History of the “Sounds” of Music Part #1962

The 1960s..."The Road to Woodstock" Evolution of the Sounds of Music

Classic Rock Turntables.com

By William W. Nelson

Founder of the Asheville School of Classic Rock

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1963

Introduction

The Beatles

Prior to 1964, only two British Singles had ever topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart...Acker Bilk’s “Stranger on the Shore” and the Tornadoes’ “Telstar,” were both Instrumentals... between them, they held the No. 1 spot for a total of four weeks.

Even though the excitement of the English Crazies was just beginning, there was no Public release about them until June... when John Lennon was involved in a fistfight at Paul McCartney's 21st birthday party. During the party, John Lennon assaulted Bob Wooler, a DJ at the Cavern Club where The Beatles often performed. The altercation was reportedly triggered by a comment Wooler made that Lennon interpreted as a homosexual accusation regarding his relationship with Brian Epstein.

Lennon, who was heavily intoxicated at the time, reacted violently to Wooler's insinuation. He beat Wooler severely, causing injuries including a black eye, bruised ribs, and torn knuckles. The attack was so intense that Lennon later recalled thinking he could have killed Wooler if he had continued.

The incident reached the national press on June 21, 1963, three days after the party. The Daily Mirror ran a story on its back page with the headline: "Beatle in brawl says 'Sorry I socked you'". This was indeed The Beatles' first national headline, though for unfortunate reasons.

In the aftermath, Lennon expressed remorse for his actions. He sent a telegram apologizing to Wooler and was quoted in the Daily Mirror saying, "Bob is the last person in the world I would want to have a fight with. I can only hope he realizes that I was too far gone to know what I was doing."This incident, while regrettable, marked a significant moment in The Beatles' rising fame, as it brought them national attention in the press for the first time.

"Please Please Me/From Me To You” was the Beatles’ 2nd single in England, released on January 11, 1963. It reached #1 on the New Music Express and Melody Maker charts. “Please Please Me/Ask Me Why” was the first Beatles Single released in the United States on February 25, 1963, but failed to chart. Some radio stations around the country played this single but it got no screaming fans and was forgotten. “Please Please Me” reached #35 in Chicago on March 8 on their local charts, and again on March 15, but disappeared after that.

1963 is the year of Beatlemania in the UK with The Beatles racking up two #1 albums, a #2 single "Please Please Me" and three #1 singles "From Me To You", "She Loves You", and "I Want To Hold Your Hand". As the year ends, the Group is still basically unknown in the US.

My Take: There were definitely "Boot Leg" copies that were being disected to the Hilts!

“Please Please Me/From Me To You” was re-released in the U.S. on January 3, 1964, and made it to #3 on Billboard. Again, it was obvious that Americans loved the Beatles, but why did we wait until 1964 to love them? Well, anyway, "Better late than Never"... and Ed Sullivan lit the match under the smoldering fire in the US!

The Rolling Stones are Introduced

In the mid-1950s, Jagger began his Music Career, forming a Garage Band with his Friend Dick Taylor. They practiced Songs by Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley. Jagger met Richards again on 17 October 1961 on Platform Two of Dartford Railway Station. Jagger was off to the London School of Economics and Richards was on his way to Sidcup Art College. The old Friends got to talking, particularly about the collection of Blues and R&B Records under Jagger’s arm that revealed a common interest in Music.

It did not take long for a Musical Partnership to begin shortly afterward. They often met at Jagger's house but moved to Taylor's Home Studio, where Alan Etherington and Bob Beckwith joined the Trio... The quintet called themselves the Blues Boys.

In March 1962, the Blues Boys read about the Ealing Jazz Club in the Newspaper Jazz News, which mentioned Alexis Korner's Rythm and Blues Band, The Blues Boys sent a tape of their best recordings to Korner, who was impressed. On 7 April, they visited the Ealing Jazz Club, where they met the Blues Incorporated Members, including Slide Guitarist Brian Jones, Keyboardist Ian Stewart, and Drummer Charlie Watts. After a meeting with Korner, Jagger and Richards started Jamming with the Group.

