Sam Cooke is shot and killed in Los Angeles
Soul singer Sam Cooke, aged 33, was fatally shot at the Hacienda Motel in South Central Los Angeles on December 11, 1964, by the motel's manager, Bertha Franklin, per Wikipedia.
A coroner's jury ruled the death justifiable homicide, though some family members and supporters dispute the official account, and the clip below is A Change Is Gonna Come, the song that became his civil rights anthem.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Magic Christian, with Ringo Starr, premieres in London
The film The Magic Christian, Ringo Starr's second movie, had its world premiere at the Odeon Theatre in Kensington, London, on December 11, 1969, with Princess Margaret attending, per the Beatles Bible and Wikipedia.
Ringo co-starred with Peter Sellers, and the clip below is Badfinger's Come and Get It, the song Paul McCartney wrote and produced for the film.
George Harrison joins Delaney & Bonnie in Copenhagen again
George Harrison played the Falkoner Theatre in Copenhagen with Delaney & Bonnie on December 11, 1969, per the Beatles Bible.
It was the second of three consecutive nights he joined the husband-and-wife act, and the clip below is their song Only You Know and I Know.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Rolling Stones begin filming Rock and Roll Circus
Filming of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus began at Intertel Studio in Wembley, London, on December 11, 1968, with performances starting around 2 pm, per Wikipedia.
Setup delays pushed the last performances to almost 5 am, it was Brian Jones's final appearance with the Stones, and the clip below is the Who's A Quick One (While He's Away) from the show.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Byrds hold No. 1 with Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Byrds' Turn! Turn! Turn! was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 11, 1965, the second of its three weeks on top, per Wikipedia.
The Dave Clark Five's Over and Over took over on the chart dated December 25, and the clip below is the Byrds' folk rock single, a hit for the folk rock sound.
The Beatles play the Astoria in Finsbury Park
The Beatles played the Astoria Cinema in Finsbury Park, London, on December 11, 1965, one of their final two London concerts, per the Beatles Bible.
The set was eleven songs, and George Harrison called it one of the most incredible shows they had done, and the clip below is We Can Work It Out, which was in the set.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Sam Cooke is shot and killed in Los Angeles
Soul singer Sam Cooke, aged 33, was fatally shot at the Hacienda Motel in South Central Los Angeles on December 11, 1964, by the motel's manager, Bertha Franklin, per Wikipedia.
A coroner's jury ruled the death justifiable homicide, though some family members and supporters dispute the official account, and the clip below is A Change Is Gonna Come, the song that became his civil rights anthem.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough
The Beatles played the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough, Yorkshire, on December 11, 1963, their first visit to the town, per the Beatles Bible.
They returned only once, on August 9, 1964, and the clip below is She Loves You, the hit they were touring behind.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play La Scala Ballroom in Runcorn
The Beatles played the La Scala Ballroom in Runcorn, Cheshire, on December 11, 1962, per the Beatles Bible.
It was the second of just two Beatles shows in the town, 14 miles south of Liverpool, and the clip below is P.S. I Love You, the B-side of their first single Love Me Do.
1961 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Please Mr. Postman gives Motown its first Hot 100 No. 1
The Marvelettes' Please Mr. Postman reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 11, 1961, for one week, replacing Jimmy Dean's Big Bad John, per Wikipedia and Wikipedia.
It was the first Motown single to top the chart, and it later became a Motown standard that the Beatles covered on With the Beatles, and the clip below is the original.
The Beatles play their 61st lunchtime show at the Cavern
The Beatles played a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on Monday, December 11, 1961, their 61st lunchtime set there and 94th Cavern appearance overall, per the Beatles Bible.
Lunchtime shows typically ran from noon to 2 pm, and the clip below is Some Other Guy, filmed at the Cavern in 1962.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sam Cooke die on December 11, 1964?
Sam Cooke, aged 33, was fatally shot at the Hacienda Motel in South Central Los Angeles by the motel's manager, Bertha Franklin. A coroner's jury ruled it justifiable homicide, though some family members and supporters dispute the official account.
What was Motown's first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1?
The Marvelettes' Please Mr. Postman reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 dated December 11, 1961, for one week. It replaced Jimmy Dean's Big Bad John.
When did the Rolling Stones film Rock and Roll Circus?
Filming began at Intertel Studio in Wembley on December 11, 1968, with performances starting around 2 pm. The last performances ran to almost 5 am on December 12.
What was No. 1 on December 11, 1965?
The Byrds' Turn! Turn! Turn! was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 11, 1965. It was the second of its three weeks at the top.
When did The Magic Christian premiere?
The film had its world premiere at the Odeon Theatre in Kensington, London, on December 11, 1969, with Princess Margaret attending. Ringo Starr co-starred with Peter Sellers.
Where did the Beatles play on December 11, 1965?
The Beatles played the Astoria Cinema in Finsbury Park, London, one of their final two London concerts. The set was eleven songs.