Before Michael Jackson, before The Beatles, before Elvis, there was the first global superstar of the gramophone – Enrico Caruso. The first million-selling recording was Caruso’s “Vesti la giubba,” from Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” You know it, even if you think you don’t.

Caruso recorded it three times, in 1902, 1904, and 1907. Here are all three versions, the first two with piano, and the last with orchestra.

Leoncavallo, as can be imagined, was over the moon. In 1904, he dedicated his “Mattinata” to Caruso. It was the first song ever written expressly for the Gramophone Company (now EMI). It’s been popular with tenors ever since.

Here’s Caruso’s recording, with the composer at the keyboard.

Caruso may have had the sales, but Leoncavallo definitely had the mustache.

This year is significant in that it also marks the centenary of the tenor’s death, on August 2, 1921. It’s believed that an injury suffered on stage precipitated his untimely demise at the age of 48.

Let’s face it, Caruso was never a model of health. His appetite was prodigious. He liked his food, he liked his cigarettes, and he liked his work. In all, he appeared at the Old Met 863 times, and he toured extensively. He also left 247 records.

When he died, thousands turned out for his funeral in Naples. For the better part of a decade, his remains were displayed in a glass sarcophagus, until his wife had him sealed up in an ornate tomb.

More about the King of Tenors in August. For now, happy birthday to the Great Caruso.