10 ready-to-read segments for January 18, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1986, 40 years ago: "That's What Friends Are For" goes to No. 1. Billed as Dionne and Friends, Dionne Warwick's all-star recording held No. 1 for four weeks, tied for the longest run of 1986. Here's Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder with “That's What Friends Are For.”
On this day in 1964, 62 years ago: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" enters the Hot 100. The Beatles' single came in at No. 45. Two weeks later it was No. 1, the band's first chart-topper in the US.
On this day in 2009, 17 years ago: Pete Seeger leads "This Land Is Your Land" at the Lincoln Memorial. At the free concert celebrating Barack Obama's inauguration, the folk legend sang Woody Guthrie's anthem with Bruce Springsteen, on a bill that also included Beyoncé, U2 and Stevie Wonder.
On this day in 2020, 6 years ago: Roddy Ricch's "The Box" hits No. 1. Roddy Ricch's breakout hit took over the Hot 100 and stayed there for eleven weeks, longer than any other song that year.
On this day in 1841, 185 years ago: Emmanuel Chabrier is born in Ambert, France. He spent nearly twenty years as a civil servant at France's Interior Ministry before composing full time. A trip to Spain inspired España, the sparkling rhapsody he is best known for.
On this day in 1915, 111 years ago: Rebetiko great Vassilis Tsitsanis is born. The Greek bouzouki master wrote more than 500 songs and helped bring rebetiko to a much wider Greek audience. He died in London on his 69th birthday in 1984.
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Temptations singer David Ruffin is born. Born in Whynot, Mississippi, Ruffin sang lead on "My Girl," the Temptations' first No. 1, plus "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "I Wish It Would Rain."
On this day in 1979, 47 years ago: Jay Chou is born in Taiwan. Known as the King of Mandopop, he has sold more than 30 million albums, and his 2022 album Greatest Works of Art was the world's best-selling album in pure sales that year.
On this day in 2016, 10 years ago: Eagles star Glenn Frey dies at 67. His songs with the Eagles included "Take It Easy" and "Tequila Sunrise," and in the 1980s he scored solo hits with "The Heat Is On" and "You Belong to the City."
On this day in 2023, 3 years ago: David Crosby dies in California at 81. A member of the Byrds and of Crosby, Stills & Nash, he earned two places in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, one with each group.
Every segment comes from a fact checked against the source linked with it. Spot a problem? Email hello@todayintunes.com.