Annie opened on Broadway in 1977, forever raising the vocal range of aspiring young girl actors. Some B'way shows are dogs, this one featured a dog in the show, forever raising the vocal range of aspiring puppies.
Heartburn Hotel, the first hit record by Elvis Presley, hit #1 today in 1956. Wait, did I get that right? Oops, I mistyped. Silly me. I meant Heartburn MOtel.
Speaking of American composers, today is the birthday of both Easley Blackwood (1933) and Randall Thompson (1899), both composers of stature. (They have statues somewhere.) Blackwood represents the avaunt garde University of Chicago school of composing (non-traditional tunings, synthesizers) and Thompson represents the more traditional Harvard romantic tradition (symphonies, chorales). Both had lousy football teams. I can't decide. Which of the two is your favorite?