10 ready-to-read segments for October 25, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1986, 40 years ago: Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" reaches No. 1. Billy Steinberg first wrote it about his mother, and Lauper later tied it to a friend lost to AIDS, which helped make it a lasting LGBTQ+ anthem. Here's Cyndi Lauper with “True Colors.”
On this day in 1875, 151 years ago: Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 premieres in Boston. Nikolai Rubinstein had dismissed it as unplayable, so Tchaikovsky gave it to Hans von Bülow, who played the world premiere in America. Rubinstein later became a champion of the work.
On this day in 1964, 62 years ago: The Rolling Stones make their Ed Sullivan Show debut. The chaos around the band was so intense that Sullivan at first refused to book them again, although they did return in 1966 and 1967.
On this day in 1975, 51 years ago: Paul Simon releases Still Crazy After All These Years. It won the Grammy for Album of the Year, and "My Little Town" put Simon and Art Garfunkel on a record together for the first time since 1970.
On this day in 1825, 201 years ago: "Waltz King" Johann Strauss II born in Vienna. His father wanted him to be a banker and tried to stop him playing the violin, but the son went on to eclipse him with "The Blue Danube" and Die Fledermaus.
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Helen Reddy born in Melbourne, Australia. Her feminist anthem "I Am Woman" topped the Hot 100 and won a Grammy, making her the first Australian artist with a US No. 1.
On this day in 1944, 82 years ago: Yes singer Jon Anderson born in Accrington, England. He co-founded Yes with Chris Squire in 1968, and his high voice naturally sits above the tenor range rather than relying on falsetto.
On this day in 1984, 42 years ago: Katy Perry born Katheryn Hudson in Santa Barbara. Her teenage gospel album sold only about 200 copies, but Teenage Dream later produced five Hot 100 No. 1s, matching Michael Jackson's Bad.
On this day in 1985, 41 years ago: Ciara born in Fort Hood, Texas. Her debut single "Goodies" went to No. 1 and earned her the nickname "First Lady of Crunk&B," and "Level Up" later sparked a viral dance challenge.
On this day in 1992, 34 years ago: "King of the Road" singer Roger Miller dies. Besides his witty country hits, he wrote the songs for the Broadway musical Big River, which won seven Tony Awards, including Best Score.
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