10 ready-to-read segments for December 29, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" goes to No. 1 after his death. It was Croce's second No. 1, and it arrived after his death. Here's Jim Croce with “Time in a Bottle.”
On this day in 1951, 75 years ago: Johnnie Ray's "Cry" reaches No. 1. Ray and the Four Lads replaced Eddy Howard's "(It's No) Sin" at the top of the Best Sellers chart.
On this day in 1966, 60 years ago: The Beatles start recording "Penny Lane." The first session at EMI's Studio 2 built the track around piano. Weeks later, David Mason recorded the piccolo trumpet solo.
On this day in 1966, 60 years ago: Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe" enters the UK chart. The Experience's first single came out on December 16 and got a lift from TV spots on Ready Steady Go! and Top of the Pops. It climbed to No. 6.
On this day in 1979, 47 years ago: Wings play their last concert, closing the Kampuchea benefits. Four nights of benefit shows for the people of Kampuchea at London's Hammersmith Odeon ended on this date. That closing show was also the final Wings concert.
On this day in 1876, 150 years ago: Cellist Pablo Casals is born in Catalonia. Bach's Cello Suites had been largely neglected until Casals revived and recorded them. Those recordings are perhaps what he is best remembered for.
On this day in 1946, 80 years ago: Marianne Faithfull is born. Her UK top 10 single "As Tears Go By" was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Andrew Loog Oldham. Her 1979 album Broken English brought a Grammy nomination.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: UGK rapper Pimp C is born. He formed UGK with Bun B in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1987. The duo featured on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'," which reached No. 18 on the Hot 100.
On this day in 1952, 74 years ago: Bandleader Fletcher Henderson dies at 55. Louis Armstrong spent a year in his orchestra. Henderson later sold arrangements to Benny Goodman, and many of Goodman's swing-era hits had first been played by Henderson's own band.
On this day in 1980, 46 years ago: Folk songwriter Tim Hardin dies at 39. His "If I Were a Carpenter" was recorded by Bobby Darin, Johnny Cash, the Four Tops and many more. Rod Stewart's take on his "Reason to Believe" was a UK No. 1.
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