In the early sixties Elvis was still the top selling artist with his 1960 number one singles “Stuck on You” – “It’s Now or Never” – “Are You Lonesome Tonight”.

The Kingston Trio had the number one album in the U.S. at the start of the sixties with “Here We Go Again” and later that year they hit the top with their album called “Sold Out”.

Freddy Cannon made history with “The Explosive! Freddy Cannon” the first rock n’ roll album to top the U.K. Charts.

The BBC banned “Tell Laura I Love Her” by the Welsh singer Ricky Valance.

 

In 1960 Elvis was still a conscript in the U.S. services and in January he was promoted  to sergeant.

Bobby Darin and Connie Francis performed as a duo on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Sam Cooke signed with RCA Records.

Duane Eddy, Santo and Johnny and the Diamonds began an Australian tour.

The Platters appeared at the City Hall, Sheffield.

Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent began their U.K. Rock n’ Roll tour at the Granada, Ipswich.

 

In February Jesse Belvin the R & B singer songwriter died in a head on car crash collision.

Cliff Richard, Eddie Cochran, Alma Cogan, Emile Ford & The Checkmates, Gene Vincent, Lonnie Donegan  & his Skiffle Goup and Craig Douglas all appeared at the NME Annual All-Star Poll Winners Concert.

Boy Meets Girls the U.K. pop music Television show finished, it first aired in September 1959.

The Everly Brothers signed a lucrative recording contract with Warner Brothers, their first release on the label was “Cathy’s Clown”.

 

Elvis left the army in March 1960 after two years service, the one and only time he stepped onto British soil is when his plane stopped to refuel at Prestwick Airport. Scotland when he was returning to America from Germany.

Bryan Johnson representing the United Kingdom came second in the Eurovision song contest with “Looking High, High, High”.  

 

In April RCA Victor were the first record company to release Mono and Stereo records simultaneously. “Stuck on You” was the first recorded by Elvis Presley.

Jack Good’s ABC television show Wham! Debuted.

Dick Clark's movie “Because They're Young” premiered in New York, with appearances by James Darren and Duane Eddy.

Travelling to London to board a transatlantic flight home, Eddie Cochran was in a car crash and was fatally injured and died in hospital the next day.

Duane Eddy & The Rebels, Clyde McPhatter, Bobby Darin, Emile Ford & The Checkmates and Bob Miller & The Millermen appeared at the Odeon, Leeds.

The Everly Brothers began their first European tour at the New Victoria Theatre in London.

 

May  Ben E. King left the Drifters to go Solo.

The owner of the Jacaranda club Allan Williams began to manage the Beatles.

The American  Triple Star Show at the Gaumont Bradford featured Conway Twitty, Freddy Cannon, and Johnny Preston.

 

June  Gene Vincent, Freddy Cannon, Jerry Keller, Lance Fortune, Georgie Fame and Nero & the Gladiators appeared at the Gaumont, York.

ABC television cancelled Jack Good’s Wham!.

Johnny and the Hurricanes began their U.K.tour.

Paul Anka appeared at New York's Copacabana nightclub.

 

July  Decca postponed the release of Ray Peterson’s “Tell Laura I Love Her”.

Muddy Waters and Nina Simone appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island.

 

The Quarrymen had changed their name to Johnny and the Moondogs,  the Silver Beetles which then developed into the Beatles. In August Pete Best left the Blackjacks and joined to play the drums for the group. The Beatles made their first appearances at the Indra Club in Hamburg West Germany and when that closed they moved to the Kaiserkellar club. Later that year under the German child protection laws George Harrison at the age of 17 was deported for being underage and Paul McCartney and Pete Best were arrested for arson.

 

In the U.S. in September a law was passed which banned payments or gifts in exchange for record airplay (Payola).

Ricky Nelson began his Australian tour.

 

October   The Drifters, Ruth Brown, Little Anthony and the Imperials appeared at Chicago's Tivoli Theater.

Jimmy Jones, Mark Wynter, Brook Brothers, Kenny Lynch toured with Tony Marsh their compere.

Joan Baez released her first album in October called Joan Baez.

 

November in Texas the Country singer Johnny Horton died in a head on car crash.

Artists on “The Rock ‘n Trad Spectacular” included   Billy Fury, Joe Brown, Tommy Bruce, Dickie Pride, The Valentine Girls and Nelson Keene.

Brenda Lee, Chubby Checker and the Casuals began a tour in Hawaii.

 

December   Elvis Presley is number one In the U.S. & U. K. Singles charts with “It’s Now or Never”.   

Elvis’s first none musical film was released Flaming Star.

Bobby Darin married Sandra Dee in New Jersey.

 

Formed in 1960

 

They were the Impacts then the Versatones changed their name to the Ventures.

Tommy Bruce & the Bruisers.

The Primes formed in Detroit, Michigan  later they called themselves the Elgins and finally the Temptations.

Jay and the Americans.

The Mavericks changed their name to the The Pacifics and then The Merseybeats.

The Lettermen.

Marshall and The Hi-Lites formed then later renamed the Chi-Lites.

The Barron Knights.

Jeff and the Atlantics.

Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages.

The Searchers.

The Shondells changed later to Tommy James & the Shondells.

The Chiffons.

The Brooktones changed their name to The Dovells.

Gene Pitney changed to his real name from his stage name Billy Bryan.

The Springfields.

The U.K.. Group The Outlaws.

The Vogues

 

                                                                           

 

  Sixties Music Charts 1960

 

In 1961 Elvis Presley’s album “Blue Hawaii”  was on the Billboard Album Charts for seventy nine weeks and was at number one for twenty weeks.

In the U.S.A. Elvis had two number one singles “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “Surrender”.

In the U.K. charts throughout 1961 Elvis had four number one’s :-  Wooden Heart  - Are You Lonesome Tonight  –  Surrender  -  His Latest Flame.

Jimmy Dean’s “Big Bad John” album was the first Country Music’s one million dollar seller.

 

January    Motown Tamla Records  signed the Supremes who were called the Primettes at the time.

EMI signed 14 year old school girl Helen Shapiro.

 

Jackie Wilson was shot in the stomach in February by a fan.

The Platters filed a lawsuit against Mercury Records.

Cliff Richard and the Shadows appeared at The Colston Hall, Bristol.

Frank Sinatra formed his own record label Reprise Records which would later release records by the Beach Boys.

The Beatles made their first appearance at the Cavern club.

 

March  Bobby Rydell, Jess Conrad, The Brook Brothers, The Four Jays The Hunters and The Three Belles appeared at The Empire, Liverpool.

Some of the artists who appeared at the Empire Pool (now the Wembley Arena) were Billy Fury, Emile Ford And The Checkmates, Adam Faith with The John Barry Seven and Cliff Richard & The Shadows.

Nero and the Gladiators with guitarist, Joe Moretti was banned by the BBC for performing classics, in this case, In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Elvis began filming his ninth movie, Blue Hawaii.

 

In April the television show Thank Your Lucky Stars premiered in the U.K. featuring 1960s pop music.

American folk singer Cisco Houston died of stomach cancer.

The Allisons singing “Are You Sure” were voted into second place in the Eurovision song contest.

The BBC banned Gene McDaniels song “100 Pounds of Clay”.

In April the Beatles returned to Hamburg to play at the the Top Ten club.

 

In May Chuck Berry’s amusement park opened in St Louis it was called (Berryland).

 

June the film starring Elvis was released “Wild in the Country”.

Bert Kaempfert recorded some songs with Tony Sheridan and the Beatles for  Polydor Records.

 

July Bob Dylan was injured in a car crash.

 

August    The Marvelettes released “Please Mr. Postman” this was Motowns first number one.

 

The New Musical Express  gala show at Wembley in September: some of the artists who appeared were The Allisons,  Eden Kane, Adam Faith, Billy Fury, Cliff Richard, The Shadows,Temperance Seven and The Brook Brothers.

 

October  The biggest show of stars appeared at the Wichita Forum, Kansas included The Platters, Del Shannon, U.S. Bonds, The Drifters, Brook Benton,  Dee Clark, The Clefftones, The Jarmels and Curtis Lee.

The Pendletones recorded “Surfin” after having the records pressed the Beach Boys name was on the labels.

Bob Dylan signed with Columbia Records.

 

In November the Everly Brothers both Phil and Don joined the Marine Corps Reserves.

Temperance Seven, The Mudlarks, Joan Small, Michael Cox, Bert Weedon,  and

Tommy Sanderson & The Sandmen began a U.K tour.

Bob Dylan appeared at Carnegie Chapter Hall it was his first New York concert.

Operation Big Beat at the Tower Ballroom in New Brighton on the show were the Beatles, The Remo Four, Rory Storm & the Hurricanes and Gerry & the Pacemakers.

 

December Motown had their first number one “With Please Mr Postman” by the

Marvelettes.

The Young Ones film was released starring Cliff Richard.

The Beatles first met their future manager Brian Epstein and later signed a formal agreement.

 

Formed in 1961

 

Tornados.

Peter, Paul and Mary began performing.

The Undertakers formed in Merseyside.

Formed in Brooklyn The Crystals.

Booker T & the M.G.s (Memphis Group).

The Angels.

Sounds Incorporated.

The Big Three formed in Liverpool they were formely the Casanovas.

The Spotnicks an instrumental group formed in Sweden.

Formed in 1961 with earlier names Kenny & the Cadets, Carl and the Passions, the Pendletones and finally the Beach Boys.

The Velvelettes.

The Chambers Brothers began performing.

The Remo Quartet changed to The Remo Four.

The Zombies.

Shep & the Limelites.

Jett Powers changed his stage name to P.J. Proby.

Poets formed in Scotland.

The Manhattans.

Golden Earring formed in Holland.

Sam & Dave began their partnership.

The Allisons.

Blues Incorporated.

The Crestas, The Jaguars and later The Applejacks.

Dave Dee and the Bostons later changed their name to Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

The  Casinyets changed their name to the Marvelettes and signed with Motown.

The Rovell Sisters changed their name later  to The Honeys.

The Four Lovers changed their name to the Four Seasons.

Dean Ford and The Gaylords later changed their name to The Marmalade.

