10 ready-to-read segments for October 16, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1961, 65 years ago: Patsy Cline releases "Crazy." A car crash left her with bruised ribs and she couldn't hit the notes at first. Weeks later she cut the vocal in one take, in her own style rather than Willie Nelson's. Here's Patsy Cline with “Crazy.”
On this day in 1965, 61 years ago: The Beatles record "Day Tripper" in one session. Lennon wanted it as the A-side and McCartney preferred "We Can Work It Out", so it came out as a double A-side.
On this day in 1968, 58 years ago: Jimi Hendrix Experience releases Electric Ladyland in the US. The double album produced solely by Hendrix became his only US No. 1. It included his "All Along the Watchtower", the Experience's best-selling single.
On this day in 1992, 34 years ago: Stars celebrate Bob Dylan's 30th anniversary at Madison Square Garden. Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton and George Harrison sang Dylan songs, backed by Booker T. & the M.G.'s.
On this day in 1903, 123 years ago: Delta bluesman Big Joe Williams born in Mississippi. He was known for a homemade nine-string guitar, with the extra strings said to keep other players off it. His "Baby, Please Don't Go" was covered widely.
On this day in 1938, 88 years ago: Nico born in Cologne, Germany. Born Christa Päffgen, she had a small part in Fellini's La Dolce Vita and sang lead on three tracks of The Velvet Underground & Nico.
On this day in 1962, 64 years ago: Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea born in Melbourne. Rolling Stone readers ranked him the second-best bassist ever. He also co-founded a nonprofit music school for underprivileged kids.
On this day in 1977, 49 years ago: John Mayer born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. "Your Body Is a Wonderland" won him a Grammy, and in 2015 he joined Grateful Dead members in Dead & Company.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: Drummer Gene Krupa dies in Yonkers. His tom-tom breaks on Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" were the first long drum solos released commercially. Buddy Rich credited him with moving drummers out of the background.
On this day in 1990, 36 years ago: Art Blakey dies in Manhattan. His Jazz Messengers trained a long list of greats, from Wayne Shorter and Lee Morgan to Keith Jarrett and Wynton Marsalis.
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