Chapter 01 — Today in music
On a day like today May 13
1950
Stevie Wonder is born, the genius who made soul symphonic
On May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder was born in Michigan, signed by Motown at 11 and owner, in the seventies, of the most impressive creative streak in popular music: from 'Talking Book' to 'Songs in the Key of Life'. A composer, multi-instrumentalist and synthesizer pioneer, he proved pop could be experimental, political and massive all at once.
Stevie Wonder
1966
'Paint It Black': the Stones dye British radio with sitar and darkness
On May 13, 1966, 'Paint It Black' was released in the UK — the single where Brian Jones put the sitar at the service of the darkest song the Stones had made so far. It hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic and opened the band's psychedelic door. Rarely have an exotic instrument and a funereal mood conquered mass radio so quickly.
The Rolling Stones
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