1963 in Music

The Beatles begin their domination of the U.K. In response, The Daily Mirror coined the term "Beatlemania." They would launch the British Invasion in 1964. In the states, Bob Dylan releases The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" is deemed indecent because no one can understand it. The Beach Boys had a big year with several notable recordings. On a sad note, Patsy Cline perished in a plane crash.

The #1 song of 1963:
Sugar Shack by Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs.

Important tracks:
Louie Louie by The Kingsmen
Be My Baby by The Ronettes
Blowin' In The Wind by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
Surfin' USA by The Beach Boys

Other notable songs:
It's My Party by Leslie GoreLs
Another Saturday Night by Sam Cooke
Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals
Little Deuce Coup by The Beach Boys
Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas
My Boyfriend's Back by The Angels
Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary
Surf City by The Beach Boys
Little Surfer Girl by The Beach Boys
Walk Like a Man by The Four Seasons
Wipeout by The Safaris

1962 in Music

The Beatles are rejected by Decca Records, Bob Dylan releases his debut, and Peter, Paul, and Mary have a #1 album. Pete Seeger has a big year as well. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards meet Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones form. The Beatles appear on "My Bonnie", which is credited to Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers. Elvis dominated while the Twist permeated.

#1 song:
Stranger on the Shore by Mr. Acker Bilk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFaH1KFmLyI


The Beatles- My Bonnie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgkAgyQgEH4

Important releases:
I Can't Stop Loving You by Ray Charles:
Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis:
Big Girls Don't Cry by The Four Seasons
Green Onions by Booker T and the MGs
He's a Rebel by The Crystals
If I Had a Hammer by Peter, Paul and Mary
The James Bond Theme by John Barry Orchestra
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
Sherry by The Four Seasons:
Surfin' Safari by The Beach Boys
The Twist by Chubby Checker
Twistin' The Night Away by Sam Cooke
The Wanderer by Dion

Other Notable songs:
Return to Sender by Elvis
Good Luck Charm by Elvis
409 by The Beach Boys
The Ballad of Paladin by Duane Eddy
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka
Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler
Johnny Angel by Shirley Fabares
The Loco-Motion by Little Eva
Roses Are Red by Bobby Vinton

1961 in Music

1961 provided a lull in rock music. Although Elvis returned, the pop scene focused on teen idols. However, change was coming. Motown began to move, Bob Dylan was a year away, and the seeds of the British Invasion were planted when The Beatles made their Cavern Club debut.

Motown scored it's first million seller with "Shop Around" and signed The Supremes. The Beach Boys release their initial single. Frank Sinatra starts Reprise Records. Judy Garland performed at Carnegie Hall. Patsy Cline is seriously injured in an auto accident.


Shop Around by The Miracles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM




I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuZTk1hdpMs




Judy Garland:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-i2uXjQZHs



#1 Song of 1961:


Stand By Me by Ben E. King:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZNL7QVJjE

Other important releases:



Runaway by Del Shannon

At Last by Etta James

Crazy by Patsy Cline

Crying by Roy Orbison

Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes

Runaround Sue by Dion

The Wanderer by Dion

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles
Other Hits:


Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker

Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis Presley

Calendar Girl by Neil Sedaka

Hello Mary Lou By Ricky Nelson

Spanish Harlem by Ben E. King

The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens

Top 10 Beach Boy songs

Here are my top 10 Beach Boy songs...

 

Good Vibrations

Surfin’ USA

I Get Around

Sloop John B

Surfin’ Safari

Barbara Ann

Don’t Worry Baby

Little Deuce Coup

409

God Only Knows

 

Steve Douglas: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/steve-douglas/bio/

Steve Douglas was a member of the vaunted Wrecking Crew session band. He worked with The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy, Sammy Hagar, and the Ramones.

Clup Your Hands:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4i6MHelFH0

Mo Ostin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/mo-ostin/bio/

Mo Ostin was a record exec that artists loved.

He worked with everyone from Sammy Davis Jr. to Nellie Furtado.

Ostin signed Hendrix in 1967 after Monterey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP2xcjtgcIc

At Warner Brothers, he signed The Beach Boys, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Van Halen, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Prince.

Songs about, or referring to, Ostin:

A Apolitical Blues by Little Feat w/Mick Taylor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfN_F2TC0xs

Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze by Neil Young: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9_vwofmsIM

Hal Blaine: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/hal-blaine/bio/

Hal Blaine is a session drummer that worked with everyone from Elvis to John Denver.

