11 ready-to-read segments for January 21, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1957, 69 years ago: Patsy Cline wins on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. Cline sang "Walkin' After Midnight" on the TV talent show and took the night's prize. Decca rushed the song out in February, and it became her breakthrough, reaching No. 2 country and No. 12 pop. Here's Patsy Cline with “Walkin' After Midnight.”
On this day in 1749, 277 years ago: Fire destroys Verona's Teatro Filarmonico. The opera house had opened in 1732 with Vivaldi's La fida ninfa. After the accidental blaze it stayed dark until 1754, when it reopened with Davide Perez's Lucio Vero.
On this day in 1968, 58 years ago: Jimi Hendrix starts recording "All Along the Watchtower." Work on his take of the Bob Dylan song began at Olympic Studios in London, with Dave Mason on 12-string guitar and Brian Jones adding percussion. It became a top-five hit in Britain.
On this day in 1984, 42 years ago: Yes top the Hot 100 with "Owner of a Lonely Heart." The band's single held the No. 1 spot for two weeks before Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon" took over in early February.
On this day in 2017, 9 years ago: Migos reach No. 1 with "Bad and Boujee." A wave of internet memes and a shout-out from Donald Glover at the Golden Globes pushed the track to the top. Neither Migos nor guest Lil Uzi Vert had led the Hot 100 before.
On this day in 1923, 103 years ago: Lola Flores is born in Jerez de la Frontera. Nicknamed "La Faraona" (the Pharaoh), she became a towering figure of Spanish copla and flamenco, known for songs like "A tu vera" and "¡Ay, pena, penita, pena!"
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Plácido Domingo is born in Madrid. The tenor went on to sing more than 150 different roles, conduct in major opera houses and join Carreras and Pavarotti as the Three Tenors, whose 1990 concert album became classical music's biggest seller.
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Richie Havens is born in Brooklyn. Havens opened the Woodstock festival in 1969 and kept playing while later acts sat in traffic. Out of songs, he improvised on "Motherless Child," and the set made him a star.
On this day in 1965, 61 years ago: Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC is born. Jason Mizell took up turntables as a boy in Hollis, Queens, and became Run-DMC's DJ, building nearly every sound the group rapped over. He entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with them in 2009.
On this day in 1984, 42 years ago: Jackie Wilson dies at 49. The dynamic soul singer had collapsed on stage in 1975 while performing "Lonely Teardrops," his signature hit, and spent his final years in a near-comatose state.
On this day in 2002, 24 years ago: Peggy Lee dies in Los Angeles at 81. Her 1958 reworking of "Fever," with new lyrics she added, earned three nominations at the first Grammys. She also co-wrote the songs for Disney's Lady and the Tramp and voiced several of its characters.
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