The Beatles finish Norwegian Wood with George Harrison on sitar
The Beatles remade Norwegian Wood at EMI Studios in London on October 21, 1965, after John Lennon rejected the sitar-heavy version from October 12, per the Beatles Bible.
George Harrison played sitar on the master take, one of the first Western pop records to feature the instrument, and the clip below is the finished song from Rubber Soul.
1967 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Lulu hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with To Sir With Love
Lulu's To Sir With Love reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart dated October 21, 1967, and stayed there for five weeks, per Wikipedia.
It finished as Billboard's No. 1 single of 1967, and the clip below is her performance on The Ed Sullivan Show the next night, October 22.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Yardbirds release Happenings Ten Years Time Ago in the UK
Columbia released the Yardbirds single Happenings Ten Years Time Ago in the UK on October 21, 1966, backed with Psycho Daisies, per Wikipedia.
It was their first record with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on twin lead guitars and John Paul Jones on session bass, it reached No. 43 in the UK and No. 30 in the US, and the clip below is the mono single.
Manfred Mann release the album As Is in the UK
Fontana released Manfred Mann's As Is in the UK on October 21, 1966, the group's first studio album with singer Mike d'Abo and bassist Klaus Voormann, per Wikipedia.
It was recorded with producer Shel Talmy at Philips Studio in London between June 30 and August 22, 1966, and the clip below is Just Like a Woman, the album track that was also their July 1966 single.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles finish Norwegian Wood with George Harrison on sitar
The Beatles remade Norwegian Wood at EMI Studios in London on October 21, 1965, after John Lennon rejected the sitar-heavy version from October 12, per the Beatles Bible.
George Harrison played sitar on the master take, one of the first Western pop records to feature the instrument, and the clip below is the finished song from Rubber Soul.
Bill Black, Elvis Presley's first bassist, dies in Memphis
Bill Black, bassist in Elvis Presley's early trio with Scotty Moore, died of a brain tumor in Memphis on October 21, 1965, at age 39, during a third operation, per Wikipedia.
His group Bill Black's Combo had reached No. 17 on the pop chart with Smokie, and the clip below is their White Silver Sands.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play two shows at the Odeon in Glasgow
The Beatles played two shows at the Odeon on Renfield Street in Glasgow on October 21, 1964, at 6.40pm and 9pm, the last of three straight Scottish dates, per the Beatles Bible.
Mary Wells was among the support acts, the 10-song set ran from Twist and Shout to Long Tall Sally, and the clip below is Can't Buy Me Love, one of the songs they played.
My Fair Lady has its world premiere in New York
The film of My Fair Lady premiered at the Criterion Theatre in New York on October 21, 1964, as a benefit gala that raised more than $100,000 for the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, per Wikipedia.
George Cukor directed Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, the film won eight Oscars at the 37th Academy Awards, and the clip below is the trailer.
1961 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Dion's Runaround Sue reaches No. 1 on the Cash Box chart
Dion's Runaround Sue reached No. 1 on the Cash Box Top 100 for the issue dated October 21, 1961, per Wikipedia.
Billboard's Hot 100 followed with the chart dated October 23, and the clip below is the original record.
Barbra Streisand makes her New York stage debut in Another Evening with Harry Stoones
Barbra Streisand made her New York stage debut in the Off-Broadway revue Another Evening with Harry Stoones, which opened at the Gramercy Arts Theatre on October 21, 1961, per Barbra Archives.
She sang two solos in a show that drew terrible reviews, and the clip below is her Cry Me a River.
1960 in 1960s music: the full year guide
John Coltrane records Village Blues with his new quartet
John Coltrane recorded Village Blues at Atlantic Studios in New York on October 21, 1960, the only track cut that day, with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Steve Davis and drummer Elvin Jones, per Wikipedia.
Nesuhi Ertegun produced it for Coltrane Jazz, released in early 1961, and the clip below is the track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in 1960s music on October 21?
October 21 saw 10 verified music events across the decade, including the Beatles finishing Norwegian Wood with a sitar in 1965, Lulu reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967, and John Coltrane recording Village Blues in 1960.
When did the Beatles record Norwegian Wood?
The Beatles recorded Norwegian Wood on October 12 and 21, 1965, at EMI Studios in London, and the October 21 session produced the master take after John Lennon rejected the sitar-heavy first attempt.
When did Lulu hit number one with To Sir With Love?
To Sir With Love reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart dated October 21, 1967, and stayed there for five weeks.
What did the Yardbirds release on October 21, 1966?
The Yardbirds released the single Happenings Ten Years Time Ago in the UK on October 21, 1966, backed with Psycho Daisies, their first record with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on twin lead guitars.
When did Bill Black die?
Bill Black, the bassist in Elvis Presley's early trio and founder of Bill Black's Combo, died of a brain tumor in Memphis on October 21, 1965, at age 39.
When did the Beatles play the Glasgow Odeon in 1964?
The Beatles played two shows at the Odeon on Renfield Street in Glasgow on October 21, 1964, at 6.40pm and 9pm, with Mary Wells among the support acts.