Today in Music History - Dec. 29 The Canadian Press 2020-12-18 Today in Music History for Dec. 29: In 1849, the Christmas hymn by Edmund Sears, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," was first published in "The Christian Register." In 1939, Radio Luxembourg was given government permission to begin broadcasting. It was the only commercial radio station in Europe to broadcast in English during the 1950s and '60s, and was the only European station to play rock 'n roll. Part of Radio Luxembourg's Saturday night programming was a rebroadcast of disc jockey Alan Freed's show from the U.S. In 1941, sax and flute player Ray Thomas of "The Moody Blues" was born in Stourport-on-Severn, England. Thomas, along with lead singer Denny Laine, keyboard player Michael Pinder, bassist Clint Warwick and drummer Graeme Edge, began "The Moody Blues" as a R&B band in 1964 in Birmingham. After their first major hit, "Go Now," Laine and Warwick left the group and Justin Hayward and John Lodge joined. The group turned to a more full-bodied orchestral sound. "Nights in White Satin," in 1972, was the biggest of their dozen hit singles.