10 ready-to-read segments for October 26, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1970, 56 years ago: Elton John's "Your Song" issued in the US. It first came out in America as the B-side of "Take Me to the Pilot" before becoming a Top 10 hit. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyric at the kitchen table of Elton's mother's flat, and Three Dog Night recorded it before Elton did. Here's Elton John with “Your Song.”
On this day in 1965, 61 years ago: The Beatles collect their MBEs at Buckingham Palace. Honouring a pop group stirred a political row, with some MPs questioning it while others praised the happiness and export value the band brought. John Lennon later sent his medal back.
On this day in 1974, 52 years ago: Dionne Warwick and the Spinners hit No. 1 together. "Then Came You" was the first Hot 100 No. 1 for both acts. Thom Bell produced it in Philadelphia.
On this day in 1985, 41 years ago: Whitney Houston scores her first Hot 100 No. 1. "Saving All My Love for You" displaced a-ha's "Take On Me" and launched a record streak of seven straight US chart-toppers. The song had first been cut by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. in 1978.
On this day in 1685, 341 years ago: Domenico Scarlatti, master of the keyboard sonata, is born. Born in Naples as the son of composer Alessandro Scarlatti, he wrote 555 keyboard sonatas, most of them while serving the Spanish royal court.
On this day in 1911, 115 years ago: Gospel queen Mahalia Jackson is born in New Orleans. Her 1947 "Move On Up a Little Higher" sold two million copies. At the 1963 March on Washington she reportedly urged Martin Luther King Jr. to "tell 'em about the dream."
On this day in 1942, 84 years ago: Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento is born in Rio. He led the Clube da Esquina collective, and his appearance on Wayne Shorter's 1974 album Native Dancer brought him a global audience.
On this day in 1967, 59 years ago: Country star Keith Urban is born in New Zealand. Born in Whangarei and raised in Queensland, Australia, he went on to 18 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and four Grammys.
On this day in 1966, 60 years ago: Alma Cogan, 'the girl with the giggle', dies at 34. The 1950s' highest-paid British female entertainer had a UK No. 1 with "Dreamboat". Paul McCartney played tambourine on one of her 1964 records.
On this day in 1999, 27 years ago: Songwriter Hoyt Axton dies at 61. He wrote Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" and Steppenwolf's "The Pusher". His mother, Mae Boren Axton, co-wrote Elvis's "Heartbreak Hotel".
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