The Casuals.

Bel - Airs.

Cliff Bennett &  the Rebel Rousers formed taking their name from the Duane Eddy hit, they later signed for Brian Epstein’s NEMs management.

The Blue Jays changed to the The Four Jays, The Fourmosts then shortened to The Fourmost.

Freddie & the Dreamers.                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

Sixties Music Charts 1961

 

 

The West Side Story soundtrack album went to number one on the Billboard’s album charts and was the top selling album of the year.

In America Elvis had a number one single with “ Good Luck Charm”. In Britain Elvis had number one’s with three singles “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”, “Good Luck Charm” and “She’s Not You”. He had his third U.K. Number one album with “Blue Hawaii”.

The BBC banned Bobby Boris & the Crypt Kickers single “Monster Mash” on the grounds it was too morbid.

 

In January the Beatles auditioned for Decca Records, Mike Smith said they

would not be commercial enough so the head of the A&R department Dick Rowe signed Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead.

Peter, Paul and Mary signed with Warner Brothers.

Chubby Checker, Jan and Dean, Bobby Freeman.  Dick and Dee Dee and the Untouchables  appeared at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.  

 

February   Brian Epstein met with George Martin to discuss recording the Beatles.

Bobby Vee, Clarence "Frogrman" Henry, The Springfields, Tony Orlando, and  Jimmy Crawford began a U.K. Tour.

 

Bob Dylan released his first album in March called “Bob Dylan”.

Ray Charles Enterprises  were formed which included “Tangerine” his own record label.

"The Big Star Show of 1962" included Billy Fury, Joe Brown, John Leyton, Eden Kane, Shane Fenton and Karl Denver.

The Beatles made their first U.K. Radio boadcast on the Light programme show “Teenagers Turn”.

Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies opened a blues club in London.

 

April   Stuart Sutcliffe the ex Beatle Bass player died of a brain haemorrhage.

The N M E Poll Winners Concert some of the artists included Helen Shapiro, Billy Fury, Joe Brown, John Leyton, Adam Faith, the Shadows and the Springfields.

The Beatles returned to Hamburg to play at the Star Club.

Brenda Lee, Gene Vincent, Sounds Incorporated, Rory Blackwell & His Blackjacks and Nero & The Gladiators appeared at the City Hall,Sheffield.

 

In May Chris Blackwell moved Island Records from Jamaica to a new location in the U.K.

Jerry Lee Lewis toured the U.K. With Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Vince Eager, The Viscounts, The Echoes, The Bachelors and Mark Eden.

Louis Armstrong appeared at the Colston Hall, Bristol.

 

June  the Beatles returned from Hamburg and auditioned for EMI Records.

 

July  The Rolling Stones made their first appearance at the Marquee Club in  London

the Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records.

Second National Jazz Festival opened in Richmond, London among the artists were Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttleton, Bruce Turner and Alex Welsh.

Joe Brown & the Bruvvers appeared at the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton also on the show were The Beatles, The Four Jays. The Statesmen and the Big Three.

The Beatles signed a contract with EMI Records.

 

In August John Lennon Married Cynthia Powell at the Mount Pleasant Registry Office in Liverpool.

Aretha Franklin made her television debut on ABC's American Bandstand.

The Beatles and Brian Epstein sacked Pete Best their drummer.

Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) replaced Pete Best.

 

September the first recording sessions at EMI for the Beatles.

Dion, Del Shannon, Joe Brown, The Allisons, New York Twisters, Wallace & Duval, Suzy Cope, Peppi and Buzz Clifford began their U.K. Tour.

 

In October the Beatles released “Love Me Do” their first single on the EMI Parlophone Record label, it reached number seventeen in the charts. The “B” side was “P.S. I Love You” both songs were written by McCartney & Lennon.

The  Motown Revue tour began in Washington DC, it featured Mary Wells, the Contours, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas,  Stevie Wonder, and the Marvelettes.

The Beatles supported Little Richard at the Liverpool Empire Theatre also on the bill were Craig Douglas, Jet Harris, Kenny Lynch and Sounds Incorporated.

The Beach Boys released their first album “Surfin’ Safari”.

 

November  The Beatles first T.V. studio appearance was  on a Granada regional programme called “People and Places”. They appeared on U.K. television on three separate occasions in late 1962.

B Bumble & The Stingers, The Tornados, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Vince Eager, Chris Wayne & The Echoes, Bobby Shafto and Joe Brown & His Bruvvers appeared at the Granada, East Ham, London.

The Beatles returned to the Star Club in Hamburg where Little Richard was on the same Bill.

 

December  The Osmond brothers made their first television performance on the Andy Williams Show.

Bob Dylan arrived in London to record a BBC drama play called “Madhouse on Castle Street”.

The Mammoth Jazz 'n' Pop Show held at the Queens Hall, Leeds included The Tornadoes, Joe Brown, Kenny Ball, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Heinz, The Ryles Brothers, Ray Peters and Jimmy Justice.

The Supremes released their first album “Meet The Supremes”.

 

Formed in 1962

 

The Fourtones, The Deltas and finally The Hollies

Unit Four + 2.

The Del-Phis changed to The Vels and in 1962  changed their name to Martha & the Vandellas.

The Scaffold.

Bobby Hatfield met Bill Medley and formed the Righteous Brothers.

Paul Revere and the Nightriders changed their name to Paul Revere and the Raiders.

The Surfaris formed in Glendora, California.

The Koobas.

The Spectres formed later changed to Traffic Jam then to Status Quo.

Downliners Sect.

The Alan Price Combo renamed the Animals formed in Newcastle - upon -Tyne.

The Nomads became The Mojos.

The Darling Sisters then Ronnie and the Relatives changed to The Ronettes.

Mann - Hugg Blues Brothers then Manfred Mann and the Manfreds later changed to Manfred Mann.

The Rolling Stones.

Dave Berry & the Cruisers.

Paramounts later Procol Harum.

Cyril Davies R&B All Stars.

The New Christy Minstrels.

Del-rons later changed to Reparata and the Delrons.

The Bystanders formed in Wales.

Formed in New Jersey the Ad - Libs.

The Canadian group Chad Allan & the Reflections changed to Chad Allan and the Expressions  then The Guess Who.

The Dillards.

Nashville Teens.

The Beatstalkers formed in Scotland.

The Harmonichords changed their name to The Bachelors.

The Chantays.

Freddie Starr & the Midnighters.

The Nightriders then The Crossfires later The Turtles.

(Question Mark) ? & the Mysterians.

Girl group the Breakaways formed in London.

 

 

                                                                                 

 

 1960s Music Charts 1962

 

 

Gary U.S. Bonds filed a lawsuit claiming that Chubby Checker’s “Dancin’ Party” was copied from his record “Quarter to Three”. It was later settled out of court.

 

Early January the Beatles toured Scotland and they released “Please, Please Me” in the U.K. The B-Side was “Ask Me Why”.

The first showing of the film Summer Holiday starring Cliff Richard at the Warner Theatre, Leicester Square, London

January 19th the Beatles had their first U.K. Full network television appearance on ITV’s Thank Your Lucky Stars.

 

February Kenny Lynch was the first person to cover a Lennon & McCartney song “Misery”.

The Beatles formed Northern Songs publishing company.

The Whisky A Go Go opened in Los Angeles.

Helen Shapiro began her British tour with the Beatles, Danny Williams, Kenny Lynch, the Kestrels, the Red Price Orchestra and the Honeys.

The Beatles played at the Oasis Club, Manchester.

 

In March near Camden, Tennessee the Country singer Patsy Cline was killed in an air crash along with Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins.

The Four Seasons “Walk Like A Man” was their third consecutive number one in the U.S. Billboard Charts. “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” were the first two.

The Chris Montez and Tommy Roe tour began in London with the Beatles, the Viscounts, Debbie Lee, The Terry Young Six and Tony Marsh the compere.

Some of the acts who appeared at the King George's Hall in Blackburn were Brain Hyland, Little Eva, Brook Brothers, Johnny Temple. The Chariots, and The Rhythm & Blues Quintet .

The Four Tops signed with Motown.

The Dave Clark Five, Mark Wynter  and Susan Maughan appeared at the Empire, Liverpool.,

The Beatles released their first album in the U.K. “Please,Please Me”.

 

April     The New Musicical Express Poll-Winners All-Stars Concert was staged at the Empire Pool, London.  Artists included The Beatles, Billy Fury, The Tornados,

Gerry & the Pacemakers,  Mike Berry, The Shadows, Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, The Springfields and Frank Ifield.

Gerry and the Pacemakers had their first number one record in April with “How Do You Do It”. They were managed by Brian Epstein.

Paul & Paula, Jet Harris & Tony Meehan, the Terry Young Six, Jimmy Justice and Patti Brook with the Jet Blacks appeared at the Gaumont, Worcester.

 

In May Andrew Oldham and Eric Easton became the managers of the Rolling Stones and  later started their “Would you let a Rolling Stone marry your daughter” campaign .

Bob Dylan was booked to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show but they had a conflict with the song he would perform. He cancelled !. The same month he released one of his most influential albums The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.

James Brown released his breathtaking album “Live at the Apollo”.

Decca signed the Rolling Stones.

Some of the artists featured at the All Stars '63 show at the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth were John Leyton, Mike Sarne, Mike Berry and the Innocents, Billie Davis, Duffy Power, Grazina, Billy Boyle, Don 'Fireball' Spencer, The XL Five, Bick Ford and Jet Harris & Tony Meehan.

The Beatles began a 21 venue tour at the Adelphi Theatre, Slough. Roy Orbison, Gerry & the Pacemakers, David MacBeth, Louis Cordet, Julie Grant, Ian Crawford, The Terry Young Six and Tony Marsh were also on the bill.

Blues Guitarist Elmore James died from a Heart Attack.

 

June the 4th the BBC Radio transmitted Pop Goes The Beatles.

The Beatles had their first number one which topped all the U.K. charts “From Me To You”.

Del Shannon's cover of the Beatles "From Me To You" hit the Billboard Hot 100 making it the first Paul McCartney  & John Lennon composition to make the US charts.

