On This Day in Music for October 20
Events in Music
- 1877 Franz Schubert's 2nd Symphony in B premieres
- 1934 Richard Strauss completes his opera "Die Schweigsame Frau"
- 1939 "All the Things You Are" recorded by Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
- 1962 Peter, Paul and Mary's debut folk album "Peter, Paul and Mary" reaches No. 1 on US album charts
- 1962 Musical "Mr President" opens at St James Theater New York for 265 performances
- 1964 "Golden Boy" opens at Majestic Theater NYC for 569 performances
- 1964 Riot at Rolling Stones show in Paris leads to 150 arrests
- 1965 Beatles receive a gold record for "Yesterday"
- More Events in Music
Weddings in Music
- 1853 23rd US President Benjamin Harrison (20) weds music teacher Caroline Scott (21)
- 1991 Actress Lisa Hartman weds country singer Clint Black
- 2013 Singer Kelly Clarkson (31) weds talent manager Brandon Blackstock at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee; divorce 2021
More Weddings & Divorces in Music
Musicians Who Died on Oct 20
- 1676 Christopher Gibbons, English composer, dies at 61
- 1819 Lambert-Francois Godecharle, Belgian composer and singer, dies at 66
- 1870 Michael William Balfe, Irish violinist and composer (The Bohemian Girl), dies at 62
- 1904 Henry Hiles, English composer, dies at 77
October in Music History
Elvis Comes Fifth in Talent Show
Elvis Presley made his first public appearance as a singer on this day. It did not go well: he came fifth in a local talent show. But he was only ten years old.
October 3, 1945Chopin: The Day the Music Died
The brief life of Chopin, one of music’s earliest superstars, ended on this day when the sickly composer fell victim to tuberculosis. He was just 39.
October 17, 1849The Ultimate Beatles Quiz
Do you know the answer to every Beatles Question? Including who was the original Beatles drummer? How about who wrote Hey Jude?
Test Your Knowledge