10 ready-to-read segments for October 7, lead story first. Free to use on air; a quick credit to Today in Tunes is appreciated.
On this day in 1938, 88 years ago: Judy Garland records "Over the Rainbow" for The Wizard of Oz. She recorded the film version on an MGM soundstage, using an arrangement by Murray Cutter. The song went on to become one of the best-known movie songs ever. Here's Judy Garland with “Over the Rainbow.”
On this day in 1963, 63 years ago: The Beach Boys release the hot-rod album Little Deuce Coupe. Almost every song on it is about cars. It reached No. 4 in the US, stayed on the chart for 46 weeks, and was eventually certified platinum.
On this day in 1968, 58 years ago: José Feliciano's Latin-jazz anthem stirs up the World Series. His slow acoustic version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Detroit drew a wave of complaints, then became a hit single anyway.
On this day in 1982, 44 years ago: Cats opens on Broadway. It played 7,485 performances before closing in 2000. In 1997 it passed A Chorus Line as the longest-running show in Broadway history at that time.
On this day in 2008, 18 years ago: Spotify launches in Europe. The streaming service went live in several European markets. Over the next decade it changed how most people listen to recorded music.
On this day in 1746, 280 years ago: William Billings, America's first choral composer, is born. His Revolutionary War anthem "Chester" was a patriotic favorite. William Schuman brought it back in his 1956 New England Triptych.
On this day in 1951, 75 years ago: Heartland rocker John Mellencamp is born in Indiana. He became one of the defining voices of 1980s heartland rock, and co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young.
On this day in 1967, 59 years ago: R&B star Toni Braxton is born in Maryland. Her debut album alone won her three Grammys. "Un-Break My Heart", written by Diane Warren, spent 11 weeks at No. 1.
On this day in 1968, 58 years ago: Radiohead's Thom Yorke is born in Wellingborough. He formed Radiohead with schoolmates at Abingdon School. The band has sold more than 30 million albums.
On this day in 1959, 67 years ago: Tenor and film star Mario Lanza dies at 38. He played his hero Enrico Caruso on film in The Great Caruso, which inspired a generation of opera singers that included Domingo and Pavarotti.
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