Little Stevie Wonder released “Fingertips Part 2” which reached the top of the U.S. charts in August.

The Beach Boys, Dee Dee Sharp, Jackie De Shannon and the Treniers appeared at the 30th  Show of Stars at the Old Civic Auditorium, Honolulu.

 

In July Frank Ifield had his third consecutive U.K. number one with “Confessin”.

The Rolling Stones first appearance on Television (Thank Your Lucky Stars) they performed their first single “Come On” which was written by Chuck Berry.

The Beatles first album  Please Please Me got to number one in he U.K.

 

British  sixties music Television show Ready, Steady Go premiered in August with the slogan “The Weekend Starts Here”. Some of the artists on the show were The Searchers, Brian Poole & the Tremeloes and Billy Fury.

The Rolling Stones, Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, Cyril Davies All Stars and Long John Baldry appeared at the National Jazz & Blues Festival at Richmond Surrey.

Some of the acts who appeared at The Daily Herald Beat Festival held at the Stanley Stadium, Liverpool were Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, The Searchers, John Leyton, Alexis Korners Blues Incorporated, Ricky Valance, The Hollies and The Big Three.

 

September The Beatles and the Rolling Stones appeared together for the first time on the same bill at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Jerry Lee Lewis quit Sun Records.

Roy Orbison, Freddie & the Dreamers and The Searchers appeared at the Gaumont, Southampton.

She Loves You by The Beatles became England's best-selling single of all time it later was overtaken by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney’s  "Mull Of Kintyre".

Reprise Records owned by Frank Sinatra was bought by Warner Brothers.

27th September The Rolling Stones appeared with the Merseybeats and Dave Berry and the Cruisers at the Floral Hall, Morecambe.

September 29th   The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley, The Rolling Stones, Micky Most, The Flintstones and Julie Grant began their U.K. tour at London's New Victoria Theatre. Little Richard joined the tour later.

 

In the U.K. charts in October Brian Poole and the Tremeloes on Decca Records took over the number one spot from the Beatles “She Loves You” with “Do You Love Me” it was their only  number one.

Michael Holliday the british singer commited suicide.

Gerry and the Pacemakers with their third single “You’ll Never Walk Alone” were the first group to get their first three singles to number one in the U.K. charts.  

 

Brian Epstein signed a three show contract in November for the Beatles to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The Big Star Show at the Odeon, Southend featured Billy Fury, Joe Brown, The Karl Denver Trio, Marty Wilde and The Tornadoes.

The Rolling Stones released the song written by Lennon & McCartney  “I Wanna be your Man”.

The Rolling Stones, The Big Three and Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders appeared at the City Hall Sheffield.

The Beatles second album was released “ With The Beatles”.

At the Royal Theater Baltimore, Maryland The James Brown Show also featured  The Famous Flames, Anna King, The Brownies and Yvonne Fair.  

Appearing on the Royal Variety Show John Lennon quipped “Those of you in the cheaper seats can clap your hands. The rest of you if you’ll just rattle you’re

Jewellery”.

 

In December  Dinah Washington died from an accidental overdose of diet pills.

The Beatles were the four panellists on Juke Box Jury and were back at number one in the U.K. charts with “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.

The Searchers released their Sugar & Spice Album.

 

Formed in 1963

The Ravens changed to The kinks.

The Fortunes.

The Victor Brox Blues Train.

MC5  (Motor City 5) Formed in Detroit.

Them  formed in Northern Ireland.

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

Seekers formed in Australia.

The Easybeats formed in Australia.

Billy J. Kramer combined with the Dakotas.

The Sorrows.

Formed in Sweden the Hep Stars.

The Gleneagles later Lulu and the Luvvers.

Bob B. Soxx  & the Blue Jeans.

The Chieftains formed in Dublin.

Chad & Jeremy came together.

Spencer Davis Group formed in Birmingham, U.K.

The Pretty Things.

The Wailers with Bob Marley formed in Jamaica.

Tikis later became Harpers Bizarre.

The Three Degrees started in 1963.

Salvatore Phillip Bono met Cherilyn Sarkasian (Sonny & Cher).

The Sherabons changed to the Honeycombs.

The Trendsetters later changed to Hedgehoppers Anonymous.

Tommy James & The Shondells.

Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

The Bobcats changed to the Rockin’ Berries.

Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters.

Peter & Gordon.

Goldie and the Gingerbreads.

Blues band The Graham Bond Organisation were formed.

The Cheynes.

Early ’63 the Yarbirds were formed and in the autumn Eric “Slowhand” Clapton joined them.

The Jets changed their name to Wayne Fontana & the Mindbinders.

 

 

                                                                               

 

1960s Music Charts 1963

 

                                                                                

The 1960’s music began to reach another level.

In 1963 Britain had taken the Beatles into their hearts. They were regularly on  radio, television, in the newspapers and especially featured in gossip magazines. By the end of 1964  Beatlemania had conquered Britain, America and possibly most of the countries in the world. They had started what was called the “British Invasion” of America.

Motown had their first number one  in the U.K. With the Supremes “Baby Love”

January 1st Top of The Pops premiered on the BBC, transmitted from Manchester, England and was presented by Jimmy Savile. Some of the artists which appeared on the show that night were the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, Dusty Springfield and the Dave Clark Five.

Blues Harmonica player Cyril Davies died of leukaemia.

The Rolling Stones headlined their first tour which began at the Granada Theatre, Harrow on The Hill, Middlesex the tour also featured The Ronettes, Dave Berry and The Cruisers, Marty Wilde and The Swinging Blue Jeans.

Manfred Mann’s first hit 5-4-3-2-1 was used as the signature tune for the television show Ready Steady Go.

The Beatles were first shown on American  television with a short clip on the Jack Parr Show.

The album “Stay With The Hollies” was released.

The Rolling Stones were the judges on the panel of the T.V. Show Juke Box Jury.

“Meet the Beatles” Album was released in the U.S. and shot to number one. At the same time they also had “I Want To Hold Your Hand”  which moved to number one in the singles charts.

 

February  The Beatles arrived in the U.S. for the first time causing riotous scenes as they landed at New York's JFK airport.

On February 9th an estimated 73 million viewers watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show.  They appeared on his show again in the middle of February and also in May that year.

The Beatles performed their first U.S. live pop concert at the Coliseum in Washington, also on the bill were the Chiffons and Tommy Roe. They also played at New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Deauville Hotel Mau Mau Club in Miami.

Some of the artists touring on The Thank Your Lucky Stars show were Joe Brown & the Bruvvers, Heinz, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, The Crystals and Manfred Mann.

Acker Bilk and The Paramount Jazz Band appeared at the Colston Hall Bristol.

The Searchers, Bobby Vee and Dusty Springfield started their U.K.tour at The Adelphi Cinema, Slough.  

 

In March Matt Monro was voted into second place for the U. K. in the Eurovision song contest  with “I Love the Little Things”.

Madame Tussaud's famous Wax Museum in London unveiled its four new statues of the Beatles.

The pirate Radio station Radio Caroline began broadcasting from a ship

anchored outside British territorial waters.

Kathy Kirby, Freddie & the Dreamers and The Merseyeats appeared at the Gaumont, Bradford.

At The Coventry Theatre the first night of a UK tour kicked off  featuring The Hollies, the Dave Clark Five, The Kinks and The Mojos.

 

In April the Beatles held the top five single record spots in the Billboard Top 40 list in America they were “Can’t Buy Me Love”  -  “Twist and Shout”  -  “She Loves You” -  “I Want To Hold Your Hand”  -  “Please, Please Me”.

The Rolling Stones released their self named first album.

John Lennon’s first book was published In His Own Write.

Chubby Checker married Catharina Johanna Lodders of the Netherlands she was Miss World of 1962.

The New Music Express Poll-Winners All-Star Concert, staged at the Empire Pool, London (now the Wembley Arena) some of the artists  who appeared included The Rolling Stones, The Searchers, Manfred Mann,The Hollies  Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Fourmost, Freddie & the Dreamers and The Merseybeats.

 

Rudy Lewis the lead singer with the Drifters died in May at the age of twenty seven.

Bob Dylan arrived in Britain for his first major UK tour which included a show at London's Royal Festival Hall.

The Dave Clark Five made their first appearance on CBS-TV's Ed Sullivan Show

Chuck Berry appeared at London's Astoria Theatre, with The Animals, The Nashville Teens, and The Swinging Blue Jeans.

Gerry and the Pacemakers made their US television debut on CBS' Ed Sullivan Show.

 

In June the Rolling Stones began their first U.S. Tour in San Bernardino.

Bob Dylan completed his U.K. Tour.

The Big Star Show at the Rainbow Theatre, Blackpool  featured Joe Brown, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, The Tornados, and Mike Preston.

 

In July  The Rolling Stones had their first number one hit in the UK with "It's All Over Now".

A “Hard Day’s Night” went to number one in the album charts and the film premiered in London. It was first first shown in the U.S.A. in August.

The Rolling Stones and Lulu & the Luvvers appeared at the Queens Hall, Leeds.

The Country & Western singer Jim Reeves died in an air crash in Tennessee.

 

August  The police in Scheveningen, Holland ended a Rolling Stones concert after 15 minutes when the crowd started to fight and get out of control.

Bob Dylan and Joan Baez shared the stage for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival.

The Beatles started their American/Canadian 26 venue tour on the 19th of August at the Cow Palace in San Francisco finishing at the Paramount Theatre in New York on the 20th of September. Also on the tour were Jackie de Shannon, The Righteous Brothers, Bill Black Combo and the Exciters.

August 23rd The High Numbers before they became The Who supported Dusty Springfield and Eden Kane at the Brighton Hippodrome.

The singer Johnny Burnette was drowned in a boating accident.

 

On September 16th “Shindig!” the ABC musical variety television show was first shown  among the artist’s were Sam Cooke, The Righteous Brothers and The Everly Brothers.

The Ray Davies composition “You Really Got Me”  reached number one in the U.K. for The Kinks.

The Yardbirds and the Moody Blues appeared at The Marquee Club, London.

 

The Kinks released their first album in October “The Kinks”.

The group the High Numbers were rejected by EMI Records and later change their name back to the Who.

The Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in October.

Billy J. Kramer, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, The Kinks, The Ronettes and

The Yardbirds, all appeared at the Granada Brixton.

The Beatles began their U.K. Tour with Mary Wells, Tommy Quickly, the Remo Four, Michael Haslam, the Rusticks, and Sounds Incorporated.

The Five Faces of Manfred Mann album was released.

The Animals started their first headlining U.K. tour at the ABC in Manchester with  Gene Vincent, The Nashville Teens and Carl Perkins.

The 'Tami Show' took place at the Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica featuring Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, James Brown & the Flames, Chuck Berry, Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas,  Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Gerry & the Pacemakers and The Rolling Stones.

 

November  The Dave Clark Five appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The Beach Boys appeared on Ready Steady Go.

The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Pretty Things and the Birds appeared at the Face Club, Grantham.

Manx Radio was the first commercial radio station to broadcast in the British Isles.

The Brenda Lee tour arrived at the Odeon in Chelmsford the supporting acts included Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Heinz , Marty Wilde and the John Barry Seven.

Motown had their first U.K. Number one single with “Baby Love” by the Supremes.               

 

In December The Gerry and the Pacemakers film "Ferry Cross The Mersey"  was shown at the New Victoria Cinema in London.

The Beatles released their “Beatles For Sale” album which went to number one in the charts. They appeared in a Christmas show at London's Hammersmith Odeon with Elkie Brooks, Freddie & the Dreamers, Sounds Incorporated and the Yardbirds.

11th December Sam Cooke was shot dead by Bertha Franklin a hotel manageress.

 

Formed in 1964

 

The Mothers of  Invention were formed.

The M&B 5 changed their name to the Moody Blues.

The Beau  Brummels were formed in San Francisco.

Hearts and Flowers.

Formed in London The Birds.

The Critters were formed in New Jersey, U.S.A.

Jr. Walker and the Allstars.

The Peddlers Formed.

The Liberators later Pinkerton Assorted Colours.

Formed in Chicago The Ides of March.

The McCoys formed in Union City, Indiana.

Count Five.

The Troglodytes later the Troggs.

The Shangri-Las formed in New York.

The Detours changed to The Who,The High Numbers and back to The Who.

The Jet Set, The Beefeaters later renamed The Byrds.

The Heartbeats changed to Herman’s Hermits.

Long John Baldry formed the Hoochie Coochie Men.

The Brian  Auger Trinity.

Ivy League.

Formed in London The Artwoods.

Alan Bown Set.

The Orphonics later changed to The Delfonics.

Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band.

The Brogues formed in San Jose.

The Jazziacs later changed to Kool and the Gang.

Quicksilver Messenger Service.

The Arbors formed in Michigan.

Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band.

The Toys.

The Rationals formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Gary Lewis & the Playboys.

The Mamas and the Papas.

The Trenchcoats later changed to Blues Magoos.

The Walker Brothers.

The (Young) Rascals.

Sir Douglas Quintet.

 

“Five Live Yardbirds”  was recorded at the Marquee Club.

The Byrds signed a contract with CBS Records.

The Merseybeats released their album which was self named.

The Big Three disbanded.

 

 

                                                                                  

 

 

 1960s Music Charts 1964

In 1965 the Beatles released their ground breaking sixth album “Rubber Soul”.

The Supremes had their sixth number one in the U.S. Billboard charts.

Tom Jones  had a U.K. Number one with “It’s Not Unusual”.

 

January 12th Hullabaloo the American NBC variety show first aired, The first broadcast featured The New Christy Minstrels, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and The Zombies.

The Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison began a tour of Australia and New Zealand starting at the Manufactures' Auditorium in Sydney.

The Zombies and the Nashville Teens cancelled their tour in the U.S. because of a visa problem.

The Who released “I Can’t Explain” on the Brunswick label and it reached number eight in the U.K. Charts.

The Chuck Berry Tour  opened in London  with Supporting acts including The Moody Blues, Long John Baldry and the Graham Bond Organisation.

In January the Animals were stopped from performing  in New York by the U.S. immigration department. In May that year Alan Price left the Animals.

Alan Freed the D.J. credited with the phrase Rock ‘n’ Roll died at the age of forty four.

 

February   Nat King Cole died at the age of 48.

Ringo Starr married Maureen Cox at Caxton Hall, London.

P.J. Proby on stage split his trousers and was banned from appearing in any ABC’s theatres.

Jeff Beck formerly of the Tridents joined the Yarbirds after Eric Clapton  left the group.

The Adam Faith / Sandie Shaw tour began with The Paramounts, the Barron Knights, The Roulettes, Patrick Kerr and Freddie Earle.

The Walker Brothers arrived in Britain.

 

In March Kathy Kirby with the song “I Belong” reached second place for Britain in the Eurovision song contest.

Big Beat Nite Out tour included The Kinks, Manfred Mann, The Animals and Screaming Lord Sutch.

Petula Clark made her American TV debut on CBS-TV's the Ed Sullivan Show.

The Tamla Motown Revue package arrived in the U.K. Including Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations and Martha and the Vandellas. They started the tour at the Finsbury Park Astoria, in London and appeared at  The Colston Hall, Bristol on the 23rd March.

Bobby Vee and Dusty Springfield appeared at The Odeon Cinema, Stockton, Cleveland also on the bill were Heinz and The Searchers.

 

Artists who appeared at the NME Poll-Winners Concert staged at the Empire Pool, London in April included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, The Kinks,  Dusty Springfield, The Seekers, Twinkle, Them, Georgie Fame, The Walker Brothers, Moody Blues, and the Animals.

Bob Dylan  appeared at the Q.E. Theatre, Vancouver.

The Hollies performed in America for the first time at New York's Paramount Theatre.

The Ready, Steady Go show had a one hour special presented by Dusty Springfield called the “Sound of Motown”. Some of the artists featured were Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Earl Van Dyke, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Martha & the Vandellas and the Temptations.

The Zombies released their “Begin Here” album.

 

In May Herman’s Hermits had a number one hit record in the U.S. with “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and later in August with “I’m Henry the Eighth I Am”.

“Boss of the Bay,” at the San Francisco, Civic Auditorium included The Rolling Stones, Beau Brummels, Paul Revere and the Raiders and The Byrds.

Alan Price left the Animals.

Bob Dylan was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital in London with a viral infection.

The Hollies, The Walker Brothers and the Yardbirds began a U.K. Tour.

 

In June the American Folk Music tour opened at the Birmingham Town Hall, artists included Rambling Jack Elliot, Buffy Saint-Marie and Julie Felix.

John Lennon’s second book A Spaniard In The Works was first published.

June 19th The Uxbridge Blues and folk Festival  The performers included The Who, Long John Baldry and the Hoochie Coochie Men, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton, Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, Solomon Burke, the Ray Martin Group, the Spencer Davis Group, Marianne Faithfull, the Birds and Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers.

 

In July “Help” opened in the U.K. and the following month opened in the U.S.

Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman and Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones appeared in court in London and were found guilty and fined for using insulting behaviour.

Bob Dylan in July went electric and was booed by the folk purists at the Newport (Rhode Island) Folk Festival . He later released his “Highway 61 Revisited” album which featured “Like a Rolling Stone”.

The Dave Clark Five's movie “Catch Us If You Can” or the alternative name “Having A Wild Weekend”, opened in London.

 

August 6th - 8th  The Richmond National Jazz & Blues Festival held at the Richmond Athletic Grounds, Surrey. Some of the artists which appeared that weekend were Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, The Moody Blues, Long John Baldry, Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, The Who, The Animals and The Spencer Davis Group.

August 14th  The Beatles recorded their  Ed Sullivan show performance and continued their eleven venue tour which started at New York’s Shea Stadium on the 15th of August with their largest ever audience 55,000 people.and finished on 31st of August at the Cow Palace San Francisco.

The Beatles met Elvis Presley.

 

In September   Donovan appeared on American television for the first time (Shindig).

The Beatles got the Grammy award for the best group.

The Kinks began their first tour of the U.S.

Manfred Mann, the Moody Blues, the Kinks, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Paul Simon song book was released in the U.K.

The Small Faces released “Watcha Gonna Do About It.”.

October  The Beatles received their M.B.E’s from the queen (Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).

The Hollies released their album called “Reflection”

Spencer Davis Group release “Their First L.P.” album on Fontana Records.

The Lovin Spoonful released their first album “Do You Believe in Magic”.

The Rolling Stones appeared at the ABC, Stockton on Tees with the Spencer Davis Group, Unit Four + 2, The Checkmates, The End, and Charles Dickens and The Habits.

Johnny Cash was arrested in El Paso, Texas on drug charges. He pleaded guilty and was given a 30-day suspended sentence and fined.

Bill Black  bass and double bass player with Elvis Presley and also the leader of The Bill Black's Combo died four months after having surgery to remove a brain tumour.

Manfred Mann released their “Mann Made” album.

The Rolling Stones released “Out Of Our Heads” album.

 

In November the Grateful Dead changed their group name from the Warlocks.

The Walker Brothers, the Moody Blues The Fourmost and Beryl Marsden  appeared at the Colston Hall, Bristol.

Gene Pitney, Peter & Gordon, The Rockin’ Berries and Lulu & Luvvers appeared at the ABC, Wigan.

 

In December The Who released their first album “My Generation”.

Brian Poole & the Tremeloes, The Walker Brothers, and The Small Faces appeared at the ABC Romford.

“Rubber Soul” by the Beatles was issued and hit the number one spot in the U.S. and the U.K.

The Beatles began their tour of the United Kingdom at the Odeon, Glasgow finishing with their last ever British tour performance at the Capitol,Cardiff. Supporting artists on the tour were the Moody Blues, the Koobas, Beryl Marsden, Steve Aldo and the Paramounts (an early line-up of Procol Harum).

 

Formed in 1965

 

Small  Faces.

Alan Wilson and Bob Hite, two Los Angeles based Blues/Rock musicians formed Canned Heat.

Pink Floyd Sound were formed they later dropped the sound part from their name.

Lovin’ Spoonful.

My Backyard later Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Left Banke formed in New York.

