Events in 1969
- “Wet Dream” by Jamaican reggae singer Max Romeo entered the UK singles chart. Because of its sexually explicit lyrics, the song was banned by the BBC and most radio stations.
- On August 2, 1969, Bob Dylan returned to his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota, for his ten-year high school reunion, marking the class of 1959. He and his wife Sara met classmates beforehand at the local Moose Lodge, but after a confrontation with a drunken former classmate, Dylan left and ultimately did not attend the reunion itself.
- Led Zeppelin and Vanilla Fudge performed at the Civic Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Three Dog Night released their version of “Easy to Be Hard” as a single on Dunhill Records. The song, featuring lead vocals by Chuck Negron, was taken from their album Suitable for Framing and released as Dunhill 4203, with “Dreaming Isn't Good For You” on the B-side. The recording was produced by Gabriel Mekler.
- The three-day Atlantic City Pop Festival concluded at the Atlantic City Race Track. Performers included Three Dog Night, The Moody Blues, Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, Canned Heat, Little Richard, and the Mothers of Invention.
- On August 3, 1969, Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas during his first engagement at the venue. The surviving recording attributed to the Dinner Show includes “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train”, “Tiger Man”, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds”. The recording closes with “Can't Help Falling in Love”.
- Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys was charged with failing to report for the civil service he was required to perform in lieu of two years of military service.
- Max Cavalera, Brazilian guitarist and vocalist, co-founder and original frontman of Sepultura, was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
- Creedence Clearwater Revival released “Green River,” their third studio album and the second of three albums they released in 1969. The album was a major artistic and commercial success for the group.
- On August 5, 1969, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas: the Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and the Midnight Show at midnight. The Dinner Show included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “I Can't Stop Loving You”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train”, “Tiger Man”, “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds”. The Midnight Show featured “Polk Salad Annie”, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, “Runaway”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude”, along with several of the same songs performed earlier that evening. Both shows concluded with “Can't Help Falling in Love”.
- George Harrison brought his new Moog synthesizer to the studio, which The Beatles used while completing the “Abbey Road” album. Two Moog overdubs were recorded for “Because.” Harrison was among the first musicians in Britain to use the new instrument.
- The Stooges released their self-titled debut album. Its raw sound and distorted guitars later became a major influence on a number of punk bands.
- Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Steven Paul Smith, known as Elliott Smith, was born in Omaha, Nebraska.
- On August 6, 1969, Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in an evening Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m., followed by a Midnight Show. The documented Dinner Show setlist included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train”, “Tiger Man”, “Viva Las Vegas”, “Blue Hawaii”, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, “Runaway”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “In the Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds” and “What'd I Say”. The show concluded with “Can't Help Falling in Love”.
- Led Zeppelin performed at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California, during their North American tour. It was their only concert in the city.
- Sly & the Family Stone released the single “Hot Fun In The Summertime.”
- Elvis Presley odehrál večerní a půlnoční koncert v International Hotelu v Las Vegas. Oba koncerty navštívilo po 2 200 divácích.
- Led Zeppelin během severoamerického turné vystoupili v Berkeley Community Theatre v Kalifornii.
- The Beatles nahráli skladbu „The End“.
- Alice Cooper performed at the Eastown Theater in Detroit, Michigan.
- On August 8, 1969, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas: a Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and a Midnight Show at 12:00 a.m. The surviving track listing for the Midnight Show includes “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Polk Salad Annie”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train”, “Tiger Man”, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, “Runaway”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds”. The show closed with “Can't Help Falling in Love”.
- Led Zeppelin performed at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, California, during their North American tour, with Jethro Tull as the opening act.
- Jethro Tull performed as the opening act for Led Zeppelin at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, California.
- The Beatles took the photograph for the “Abbey Road” album cover at the crossing outside the Abbey Road studios in London. Photographer Iain MacMillan took six shots, and the entire photo session lasted less than ten minutes. The photograph later became one of the most famous images in music history and also fueled speculation about Paul McCartney's alleged death.
- Yes performed at Mother's club in Birmingham, England.
- “Hot Fun In The Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stone was released as a non-album single. Following its release, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 79 and climbed to No. 2 over eight weeks, with The Temptations’ “I Can't Get Next to You” at No. 1. The song later received a gold certification from the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 copies.
- Led Zeppelin performed at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, during their North American tour. Jethro Tull, who appeared as the opening act, were at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart with their second album, “Stand Up”.
- Jethro Tull achieved their first UK No. 1 album with their second studio album, “Stand Up”. The album was their first international hit and reached No. 20 in both the US and Canada.
- On August 9, 1969, Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, in two shows: an evening Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and a Midnight Show. Each performance had an audience of approximately 2,200 people. A reliable setlist for this date has not been confirmed.
- Elvis Presley reached No. 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 21 on the UK singles chart with “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard.”