Having left Blues Incorporated, Brian Jones advertised for Bandmates in Jazz Weekly in the week of 2 May 1962. Ian Stewart was among the first to respond to the ad... in June, Jagger, Taylor, and Richards left Blues Incorporated to join Jones and Stewart. The first rehearsal included Guitarist Geof Bradford and vocalist Brian Knight, both of whom decided not to join the Band. They objected to playing the Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley Songs preferred by Jagger and Richards.

That same month, the addition of the Drummer Tony Chapman completed the line-up of Jagger, Richards, Jones, Stewart, and Taylor. According to Richards, Jones named the Band during a phone call to Jazz News. When asked by a journalist for the Band's name, Jones saw a Muddy Waters Album lying on the floor; one of the tracks was "Rolling Stone." Brian Jones was the Band's "uncontested leader" during its early years and a key to the Band's success.

The Band played their first Show billed as "The Rollin' Stones" on 12 July 1962, at the Marquee Club in London.[ At the time, the Band consisted of Jones, Jagger, Richards, Stewart, and Taylor. Bill Wyman auditioned for the role of Bass Guitarist at a Pub in Chelsea on 7 December 1962 and was hired as a successor to Dick Taylor. The Band was impressed by his Instrument and Amplifiers (including the Vox AC30). The final Classic line-up of the Rolling Stones, with Charlie Watts on Drums apprenticing, played for the first time in public on Saturday, 12 January 1963 at the Ealing Jazz Club. However, it was not until a Gig there on 2 February 1963 that Watts became the Stones' permanent Drummer.

Shortly afterward, the Band began their first tour of the UK, performing Chicago Blues, including Songs by Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. By now, they were finding their Musical Stride as well as popularity. In June, they release a Cover of Chuck Berry's Single "Come On" reaching #21 in the UK... The B-side is a cover of Willie Dixon's "I Want To Be Loved".

My Take: The Covers are interesting but not something on my Setlist!

In 1964, they beat the Beatles as the number one UK Band in two surveys. The band's name was changed shortly after their first gig to "The Rolling Stones." In February the Rolling Stones released "Not Fade Away" (#21 UK) originally written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, and first recorded by Buddy Holly and his Band, the Crickets, in 1957.

To be continued in 1964...

1963 Top Songs

Queens, New York City Vocal Group The Exciters go to #4 US, and #46 UK with the Single "Tell Him" from Songwriter Bert Berns. The group would have five more Hot 100 Singles in the US, but would never reach the Top Ten again.

American Folk Group The Rooftop Singers cover the 1929 song "Walk Right In" and score a #1 US, #4 R&B, and #10 UK Hit on Folk Label Vanguard Records. The Group released several more Singles and their "Walk Right In" Album was nominated for a Grammy.

Texas vocal duo Paul and Paula hit #1 in the US with the single "Hey Paula" which goes on to sell over two million copies. The Group would follow with another Top Ten hit in April which reached #6 US Pop.

Bronx, NY Singer Dion DiMucci has his fifth US Top Ten single as a solo artist with "Ruby Baby". The Song was originally recorded by The Drifters in 1956 and written by Songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

California Band The Cascades, influenced by the Beach Boys vocal harmonies, released their second Single "Rhythm of the Rain" and achieved international success with the Song reaching #3 US and #5 UK.

New Jersey Vocal Group The Four Seasons continue their Chart success with their third US #1 Pop Hit Single in a row with "Walk Like A Man". The Single also Charts at #3 in the US R&B and #12 in the UK. The Group would go on to have a total of 16 US Top Ten Singles well into the 1970s.

Bronx, NY High School Vocal Group The Chiffons hit #1 US, and #16 UK with their debut single "He's So Fine". The Girl Group Sound is huge in '63 with top hits for Little Peggy March, Lesley Gore, The Crystals, and The Angels, in addition to The Chiffons.

Country Star Johnny Cash releases the Song "Ring of Fire" the biggest Hit of his Career, topping the Country Charts for 7 weeks and reaching #17 in US Pop. The Song was co-written by Cash's Girlfriend and future second Wife June Carter.

