10 ready-to-read segments for January 26, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1974, 52 years ago: Ringo Starr hits No. 1 with "You're Sixteen." The former Beatle's single took over the top spot from Al Wilson's "Show and Tell" and stayed there one week before Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" moved in. Here's Ringo Starr with “You're Sixteen.”
On this day in 1790, 236 years ago: Mozart's Così fan tutte premieres in Vienna. His third opera with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte opened at the Burgtheater. Its plot turns on a cynical bet that two engaged women will be unfaithful within a single day.
On this day in 1963, 63 years ago: The Rooftop Singers reach No. 1 with "Walk Right In." The folk trio's single knocked Steve Lawrence's "Go Away Little Girl" from the top and held on for two weeks, until Paul & Paula's "Hey Paula" arrived.
On this day in 1988, 38 years ago: The Phantom of the Opera opens on Broadway. Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical opened at the Majestic Theatre and ran until April 2023, totaling nearly 14,000 performances, the longest run in Broadway history.
On this day in 2020, 6 years ago: Billie Eilish sweeps the Grammys' top four awards. At 18 she won Album, Record and Song of the Year plus Best New Artist, the first woman ever to take all four in one night. Her brother Finneas also won six awards.
On this day in 1908, 118 years ago: Jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli is born in Paris. In 1934 he and guitarist Django Reinhardt formed the Quintette du Hot Club de France, one of the first jazz bands built entirely on strings, and he came to be called the grandfather of jazz violin.
On this day in 1955, 71 years ago: Eddie Van Halen is born in Amsterdam. He brought two-handed tapping to the masses with the 1978 showpiece "Eruption" and, without taking a fee, played the solo on Michael Jackson's "Beat It."
On this day in 1958, 68 years ago: Anita Baker is born in Toledo, Ohio. Her 1986 album Rapture made her a star, and its ballad "Sweet Love" crossed over to the pop Top 10. She has won eight Grammys.
On this day in 1985, 41 years ago: Bebop drum pioneer Kenny Clarke dies in France. He moved the beat from the hi-hat to the ride cymbal and dropped surprise bass-drum accents, a style that became central to bebop drumming.
On this day in 2011, 15 years ago: Country harmony singer Charlie Louvin dies at 83. With his brother Ira he formed the Louvin Brothers, Opry members from 1955 whose close harmonies later earned them a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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