Pick a Day

Music History Events: Releases

August 26, 1968 In America, The Beatles release the Paul McCartney-penned "Hey Jude" with John Lennon's "Revolution" on the B-side. It hits #1 a month later and stays for nine weeks, longer than any other song in 1968.

August 10, 1968 The Who release "Magic Bus."

July 27, 1968 The Rascals release "People Got To Be Free."

July 27, 1968 Mama Cass Elliot releases "Dream A Little Dream Of Me."

July 26, 1968 The Rolling Stones album Beggar's Banquet is scheduled for release, but withdrawn by their label, Decca, over concerns with the album cover, which shows a toilet covered in graffiti. The album is later released with a picture of an invitation on the cover.

July 22, 1968 In between Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Stephen Stills releases the album Super Session, a collaboration with Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper.

June 28, 1968 In the UK, Pink Floyd release their second album, A Saucerful Of Secrets. It's the first with a cover designed by Hipgnosis, the team of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell.

June 22, 1968 Mason Williams releases "Classical Gas."

May 11, 1968 Richard Harris releases "MacArthur Park," a mysterious song written by Jimmy Webb about a cake left out in the rain. It climbs to #2 in America, but 10 years later reaches #1 in a version by Donna Summer.

December 27, 1967 Bob Dylan releases his eighth album, John Wesley Harding, featuring the classic tune "All Along the Watchtower." The Jimi Hendrix Experience later covers the song, which becomes the band's biggest US hit, peaking at #20 in October 1968.

December 15, 1967 The Who release their third album, The Who Sell Out. There are fake radio jingles between songs, including one for the deodorant Odorono.

December 8, 1967 The Rolling Stones release Their Satanic Majesties Request, the title a play on their malevolent image. It contains a hit with a much more anodyne title: "She's A Rainbow."

December 8, 1967 Traffic release their debut album, Mr. Fantasy.

November 27, 1967 In America, The Beatles release Magical Mystery Tour, the soundtrack to their upcoming film.

November 10, 1967 The Moody Blues release "Nights In White Satin."

October 19, 1967 Smokey Robinson and the Miracles release "I Second That Emotion."

September 28, 1967 Gladys Knight and the Pips release "I Heard It Through The Grapevine."

September 25, 1967 The Doors release their second album, Strange Days, which includes such classic songs as "People Are Strange," "Love Me Two Times" and "When The Music's Over."

September 20, 1967 Arlo Guthrie releases Alice's Restaurant.

September 18, 1967 The Beach Boys release Smiley Smile, a stripped-down version of their unreleased album Smile that includes "Good Vibrations."

September 4, 1967 The Doors release their alienation anthem "People Are Strange."

July 29, 1967 The Temptations release "You're My Everything."

July 17, 1967 In America, The Beatles release "All You Need Is Love," John Lennon's maxim. It becomes their 14th #1 hit in that country.

July 10, 1967 Bobbie Gentry's first single, "Ode To Billie Joe," is released. It would go on to top the Hot 100 for four weeks.

June 17, 1967 Moby Grape release all five singles from their debut album: "Changes," "Sitting By The Window," "8:05," "Omaha," and "Hey Grandma."

June 10, 1967 Stevie Wonder releases "I Was Made To Love Her."

June 1, 1967 David Bowie releases his self-titled debut album, David Bowie, which bares little resemblance to his future work.

May 26, 1967 The Beatles release their landmark album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in the UK.More

May 26, 1967 The Hollies release "Carrie Anne," a song inspired by the singer Marianne Faithfull, who had dated Allan Clarke of The Hollies. For the song, "Marianne" became "Carrie-Anne" to hide her identity.

May 12, 1967 Procol Harum release "A Whiter Shade Of Pale."