10 ready-to-read segments for October 15, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1988, 38 years ago: UB40's "Red Red Wine" tops the Billboard Hot 100. UB40 only knew Tony Tribe's 1969 reggae version and took the "N Diamond" credit for a Jamaican artist. They had no idea Neil Diamond wrote it. Here's UB40 with “Red Red Wine.”
On this day in 1960, 66 years ago: Ringo first records with John, Paul and George. In Hamburg, the four future Beatles played together on a recording for the first time, backing Hurricanes singer Lu Walters on "Summertime".
On this day in 1966, 60 years ago: Four Tops hit No. 1 with "Reach Out I'll Be There." Holland-Dozier-Holland pushed Levi Stubbs to the top of his range so he was half singing, half shouting, partly as a nod to Bob Dylan.
On this day in 1971, 55 years ago: Rick Nelson booed at Madison Square Garden. He played a Rolling Stones cover at a rock and roll revival show, heard boos and later wrote "Garden Party" about the night. It became his last Top 40 hit.
On this day in 2006, 20 years ago: Patti Smith plays CBGB's last-ever show. Her set ran about three and a half hours. During her final encore, "Elegie", she named musicians from the club's history who had died.
On this day in 1938, 88 years ago: Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti born in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He mixed West African music with funk and jazz to create Afrobeat, and declared his Kalakuta Republic commune independent of military rule.
On this day in 1946, 80 years ago: Richard Carpenter born in New Haven, Connecticut. Karen's brother and the Carpenters' arranger, he arranged "(They Long to Be) Close to You", their breakthrough No. 1 in 1970.
On this day in 1953, 73 years ago: Tito Jackson born in Gary, Indiana. Guitarist of the Jackson 5, born Tariano Adaryll Jackson.
On this day in 1981, 45 years ago: Keyshia Cole born in Oakland, California. Her 2005 debut The Way It Is sold over a million US copies on the strength of "Love" and "I Should Have Cheated".
On this day in 1964, 62 years ago: Cole Porter dies in Santa Monica. He wrote "Night and Day" and Kiss Me, Kate, the first winner of the Tony for Best Musical, despite chronic pain from a 1937 riding accident.
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