Decca's Mike Smith sees the Beatles at the Cavern
The Beatles played lunchtime and evening shows at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on December 13, 1961, and Decca's Mike Smith watched them, per the Beatles Bible.
Smith arranged an audition at Decca in London on January 1, 1962, Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Four Jays supported, and the clip below is Hello Little Girl from that audition.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Steam's Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye holds No. 1
Steam's Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 13, 1969, its second week at the top, per Wikipedia.
The Fontana single began its two-week run on December 6, 1969 by displacing the Beatles' Come Together, was written by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, and the clip below is the original.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Bloomfield and Kooper play the Fillmore East
Michael Bloomfield and Al Kooper played the Fillmore East in New York on December 13 and 14, 1968, per the Michael Bloomfield discography.
Bloomfield introduced guitarist Johnny Winter to the crowd, which led to Winter's Columbia contract, the shows were later issued as Fillmore East: The Lost Concert Tapes, and the clip below is Season of the Witch from them.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Hendrix records Foxy Lady at CBS Studios
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded Foxey Lady at CBS Studios in London on December 13, 1966, with Chas Chandler producing, per Wikipedia and the Jimi Hendrix encyclopedia.
The track was reworked at Olympic Studios in February 1967 for Are You Experienced, the UK spelling is Foxy Lady, and the clip below is the studio recording.
The Rolling Stones finish overdubs for Between the Buttons
The Rolling Stones held a final overdubbing session for Between the Buttons at Olympic Studios in London on December 13, 1966, per Wikipedia.
Andrew Loog Oldham then took the tapes to RCA Studios in Hollywood for mixing, the album came out in the UK on January 20, 1967, and the clip below is Ruby Tuesday, which was on the US edition.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Paul McCartney likely takes LSD for the first time
The Beatles Bible gives December 13, 1965 as the likely date of Paul McCartney's first LSD trip, the night after the Beatles' final UK tour date in Cardiff.
The date rests on Viv Prince's account to Steve Turner, since McCartney himself later said 1966, and the clip below is We Can Work It Out, the Beatles single of that winter.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Etta James releases Rocks the House
Argo Records released Etta James's first live album, Rocks the House, on December 13, 1963, per Wikipedia.
It was recorded on September 27 and 28, 1963 at the New Era Club in Nashville, Leonard Chess and James produced it, and the clip below is Something's Got a Hold on Me, its opening track.
The Beatles end their autumn tour at the Gaumont in Southampton
The Beatles played the Gaumont Cinema in Southampton on December 13, 1963, the last of 34 dates on their autumn tour, per the Beatles Bible.
They played the same ten songs at every show of the tour, closing with Twist and Shout, and the clip below is She Loves You.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play the Corn Exchange in Bedford
The Beatles played the Corn Exchange in Bedford on December 13, 1962, a late booking as headliners after Joe Brown could not perform, per the Beatles Bible.
Entry cost three shillings, it was their only show at the venue, and the clip below is Ask Me Why, the B-side of their second single Please Please Me.
1961 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Decca's Mike Smith sees the Beatles at the Cavern
The Beatles played lunchtime and evening shows at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on December 13, 1961, and Decca's Mike Smith watched them, per the Beatles Bible.
Smith arranged an audition at Decca in London on January 1, 1962, Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Four Jays supported, and the clip below is Hello Little Girl from that audition.
Cliff Richard's The Young Ones premieres in London
The film The Young Ones, starring Cliff Richard and directed by Sidney J. Furie, had its premiere at the Warner Theatre in London's West End on December 13, 1961, per Wikipedia.
The Shadows appeared in the film, UK general release followed on January 12, 1962, and the clip below is Richard singing the title song at his 2015 Royal Albert Hall concert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on December 13, 1961 in music?
Decca's Mike Smith watched the Beatles at the Cavern Club and arranged an audition for January 1, 1962. Cliff Richard's film The Young Ones also premiered at the Warner Theatre in London.
What was No. 1 on December 13, 1969?
Steam's Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 13, 1969, its second week at the top.
When did Hendrix record Foxy Lady?
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded it at CBS Studios in London on December 13, 1966, with Chas Chandler producing. It was reworked at Olympic Studios in February 1967.
Did Paul McCartney take LSD on December 13, 1965?
The Beatles Bible gives that as the likely date, based on Viv Prince's account. McCartney himself later said he first tried it in 1966.
Where did the Beatles end their 1963 autumn tour?
They played the Gaumont Cinema in Southampton on December 13, 1963, the last of 34 dates.
Which album did Etta James release on December 13, 1963?
Argo Records released Rocks the House, her first live album, recorded at the New Era Club in Nashville in September 1963.