It was on this day in 1955 that Sam Phillips of Sun Records began negotiations with Colonel Tom Parker to sell the contract of an up and coming singer named Elvis Presley. On today's "A Day in the Life", we learn the details of the transaction.

Toady in 1955, film composer Thomas Newman was born. Part of an illustrious family of movie music, his contemplative, continually unfolding music appears in "Scent of a Woman," "American Beauty," "Wall-E" and perhaps most memorably, "The Shawshank Redemption." Find out more on today's "A Day in the Life."

Today in 1845, the soprano Johanna Wagner debuted the part of Elisabeth in Richard Wagner's Tannhauser in Dresden. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the successful career of Richard Wagner's niece.

It was on this day in 2015 that citizens of Canada elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, son of former Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau. Today's "A Day in the Life" celebrates the Canadian music used for American and Canadian political campaigns, past and present.

Today in 1883, American musician Amy Beach made her concert debut in Boston's Music Hall. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life" we explore Beach's career as a composer.

On this day in 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System was released in North America. The release featured several games, including Super Mario Brothers, whose soundtrack, by Koji Kondo, remains a landmark in video game music. On today's "A Day in the Life" explore the 8-bit soundscape of the 1980's.

It was on this day in 1888, that Thomas Edison filed a patent for the Optical Phonograph, later known as the kinetoscope. On today's "A Day in the Life", we explore Edison's contributions to the art of audio recording.

On this day in 1931, notorious gangster Al Capone was sentenced to prison for tax evasion. Think you know Al Capone? His musical tastes may surprise you. Learn all about it on today's "A Classical Day in the Life".

On this day in 1911, star soprano Dame Emma Albani gave her farewell concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the career of the transatlantic opera star.

Whose chopper is this? Today in 1994 the film Pulp Fiction was released in the United States. It revived acting careers and musical genres alike, including "surf rock." Today's "A Day in the Life" features music by The Tornadoes, The Lively Ones, and Dick Dale.