11 ready-to-read segments for January 31, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1970, 56 years ago: The Jackson 5 reach No. 1 with "I Want You Back." Their first Motown single, sung by 11-year-old Michael Jackson, became the first of four straight chart-toppers for the brothers. The song had first been meant for Gladys Knight & the Pips. Here's The Jackson 5 with “I Want You Back.”
On this day in 1976, 50 years ago: Ohio Players hit No. 1 with "Love Rollercoaster." The funk band's single spent one week at the top of the Hot 100 before Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" replaced it.
On this day in 1981, 45 years ago: Blondie's "The Tide Is High" tops the Hot 100. The new wave band's reggae-flavored single spent a week at No. 1 before Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" took over, and Blondie returned to the top later that year with "Rapture."
On this day in 1993, 33 years ago: Michael Jackson headlines the Super Bowl halftime. At the Rose Bowl, his set of "Jam," "Billie Jean" and "Black or White" drew about 133 million US viewers and set the template of booking major pop stars for halftime.
On this day in 2010, 16 years ago: Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year for Fearless. At 20, she became the youngest artist up to then to win the Grammys' top album prize. The same night, Beyoncé set a record for most wins by a woman in one ceremony, with six.
On this day in 1797, 229 years ago: Franz Schubert is born in Vienna. In a life of only 31 years he wrote over a thousand works, including hundreds of songs, the Trout Quintet, the song cycle Winterreise and the "Unfinished" Symphony.
On this day in 1937, 89 years ago: Composer Philip Glass is born in Baltimore. A leading figure of minimalism, he built music from repeating patterns, writing operas like Einstein on the Beach and film scores for Koyaanisqatsi, The Truman Show and The Hours.
On this day in 1944, 82 years ago: Harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite is born. Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, he helped revive Chicago blues in the 1960s and, decades later, won a Grammy for Get Up!, his album with Ben Harper.
On this day in 1956, 70 years ago: Sex Pistols singer John Lydon is born. As Johnny Rotten, the Londoner fronted the Sex Pistols on their only studio album, then formed the post-punk band Public Image Ltd in 1978.
On this day in 1976, 50 years ago: Swedish troubadour Evert Taube dies at 85. His ballads of sailors and the Swedish archipelago made him the leading troubadour of 20th-century Sweden. After five years in Argentina, he brought the tango home with him in the 1920s.
On this day in 2014, 12 years ago: Motown pioneer Anna Gordy Gaye dies at 92. Berry Gordy's sister co-founded Anna Records in 1958 and later married Marvin Gaye, who wrote "Pride and Joy" about her. She also co-wrote songs for Gaye and the Originals.
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