From the Desk of CLASSICKONG | WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
Good morning, friends, and welcome to another edition of This Day in Music History, right here at WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting!
It’s Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and we’ve got another terrific collection of musical memories waiting for us.
Today we’re remembering the extraordinary Quincy Jones, keeping the faith with Bon Jovi, celebrating the Eagles, and stopping by an abandoned luncheonette where the service is questionable and the jukebox apparently needs repairs.
ROFLMAO!
But first, let’s see what’s happening on the calendar.
Today’s National Days
National Sandwich Day
Now THIS is a holiday CLASSICKONG can appreciate!
Whether it’s grilled cheese, roast beef, or a towering club sandwich, today’s a good excuse to enjoy one.
And as luck would have it, we’ve got a musical luncheonette on today’s schedule.
Unfortunately, I hear they’re having a few problems with the menu.
National Housewife’s Day
Today also recognizes the hard work of homemakers who care for their families and keep households running.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to thank someone whose everyday contributions might otherwise go unnoticed.
World Jellyfish Day
And finally, it’s World Jellyfish Day.
Fascinating creatures, but I wouldn’t recommend inviting one over for a handshake.
Now, let’s get to the music!
2024 – Remembering Quincy Jones: A Lifetime of Musical Genius
On November 3, 2024, the music world lost one of its greatest creative minds when Quincy Jones passed away at the age of 91.
Born March 14, 1933, Quincy was much more than a record producer.
He was a trumpeter, composer, arranger, conductor, bandleader, and musical visionary whose career stretched across jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, pop, television, and motion pictures.
And what a career it was!
Long before his historic collaborations with Michael Jackson, Quincy was working with some of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century.
Among them was Frank Sinatra.
Quincy arranged music for Sinatra and worked with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Their collaborations included It Might as Well Be Swing in 1964 and the magnificent live recording Sinatra at the Sands in 1966.
Listen to those arrangements.
The brass sections are powerful without overwhelming the singer. The rhythm section swings effortlessly. Every instrument has a purpose.
And Sinatra knew exactly what to do with that kind of musical support.
Quincy understood something essential about great music.
An outstanding arrangement isn’t about having every musician play as much as possible.
It’s about knowing what the song needs.
The Dude – One Remarkable Album
One of my personal favorites from Quincy’s remarkable catalog is his 1981 album The Dude, released on A&M Records.
What an album!
From the energy of “Ai No Corrida” and “Razzamatazz” to the outstanding title track, this record brings jazz, soul, funk, and sophisticated pop together beautifully.
And then there’s James Ingram.
Oh, my goodness. What a voice!
Ingram’s performances on “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways” remain two of the most memorable vocal recordings of that era.
“One Hundred Ways,” in particular, is a wonderful example of a singer understanding the emotional heart of a song.
The phrasing is natural. The delivery is warm. And nothing feels forced.
James Ingram, born February 16, 1952, passed away on January 29, 2019, at the age of 66.
He was a truly gifted singer, and his recordings continue to bring joy to music lovers around the world.
Quincy’s genius was also evident in his ability to assemble extraordinary musicians.
The Dude included contributions from Patti Austin, Steve Lukather, Herbie Hancock, Greg Phillinganes, and many others.
And we haven’t even begun to discuss his work with Michael Jackson.
Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad helped redefine popular music production.
But Quincy Jones’s legacy extends far beyond any single artist or album.
He spent a lifetime bringing talented people together and helping them create something extraordinary.
And that’s a musical legacy worth celebrating.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Quincy Jones – The Dude (1981, A&M Records)
- Frank Sinatra and Count Basie – It Might as Well Be Swing (1964, Reprise Records)
- Frank Sinatra – Sinatra at the Sands (1966, Reprise Records)
- Michael Jackson – Off the Wall (1979, Epic Records)
1992 – Bon Jovi Releases Keep the Faith
On November 3, 1992, Bon Jovi released their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith, on Mercury Records.
And that title couldn’t have been more appropriate.
Following the enormous success of Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, the band had experienced exhaustion, uncertainty, and changing musical tastes.
The early 1990s were a different musical world.
Grunge and alternative rock were dominating the headlines, and many bands associated with the previous decade were struggling to remain relevant.
But Bon Jovi wasn’t finished.
With producer Bob Rock behind the recording console, the group returned with a more mature sound while retaining the memorable melodies that had made them international stars.
