1960s British Rock & Pop Chronology
1963
 
 
January JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
1 Purchase Tax on discs cut from 45% to 25% [singles 6s. 3d.; EPs 10s. 1d.; LPs 30s 11d]
3 Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "The Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy" [RR #1 for 3 weeks]
  Vernon's Girls: "Funny All Over" [Decca F 11549, charts, RR #31]
4 Piccadilly Jazz Club, London: Ray Davies appears for the first time with Dave Hunt's Rhythm & Blues Band. Giorgio Gomelsky is the manager
5 Melody Maker: Mick Jagger comments that rhythm and blues "has got to move out of London.... Only two or three clubs make any money at the moment, and it has to spread to live. That's the only way it can become popular, and retain its form at the same time" (5).
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Sam Costa, Maureen Evans, Billy Fury, Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Ronnie Hilton, The Springfields, and Bobby Vee.
10 Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Diamonds" [Decca F 11563, charts, RR #1]
The Tornados: "Globetrotter" [Decca F 11562, charts, RR #5]
Mike Sarne: "Just for Kicks" [Parlophone R 4974, charts, RR #22]
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates: "Shot of Rhythm and Blues" [HMV POP 1088, charts, RR #48]
11 The Beatles: "Please Please Me" / "Ask Me Why" [UK release]
  NME, Keith Fordyce: "Please Please Me" recorded on Parlophone by the Beatles has been publicized as "the record of the year." I have just the slightest nagging doubt that, with fifty weeks of releases yet to come this year, it may prove to be a teensy weensy exaggeration! However, this vocal and instrumental quartet has turned out a really enjoyable platter, full of beat, vigour and vitality—and what's more, it's different. I can't think of any other group currently recording in this style. "Ask Me Why" is really good flipside value. I shan't be in the least surprised to see the charts invaded by the Beatles. (4)
12 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Crickets, Lionel Blair & His Dancers, Kenny Lynch, Patsy Ann Noble, Eden Kane, Shane Fenton, and Shaw Taylor.
13 Mike Berry with the Outlaws: "Don't You Think It's Time" [HMV POP 1105, charts, RR #6]
14 Paris: France vetoes Macmillan's UK membership application to European Economic Community
16 Granada Television, Manchester. The Beatles appear live on People and Places.
BBC Light. The Beatles tape a radio appearance for Here We Go.
17 The Beatles: "Please Please Me" [Parlophone R 4983, charts, RR #2 in RR, #1 in NME]
Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen: "Sukiyaki" [Pye Jazz 7NJ 2062, charts, RR #10]
  Marquee Club, London: The Rolling Stones appear
  UK: Many parts of the east and southeast are hit by power blackouts due to union action. Snow and cold also grip the nation.
18 London, Middlesex Hospital: Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell dies.
19 ABC TV: Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthews (host) with The Beatles (miming "Please Please Me"), Mike Berry, Acker Bilk, The Brooks Brothers, Petula Clark, Alma Cogan, Sam Costa, David McBeth, Frankie Vaughan, and Mark Wynter [taped 13 January in Birmingham]
21 Frank Ifield: "Wayward Blues" [Columbia DB 4960, charts, RR #1]
22 London: Shirley Collins plays excerpts from Alan Lomax's field recordings of American singers (at the Partisan)
23 Beirut: Kim Philby reported missing from the British Embassy
24 The Shadows: "Dance On" [RR #1 for 1 week]
  Frankie Vaughan: "Loop-De-Loop" [Philips 326542 BF, charts, RR #5]
The Bachelors: "Charmaine" [Decca F 11559, charts, RR #6]
Mr. Acker Bilk and His Paramount Jazz Band: "A Taste of Honey" [Columbia DB 4949, charts, RR #16]
  Daily Mirror (Patrick Doncaster): "Watch the Beatles, a guitar-based instrumental group from Liverpool with a style of their own." (With photo)
25 All-night Carnival of Jazz, Alexandra Palace, London: Mr. Acker Bilk's Paramount Jazz Band; Ken Colyers Jazzmen; Alan Elsdrin's Jazz Band; Bob Wallis' Storeyville Jazzmen; Mike Daniels Delta Jazzmen; Chris Barber's Jazz Band with Ottilie Patterson; Alex Walsh and his band; Bruce Turner Jump Band; Micky Ashman and his Ragtime jazzband; Douggie Richford's London Jazzmen; Kenny Ball Jazzmen; Monty Sunshine's Jazz Band; Mick Mulligan and his Band; Back O'Town Syncopators; comperes George Melly and Diz Disley
  Radio Luxembourg. The Beatles's third appearance on The Friday Spectacular.
  EEC negotiations on UK entry collapse
26 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Adam Faith, Frank Ifield, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, Susan Maughan, Don Moss, and Doug Sheldon.
29 American Embassy, London: Thomas Corbally assists Alfred Wells (Secretary to the Amabassador) draft a note to Prime Minister Macmillan describing how Stephen Ward had introduced Christine Keeler to both John Profumo (Secretary of State for War) and Yevgeny Ivanov (the Soviet naval attaché).
31 Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Diamonds" [RR #1 for 3 weeks]
  Adam Faith: "What Now" [Parlophone R 4990, charts, RR #31]
   
