On November 4, 1961, a young Bob Dylan made his headlining debut at Carnegie Chapter Hall in New York City. Over 50 people attended, including many friends who paid just $2 for tickets. Though the show was small, Dylan was on the brink of becoming one of the most influential figures in music history.
Here’s a look at other major moments that happened on this day in music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
1970 – David Bowie released his third album, The Man Who Sold the World, marking his shift from acoustic folk to experimental hard rock.
1989 – Elton John released “Sacrifice,” becoming one of only three artists—alongside Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard—to achieve 50 chart-topping hits.
1997 – Shania Twain dropped Come On Over, featuring a record-breaking 12 singles, including the smash “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”
2019 – Harry Styles announced his second album, Fine Line, which would debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in December.
Cultural Moments
1995 – Michael Jackson debuted “Earth Song” during a German television broadcast watched by 25 million viewers.
2009 – Gwen Stefani and No Doubt filed a lawsuit against the makers of Band Hero for using their likeness without permission. The case was settled in 2012.
2021 – Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were announced as the leading stars of Wicked. The film’s soundtrack later peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2024.
Notable Performances
1967 – Pink Floyd played their final San Francisco show during their first U.S. tour.
1984 – Prince kicked off his legendary Purple Rain Tour in Detroit, marking the live debut of his band, The Revolution.
2018 – Childish Gambino performed his biggest U.K. show to date in London, with H.E.R. opening the performance.
From intimate beginnings like Dylan’s debut to era-defining tours and historic album releases, November 4 is rich with unforgettable music moments.