Events in Music History in December 1964

Ringo Starr

Dec 2 Ringo Starr's tonsils are removed at University College Hospital, London, England

  • Dec 4 The Beatles release "Beatles For Sale", their fourth studio album in the UK

Harrison Changes Company Name

Dec 7 George Harrison changes his company's name from Mornyork to Harrisongs

A Love Supreme

Dec 9 John Coltrane's Quartet records their greatest work "A Love Supreme" at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

  • Dec 14 Michael Brown meets Renee Fladen, then writes "Walk Away Renee"
  • Dec 15 Jack Lawrence and Stan Freeman's musical "I Had a BaIl", starring Buddy Hackett, opens at Martin Beck Theater, NYC; runs for 199 performances

Cooke's Funeral Disrupted

Dec 18 During funeral service held for soul singer Sam Cooke, fans cause damage to funeral home

  • Dec 25 George Harrison's girlfriend Pattie Boyd attacked by female Beatle fans
  • Dec 26 Beatles single "I Feel Fine" goes #1 & stays #1 for 3 weeks

The Supremes on Ed Sullivan Show

Dec 27 1st appearance of The Supremes on "The Ed Sullivan Show", singing "Come See About Me"

The Execution of Stepan Razin

Dec 28 Premiere of Dmitri Shostakovich's cantata "The Execution of Stepan Razin"