 
February JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
2 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Joe Brown, Jess Conrad, The Eric Delaney Band, Brian Hyland, John Leyton, Pete Murray, and Danny Williams.
7 Joe Brown and the Bruvvers: "That's What Love Will Do" [Piccadilly 7N 35106, charts, RR #3]
Helen Shapiro: "Queen for Tonight" [Columbia DB 4966, charts, RR #33]
9

Melody Maker: John Lennon says, "We don't play real rhythm and blues. ... No, not Ray Charles either—though we used to do "What'd I Say" like everyone did, a couple of years ago. ... Our musical tastes are various—we like a little bit of classical music, a bit of mondern jazz, a bit of everything. ... One artist I like is Arthur Alexander—you don't hear much of him over here.
— [What gives the Beatles their distinctive sound?]: Well, one of the things is, we work without echo. When they came out we couldn't afford one. ... By the time we could afford it, we didn't like it. So we never use one on stage." (p. 9)
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Craig Douglas, Alan Freeman, Rolf Harris, Helen Shapiro, and The Spotnicks.
10 Station Hotel, Richomond, London: Guitarist Davy Graham probably sits in with Dave Hunt's Rhythm & Blues Band, convincing Ray Davies that he needs to leave the band as its guitarist.
11 UK unemployment reaches 878,000 (highest since Feb 1947)
14 Billy Fury: "Like I've Never Been Gone" [Decca F 11582, charts, RR #3]
  Labour elects Harold Wilson the party leader
16 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with the Bachelors, The Tornados (George Bellamy, Heinz Burt, Alan Caddy, Clem Cattini, & Roger LaVern), Frank Ifield, Jimmy Justice, Matt Monro, Joan Regan, and Marty Wilde.
17 Melody Maker: "Walk Right In," [by the Rooftop Singers] with its driving guitar introduction, sees the arrival of the twelve-string guitar in the charts. And on ABC-TV's "Thank Your Lucky Stars" last night, British guitarist, Big Jim Sullivan played a twelve-stringer when the Kestrels mimed to their cover recording of the tune. ["A New Guitar Sound Makes It" p. 17]
19 Moscow-Washington: The USSR informs US of withdrawal of several thousand troops from Cuba
21 Frank Ifield: "Wayward Wind" [RR #1 for 3 weeks]
  Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "Summer Holiday" [Columbia DB 4977, charts, RR #1]
22 London: Dick James establishes Northern Songs Ltd. to publish music by Lennon and McCartney.
23 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Beatles, Billie Davis, Carol Deene, Billy Fury, Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Duffy Power, and Jimmy Savile.
25 The Beatles: "Please Please Me"/"Thank You Girl" [Vee Jay US release]
27 London: Cyril Davies' Rhythm and Blues Allstars record for Pye
28 Craig Douglas: "Town Crier" [Decca F 11575, charts, RR #36; last UK chart]
Shirley Bassey: "What Kind of Fool Am I"? [Columbia DB 4974, charts, RR #47]
  Other February Artifacts
  London: The Rolling Stones begin appearing at the Crawdaddy Club, Station Hotel, Richmond on Sunday evenings
   
 
March JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
2 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Petula Clark, Little Eva, Peter Gordeno, Terry Lightfoot & His New Orleans Jazz Band, Frankie Vaughan, and Kent Walton.
5 Camden, Tennessee: a plane crash kills Patsy Cline, "Cowboy" Copas, and "Hawkshaw" Hawkins
7 The Shadows: "Foot Tapper" [Columbia DB 4984, charts; RR #1]
9 Granada Cinema, London. The Beatles begin their second national tour on the Chris Montex-Tommy Roe tour. The Beatles usurp the top-billing.
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with the Mike Cotton Jazzmen, The Karl Denver Trio, Valerie Masters, Chris Montez, Tommy Roe, Don Spencer, and Jack Train.
14 Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "Summer Holiday" [RR #1 for 2 weeks]
  Gerry and the Pacemakers: "How Do You Do It?" [Columbia DB 4987, charts; RR #1]
16 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Ronnie Carroll, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Julie Grant, Tony Holland, Brenda Lee, Mike Sarne, Sounds Incorporated, and Jimmy Young.
18 Oxford, Mississippi: James Meredith is the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi
21 The Tornados: "Robot" [Decca F 11606, charts, RR #17]
  Melody Maker: Mick Jagger says, "Girl fans, particularly, would rather have a copy by a British group than the original American version—mainly I suppose because they like the British blokes' faces, and they feel nearer them."
22 The Beatles: Please Please Me [UK LP release]
  London: John Profumo (Secretary of State for War) makes personal statement to parliament
23 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Barry Barnett, Mr. Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band, Sam Costa, Maureen Evans, John Leyton, Kenny Lynch, The Springfields, and Mark Wynter.
26 London: Five thousand unemployed demonstrate outside parliament
28 The Shadows: "Foot Tapper" [RR #1 for 1 week]
  The Springfields: "Say I Won't Be There" [Philips 326577, charts, RR #5]
Mike Sarne: "Code of Love" [Parlophone R 5010, charts, RR #29; last chart]
30 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Lionel Blair & His Dancers, Alan Freeman, Billy Fury, The John Barry Seven, Mike Preston, and Bobby Rydell.
   
