Music History on October 20

Symphony No. 2

1877 Franz Schubert's 2nd Symphony in B premieres in London, England by Crystal Palace Orchestra, conducted by Alfred Manns

The Silent Woman

1934 Richard Strauss completes his opera "Die Schweigsame Frau" (The Silent Woman)

All the Things You Are

1939 "All the Things You Are" recorded by Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Peter Pan

1954 Leigh, Charlap, Styne, Comden and Green's musical "Peter Pan", starring Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard, opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC; runs for 152 performances

Banana Boat (Day-O)

1955 Calypso singer Harry Belafonte records his signature tune "Day-O" (Banana Boat Song) in NYC

  • 1955 Ira Levin's stage comedy "No Time for Sergeants", based on Mac Hymans's novel, starring Andy Griffith, and featuring Don Knotts, opens at Alvin Theatre, NYC; runs for 796 performances

Mr. President

1962 Irving Berlin's final musical "Mr. President" opens at St James Theater, NYC; runs for 265 performances

#1 in the Charts

1962 Peter, Paul and Mary's debut folk album "Peter, Paul and Mary" reaches No. 1 on US album charts

Golden Boy

1964 Lee Adams and Charles Strouse's musical adaptation of Clifford Odet's "Golden Boy", starring Sammy Davis Jr. opens at Majestic Theater, NYC; runs for 569 performances

  • 1964 Riot at Rolling Stones conecrt in Paris leads to 150 arrests
  • 1965 Beatles receive a gold record for the single "Yesterday"

Her 1st Roman

1968 Ervin Drake's musical "Her 1st Roman", based on George Bernard Shaw's play "Caesar and Cleopatra", opens at Lunt Fontanne Theater, NYC; runs for 17 performances

Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death

1971 Melvin Van Peebles' musical "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death" opens at Barrymore Theater, NYC; runs for 325 performances

  • 1974 Bard's presentation of "Richard III" opens at Lincoln Center NYC
  • 1977 Plane chartered by rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd runs out of fuel and crashes in a wooded area near Gillsburg, Mississippi. Six people are killed, including band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gains, and Cassie Gaines, and road manager Dean Kilpatrick
  • 1978 British ska-rock band The Police perform 1st US concert at CBGBs in NYC

Music History

1979 Bob Dylan make his only appearance on "Saturday Night Live" performing three songs from his album Slow Train Coming: ‘When You Gonna Wake Up’, ‘Gotta Serve Somebody’ and ‘I Believe in You’'

The Wanderer

1980 Geffen Records release their first album, Donna Summer's "The Wanderer"

  • 1991 "André Heller's Wonderhouse", starring Billy Barty, opens at Broadhurst Theatre, NYC; runs for 9 performances

Summer and Smoke

1996 Revival of Tennessee Williams' stage drama "Summer and Smoke", starring Harry Hamlin and Mary McDonnell, closes at Criterion Theater, NYC, after 53 performances

  • 2019 David Byrne's musical revue "American Utopia" opens at Hudson Theatre, NYC; runs for 106 performances

Hackney Diamonds

2023 Polydor releases "Hackney Diamonds", the 24th studio album by British rock band the Rolling Stones (26th album in US); record is their first of original music since 2005, and features appearances by Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney