3D Radio timeline - the 1960's
1960
Echo I, a U.S. balloon in orbit, reflects radio signals to Earth.
90% of American homes have television sets.
TV sets in 7 of 8 U.S. homes.
More than 500 American television stations are broadcasting.
Taking a food order by telephone, Domino's delivers a pizza.
A movie gets Smell-O-Vision
Parker 45 fountain pen takes refill cartridges.
Holmfield Railway station closed
The Victoria Hall was bought by Halifax Corporation for £82,000, refurbished
and renovations cost £200,000.
The North Bridge passenger station was demolished
The Grand Theatre at the town end of North Bridge was demolished
by the end of April. "Coronation Street" actress Pat Phoenix, alias Elsie
Tanner, dubbed Britain's sexiest woman by none other than premier Harold
Wilson, had spent three years in rep at the Theatre and made a visit to
Halifax to collect a piece of its stonework as a souvenir.
The Picture House (Coliseum night club) became The Gaumont in 1948
and closed in November 1960
“No Love For Johnny”, film starring Peter Finch included the famous Devil’
Cauldron view of Halifax in the opening sequence
January 14 - Elvis Presley is promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Army
February 6 - Songwriter Jesse Belvin dies in an automobile accident in Los
Angeles, California. Belvin was the co-author of "Earth Angel," the Penguins'
classic from 1954
February 17 - The Everly Brothers sign a 10-year, $1 million contract with
Warner Bros. Records.
Bandleader Chubby Checker popularised the dance with his 1960 hit The
Twist.
Eddie Cochran died 17/04 aged 21 Car accident
1961
A wireless microphone is used in a movie, Mutiny on the Bounty.
Boxing match test shows potential of pay-TV.
FCC approves FM stereo broadcasting; spurs FM development.
In January the Gaumont became a Top Rank Bingo and Social Club and it
was reported that people queued round the block on opening night - 1,200
people played and £400 in prize money was paid out over the first weekend.
Later known as Surewin, this club reverted to showing films in 1973.
The Regal Cinema changes its name to the ABC
March 15 John Crossley and Sons Ltd opened its Elizabeth Shed, a structure
that was in marked contrast to the half-mile long complex of 11 stone-built
mills that constituted Dean Clough, one of the world’s largest textile factories.
Kenny Carter was born. The Halifax Dukes speedway star shot his wife Pam
dead, and then shot himself at their home in Bradshaw in May, 1986. At the
time of his death, he was British speedway champion
Mikado cafe on Silver Street shut down
Acker Bilk performs at The Victoria Theatre 19th of May
Humphrey Littleton plays at The Charity Gala 10th of June
Sonny Terry & Brownie Mgee, Blues Legends, 24/09/61 Victoria Theatre on
the 24th of September and later appear at The Jazz Club
The legendary John Schlesinger (Yanks, Marathon Man, Midnight
Cowboy) made his feature film directorial debut with “A Kind Of Loving” a
bittersweet and beautifully acted drama about a young draughtsman,
Vic Brown (Alan Bates) with filming taking place in Halifax
In November, The Halifax Industrial Society opened the Broadway
Supermarket on Waterhouse Street. “Coronation Street” star Lynne
Carol (alias Martha Longhurst) did the honours and the boast was the
store (nowadays a Chinese restaurant) would stand comparison with
any supermarket in the country. But it would close in 1972.
In Cuba the term Salsa is first used to describe Tito Puente and similar artists,
who had been performing in the style for some twenty-five years
In The Dominican Republic Johnny Ventura adds salsa and rock and roll to
make a faster form of Merengue.
In Jamaica The Folkes Brothers' "Oh Carolina" marks the beginning of
Jamaican musicians mixing native beats, gospel, ska and American R&B,
eventually forming reggae
The popularity of Merseybeat outside of Liverpool begins with bands like
 Gerry & the Pacemakers
 Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas
 The Fourmost
 Cilla Black
 The Searchers
 The Merseybeats
 The Mojos.
Alexis Korner forms Blues Incorporated, a band that is pivotal in the
development of British blues as well as a training ground for some of the
most popular performers of the British Invasion
Patsy Cline's (and the Nashville sound in country music) popularity peaks with
country singles like "Crazy" and "I Fall to Pieces"
The Supremes sign to Motown; they (and Motown) will become the dominant
force in R&B and soul for the rest of the decade
Dick Dale's "Let's Go Tripping" is a local hit in southern California; it is one of
the pivotal recordings in the early development of surf rock
Mexican immigrants in the Los Angeles area have established a thriving
mariachi scene
1962
Poet Sylvia Plath's fictional memoir, The Bell Jar, published under pseudonym.
