Writer of Pop Culture

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This Day in Pop Culture: March 26

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder wrote a hit song that was more than just the keys on a piano Disney’s folk hero also had a hit song.

March 26, 2026

2–3 minutes

In what doesn’t seem that long ago, two rock and roll legends came together in perfect harmony, an overweight actor proved that he could carry the role of a private eye, a soap opera began airing over 50 years ago and they continue to cause drama, and one of three versions of a folk tale song became a big hit.

1982: Ebony & Ivory

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder once teamed up to sing the song “Ebony & Ivory” which uses piano keys as a metaphor for racial equality. Ironically, due to their personal work obligations, the two didn’t actually sing the song as duet and had to record their parts separately.

Written by Paul, the song was released on this day in the U.K. in 1982. It was featured on McCartney’s album; Tug of War and it reached the #1 spot on both the UK and US music charts. It spent seven weeks in the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and because the fourth-biggest hit of the year.

In 2008, the song was ranked in the #59 spot on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of all time. But despite its accolades, not everyone is a fan. In 2009, Blender magazine also gave the song an honor – in the other direction – making it the tenth-worst song of all time.

1971: Cannon

Overweight William Conrad proved he still had what it took to play the role of private eye Frank Cannon. He stuck with it for five years.

1973: Y & R

The CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless premiered. Over 50 years later, it’s still on the air! William J. Bell stayed the longest at 32 years.

1969: Marcus

The TV movie, Marcus Welby M.D. which starred Robert Young and James Brolin debuted. The 7-season show began airing later that fall.

1955: Davy Crockett’s Tune is Super Popular

Written by George Bruns and lyrics written by Thomas W. Blackbum, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” was first heard on the ABC TV series Disneyland where actor Fess Parker sang the song as the title character on October 27, 1954. The song was featured for the Davy Crockett miniseries as well. Two other versions of the song were released by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Bill Hayes. All three versions made the Billboard magazine charts, but Haye’s version became the #1 record on this day in 1955. It stayed there until May 14, 1955, and became the #7 top song of the year.