New York City Folk Group Peter, Paul & Mary hit #2 in the US with "Puff the Magic Dragon". They reached #2 US again later in the year with their cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" which also charts at #13 in the UK.

The 3rd Single by California Group The Beach Boys "Surfing USA" breaks into the US Top Ten peaking at #3 in the US. The group released 3 albums and had 2 more Top Ten Singles "Surfer Girl", and "Be True to Your School" in 1963.

Capitalizing on the popularity of the Surf Music Craze, Santa Ana, California High School Combo The Chantays went to #4 US and #16 UK with their hit instrumental Single "Pipeline". It would be the Band's only Hit Single.

Former Gospel Singer Jimmy Soul of Weldon, North Carolina hits #1 US Pop, #39 UK with his humorous take on love advice "If You Wanna Be Happy" which goes on to sell over a million copies. The song is based on a 1933 Calypso Song "Ugly Woman" by Roaring Lion.

Bob Dylan's 2nd album, "The Free-Wheelin' Bob Dylan," is released. 11 of the album's 13 Songs are original compositions displaying Dylan's Songwriting Skills for the first time. The Album went to #22 US and topped the UK charts in 1964. (explain the shift in the UK?)

New York Girl Group The Crystals return to the Charts at #3 US, #5 UK with the single "Da Doo Ron Ron" written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, and Jeff Barry. With Spector as Producer, the song uses his famous "Wall of Sound" production style.

Pittsburgh Singer Lou Christie takes the falsetto chorus to new highs with his #6 US Pop, #11 R&B hit Single "Two Faces Have I" on Roulette Records. The Song goes on to sell over a million copies. It would be the first of 3 US Top Ten hits for Christie in the 60's.

Lesley Gore, a sixteen-year-old High School Student from Tenafly, New Jersey goes to #1 US Pop, #1 R&B, #9 UK with her first Single "It's My Party" produced by Quincy Jones. This would be the first of four million-selling Singles for Gore, all produced by Jones.

Recording since the late Fifties, California Vocal Duo Jan and Dean take advantage of the Surf Craze and score their first US #1 single with "Surf City". The Song is co-written by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. The Duo would release 6 albums between 1963 and 1964.

Philadelphia Vocal Group The Tymes hit #1 US, and #21 UK with their debut Single "So Much In Love". The Group's follow-up single "Wonderful, Wonderful" would reach #7 US in September.

Note: So much for Slow Dance surviving!

The Single "You're The Devil In Disguise" by Elvis Presley hits #3 US Pop, #9 R&B and #1 in the UK. Recorded at RCA's Nashville studios, it is Presley's 26th US Top Ten hit. It would be Presley's last hit to hit the US R&B Top Ten.

Signed to Motown's Tamla label at age 11, Little Stevie Wonder has a #1 Pop and R&B hit in the U.S. with the Single "Fingertips Part 1" which is recorded live at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois. Wonder would go on to have 10 US Top Ten Hits.

New Jersey Girl Group The Angels went to #1 US, and #2 US R&B with the single "My Boyfriend's Back" on Mercury Records. The Song was intended to be a Demo for another Girl Group, The Shirelles, but was instead released as recorded. It would be the group's only Top Ten record.

UK Band The Searchers top the UK charts with their debut Single "Sweets For My Sweet", a Cover of The Drifters' Hit from 1961. Part of Liverpool's Merseybeat Music Scene, The Searchers would go on to follow The Beatles onto the US charts in 1964.

The Surf instrumental "Wipe Out" by Glendora, California Band The Surfaris goes to #2 US, and #5 UK. The Song would chart in the Top Ten again in 1966 and go on to sell over a million copies. The Single's B-Side "Surfer Joe" also Charts at #62 US.

Chicago Singer Major Lance has his first Hit Single with "The Monkey Time" #2 R&B, #8 US Pop on Okeh Records. The Song is written by Lance's High School Friend Curtis Mayfield. Lance continued recording into the 80's and had 9 Children. His daughter Keisha Lance Bottoms became Mayor of Atlanta.

