Today in 2003, 50 million people were affected by a massive failure of the electrical grid. What type of music is best to listen to during a blackout? And does such an event cause a rise in the birth rate? Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."
It is the 150th birthday of soprano Emma Eames, one of the first opera singers to have her voice captured by recording technology. Hear vintage audio of Eames in her signature roles as well as what she thought of making such recordings on today's "A Day in the Life."
English poet William Blake passed away on this day in 1827. What was he working on at the time of his death? And what was his influence on the music of Monty Python and U2? Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1973, DJ Kool Herc threw the first ever hip-hop party. The venue was his sister's high-rise apartment in the Bronx. What was the price of admission, what music did he play, and what innovative techniques did he introduce? Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."
Isaac Hayes passed away today in 2008. Today's DITL looks at the wide-reaching impact of his career as a songwriter, performer, producer, and voice-actor. From "Shaft" to "Soul Man" to Public Enemy and South Park, Hayes was one bad mother--shut your mouth!
Why did Ryan Raul Bañagale once consider "Philosophy" by Ben Folds Five to be the greatest song ever? He explains all in this "Critical Karaoke" performance outtake from CK Episode 4.
Virtuoso of the "mouth organ," Larry Adler passed away today in 2001. A master of both popular and classical repertoire, he remains largely unknown. Find out why on today's "A Day in the Life."
Yo! MTV Raps debuted on this day in 1988 in the United States, quickly spreading the music and culture of hip hop to new audiences across the country. Who was on the first episode? Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1957, American Bandstand had its national broadcast debut. Find out how Dick Clark's dance-oriented program spawned the phrase: "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it" on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1944, the Gestapo discovered the family of Otto Frank in Amsterdam, including his daughter Anne. Find out how The Diary of Anne Frank connects to the band Neutral Milk Hotel and the comedian Stephen Colbert on today's "A Day in the Life."
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The great American writer Flannery O'Connor passed away on this day in 1964. Find out how her writings influenced U2, PJ Harvey, and Bruce Springsteen on today's "A Day in the Life."
Steven Hayward takes on Vince Guaraldi's arrangement of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones. This segment originally aired on Episode Two, which is available here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/criticalkaraoke/CK2_Final_Mixdown.mp3
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The Weimar Constitution was approved on this day in 1919. What music thrived in this new democracy and which of these composers relocated to the United States in 1933 following Hitler’s rise to power? Find out on today’s “A Day in the Life.”
Today in 1932 the Games of the 10th Olympiad convened in Los Angeles, California. Learn about the long tradition of music and the Olympic Games and the period of time when musical composition also became part of the athletic proceedings on today’s “A Day in the Life.”
Billy Joel’s 10th studio album, The Bridge, debuted on this date in 1986, which features guest appearances by Cindi Lauper, Ray Charles, and Steve Winwood. What do these musicians have to do with the title of the album? Find out today on “A Day in the Life.”
On this day in 1941, the American playwright Eugene O’Neill presented his wife with the manuscript of Long Day’s Journey into Night. It would eventually become a successful theatrical production and a film staring Katharine Hepburn. Hear André Previn’s haunting soundtrack and learn how it contributes to the narrative action today on “A Day in the Life.”
Today in 1984 the film Purple Rain was released in US movie theatres. To what extent is it autobiographical about Prince’s rise to fame in Minneapolis? What does the title mean? Find out on today’s “A Day in the Life.”
On this day in 1849, John Casper Henry Dielman received the first doctor of music degree awarded in the United States of America. Until this 1849 this degree remained the province of European Universities. So what was special about Henry Dielman? Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1962 the first live television programming was broadcast across the Atlantic ocean thanks to Telstar 1. Find out what was seen these transatlantic viewers and the effect it had on music here in the United States on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1938, Caterina Jarboro became the first African-American to perform with an all-white opera company in the United States. Find out the special significance of the role that she played on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1989 the comedic film UHF, staring "Weird Al" Yankovic, had its premiere in the United States. Find out Find out what you've been missing if you've never seen this cult classic on today's "A Day in the Life."
Today in 1969, Apollo 11 landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. Steve Hayward shares the music their travels inspired and the music that accompanied their epic journey on this episode of "A Day in the Life."
Musical satirist Peter Schickele was born on this day in 1935. On today’s “A Day in the Life,” Matt Mugmon explores Professor Schickele’s most important discovery: a fantastically funny fictional fellow named P.D.Q. Bach, the last (and oddest) son of J.S. Bach.
Today in 1941, Desmond Dekker was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He would become one of the most important ska performers to emerge from that country and provided some of the earliest Afro-Caribbean crossover hits. Found out more on today's "A Day in the Life."
Steven Hayward takes a look at the musical life and times of the planet/non-planet Pluto as it comes into new focus for the people of earth for the first time on this day in 2015.