- Chicago, then known as Chicago Transit Authority, first entered the chart with “Questions 67 and 68”.
- Pink Floyd released the album “More”, the soundtrack to the film of the same name and a transitional album between Syd Barrett’s departure and the band’s later success with “The Dark Side of the Moon”.
- Charles Manson later cited The Beatles as an inspiration for his murder spree, which became one of the darkest chapters associated with the band’s history.
- The Who, Yes, King Crimson, Chicken Shack and The Strawbs performed on the second day of the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Sussex, England.
- Three Dog Night's “Easy to Be Hard” entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 77. The song continued to climb the chart and reached its peak position of No. 4 on September 27, 1969.
- Led Zeppelin performed at the San Diego Sports Arena during their North American tour. Jethro Tull and Seattle's The Surprise Package appeared as support acts.
- On August 10, 1969, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas: a Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and a Midnight Show at midnight. Each performance took place in the hotel's 2,200-seat showroom. A verified setlist for this date is not currently available.
- The three-day National Jazz and Blues Festival in Sussex, England, concluded with performances by The Nice, Pentangle, and Long John Baldry.
- Deep Purple recorded “Speed King” in Studio 2 at Aeolian Hall. The recording was broadcast six days later on Symonds On Sunday.
- Diana Ross hosted a party for approximately 350 guests at the Daisy Club in Beverly Hills, where Motown Records introduced The Jackson 5 to music industry figures, the music press and Hollywood society. The event created the mistaken impression that Diana Ross had discovered the group; according to the source, Gladys Knight had actually recommended them to Motown. The Jackson 5 also performed that night at the first Miss Black America pageant. The group subsequently lived up to the expectations and became one of the biggest acts of 1970.
- British pop and folk singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram was born, known for the songs “Twist in My Sobriety” and “Good Tradition.”
- The Beatles worked on the song “You Never Give Me Your Money” during the recording of the album Abbey Road.
- The Guess Who recorded the song “American Woman” at RCA Mid-America Recording Center in Chicago. The song was released in March 1970 and later reached No. 1 on both the US and Canadian singles charts.
- Thousands of people arrived at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, New York, one day before the Woodstock Music Festival officially began. Many festivalgoers arrived early, set up their tents and camps, and settled in around the festival grounds. The growing crowds, heavy traffic and anticipation created an atmosphere unlike anything seen before. What was about to become one of the most famous music festivals in history was already taking shape.
- On August 15, 1969, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas: the Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and the Midnight Show at midnight. The hotel showroom had a capacity of approximately 2,200 people. The Midnight Show included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I've Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “My Babe”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train”, “Tiger Man”, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, “Runaway”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds”. The show concluded with “Can't Help Falling in Love”.
- She was originally booked to perform at Woodstock but had to cancel her appearance because of a television engagement. She later wrote the song “Woodstock”.
- During their North American tour, they performed at HemisFair Arena in San Antonio. Jethro Tull and Sweet Smoke were also on the bill, but only Led Zeppelin faced negative reactions from locals because of their long hair.
- Their debut album Three Dog Night received a gold record for sales of one million copies. After modest success with “Nobody” and “Try a Little Tenderness”, the label released the single “One”, which reached No. 5. Later editions of the album emphasized this hit in the title, and the album was certified platinum in 2008.
- On August 15, 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened on Max Yasgur’s 600-acre farm in Bethel, New York. Originally promoted as “Three Days of Peace and Music,” the festival had already attracted tens of thousands of people before the official opening, and the grounds quickly filled with an enormous crowd. Due to the overwhelming turnout, severe traffic jams and problems with ticket control, the festival eventually became a free event. The festival was officially opened by spiritual teacher Sri Swami Satchidananda. Richie Havens was the first musician to take the stage and performed an unusually long set because many of the scheduled performers were delayed. The first day also featured Sweetwater, Bert Sommer, Tim Hardin, Ravi Shankar, Melanie, Arlo Guthrie, and Joan Baez, who closed the first day’s performances. The opening of Woodstock became one of the defining moments in music history, creating an atmosphere of peace, music and collective celebration that would come to symbolize an entire generation.
- Blind Faith released their self-titled debut album.
- Blind Faith performed at the Earl Warren Fairgrounds in Santa Barbara, California.
- Child, featuring Bruce Springsteen, played the first of two concerts over two days at the Student Prince in Asbury Park. Because of these concerts, Springsteen was unable to perform at Woodstock.
- Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performed together for the first time at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, where they played two concerts. Joni Mitchell performed with them. It was the historic debut of the CSNY lineup, just two days before their appearance at Woodstock.
- David Bowie performed at the Free Festival organized by the Beckenham Arts Lab in Beckenham, London. He later commemorated the event in his song "Memory of a Free Festival".