 
April JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
4 Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "Summer Holiday" [returns to RR #1 for 1 week]
  London: The Hollies audition at EMI's Abbey Road Studios
6 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Winifred Atwell, Jess Conrad, The Eric Delaney Band, Adam Faith, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Cleo Laine, Pete Murray, and Wes Sands.
9 Washington: Churchill made honorary US citizen
10 North Atlantic: US nuclear submarine, Thresher, sinks
11 Gerry and the Pacemakers: "How Do You Do It?" [RR #1 for 3 weeks]
  Frank Ifield: "Nobody's Darlin' But Mine" [Columbia DB 7062, charts, RR #4]
Mike Berry with the Outlaws: "My Little Baby" [HMV POP 1142, charts, RR #34]
The Big Three: "Some Other Guy" [Decca F 11614, charts, RR #37]
The Beatles: "From Me to You" / "Thank You Girl" [UK release]
13 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Russ Conway, Keith Fordyce, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, Shane Fenton, and Barbara Windsor.
14 Crawdaddy Club, Richmond: The Beatles, after an invitation from Georgio Gomelsky, visit this South Bank club at the back of the Station Hotel to hear the Rolling Stones. They meet and get on well.
15 London: Seventy-thousand protesters march against nuclear weapons
16 BBC. The Beatles make their debut BBC television appearance on The 625 Show (taped 13 April)
18 The Beatles: "From Me to You" [Parlophone R 5015, charts, RR #1]
Vernon's Girls: "Do the Bird" [Decca F 11629, charts, RR #44; last chart]
20 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Beatles, Mike Berry, The Dave Clark Five (Lenny Davidson, Rick Huxley, Mike Smith, & Denis Payton), Del Shannon, Johnny Tillotson, and The Vernons Girls.
21 Empire Pool, Wembley. New Musical Express 1962-63 Annual Poll-winners All-Star Concert. Headlined by Cliff Richard and the Shadows but also featuring the Beatles, by popular demand.
24 Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Scarlett O'Hara" [Decca F 11644, charts, RR #2]
25 Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen: "Casablanca" [Pye Jazz 7NJ 2064, charts, RR #21]
Helen Shapiro: "Woe Is Me" [Columbia DB 7026, charts, RR #35]
27 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas (Toni Baker, Pete Hilton, Raymond Jones, Mike Maxfield, & Eddie Mooney), The Mike Cotton Jazzmen, Jet Harris, The King Brothers, Ted King, Tony Meehan, Tommy Roe, and Dickie Valentine.
 
  Other April Artifacts
  Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas: "I'll Be on My Way" (L-Mc) [no chart action]
   
 
May JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
2 The Beatles: "From Me to You" [RR #1 for 7 weeks]
  Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas: "Do You Want to Know a Secret" [Parlophone R 5023, charts; RR #2]
Petula Clark: "Casanova" / "Chariot" [Pye 7N 15522, charts, RR #39]
3 Crawdaddy Club, Richmond: While Georgio Gomelsky is attending his father's funeral, Andrew Loog Oldham goes to hear the Rolling Stones, is impressed, and hatches a plan to sign them to a contract as their manager.
4 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Tornados, Clinton Ford, Jimmy Henney, David McBeth, Matt Monro, Paul and Paula, and Bobby Rydell
7 Birmingham: Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent begin UK tour.
  Cape Canaveral, Florida: Telstar II launched
9 Freddie and the Dreamers: "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" [Columbia DB 7032, charts, RR #3]
Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "Lucky Lips" [Columbia DB 7043, charts, RR #4]
10 Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool: Dick Rowe (Decca) and George Harrison are co-judging the "Lancashire and Cheshire Beat Group Contest." Harrison tells Rowe about his visit to hear the Rolling Stones the previous month. Rowe leaves midway through the evening to return to London and hear the Stones for himself.
11 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Jimmy Savile, Helen Shapiro, Dee Dee Sharp, and Mark Wynter.
  Birmingham, Alabama: Homes of civil rights leaders bombed
13 London: Ray Charles arrives for UK tour.
15 Cape Canaveral, Florida: US astronaut, Gordon Cooper, launched and makes 22 orbits
16 Billy Fury: "When Will You Say I Love You" [Decca F 11655, charts, RR #3]
17 The Hollies: "Ain't that Just Like Me" [Parlophone; first release]
18 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Beatles, Heidi Bruhl, Petula Clark, Al Saxon, Shani Wallis, and Jimmy Young.
20 UK promises Bahamas self rule
25 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Brook Brothers, Billie Davis, Billy Fury, Tony Hall, Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Doug Sheldon, Bob Wallis & His Storyville Jazzmen, and Roger Whittaker.
27 The Beatles: "From Me to You" / "Thank You Girl" [Vee Jay US release, US#116]
Bob Dylan: Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan [Columbia LP US release]
30 Gerry and the Pacemakers: "I Like It" [Columbia DB 7041, charts, RR #1]
The Hollies: "Just Like Me" [Parlophone R 5030, charts, RR #25]
 
  Other May Artifacts
  Freddie Starr and the Midnighters (Liverpool): "Who told You?"
   
