From the Desk of CLASSICKONG | WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
Good morning, music lovers, and welcome to another edition of This Day in Music History, coming to you from WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting!
It’s Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and we’ve got a terrific collection of musical history to share.
We’re celebrating an extraordinary keyboardist’s 70th birthday, remembering one of hard rock’s greatest songwriters, revisiting some legendary albums, and discovering what happens when Mick Jagger meets modern technology.
But first, let’s see what the calendar has cooked up for us!
Today’s National Days
National Candy Day
Seriously? Didn’t we just finish Halloween?
Four days ago, everybody was handing out candy by the bucketful. Now somebody has decided we need an entire day devoted to eating MORE of it!
At this rate, the dentists are going to need their own national holiday just to recover from the overtime!
National Chicken Lady Day
Before anybody starts making chicken noises, there’s actually a wonderful story behind this one.
The day honors Dr. Marthenia “Tina” Dupree, affectionately known as the Chicken Lady, for her work helping others through education, encouragement, and professional development.
Sometimes the strangest-sounding holidays have the nicest stories.
Use Your Common Sense Day
Now there’s a holiday we could stand to celebrate 365 days a year!
And if you’ve priced a new automobile lately, you already know why!
All right, enough candy and chickens. Let’s get to the music!
Shania Twain Takes Country Music Around the World
November 4, 1997 — 29th Anniversary
Ladies first!
On this day in 1997, Shania Twain released Come On Over, an album that would become one of the most commercially successful recordings in country music history.
Produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, the album combined country instrumentation with polished pop-rock production and an impressive collection of memorable songs.
Among its many hits were “You’re Still the One,” “From This Moment On,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
The album’s success extended far beyond traditional country audiences.
Shania’s powerful voice, engaging personality, and crossover appeal introduced millions of listeners to a different side of country music.
Come On Over became the best-selling studio album by a female solo artist worldwide, with sales exceeding 40 million copies.
And while musical tastes may differ, there’s no denying the album’s extraordinary impact.
Sometimes a recording arrives at exactly the right moment and changes the direction of an entire genre.
For Shania Twain, Come On Over was that recording.
Must-Have Discogs: Shania Twain — Come On Over (1997, Mercury)
Jordan Rudess Celebrates His 70th Birthday
Born November 4, 1956
Happy 70th birthday to Jordan Rudess, the extraordinary keyboardist best known for his work with progressive-metal giants Dream Theater.
Rudess is one of those musicians whose technical ability can leave even experienced players wondering how on earth he does what he does.
A classically trained pianist who attended the Juilliard School as a youngster, Rudess developed a remarkable ability to combine classical technique, jazz influences, synthesizers, and progressive rock.
He joined Dream Theater in 1999, bringing an entirely new dimension to the band’s sound.
His first studio album with the group was Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, released that same year.
And what an introduction!
From the intricate keyboard passages of “Overture 1928” to the emotional beauty of “The Spirit Carries On,” Rudess demonstrated that progressive metal could be both technically astonishing and deeply moving.
What makes Rudess special isn’t simply how many notes he can play. It’s his ability to use those notes to tell a story.
He’s also continued experimenting with new keyboard technologies and musical instruments throughout his career.
At 70, Jordan Rudess remains an extraordinary example of what happens when talent, discipline, imagination, and a lifelong love of music come together.
Must-Have Discogs: Dream Theater — Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999, Elektra)
Remembering Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep
August 24, 1945 – November 4, 2020
Today we remember Ken Hensley, the remarkable keyboardist, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter whose contributions helped define the sound of British hard-rock legends Uriah Heep.
Hensley passed away six years ago today at the age of 75.
For many listeners, the sound of Uriah Heep is inseparable from Hensley’s Hammond organ.
His powerful keyboard arrangements, combined with the band’s soaring vocal harmonies and heavy guitar work, helped establish a distinctive musical identity.
Hensley wrote or co-wrote many of the band’s best-known compositions, including “Easy Livin’,” “Lady in Black,” “Stealin’,” and “Look at Yourself.”
Then there’s “July Morning,” one of the band’s most ambitious early recordings.
Hensley was far more than a supporting musician. He was a central creative force during Uriah Heep’s classic years.