Jefferson Airplane formed in San Francisco .

Formed in Kent, England The Herd.

The Youngbloods.

The Association formed in Los Angeles.

Formed in San Francisco The Warlocks changed to The Grateful Dead.

Shades of Blue formed in Detroit..

The Mixtures formed in Australia.

 Formed in Los Angeles The Doors.

The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

Mitch Rider & the Detroit Wheels.

The Monkees.

Formed in London The Action.

The Fugs.

Terry Knight & the Pack later Grand Funk Railroad.

Rising Sons formed in Los Angeles.

Los Bravos formed in Madrid, Spain.

The Cryin’ Shames.

Alan Bown Set.

Shadows of the Knight formed in Chicago.

The Seeds formed Los Angeles.

The Incredible String Band formed in Glasgow, Scotland.

13th Floor Elevators formed in Austin, Texas.

The Prunes later The Electric  Prunes.

Formed in San Francisco The Flamin’ Groovies .

The Amboy  Dukes formed in Chicago.

Chicken Shack.

Formed in New York The Velvet Underground (later with Nico).

Sopwith Camel.

The Blues Project.

The Memphis based Box Tops quintet were formed.

The San Franciscan Big Brother & the holding company.

Country Joe & the Fish were formed in Berkeley, California.

 

 

                                                                                

Sixties  Music Charts 1965          

                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

The Beach Boys released their Pet Sounds Album, The Ballad of the Green Berets was a hit for Sgt. Barry Sadler and the Four  Tops  reached the top for Motown in both the U.S. And U.K. With “Reach Out I’ll Be There”.

 

January 8th  Shindig! the ABC variety show went on the air for the last time, the Who and the Kinks were among the guests.

Manfred Mann’s vocalist Paul Jones was injured in a car accident.

Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” reached number one in the U.S.

The BBC premiered “A Whole Scene Going”a pop culture television show.

Tony Burroughs replaced John Carter in the Ivy League.

George Harrison married Patricia Ann Boyd at Epsom Registry Office in Surrey.

 

Jefferson Airplane and Big Brother and the Holding Company appeared in February at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.

The rock and roll magazine  Crawdaddy!, is first published in New York City.

The Who, The Fortunes and The Merseys appeared at the Astoria in Finsbury Park, England.

In Liverpool the Cavern Club closed through lack of funds.

The Walker Brothers, Spencer Davis Group, Crispian St. Peters, The Koobas and the Sorrows appeared at the Guild Hall, Portsmouth.

The Blues singer Sophie Tucker Died.

 

In March John Lennon tells the London Evening Standard Newspaper that the “Beatles were more popular than Jesus”.

The Lovin’ Spoonful release “Daydream”.

Lulu became the first British female artist to appear behind the iron curtain, when she toured Poland with the Hollies.

The Hollies released “Would You Believe” album.

James Brown, the Young Rascals, Len Barry, Lou Christie and the Shangri- Las played Madison Square Garden, New York.

Buffalo Springfield were formed and Stephen Stills composed their landmark anthem song “For What It’s Worth” which was released in January ’67.

Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Quicksilver Messenger Service played at the Fillmore Auditorium.

March 25th Roy Orbison began his U.K. tour at the Finsbury Park, Astoria with The Walker Brothers, Lulu, The Quotations and The Marionettes.

 

In April a concert at The Hollywood Bowl, California, took place featuring, The Mamas And The Papas, Otis Redding, Jan and Dean, Sonny & Cher, The Turtles, Donovan and Bob Lind.

Empire Pool "Record Star Show" featured Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Spencer Davis Group, Adam Faith, Georgie Fame, The Moody Blues, Billy J Kramer, Wayne Fontana and Manfred Mann.

The last episode of NBC-TV's musical variety show Hullabaloo aired after sixteen months, It featured Lesley Gore, Peter and Gordon, Paul Anka, and the Cyrkle.

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass set a chart record when four of their albums were in the Top 10 of the Billboard album charts at the same.

The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Orange County Showgrounds in San Bernardino, CA.

Bob Dylan appeared at Sydney Stadium in  Australia,

Roy Orbison, The Walker Brothers and Lulu appeared at The Colston Hall, Bristol, England.

Chuck Berry and the Four Tops appeared at the Carnegie Hall, New York.

Jack Bruce replaced Mike Vickers in Manfred Mann.

The Rolling Stones released “Aftermath”.

In Los Angeles Jan Berry of Jan and Dean fame crashed his car and suffered extensive brain damage.

Folk singer Richard Farina died in a motorcycle accident.

 

May 1st   The Beatles performed their last performance in Britain in front of an audience at the New Musical Express poll winners concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley. Other artists who appeared that day were Dusty Springfield, Cliff Richard, Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis Group, Herman’s Hermits,  The Who, The Yardbirds, Alan Price Set, Walker Brothers and the Small Faces.

The Beach Boys released their legendary album “Pet Sounds”.

Bob Dylan opened his second british tour in Bristol. The second half of his show he performed with a rock band called Hawk (The Band).

Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” was released in the U.S.A.

 

June 18th The Uxbridge Blues Festival some of the artists who appeared that day  were Manfred Mann, The Action, The Steam Packet featuring Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll and Long John Baldry.

The Beatles recorded  Rain” in June, it was the first record to use reverse tapes.

Them and The Doors appeared at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip.

Junior Walker, The Chiffons, The Shades of Blue, Jon Lee, The Checkmates and The Young Rascals all played Shea Stadium, New York, N.Y.

The Cow Palace presented The Beach Boys Summer Spectacular included The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, The Lovin' Spoonful, Chad and Jeremy, Percy Sledge,  and The Sir Douglas Quintet,  

Peter Green joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

Janis Joplin (Pearl) performed with Big Brother & the Holding Co. for the first time at the Avalon Ballroom, in San Francisco.

 

July 2nd the Beatles performed  in Tokyo

The Mothers of Invention with Frank Zappa released their first album “Freak Out!” which was claimed to be rock music’s first double album. Bob Dylan had already released “Blonde on Blonde” which was a double album.

Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker formed Cream and played at the Twisted Wheel Club.

Bobby Fuller was found dead in his car near his home in Los Angeles.

Bob Dylan was involved in a motorcycle accident.

 

August the Beatles released “Revolver”.

John Lennon organized a press conference and apologized for his remarks about Jesus.  In North America thousands of people burnt Beatles merchandise and records.

The Kinks played the Summer Spectacular at the Town Hall, Castle Circus,  Torquay. Support acts included The Reaction, The Travellers, The Last Tik Band and The Package Deal.

The Troggs released their “From Nowhere” album.

The Beatles began their 1966 Canadian/U.S. Tour on the 12th of August at the International Amphitheatre Chicago. They finished their tour on the 29th of August  at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, this was their final performance.

In September the first episode of the Monkees was broadcast on NBC television.

After a car crash Peter Quaife the bass guitar player for the Kinks, left the band to recover from his injuries.  

Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” hit the No 1 spot in America.

Chas Chandler the ex Animals Bass Guitarist persuaded Jimi Hendrix to travel to England.   In December they released their first single “Hey Joe”.

Manfred Mann released their “Mann Made Hits” album.

The Rolling Stones Ike and Tina Turner and the Yardbirds appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

 

October 7th Johnny Kidd (of Johnny Kidd & the Pirates) died in a car accident.

The New Orleans rhythm and blues musician singer songwriter Smiley Lewis (Overton Amos Lemons) died of cancer.

The Kinks released their “Face to Face” album in the U.K.

The Hollies released their “For Certain Because” album.

The BBC restricted airplay and Australia banned the Troggs record “I Can’t Control Myself”.

Pink Floyd, The Move, Tomorrow with Keith West, Denny Laine, Arthur Brown and the Soft Machine all appeared at The U.F.O. Festival at London's Roundhouse.

The Yardbirds started their first U.S. Tour.

October 26th The British pop singer Alma Cogan died of cancer she recorded singles every year from 1952 to 1966 she also recorded a number of albums.

 

November   The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their London debut gig at the Bag O’ Nails.

The Hollies appeared at the Odeon, Manchester also on the bill were the Small Faces, Paul Jones, Paul & Barry Ryan, Peter Jay & the New Jaywalkers, Robb Storme & the Whispers and the Nashville Teens.

 

December  The final Ready Steady Go television show was aired featuring the Who and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch. The show started in August 1963.

Ray Charles was convicted of drug offences, he received a fine and a suspended prison sentence.

 

 

The Crystals broke up.

Them disbanded.

The Animals split up.

Georgie Fame and his backing group the Blue Flames split.

Lulu and her backing group the luvvers disbanded.

The Merseybeats disbanded and The Merseys were formed.

 

Formed 1966

 

The Buckinghams were formed in Chicago, Illinois.

In Texas Mother Earth were formed.

R&B Group Amen Corner were formed in Cardiff Wales.

Buffalo Springfield.

Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce got together and formed Cream.

The Move formed.

Ten Years After (new Name).

The Jackson Five

5th Dimension.

Davy  Jones changed his name to David Bowie.

Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Iron Butterfly.

Brenda & the Tabulations.

Bluesology.

The Deviants.

Formed in Chicago Gary and the Night Lights changed their name later to The

American Breed.

Steve Miller Blues Band formed in San Francisco later dropped the “Blues”.

Vanilla Fudge.

Tee Set formed in Delft, The Netherlands.

The Stray.

Formed in Texas Archie Bell & the Drells.

The Grass Roots formed Los Angeles.

Moby Grape.

Santana Blues Band later changed to Santana.

Soft Machine.

Skip Bifferty.

The Rhondells sign for Brian Epstein’s NEMS and change their name to Cyrkle.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Eric Burden and the Animals.

 

 

 

                                                                             

 

 

 

      1960s Music Charts 1966

 

The Summer of Love   Psychedelia, flower children, ban the bomb marches, sex, drugs and massive rock concerts,   The Beatles released arguably the best album of the sixties Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Rolling Stones released Their Satanic Majesties Request. Scott McKenzie  had a  hit with the hippie anthem "If you're going to San Francisco / Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair…"

 

JANUARY 1st The Grateful Dead and the Diggers' band, Orkustra, Big Brother and the holding Co. performed at the New Year's Wail/Whale in Panhandle Park. The Hell's Angels thank you party celebrating the bailing out of Chocolate George by the Haight Ashbury community.