 
June JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
1 Melody Maker: The editors appeal to American singer, Johnny Cymbal to drop "Teenage Heaven" from his concerts.
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Freddie & The Dreamers (Peter Birrell, Roy Crewdson, Bernie Dwyer, & Freddie Garrity), Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (including Alan Blakley & Alan Howard), Gerry & The Pacemakers (Les Chadwick, Leslie Maguire, Freddie Marsden, & Gerry Marsden), Jimmy Justice, and Pat Boone
3 Rome: Pope John XXIII dies
4 BBC Light. The Beatles' first feature radio program, Pop Go the Beatles, airs.
  London: John Profumo admits he has "misled the house" and resigns
6 The Shadows: "Atlantis" [Columbia DB 7047, charts, RR #2]
The Tornados: "The Ice Cream Man" [Decca F 11662, charts, RR #18]
Tony Sheridan and the Beatles: "My Bonnie" [Polydor NH 66833, charts, RR #48]
7 The Rolling Stones: "Come On" [UK release; rec 10 May 63; chart 25 Jul]
8 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Chris Barber's Jazz Band, The Karl Denver Trio, The Four Seasons (tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, & Frankie Valli), Lonnie Donegan, Kenny Lynch, Susan Maughan, Duffy Power, and Eden Kane.
9 The News of the World: series on Christine Keeler's life
11 Washington: John F. Kennedy denounces segregation as a national tragedy
12 Jackson, Mississippi: Civil rights leader Medgar Evers fatally shot
13 Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen: "Rondo" [Pye Jazz 7NJ 2065, charts, RR #24]
14 Johnny Kidd and the Pirates: "I'll Never Get Over You" [UK release]
  USSR: launch of a cosmonaut for 89 orbits
15 London: Last performance of the Old Vic Company (as the new National Theatre begins)
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Bachelors, Tommy Bruce, Bobby Curtola, Julie Grant, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, John Leyton, Peter Noble, and Jackie Trent.
16 USSR: launch of a female cosmonaut for 49 orbits
19 Washington: President Kennedy presents the Civil Rights Bill to Congress
20 Gerry and the Pacemakers: "I Like It" [RR #1 for 4 weeks]
  Kenny Lynch: "You Can Never Stop Me Loving You" [HMV POP 1165, charts, RR #10]
Frankie Vaughan: "Hey Mama" [Philips BF 1339, charts, RR #21]
The Swinging Blue Jeans: "It's Too Late Now" [HMV POP 1170, charts, RR #30]
  Moscow-Washington: "Hot line" agreement sets up direct line between US and USSR
21 Frank Ifield: "Confessin'" [Columbia DB 7062, charts, RR #1]
  Rome: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini chosen to to be come Pope Paul VI
22 JFK begins tour of Europe
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Four Seasons, Adam Faith, Ketty Lester, Clodagh Rodgers, Kent Walton, and Mark Wynter.
26 West Berlin: Kennedy declares, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner)
27 Joe Brown and the Buvvers: "Nature's Time for Love" [Piccadilly 7N 35129, charts, RR #26]
The Searchers: "Sweets for My Sweet" [Pye 7N 15533, charts, RR #1]
29 Thurnscoe: Hotel owner fined for allowing teenagers to play music in his pub.
 
  Other June Artifacts
  Howie Casey and the Seniors: "The Boll Weevil Song" / "Bonie Maronie"
  London: Carry on Cabby premiers
   
 
July JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
1 London: Kim Philby revealed as the "3rd man" in the Burgess-Maclean espionage fiasco
4 Brian Poole and the Tremeloes: "Twist and Shout" [Decca F 11694, charts, RR #4]
The Bachelors: "Faraway Places" [Decca F 11666, charts, RR #36]
6 UK: Jet Harris injured in a car accident
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Mr. Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band, Sam Costa, Craig Douglas, Rolf Harris, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, and The Springfields.
11 The Big Three: "By the Way" (Mitch Murray) [Decca F 11689, charts, RR #22]
Adam Faith: "Walkin' Tall" [Parlophone, charts, RR #23]
Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders: "Hello Josephine" [Fontana TF 404, charts, RR #46; 1st chrt]
12 The Beatles: Twist and Shout [UK EP release]
13 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) withJimmy Henney, The Rolling Stones ("Come On"), Mickie Most, Patsy Ann Noble, Helen Shapiro, and The Viscounts
15 UK, US, and USSR agree to ban all above-ground nuclear tests
18 Frank Ifield: "Confessin'" [RR #1 for 2 weeks]
20 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Petula Clark, The Dakotas, Jennifer Moss, JImmy Savile, Frankie Vaughan, Gene Vincent, and Mark Wynter
22 The Beatles: Introducing the Beatles [Vee Jay VJLP 1062; US release]
25 Johnny Kidd and the Pirates: "I'll Never Get Over You" [HMV POP 1173, charts, RR #4]
Billy Fury: "In Summer" [Decca F 11701, charts, RR #5]
The Rolling Stones: "Come On" [Decca F 11675, charts, RR #21]
The Springfields: "Come on Home" [Philips BF 1263, charts, RR #31; last chart]
Mickie Most: "Mister Porter" [Decca F 11664, charts, RR #45]
  Moscow: Test Ban Treaty initialed by Soviet, American, and English negotiators
27 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Joe Brown, Billy Fury, The King Brothers, Kathy Kirby, Shane Fenton, and Muriel Young.
28 Newport, Rhode Island: Newport Folk Festival draws 47,000
29 Paris: DeGaulle pledges to continue nuclear testing
30 Moscow: The USSR grants Kim Philby asylum.
31 London: Peerage Bill (allows Lords to renounce elevation and to stand election as commoners)
London: Dr. Stephen Ward found guilty of procuring prostitutes and of living off of immoral income
 