- Elvis Presley performed two concerts at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, an evening show at 8:15 p.m. and a midnight show, both attended by approximately 2,200 spectators. The programs included songs such as Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Memories, In the Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, Yesterday/Hey Jude and Can't Help Falling in Love.
- Led Zeppelin performed at Convention Hall in Asbury Park with Joe Cocker as the opening act. Because of this concert, they were unable to perform at Woodstock.
- The Guess Who's "These Eyes" received a gold certification.
- The Jackson 5 played one of their first major concerts as the opening act for Diana Ross and The Supremes at The Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
- During The Who's performance at Woodstock, activist Abbie Hoffman interrupted the concert and seized the microphone. After a brief speech about John Sinclair, Pete Townshend struck him with his guitar and knocked him off the stage.
- The second day of the festival continued with performances by a remarkable line-up of artists. The stage featured Quill, Country Joe McDonald, Santana, John Sebastian, the Keef Hartley Band, the Incredible String Band, Canned Heat, Mountain, the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, the Who, and Jefferson Airplane. One of the day’s most memorable moments was Santana’s performance. Carlos Santana later recalled experiencing the effects of mescaline and hallucinations while on stage. The evening continued with performances by the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Janis Joplin. In the early morning hours, the Who took the stage at around 5 a.m., followed by Jefferson Airplane. The second day of Woodstock was one of the most intense stretches of the entire festival and featured several performances that would later become legendary moments in rock music history.
- The third day of the festival continued with another remarkable line-up of performances. The stage featured Joe Cocker, Country Joe and the Fish, Ten Years After, The Band, Johnny Winter, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Joe Cocker’s energetic, blues-influenced performance became one of the festival’s most memorable moments. Ten Years After also made a lasting impression, culminating in an extended and intense guitar performance by Alvin Lee. Another significant moment was the first public performance by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young as a group. The Band brought their distinctive blend of rock, folk, and American roots music, while Johnny Winter delivered a powerful blues-rock performance. The third day offered a diverse combination of rock, blues, folk, and soul, continuing the atmosphere of a musical gathering that was gradually becoming a historic event.
- Singer, songwriter, rapper and producer Donald “Donnie” Wahlberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He became known as a founding member of New Kids on the Block.
- On August 17, 1969, Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, in two shows: an evening Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m. and a Midnight Show. Each performance had an audience of approximately 2,200 people. A reliable setlist for this date has not been confirmed.
- Elvis Presley's television special was rebroadcast on NBC-TV. The song “Blue Christmas” was cut and replaced with “Tiger Man”.
- Rapper and producer Kelvin Mercer, also known as Posdnuos or Pos, was born in New York. He is a co-founder of the hip-hop trio De La Soul.
- Led Zeppelin performed at the Oakland Musical Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut, during their North American tour.
- During The Who's performance at Woodstock, Pete Townshend pushed activist Abbie Hoffman off the stage after he attempted to make a political statement. Townshend later said that at the time he did not know it was Hoffman.
- Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in an evening Dinner Show at 8:15 p.m., followed by a Midnight Show. Both performances were attended by approximately 2,200 people. For the Dinner Show he wore a black herringbone suit with red pleats, and for the Midnight Show a black herringbone suit with blue pleats.
- Rapper, singer, songwriter and guitarist Erik Francis Schrody, known as Everlast, was born on Long Island, New York. He became known as the frontman of the hip-hop group House of Pain.
- Jimi Hendrix closed the Woodstock festival with a morning performance featuring “Hey Joe.” As the festival's headline act, he had originally been scheduled to perform the previous evening, but because the program ran longer than expected, he did not take the stage until Monday morning. His performance included a striking version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
- King Crimson performed at the Cooks Ferry Inn in London.
- Led Zeppelin performed two concerts at the Rock Pile in Toronto during their North American tour.
- Mick Jagger suffered a deep cut to his hand when a prop gun malfunctioned during the filming of the movie Ned Kelly in Australia.
- Local up-and-coming band Rush watched Led Zeppelin perform in Toronto. In 1974, when Rush began receiving US airplay with “Working Man,” radio stations received many calls asking whether it was a new Led Zeppelin song.
- The Woodstock festival ended with morning performances by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Sha Na Na and Jimi Hendrix, who played his version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 9 a.m. Of the more than 400,000 attendees, only an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people remained in the mud for Hendrix's closing performance.
- Due to delays caused by bad weather, technical problems and the enormous scale of the event, the festival continued into Monday morning. Sha Na Na took the stage first, bringing a striking return to the rock ’n’ roll style of the 1950s and creating a sharp contrast with much of the festival’s psychedelic and rock-oriented music. The final performer was Jimi Hendrix with his band Gypsy Sun & Rainbows. He took the stage at around 9:00 a.m., by which time most of the audience had already left the festival grounds. His performance nevertheless became one of the most famous moments in Woodstock history, particularly for his distinctive rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” After Hendrix’s performance, the musical program of Woodstock officially came to an end. The remaining festivalgoers began leaving the site, leaving behind enormous amounts of garbage, mud and debris. A massive cleanup operation followed, involving both volunteers and hired crews. The grounds were gradually cleared and restored.
- Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in both the evening and midnight shows. The evening show began at 8:15 p.m. and included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “My Babe”, “Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Mystery Train/Tiger Man”, “Baby What You Want Me to Do”, “Runaway”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday/Hey Jude”, “In the Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds”, “What’d I Say” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. The midnight show included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got a Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “My Babe”, “Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train”, “In the Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.
- Jefferson Airplane, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Crosby, Stills and Nash appeared on The Dick Cavett Show. The episode, now often referred to as “The Woodstock Show”, featured artists and audience members who had come directly from the Woodstock festival the previous weekend. Crosby, Stills and Nash gave first-hand accounts of the festival. Joni Mitchell, who had skipped Woodstock to secure her appearance on the show, performed her song “Woodstock”, which she had written about the festival.
- American rapper, singer, songwriter and actor Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, known as Nate Dogg, was born in Long Beach, California. He began his career as a member of the California rap trio 213 with his longtime friend Warren G and cousin Snoop Dogg. He is considered one of the pioneers of West Coast hip hop. He died on March 15, 2011, at the age of 41.
- Andy Williams' album “Happy Heart” was certified gold.
- Elvis performed an evening and midnight show at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The evening show began at 8:15 p.m., had a capacity of 2,200 and included, among others, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got A Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Hound Dog”, “Mystery Train”, “Tiger Man”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “It's Now Or Never”, “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “In The Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds” and “Can't Help Falling In Love”. The midnight program is not listed on the source.
- Frank Zappa temporarily disbanded The Mothers of Invention shortly after an eight-day tour of Canada. He said he was tired of playing for people who applauded for all the wrong reasons, as he felt audiences often overlooked the compositional complexity of the music and responded instead to the band's image and superficial eccentricities. He re-formed the group several months later.
- Led Zeppelin performed at The Aerodrome in Schenectady, New York.
- Elvis Presley performed at 8:15 p.m. and at midnight at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Both concerts were attended by 2,200 people. The 8:15 p.m. setlist included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got A Woman”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “I Can't Stop Loving You”, “My Babe”, “Mystery Train/Tiger Man”, “Baby What You Want Me To Do”, “Runaway”, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Yesterday/Hey Jude”, “In The Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds”, “What'd I Say” and “Can't Help Falling In Love”. The midnight setlist included “All Shook Up”, “I Got A Woman”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Memories”, “Mystery Train/Tiger Man”, “Baby What You Want Me To Do”, “Runaway”, “Surrender/Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “Words”, “Yesterday”, “Hey Jude”, “In The Ghetto”, “Suspicious Minds”, “What I'd Say” and “Can't Help Falling In Love”. After the midnight show, Elvis introduced Shelly Fabares.
- James Brown opened the first two of his Gold Platter restaurants in Macon, Georgia. The soul-food restaurants served food on plates resembling gold records and were intended as a franchise opportunity for Black entrepreneurs. However, the concept did not catch on and the project was discontinued in 1970.
- Led Zeppelin performed at the Carousel Theatre in Framingham, Massachusetts, during their North American tour.
- Yes performed at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany.
- Blind Faith performed at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, during their only North American tour. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood would not perform together again until 2008.
- On August 22, 1969, Elvis Presley performed two shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas as part of his first Las Vegas engagement, which ran from July 31 to August 28. The evening show began at 8:15 p.m. and the midnight show at midnight; both had a capacity of 2,200 spectators and were recorded by RCA. The evening show included Opening Theme, Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Memories, Mystery Train/Tiger Man, monologue, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Runaway, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Yesterday/Hey Jude, Suspicious Minds and What'd I Say. The midnight show included Opening Theme, Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Memories, Mystery Train/Tiger Man, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Runaway, Funny How Times Slip Away, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Yesterday/Hey Jude, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, What'd I Say and Can't Help Falling In Love. For the evening show, Elvis wore a black herringbone suit with red pleats and a red-and-black macramé belt; for the midnight show, he wore a white herringbone suit with a white macramé belt.
- During their North American tour, Led Zeppelin played the first of two concerts at Pirates World in Dania, Florida. The bill also included The Royal Ascots, Brimstone, and The Echo.
- The Latin rock band Santana released its self-titled debut studio album through Columbia Records. The album reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and No. 34 in the United Kingdom. It included the single “Evil Ways”, which reached No. 9 in the U.S. and introduced Gregg Rolie as lead singer; Rolie later became a co-founder of the band Journey.