The Human Be-In a gathering of the tribes free concert at the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Included Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Sir Douglas Quintet and The Steve Miller Band among the Artists.

Roy Orbison took his Big Show Tour to Australia and New Zealand included on the show were The Walker Brothers and The Yardbirds.

At the Monterey International Pop Festival in California  acts included The Who, The Mamas & the Papas, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Canned Heat,  Buffalo, Springfield, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Ravi Shankar, Otis Redding,  Booker T. & the MG's,  Jefferson Airplane, The Association, The Electric Flag, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Blues Project, and Country Joe & The Fish

The Doors released their self titled debut album.

The Rolling Stones appeared on television’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium but refused to join the finale.

The Doors, Sopwith Camel and the Young Rascals all played the Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, California.

In San Francisco at the Cow Palace, the Monkees performed live for the first time in front of a sell out crowd.

The Monkees television show was aired for the first time in Britain.

 

February 3rd Joe Meek the British record producer commited suicide after murdering his landlady.

Canadian conductor Percy Faith died he won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1961 with “Theme From A Summer Place”.

Otis Redding appeared at The Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tennessee also featured The Marvelettes, Aaron Neville, James and Bobby Purify and The Drifters.

Keith Richard’s house was raided by the police looking for drugs.

Pink Floyd released their first single “Arnold Layne”.

The Bee Gees signed with Robert Stigwood.

“Surrealistic Pillow” album was released by Jefferson Airplane.

The Byrds released “Younger Than Yesterday” album.

 

March  John Lennon & Paul McCartney were awarded the Ivor Novello award for the song they wrote “Michelle”.

The Small Faces, Jeff Beck, Roy Orbison and Paul and Barry Ryan began their tour at The ABC in Romford Essex .

The Stax Revue Tour arrived in the U.K. Artists included Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Arthur Conley, The Mar-Keys, Eddie Floyd and Booker T & M.G.s. They appeared  in London at the Finsbury Park Astoria and on the 23rd of March they appeared at the Palace Manchester.

Simon and Garfunkel  appeared at the Royal Albert, Hall, London.

Fats Domino played for the first time in the U.K. at London's Saville Theatre he was supported by The Bee Gees and Gerry And The Pacemakers.

American singer Nelson Eddy died.

At the London Astoria  Jimi Hendrix (on tour with Cat Stevens, The Walker Brothers & Engelbert Humperdinck) set fire to his guitar for the first time. He suffered minor burns.

 

April   Steve Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group and formed Traffic with Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason.

Sandie Shaw  won the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Kingdom with “Puppet on a String”.

The Rolling Stones played a concert for the first time behind the "Iron Curtain" with a performance in Warsaw.

Johnny Cash, the Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins appeared at the McElroy Auditorium, Iowa.

Cream, The Troggs, The Move and The Kinks were some of the artists who apeared at The Daily Express Record Star Show at Wembley Empire Pool.

Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & M.Gs, Arthur Conley, The Mar-Keys and Eddie Floyd appeared at the Odeon, Hammersmith, London.

Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens and Kiki Dee appeared on the first Dee Time BBC television show.

 

On Sunday May 7th the Beach Boys won the popular group category at the  NME Poll-Winners Concert staged at the Empire Pool, London. Other artists on the bill included Cream, Spencer Davis Group, Georgie Fame, Paul Jones, The Move, Alan Price, Cliff Richard, Small Faces, Dusty Springfield, Cat Stevens, The Troggs and The Tremeloes.

Procol Harum released their single “Whiter Shade of Pale”.

The Byrds, The Doors and Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip.

Barbeque ‘67 at Spalding Lincolnshire among the line up that day were The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Zoot Money and his Big Roll Band, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, Pink Floyd and The Move.

The BBC banned “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles.

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers appeared at the Floral Hall in Southport.

Jimi Hendrix Experience release their first album “Are you Experienced”.

 

June 1st Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released by the Beatles.

The same day David Bowie released his self titled first album on Deram Records.

The Hollies album “Evolution” was released.

Starting on the16th of June, a three day outdoor music festival was held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in California. Some of the artists who appeared were the Who, Jefferson Airplane, Simon and Garfunkel, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Byrds, Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin and The Mamas & Papas.

June 25th An estimated 400 million watched the Beatles on the “Our World” television special. They performed “All You Need Is Love”.

On the same day the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed a Free Concert at The Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

Country Joe and the Fish, The Sons of Champlin, Sparrow, The Grass Roots, The Grateful Dead, and The Young Rascals played Oakland Auditorium, Oakland, California.

June 28th Dianna Ross and the Supremes performed for the first time with their new name.

June 29th  Rolling Stone’s Keith Richards was sentenced to a twelve month jail sentence and Mick Jagger to three months for drug offences. In August on appeal the sentences were quashed.

 

In July Herman’s Hermits and The Who began their U.S. tour.

John Coltrane the American Jazz Saxophonist died from cancer.

The album Bee Gee’s 1st was released.

Some of the artists featured at the Newport Folk Festival were Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Judy Collins, Janis Ian, and Tom Paxton.

Fantasy Farye & the Magic Music Festival, Devonshire Meadows Raceway, Cal State - Northridge, CA featured Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe & The Fish, Iron Butterfly, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Canned Heat and the Grassroots.

 

August    Donovan, Feetwood Mac, Cream, The Small Faces, and Chicken Shack appeared  at the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Windsor, England.

The Festival of the Flower Children held at Woburn Abbey.  Some of the artists who appeared were The Alan Price Set, The Small Faces, Eric Burdon and the New Animals, Marmalade and the Jeff Beck Group.

Canned Heat released their self named album.

27th August Brian Epstein died of an overdose of the sleep inducing drug Carbatrol. The Beatles were in Wales with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

August 28th The Hastings Festival of Music some of the artists who appeared  that day were The Kinks, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch and Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band.

 

In September the Kinks released their album “Something Else by the Kinks”.

Captain Beefheart and  his magic band released their groundbreaking “Safe As Milk” album.

Mickey Hart joined the Grateful Dead as their new drummer.

September 30th The BBC launched Radio 1 with Tony Blackburn presenting the show. The first record played was the Move “Flowers in the Rain”.

 

October Pink Floyd went to America to start their first U.S. Tour.

Pink Floyd and The Youngbloods appeared at the Whisky A Go Go.

Woody Guthrie folk singer songwriter died.

Traffic,The Young Rascals, Vanilla Fudge, Art and Tomorrow with Keith West began their 10 date tour starting at London's Finsbury Park.

Cream released a single “Wrapping Paper”.

The students union at Brunel University organised a “Midnite Rave” at the Lyceum Ballroom, The Strand, London. Some of the artists featured included The Who, Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, Alan Bown, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Jethro Tull.

The Hollies released their excellent album “Butterfly”.

The Who, The Marmalade, The Herd, The Tremeloes and Traffic played a concert at the City Hall, Newcastle.

 

November the American magazine “Rolling Stone” was first published.

The Moody Blues released their groundbreaking album "Days of Future Passed"

 

December 10th   American soul singer Otis Redding died when his chartered plane crashed into Lake Monona in Wisconsin. Four members of his backing group the Bar-Kays also died.

December the Beatles opened a clothing store in Baker Street, London.

Apple Music signed it’s first group Grapefruit.

Jimi Hendrix “Axis Bold as Love” was released.

Cream released their album Fresh Cream.

The Steve Miller Blues Band signed with Capitol Records.

The Doors appeared at The New Haven Arena in Connecticut where Jim Morrison was arrested for obscenity.

December 26th The BBC broadcasted the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour television special.

 

 

The Deviants released Ptooff.

 

Brian Poole seperated from the Tremeloes.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet disbanded.

The Zombies split.

The MoJos disbanded.

Billy J. Kramer split from the Dakotas.

Gerry and the Pacemakers disbanded.

Blues Inc broke up.

 

Formed in 1967

 

Genesis formed.

Fairport Convention         

Creedence Clearwater Revival changed their name.           

The Big Thing changed to Chicago Transit Authority and later to Chicago .

The Meters formed in New Orleans.

Flower Pot Men.

Stevie Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood formed Traffic.

Psychedelic Stooges later the Stooges.

Formed in San Francisco The Electric Flag.

The Farinas change their name to Family.

The Soul Survivors change their name to the Love Affair.

Formed in Holland Shocking Blue.

Grapefruit.

Polka Tulk Blues Company later changed to Earth then changed to Black Sabbath.

Formed in Greece Aphrodite's Child.

Tyrannosaurus Rex later just T Rex.

The Nazz  formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The J. Geils Band.

Blue Cheer.

The Hawks changed to The Band.

Formed in London Foundations.

Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornick formed the rock group Jethro Tull.

Honeybus

Spirit formed in Los Angeles.

The New Rhythm & Blues Quartet known as NRBQ.

The Nice.

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio the James Gang.

The Strawberry Alarm Clock.

Spankey and our Gang formed in Chicago.

Kaleidoscope.

Jeff Beck Group formed.

Three Dog Night.

Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen.

Fleetwood Mac.

Barclay James Harvest.

Formed in Wales Blonde on Blonde.

Tomorrow.

Formerly The Ingoes changed to Blossom Toes.

The Strawberry Hill Boys later the Strawbs.

Love Sculpture.

Formed in Germany Tangerine Dream.

Pentangle.

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition.

Steppenwolf..

Formed in New York Ars Nova.

Plastic Penny.

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.

Blood, Sweat and Tears.

Spooky Tooth.

Sly and the Family Stone.

Formed in New York the Soft White Underbelly then the Blue Oyster Cult.

 

 

                                                                             

 

 

 1960s Music Charts 1967

 

 

 

                                                                                    

 

January the Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour” album was number one for eight weeks in the U.S. it was released in the U.K. as a double E.P. set.  

January 4th in Sweden, Stockholm police put Jimi Hendrix in jail for trashing a hotel room.

Otis Redding’s record “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” was released.

13th January Johnny Cash performed his concert at Folsom prison, California.

