Events in Music History in January 1962

The Beatles? 'They have no future in show business'

Jan 1 Beatles' Decca Records audition is unsuccessful - they are told “guitar groups are on the way out..."

"The Twist"

Jan 13 Chubby Checker's song "The Twist", credited with starting the Twist dance craze, goes to #1 in the charts two years after first reaching number one spot

Music History

Jan 13 Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green's musical "Do Re Mi" starring Phil Silvers and Nancy Walker, closes at the 54th Street Theater, NYC, after 400 performances

  • Jan 17 Roy Harris' 8th Symphony, premieres in San Francisco
  • Jan 20 "Kean" closes at Broadway Theater NYC after 92 performances

Epstein Signs with Beatles

Jan 24 Brian Epstein signs management contract with the Beatles

Catholic Bishop Bans "The Twist"

Jan 26 Bishop Burke of Buffalo Catholic dioceses declares Chubby Checker's "The Twist" to be impure and bans it from all Catholic schools

  • Jan 26 David Diamond's 7th Symphony premieres with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy

Music History

Jan 27 "Family Affair" opens at Billy Rose Theater NYC for 65 performances