- English guitarist Stephen “Steve” Cradock was born in Solihull. He became best known for his work with Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller. Ocean Colour Scene formed in Moseley, Birmingham, in 1989; in 1996 they had the UK No. 4 hit “The Day We Caught the Train”, more than 12 other Top 40 singles, and in 1997 the UK No. 1 album “Marchin' Already”.
- The Beatles gathered at Tittenhurst Park in Sunninghill, England, the home of John and Yoko Lennon, for their final joint photo session. Photographers Ethan Russell and Monte Fresco of the Daily Mirror took photographs, and The Beatles' assistant Mal Evans also took additional pictures. Three of Ethan Russell's photographs from the session were later used on the front and back covers of the compilation album “Hey Jude”, released by Capitol in 1970. Yoko Ono and a pregnant Linda McCartney, who would give birth to her daughter Mary six days later, also appeared in some of the photographs.
- The Beatles filmed a short film for the song “The Long and Winding Road”.
- Elvis Presley performed an evening and midnight show at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The evening performance began at 8:15 p.m. and the midnight show at 12:00 a.m.; both had a capacity of 2,200. The source provides separate setlists for both performances and their later official releases associated with the albums “Elvis In Person” and “Elvis At The International”.
- Grateful Dead performed at Pelletier Farm in St. Helens, Oregon, after local authorities refused to allow organizers to hold a three-day festival at the Columbia County Fairgrounds.
- The band Ibex performed at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Lancashire. Freddie Bulsara, later known as Freddie Mercury, contributed vocals after joining the group earlier that year. Ibex consisted of Freddie Bulsara, guitarist Mike Bersin, bassist John Taylor and drummer Mick Smith.
- Johnny Cash began a four-week run at number one on the US Billboard 200 (Billboard Top LPs and Tape) with his second live album, “Johnny Cash At San Quentin”. The album was a recording of a live concert for inmates at San Quentin State Prison and followed his previous successful live album “At Folsom Prison”. It was nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the song “A Boy Named Sue”. It was later certified triple platinum in the US and gold in the UK.
- The song “A Boy Named Sue” reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number two on the Hot 100.
- The Beatles had their final professional group photo session at John Lennon's Tittenhurst Park estate.
- The Rolling Stones began a four-week run at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 with “Honky Tonk Women”, their fifth US number-one single. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and was inspired by Brazilian gauchos at the ranch where they stayed in Matão, São Paulo. In the UK, the song also reached number one; it was released one day after the death of founding member Brian Jones and spent 17 weeks on the UK chart, including five weeks at number one. It was the band's last hit involving Brian Jones, who had died by drowning in his swimming pool on July 3. The song also reached number one in Australia, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland in 1969.
- The film „Alice's Restaurant“, based on Arlo Guthrie's song of the same name, was released in New York and Los Angeles several days after its Boston premiere. It grossed $6.3 million in the U.S. and became the 23rd highest-grossing film of 1969.
- Elvis Presley performed at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in the evening show at 8:15 p.m. and again at midnight, in both cases before approximately 2,200 people. The evening program included „Blue Suede Shoes“, „I Got A Woman“, „Mystery Train/Tiger Man“, „In The Ghetto“ and „Suspicious Minds“, while the midnight show included „Johnny B. Goode“, „Words“, „Yesterday/Hey Jude“, „In The Ghetto“ and „Suspicious Minds“.
- John Lennon wrote the song „Cold Turkey“ about heroin withdrawal, rehearsed it during the afternoon and recorded it that evening with Ringo Starr and Klaus Voormann. During the recording he also drew on his recent experience with primal scream therapy. Despite unfavorable reviews and a BBC ban, the song reached the U.K. Top 20 and U.S. Top 30 and became a precursor to his later album „Plastic Ono Band“.
- Led Zeppelin performed at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida, during their North American tour.
- Yes performed at Club Paradiso in Amsterdam.
- Elvis Presley performed an evening concert at 8:15 p.m. and a midnight concert at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Each was attended by approximately 2,200 people. The evening programme included “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Got A Woman”, “All Shook Up”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Mystery Train/Tiger Man”, “In The Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds”. The midnight concert had a similar programme and additionally included “I Can't Stop Loving You”, “My Babe”, “Words” and “Polk Salad Annie”, and Elvis introduced Nancy Sinatra, Mac Davis, Buddy Hackett, Thomas Jones and Shelley Fabares.
- Luke Scott of Babybird was born. The group had the UK hit “You're Gorgeous” in 1996 and the album “Ugly Beautiful” reached number nine on the UK chart.
- The Band's album “The Band” was released.
- American drummer and songwriter Adrian Young was born in Long Beach, California. He is best known as a longtime member of No Doubt and also performed with Dreamcar.
- Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
- Drummer, percussionist and producer Drew Hester was born. He played with Joe Walsh, Stevie Nicks, Beck, Jewel, Daniel Powter, Foo Fighters and Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders.
