10 ready-to-read segments for December 5, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1932, 94 years ago: Little Richard is born in Macon, Georgia. "Tutti Frutti," cut in three takes in 1955, was an instant smash. In 1986 he was in the first class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Here's Little Richard with “Tutti Frutti.”
On this day in 1960, 66 years ago: The Crickets release "I Fought the Law." Sonny Curtis's song debuted on the album In Style with the Crickets and got little airplay. The Bobby Fuller Four took it into the US top ten in 1966, and the Clash covered it in 1979.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: Band on the Run is released in the US. Paul McCartney and Wings made most of the album at EMI's studio in Lagos, Nigeria. It went on to No. 1 in both America and Britain.
On this day in 1987, 39 years ago: Belinda Carlisle tops the Hot 100. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" gave her a first and only US No. 1, and it hit the top in the UK too.
On this day in 1938, 88 years ago: Songwriter J.J. Cale is born. Eric Clapton turned two of his songs into hits: "After Midnight" in 1970 and "Cocaine" in 1977.
On this day in 1946, 80 years ago: Tenor José Carreras is born in Barcelona. He beat acute leukemia after being given a one-in-ten chance, then sang in the first Three Tenors concert in Rome in 1990.
On this day in 1967, 59 years ago: Country singer Gary Allan is born. He has scored four country No. 1s, including "Man to Man" and "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)."
On this day in 1791, 235 years ago: Mozart dies in Vienna at 35. He died before he could complete his Requiem, leaving much of it unfinished.
On this day in 2012, 14 years ago: Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck dies at 91. His album Time Out was the first jazz album to sell a million copies, and Paul Desmond's "Take Five" from it became jazz's top-selling single.
On this day in 2022, 4 years ago: Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart dies at 92. He started Stax in 1957 with his sister Estelle Axton, building the label's name from their two surnames.
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