Greensboro, North Carolina Brother and Sister Duo Inez and Charlie Foxx hit #2 R&B, and #7 US Pop with their debut Single "Mockingbird" which goes on to sell over a million Records. The Song would also be a hit for James Taylor and Carly Simon in 1974.

Motown Group Martha and The Vandellas scored a #1 R&B, and #4 US Pop hit with the single "Heat Wave". The Song was written by the Motown Songwriting and Production team of Lamont Dozier and Brothers Eddie and Brian Holland. The Band would go on to have 12 US Top Ten Singles.

Spanish Harlem, New York City Trio The Ronettes reach #2 US, and #4 UK with the single "Be My Baby". The Song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles using Phil Spector's "wall of sound" multi-layered Production Technique. The Band would have 6 Top 40 hits, but would never hit the US Top Ten again.

Chicago Group The Impressions Top the R&B charts and reach #4 US Pop with their Single "It's All Right" written by Singer Curtis Mayfield. It would be covered by Huey Lewis and was no comparison!

Mayfield would write Songs for many other Artists throughout his Career with the Impressions and as a solo artist.??????

The Surf Music Craze reaches all-the-way to Minnesota, as Minneapolis Band The Trashmen score a #4 US, and #3 UK hit with their single "Surfin' Bird". The Song combines 2 novelty Songs by California R&B band The Rivingtons "The Birds The Word" and "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow."

My Take: Things are a Changin', indeed?

Longtime Memphis Singer, Radio Personality, and Comedian Rufus Thomas breaks into the US Top Ten with the Single "Walkin' The Dog" #5 US R&B on the Stax Record Label. Thomas would record into the 90's and chart 3 more Top Five US R&B hit Singles

My Take: Great Blues Rock

Garage Rockers The Kingsmen from Portland hit #2 US with the Single "Louie Louie". Recorded in one take in a Portland Studio, the Song features several mistakes and an overall Raw Sound that make it a Teen Party fav. The Song was banned by some Radio Stations and investigated by the FBI for Lyrical Content.

Atlanta Singer Songwriter Tommy Roe goes to #3 US, and #9 UK with the Single "Everybody". He would hit #4 UK later in the year with "The Folk Singer" after touring the UK with Chris Montez and The Beatles. Roe had previously hit #1 US in 1962 with "Sheila".

Sister Luc-Gabrielle, a.k.a Jeannine Deckers, a Belgian Nun recording as The Singing Nun holds the US #1 spot for four weeks in December with the French language song "Dominique", which is the only Belgian US number one hit to date.

"Sugar Shack" by Jimmy Gilbert & The Fireballs spent 3 weeks on the Top of the Charts...

My Take: We have now gone truly International...

The British Invasion Timeline

1963

Well, officially, the British Invasion did not start until "Beatlemania" hit the US with the Ed Sullivan Show on February 7, 1964 when it was watched by 73 million Viewers... these are the UK Bands that got their start in 1963:

The Beatles

January 11: Release of the single "Please Please Me" with "Ask Me Why" as the B-side.

February 11: Recording of their debut album "Please Please Me" in a single day at Abbey Road Studios.

February 16: "Please Please Me" reaches No. 1 on the New Musical Express and Melody Maker charts.

March 22: Release of their debut album "Please Please Me".

April 29: "From Me to You" becomes their first No. 1 hit on the official UK Singles Chart.

August 23: Release of the single "She Loves You".

November 4: Performance at the Royal Command Performance in London, attended by The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

November 22: Release of their second album "With the Beatles".

November 29: Release of the single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" with "This Boy" as the B-side

Gerry and the Pacemakers

"How Do You Do It?" - Released in March, this debut single reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

I Like It" - Their second single, released in May, also topped the UK Singles Chart.

"You'll Never Walk Alone" - Released in October, this single became their third consecutive number one hit in the UK.

The Searchers

"Sweets for My Sweet" - Released in June 1963, this single became a UK No. 1 hit.

