In Post-War Yugoslavia, Mariachi Music Was A Huge Hit
For Mexican Independence Day, the story of how Mexican music and movies found fans in a place you might not expect: post-war Yugoslavia.
The Grateful Dead Once Jammed With Live Crickets
Today in 1975, a famous concert by the Grateful Dead at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. And if you look closely at the credits, you’ll see a peculiar listing that reads “Mickey Hart - percussion and crickets.”
When The “Kenneth, What Is The Frequency” Guy Attacked Dan Rather And Inspired An R.E.M. Song
In 1986 a guy mugged one of the most famous people in TV news, all the while shouting “Kenneth, what is the frequency?” And that's only the beginning of the story.
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.