  Other July Artifacts
  Tommy Quickly: "Tip of My Tongue" (Lennon-McCartney) [no chart action]
Faron's Flamingos (Liverpool 1961): "Do You Love Me" [no chart action]
The Undertakers (Liverpool): "Everybody Loves a Lover" [no chart action]
  US: ZIP postal codes introduced
   
 
August JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
1 Elvis Presley: "(You're the) Devil in Disguise" [RR #1 for 1 week]
  Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas: "Bad to Me" (L-Mc) [Parlophone R 5049, charts, RR #1]
  Britain: Minimum prison age raised to 17
3 Liverpool: The Beatles perform for the last time at the Cavern
  London: Dr. Stephen Ward dies of a drug overdose before being sentenced
  Melody Maker: John Lennon says, "I know what the critics say—that we don't play R&B. I've never thought we did. We just play rock as far as I'm concerned—in our own way. Just because we do R&B songs doesn't make us pure R&B. ... We have nothing to do with R&B in the strict sense." [p. 6; interview with Ray Coleman and Chris Roberts]
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Freddie & The Dreamers (Peter Birrell, Roy Crewdson, Bernie Dwyer, Freddie Garrity, and Derek Quinn), The Swinging Blue Jeans (including Les Braid, Ray Ennis, Norman Kuhlke), Ronnie Carroll, Frank Ifield, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, and Don Moss.
5 Moscow: UK, US, and USSR sign Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
8 The Searchers: "Sweets for My Sweet" [RR #1 for 2 weeks]
  Freddie and the Dreamers: "I'm Telling You Now" [Columbia DB 7096, charts, RR #2]
Heinz: "Just Like Eddie" [Decca F 11693, charts, RR #5]
  Cheddington: The "Great Train Robbery''; thieves take £2.6 million in banknotes.
9 Rediffusion TV: Ready Steady Go! begins airing on Friday nights [episode 1]: Pat Boone; Billy Fury; Brian Poole & The Tremeloes
10 3rd National Jazz Festival, Athletic Association Grounds, Richmond, Surrey: Chris Barber; Tubby Hayes; Hymphrey Lyttelton; Alex Welsh; Joe Harriott; Ronnie Ross; Ottilie Patterson; Dill Jones; plus rhythm & blues sessions with Graham Bond Quartet; Georgie Fame; the Mastersounds
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Alan Blakley, Alan Howard, Dave Munden, Brian Poole, and Rick West), Billy J Kramer, Brian Matthew, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, and The Searchers.
11 3rd National Jazz Festival, Athletic Association Grounds, Richmond, Surrey: Acker Bilk; Terry Lightfoot; Cyril Davies; Freddy Randall; Rolling Stones; Blue Notes; Long John Baldry; Velvettes; Finals of the National Amateur Jazz Contest with 14 bands
13 The Bahamas: Cuban troops land
15 Kathy Kirby: "Dance On" [Decca F 11682, charts, RR #11]
  Stratford-on-Avon: David "Screaming Lord" Sutch stands in by-election, and loses
16 Rediffusion TV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 2]: Shane Fenton; Tom Courtney; Jet Harris and Tony Meehan
17 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Chubby Checker, Val Doonican, Clinton Ford, Keith Fordyce, Susan Maughan, Tommy Quickly, and The Undertakers.
21 South Vietnam: Martial law declared
22 Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas: "Bad to Me" [RR #1 for 3 weeks]
  Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "It's All in the Game" [Columbia DB 7089, charts; RR #2]
Miki and Griff: "I Wanna Stay Here" [Pye 7N 15555, charts, RR #23]
Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen: "Acapulco 1922" [Pye Jazz 7NJ 2067, charts, RR #27]
23 The Beatles: "She Loves You" / "I'll Get You" [UK release]
  Rediffusion TV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 3]: Rolling Stones; Peggy March; Jet Harris & Tony Meehan
  Accra, Ghana: W. E. B. DuBois dies
24 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Rey Anton, The Beatles, Terry Lightfoot & His New Orleans Jazz Band, Beryl Marsden, and Jimmy Young.
28 Washington, DC: 200,000 participate in a peaceful, integrated Civil Rights protest at which Martin Luther King delivers his "I Had a Dream" speech
29 The Beatles: "She Loves You" [Parlophone R 5055, charts, RR #1]
The Hollies: "Searchin'" [Parlophone R 5052, charts, RR #12]
The Bachelors: "Whispering" [Decca F 11712, charts, RR #18]
30 Rediffusion TV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 4]:The Springfields; Johnny Kidd & the Pirates
Washington-Moscow: hot-line communications link now in operation
Philadelphia: Timothy Leary lectures on "the revelatory potentialities of the human nervous system"
31 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Carol Deene, Jet Harris, Ronnie Hilton, Jimmy Justice, Little Peggy March, Tony Meehan, The Overlanders, The Redcaps, and Johnny Sandon & The Remo Four.
 
