10 ready-to-read segments for October 17, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1963, 63 years ago: The Beatles record "I Want to Hold Your Hand." It was their first record made on four-track equipment. In America it went on to hold No. 1 for seven weeks in early 1964. Here's The Beatles with “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”
On this day in 1771, 255 years ago: 15-year-old Mozart premieres the opera Ascanio in Alba. Empress Maria Theresa commissioned the opera for her son Archduke Ferdinand's wedding, and it premiered in Milan two days after the ceremony.
On this day in 1977, 49 years ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd release Street Survivors. Three days after release, a plane crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines. The cover, which showed the band on a street with buildings on fire, was then replaced.
On this day in 1981, 45 years ago: Christopher Cross hits No. 1 with "Arthur's Theme." "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" started its run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
On this day in 2020, 6 years ago: David Byrne's American Utopia premieres on HBO. Spike Lee filmed Byrne's Broadway concert. The film won Emmys for lighting and sound mixing, and the show received a special Tony.
On this day in 1922, 104 years ago: Bossa nova guitarist Luiz Bonfá born in Rio de Janeiro. He wrote "Manhã de Carnaval" for the film Black Orpheus, and it became one of the world's most-played standards.
On this day in 1958, 68 years ago: Alan Jackson born in Newnan, Georgia. He has 35 No. 1s on the country chart and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
On this day in 1968, 58 years ago: Ziggy Marley born in Kingston, Jamaica. Bob Marley's son was born David. He said he took the name Ziggy because he was a big David Bowie fan, and he has won eight Grammys.
On this day in 1972, 54 years ago: Eminem born in St. Joseph, Missouri. "Lose Yourself" was the first hip-hop song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song and spent 12 weeks at No. 1.
On this day in 1849, 177 years ago: Frédéric Chopin dies in Paris. As he had asked, his heart was removed and preserved, and his sister took it home to Poland. His body was buried in Paris.
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