- Edward Bear performed as the opening act for Led Zeppelin at the Rock Pile club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- During a performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Elvis Presley sang “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” with a section intended for backing singer Cissy Houston. Her way of performing it live made him laugh so much that he could not stop laughing during the song; in the improvised section he also changed the lyrics and sang, “Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair?”
- Elvis Presley released “Suspicious Minds”, his 18th and final lifetime No. 1 single in the US.
- Johnny Cash, with his backing group The Tennessee Three, performed for the first time at the Minnesota State Fair. June Carter and The Carter Sisters and The Statler Brothers appeared as opening acts. Cash performed a nineteen-song set including the hits “Ring of Fire”, “I Walk The Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues” and “A Boy Named Sue”.
- Elvis Presley performed a Dinner Show and a Midnight Show at the International Hotel in Las Vegas on August 27, 1969, during his first Las Vegas engagement.
- American actress Chandra Wilson was born. She also has singing credits from Broadway productions.
- Led Zeppelin played two concerts at the Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, during their North American tour.
- Jack Black, American actor, musician, comedian, and songwriter, was born in Santa Monica, California. He is the lead singer and guitarist of the comedy rock and hard rock duo Tenacious D, which he formed with Kyle Gass.
- Paul and Linda McCartney became parents to a daughter named Mary. Mary was named after Paul’s mother, whom Paul also mentioned in the song “Let It Be”. She later became a photographer, documentary filmmaker, and cookbook author.
- The Grateful Dead performed at the Family Dog at the Great Highway club in San Francisco. The venue was housed in the former Edgewater Ballroom, which was part of the Playland At The Beach complex. Family Dog moved there after being forced to leave the Avalon Ballroom.
- The Rolling Stones’ single “Honky Tonk Women” was released in the United Kingdom.
- Bob Seger divorced his first wife after only ten months of marriage.
- Elvis Presley, Priscilla, Colonel Parker, members of his entourage, and their wives attended the opening night of Nancy Sinatra's engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. After the concert, they attended a party hosted by Frank Sinatra, where Fred Astaire was also present.
- During their North American tour, Led Zeppelin played the first of two nights at the Singer Bowl Music Festival in Flushing Meadow Park.
- The Rolling Stones released the album "Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" in the UK.
- Elvis Presley’s tenth studio album “From Elvis in Memphis” reached No. 1 on the UK albums chart.
- Two weeks after the Woodstock festival, the second Isle of Wight Festival was held. More than 150,000 people attended over two days, coming to see Bob Dylan, The Band, Blodwyn Pig, Blonde On Blonde, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Edgar Broughton Band, Joe Cocker, Aynsley Dunbar, Family, Fat Mattress, Julie Felix, Free, Gypsy, Richie Havens, The Moody Blues, The Nice, Tom Paxton, Pentangle, The Pretty Things, Third Ear Band and The Who, among others. Tickets cost 25 shillings. Celebrities attending the festival included Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, John and Yoko, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jane Fonda, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton.
- Birmingham group Earth changed their name to Black Sabbath after Ozzy Osbourne announced the new name on stage. At their first concert under the name Black Sabbath in Workington, England, the band played “N.I.B.”, “The Wizard”, “Black Sabbath” and “Warning”.
- The three-day Texas International Pop Festival began at Dallas International Motor Speedway, featuring Chicago Transit Authority, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Sam & Dave, Johnny Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, Delaney & Bonnie, Nazz, Spirit, B. B. King and Canned Heat. More than 120,000 fans attended the festival.
- The Rolling Stones reached No. 1 on the US chart with “Honky Tonk Women”, their fifth single to reach the top of that chart.
- Zager and Evans began a three-week run at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)”. The song was written by Rick Evans in 1964. That same year, it also reached No. 1 in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the US, where it remained at the top for six weeks.
- Creedence Clearwater Revival released the single "Green River".
- Guitarist, composer, songwriter, singer and co-founder of rock band Tonic, Jeff Russo was born. He is also the composer of the music for FX's "Fargo".
- During their North American tour, Led Zeppelin performed at the Texas International Pop Festival in Lewisville. Also on the bill were B. B. King, The Incredible String Band, Sam & Dave and Janis Joplin.
- Former boxing champion and occasional recording artist Rocky Marciano died at the age of 45.
- Decca Records released The Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man", described as their most political song. Mick Jagger wrote it after attending an anti-war demonstration outside the U.S. embassy in London in March 1968, during which mounted police attempted to control a crowd of 25,000 people. In the United States, the song reached only No. 48 because a number of radio stations refused to play it because of its allegedly subversive lyrics.
- Elvis Presley returned to Los Angeles. For the first time in ten years, he had no work commitments or anything scheduled until January 1970. Because he was restless, he frequently traveled between his homes and took several vacations.
- The Grateful Dead performed at International Raceway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- American singer and songwriter Cedric Renard Hailey, known as K-Ci, was born in Monroe, North Carolina. He became known as a member of Jodeci and K-Ci & JoJo.
