Music History Today: June 30, 2023

June 30, 1960: In London, the musical "Oliver!" premiered in the West End and ran for 2,618 performances.

The musical "Oliver!" was based on the famous Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, the story about the dregs of London society. 

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Some of the more enduring songs from this musical include the opening number, "Food Glorious Food," the rousing "Consider Yourself," "I'd Do Anything," and the play's big hit, the touching, devotional "As Long as He Needs Me," sung by Brown's Nancy. 

Read more: Allmusic

June 30, 1917: Lena Horne was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. 

Lena Horne established herself as an accomplished live singer and transitioned into film work. Signed with MGM studios, Horne became known as one of the top African American performers of her time, appearing in such films as Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather.

Lena Horne

 Horne made her final film appearance in the 1978 movie The Wiz. Directed by Horne's then son-in-law, Sidney Lumet, the film was a version of The Wizard of Oz that featured an entirely African American cast, including Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Horne played Glinda the Good Witch, singing the inspiring "Believe in Yourself" at the film's end. 

Read more: Biography

June 30, 1962: Little Eva entered Billboard's Hot 100 with "The Locomotion." It would become the top Number 7 song of 1962.

The husband-and-wife songwriting team of Carole King and Gerry Goffin wrote "The Locomotion." Little Eva was Eva Boyd, their nanny, who was paid $35 a week to watch their daughter Louise and clean the house. They were all young: Eva was 17, King 19, and Goffin 22. One day King came up with a melody that Goffin thought sounded like a locomotive, and when he saw Eva dancing with their daughter to the tune, he got the idea to make the song about a brand new dance. 

Read more: Songfacts

June 30, 1977: Marvel Comics issued the first of two comic books based on the group KISS.

June 30, 2014: "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor was released.

The song's music video for "All About that Bass" features Vine celebrity Sione Maraschino busting some serious moves in the background. The clip was directed by Fatima Robinson, who also did Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" and Aaliyah's "Try Again." 

Read more: Songfacts