  Other August Artifacts
  London: Edward Boyle, Conservative Secretary of State for Education and Science, forms a committee to study the British primary educational system. The committee becomes know as the Plowden Committee after the chairwoman.
  London: John Schlesinger's film, Billy Liar, released
   
 
September JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
2 Tuskegee, Alabama: Gov. George C. Wallace prevents the integration of Tuskegee High School by encircling the building with state troopers
5 Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Applejack" [Columbia DB 9121, charts, RR #4]
6 The Beatles: The Beatles' Hits [UK EP release]
  Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 5]: The Searchers; Tommy Roe; Jimmy Justice
7 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Joe Brown, Maureen Evans, Patrick Evans, The Fourmost, The Hollies, Gene Vincent, Don Wardell, and Mark Wynter.
8 Athenaeum Ballroom, Muswell Hill, London: Robert Wace and Grenville Collins probably audition Ray Davies, Dave Davies, and Peter Quaife. Wace wants to be the singer with the band who currently call themselves, The Boll-Weevils. Collins financially supports the band.
10 Birmingham, Tuskegee and Mobile, Alabama: Twenty black students enter public schools, following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace
  Club 51, Great Newport Street, London: John Lennon and Paul McCartney play through and finish writing "I Wanna Be Your Man" while the Rolling Stones watch.
12 The Beatles: "She Loves You" [RR #1 for 4 weeks]
  Brian Poole and the Tremeloes: "Do You Love Me" [Decca F 11739, charts, RR #1]
The Fourmost: "Hello Little Girl" (L-McC) [Parlophone R 5056, charts, RR #9]
The Merseybeats: "It's Love That Really Counts" [Fontana TF 412, charts, RR #24]
13 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 6]: Rob Orbison; Freddy and the Dreamers; Kenny Lynch
14 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Heinz Burt, Craig Douglas, Tony Hall, The Rolling Stones, Paatsy Ann Noble, Gregory Phillips, and The Searchers.
15 Graphic Sound, Wylam, Northumberland: The Animals record tracks for a demonstration disc.
  Birmingham, Alabama: Four children killed by a bomb during Sunday services
16 The Beatles: "She Loves You" / "I'll Get You" [Swan US release]
17 Britain brings anti-missile system on-line
18 Indonesia: Demonstrators attack and burn the British Embassy
19 Adam Faith and the Roulettes: "The First Time" [Parlophone R 5061, charts, RR #5]
The Shadows: "Shindig" [Columbia DB 7106, charts; RR #6]
Dave Berry: "Memphis Tennessee" [Decca F 11734, charts, RR #19]
20 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 7]: Acker Bilk; Hank Locklin; Duffy Power
  Indonesia: Nationalization of all British companies
  John F. Kennedy proposes a joint U.S.-Soviet expedition to the moon
21 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Pete Murray (host) with The Bachelors, Chris Barber, The Chants, Carol Deene, Adam Faith, The Roulettes, and Mike Sarne.
24 Hornsey College of Art and Crafts, Crouch End Hill, London: Ray Davies and Peter Quaife enroll for classes.
26 Shirley Bassey: "I (Who Have Nothing)" [Columbia DB 7113, charts, RR #6]
27 Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde: "Yesterday's Gone" [Ember, UK release; no chart]
  Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 8]: Cilla Black; Adam Faith and The Roulettes
28 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Mike Berry, The Big Three, Freddy CAnnon, Bo Diddley, John Leyton, Don Moss, Janice Nicholls, and The Tornados
29 Rome: The second session of Second Vatican Council opens
 
  Other September Artifacts
  The Tornados: "Dragonfly" [release; charts 10 Oct]
   