"Ain't That Just Like Me" - Featured on their debut album and released as an EP.

"Sugar and Spice" - Released in October 1963, this single reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya" - Released as an EP in September 1963.

"Stand By Me" - Included on their debut album, "Meet The Searchers," released in August 1963.

"Some Other Guy" - Included on their album "Meet The Searchers."

Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas

"Do You Want to Know a Secret" reached #2 in the UK.

"Bad to Me" reached #1 in the UK, becoming their first number-one Hit.

"I'll Keep You Satisfied" reached #4 in the UK.

Freddie and the Dreamers

"If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" - This single reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.

"I'm Telling You Now" - This single reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.

"You Were Made for Me" - This single reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Shadows

"Atlantis" - This song peaked at #2 on the UK chart and was a significant hit for the band in 1963

Album "The Shadows' Greatest Hits"

"Apache"

"Man of Mystery"

"The Stranger"

"F.B.I."

"Wonderful Land"

"Dance On!"

The Dave Clark Five

"Glad All Over" - This Song was released in late 1963 and became #1 in January 1964, supplanting the Beatles

Jet Harris and Tony Meehan

"Diamonds" - This was their biggest hit, reaching #1 on the UK Singles Chart

"Applejack" - This was their third consecutive hit in 1963

"Scarlett O'Hara" - While not explicitly mentioned in the search results, this song is known to be one of their hits from 1963.

Cliff Richards and The Shadows

"Summer Holiday" - This song was a #1 UK hit and was featured in the film musical of the same name

"Lucky Lips" - This song reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart.

"It's All in the Game" - This song peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Don't Talk to Him" - This song reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart.

"All at Once" - This song was also released in 1963

Summary of 1963... looking forward to 1964 (the start of the History of "Classic Rock")

In 1963, the American Music Scene was vibrant and diverse, reflecting a period of transition and anticipation. Pop and Rock n Roll continued to dominate the Charts... with artists like The Beach Boys, whose Surf Rock Craze Anthems captured the carefree spirit of the Era, and Girl Groups such as The Ronettes and The Crystals, who brought a blend of Pop and R&B to mainstream Audiences. Dance Songs ruled the Charts.

The Folk Music revival was also in full swing, with Bob Dylan emerging as a significant Artist, known for his poignant Lyrics and Acoustic Sound. Motown, the Detroit-based Label, was a powerhouse in 1963, producing hits from Artists like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and The Temptations. Their Soulful Music, characterized by catchy Melodies and polished Production, played a crucial role in shaping the Sounds of the Decade.

Country (some Rock) Music maintained its stronghold, with stars like Patsy Cline, whose tragic death in a plane crash in March 1963 marked a significant loss for the Genre.

Despite the brewing excitement across the Atlantic with the rise of The Beatles and other British Bands, their impact on the American charts was still minimal in 1963. Notably, there was not a single British group in the year's Top 20 Rock 'n' Roll Groups in the U.S..

The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, was a pivotal moment that deeply affected the American psyche and, subsequently, its Music Scene. The National Trauma created a sense of yearning for change and new expressions, setting the stage for the British Invasion in early 1964.

Thus, 1963 was a year marked by a rich tapestry of Musical Styles and significant events that would soon lead to a dramatic transformation in the American Music Landscape.

Note: I cannot point to specific top Pop or R&B Songs from 1963 that used Riffs to enhance their Sound (Surf Rock some)... it is clear that Riffs were a part of the Jazz Musical Scene... "Idle Moments" by Grant Green's recording is specifically mentioned as one of the 50 best Guitar Riffs of all time.

Jimmy Gilmore's "Sugar Shack" written by Keith McCormack (Top Chart for 5 weeks) features a prominent Organ Riff that drives the Song and gives it a unique, upbeat feel. The Riff, combined with Gilmer's energetic Vocals, made the song a standout hit and a staple of early 1960s rock and roll... and things to come.

This will all change starting in 1964... come along for the Ride with the British Invasion and more... Rock On

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