Lesley Gore recorded a breakthrough hit; the photo session for The Beatles' “Sgt. Pepper” album took place; R.E.M. began recording a big album; and Tracy Chapman was born, today in music history.

Is the much-hyped sequel to Renaissance a country album? In many ways, yes — but it's also a sprawling collage of disparate references, while remaining a Beyoncé album at its heart.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs that have been brought back to life do you want to hear?

Sunday, March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrating individuals who are transgender or nonbinary, as well as raising awareness of the discrimination they face. Join The Current on Sunday as we spotlight essential transgender artists.

Every Friday around 11 a.m. on Radio Heartland, we pull a special track from the archives or from deep in the shelves to spotlight a particular artist or song. This week, we spotlight Texas blues artist Lightnin’ Hopkins.

Bono became an honorary knight; David Bowie had a radio show; Beach Boy Brian Wilson was honored; Led Zeppelin had six albums on the Billboard Chart; and Perry Farrell was born, Today in Music History.

Songs by Waxahatchee, The Black Keys, and Jon Batiste all enter the Chart Show Hall of Fame after 10 weeks apiece in the chart. Meanwhile, Minnesota artists Laamar and Ber each make moves up the table.

Although there were plenty of other all-girl, politically minded bands that came up in the scene in the '80s and early '90s, there has never been another Twin Cities band quite like the Tétes. 

The hotly anticipated London singer-songwriter performed for a sold-out Minneapolis crowd on Wednesday evening. North Carolina singer chlothegod opened up.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what song that is your karaoke jam do you want to hear?