1960s Music – 1964

by Michael RichComment — Updated August 3, 2023

1960s Music – 1964,  1960s Music - The BeatlesFebruary 7th the place is New York – JFK Airport, some 5000 fans are all gathered to witness the arrival of the Beatles and the beginning of the British invasion. Their first album “Please Please Me” had stayed at #1 in the U.K. for 30 consecutive weeks but the record company because of licensing problems had not released it in the U.S. Instead they released the single “I Want To Hold Your Hand” which sold 2.6 million copies in the two weeks preceding their arrival. During the course of the year they would subsequently capture nine spots on the Top 100 charts with five of them in the #1 slot (see chart below for titles).

Their 3 consecutive appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show in February were no accident. Timed to coincide with their arrival in the U.S. Sullivan had originally offered the group top dollar to appear once. Their manager Brian Epstein however agreed to take the lowest pay scale in return for doing three shows in a row. Whether it was the brilliant marketing or just their innate talent and likability the Beatles were instant hits in America. Their success led to a desire for anything and everything British. Other British bands would capitalize on this desire. During the year The Animals, Chad & Jeremy, Dusty Springfield, Peter and Gordon, The Kinks and Manfred Mann would all have Top 100 hits with the Dave Clark Five charting five entries during the period.

The Supremes

Bobby Vinton

Groups from the U.K. weren’t the only thing charting however The Supreme’s had their first hit with Motown Records, “Where Did Our Love Go” which was quickly followed by “Baby Love” and “Come See About Me” all three climbed to #1 on the charts. The only other multiple top spot performer was actually a early 1960’s favorite, Bobby Vinton who had “There! I’ve Said It Again” and “Mr. Lonely” both hit #1. Another perennial favorite Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons had three huge hits with “Rag Doll”, “Stay” and “Ronnie”.

Number of Charted Songs Top 100:Beatles – 9
Dave Clark Five – 5
Supremes – 3
Four Seasons – 3
Bobby Vinton – 2
Jan & Dean – 2
And The Grammy Goes To:Record of the Year – “The Girl From Ipanema ” – Stan Getz
Album of the Year – ” Getz/Gilberto” – Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto
Song of the Year – “Hello, Dolly!” – Jerry Herman
Best Rock and Roll Recording – “Downtown”- Petula Clark

Rolling Stones

Not as well known but certainly influential the Rolling Stones begin their U.S. tour by releasing their first self titled album “The Rolling Stones”. The group got it’s name from a Muddy Waters tune “Rollin’ Stone”. The Stones were the first popular group to mix R&B melodies with rock type rhythms, because of their “dirty” music and the lack of cute clothing and haircuts they received the reputation as being the “bad boys” of rock.

Jazz got a lot of attention this year with Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto’s single “The Girl From Ipanema” and their self titled album both winning Grammy Awards and doing well in the charts. Al Hirt a jazz horn player also had million seller hit with “Java”.

1960s Music - 1964
SONG ARTIST(click to purchase) # OF WEEKS DATE
There! I’ve Said It Again Bobby Vinton 1960s Music - 1964 Photo 4 1/04
I Want To Hold Your Hand The Beatles1960s Music - 1964 Photo 7 2/01
She Loves You The Beatles 2 3/21
Can’t Buy Me Love The Beatles1960s Music - 1964 Photo 5 4/04
Hello, Dolly! Louis Armstrong1960s Music - 1964 Photo 1 5/09
My Guy Mary Wells1960s Music - 1964 Photo 2 5/16
Love Me Do The Beatles1960s Music - 1964 Photo 1 5/30
Chapel Of Love The Dixie Cups1960s Music - 1964 Photo 3 6/06
A World Without Love Peter & Gordon1960s Music - 1964 Photo 1 6/27
I Get Around The Beach Boys 1960s Music - 1964 Photo 2 7/04
Rag Doll Four Seasons1960s Music - 1964 Photo 2 7/18
A Hard Day’s Night The Beatles1960s Music - 1964 Photo 2 8/01
Everybody Loves Somebody Dean Martin1960s Music - 1964 Photo 1 8/15
Where Did Our Love Go Supremes1960s Music - 1964 Photo1960s Music - 1964 Photo 2 8/22
The House Of The Rising Sun Animals 3 9/05
Oh, Pretty Woman Roy Orbison1960s Music - 1964 Photo1960s Music - 1964 Photo 3 9/26
Do Wah Diddy Diddy Manfred Mann1960s Music - 1964 Photo 2 10/17
Baby Love Supremes1960s Music - 1964 Photo 4 10/31
Leader Of The Pack The Shangri-Las 1 11/28
Ringo Lorne Greene 1960s Music - 1964 Photo 1 12/05
Mr. Lonely Bobby Vinton1960s Music - 1964 Photo 1 12/12
I Feel Fine The Beatles1960s Music - 1964 Photo1960s Music - 1964 Photo 3 12/26

Click Below For Year by Year Song Charts and Information

1960 Hits
1961 Hits
1962 Hits
1963 Hits
1964 Hits
 1965 Hits
1966 Hits
1967 Hits
1968 Hits
1969 Hits

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