10 ready-to-read segments for December 7, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1991, 35 years ago: "Black or White" goes to No. 1 in America. Michael Jackson's single stayed on top of the Hot 100 for seven weeks and led the charts in at least 20 countries, the UK, Mexico and Zimbabwe among them. Here's Michael Jackson with “Black or White.”
On this day in 1842, 184 years ago: The New York Philharmonic plays its first concert. Founded by conductor Ureli Corelli Hill, the orchestra debuted in the Apollo Rooms on lower Broadway. It is one of America’s longest-running musical organizations.
On this day in 1963, 63 years ago: The Singing Nun's "Dominique" reaches No. 1. It held the top spot through the final four weeks of 1963, yet it was the only song the Singing Nun ever placed on the Hot 100.
On this day in 1974, 52 years ago: "Kung Fu Fighting" kicks its way to No. 1. Carl Douglas's single took over the top of the Hot 100 and stayed there for two weeks, his first time at No. 1 in America.
On this day in 1996, 30 years ago: Toni Braxton begins 11 weeks at No. 1. Diane Warren wrote "Un-Break My Heart", which ruled the Hot 100 into February 1997 and won Braxton the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
On this day in 1910, 116 years ago: Louis Prima is born in New Orleans. He wrote and recorded "Sing Sing Sing" in 1936, later a hit for Benny Goodman, and voiced King Louie the orangutan in Disney's The Jungle Book.
On this day in 1949, 77 years ago: Songwriter Tom Waits is born. Born in Pomona, California, he won Grammys for Bone Machine and Mule Variations. NME picked his 1985 album Rain Dogs as its record of the year.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice is born in Dublin. His 2002 debut album O reached No. 8 in the UK and won the Shortlist Music Prize, with "Cannonball" and "Volcano" becoming UK top 30 hits.
On this day in 1962, 64 years ago: Wagner soprano Kirsten Flagstad dies. Her New York debut in February 1935 passed into opera legend, and it quickly made her the top Wagner soprano of the time.
On this day in 2016, 10 years ago: Greg Lake of King Crimson and ELP dies at 69. He was a founding member of King Crimson as singer and bassist, then wrote and recorded songs like "Lucky Man" with Emerson, Lake & Palmer. His 1975 single "I Believe in Father Christmas" made No. 2 in the UK.
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