The Beatles collect their MBEs at Buckingham Palace
The Beatles received their MBE medals from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on October 26, 1965, in an 11am ceremony where the Queen pinned the medals to their lapels, per the Beatles Bible.
About 4,000 fans were held back by police outside, and the clip below is Drive My Car from Rubber Soul, an album they were recording at the time.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The San Francisco International Pop Festival opens in Pleasanton
The two-day San Francisco International Pop Festival began at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, on October 26, 1968, per concert listings.
Deep Purple, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Canned Heat, Iron Butterfly and Creedence Clearwater Revival were on the bill, and the clip below is Deep Purple's Hush, their 1968 single.
1967 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Keith Urban is born in Whangarei, New Zealand
Country singer, songwriter and guitarist Keith Urban was born on October 26, 1967, in Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand, per Wikipedia.
His single Somebody Like You spent six weeks at No. 1 after its 2002 release, and the clip below is that song.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles collect their MBEs at Buckingham Palace
The Beatles received their MBE medals from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on October 26, 1965, in an 11am ceremony where 189 people received awards, per the Beatles Bible.
Afterward they held a press conference at the Saville Theatre, and stereo mixes of Rubber Soul tracks including Drive My Car were made at Abbey Road the same day, and the clip below is that song.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles finish recording Beatles For Sale
The Beatles held the last recording session for Beatles For Sale at Studio Two, Abbey Road, on October 26, 1964, cutting Honey Don't in five takes and remaking What You're Doing, per the Beatles Bible.
Ringo Starr sang lead on Honey Don't, which the album needed for his vocal spot, and the clip below is that track.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play two shows at Stockholm's Tennishallen
The Beatles played two concerts, at 5pm and 8pm, at the Kungliga Tennishallen in Stockholm on October 26, 1963, per the Beatles Bible.
They were second on the bill to Joey Dee and the Starliters on the second night of their Swedish tour, and the clip below is I Saw Her Standing There, one of the nine songs in their likely set.
Natalie Merchant is born in Jamestown, New York
Singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant was born on October 26, 1963, in Jamestown, New York, per Wikipedia.
She joined 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 as lead vocalist and primary lyricist and left in 1993 to go solo, and the clip below is Like the Weather.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Beatles play their first shows in Preston
The Beatles played two shows at the Public Hall on Lune Street in Preston, Lancashire, on October 26, 1962, their first appearance in the town, per the Beatles Bible.
Mike Berry and The Outlaws headlined the Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club dance, with tickets at six shillings, and the clip below is P.S. I Love You, the B-side of their debut single.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in 1960s music on October 26?
October 26 saw 8 verified music events across seven years, including the Beatles collecting their MBEs at Buckingham Palace in 1965, the Beatles playing two Stockholm shows in 1963, and the death of singer Alma Cogan in 1966.
When did the Beatles receive their MBEs?
The Beatles received their MBE medals from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on October 26, 1965, in an 11am ceremony.
When did the Beatles finish recording Beatles For Sale?
The last recording session for Beatles For Sale was at Studio Two, Abbey Road, on October 26, 1964, when they recorded Honey Don't and remade What You're Doing.
Where did the Beatles play on October 26, 1963?
The Beatles played two concerts, at 5pm and 8pm, at the Kungliga Tennishallen in Stockholm on October 26, 1963, second on the bill to Joey Dee and the Starliters.
When did the Beatles first play in Preston?
The Beatles first played in Preston, Lancashire, on October 26, 1962, with two shows at the Public Hall on Lune Street.
Who was born on October 26 in 1960s music?
Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs was born on October 26, 1963, in Jamestown, New York, and country singer Keith Urban was born on October 26, 1967, in Whangarei, New Zealand.