What happened in The year 1966 ?

The Beach Boys released their Pet Sounds Album,
The Ballad of the Green Berets was a hit for Sgt. Barry Sadler.
The Four Tops reached the top with Motown records in both the U.S. And U.K. With “Reach Out I’ll Be There”.

January 1966

January 8th Shindig! the ABC variety show went on the air for the last time, the Who and the Kinks were among the guests.
Manfred Mann’s vocalist Paul Jones was injured in a car accident.
Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” reached number one in the U.S.
The BBC premiered “A Whole Scene Going”a pop culture television show.
Tony Burroughs replaced John Carter in the Ivy League.
George Harrison married Patricia Ann Boyd at Epsom Registry Office in Surrey.

February 1966

Jefferson Airplane and Big Brother and the Holding Company appeared in February at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.
The rock and roll magazine Crawdaddy !, is first published in New York City.
The Who, The Fortunes and The Merseys appeared at the Astoria in Finsbury Park, England.
The Cavern Club in Liverpool closed through lack of funds.
The Walker Brothers, Spencer Davis Group, Crispian St. Peters, The Koobas and the Sorrows appeared at the Guild Hall, Portsmouth.
The Blues singer Sophie Tucker Died.

March 1966

John Lennon tells the London Evening Standard Newspaper that the “Beatles were more popular than Jesus”.
The Lovin’ Spoonful released “Daydream” album.
Lulu became the first British female artist to appear behind the iron curtain, when she toured Poland with the Hollies.
The Hollies released “Would You Believe” album.
James Brown, the Young Rascals, Len Barry, Lou Christie and the Shangri - Las played Madison Square Garden, New York.
Buffalo Springfield were formed and Stephen Stills composed their landmark anthem song “For What It’s Worth” which was released in January ’67.
Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Quicksilver Messenger Service played at the Fillmore Auditorium.
March 25th Roy Orbison began his U.K. tour at the Finsbury Park, Astoria with The Walker Brothers, Lulu, The Quotations and The Marionettes.

April 1966

A concert at The Hollywood Bowl, California, took place featuring, The Mamas And The Papas, Otis Redding, Jan and Dean, Sonny & Cher, The Turtles, Donovan and Bob Lind.
Empire Pool "Record Star Show" featured Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Spencer Davis Group, Adam Faith, Georgie Fame, The Moody Blues, Billy J Kramer, Wayne Fontana and Manfred Mann.
The last episode of NBC-TV's musical variety show Hullabaloo aired after sixteen months, It featured Lesley Gore, Peter and Gordon, Paul Anka, and the Cyrkle.
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass set a chart record when four of their albums were in the Top 10 of the Billboard album charts at the same time.
The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield appeared at the Orange County Showgrounds in San Bernardino, CA.
Bob Dylan appeared at Sydney Stadium in Australia,.
Roy Orbison, The Walker Brothers and Lulu appeared at The Colston Hall, Bristol, England.
Chuck Berry and the Four Tops appeared at the Carnegie Hall, New York.
Jack Bruce replaced Mike Vickers in Manfred Mann.
The Rolling Stones released “Aftermath”.
In Los Angeles Jan Berry of Jan and Dean fame crashed his car and suffered extensive brain damage.
Folk singer Richard Farina died in a motorcycle accident.

May 1966

The Beatles performed their last performance in Britain in front of an audience at the New Musical Express poll winners concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley. Other artists who appeared that day were Dusty Springfield, Cliff Richard, Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis Group, Herman’s Hermits, The Who, The Yardbirds, Alan Price Set, The Walker Brothers and The Small Faces.
The Beach Boys released their legendary album “Pet Sounds”.
Bob Dylan opened his second British tour in Bristol. The second half of his show he performed with a rock band called Hawk (The Band).
Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” was released in the U.S.A.

June 1966

June18th The Uxbridge Blues Festival some of the artists who appeared that day were Manfred Mann, The Action, The Steam Packet featuring Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll and Long John Baldry.
The Beatles recorded “Rain” it was the first record to use reverse tapes in the recording process..
Them and The Doors appeared at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip.
Junior Walker, The Chiffons, The Shades of Blue, Jon Lee, The Checkmates and The Young Rascals all played Shea Stadium, New York.
The Cow Palace presented The Beach Boys Summer Spectacular included The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, The Lovin' Spoonful, Chad and Jeremy, Percy Sledge, and The Sir Douglas Quintet,
Peter Green joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
Janis Joplin (Pearl) performed with Big Brother & the Holding Co. for the first time at the Avalon Ballroom, in San Francisco.

July 1966

July 2nd the Beatles performed in Tokyo
The Mothers of Invention with Frank Zappa released their first album “Freak Out!” which was claimed to be rock music’s first double album. Bob Dylan had already released “Blonde on Blonde” which was a double album.
Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker formed Cream and played at the Twisted Wheel Club.
Bobby Fuller was found dead in his car near his home in Los Angeles.
Bob Dylan was involved in a motorcycle accident.

August 1966

The Beatles released “Revolver”.
John Lennon organized a press conference and apologized for his remarks about Jesus. In North America thousands of people burnt Beatles merchandise and records.
The Kinks played the Summer Spectacular at the Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay. Support acts included The Reaction, The Travellers, The Last Tik Band and The Package Deal.
The Troggs released their “From Nowhere” album.
The Beatles began their 1966 Canadian / U.S. Tour on the 12th of August at the International Amphitheatre Chicago. They finished their tour on the 29th of August at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, this was their final performance.

September 1966

The first episode of the Monkees was broadcast on NBC television.
After a car crash Peter Quaife the bass guitar player for the Kinks, left the band to recover from his injuries.
Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” hit the No 1 spot in America.
Chas Chandler the ex Animals Bass Guitarist persuaded Jimi Hendrix to form a group and record in England. In December they released their first single “Hey Joe”.
Manfred Mann released their “Mann Made Hits” album.
The Rolling Stones Ike and Tina Turner and the Yardbirds appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

October 1966

October 7th Johnny Kidd (of Johnny Kidd & the Pirates) died in a car accident.
The New Orleans rhythm and blues musician singer songwriter Smiley Lewis (Overton Amos Lemons) died of cancer.
The Kinks released their “Face to Face” album in the U.K.
The Hollies released their “For Certain Because” album.
The BBC restricted airplay and Australia banned the Troggs record “I Can’t Control Myself”.
Pink Floyd, The Move, Tomorrow with Keith West, Denny Laine, Arthur Brown and the Soft Machine all appeared at The U.F.O. Festival at London's Roundhouse.
The Yardbirds started their first U.S. Tour.
October 26th The British pop singer Alma Cogan died of cancer she recorded singles every year from 1952 to 1966 she also recorded a number of albums.

November 1966

The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their London debut gig at the Bag O’ Nails.
The Hollies appeared at the Odeon, Manchester also on the bill were the Small Faces, Paul Jones, Paul & Barry Ryan, Peter Jay & the New Jaywalkers, Robb Storme & the Whispers and the Nashville Teens.

December 1966

The final Ready Steady Go television show was aired featuring the Who and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch. The show started in August 1963.
Ray Charles was convicted of drug offences, he received a fine and a suspended prison sentence.

Other 1966 music facts

The Crystals broke up.

Them disbanded.

Brian Poole split with The Tremeloes.

The Animals broke up.

Georgie Fame and his backing group the Blue Flames split.

Lulu and her backing group the luvvers disbanded.

The Merseybeats disbanded and The Merseys were formed.