Pick a Day

Music History Events: Releases

October 2, 1962 The Cookies release "Chains."

September 17, 1962 Arthur Alexander releases "Anna (Go to Him)," which is later covered by The Beatles.

August 16, 1962 Peter, Paul, and Mary release "If I Had A Hammer."

August 11, 1962 Tony Bennett releases "Once Upon A Time" b/w "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." When DJs begin flipping over the record and playing the b-side, "San Francisco" climbs to #19 on the charts and eventually wins Bennett Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Solo Vocal Performance.

August 11, 1962 Mary Wells releases "You Beat Me To The Punch."

July 17, 1962 Elvis Presley releases "She's Not You."

July 11, 1962 The Marvelettes release "Beechwood 4-5789."

June 29, 1962 The Contours release "Do You Love Me."

June 4, 1962 The Beach Boys release their second single, "Surfin' Safari" backed with "409."More

May 11, 1962 Ray Stevens releases "Ahab The Arab."

March 19, 1962 Bob Dylan releases his self-titled debut album. It doesn't chart in America, but sets the stage for his breakthrough a year later: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

February 1, 1962 Elvis Presley releases "Good Luck Charm" b/w "Anything That's Part Of You."

January 13, 1962 Gene Chandler releases "Duke Of Earl."

January 9, 1962 Sam Cooke releases "Twistin' the Night Away."

November 8, 1961 The Beach Boys release their first single, "Surfin'."

October 5, 1961 The Marcels release "Heartaches."

October 2, 1961 The Crystals release "There's No Other Like My Baby."

July 21, 1961 The Supremes release "Buttered Popcorn," produced by Motown boss Berry Gordy. It sells poorly, and is the last Supremes single with Florence Ballard on lead vocals.

July 5, 1961 Ray Charles releases "Hit The Road Jack" and "Unchain My Heart."

May 19, 1961 The Everly Brothers form their Calliope Records label (its first release is Don performing "Pomp And Circumstance" as "Adrian Kimberly").

April 1, 1961 Rock and roll singer Troy Shondell releases his sole hit, "This Time."

February 5, 1961 Gene Pitney releases "Love My Life Away."

December 5, 1960 Mary Wells releases her debut single, "Bye Bye Baby."

August 1, 1960 Chubby Checker releases "The Twist," starting a dance craze that soon grips the nation.

July 26, 1960 Sam Cooke releases "Chain Gang."

July 12, 1960 Floyd Cramer releases "Last Date."

June 6, 1960 Roy Orbison releases "Only The Lonely," one of the most melancholy hits of the '60s and the first in a string of sad songs he becomes famous for.

April 4, 1960 RCA Victor decides to release all future singles -- starting with its next, Elvis Presley's "Stuck On You" -- in both mono and stereo versions.

March 23, 1960 Elvis Presley releases "Stuck On You" b/w "Fame And Fortune."

August 30, 1959 The Miracles release "Bad Girl."