The Telstar satellite sends television across the Atlantic.
Death of Marilyn Monroe (actress)
Palladium Cinema, King Cross. capacity 800 closed in April 1962 and became
a bingo hall
European popularity of American blues continues to grow with the first
American Folk-Blues Festival
Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar and American jazz musician Bud Shank
collaborate on Improvisations and Theme From Pather Panchali, marking the
beginning of Indian fusions with American jazz
The Tornadoes' "Telstar" is the first single from a British band to hit
international charts, and is sometimes considered the beginning of the British
Invasion
In Jamaica rural poor Jamaicans begin to move into the cities; they will
eventually become known as rude boys, and will shift ska into rocksteady
Both The Beatles and the Rolling Stones begin recording
Dick Dale and others popularise surf rock; The Beach Boys' Surfin' is
especially notable
Phil Spector invents the Wall of Sound production technique
Girl groups like The Shirelles ("Soldier Boy") and The Crystals ("There's No
Other (Like My Baby)") dominate the charts, alongside other pop vocalists like
Chubby Checker ("The Twist"), The Four Seasons ("Big Girls Don't Cry") and
Roy Orbison ("Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)")
Stu Sutcliff of The Beatles died 10/04 aged 21 Medical
1963
From Phillips of Holland comes the audio cassette.
Instamatic cameras with drop-in cartridges; more than 50 million will be sold.
Sony offers an open-reel videotape recorder for the home
Polaroid instant photography adds color.
TV news "comes of age" in reporting JFK assassination.
First live televised murderJack Ruby shoots Lee Harvey Oswald.
Saturday, March 2nd, Halifax RL managed to get back into action away at
Naughton Park, Widnes, home of the team known as the “Chemics” - a local
chemical firm had supplied a special de-icing substance.
At the end of February the ground was still covered in two inches of ice
and local skating experts told that this would be ideal for their pastime.
And so skaters were invited to turn up at the Shay, paying 2/6 for adults, 1/6
for children and one shilling for spectators. By the evening some 500 skaters
were gliding around the pitch. For the evening session the floodlights were
switched on and pop hits played from the loudspeakers.
“This Sporting Life” directed by Lyndsay Anderson and starring Richard
Harris as Frank Machin and William (Doctor Who) Hartnell was filmed
at Thrum Hall bringing Rugby League to the silver screen
Demolition of Castle Carr, a mock-Medieval house built around 1860 by
Captain Joseph Priestley Edwards commenced. The latest owner was the
Wakefield company J.E.Gillings, who purchased the dilapidated mansion at
auction for a mere £4, 200. The house and water gardens were a popular
attraction and are currently open to the public once a year
The Halifax Co-operative Society joined up with the nationwide Co-operative
Retail Services Ltd.
Middlesbrough promoter Reg Fearman made a formal application to Halifax
Town for use of the ground to revive the sport.
Sylvia Plath, author of The Bell Jar and wife of Poet Ted Hughes, committed
suicide in February and was buried at Heptonstall
Webster’s café went out of business after 144 years of trading in Halifax.
February 17 - The Everly Brothers sign a 10-year, $1 million contract with
Warner Bros. Records.
The Beat boom and Beatlemania hits the UK
Marvin Gaye's "Can I Get a Witness" becomes a major hit among the Mod
subculture
Girl groups (The Crystals ("Then He Kissed Me"), The Ronettes ("Be My
Baby"), The Chiffons ("He's So Fine") and Lesley Gore ("It's My Party", "Judy's
Turn to Cry")) reach their peak of popularity and innovation
Surf rock bands like
 The Surfaris ("Wipe Out")
 Jan & Dean ("Surf City")
 The Trashmen ("Surfin' Bird")
 The Chantays ("Pipeline")
stretch the boundaries of surf music
1964
Olympic Games in Tokyo telecast live globally by satellite.
Picturephone tested
Mariner IV sends television images from Mars.
"Pirate" ships broadcast off English coast, challenge BBC monopoly.
“Have A Go” was broadcast from Heptonstall Parish Hall. The jackpot winner
was Surrey-born Mrs Doris Marsden who correctly replied that it was Halifax
author Phyllis Bentley who had written the novel “Inheritance”.
Actress Pat Phoenix - aka Elsie Tanner - sent the special golden ball, a Crown
Jewel ball flown in specially from Chicago, down lane 13. It was the first of
the evening and the Halifax Bowl was born February 6
The Beatles stayed at Holdsworth House, Holmfield on the 9th of October.
The Pearson family had to vacate their own rooms in the house to
accommodate the fab four and their manager Brian Epstein.
