10 ready-to-read segments for October 5, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1962, 64 years ago: The Beatles release their first single, "Love Me Do." George Martin wasn't sure the song could sell, and it reached only No. 17 in the UK. Two years later it went to No. 1 in the US. Here's The Beatles with “Love Me Do.”
On this day in 1970, 56 years ago: Led Zeppelin III lands in the US. The album leaned toward folk and acoustic songs alongside "Immigrant Song". It came out in America almost three weeks before the UK release.
On this day in 1973, 53 years ago: Elton John releases Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The double LP entered the Billboard 200 at No. 17 and reached No. 1 within four weeks.
On this day in 2004, 22 years ago: George Strait collects 50 Number Ones. Strait had enough No. 1 country hits to fill a two-disc set, and the collection opened at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart.
On this day in 1943, 83 years ago: Steve Miller, godson of Les Paul, is born. Les Paul was his godfather and encouraged him to keep playing when he was six. Miller later took "The Joker" to No. 1.
On this day in 1947, 79 years ago: AC/DC singer Brian Johnson is born. He joined AC/DC in 1980 after the death of Bon Scott. His first album with the band was Back in Black, one of the best-selling albums ever made.
On this day in 1951, 75 years ago: Bob Geldof, organizer of Band Aid and Live Aid, is born. He co-organized "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and the Live Aid concerts in 1985, which together raised huge sums for famine relief. He received an honorary knighthood at 34.
On this day in 1987, 39 years ago: DJ-producer Dillon Francis is born in Los Angeles. He helped popularize moombahton, and in 2012 he became the first moombahton artist to top Beatport's releases chart.
On this day in 1880, 146 years ago: Jacques Offenbach dies with his opera unfinished. The Tales of Hoffmann was still incomplete when he died. Ernest Guiraud finished it, it premiered in 1881, and it is now part of the standard opera repertory.
On this day in 1992, 34 years ago: Temptations falsetto Eddie Kendricks dies. He sang lead on "Just My Imagination" and was the only Temptation to score a solo US No. 1, with "Keep on Truckin'". Kendrick Lamar was named after him.
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