 
October JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
3 Billy Fury: "Somebody Else's Girl" [Decca F 11744, charts, RR #18]
The Dave Clark Five: "Do You Love Me" [Columbia DB 7112, charts, RR #30]
  Brady's Club, East London: The audience boos singer Robert Wace off-stage. The Band (Ray Davies, Dave Davies, Peter Quaife, and Mickey Willett) will play most subsequent engagements by themselves. Wace joins Grenville Collins as a co-manager.
4 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 9]: The Beatles; Helen Shapiro; Dusty Springfield
5 London: British Nazi leader Colin Jordan weds perfume heiress, Francoise Dior.
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Cilla Black, The Dave Clark Five, The Karl Denver Trio, The Eagles, Kenny Lynch, Janice Nicholls, Del Shannon, and Kent Walton.
7 Britain, the U.S., and the Soviet Union sign the documents of ratification for a nuclear test ban treaty
10 Brian Poole and the Tremeloes: "Do You Love Me" [RR #1 for 3 weeks]
  Gerry and the Pacemakers: "You'll Never Walk Alone" [Columbia DB 7126, charts; RR #1]
Jimmy Young: "Miss You" [Columbia DB 7119, charts, RR #15]
The Tornados: "Dragonfly" [Decca F 11745, charts, RR #41; last chart]
The Searchers: "Sweet Nothins" [Philips BF 1274, charts; RR #48]
  London: World premiere of From Russia With Love, at the Odeon
UK, US, & USSR: Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty goes into effect
11 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 10]: Brian Poole & The Tremeloes; Polly Perkins
  New York City: UN General Assembly condemns repression in South Africa
12 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Shirley Bassey, Dave Berry, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Dakotas, The Kaye Sisters, Philip Lowrie, Janice Nicholls, Keith Powell, and Jimmy Young.
13 ITV: The Beatles debut on Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium before 15 million viewers
14 London: The British press declare "Beatlemania." Morning papers carry pictures of fans waiting outside the Palladium Theatre
  Regent Sound Studios, Denmark Street, London: The Boll-Weevils (Ray Davies, Dave Davies, and Peter Quaife with drummer, Mickey Willett and singer, Robert Wace), record demos.
17 Cilla Black (Liverpool): "Love of the Loved" (L-McC) [Parlophone R 5065, charts, rls 9/63, RR #35]
Frank Ifield: "Mule Train [Columbia DB 7131, charts, RR #22]
18 Fairfield Halls, Croydon, London: "American Blues and Rhythm-and-Blues Stars" featuring Muddy Waters; Otis Spann; Willie Dixon; Sonny By Williamson; Lonnie Johnson; Memphis Slim; Big Joe Williams; and Victoria Spivey
  London: Macmillan resigns leadership of Conservatives; Lord Home/Sir Alec Douglas-Home becomes PM
18 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 11]: Brook Benton; Dee Dee Sharp; Dion; Timi Yuro
19 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Petula Clark, Lonnie Donegan, The Eric Delaney Band, The Fourmost, Janice Nicholls, Roy Orbison, and Eden Kane.
22 The Searchers: "Sugar and Spice"/"Sure Know a Lot about Love" [Pye UK release]
24 The Searchers: "Sugar and Spice" [Pye 7N 15566, charts, RR #2]
Helen Shapiro: "Look Who It Is" [Columbia DB 7130, charts, RR #47]
25 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 12]: Del Shannon; Joe Brown & the Bruvvers; Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas
26 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Richard Anthony, The Beatles, The Brook Brothers, Sam Costa, Matt Monro, Janice Nicholls, Tommy Quickly, Cherry Roland, and The Searchers.
29 Croydon, Surrey : Singer Michael Holliday (35) dies
31 Gerry and the Pacemakers : "You'll Never Walk Alone" [RR #1 for 4 weeks]
  London, Heathrow. The Beatles return from their Swedish tour to be met by hundreds of followers jamming the airport and delaying flights. Among those they inconvenience is American television host, Ed Sullivan.
 
  Other October Artifacts
  The Big Three: "I'm with You"
The Undertakers: "What about Us" / "Money"
Faron's Flamingos: "Shake Sherry"
The Big Three: Live at the Cavern
  London: EMI installs four-track recorders in its Abbey Road Studios
   
 
November JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
1 The Rolling Stones: "I Wanna Be Your Man" [Decca UK release]
  NME: The BBC bans Joe Brown's cover of George Formby's "Little Ukulele"
  Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 13]: Mark Wynter; Tommy Quickly; The Big Three; Polly Perkins; The Caravelles
2 Saigon, South Vietnam: President Ngo Dihn Diem assassinated in a military coup
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Russ Conway, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Bob Lang, Ric Rothwell, & Eric Stewart), Lesley Gore, Jimmy Henney, Janice Nicholls, Helen Shapiro, Frankie Vaughan, and Mark Wynter.
4 BBC: Censors ban Joe Brown from performing the George Formby song, "Little Ukelele" on the Billy Cotton Band Show
7 Cliff Richard and the Shadows: "Don't Talk to Him" [Columbia DB 7150, charts, RR #2]
Freddie and the Dreamers: "You Were Made for Me" [Columbia DB 7147, charts, RR #3]
Kathy Kirby: "Secret Love" [Decca F 11759, charts, RR #4]
Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas: "I'll Keep You Satisfied" (L-Mc) [Parlophone R 5073, charts, RR #4]
8 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 14]: The Dave Clark Five; John Leyton; Patsy Ann Noble
9 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas, Freddie & The Dreamers, Joe "Mr. Piano" Henderson, and Johnny Kidd & The Pirates.
10 London: The Beatles: The Royal Variety Performance [ITV broadcast; recorded November 4th]
11 Madras Place, North London: Joe Meek arrested for soliciting sex in a washroom
  New York: Brian Epstein and Ed Sullivan sign agreement that will make the Beatles the headliners on three of Sullivan's nationally broadcast shows in February 1964.
14 The Rolling Stones: "I Wanna Be Your Man" [Decca F 11764, charts, RR #12]
Matt Monro: "From Russia with Love" [Parlophone R 5068, charts, RR #20]
15 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 15]: Dusty Springfield; Brian Poole & Tremeloes
16 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Johnny Burnette, The Dave Clark Five, Chad & Jeremy (Jeremy Clyde & Chad Stuart), Craig Douglas, Frank Ifield, Janice Nicholls, Patsy Ann Noble, and Tommy Roe.
21 The Dave Clark Five: "Glad All Over" [Columbia DB 7154, charts, RR #1]
Dusty Springfield: "I Only Want to Be with You" [Philips BF 1292, charts, RR #4]
The Hollies: "Stay" [Parlophone R 5077, charts, RR #8]
Bern Elliott and the Fenmen: "Money" [Decca 11770, charts, RR #14]
The John Barry Orchestra: "From Russia with Love" [Ember S 181, charts, RR #39]
22 The Beatles: With the Beatles [Parlophone PMC 1206; UK LP release]
  Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 16]: The Rolling Stones; Gerry & the Pacemakers; Freddie & the Dreamers
  Dallas, Texas: John F. Kennedy assassinated
  Los Angeles: Aldous Huxley dies
23 BBC: Dr. Who premiers with William Hartnell
  ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Breakaways, Ronnie Carroll, Pete Murray, Janice Nicholls, Gene Pitney, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, The Rolling Stones, Bobby Rydell, and Christopher Sandford.
25 Paris: Student strike.
26 The Searchers: Sweets for My Sweet [UK EP release]
28 The Beatles: "She Loves You" [returns as RR #1 for 2 weeks]
  Johnny Kidd and the Pirates: "Hungry for Love" [HMV POP 1228, charts, RR #20]
Heinz: "Country Boy" [Decca F 11768, charts, RR #26]
Brian Poole and the Tremeloes: "I Can Dance" [Decca F 11771, charts, RR #31]
29 The Beatles: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" / "This Boy" [UK release]
  Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 17]: The Hollies; Manfred Mann; Mike Sarne; Glenda Collins
30 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Kenny Ball, Freddie & The Dreamers, Kathy Kirby, Kenny Lynch, Janice Nicholls, The Shadows, and Dusty Springfield.
 
