10 ready-to-read segments for December 26, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1999, 27 years ago: Soul singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield dies at 57. He wrote "People Get Ready" for the Impressions, and his Super Fly soundtrack topped the albums chart. He entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, with his group and on his own. Here's The Impressions with “People Get Ready.”
On this day in 1709, 317 years ago: Handel's opera Agrippina premieres in Venice. The first-night audience cheered him at almost every pause, and the opera went on to an unheard-of 27 performances in a row. Its success established Handel's international reputation.
On this day in 1871, 155 years ago: Gilbert and Sullivan's Thespis opens in London. It ran for 63 performances at the Gaiety Theatre. The score was never published, and only three pieces of its music are known to survive.
On this day in 1926, 100 years ago: Sibelius's Tapiola gets its first performance in New York. Walter Damrosch commissioned the tone poem and conducted the New York Symphony Society at its premiere. Sibelius lived three more decades but never wrote another major work.
On this day in 1963, 63 years ago: Capitol rushes out "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in the US. A Washington DJ had been spinning a British import after a teenage fan asked for it, so Capitol moved the release up by two weeks. By February the song was No. 1, where it stayed seven weeks.
On this day in 1970, 56 years ago: "My Sweet Lord" makes George Harrison the first solo Beatle at No. 1. The song topped the Hot 100 for four weeks. Years later a court ruled he had unknowingly borrowed the tune of "He's So Fine."
On this day in 1939, 87 years ago: Wall of Sound producer Phil Spector is born. He called his densely layered, orchestral records "little symphonies for the kids." His hits included the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."
On this day in 1951, 75 years ago: Jazz guitarist John Scofield is born. He first drew wide notice playing in Miles Davis's band. He has won three Grammys, including back-to-back Best Jazz Instrumental Album awards in 2016 and 2017.
On this day in 1963, 63 years ago: Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich is born in Denmark. He grew up in a tennis family and moved to California to train, then ran a newspaper ad seeking bandmates. It led him to James Hetfield, and to Metallica.
On this day in 2010, 16 years ago: Teena Marie, "Lady T," dies at 54. Her collaborator Rick James gave her the nickname, and she left Motown as its most successful white solo act. "Ooo La La La" went to No. 1 on the R&B chart, and "Lovergirl" reached No. 4 on the Hot 100.
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