- Elvis Presley’s film The Trouble With Girls (And How To Get Into It) premiered in the United States. It was a period film set in the 1920s and was Presley’s 30th film.
- King Crimson performed at the Toby Jug pub in Tolworth, southwest London.
- The Rolling Stones released the song “Angie”, which later became one of their best-known ballads.
- The film Easy Rider, starring Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, premiered at The Classic cinema in London. The soundtrack featured music by artists including The Band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Byrds, The Electric Prunes, Steppenwolf and others.
- Sasha, born Alexander Paul Coe, producer and DJ, was born. He is known for his live performances and electronic music as a solo artist and for his work with British DJ John Digweed as Sasha & John Digweed.
- According to available sources, The Youngbloods did not appear on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson because of conflicts before the broadcast. Johnny Carson claimed that the band had complained about the set, lighting, sound and the entire show, while guitarist and pianist Lowell Levinger said the band had not been treated like guests. Another source says the group left because of poor sound quality. The band had originally planned to perform two songs, a new song and “Get Together,” but after the show ran long, the new song was dropped and The Youngbloods left.
- Dweezil Zappa was born in Los Angeles as Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa. He is the son of musician Frank Zappa and his wife Gail.
- James Brown announced his retirement after a live performance at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis.
- American singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor Josh White, born Joshua Daniel White, died during heart valve replacement surgery in Manhasset at the age of 55. He was known for his 1944 hit “One Meat Ball.”
- King Crimson performed at the Market Hall in Romford, England.
- The Stooges played their first concert in New York City at the Pavilion, appearing as the opening act for MC5.
- Singer Cecelia "CeCe" Peniston was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She became best known for the club hit "Finally", which was based on a poem she wrote about searching for an ideal partner. In 1992, the song reached No. 2 in the UK and No. 5 in the U.S. In the early 1990s, she also had five No. 1 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance chart.
- After a concert at the Memphis Mid-South Coliseum, James Brown announced that he would stop performing live as of July 4, 1970. He said he was tired. At the same time, he faced a paternity lawsuit filed by the former president of his local fan club. Brown ultimately did not retire from live performance and later placed another 16 songs in the Billboard Top 40 and 39 songs on the R&B chart.
- Jethro Tull scored their first UK No. 1 album when "Stand Up" reached the top of the chart.
- Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis performed at Cobo Hall in Detroit as part of one of the early concerts reviving the rock'n'roll scene of the time.
- R&B and soul singer Natalie Renée McIntyre, known by her stage name Macy Gray, was born in Canton, Ohio. Her song "I Try" reached No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 6 in the UK in 1999, while the album "How Life Is" reached No. 4 in the U.S. In 2001, she won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "I Try".
- Paddy Boom, born Patrick Seacor, drummer with Scissor Sisters, was born. Their self-titled 2004 album reached No. 1 on the UK chart, became the year's best-selling album and later received nine-times-platinum certification.
- The Allman Brothers Band performed at the Electric Zoo club in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- The Rolling Stones remained at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart for a third week with "Honky Tonk Women". Johnny Cash was at No. 2 with "A Boy Named Sue", while The Archies were at No. 3 with "Sugar, Sugar".
- King Crimson performed at the Victoria Ballroom in Chesterfield, England.
- The half-hour Saturday morning animated series “The Beatles” aired its final episode. The series premiered on September 25, 1965.
- The Beatles’ eleventh studio album, “Abbey Road”, was released in the United States, one week after its UK release.
- Colgems Records released The Monkees’ eighth studio album, “The Monkees Present Micky, David, Michael”. It was the group’s second album after Peter Tork’s departure and the last to feature Michael Nesmith until 1996. The album reached No. 100 in the United States, while the singles “Listen to the Band” and “Good Clean Fun” reached Nos. 63 and 82 respectively.
- English indie singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Badly Drawn Boy, born Damon Gough, was born. In 2002, he had the British single “You Were Right” at No. 9 and the album Have You Fed The Fish? at No. 10.
- Bobby Darin appeared on the ABC musical program This Is Tom Jones. During this period, he also used the name “Bob Darin” as part of his change in image and musical direction. On the program, he performed his original folk-rock song “Distractions” and then joined Tom Jones for a medley of “A Worried Man,” “Aquarius,” and “Let the Sunshine In.”
- Gwen Stefani was born in Fullerton, California. In 1987, she became the singer of No Doubt, a group founded by her brother Eric. In 2004, she released her first solo album, and in 2014 she became a coach on The Voice. With No Doubt, she had the UK No. 1 single “Don't Speak” in 1997, which also set a record of 16 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. The 1997 album Tragic Kingdom reached No. 1 in the US and sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. As a solo artist, she had the 2005 US No. 1 single “Hollaback Girl” from the album Love, Angel, Music, Baby, which was among the five best-selling albums in the world in 2004. Stefani was married to Bush singer and guitarist Gavin Rossdale and later married country musician Blake Shelton. She became best known as the frontwoman of No Doubt and subsequently for her successful solo career.
