Bob Dylan begins recording his debut album
Bob Dylan recorded Talkin' New York at Columbia Studio A in New York City on November 20, 1961, the first day of sessions for his debut album, with John Hammond producing, per Wikipedia.
He cut two versions that day, the second made the album Bob Dylan, and the clip below is that song.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
James Brown records Funky Drummer in Cincinnati
James Brown recorded Funky Drummer at King Studios in Cincinnati on November 20, 1969, with Clyde Stubblefield on drums, per Wikipedia.
King released it as a two-part single in March 1970, it reached No. 51 on the Hot 100, and the clip below is the track whose drum break became one of the most sampled in recorded music.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Monkees' Head opens in Los Angeles
The Monkees film Head began its regular run at the Vogue Theatre in Los Angeles on November 20, 1968, a day after its West Coast premiere and two weeks after the New York premiere on November 6, per the AFI Catalog.
Bob Rafelson directed it and co-wrote it with Jack Nicholson, and the clip below is Porpoise Song, which reached No. 62 on the Hot 100.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Cabaret opens on Broadway
Kander and Ebb's musical Cabaret opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway on November 20, 1966, directed by Harold Prince, per IBDB.
It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, and the clip below is Willkommen, sung by Joel Grey as the Emcee, from the original Broadway cast recording.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Supremes reach No. 1 with I Hear a Symphony
The Supremes had I Hear a Symphony at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 20, 1965, the first of two weeks on top, per the Wikipedia list of Hot 100 number ones of 1965.
It replaced the Rolling Stones' Get Off of My Cloud, it was the group's sixth No. 1, and the clip below is the Motown single.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
John Lennon films a sequence for Not Only... But Also
John Lennon filmed part of a sequence for Dudley Moore's forthcoming TV show Not Only... But Also early on November 20, 1964, per the Beatles Bible.
I Feel Fine, written by Lennon, came out in the US three days later on November 23, and the clip below is that single.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play Manchester as Pathé films the show
The Beatles played two shows at the ABC Cinema in Manchester on Wednesday, November 20, 1963, the 16th date of their autumn tour, and Pathé filmed the first, per the Beatles Bible.
The footage of She Loves You and Twist and Shout became the short The Beatles Come To Town, and the clip below is She Loves You.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play the Floral Hall in Southport
The Beatles played two houses at the Floral Hall on the Promenade in Southport, Lancashire, on Tuesday, November 20, 1962, their second appearance there, per the Beatles Bible.
Love Me Do was their current single, and the clip below is the song.
1961 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Bob Dylan begins recording his debut album
Bob Dylan recorded Talkin' New York at Columbia Studio A in New York City on November 20, 1961, the first day of sessions for his debut album, with John Hammond producing, per Wikipedia.
He cut two versions that day, the second made the album Bob Dylan, and the clip below is that song.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in 1960s music on November 20?
November 20 saw 8 verified music events across eight years, including Bob Dylan's first debut-album session in 1961, the Supremes at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with I Hear a Symphony in 1965, and James Brown recording Funky Drummer in 1969.
When did Bob Dylan start recording his first album?
Dylan began recording Bob Dylan at Columbia Studio A in New York City on November 20, 1961, with John Hammond producing. He cut two versions of Talkin' New York that day, per Wikipedia.
When was I Hear a Symphony by the Supremes No. 1?
I Hear a Symphony was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 20, 1965, the first of two weeks on top. It replaced the Rolling Stones' Get Off of My Cloud and was the Supremes' sixth No. 1.
When did Cabaret open on Broadway?
Cabaret opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 20, 1966, directed by Harold Prince with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.
When was Funky Drummer recorded?
James Brown recorded Funky Drummer at King Studios in Cincinnati on November 20, 1969, with Clyde Stubblefield on drums. King released it as a single in March 1970.
Did the Beatles play live on November 20?
Yes, in two years. The Beatles played two shows at the ABC Cinema in Manchester on November 20, 1963, where Pathé filmed the first, and two houses at the Floral Hall in Southport on November 20, 1962.