Other famous guests included Jayne Mansfield, Sir Alex Douglas Home, The
Small Faces, Cilla Black, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Harry Secombe, The Searchers,
The high rise flats, Albion Court and St James’ Court , were completed
Halifax born Sir George Dyson died on September 29, 1964. For 15 years he
was director of the Royal College of Music.
Cosy Corner Cinema Queens Road closed in May Halifax after being open for
50 years
The Victoria Hall became the New Victoria Hall
Elland’s Rex switched to bingo although it later reverted to showing films
Ramsden’s brewery was taken over by Joshua Tetley & Sons of Leeds – a
subsidiary of Allied Breweries Limited
The Beatles (A Hard Day's Night, ...Introducing the Beatles, Meet the Beatles)
continue to dominate the charts, along with
 The Beach Boys ("I Get Around")
 The Zombies ("She's Not There")
 The Kinks ("You Really Got Me")
 The Animals (The Animals, "The House of the Rising Sun").
Their chart success heralds the arrival of the British Invasion in the United
States, Australia, Switzerland and other countries
Chris Blackwell's Island Records in the United Kingdom releases Millie Small's
"My Boy Lollipop", which helps to bring Ska and the Jamaican music scene to
international audiences
In Jamaica, the popularity of Ska is unchallenged; native artists like Toots &
the Maytals, The Wailers, Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker are extremely
popular
The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" is considered the first Hard Rock recording
The Yardbirds use guitars to make feedback and fuzz
Blue-eyed soul artists like the Righteous Brothers, Mitch Ryder and the
Rascals are popular
Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour" introduces a new form of hard-edged
soul
Sam Cooke shot dead 11/12 aged 33
1965
Vietnam War becomes first war to be televised.
Ford offers 8-track tape players on next year's model cars.
Mobile radio telephone service widely available in the U.S.
Westinghouse Phonovid stores TV sound, pictures on phonograph records.
Kodak offers Super 8 film for home movies.
Cartridge audio tapes go on sale for a few years.
A youth theatre on West Grove Terrace, off Hopwood Lane, Halifax was
destroyed in an arson attack
July 4 a gathering outside the house in Halifax where Bramwell Booth,
son of Salvation Army Founder William Booth, was born
Theatre Royal cinema changed to bingo, as the Essoldo Club. It would
soon claim to be Halifax’s biggest bingo operation, with 10,000 players
a week.
Work began on constructing the Shay ground and speedway returned.
Victor Brox makes the first of 10 appearances throughout the year at The
Plebeians Jazz Club on 28th of February. The last being on December 31st
Wynder K. Frog (of Northern Soul “Green Door” fame) appear on 24th of July
at The Plebeians Jazz Club returning again in October and November
Rod Stewart appears at The Plebeians Jazz Club on the 5th of June
Graham Bond appears at The Plebeians Jazz Club on the 4th/ of September
Thursday’s Children appear at The Plebeians Jazz Club on the 18th of
December
Percy Shaw, Halifax inventor of “Cats Eyes”, once described in the House of
Commons as “the most brilliant invention every produced in the interests of
road safety” was awarded the OBE for services to export in the Birthday
Honours List.
The Beatles endure the heights of Beatlemania while the British Invasion
peaks
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Many of the bands that are later important in psychedelia begin
performing, including Pink Floyd
The Grateful Dead
Jefferson Airplane
The Byrds; Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man", often considered the first
psychedelic recording, is released
George Harrison plays the sitar on "Norwegian Wood", helping to popularize
Indian music. Other recordings by Robbie Basho ("Seal of the Blue Lotus"),
The Byrds ("Eight Miles High") and The Kinks ("Till the End of the Day) are
the beginning of major mainstream success for rock influenced by Indian
music
Mod reaches the height of its popularity in Britain with bands like The Who
(The Who Sings My Generation) and The Small Faces
James Brown begins adding more complex percussion to soul music,
beginning the evolution of funk
The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" is the beginning of
blue-eyed soul
Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" is an innovative soul
recording, on which the instrumental backing has fully replaced the choir of
gospel
Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" is one of the first successful singles to be
longer than three minutes in duration; the accompanying album, Highway 61
Revisited, is also arguably the first successful fusion of rock and folk,
alongside this year's cover of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" by The Byrds
1966
Star Trek lands on TV.
