The Rolling Stones record their first demo tape
The Rolling Stones recorded their first demo at Curly Clayton Sound Studios in Highbury, London, on October 27, 1962, with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart and drummer Tony Chapman, per rollingstonesdata.com.
They cut three covers, Soon Forgotten, Close Together and You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover, and the clip below is Bo Diddley's version of the last one.
1969 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Elton John writes the music for Your Song
Elton John wrote the music for Your Song on Monday, October 27, 1969, setting a lyric Bernie Taupin had scribbled at the kitchen table of John's mother's apartment in Northwood Hills, per Wikipedia.
John reportedly had the melody in about 20 minutes, and the clip below is the song, which appeared on his 1970 self-titled album.
1968 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Grass Roots play the San Francisco Pop Festival
The Grass Roots played the San Francisco International Pop Festival on Sunday, October 27, 1968, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, per Wikipedia.
Their single Midnight Confessions peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the clip below is that song.
1967 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Joni Mitchell plays Canterbury House in Ann Arbor
Joni Mitchell played the first night of a three-night run at Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 27, 1967, in sets recorded live, per the Ann Arbor District Library.
The tapes were released in 2020 on Archives Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967), and the clip below is Chelsea Morning from that first set.
Scott Weiland is born in San Jose, California
Singer Scott Weiland, born Scott Richard Kline, was born on October 27, 1967, in San Jose, California, per Wikipedia.
He became the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and later Velvet Revolver, and the clip below is the Stone Temple Pilots song Plush.
Ten Years After release their debut album
Ten Years After's self-titled debut album was released by Deram in the UK on October 27, 1967, per Wikipedia.
The blues-rock band recorded it at Decca's studios in London, and the clip below is their cover of Willie Dixon's Spoonful.
1966 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Four Tops hit No. 1 in the UK with Reach Out I'll Be There
The Four Tops were at No. 1 on the UK singles chart dated October 27, 1966, with Reach Out I'll Be There, up from No. 2 the week before, per Official Charts.
It was the group's only UK No. 1 and the second for a Motown act after the Supremes' Baby Love, and the clip below is the song.
Chris Farlowe releases Ride On Baby, produced by Mick Jagger
Chris Farlowe's single Ride On Baby, backed with Headlines, was released on Immediate Records on October 27, 1966, with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones as producer, per Wikipedia.
It was a Jagger and Richards song that peaked at No. 31 in the UK, and the clip below is that single.
1965 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Peter La Farge dies at 34
Folk singer and songwriter Peter La Farge died on October 27, 1965, at age 34 in his New York City apartment, said to have been from a stroke, per Wikipedia.
He wrote The Ballad of Ira Hayes, which Johnny Cash recorded on Bitter Tears in 1964 and took to No. 2 on the country chart, and the clip below is Cash's version.
1964 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Sonny and Cher mark their Tijuana wedding date
Sonny Bono and Cher gave October 27, 1964, as the date of their unofficial wedding in a Tijuana, Mexico, hotel, per Roughly Daily.
The ceremony had no legal force and they married officially in 1969, and the clip below is I Got You Babe, their 1965 hit.
1963 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Rolling Stones play two shows in Salisbury
The Rolling Stones played two shows at the Gaumont Theatre in Salisbury, England, on October 27, 1963, during their first package tour, per Wikipedia.
The tour was headlined by the Everly Brothers and Bo Diddley, and the clip below is Come On, the Stones' debut single from earlier that year.
1962 in 1960s music: the full year guide
The Rolling Stones record their first demo tape
The Rolling Stones recorded their first demo at Curly Clayton Sound Studios in Highbury, London, on October 27, 1962, with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart and drummer Tony Chapman, per rollingstonesdata.com.
They cut three covers, Soon Forgotten, Close Together and You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover, and the clip below is Bo Diddley's version of the last one.
The Beatles give their first recorded radio interview
The Beatles recorded an interview with Monty Lister for hospital station Radio Clatterbridge on October 27, 1962, before their show at Hulme Hall in Birkenhead, per the Beatles Bible.
Love Me Do was in the shops at the time, and the clip below is that debut single.
Monster Mash holds No. 1 on the Hot 100
Monster Mash by Bobby (Boris) Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 27, 1962, its second week on top, per Wikipedia.
The novelty single had first reached No. 1 on October 20, just before Halloween, and the clip below is the song.
1960 in 1960s music: the full year guide
Ben E. King records Stand By Me
Ben E. King recorded Stand By Me on October 27, 1960, in studio time left over after his Spanish Harlem session, with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller producing, per Wikipedia.
Stand By Me reached No. 4 on the Hot 100 in 1961 and Spanish Harlem peaked at No. 10, and the clip below is Stand By Me.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in 1960s music on October 27?
October 27 saw 14 verified music events across nine years, including the Rolling Stones recording their first demo in 1962, Ben E. King recording Stand By Me in 1960, and the Four Tops reaching No. 1 on the UK chart in 1966.
When did the Rolling Stones record their first demo?
The Rolling Stones recorded their first demo at Curly Clayton Sound Studios in Highbury, London, on October 27, 1962, cutting three covers.
When did Ben E. King record Stand By Me?
Ben E. King recorded Stand By Me on October 27, 1960, with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller producing, after his Spanish Harlem session.
When did the Four Tops reach No. 1 in the UK?
The Four Tops were at No. 1 on the UK singles chart dated October 27, 1966, with Reach Out I'll Be There, their only UK No. 1.
When did Elton John write the music for Your Song?
Elton John wrote the music for Your Song on October 27, 1969, setting a lyric by Bernie Taupin.
Who was born on October 27 in 1960s music?
Scott Weiland, later the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, was born on October 27, 1967, in San Jose, California.