His songwriting could be aggressive, mysterious, reflective, or beautifully melodic.
And that’s one of the reasons his music has endured.
Ken Hensley left behind an extraordinary collection of recordings and a musical legacy that continues to inspire keyboardists, songwriters, and hard-rock fans around the world.
Today, we remember the music and the man who helped create it.
Must-Have Discogs: Uriah Heep — Demons and Wizards (1972, Bronze/Mercury)
Black Sabbath Unleashes Mob Rules
November 4, 1981 — 45th Anniversary
Forty-five years ago today, Black Sabbath released Mob Rules, their second studio album featuring the magnificent Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals.
And buddy, this one doesn’t waste any time getting down to business!
Following the success of Heaven and Hell in 1980, Sabbath returned with another powerful collection of heavy-metal music.
The lineup featured Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and drummer Vinny Appice, who had replaced Bill Ward.
The album opens with “Turn Up the Night,” a blistering rocker that makes its intentions perfectly clear.
Then there’s “The Sign of the Southern Cross,” a dark, majestic composition featuring one of Tony Iommi’s most memorable riffs.
And of course, there’s the title track, “The Mob Rules,” which had also appeared on the soundtrack to the animated film Heavy Metal.
Dio’s voice was absolutely commanding throughout the album.
His ability to move from quiet, mysterious passages to thunderous heavy-metal vocals gave Sabbath a dramatic quality that few bands could match.
And let’s not overlook Vinny Appice. His powerful drumming helped establish the musical identity of this particular Sabbath lineup.
Mob Rules remains an essential recording from the Dio era and one of the great heavy-metal albums of the early 1980s.
Forty-five years later, it still sounds like it means business!
Must-Have Discogs: Black Sabbath — Mob Rules (1981, Warner Bros./Vertigo)
The Allman Brothers Band Introduce a New Sound
November 4, 1969 — 57th Anniversary
On this day in 1969, The Allman Brothers Band released their self-titled debut album.
And although the record wasn’t an immediate commercial sensation, it helped establish the foundation for one of America’s most influential rock bands.
The original lineup featured Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson.
Their music combined blues, rock, jazz improvisation, and Southern musical traditions into something remarkably original.
Songs such as “Dreams,” “Whipping Post,” and “Trouble No More” revealed a band already developing its own unmistakable identity.
Duane Allman’s slide guitar playing was especially remarkable.
But the real magic came from the entire ensemble.
Two lead guitarists, two drummers, Gregg Allman’s soulful vocals and organ, and a rhythm section capable of moving effortlessly between blues grooves and extended improvisation.
This wasn’t simply a rock band playing blues.
It was a group of exceptional musicians creating a musical language of their own.
The debut album would become an essential chapter in the story of Southern rock.
Must-Have Discogs: The Allman Brothers Band — The Allman Brothers Band (1969, Atco)
Opeth Releases Deliverance
November 4, 2002 — 24th Anniversary
Now we’re changing gears and heading into some serious progressive metal!
On this day in 2002, Swedish band Opeth released Deliverance, one of the heaviest and most ambitious albums in their catalog.
Led by vocalist and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt, Opeth developed a sound that combined extreme metal with progressive-rock arrangements, atmospheric passages, and remarkable musicianship.
Deliverance features lengthy compositions, complex rhythmic changes, and dramatic shifts between aggression and quieter musical passages.
The title track alone is a remarkable journey, building toward an extended rhythmic conclusion that has become a favorite among progressive-metal fans.
What’s particularly interesting is that Deliverance was recorded alongside its much softer companion album, Damnation, which arrived in 2003.
Two albums, two dramatically different musical approaches, and one remarkably versatile band.
For listeners who appreciate adventurous music that refuses to follow a predictable formula, Opeth offers plenty to explore.
Must-Have Discogs: Opeth — Deliverance (2002, Music for Nations)
The Rolling Stones Tell Everybody to Get Off Their Cloud
November 4, 1965
On this day in 1965, the Rolling Stones reached No. 1 on the British singles chart with “Get Off of My Cloud.”
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song followed the enormous success of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
With Charlie Watts driving the rhythm and Jagger delivering his unmistakable vocal attitude, the Stones had another international hit on their hands.
The song reflected frustration with unwanted attention and people interfering with one’s personal space.
