10 ready-to-read segments for December 27, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1969, 57 years ago: "Someday We'll Be Together" gives the Supremes their last No. 1. It was the twelfth and final chart-topper for Diana Ross & the Supremes, and her last single with the group. Fellow Supremes Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong don't actually sing on it. Here's Diana Ross & the Supremes with “Someday We'll Be Together.”
On this day in 1911, 115 years ago: "Jana Gana Mana" is sung in public for the first time. Rabindranath Tagore wrote both its words and music, and it was first heard at a Congress session in Calcutta. Its opening stanza became India's national anthem in 1950.
On this day in 1927, 99 years ago: Show Boat opens on Broadway. Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's musical ran 572 performances at the Ziegfeld Theatre. It gave the world "Ol' Man River."
On this day in 1975, 51 years ago: The Staple Singers top the Hot 100 with "Let's Do It Again." Curtis Mayfield wrote and produced the song for the Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby film of the same name. It also spent two weeks at No. 1 on the soul chart.
On this day in 1980, 46 years ago: "(Just Like) Starting Over" hits No. 1 weeks after Lennon's murder. The single had climbed to No. 3 before he was killed on December 8. It then spent five weeks on top, his biggest solo hit in America.
On this day in 1931, 95 years ago: Elvis's guitarist Scotty Moore is born. He played on the 1954 Sun session of "That's All Right," Presley's first hit, and backed Elvis in the studio and on tour until 1968. He joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
On this day in 1943, 83 years ago: Catalan singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat is born. Picked to sing Spain's 1968 Eurovision entry, he insisted on Catalan; the broadcaster said no and replaced him. His song "Mediterráneo" was later named Spain's most important song of the 20th century.
On this day in 1988, 38 years ago: Paramore singer Hayley Williams is born. She is a founding member of Paramore and its lead voice. She and Taylor York won the 2015 Grammy for Best Rock Song with "Ain't It Fun."
On this day in 1981, 45 years ago: Songwriter Hoagy Carmichael dies at 82. He wrote "Stardust," later recorded by hundreds of artists, and "Georgia on My Mind," now Georgia's state song. He also shared a 1951 Oscar with Johnny Mercer.
On this day in 2012, 14 years ago: Jamaican singer and producer Lloyd Charmers dies. He produced Ken Boothe's version of "Everything I Own" with his band the Now Generation. His song "Birth Control" later became the Specials' "Too Much Too Young."
Every segment comes from a fact checked against the source linked with it. Spot a problem? Email hello@todayintunes.com.