The album included “Bed of Roses,” “In These Arms,” “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” and the powerful title track.
And here’s a name we’ve talked about recently on WTSG-DB.
Desmond Child!
One of popular music’s most accomplished songwriters, Desmond had already helped Bon Jovi create such classics as “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
He also shared songwriting credit with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora on “Keep the Faith.”
Desmond understood something important about writing a memorable rock song.
You need a melody people remember, a chorus they want to sing, and enough emotional substance to make them care.
And Bon Jovi knew how to deliver those ingredients.
Keep the Faith reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and helped establish that the band could adapt without abandoning its musical identity.
Sometimes surviving in the music business requires more than talent.
It takes determination, flexibility, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
And that’s exactly what Bon Jovi did.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992, Mercury Records)
- Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986, Mercury Records)
- Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988, Mercury Records)
1979 – Eagles Take The Long Run to Number One
On November 3, 1979, the Eagles began a nine-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart with The Long Run.
Released earlier that year on Asylum Records, the album followed the tremendous success of Hotel California.
And that was no easy act to follow!
Recording The Long Run proved to be a lengthy and demanding process.
By this point, the band had experienced considerable pressure, internal disagreements, and the challenges that often accompany enormous commercial success.
Yet the music remained remarkably strong.
The album gave us “Heartache Tonight,” “The Long Run,” and one of my favorites, “I Can’t Tell You Why.”
That last recording featured the beautiful lead vocals of Timothy B. Schmit, who had joined the Eagles following Randy Meisner’s departure.
Schmit’s smooth, soulful delivery provided a wonderful contrast to the band’s more guitar-driven material.
And speaking of guitars, Joe Walsh brought his distinctive playing and personality to the proceedings.
“Heartache Tonight,” written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, and J. D. Souther, became another No. 1 single.
Despite the difficulties surrounding its creation, The Long Run became another enormous success.
It’s an interesting reminder that great music doesn’t always emerge from perfect harmony behind the scenes.
Sometimes the musicians are working through disagreements while still managing to create something memorable together.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Eagles – The Long Run (1979, Asylum Records)
- Eagles – Hotel California (1976, Asylum Records)
1973 – Hall & Oates Release Abandoned Luncheonette
On November 3, 1973, Daryl Hall and John Oates released their second studio album, Abandoned Luncheonette, on Atlantic Records.
The album included “She’s Gone,” a song that would eventually become one of the duo’s early signature hits.
Interestingly, the recording didn’t become a major pop success immediately.
Following its re-release in 1976, “She’s Gone” reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sometimes a great song simply needs another opportunity to find its audience.
Now, friends, I happen to own this album.
And I have to tell you something.
While I think “She’s Gone” is a terrific recording, much of the rest of Abandoned Luncheonette has never really connected with me.
That’s just my personal opinion, of course.
I’m sure there are listeners who consider it one of the duo’s finest albums.
But I have to admit, even the album artwork seems to capture my reaction to some of the music.
A little dreary!
And since today happens to be National Sandwich Day, I suppose we should stop by the luncheonette and see what’s on the menu.
Apparently, today’s special is a “She’s Gone” sandwich.
One great song between two slices of disappointment!
ROFLMAO!
All kidding aside, Hall & Oates went on to become one of the most successful pop duos in music history.
Songs such as “Sara Smile,” “Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “Maneater,” and “Out of Touch” became staples of American radio.
And whatever our individual opinions of particular albums, there’s no denying their remarkable ability to create memorable pop records.
That’s the wonderful thing about music.
We don’t have to love every song to appreciate the artists who made it.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Daryl Hall & John Oates – Abandoned Luncheonette (1973, Atlantic Records)
- Daryl Hall & John Oates – Voices (1980, RCA Records)
- Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes (1981, RCA Records)
1957 – Jerry Lee Lewis and Great Balls of Fire
November 1957 brought one of the most explosive recordings in early rock and roll: Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Great Balls of Fire.”
Released on Sun Records, the song became one of the defining hits of Lewis’s career.
With his pounding piano, unmistakable vocal delivery, and boundless energy, Jerry Lee helped establish the piano as a powerful lead instrument in rock and roll.
He didn’t merely sit at the keyboard.
He attacked it!
And friends, after spending a little time shopping for reasonably priced used cars lately, I think I understand that song title better than ever.
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!
You find a vehicle you can afford, and it’s got 200,000 miles!
