In October of 1961, Keener’s predecessor, WKMH was playing, Del Shannon‘s “Runaway” and “Blue Moon” by The Marcels. West Side Story was premiering in New York. And Chico Marx, the oldest of the Marx Brothers, died at age 74.

Across the pond on October 19, “The Beatmakers“, a Supergroup combination of The Beatles and Gerry and The Pacemakers, performed at the Litherland Town Hall in England. The line-up included Gerry Marsden, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Les Maguire, Pete Best, Freddy Marsden, plus vocalist Karl Terry from The Cruisers with Les Chadwick on bass guitar. Both bands were managed by Brian Epstein & had yet to have hit records. At left is a later shot of the two bands with Roy Orbison.

The Beatmakers show is one of the most sought after Beatles bootlegs. No recordings have yet to emerge from that night.

1961 was also the year that these other iconic acts began their careers: The Beach Boys, Golden Earring (Radar Love), The Tornados (Telstar) and Bob Seger.