Richard Harris released his album “A tramp shining” with all the songs written by Jimmy Webb. MacArthur Park which was taken off the album was a massive hit both sides of the Atlantic.

Bob Dylan appeared at the Carnegie Hall tribute concert for Woody Guthrie. Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Richie Havens, Ramblin' Jack Elliot and the Band also appeared.

MIDEM Festival Cannes, France included Procol Harum, Spooky Tooth, David McWilliams, the Moody Blues, Long John Baldry and the Brian Auger Trinity.

The Bee Gees made their American concert debut in California at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Who, Small Faces and Paul Jones began their Australian and New Zealand Tour.

 

February David Gilmour replaced Syd Barrett in Pink Floyd.

Rock group Genesis released their first single “Silent Sun”.

Blood Sweat and Tears released their “Child is Father to the Man” album.

McGraw-Hill. Inc out bid other publishers for the U.S. rights to the authorized biography of the Beatles, The book was written by Hunter Davies.

Twenty five year old Frankie Lymon (& the Teenagers)  was found dead due to a heroin overdose.

Little Walter (Marion Walter Jacobs) the blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player was involved in a fight and died of  a coronary thrombosis the next day.

 

In March the Beatles released “Lady Madonna” in the U.K. “Inner Light” was the

B side.

Simon and Garfunkel released their “Bookends” album.

At the end of its second season the Monkees final television episode was broadcast in the U.S.

The Bee Gees began their U.K. tour at London's Royal Albert Hall. Also on the tour were The Foundations and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

 

April  Apple Corps, Ltd. Opened offices to operate in London.

Cliff Richard came second for the U. K. In the Eurovision song contest with the song “Congratulations”, it went to number one in the U.K. charts.

Amen Corner,  Status Quo, Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, Don Partridge and Gene Pitney, began their tour at The Odeon Theatre, Lewisham, London.

The Kinks, The Herd, Gary Walker & the Rain and the Tremeloes appeared on a show  at the Liverpool Empire.

 

May  Wembley, London: NME Winner's Concert at the Empire Pool featured The Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard, The Tremeloes, Amen Corner, The Shadows,  The Love Affair,  Dusty Springfield, The Association, The Herd, The Show Stoppers, Status Quo, Don Partridge, The Paper Dolls, The Breakaways, Lulu,  Dave, Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich and Tony Blackburn.

R&B artist Little Willie John died in prison in Washington. In 1966 he stabbed a railroad worker and was found guilty of manslaughter.

Buffalo Springfield performed in Long Beach, California before they split.

 

June    Colour Me Pop a BBC 2 television show began with the first guests Manfred Mann.

The “Mojo festival" at the Queen’s Hall, Leeds featured The Small Faces, Bill Haley & the Comets, The Herd, Alan Bown, The Amboy Dukes Big Band and Edwin Starr.

Midsummer Nights Dream (Golden Orange Festival), held at Burton Constable Hall, Near Hull some of the bands who appeared were Geno Washington, Fairport Convention, Spooky Tooth, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, Savoy Brown Blues Band , Marmalade, Family and The Move.

The Soul Together concert at the Madison Square Garden, N.Y.  Some of the artists who appeared were Aretha Franklin , Sam and Dave, The Rascals, King Curtis & the Kingpins, Sonny & Cher and Joe Tex.

Small Faces released “Ogdens Nut Gone Flake” album.

Pink Floyd released their “A Saucer Full of Secrets” album in the U.K.

 

July  John Lennon held his first art exhibition, entitled You Are Here —To Yoko from John, with Love.

The Doors, Steppenwolf and The Chambers Brothers appeared at the Hollywood Bowl.

Yellow Submarine the Beatles animated film premiered in London.

The Jackson 5 signed with Motown.

David Ruffin the Temptations singer left the group.

CBS/Columbia released the Odessey & Oracle album even though the Zombies had split.

Among the artists who appeared at the Newport Folk Festival, Newport Rhode Island were Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Co, Junior Wells and Harry Belafonte.

The Beatles closed their Apple Boutique and gave everything away for free.

Traffic, Juniors Eyes, The Nice, The Action and The Pretty Things appeared at the Hyde Park Free Concert, London.

 

In August more than 100,000 people paid to enter the Newport Pop Festival held at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, California. Some of the acts who appeared over the two days were Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Country Joe and the Fish, Tiny Tim, Sonny & Cher, Alice Cooper and the Byrds.

The Bee Gee’s released their album “Idea” on Polydor.

Luther Perkins country music guitar player died he was a member of the Tennessee Three who sometimes played with Johnny Cash.

American singer Joe Hinton died of cancer.

At the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California Tommy James & The Shondells,  The  Rascals and Eric Burdon & The Animals appeared.

August 31st The Isle of Wight Festival included The Pretty Things, Jefferson Airplane, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Fairport Convention, The Plastic Penny and The Move.

 

September  Oakland Pop Festival, Baldwin Pavilion, Rochester, MI some of the artists who appeared were Procol Harum, MC5, The Jagged Edge, The Psychedelic Stooges and The Rationals.

Bluesology Festival, Chateau Impney grounds, Near Droitwich some of the artists who appeared were Family,  Fleetwood Mac, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Move.  

A free concert at Hyde Park included The Move, The Action and the Strawbs.

The Doors appeared at Camden Town's Roundhouse.

CBS television aired the animated show The Archies.

“Hey Jude” the first record released on the Beatles own Label Apple reached  number one in September.

 

October 4th Scott Walker began his U.K. Tour at the Finsbury Park, Astoria with the Paper Dolls, Tommy James & the Shondells and The Love Affair.

Brian Jones was fined £50 with 100 guineas costs after being found guilty of possessing cannabis resin.

Motown go into dispute with Holland-Dozier-Holland for their refusal to write more songs until their royalty rate is increased.

The Hollies reached No.1 in the UK album charts with their 'Greatest Hits.'

John Sebastian left the Lovin' Spoonful.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono were arrested and charged with possession of cannabis.

 

November 11th John & Yoko’s “Two Virgins” album was released in the U.K.

November 22nd  The double album “Beatles” or (White Album as it was known) was released. In December it went to number one.

The Who, The Small Faces, Joe Cocker & the Greaseband, The Mindbenders and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown played at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Cream played their farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall also on the bill were Yes and Rory Gallagher.

Graham Nash left the Hollies to help form the supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash.

 

December  The three day Miami Pop Festival at the Gulfstream Race Track some of the artists who appeared were Iron Butterfly, Joni Mitchell, Canned Heat, Jose Feliciano, The Grateful Dead, Chuck Berry, Fleetwood Mac, Joe Tex  and Country Joe and the Fish.

the Rolling Stones released “Beggars Banquet”

Janis Joplin played her last concert with Big Brother and the Holding Company before going solo.

Chas Chandler quit as Jimi Hendrix’s manager during the recording of “Electric Ladyland”.

 

The Lovin’ Spoonful split

The Yardbirds  broke up.

Peter & Gordon split.

The Migil 5 disbanded.

Cliff Bennett & the Rebelrousers split.

The Walker Brothers broke up.

Cream disbanded.

Buffalo Springfield split

 

Formed in 1968

 

Yes.

Led Zeppelin formed in London.

Caravan.

Blodwyn Pig.

The Jays formed in Tuskagee, Alabama changed to the Commodores.

Free formed in London .

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.

The Flying Burrito Bros.

Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show.

Can formed in Cologne, West Germany.

The World of Oz.

REO Speedwagon.

The Brooklyn Bridge.

Studio cartoon group The Archies.

Formed in Los Angeles Poco.

Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Mandrill.

Earlier called the Earwigs the Spiders, Nazz  and finally changed to Alice Cooper.

1910 Fruitgum Company and Ohio Express were both studio bubblegum groups.

Rush formed in Toronto Canada.

King Crimson.

From Chicago, Illinois The Emotions.

Badfinger.

The Climax Blues Band.

Smile later Queen is formed.

The Iveys changed to Badfinger.

The Stylistics.

Wainwright’s Gentlemen later the Sweet.

Janis Joplin & her Kozmic Blues Band.

Colosseum.

Deep Purple.

Formed in Scotland Nazareth.

 

Leo Fender the guitar manufacturer sold his business to CBS.

Max Romeo recorded “Wet Dreams” which even though it was banned by the BBC it became a top ten hit in 1969.

 

                                                                                      

 

 

 

1960s Music Charts 1968

 

 

 

January the Led Zeppelin self named first album was released. They started their first U.S. tour at the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles.

The first album from the Move released “Move”.

Creedence Clearwater Revival released “Bayou Country”.

Jethro Tull played their first U.S concert with Led Zeppelin in New York City.

Drummer Pete Best won his defamation lawsuit against the Beatles.

Elton John released his second single “Lady Samantha”

January 30th the Beatles before they were stopped by the police were filmed performing on the roof of Apple Records. The scenes were later shown on the

“Let it Be” movie.

Charlie Watts book was published “Ode to a High Flying Bird”.

Billy Preston signed with Apple Records.

 

February  Beatles John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr hired Allen Klein as the group's new manager. Paul McCartney hired his father-in-law's firm, Eastman & Eastman, as general legal counsel for Apple Corps.

Apple released Mary Hopkin’s “Postcard” album.

Beach Boys released their 20/20 album.

Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last gig at the Royal Albert Hall.

Joni Mitchell appeared at the Carnegie Hall.

The Hollies, The Moody Blues, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity and Fairport Convention appeared at Sheffield University.

Lulu and Bee Gee Maurice Gibb were married.

 

March   Cream released their “Goodbye” album.

Paul McCartney married Linda Eastman at Marylebone Registry office.

John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar.

Wembley Empire Pool staged “Pop World 69” which included appearances from Fleetwood Mac, The Move, Amen Corner, Harmony Grass and Barry Ryan,

In the Eurovision song contest four countries were voted to first place with 18 points, Spain, Netherlands, France and Britain. Lulu sang “Boom Bang A Bang” for the U.K.

Stevie Wonder, The Flirtations and the Foundations appeared at the Coventry Theatre in the U.K.

Genesis released their first album “From Genesis to Revelation”.