Find one with low mileage, and suddenly you need a second mortgage!
ROFLMAO!
But getting back to the music, Lewis was a remarkable pianist whose style drew from country, gospel, boogie-woogie, and rhythm and blues.
His recordings remain an essential part of rock and roll’s early history.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Jerry Lee Lewis – Jerry Lee Lewis (1958, Sun Records)
- Jerry Lee Lewis – The Golden Hits of Jerry Lee Lewis (1964, Smash Records)
1948 – Happy Birthday to Lulu
Born November 3, 1948, Scottish singer Lulu celebrates her 78th birthday today.
And here’s something you might not know.
Her birth name is Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie.
Now THAT’S a name to fit on a record label!
ROFLMAO!
Fortunately, the world came to know her simply as Lulu.
Her powerful, distinctive voice helped make her one of Britain’s most recognizable performers during the 1960s.
American audiences will undoubtedly remember “To Sir with Love,” the beautiful theme from the 1967 motion picture starring Sidney Poitier.
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the defining recordings of her career.
Lulu also recorded the theme for the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.
Her career has included pop, rock, soul, television, and stage performances.
Happy Birthday, Lulu!
Must-Have Discogs:
- Lulu – To Sir with Love (1967, Epic Records)
- Lulu – New Routes (1970, Atco Records)
1933 – Remembering Composer John Barry
Born November 3, 1933, English composer John Barry became one of the most recognizable names in motion-picture music.
Barry’s arrangements and scores helped define the sound of the James Bond film series.
Those dramatic brass figures, sweeping strings, and memorable melodies became inseparable from the atmosphere of the films.
His credits also included Born Free, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.
Barry received five Academy Awards during his distinguished career.
He passed away on January 30, 2011, at the age of 77.
His music remains a wonderful example of how a great composer can establish an entire emotional world without a single spoken word.
Must-Have Discogs:
- John Barry – Goldfinger: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1964, United Artists Records)
- John Barry – Dances with Wolves: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1990, Epic Soundtrax)
1945 – Nick Simper and the Early Days of Deep Purple
Today we also recognize the birthday of Nick Simper, one of the founding members of Deep Purple.
Born November 3, 1945, Simper played bass during the band’s early years and appeared on their first three studio albums.
Those recordings were quite different from the harder-rocking sound that would later make Deep Purple internationally famous.
The original lineup explored psychedelic rock, blues, classical influences, and ambitious arrangements.
Songs such as “Hush” helped introduce the band to American audiences.
Although Simper departed before the group’s classic Mark II era, his contributions remain an important part of Deep Purple’s history.
Must-Have Discogs:
- Deep Purple – Shades of Deep Purple (1968, Tetragrammaton Records)
- Deep Purple – The Book of Taliesyn (1968, Tetragrammaton Records)
- Deep Purple – Deep Purple (1969, Tetragrammaton Records)
Final Spin
You know, friends, there’s something I’ve learned about great music.
It takes all kinds of people to make it.
Some write the songs. Some sing them. Some arrange the music. And some are sitting behind the drums, trying to keep everybody together while the rest of the band argues about who’s getting the bigger dressing room!
ROFLMAO!
But here’s the thing.
The best musicians understand that being part of something great doesn’t mean you have to be the greatest thing in it.
Sometimes you lead. Sometimes you follow. And sometimes you just keep the beat while everybody else figures out what they’re doing.
And believe me, friends, that’s not just good advice for musicians.
That’s pretty good advice for life.
Because when the final note fades, nobody remembers who won every argument in the recording studio.
They remember how the music made them feel.
And if you can leave somebody with a smile, a wonderful memory, or a song they’ll carry for the rest of their life, I’d say you’ve accomplished something pretty special.
Of course, if you’re stopping by that abandoned luncheonette, you might want to bring your own sandwich.
I hear the jukebox is still having problems!
ROFLMAO!
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.
Listen to Today’s Broadcast/Podcast
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References and Further Listening
- National Day Calendar – November 3
- Quincy Jones – Official Website
- Quincy Jones – The Dude Discography
- Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith: November 3, 1992
- Eagles – The Long Run Chart History
- Hall & Oates – Abandoned Luncheonette
- Lulu – Biography and Birth Name
- Discogs – Music Database
GREAT MUSIC. GREAT RADIO. GREAT COMMUNITY.
WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
