The Four Seasons hit No. 1 with Big Girls Don't Cry
The Four Seasons' Big Girls Don't Cry reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 17, 1962, per the Wikipedia list of Hot 100 number ones of 1962.
It held the top spot for five weeks, through the chart dated December 15, and followed their five-week No. 1 Sherry, per Wikipedia, and the clip below is the song.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Hendrix, Cox and Miles work at the Record Plant
Jimi Hendrix, bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles returned to the Record Plant studios in New York City on November 17, 1969, to keep working on new songs, per the Hendrix encyclopedia.
The entry names Room Full of Mirrors, Stepping Stone and Ezy Rider among the tracks, and the clip below is Room Full of Mirrors.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
George Harrison joins The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
George Harrison appeared on CBS-TV's The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in an episode broadcast on Sunday, November 17, 1968, per the Beatles Bible.
NPR described him turning up to back Tom and Dick Smothers in their fight with CBS censors, per NPR, and the clip below is While My Guitar Gently Weeps, his song on the Beatles' White Album.
1967 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Hendrix and Pink Floyd play Sheffield City Hall
The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Pink Floyd played Sheffield City Hall on November 17, 1967, a date on the autumn package tour that also featured The Move, Amen Corner and The Nice, per the Bradford Timeline.
The same timeline notes Pink Floyd played two shows in Sheffield before a Leeds appearance that day, and the clip below is Purple Haze, the Experience's breakthrough single from earlier in 1967.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Good Vibrations hits No. 1 in the UK
The Beach Boys' Good Vibrations reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in the week starting November 17, 1966, per the Wikipedia list of UK number ones of the 1960s.
It stayed two weeks, replacing the Four Tops' Reach Out I'll Be There, and took about 20 sessions across four studios to record, per Wikipedia, and the clip below is the song.
Jeff Buckley is born in Anaheim
Jeffrey Scott Buckley was born in Anaheim, California, on November 17, 1966, and was raised as Scott Moorhead, per Wikipedia.
The son of singer-songwriter Tim Buckley, he released his album Grace on August 23, 1994, and the clip below is the title track.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles tape six songs for Top Gear
The Beatles recorded six songs for the BBC Light Programme's Top Gear at the Playhouse Theatre in London on November 17, 1964, per the Beatles Bible.
The session included I Feel Fine, She's a Woman and I'm a Loser, aired on November 26 with Bernie Andrews producing, and the clip below is I Feel Fine.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play Coventry Theatre
The Beatles played Coventry Theatre on Sunday, November 17, 1963, exactly a year after their first Coventry show, per the Beatles Bible.
Beatles Bible calls it their final concert in the city, and the clip below is She Loves You, the single they were touring behind.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Four Seasons hit No. 1 with Big Girls Don't Cry
The Four Seasons' Big Girls Don't Cry reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 17, 1962, per the Wikipedia list of Hot 100 number ones of 1962.
It held the top spot for five weeks, through the chart dated December 15, and followed their five-week No. 1 Sherry, per Wikipedia, and the clip below is the song.
The Beatles play Matrix Hall, Coventry
The Beatles played Matrix Hall in Coventry on Saturday, November 17, 1962, their first show in the city, per the Beatles Bible.
They headlined a small bill with the Mark Allen Group and Lee Teri before a crowd Beatles Bible puts at around 80, and the clip below is Love Me Do, released six weeks earlier.
1960 in 1960s music: the full year guide
RuPaul is born in San Diego
RuPaul Andre Charles was born in San Diego, California, on November 17, 1960, per Wikipedia.
He broke through as a pop and dance act in 1993 with Supermodel (You Better Work), which reached No. 45 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the dance club chart, and the clip below is the video.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in 1960s music on November 17?
November 17 saw 10 verified music events across eight years, including The Four Seasons reaching No. 1 in 1962, Good Vibrations topping the UK chart in 1966, and the Beatles recording for BBC Top Gear in 1964.
When did Big Girls Don't Cry reach No. 1?
The Four Seasons' Big Girls Don't Cry reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 17, 1962. It held the top spot for five weeks, following their five-week No. 1 Sherry.
When did Good Vibrations reach No. 1 in the UK?
The Beach Boys' Good Vibrations reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in the week starting November 17, 1966. It stayed there two weeks, replacing the Four Tops' Reach Out I'll Be There.
Where did the Beatles play on November 17 in 1962 and 1963?
The Beatles played Matrix Hall in Coventry on November 17, 1962, their first show in the city. A year later, on November 17, 1963, they played Coventry Theatre, which Beatles Bible calls their final concert there.
What did the Beatles record for BBC Radio on November 17, 1964?
The Beatles recorded six songs for the BBC Light Programme's Top Gear at the Playhouse Theatre in London. The session included I Feel Fine, She's a Woman and I'm a Loser, and aired on November 26.
Which musicians were born on November 17?
RuPaul was born in San Diego on November 17, 1960, and Jeff Buckley was born in Anaheim on November 17, 1966. Buckley was the son of singer-songwriter Tim Buckley.