John Lennon returns his MBE to the Queen
John Lennon returned his MBE to Queen Elizabeth II on November 25, 1969, as a protest against the Vietnam war, per the Beatles Bible.
His letter also cited Britain's role in the Nigeria-Biafra war and the slide of his single Cold Turkey down the charts, per OnThisDay.com, and the clip below is Cold Turkey.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
John Lennon returns his MBE to the Queen
John Lennon returned his MBE to Queen Elizabeth II on November 25, 1969, as a protest against the Vietnam war, per the Beatles Bible.
His letter also cited Britain's role in the Nigeria-Biafra war and the slide of his single Cold Turkey down the charts, per OnThisDay.com, and the clip below is Cold Turkey.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles' White Album is released in the US
Apple released the Beatles' double album The Beatles, known as the White Album, in the US on November 25, 1968, three days after its UK release, per Wikipedia.
It spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the clip below is Back in the U.S.S.R., the album's opening track.
1967 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Incense and Peppermints tops the Hot 100
Strawberry Alarm Clock's Incense and Peppermints was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 25, 1967, per Wikipedia.
It spent one week on top before the Monkees' Daydream Believer replaced it, and the clip below is the single.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Jimi Hendrix Experience play their first UK show at the Bag O'Nails
The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the Bag O'Nails Club in London on November 25, 1966, their first UK live show, per This Day in Music.
The band played from the venue's DJ booth, and the clip below is Hey Joe, recorded a month earlier.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Harrods opens for a Beatles Christmas shopping trip
Harrods in London opened especially for the Beatles on the evening of November 25, 1965, so they could shop for Christmas, per the Beatles Bible.
The band's next single, Day Tripper, came out in December, and the clip below is that song.
The Seekers reach No. 1 in the UK with The Carnival Is Over
The Seekers' The Carnival Is Over reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart on November 25, 1965, their second chart-topper, per This Day in Music.
It stayed on top for three weeks, per Official Charts, and the clip below is a live 2013 farewell-tour performance.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Mark Lanegan is born
Mark Lanegan, later the lead singer of Screaming Trees, was born in Ellensburg, Washington, on November 25, 1964, per Wikipedia.
He joined the band as its drummer in 1984 before taking over vocals, and the clip below is their 1992 single Nearly Lost You.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles film at Granada Television in Manchester
The Beatles spent the afternoon of November 25, 1963 at the Granada studios in Manchester, filming for Late Scene Extra with comedian Ken Dodd, per the Beatles Bible.
They performed I Want to Hold Your Hand and This Boy, the footage aired on November 27, and the clip below is the first of those songs.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play their 114th evening show at the Cavern
The Beatles played their 114th evening show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on November 25, 1962, per the Beatles Bible.
Their debut single Love Me Do had come out in October, and the clip below is that song.
1960 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Amy Grant is born
Amy Grant, the Christian singer who later moved into pop, was born in Augusta, Georgia, on November 25, 1960, per Songfacts.
Her single Baby Baby reached No. 1 on the pop chart, and the clip below is that song.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in 1960s music on November 25?
November 25 saw 10 verified music events across nine years, including John Lennon returning his MBE in 1969, the US release of the White Album in 1968, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience's first UK show in 1966.
Why did John Lennon return his MBE?
John Lennon returned his MBE to Queen Elizabeth II on November 25, 1969, as a protest against the Vietnam war, per the Beatles Bible. His letter also cited Britain's role in the Nigeria-Biafra war and Cold Turkey slipping down the charts.
When was the White Album released in the US?
Apple released The Beatles, known as the White Album, in the US on November 25, 1968, three days after its UK release, per Wikipedia. It spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
When did the Jimi Hendrix Experience play their first UK show?
The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the Bag O'Nails Club in London on November 25, 1966, their first UK live show, per This Day in Music.
Who was No. 1 on the Hot 100 on November 25, 1967?
Strawberry Alarm Clock's Incense and Peppermints was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 25, 1967, for one week before Daydream Believer replaced it.
Which song was No. 1 in the UK on November 25, 1965?
The Seekers' The Carnival Is Over reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart on November 25, 1965, and stayed on top for three weeks.