10 ready-to-read segments for October 27, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1960, 66 years ago: Ben E. King records "Stand by Me." King took the idea from a Sam Cooke spiritual. BMI later named it the fourth most-performed song of the 20th century, and it returned to No. 1 in the UK in the 1980s. Here's Ben E. King with “Stand By Me.”
On this day in 1726, 300 years ago: Bach premieres his solo cantata "Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen." BWV 56 is a showcase for solo bass, and it is one of the rare works Bach himself labelled a "cantata" in his score.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: "Midnight Train to Georgia" reaches No. 1. Gladys Knight & the Pips' hit began as Jim Weatherly's "Midnight Plane to Houston", and it knocked the Rolling Stones' "Angie" off the top.
On this day in 1982, 44 years ago: Prince releases the double album 1999. It was his first double album and his first recorded with the Revolution. "Little Red Corvette" became his biggest US hit up to that point.
On this day in 2014, 12 years ago: Taylor Swift releases 1989, her first 'official pop' album. It sold 1.287 million copies in its first week. It later won Album of the Year, making her the first solo woman to win that Grammy twice.
On this day in 1782, 244 years ago: Violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini is born in Genoa. His 24 Caprices for solo violin inspired later composers, and his playing was so astonishing that rumours of a pact with the devil followed him.
On this day in 1933, 93 years ago: Nashville pianist Floyd Cramer is born. His 'slip-note' style shaped the Nashville sound, and he played on Elvis's "Heartbreak Hotel". His own "Last Date" stalled at No. 2 behind an Elvis record he had also played on.
On this day in 1958, 68 years ago: Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon is born. He auditioned for the band in pink leopard-print trousers, carrying his poetry. In 1985 he spent 40 minutes trapped inside his capsized yacht before being rescued.
On this day in 1990, 36 years ago: 'King of the Rumba' Xavier Cugat dies at 90. As resident bandleader at the Waldorf-Astoria, he helped bring Latin music to mainstream America. He also gave Desi Arnaz his start.
On this day in 2013, 13 years ago: Lou Reed dies at 71. The Velvet Underground's leader had his only Hot 100 hit with "Walk on the Wild Side", and he is in the Rock Hall both with the band and as a solo artist.
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