- Pink Floyd performed at the Debating Hall at Birmingham University in Birmingham, England.
- The album Green River reached number one on the US Billboard 200 on October 4, 1969, beginning a four-week run at the top. It was Creedence Clearwater Revival's first album to reach number one on any Billboard chart. The album included Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, Green River, and Commotion, and reached number 2 in Canada. It was later ranked No. 95 on Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
- Crosby, Stills & Nash released the song “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.”
- Donovan performed at Ellis Auditorium North Hall in Memphis, Tennessee.
- British comedy group Monty Python premiered the first episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus on BBC1, featuring the theme tune “The Liberty Bell” by John Philip Sousa.
- The Who appeared on the television program The Ed Sullivan Show.
- Blood, Sweat & Tears released the single “And When I Die.”
- In the United States, the single “Something / Come Together” was released, with George Harrison's “Something” becoming the first Harrison composition to be released as the A-side of a single. The single later reached No. 1 on the U.S. chart. Both songs came from the album Abbey Road.
- Three Dog Night released the single “Eli's Coming.”
- The Youngbloods received a gold certification for their version of “Get Together.” The song was written by Chet Powers (Dino Valenti) following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963; before The Youngbloods, it had been recorded by the Kingston Trio, We Five, and Jefferson Airplane.
- Humble Pie performed at the Coventry Theatre in Coventry, England, with David Bowie as their support act. It was the first of ten concerts David Bowie played as the opening act for Humble Pie.
- English record producer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist Giles Martin was born. The son of Beatles producer George Martin, he has worked with Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Elvis Costello, INXS, Kate Bush and Elton John. He produced the 50th-anniversary Beatles remix and deluxe-edition album releases.
- BBC's "Top of the Pops" refused for the first time in the show's history to air the No. 1 song in Britain, Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin's provocative French-language "Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus." Fontana had dropped the record despite its chart success, after which Major Minor bought the rights and saw it reach No. 1, making it the first French-language song to top the UK chart. Despite limited US radio support, it reached No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- A&M Records released The Carpenters' debut album, "Offering," which included their cover of The Beatles' "Ticket to Ride." The album initially reached No. 150 on the Billboard album chart and the single No. 54, but after the duo's breakthrough the album was reissued under the title "Ticket to Ride."
- Yes appeared at Grugahalle in Essen, Germany.
- Frank Zappa released the album Hot Rats. Following this project, he moved away from the approach associated with his previous work with The Mothers of Invention.
- King Crimson released their debut album In the Court of the Crimson King. The recording combined jazz and classical elements with rock and had a major influence on progressive rock. The album reached number 5 in the UK and number 28 on the U.S. album chart and later received RIAA gold certification in the U.S. It contains the songs “21st Century Schizoid Man,” “Epitaph” and “The Court of the Crimson King.”
- Led Zeppelin performed at the Olympia concert hall in Paris. A recording of the concert was broadcast by the French radio station Europe 1 on November 2, 1969. The recording was rediscovered in the station's basement in 2007 and broadcast again on December 7, 2007.
- Pink Floyd performed at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England.
- The Kinks released the album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire), their second consecutive concept project. The album is now regarded as one of the group's finest works of the late 1960s.
- Grand Funk Railroad's debut album, On Time, entered the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart at No. 65. Although many music critics received it unfavourably, the Michigan trio later became one of the most commercially successful rock groups in terms of touring and record sales.
- Muddy Waters suffered serious injuries in a car accident near Chicago, Illinois, in which three other people died. He withdrew from music for about a year and rarely performed on stage after returning.
- Yes performed at Newcastle University in Newcastle, England.
- The British press announces that Led Zeppelin will receive the highest fee ever paid to a British group in the UK for a one-off performance at London’s Lyceum. The exact amount is not disclosed.
- Martie Maguire is born in York, Pennsylvania. She is a singer and multi-instrumentalist and a founding member of The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks. She later forms the duo Court Yard Hounds with her sister Emily Robison.
- Detroit radio DJ Russ Gibb receives a call from a listener who claims that playing The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” backwards reveals the message “Turn me on, dead man.” Gibb broadcasts the track in reverse, helping spread rumors about Paul McCartney’s supposed death, known as “Paul Is Dead.” Other alleged clues are said to be hidden in “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Revolution 9,” and the Sgt. Pepper album cover.
- Mary Hopkin performed at London's Savoy Theatre. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were in the audience; they had produced her hit "Those Were the Days" for Apple Records.
- Neil Diamond released the single "Holly Holy".
- Peter, Paul and Mary released the single “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”