10 ready-to-read segments for January 15, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1972, 54 years ago: "American Pie" begins four weeks at No. 1. Don McLean's sprawling story-song ran 8 minutes 42 seconds on the album, so the single was split across two sides. It still topped the Hot 100 for a month. Here's Don McLean with “American Pie.”
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Messiaen premieres his quartet in a prison camp. Olivier Messiaen and three fellow prisoners of war first played the Quartet for the End of Time at Stalag VIII-A to roughly 400 prisoners and guards. Donations from people in the camp paid for the cello.
On this day in 1967, 59 years ago: The Stones change their lyrics for Ed Sullivan. Told to tone down "Let's Spend the Night Together," the band sang a milder line, and Mick Jagger rolled his eyes at the camera. Sullivan barred them, though they returned in 1969.
On this day in 2000, 26 years ago: "What a Girl Wants" is the 2000s' first No. 1. Christina Aguilera's second straight chart-topper after "Genie in a Bottle" is counted as the first Hot 100 No. 1 of the new decade. It held the spot for two weeks.
On this day in 1909, 117 years ago: Drummer Gene Krupa is born in Chicago. His tom-tom breaks on Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" were the first extended drum solos on a commercial record.
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Captain Beefheart is born in Glendale, California. Don Van Vliet made famously adventurous music, above all the 28-track double album Trout Mask Replica, released on Frank Zappa's label.
On this day in 1981, 45 years ago: Pitbull is born in Miami. Armando Christian Pérez became Mr. Worldwide, hitting No. 1 with "Give Me Everything" and "Timber" and co-singing the 2014 World Cup anthem.
On this day in 1775, 251 years ago: Symphony pioneer Giovanni Battista Sammartini dies. The Milan composer helped turn the short opera overture into the serious concert symphony, pointing the way to Haydn and Mozart. Gluck was among his students.
On this day in 2018, 8 years ago: Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dies at 46. As the band's voice and principal songwriter, working with guitarist Noel Hogan, she gave the Cranberries "Dreams," "Linger" and their biggest international hit, "Zombie."
On this day in 2018, 8 years ago: Gospel great Edwin Hawkins dies at 74. His 1968 choir arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" jumped from a church choir album to rock radio, sold millions worldwide and won a Grammy.
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