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1965

in Music

Albums

17

Artists

18

Milestones

19

Notable Releases

SINGLE1965

Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

James Brown

His first top-ten pop hit and Grammy-winning single that marked a shift toward funk music and established Brown's commercial crossover success.

SINGLE1965

I Got You (I Feel Good)

James Brown

Iconic hit single that became his second consecutive number-one R&B and top-ten pop chart entry, cementing his status as a top-ranking performer.

SINGLE1965

Ain't That Peculiar

Marvin Gaye

Hit single written by Smokey Robinson that reached the Billboard Hot 100 top ten and became one of Gaye's first two number one singles on Hot R&B Singles chart, selling a million copies.

ALBUM1965

An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba

Miriam Makeba

Grammy-winning album with Harry Belafonte addressing the political plight of black South Africans under apartheid, including songs critical of the government.

SINGLE1965

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Mick Jagger

Breakthrough international hit that established the Rolling Stones' defiant image and became one of rock's most iconic songs.

SINGLE1965

Yesterday

Paul McCartney

Beatles single featuring string quartet arrangements, marking the first use of classical elements in their recordings and becoming one of the most covered songs in history.

ALBUM1965

I Put a Spell on You

Nina Simone

A critically acclaimed album featuring iconic tracks including 'I Put a Spell on You,' 'Ne me quitte pas,' and 'Feeling Good,' which have become standards in her repertoire and been widely sampled and covered.

SINGLE1965

Respect

Otis Redding

Self-penned soul classic that became iconic despite later being overshadowed by Aretha Franklin's cover; influenced numerous artists including George Harrison.

ALBUM1965

Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul

Otis Redding

Breakthrough album featuring "Respect" and cover of "A Change Is Gonna Come"; ranked 74th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums and recognized as first great album by soul artist.

ALBUM1965

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan

Landmark album featuring "Like a Rolling Stone"

SINGLE1965

Like a Rolling Stone

Bob Dylan

Revolutionary single that changed pop music

SINGLE1965

Yesterday

The Beatles

Most covered song in history with over 2,200 versions

SINGLE1965

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

The Rolling Stones

One of the most iconic rock songs of all time

Significant Milestones

American Debut and Australia Tour

Tour
Luciano Pavarotti

Made American debut with Greater Miami Opera in February 1965 in Lucia di Lammermoor. Summer 1965 Australian tour with Joan Sutherland spanning 40 performances over two months; credited Sutherland for breathing technique that sustained his career.

Breakthrough to Pop Crossover

Grammy Win
James Brown

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" becomes his first top-ten pop hit and Grammy winner. Followed by two more top-ten pop hits establishing him as a crossover artist.

Pink Born

Birth
Pink

Pink was born

Solo Band Formation

Achievement
Tabu Ley

After splitting with Dr. Nico Kasanda, established African Fiesta National (African Fiesta Flash), which became one of Africa's most successful bands.

Left U.S. Navy

Achievement
Bill Withers

Completed nine-year naval service and began transition to music career. During his time in the Navy, Withers became interested in singing and songwriting, laying groundwork for his future musical pursuits.

Musicians from 1965