10 ready-to-read segments for October 30, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1987, 39 years ago: George Michael releases his solo debut album Faith. It produced four US No. 1 singles and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. It has sold over 25 million copies. Here's George Michael with “Faith.”
On this day in 1944, 82 years ago: Copland's Appalachian Spring premieres with Martha Graham. Graham choreographed the ballet and danced the Bride. Copland's score, which features the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts", won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music.
On this day in 1999, 27 years ago: Santana's Supernatural sits atop the Billboard 200. The comeback album was No. 1 that week, selling about 169,500 copies.
On this day in 2001, 25 years ago: Michael Jackson releases Invincible, his final studio album. It cost about $30 million to make and debuted at No. 1. It was the last studio album released in his lifetime.
On this day in 2003, 23 years ago: Wicked opens on Broadway. Stephen Schwartz's musical opened at the Gershwin Theatre and later passed $1 billion in Broadway grosses.
On this day in 1897, 129 years ago: Mexican songwriter Agustín Lara is born. He wrote "Granada" and "Solamente una vez", songs later recorded by singers from Mario Lanza to José Carreras.
On this day in 1930, 96 years ago: Trumpeter Clifford Brown is born. In a career of only about four years he wrote standards like "Joy Spring". After his death at 25, Benny Golson wrote "I Remember Clifford" in tribute.
On this day in 1941, 85 years ago: Temptations founder Otis Williams is born. He is the last surviving original member of the Temptations, and his memoir became an NBC miniseries.
On this day in 2002, 24 years ago: Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay is shot dead in Queens. The DJ behind Run-DMC's sound was killed in his recording studio. The case went unsolved for nearly two decades before charges were finally brought in 2020.
On this day in 2007, 19 years ago: Robert Goulet, Camelot's Lancelot, dies at 73. "If Ever I Would Leave You" became his signature song. He won the Grammy for Best New Artist and later a Tony.
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