10 ready-to-read segments for December 30, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1928, 98 years ago: Bo Diddley is born in McComb, Mississippi. His five-accent "hambone" beat runs through rock, pop and hip-hop. His 1955 single "Bo Diddley" went to No. 1 on the R&B chart. Here's Bo Diddley with “Bo Diddley.”
On this day in 1921, 105 years ago: Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges premieres in Chicago. Prokofiev himself conducted the first night at the Auditorium Theatre. The opera's March was later used on the CBS radio drama The FBI in Peace and War.
On this day in 1942, 84 years ago: Frank Sinatra opens at the Paramount and Sinatramania begins. His act followed Benny Goodman's orchestra, and the crowds were so loud that Jack Benny thought the building might fall. His four-week run was extended for four more.
On this day in 1950, 76 years ago: Patti Page's "Tennessee Waltz" hits No. 1. It stayed on top for nine weeks and had sold 2.3 million copies by May 1951. The song later became an official state song of Tennessee.
On this day in 1967, 59 years ago: "Hello, Goodbye" takes over No. 1 in America. The Beatles' single replaced the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" and held the top spot for three weeks. In Britain it led the chart for seven.
On this day in 1946, 80 years ago: Patti Smith is born in Chicago. "Because the Night," which she wrote with Bruce Springsteen, reached No. 13 in the US in 1978. Her memoir Just Kids won the National Book Award.
On this day in 1947, 79 years ago: ELO co-founder Jeff Lynne is born in Birmingham. He formed Electric Light Orchestra in 1970 with Roy Wood and Bev Bevan, aiming for rock with classical overtones. He later co-founded the Traveling Wilburys and co-produced the Beatles' "Free as a Bird."
On this day in 1986, 40 years ago: Ellie Goulding is born in Hereford. "Burn" was her first UK No. 1, and "Love Me like You Do" spent four weeks on top there. She was named Best British Female at the 2014 Brits.
On this day in 1979, 47 years ago: Broadway composer Richard Rodgers dies at 77. With Oscar Hammerstein II he wrote Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music. He was the first to collect all four of the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
On this day in 2004, 22 years ago: Clarinetist and bandleader Artie Shaw dies at 94. After two obscure years, his 1938 "Begin the Beguine" quickly made him a major pop star. That year he hired Billie Holiday as his band's full-time singer.
Every segment comes from a fact checked against the source linked with it. Spot a problem? Email hello@todayintunes.com.