10 ready-to-read segments for November 23, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1936, 90 years ago: Robert Johnson begins his first recording session. In a San Antonio hotel room he cut songs including "Cross Road Blues" and "Sweet Home Chicago," which became blues standards. Here's Robert Johnson with “Cross Road Blues.”
On this day in 1991, 35 years ago: Freddie Mercury tells the world he has AIDS. The Queen singer released his statement about 24 hours before he died.
On this day in 2008, 18 years ago: Guns N' Roses finally release Chinese Democracy. Recorded on and off for about a decade at a reported cost of over $13 million, it arrived in the US as a Best Buy exclusive and debuted at No. 3.
On this day in 2009, 17 years ago: Rihanna releases Rated R in the US and UK. The album produced "Rude Boy," which spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
On this day in 1876, 150 years ago: Spanish composer Manuel de Falla is born. His ballets El amor brujo and The Three-Cornered Hat, the latter designed by Picasso, put Spanish sounds on the world's concert stages.
On this day in 1955, 71 years ago: Pianist-composer Ludovico Einaudi is born. Pieces like "Nuvole Bianche" and "Una Mattina" reached far beyond classical fans, and he has been called one of the world's most-streamed classical musicians.
On this day in 1972, 54 years ago: West Coast rapper Kurupt is born. Half of Tha Dogg Pound, he rapped on Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle, and Kendrick Lamar has named him one of his biggest influences.
On this day in 1992, 34 years ago: Miley Cyrus is born. The Hannah Montana star grew into a chart-topper with "Wrecking Ball" and "Flowers," which held No. 1 for eight weeks.
On this day in 1992, 34 years ago: Roy Acuff, the King of Country Music, dies at 89. "Wabash Cannonball" was his band's best-known song. He co-founded the publisher Acuff-Rose and was the first living member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On this day in 1995, 31 years ago: Motown saxophonist Junior Walker dies at 64. His honking 1965 hit "Shotgun" topped the R&B chart and reached No. 4 on the Hot 100.
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