Some of the works he appeared on include:

Be My Baby by the Ronettes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCCTn4eviFg

Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbnNr4FzPXg

Help Me Rhonda by The Beach Boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BjS3k_FZ8

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww

Up, Up, and Away by The Fifth Dimension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akEgsZSfhg

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PNun-Pfb4

Song Sung Blue by Neil Diamond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ighSddnnaPE

Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURIAZwJkPc

The Beach Boys: Sloop John B (1966)

The Beach Boys reworked an old West Indian folk song, "The John B Sails" and transformed it. The song tells the story of a rowdy ship's crew that shipwrecked in 1900. They did not take their captivity too well. "Sloop John B" took on a new meaning in Vietnam's wake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSAoEf1Ib58

The Beach Boys: God Only Knows (1966)

Brian Wilson moved The Beach Boys away from their surf sound and into a more sophisticated realm with the Pet Sounds album. He experimented with a variety of different sounds and instruments and attempted more ambitious melodies and vocal harmonies. "God Only Knows" was one of the first pop songs to include the word "God" in its title further expanding the group's horizons. The song is probably best known to modern audiences as the theme song to Big Love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMyS78o5YI

The Beach Boys: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-beach-boys/bio/

Official Site:

http://thebeachboys.com/

The Beach Boys formed in 1961 and signed a record deal the following year. They began as part of the surf craze, but expanded their horizons to challenge the Beatles by the mid-60s.

Surfin’ Safari (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS7SUFz36lg

Surfin’ USA (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grj7sjQ0_p4

Be True To Your School (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ijkYkJfg0s

Fun, Fun, Fun (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgS_Wf5i38k

Their first #1: I Get Around (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7Xs9WVNBU

Help Me Rhonda (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mZ0ApTA-y4

California Girls (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ1UqDnY7as

Barbara Ann (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wbMqRO6lnc

Sloop Johnny B (1966): Antiwar song. Brian Wilson is moving away from the beach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdov2UIjUpY

Wouldn’t It Be Nice (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

God Only Knows (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMyS78o5YI

　

Good Vibrations (1966): A true masterpiece that cost more than most albums to make.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2gZMNkyJo

After Good Vibrations, Brian Wilson began working on Smile. However, the pressure to succeed, drug abuse, a breakdown, and a falling out with Mike Love nearly destroyed Wilson. The 1967 album Smiley Smile was a disaster.

Sail on, Sailor (1973):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnZdGUVSGw

Their best days appeared behind them, but at the same time developed a large concert audience following. The Beach Boys in Concert went gold and people flocked to their shows. In 1974, they released a greatest hits package, Endless Summer, went to #1. Brian Wilson returned to the band in 1976.

In 1983, Secretary of the Interior James Watt banned Independence Day concerts because rock bands "brought out the wrong element." The Beach Boys responded by reminding people the Soviets invited them to perform in 1978. Vice President George Bush defended the concerts and the Beach Boys. When Watt discovered President Reagan liked the band, he backed down.

1983: Dennis Wilson dies

On July 4, 1985, they performed in front of 1,000,000 people in Philadelphia and then 750,000 at the National Mall.

Live Aid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf6vVt0cLnM

They teamed with the Fat Boys in 1987 for a bizarre song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt0LBlH3dAc

In 1988, they scored their first #1 in 22 years.

1988: Elected to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Kokomo (1988):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5_AD9wXuY

Long Tall Texan w/Doug Supernaw (1996):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhDWKUaBv10

1998: Carl Wilson dies

Don’t Fight the Sea (2011):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUUBkFTnwE

2011: Brian Wilson indicated he would like to get the surviving band back together for their 50^th anniversary in 2012.

The Everly Brothers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

The Everly Brothers' career through links:

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-everly-brothers/bio/

Their first single was rejected by 30 acts:

Bye Bye Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBylPQvzyas&feature=fvst

First #1:

Wake Up Little Susie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kooAgqCHGvU

Also in the fifties:

All I Have To Do Is Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul6X5Mg4xuk&feature=related

Bird Dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SkvaALFQOs

The Sixties:

Cathy’s Clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVHP7jR8_8o

When Will I Be Loved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h--3ugScE1Q

The Everly Brothers were left behind when the music scene changed in the early to mid-1960s.