England win the Soccer World Cup against West Germany
Clare Hall, a fairly substantial 17th century town house in the heart of
Halifax, was demolished to make way for the new Swimming Bath
Halifax Pool opened in April after a 30 year saga
Ministry of Transport approved Halifax’s Inner Relief Road - Burdock Way
Wynder K. Frog returned to The Plebeians Jazz Club on New Year’s Day and
again on the 12th of November
The Plebeians Jazz Club played host to Joe Cocker Big Blues Band on 22nd of
January
Chris Farlowe & Thunderbirds + Thursday’s Children appeared at The
Plebeians Jazz Club on the 5th of March
Victor Brox returned to The Plebeians Jazz Club on the 18th of June
The Plebeians Jazz Club hosted Steam Packet comprising Long John Baldrey,
Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll on 10th of September
The Alan Bown Set were at The Plebeians Jazz Club on the 19th of November
Root ‘n’ Jenny Jackson were there on the 3rd of December and
Victor Brox Blues Train on the 26th of December. Root ‘n’ Jenny Jackson
returned on 31st of December to let in the new year
Samuel Webster & Sons Limited, Fountain Head Breweries merged with
Bradford brewers J. Hey & Company Limited.
Early psychedelia from The Who (A Quick One (Happy Jack)) and The Moody
Blues (The Magnificient Moodies) is popular
Other bands begin to merge these more progressive sounds with Pop
 The Beatles (Revolver),
 Shadows of Knight (Gloria)
 The Troggs (Wild Thing)
 The Mamas & the Papas (If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
 The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, including "Good Vibrations", one of the
innovative songs of the era
Pete Seeger's "Guantanamera" popularizes Cuban guajira internationally
British Blues musicians like Cream (Fresh Cream) and The Yardbirds (Roger
the Engineer) help invent a distinct British sound
Johnny Kidd died 11/07 aged 27 Car accident
1967
Dolby eliminates audio hiss.
Pre-recorded movies on videotape sold for home TV sets.
BBC cancel “Have A Go” after 21 years. Hosted by Halifax born Wilfred Pickles
Soul Sisters 14/01/67 Plebeians Jazz Club – popularised by hit “I Can’t Stand
It”.
Root ‘n’ Jenny Jackson perform 3 times at The Plebeians Jazz Club 22nd of
January, 8th of April and 23rd of December
Alan Bown Set perform at The Plebeians Jazz Club on 11th of April
The Drifters played at The Plebeians Jazz Club on 27th of April
Jimmy Cliff & Shakedown Sound were at The Plebeians Jazz Club on 13th of
May
Clarences Night Club opens
“Inheritance” written by Phyllis Bentley was shown on Friday nights
beginning at the end of September. Among the stars were the young
John Thaw and James Bolam. Filming also took place in locations such
as Murgatroyd’s Mill, Luddenden, and Spring Mill, Rishworth.
The council completed a £13,000 interim scheme at King Cross.
End of Hebden Bridge Co-op in, after the managing secretary was
found guilty of major fraud.
Jimmy Saville started a 20 year connection with Cragg Vale. Members
of St John’s Church, Cragg Vale, needed to raise £7,500 to help them
provide a new vicarage, so that they could appoint a new vicar.
Sowerby Bridge’s Essoldo cinema became Regal Bingo
Timothy Evans wrongly hung for the murder of his wife, Ethel Evans and their
baby daughter, crimes committed by John Christie was given a posthumous
pardon
The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, arguably the
pinnacle of psychedelic music -- other psychedelic bands like
 The Doors (The Doors)
 The Who (The Who Sell Out)
 Jefferson Airplane (Surrealistic Pillow)
also release pivotal albums; the whole scene is aided by the blockbuster
Monterey Pop Festival
Hits like Joe Cuba's "Bang! Bang!" marks the peak of Boogaloo music which is
a fusion of soul and mambo
Neil Diamond's "Red, Red Wine" is the first pop-reggae hit
DJ Kool Herc moves to New York City, part of a wave of Jamaican immigrants
that bring Dub to the US; in the Bronx, it will evolve into Hip Hop
Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe release El Malo on Fania Records, which
launches the label and the developing genre of Salsa music
Early Punk artists like The Velvet Underground (The Velvet Underground &
Nico, White Light/White Heat) and Iggy Pop begin their careers
Larry Graham, bassist with Sly & the Family Stone, revolutionises funk bass
lines with his ‘walking bass’ style.
Joe Meek (producer) died 03/02 aged 38 Suicide
Brian Epstein The Beatles' manager died 27/08 aged 32 Drug overdose
Woody Guthrie died 03/10 aged 55 Medical
Ronnie Caldwell of The Bar-Kays died 10/12 aged 19 Airplane crash
Carl Cunningham of The Bar-Kays died 10/12 aged 18 Airplane crash
Phalin Jones of The Bar-Kays died 10/12 aged 18 Airplane crash
Jimmy King of The Bar-Kays died 10/12 aged 18 Airplane crash
Otis Redding died 10/12 aged 26 Airplane crash
1968
TV photographers lug two-inch-tape portable videotape recorders.
