10 ready-to-read segments for December 28, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 2015, 11 years ago: Motörhead's Lemmy dies at 70. He played in Hawkwind before starting Motörhead in 1975. The band peaked with "Ace of Spades" in 1980 and the UK No. 1 live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith. Here's Motörhead with “Ace of Spades.”
On this day in 1880, 146 years ago: Audran's operetta La mascotte opens in Paris. Edmond Audran's comic opera played 472 performances at the Bouffes-Parisiens. It took in well over a million francs.
On this day in 1944, 82 years ago: Bernstein's On the Town opens on Broadway. Leonard Bernstein wrote the music, with words by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The show ran 462 performances and introduced "New York, New York."
On this day in 1968, 58 years ago: The Beatles' White Album reaches No. 1 in the US. The 30-track double album took the top spot in its third week out. It spent nine weeks at No. 1 in all.
On this day in 1974, 52 years ago: Helen Reddy's "Angie Baby" tops the Hot 100. Alan O'Day wrote the song. It was also her fifth No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart.
On this day in 2004, 22 years ago: John Legend releases his debut album, Get Lifted. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and won Best R&B Album. "Ordinary People" earned him another Grammy, and he was also named Best New Artist.
On this day in 1903, 123 years ago: Jazz piano great Earl Hines is born. His records with Louis Armstrong include the duet "Weather Bird." On his 25th birthday in 1928 he opened at Chicago's Grand Terrace with his own big band.
On this day in 1914, 112 years ago: Pops Staples of the Staple Singers is born. In 1948 he and his wife started the family group to sing gospel in local churches with their children. He won a Grammy in 1995 for the blues album Father, Father.
On this day in 1950, 76 years ago: Box Tops and Big Star singer Alex Chilton is born. He was only 16 when the Box Tops' "The Letter," his first professional recording, went to No. 1. He later formed Big Star with Chris Bell in 1971.
On this day in 1937, 89 years ago: Composer Maurice Ravel dies at 62. He told Arthur Honegger that Boléro was his only masterpiece, and that it had no music in it. He described the piece as one long, very gradual crescendo.
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