10 ready-to-read segments for November 13, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 2001, 25 years ago: Shakira releases Laundry Service in the US. Gloria Estefan pushed for this crossover album, which sold about 13 million copies and gave Shakira her first Hot 100 hit, "Whenever, Wherever". Here's Shakira with “Whenever, Wherever.”
On this day in 1940, 86 years ago: Disney's Fantasia premieres on Broadway. Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra played Bach, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and more, and its Fantasound system made it the first commercial movie screened in stereo sound.
On this day in 1976, 50 years ago: Rod Stewart starts an eight-week run at No. 1. "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" jumped from No. 8 to the top and stayed there into January, the longest stay at No. 1 of 1976.
On this day in 2000, 26 years ago: The Beatles release the hits album 1. It gathered all 27 of their UK and US No. 1 singles and became the best-selling album of the 2000s in America.
On this day in 1939, 87 years ago: New Orleans drummer Idris Muhammad is born. He played on Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," and his own "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This" was later sampled by artists including Jamie xx and Ta-Ku.
On this day in 1944, 82 years ago: Timmy Thomas is born in Indiana. His spare plea "Why Can't We Live Together" topped the R&B chart and went top three on the Hot 100 in 1972.
On this day in 1947, 79 years ago: Marshall Tucker Band's Toy Caldwell is born. The band's chief songwriter and lead guitarist strummed with his thumb rather than a pick, and he sang lead on "Can't You See," one of their best-known hits.
On this day in 1868, 158 years ago: Gioachino Rossini dies near Paris at 76. The composer of The Barber of Seville and William Tell wrote his last opera at 37, and in his final decade hosted celebrated Saturday-evening musical gatherings in Paris.
On this day in 2004, 22 years ago: Wu-Tang's Ol' Dirty Bastard dies at 35. A founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, he had hits with "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Got Your Money" in his half-rapped, half-sung style.
On this day in 2016, 10 years ago: Leon Russell dies at 74. A Wrecking Crew session pianist turned star, he played the Concert for Bangladesh and wrote "A Song for You", recorded by over 200 artists.
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