Willie Nelson Once Recorded An Album To Pay Back Taxes To The IRS
Today in 1933 the birthday of Willie Nelson, a country music legend who once put out an album so that he could send royalties to the IRS to pay some overdue taxes.
Florence Price Finally Takes Her Place On The List Of Great Composers
Today in 1887 (or, by some accounts, 1888), the birthday of a composer who’s really only now getting the acclaim she deserves: Florence Price.
For Our Fifth Birthday, The Story Of The Song “Happy Birthday To You”
Today we’re looking at the song that a lot of us sing over a birthday cake: “Happy Birthday To You.” And does this song ever have a wild history.
Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally” Became A Hit, After A Tape Machine Cut It To Pieces
Today in 1941, the birthday of Wilson Pickett, a legend of soul and R&B music, and one who had an engineer save one of his future hit songs from a very hungry tape machine.
February Is The Shortest Month For Literally Odd Reasons
We're in the shortest month of the year, but how did that happen? The answer starts with the Romans, who had reasons.
When Indiana Tried To Get “Louie, Louie” Off The Radio
Today in 1964, Billboard Magazine reported that the governor of Indiana had called on the state’s broadcasters to stop playing the song “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen because of its allegedly dirty lyrics.
Listening To A Symphony Can Actually Sync Up The Audiences’ Heart Rates
When we say "music can bring us together," we usually mean it bridges divides and builds communities. But a new study finds that, biologically speaking, music really can bring people together.
An Excited James Brown Fan Almost Swore Through The Recording Of “Live At The Apollo”
Today in 1962, the recording of the landmark James Brown album “Live at the Apollo,” one that came together after the recording team dealt with one pretty big obstacle.
Neil Diamond And Barbra Streisand Had A Hit Duet Almost By Accident
Today in 1978, Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand released their enormous hit duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." a duet that pretty much happened by accident.
Antonín Dvořák’s First Symphony Went Missing For Six Decades
Today in 1936, the premiere of Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 1. That was 71 years after the symphony was written, which is what happens when a symphony is thought to be lost.