The Rolling Stones headline the Altamont Free Concert
The Rolling Stones headlined the free Altamont concert at Altamont Speedway near Tracy, California, on December 6, 1969, before about 300,000 people, with Santana, Jefferson Airplane, the Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on the bill, per History.com and Rolling Stones Data.
Eighteen-year-old Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death by a Hells Angels security guard during the Stones' set, per Wikipedia, and the clip below is Under My Thumb, the song the band was playing when he was attacked.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Rolling Stones headline the Altamont Free Concert
The Rolling Stones headlined the free Altamont concert at Altamont Speedway near Tracy, California, on December 6, 1969, before about 300,000 people, with Santana, Jefferson Airplane, the Flying Burrito Brothers and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on the bill, per History.com and Rolling Stones Data.
Eighteen-year-old Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death by a Hells Angels security guard during the Stones' set, per Wikipedia, and the clip below is Under My Thumb, the song the band was playing when he was attacked.
Steam hit No. 1 with Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Steam's Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart dated December 6, 1969, per Wikipedia.
It stayed on top for two weeks after displacing Come Together, and the clip below is the single.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Decca releases Beggars Banquet in the UK
Decca released the Rolling Stones' album Beggars Banquet (SKL 4955) in the UK on December 6, 1968, per Rolling Stones Data and Wikipedia.
It was the last Stones album released in Brian Jones's lifetime, and the clip below is Street Fighting Man.
Apple releases James Taylor's debut album in the UK
Apple Records released James Taylor (SAPCOR 3) in the UK on December 6, 1968, per Wikipedia.
It was the first Apple release by a non-British artist, Peter Asher produced it, and the clip below is Something in the Way She Moves.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles start recording When I'm Sixty-Four
The Beatles began recording Paul McCartney's When I'm Sixty-Four in Studio Two at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, on December 6, 1966, with George Martin producing and Geoff Emerick engineering, per the Beatles Bible.
They also recorded Christmas greetings for the pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London, per This Day in Music, and the clip below is When I'm Sixty-Four.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Capitol releases Rubber Soul in the US
Capitol Records released the Beatles' Rubber Soul in the US on December 6, 1965, three days after the UK release, per the Beatles Bible.
The American version had a different track list from the UK album and opened with I've Just Seen a Face, per Wikipedia, and the clip below is that song.
Capitol releases We Can Work It Out and Day Tripper in the US
Capitol released the Beatles' double A-side single We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper (Capitol 5555) in the US on December 6, 1965, three days after the UK release, per the Beatles Bible.
It was their first double A-side in the US, and the clip below is Day Tripper.
Parlophone releases The Beatles' Million Sellers EP
Parlophone released the Beatles' Million Sellers EP in the UK on December 6, 1965, per the Beatles Bible.
It was their tenth Parlophone EP and collected four of their biggest hits, and the clip below is She Loves You.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles' first fan club Christmas record is issued
The Beatles Christmas Record, a flexi disc on Lyntone (LYN 492), was issued to UK fan club members on December 6, 1963, per Wikipedia and Born to Listen.
It was recorded at Abbey Road on October 17, 1963, at the end of a session for I Want to Hold Your Hand, and the clip below is that single.
The Rolling Stones play two shows at the Odeon Romford
The Rolling Stones played two shows at the Odeon Theatre in Romford, Essex, on December 6, 1963, per Rolling Stones Data.
It came a month after their first package tour and weeks after their first Top 20 hit, and the clip below is I Wanna Be Your Man.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play Club Django in Southport
The Beatles played Club Django at the Queen's Hotel in Southport, Lancashire, on December 6, 1962, per the Beatles Bible.
It was their only live appearance at the club, and the clip below is Love Me Do, their only single out at the time.
Bob Dylan records A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Bob Dylan recorded at Columbia's Studio A in New York on December 6, 1962, in the seventh session for The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, with John Hammond producing, per AllDylan.
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Oxford Town and I Shall Be Free all made the album, and the clip below is Hard Rain.
1961 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play their 31st evening show at the Cavern
The Beatles gave their 31st evening show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on December 6, 1961, per the Beatles Bible.
They had backed Tony Sheridan in Hamburg that year, and the clip below is My Bonnie by Tony Sheridan, which features the Beatles as his backing band.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Altamont Free Concert on December 6, 1969?
The Rolling Stones headlined a free concert at Altamont Speedway near Tracy, California, before about 300,000 people. Eighteen-year-old Meredith Hunter was stabbed to death by a Hells Angels security guard during the Stones' set.
When was Beggars Banquet released?
Decca released the Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet (SKL 4955) in the UK on December 6, 1968. It was the last Stones album released in Brian Jones's lifetime.
When was Rubber Soul released in the US?
Capitol Records released the Beatles' Rubber Soul in the US on December 6, 1965, three days after the UK release. The American version had a different track list and opened with I've Just Seen a Face.
When was Day Tripper released in the US?
Capitol released We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper (Capitol 5555) in the US on December 6, 1965, three days after the UK release. It was the Beatles' first double A-side single in the US.
What was James Taylor's first album?
Apple Records released James Taylor (SAPCOR 3) in the UK on December 6, 1968. It was the first Apple release by a non-British artist, and Peter Asher produced it.
Which Bob Dylan songs were recorded on December 6, 1962?
Dylan recorded at Columbia's Studio A in New York in the seventh session for The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Oxford Town and I Shall Be Free all made the album.