Acts influenced by the Everly Brothers:

The Beatles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGC_uaUav7w

The Beach Boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WP2exZurfc

Simon and Garfunkel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKjEHfHINQ

810. Brian Wilson by Barenaked Ladies (1992)

"Brian Wilson" is about a man whose life course is similar to Beach Boy Brian Wilson's. Wilson suffered a breakdown trying to compete with the Beatles and spent three years secluded in his bedroom. Originally released in 1992, the band re-released the song in 1997. Brian Wilson himself later covered the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch84fmOa414

950. Sweet Little Sixteen by Chuck Berry (1958)

Chuck Berry hit #2 with this ode to female rock n roll fans. In the hit, a 16-year-old girl attends a concert dressed in high heels and a tight skirt. Everyone wants to dance with her. The next day, she is sweet and innocent again as she returns to school. The only Chuck Berry hit to top "Sweet Little Sixteen" on the charts was the #1 hit "My Ding-A-Ling" in 1972.

The Beach Boys turned "Sweet Little Sixteen" into "Surfin' USA." Chuck Berry was eventually given a writing credit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h3tXq5pkJ8&ob=av2n

California Gurls by Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog

Eminem and Rihanna are #1 again this week on the Hot 100. Katy Perry is #1 this week on the Pop Charts with this ode to the Beach Boys. Speaking of which, there was a dustup this week. Apparently, the Beach Boys record label wants to sue Perry over the rights to this song. Brian Wilson and Mike Love do not support the suit.

Perry really does not have a great singing voice, but she picks stuff that is catchy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwE-SLnLkqY&feature=av2e

Info on the potential lawsuit: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/beach_boys_vs_katy_gurls_PP7YxCik3Vv329HgOWvkJM

994. Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys (1964)

Brian Wilson tried to capture the Ronettes "Be My Baby" on his own. This was the B-side to "I Get Around" making it one of the best releases ever. John Lennon and Garbage later borrowed from it.

Best Line: But I can't back down now because

I pushed the other guys too far

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCZ_bv9aLc

RS Mag Top 500 Songs #1-10

1. Like a Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan- Musically and lyrically different than anything before it. Everyone has been trying to copy it ever since.

2. Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones- The greatest pure rock song ever.

3. Imagine: John Lennon- Lady Gaga recently played the white piano which caused a major ruckus and people cried blasphemy!

4. What’s Going On?: Marvin Gaye- Gaye was tired of the Motown grind and changed it up with a socially conscious song which both spoke to the times, but also his personal life.

5. Respect: Aretha Franklin- The message combined with Aretha’s vocals made this a powerhouse.

6. Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys- Nothing sounded like this.

7. Johnny B. Goode: Chuck Berry- The second greatest pure rock song ever…

8. Hey Jude: The Beatles- The Beatles biggest hit. Amazing considering it’s over 7 minutes long.

9. Smells Like Teen Spirit: Nirvana- No one saw this coming…

10. What I’d Say: Ray Charles- Charles wrote this on stage in front of an audience.

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #21-30

21. Born to Run: Bruce Springsteen- Kind of describes Springsteen’s career by this point. People looking for one last chance at glory.

22. Be My Baby: The Ronettes- The greatest example of the Wall of Sound. It was a musical “Rosetta Stone.”

23. In My Life: The Beatles- The Beatles move from pop band to artists at this moment.

24. People Get Ready: The Impressions- Great whether done by the Impressions, Curtis Mayfield solo, or Jeff Beck.

25. God Only Knows: The Beach Boys- Hard to top Brian Wilson on the top of his game.

26. (Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay: Otis Redding- Both laid back and manic.

27. Layla: Derek and the Dominoes- Clapton in pain means good musical results!

28. A Day in the Life: The Beatles- IMO the greatest song ever made. George Martin took two separate songs and spliced them together while adding an orchestra!

29. Help!: The Beatles- John wrote this as a response to Beatlemania. He felt overwhelmed.

30. I Walk the Line: Johnny Cash- Dylan called this a “voice from middle Earth.” Cash’s demo tape got mangled, but he liked the sound and kept it. He then added wax paper to his guitar for an original sound. When you think of guitar innovation, Cash is not the first person to come to mind.