 

April     Some of the artists who appeared at the Detroit Pop Festival were The Amboy Dukes, The MC5, The Bob Seger System,The Frost, Frijid Pink and The Rationals.

The Beach Boys filed a lawsuit against Capitol Records for unpaid royalties.

King Crimson played at the London Speakeasy.

International Festival Of  Country And Western Music at the Empire  Pool

Wembley, included Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, George Hamliton IV, Loretta Lynn and The Orange Blossom Sound.

Janis Joplin and her Kozmic Blues Band appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Benny Benjamin (Papa Zita)  the main drummer of the Motown studio band  the Funk Brothers died from a stroke.

The Daily Express Record Star Show  at the Wembley Empire Pool featured Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, The Herd, Status Quo, Joe Cocker and the Casuals,

Bob Dylan released his album “Nashville Skyline”.

Beatles went to number one in the U.K. with “Get Back”.

 

May  Bob Dylan guest starred on ABC-TV's The Johnny Cash Show.

Sly and the Family Stone released their ground breaking album “Stand”.

The Who released their rock opera d ouble album “Tommy”.

Love Sculpture, The Move, Love Affair, Marmalade, Steppenwolf, Amen Corner, Desmond Dekker, The Scaffold and Johnny Nash appeared at The NME Poll Winners at the Empire Pool, Wembley.

Fleetwood Mac, the Herd and The Spirit of John Morgan appeared at the Pennycross Stadium, Plymouth.

May 23 - 25  The Big Rock Pow Wow held at the Seminole Indian Village, West Hollywood, Florida. Some of the artists who featured were The Grateful Dead, Joe South, NRBQ and Muddy Waters.

Jimi Hendrix was arrested by Canadian Mounties at Toronto's International Airport for possession of narcotics.

Fairport Conventions van crashed on the way home from a gig. The drummer Martin Lamble was killed.

First Annual Rock & Roll Revival at the Michigan State Fair, Detroit some of the acts who appeared were Chuck Berry, The Amboy Dukes, Brownsville Station, MC5, The Stooges, the Grand Funk Railroad and The Rationals.

 

June    Brian Jones announced he was leaving the Rolling Stones.

Elton John released his first album “Empty Sky” all the tracks were written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin.

Cambridge Midsummer Common Free Pop Festival some of the artists that appeared were The Edgar Broughton Band, King Crimson, The Deviants, East of Eden, Family and the Strawbs.

Blind Faith debuted in Hyde Park, London with Richie Havens, Edgar Broughton Band, The Third Ear Band and Donovan.

Led Zeppelin began their first U.K. tour.

Over the three days of June 20th - 22nd the “Newport 69 pop Festival” was held at Devonshire Downs, Northridge, California. Some of the artists who appeared were The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jethro Tull, Booker T & the MG’s, Chambers Brothers, the Byrds, the Rascals and Three Dog Night.

The Beatles the “Ballad of John & Yoko” reached number one in the U.K.

Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall, the N ice, Led Zeppelin and Ten Years After appeared at the Bath Festival of the Blues.

Pink Floyd appeared at the Royal Albert Hall and fired off two cannons and pink smoke bombs near the end of their performance.

Some of the artists who appeared at The Denver Pop Festival were Iron Buttefly, Three Dog Night, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Jimi Hendrix Experience who had their final performance together.

Blues singer Wynonie Harris died of cancer.

Motown singer songwiter Shorty Long died in a boating accident.

 

July 3rd  Brian Jones ex Rolling Stones was found dead in his swimming pool at his home.

July 5th The Rolling Stones performed in a free concert at Hyde Park dedicating the show to their deceased former guitarist and introducing their new member Mick Taylor.  Family the Third Ear Band and King Crimson also performed.

At Saugatuck, MI, Pottawatamie Beach,    Some of the artists featured were the MC-5, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Stooges, Procol Harum and the Crazy World of  Arthur Brown.

The Doors released “The Soft Parade” album.

The Who, Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker, Procol Harum, Ten Years After and Jethro Tull  began a concert  tour in America.

Pink Floyd released their album “More”.

Some of the artists who appeared at the Midwest Rock Festival, Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, West Allis, Winsconsin were Delaney and Bonnie, Taste, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, MC-5 and Blind Faith.

The Rolling Stones single “Honky Tonk Women” went to number one in the U.K. and the following month it went top in the U.S.

At The Atlanta International Pop Festival some of the artists who appeared were Canned Heat, Blood Sweat & Tears, Janis Joplin, Led Zepplin, Chicago, Delaney & Bonnie, The Staple Singers and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Roy Hamilton the American singer died.

 

August  3rd  Atlantic City Pop Festival included Santana, Jefferson Airplane, B.B. King,  Janis Joplin, the Moody Blues,  Mothers of Invention, Canned Heat, Three Dog Night and Joe Cocker.

8th – 10th The Ninth Jazz & Blues Festival opened at Plumpton, East Sussex. Some of the artists who appeared were Pink Floyd, the Strawbs, the Who, Chicken Shack, Yes!, King Crimson, Family, and Long John Baldry.  

August 15th – 17th  At Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York, the “Woodstock Music & Arts Festival”  was held. Some of the artists who appeared at this sixties music festival  were Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Country Joe and the Fish, John Sebastian, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, the Band, Grateful Dead and Ten Years After.

Vancouver Pop Festival, Squamish, B.C. With the Chambers Brothers, Chicago, Little Richard, Love, Motherlode, Alice Cooper, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Grateful Dead, Crome Syrcus, Poco, Merryweather, the Young Rascals, Canned Heat, Guess Who, Merrilee Rush, Taj Mahal, Grass Roots, and Flying Burrito Brothers.

August in the U.K. Blind Faith released their self named first and only album on Polydor.

Bob Dylan appeared at the Isle Of Wight Festival which was held on the 30th & 31st of August.  Others who performed included The Who, The Nice, Joe Cocker, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Moody Blues, Edgar Broughton Band, Family, Fat Mattress, Free, the Pretty Things and Pentangle.

30th August - 1st September 1969 Texas International Pop Festival Lewisville, Texas Acts included: Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin,  Johnny Winter, Sam & Dave,  Rotary Connection, Grand Funk Railroad, Delaney & Bonnie, The Incredible String Band, Nazz, Santana, Spirit, Sweetwater, Tony Joe White, Chicago  

 

September 13th in Toronto, Canada John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band performed at a Rock n’ Roll revival concert. Other artists who appeared were Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Josh White  blues and folk singer died.

September 13th – 15th The Rugby Rag’s Blues Festival held at Rainsbrook, Rugby, Warwickshire. Performers included Pink Floyd, Free, Ralph McTell, King Crimson and the Nice.

The Beatles released their “Abbey Road” album in the U.K.

The Turtles, Alice Cooper, the MC5, The Amboy Dukes, The Frost, The Pleasure Seekers, The Rationals, Savage Grace and Rush appeared at the Toledo Pop Festival, Toledo Raceway Park, Ohio.

 

October  the Kinks released their album “Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire”.

October 14th “Someday We’ll Be Together” by Diana Ross & the Supremes was released. This was their last record before Diana Ross embarked on her solo career. The record reached the top spot and was the final number one of the decade in the U.S. charts.

King Crimson released their album “In the Court of the Crimson King”.

Led Zeppelin began their third U.S. tour at the Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Leonard Chess  the founder of  Chess records died of a heart attack.

Muddy Waters (real name McKinley Morganfield) was in a serious car accident in Illinois.

 

November    First Annual Palm Beach Music and Art Festival at the International Raceway featured The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, The Chambers Brothers, Sly and The Family Stone, King Crimson, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, Steppenwolf, Spirit, Pacific Gas and Electric, Sweetwater, Country Joe and The Fish, the Moody Blues, Rotary Connection, Grand Funk Railroad,  Ten Years After, Spooky Tooth and Iron Butterfly.

John Lennon returned his MBE to the queen he wrote “I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down the charts”.

Led Zeppelin 2 was there second album released.

Crosby - Stills - Nash - Young appeared at the Winterland San Francisco.

Pink Floyd released their double album “Ummagumma”.

The Hollies released their “Hollies sing Hollies” album.

 

December 6th The Altamont Speedway Free Festival, Meredith Hunter was beaten to death by Hells Angels who were In charge of the concerts security. Among the artists who appeared were the Rolling Stones, Santana, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Crosby,Nash, Stills & Young and Jefferson Airplane.

Johnny Cash, the Statler Brothers Quartet, the Carter family and Carl Perkins appeared at Madison Square Garden, N.Y.

John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band played at London’s Lyceum Ballroom.

 

The Troggs disbanded.

Spencer Davis Group split.

The Easybeats folded.

Blind Faith Disbanded.

The Small Faces split.

The Herd disbanded.

 

Formed 1969

 

Eric Burden and War were formed.

Group X changed to Hawkwind Zoo then  just  Hawkwind.

The Plastic Ono Band.

Mott the Hoople.

The Almond Brothers Band.

Formed in Birmingham, England Judas Priest.

Rare Earth formed in Detroit.

Uriah Heep.

Formed in New York Shanana.

Brotherhood of Man.

Knowbody Else changed to Black Oak Arkansas.

Mungo Jerry.

Formed in Glasgow Stone the Crows.

Bread formed in Los Angeles.

Steeleye Span.

Ambrose Slade later dropped the Ambrose.

Atomic Rooster.

Daryl Hall & John Oates began their partnership.

Big Bertha.

Edgar Broughton Band.

Renaissence.

Wishbone Ash.

Earth, Wind And Fire.

Supertramp.

Blue Mink.

Little Feat formed in Los Angeles.

America.

Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Humble Pie.

The Chairmen of the Board.

Fat Mattress.

New Riders of the Purple Sage.

The Faces.

Brownsville Station.

Blind Faith.

Argent.

 

 

60s Music Charts  1969

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1960’s music had grown and expanded into exciting and vibrant genders.

The majority of sixties songs were being composed and performed by the artists themselves.

Music of the Sixties is prominent today being played on television, radio and being used for the backing music on sales advertisements.  

When the Sixties ended making way for the next decade the Beatles split, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix  passed away and a new generation of pop stars were waiting to emerge.

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