  Other November Artifacts
  The Fourmost: "I'm in Love" (L-Mc) [UK release; US release 2/64]
Freddie Starr and the Midnighters: "It's Shaking Time" [UK release]
  The Boll-Weevils (Ray Davies, Dave Davies, Peter Quaife, and Mickey Willett) change their name to The Ravens after Roger Corman's horror film based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem. Larry Page will soon become their agent-manager through his company, Denmark Productions.
  London: Joseph Losey's film, The Servant, released
   
 
December JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
5 The Beatles: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" [Parlophone R 5084, charts, RR #1]
The Shadows: "Geronimo" [Columbia DB 7163, charts, RR #11]
  London: What a Crazy Life (featuring Joe Brown, Susan Maughan, Freddie and the Dreamers, and Harry H. Corbett) opens at the Westend and Rialta Cinemas.
  Philips Recording Studios, London: The Ravens audition for Philips' chief A&R manager, Jack Baverstock, who rejects them. They will soon make contact with American independent producer, Shel Talmy. They will also change their name to "The Kinks," possibly in reaction to a John Barry Seven recording, "Kinky" referring to the leather worn by Cathy Gale on the television show, The Avengers.
  New York, New York: UN General Assembly asks Commission on the Status of Women to prepare a declaration on the rights of women.
6 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 18]: Adam Faith; Ted Heath; The Searchers; Marty Wilde
7 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Bachelors, Honor Blackman & Patrick Macnee, Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, The Fourmost, Julie Grant, Buddy Greco, Mike Hurst, John Leyton, Janice Nicholls, and Jimmy Savile.
10 Zanzibar: independence from Britain
12 The Beatles: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" [RR #1 for 5 weeks]
  The Swinging Blue Jeans: "Hippy Hippy Shake" [HMV POP 1242, charts, RR #2]
Adam Faith and the Roulettes: "We Are in Love" [Parlophone R 5109, charts, RR #11]
  Kenya: independence from Britain
13 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 19]: The Dave Clark 5; Mike Hurst; Doug Sheldon
14 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with Winifred Atwell, The Dave Clark Five, Adam Faith, Alan Freeman, Rolf Harris, The King Brothers, Janice Nicholls, Annie Ross, The Roulettes, and Gene Vincent.
18 Granada Television: I Hear the Blues featuring Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lonnie Johnson, Victoria Spivey, and Big Joe Williams.
20 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 20]: Dusty Springfield; Billy Fury; The Fourmost
21 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Beatles, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, Cilla Black, The Breakaways, Billy Butler, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers, and Ursula Huggins
26 The Fourmost: "I'm in Love" [Parlophone R 5056, charts, RR #17]
  The Beatles: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" [Capitol US release]
27 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 21]: The Rolling Stones; Stevie Wonder; Andrew Loog Oldham
28 ABC-TV. Thank Your Lucky Stars: Brian Matthew (host) with The Swinging Blue Jeans, Billy Fury, David Gell, The Hollies, Janice Nicholls, Mike Sarne, Doug Sheldon, Millie (Millicent Small), and Frankie Vaughan.
31 Associated Rediffusion ITV: Ready Steady Go! [episode 22]: "RSG! The New Year Starts Here!" The Beatles (on tape, from their 4 October 1963 RSG appearance); Cilla Black; The Dave Clark Five; Adam Faith; The Fourmost; Kirby Kirby; Kenny Lynch; Ray Martine; Tommy Quickly; The Roulettes; Mike Sarne; The Searchers; Mark Wynter
   
Other 1963 Artifacts
  • Los Angeles: Rickenbacker introduces its 360-12, electric 12-string guitar
  • Switzerland: Studer introduces the first fully transistorized studio tape recorder, the Studer A62
  • London: Ian Fleming publishes On Her Majesty's Secret Service
  • London: Tony Richardson's film of Henry Fielding's novel, Tom Jones released
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    1962 1964
    Copyright © 1995 — 31-May-2018; Gordon Thompson