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #71-80

71. Papas a Brand New Bag: James Brown- Considered the first funk hit.

72. California Girls: The Beach Boys- Not to be confused with Katy Perry crap.

73. Superstition: Stevie Wonder- IMO his best work. Jeff Beck on guitar.

74. Summertime Blues: Eddie Cochrane- The ultimate teen summer anthem. Later covered by the Who.

75. Whole Lotta Love: Led Zeppelin- Robert Plant’s lyrics paid homage to old blues legends…and  the band in court ended up in court until 1985.

76. Strawberry Fields Forever: The Beatles- John looks at his childhood.

77. Mystery Train: Elvis Presley- This song was 2 years old when Elvis did it. It sounds like it came out of the thirties.

78. I Feel Good: James Brown- Brown performed the song in a Frankie Avalon movie--very strange.

79. Mr. Tambourine Man: The Byrds- When the Beatles meet Dylan, you get the Byrds.

80. You Really Got Me: The Kinks- James Hetfield later claimed Metallica got schooled by Ray Davies

Rolling Stone Mag's Top 500 Songs (#176-200)

176. Paint it Black: Rolling Stones- The sitar added texture and a far east feel that the Vietnam generation could understand and relate to. Despite this, the song is not dated.


177. I Fought the Law: Bobby Fuller Four- Fuller pulled many influences including outlaw, surf, the British Invasion, and Phil Spector to create this.

178. Don’t Worry Baby: Beach Boys- Influenced by the Ronnettes.

179. Free Fallin’: Tom Petty- One of the best songs of the 80s.

180. September Gurls: Big Star- Influenced the title of Katy Perry’s latest craptacular hit.

181. Love Will Tear Us Apart: Joy Division- Way Overrated!

182. Hey Ya!: Outkast- They looked like black leprechauns in the video.

183. Green Onions: Booker T and the MGs- Everyone knows this song…just not the name.

184. Save the Last Dance For Me: The Drifters- The Drifters were big time in their day.

185. The Thrill is Gone: B.B. King- Perhaps the greatest Blues tune ever.

186. Please Please Me: The Beatles- Been awhile since the Beatles have shown up…

187. Desolation Row: Bob Dylan- What a downer…

188. Who’ll Stop the Rain: CCR- Some allusions to FDR and Vietnam, but nothing concrete…so the song lives on and is not dated.

189. I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You): Aretha Franklin- Recorded at Muscle Shoals

190. Back in Black: AC/DC- an Ode to Bon Scott

191. Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees- Amazing how big they were. Great bass line.

192. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door: Bob Dylan- Written for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid…not Axl Rose!

193. Free Bird: Lynyrd Skynyrd- Play some Skynyrd!

194. Rehab: Amy Winehouse- Has a song ever fit an artist so well?

195. Wichita Lineman: Glen Campbell- About loneliness; not football.

196. There Goes My Baby: The Drifters- A weird musical arrangement on this one. Sounds like two songs crashing into each other and being held together by King’s vocals.

197. Peggy Sue: Buddy Holly- as I said…really getting into it now.

198. Sweet Child ‘O Mine: Guns n Roses- and then Axl lost his mind…

199. Maybe: The Chantels- This was the template for every girl group that followed.

200. Don’t Be Cruel: Elvis- Really getting into it now!

Rolling Stone Mag's Top 500 Songs #201-215

201. Hey Joe: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Hendrix explains how to settle domestic disputes.

202. Flash Light: Parliament- Even if you have never heard this song, you’ve heard it. It’s been sampled multiple times.

203. Loser: Beck- This album cost $200 to make...this song sounds like it.

204. Bizarre Love Triangle: New Order- King of the Plastic Keyboard bands!

205. Come Together: The Beatles- Lennon wrote this for Timothy Leary.

206. Positively 4th Street: Bob Dylan- One music's great tirades. Dylan slams college frats and Greenwich Village.

207. Try a Little Tenderness: Otis Redding- The first of three Redding songs.

208. Lean on Me: Bill Withers- I hate this song

209. Reach Out, I’ll Be There: The Four Tops- Marking a change to a darker Motown

210. Bye Bye Love: The Everly Brothers- 30 artists turned this down before the Everly Brothers.

211. Gloria: Them- G-L-O-R-I-A

212. In My Room: The Beach Boys- The third of seven Beach Boys songs.

213. 96 Tears: ? And the Mysterians- the Detroit version: 96 beers…too many beer drops for one liver to pass on…when the sun comes up, we throw up…

214. Caroline, No: The Beach Boys- Brian Wilson at his finest and stoned.

215. 1999: Prince- The Taliban party like its 1099!