

Tune of the day
Over the Rainbow
Judy Garland
Why today: 1938 · Judy Garland records "Over the Rainbow" for The Wizard of Oz
Play on Spotify

What happened on October 7

  1. 193888 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    Judy Garland records "Over the Rainbow" for The Wizard of Oz

    She recorded the film version on an MGM soundstage, using an arrangement by Murray Cutter. The song went on to become one of the best-known movie songs ever.

    Play on Spotify Source: Over the Rainbow - Wikipedia
  2. 196363 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    The Beach Boys release the hot-rod album Little Deuce Coupe

    Almost every song on it is about cars. It reached No. 4 in the US, stayed on the chart for 46 weeks, and was eventually certified platinum.

    Play on Spotify Source: Little Deuce Coupe (album) - Wikipedia
  3. 196858 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    José Feliciano's Latin-jazz anthem stirs up the World Series

    His slow acoustic version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Detroit drew a wave of complaints, then became a hit single anyway.

    Play on Spotify Source: José Feliciano - Wikipedia
  4. 198244 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    Cats opens on Broadway

    It played 7,485 performances before closing in 2000. In 1997 it passed A Chorus Line as the longest-running show in Broadway history at that time.

    Play on Spotify Source: Cats (musical) - Wikipedia
  5. 200818 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    Spotify launches in Europe

    The streaming service went live in several European markets. Over the next decade it changed how most people listen to recorded music.

    Play on Spotify Source: Spotify - Wikipedia
  6. 1746280 yrs ago
    BornClassical

    William Billings, America's first choral composer, is born

    His Revolutionary War anthem "Chester" was a patriotic favorite. William Schuman brought it back in his 1956 New England Triptych.

    Play on Spotify Source: William Billings - Wikipedia
  7. 195175 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Heartland rocker John Mellencamp is born in Indiana

    He became one of the defining voices of 1980s heartland rock, and co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young.

    Play on Spotify Source: John Mellencamp - Wikipedia
  8. 196759 yrs ago
    BornR&B / Soul

    R&B star Toni Braxton is born in Maryland

    Her debut album alone won her three Grammys. "Un-Break My Heart", written by Diane Warren, spent 11 weeks at No. 1.

    Play on Spotify Source: Toni Braxton - Wikipedia
  9. 196858 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Radiohead's Thom Yorke is born in Wellingborough

    He formed Radiohead with schoolmates at Abingdon School. The band has sold more than 30 million albums.

    Play on Spotify Source: Thom Yorke - Wikipedia
  10. 195967 yrs ago
    DiedClassical

    Tenor and film star Mario Lanza dies at 38

    He played his hero Enrico Caruso on film in The Great Caruso, which inspired a generation of opera singers that included Domingo and Pavarotti.

    Play on Spotify Source: Mario Lanza - Wikipedia