Sony develops the Trinitron color television tube.
Approximately 200 million TV sets in the world.
Sugar Simone performs at The Plebeians Jazz Club on 13th January
The Fantastics play their first of two dates at The Plebeians Jazz Club on the
3rd of February returning on 15th of April
Root ‘n’ Jenny Jackson play The Plebeians Jazz Club on the 24th of February
The Plebeians Jazz Club closes
The Pineapple Hotel a late 18th century Pub was demolished as was
The Wellington, both situated at New Bank close to North Bridge
Halifax had its own M Cars.... a fleet of Mini vans which came into service
with Halifax Police in June.
Halifax Bowling Alley closed in November just 5 years after opening
Brewing at Whitaker's Corporation Street brewery stopped when the company
was completely taken over by Whitbread's
Ramsden’s Brewery demolished in 1968. The brewery and stables were
situated on the present site of the head office of the Halifax Building Society
HQ at Ward’s End, Halifax
1968 in music
Osibisa, a band composed of three Ghanaians living in London, form; they will
go on to briefly popularize Afro-rock in the UK, becoming perhaps the first
major African musical celebrities in Europe and also performing at Clarence's
Night Club
King Tubby invents dub music in Jamaica by removing the vocals from albums
and playing the percussion breaks for a dance-crazy audience
Rock Steady music reaches the peak of its popularity with two notable
releases by Toots & the Maytals: "5446-That's My Number" and "Do the
Reggay"
The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow is the first British rock opera, and perhaps the
first concept album will play at the Ill-fated Krumlin Festival
Van Morrison's Astral Weeks establishes a new form of jazz-rock in the singersongwriter tradition
Two of the greatest groups of the British roots revival debut, Fairport
Convention and Pentangle
The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in British
history
Edward Hawkins Singers have a major international hit with "Oh Happy Day"
Hair debuts on Broadway; it is the first rock musical
Gram Parsons and the International Submarine Band make some of the first
recordings of modern Country Rock
Creedence Clearwater Revival invents a similar fusion of rock, country and
Louisiana Blues
Frankie Lymon of The Teenagers died 28/02 aged 25 Drug overdose
Little Willie John died 27/05 aged 30 Pneumonia whilst in prison, ironically
recorded the original of 'Fever'
1969
Neil Armstrong becomes first man to walk on Moon
Astronauts send live photographs from the moon to worldwide audience.
First words broadcast from the moon "That's one small step
RCA SelectaVision plays pre-recorded cassettes, but cannot record.
Sony brings out 3/4" U-Matic, first videotape cassette editing system.
Audio music tapes sold with Dolby Noise Reduction.
The bridge peeps out over the Baitings lake, the water level 24 ft below
normal
Crossley Carpets merged with the Kidderminster-based Carpets International
and after a decade of decline, it was announced in January 1982 that Dean
Clough, by then employing just 500 people, would close.
7th December Halifax born actor Eric Portman died of a heart condition
The council erected a blue plaque in his memory at 20 Chester Road,
Akroydon
Sowerby Bridge Co-op went into voluntary liquidation
Copley Co-operative Society closed in March
Halifax Dairies on Queen's Road bottled 14,000 gallons of milk a day but it
would be closed in this year. Associated Dairies, based in Leeds, announced
that it would be closing its Halifax bottling plant, where 100 people worked,
dealing with 14,000 gallons a day.
The distinctive Brickmaker’s Arms was demolished in Halifax
folk-oriented psychedelia dominates music with releases from
 The Doors (The Soft Parade)
 The Beatles (Abbey Road)
 The Fifth Dimension (The Age of Aquarius),
 Youngbloods (Elephant Mountain)

Crosby, Stills & Nash (Déjà Vu)
blockbuster Woodstock music festival held in Bethel, New York
Roots reggae becomes the dominant sound in Jamaica, with Bob Marley & the
Wailers (Soul Shakedown) leading the way towards a new, distinctively
Jamaican fusion of folk, R&B, rock and ska
The Who releases Tommy, the first rock opera
Led Zeppelin's first album, Led Zeppelin, is released; it is an enormously
influential psychedelic blues-rock
Fairport Convention's Liege and Lief is considered the beginning of English
folk-rock
The release of The Stooges' eponymous debut album is arguably the earliest
trace of punk rock; along with MC 5's Kick out the Jams, a hard-edged
Detroit-based sound arises
Martin Lamble of Fairport Convention died 01/06 aged 19 Car accident
Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones died 03/07 aged 27 Drowned