10 ready-to-read segments for October 14, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1972, 54 years ago: Michael Jackson's "Ben" becomes his first solo US No. 1. At 14, Jackson topped the Hot 100 alone after four chart-toppers with the Jackson 5 – singing a ballad from Ben, the sequel to the killer-rat film Willard. Here's Michael Jackson with “Ben.”
On this day in 1974, 52 years ago: Olivia Newton-John named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. The Australian pop singer took the award at a Johnny Cash-hosted ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry House, the same night Charlie Rich was crowned Entertainer of the Year.
On this day in 1977, 49 years ago: David Bowie releases "Heroes." The middle chapter of his Berlin Trilogy was cut at Hansa studio in West Berlin with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti; Robert Fripp's first take on one track made the final mix.
On this day in 2022, 4 years ago: Noah Kahan releases the album Stick Season. Its title track had already been building on TikTok for two years; the folk turn he called a love letter to New England went to No. 1 in the UK and Canada.
On this day in 1940, 86 years ago: Cliff Richard born in Lucknow, India. Born Harry Webb, he cut "Move It", often called Britain's first real rock and roll record, and is the only singer with a UK No. 1 in five straight decades.
On this day in 1958, 68 years ago: Synth-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby born in London. After "She Blinded Me with Science" hit the US Top 5, he went to Silicon Valley and his company Beatnik made ringtone software used by Nokia.
On this day in 1974, 52 years ago: Natalie Maines of The Chicks born in Lubbock, Texas. The daughter of producer Lloyd Maines fronted The Chicks to 13 Grammys, including Album of the Year for Taking the Long Way.
On this day in 1978, 48 years ago: Usher born in Dallas, Texas. His 2004 album Confessions went Diamond and is described as the best-selling album by a Black artist this century.
On this day in 1977, 49 years ago: Bing Crosby dies in Spain. His "White Christmas" has sold over 50 million copies and is still the best-selling single ever, though Crosby joked that a jackdaw with a cleft palate could have sung it.
On this day in 1990, 36 years ago: Leonard Bernstein dies in New York. The conductor who became famous overnight by filling in at the New York Philharmonic without a rehearsal also wrote West Side Story.
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