As we celebrate our 60th birthday this year, we thought it would be fascinating to look back at what else was happening in the world when we first emerged. It turns out 1965 was quite the remarkable year, filled with watershed moments that would shape culture, politics and society for decades to come!

A Changing Britain

1965 was a transformative year for Britain. The nation mourned when Winston Churchill was laid to rest in January with a state funeral that brought the country to a standstill.

Meanwhile, on the fashion front, London was cementing its reputation as a global trendsetter after Mary Quant introduced the miniskirt from her Kings Road boutique, Bazaar – a fashion revolution that would define the Swinging Sixties.

British cinema was making waves too, with Julie Christie starring in Darling – a film that captured the essence of London's evolving social scene and would later win Christie an Oscar for Best Actress.

On the football pitch, Manchester United claimed the 1964/65 First Division title, while Liverpool won their first-ever FA Cup in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Leeds United at Wembley. For Liverpool supporters, it was the beginning of a golden era.

Perhaps most significantly, December saw the introduction of the Race Relations Act – Britain's first legislation addressing racial discrimination, marking an important step forward in the nation's social progress.

Global Milestones

Across the pond, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in for a full term as US President, while the civil rights movement reached pivotal moments with the assassination of Malcolm X in February and Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

The sporting world witnessed one of boxing's most controversial moments when Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston with the famous "phantom punch" that many spectators didn't even see.

In the realm of space exploration, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov made history by conducting the first-ever spacewalk, floating outside his spacecraft for 12 breathtaking minutes.

And cinemagoers were treated to the premiere of The Sound of Music, a film that would become one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

A Legacy of Creativity

It was against this backdrop of social change, sporting achievement and cultural revolution that our organisation began its journey. For six decades, we've been part of Britain's musical landscape, witnessing and contributing to the incredible evolution of the industry.

From the Beatles to Britpop, from vinyl to streaming, we've adapted and thrived through 60 years of change. And while the world today looks remarkably different from the Britain of 1965, our passion for music-making remains unchanged.