And here’s something funny.
Back in 1965, Mick Jagger was telling everybody to get off his cloud.
Fast-forward to 2026, and practically everybody is trying to get INTO the cloud!
We’ve got cloud storage, cloud computing, cloud backups, and cloud subscriptions.
Mick would probably be furious!
“GET OFF OF MY CLOUD!”
Sorry, Mick. Microsoft says your OneDrive storage is full!
Somehow, I don’t think that’s what Jagger and Richards had in mind when they wrote the song!
Must-Have Discogs: The Rolling Stones — December’s Children (And Everybody’s) (1965, London Records)
David Bowie Releases The Man Who Sold the World
November 4, 1970 — 56th Anniversary
On this day in 1970, David Bowie released The Man Who Sold the World in the United States.
The album marked an important turning point in Bowie’s musical development.
Featuring guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist and producer Tony Visconti, and drummer Mick Woodmansey, the recording embraced a heavier, guitar-driven sound than much of Bowie’s earlier work.
Songs such as “The Width of a Circle,” “All the Madmen,” and the title track revealed an artist moving toward increasingly adventurous musical territory.
Mick Ronson’s guitar playing was particularly important to the album’s character.
His powerful riffs and distinctive arrangements helped establish a musical partnership that would play a major role in Bowie’s subsequent recordings.
The title song would eventually become one of Bowie’s most recognized compositions, reaching another generation of listeners through Nirvana’s celebrated acoustic performance.
The Man Who Sold the World wasn’t an enormous commercial success when it first appeared.
But its influence would grow considerably over the years.
Sometimes an album’s importance isn’t immediately recognized.
Sometimes the rest of the world simply needs a little time to catch up.
Must-Have Discogs: David Bowie — The Man Who Sold the World (1970, Mercury)
Johnny Nash Can See Clearly Now
November 4, 1972
And here’s a song that can brighten even the cloudiest November morning.
On this day in 1972, Johnny Nash reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Can See Clearly Now.”
Written and recorded by Nash, the song combined an uplifting melody with reggae-influenced rhythms and a message of hope and optimism.
Nash was an important figure in introducing Jamaican musical influences to mainstream American audiences.
His work with Jamaican musicians helped bring reggae sounds to listeners who might otherwise never have encountered the genre.
“I Can See Clearly Now” became his signature recording and remains one of the most recognizable songs of the 1970s.
Jimmy Cliff would later introduce the song to another generation through his version featured in the 1993 film Cool Runnings.
But there’s something particularly special about Nash’s original recording.
It’s warm, reassuring, and wonderfully uncomplicated.
The song doesn’t pretend that life is always easy.
Instead, it celebrates the possibility that difficult times can pass and better days can follow.
And that’s a message worth remembering.
Must-Have Discogs: Johnny Nash — I Can See Clearly Now (1972, Epic)
Final Spin
You know, friends, there’s something interesting about the music we’ve celebrated today.
Some of these artists followed the rules. Others threw the rulebook right out the window.
Some were told their music was too heavy, too complicated, or too different. Others discovered that success didn’t always come when they expected it.
But they kept playing.
And somewhere along the way, they reminded us of something important.
You don’t have to impress everybody to make a difference.
You don’t have to follow the crowd, either. Sometimes the best thing you can do is find your own voice, believe in what you’re doing, and give it everything you’ve got.
And when somebody comes along telling you how you ought to live your life, well, Mick Jagger might have a few words for them!
Because at the end of the day, friends, the greatest success isn’t always measured by applause, record sales, or how many people know your name.
Sometimes it’s simply knowing that you stayed true to yourself.
And if that don’t impress Shania Twain much…
Well, I guess we’ll just have to live with it!
And that’s gonna do it for today, friends. Hopefully I’ve maybe put a smile on your face, and a song in your heart.
Take care of yourselves, help others when you can, and always, always, keep the music playing.
Great Music. Great Radio. Great Community.
CLASSICKONG | WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
Listen to Today’s Broadcast/Podcast
Enjoyed today’s musical journey? Follow This Day in Music History on Spotify so you don’t miss an episode!
References
- This Day in Music — November 4
- Classic Bands — November 4 Music History
- Classics Du Jour — November 4
- Discogs — Music Release Database
