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

Darlene Love: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/darlene-love/bio/

Official Site: http://darleneloveworld.com/

Darlene Love began her career in the church choir. She joined a girl group, The Blossoms, which worked with Phil Spector.

She sang lead on...

He's A Rebel by The Crystals (1962): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_SXJ18EkNw


She sang backup on many major hits including:

Be My Baby by The Ronettes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-bcn6Rwn44

The Monster Mash by Boris Pickett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOFCQ2bfmHw

That's Life by Frank Sinatra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NCN6tl_DY0


Solo:

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (1962): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bWyhj7siEY

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (1963): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y

Wait Til My Bobby Comes Home (1963): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWSlWvheoNg

Basketball Jones (1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu0-j-4TjWg

All Alone on Christmas (1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHbNMCDJyU


She also starred as Trish Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon movies.

Ellie Greewich and Jeff Barry: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/greenwich-and-barry/bio/



Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry were songwriting partners as well as husband and wife. The pair teamed with Phil Spector for many classic hits.

Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-qqi7-Q19k

Then He KIssed Me by The Crystals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r17KaC7C5D4

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

Baby I Love You by The Ronettes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBaa-cAJRyI

Christmas (Please Come Home) by Darlene Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y

The Ronettes: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007

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

Ronnie Spector and her sister Estelle Bennett began singing around 1950. The Ronettes formed in 1957 with their cousins. Eventually, the group whittled down to three including Ronnie, Estelle, and Nedra Talley. They began recording in the early 60s.

I Want a Boy (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozfgnkcDF54

Silhouettes (1962): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjQZpNbZ7Sw

Their singles flopped and they began playing the Peppermint Lounge. They were successful at the club level, but were frustrated with their label. So, they called Phil Spector, who signed the group.

Their breakthrough hit (with Cher on backing vocals):

Be My Baby (1963): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-0upHlWfQ4

Baby I Love You (1963): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYw0QCmIWWU

Walkin' in the Rain (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBBys5TLxCI

Do I Love You? (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71qt9D2qBX0

Is This What I Get for Loving You? (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmaVDsSvQiA

The Ronettes began a steady decline as music changed. They did, however, open for The Beatles in 1965.

I Can Hear Music (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6bjwgv5l18

You Came, You Saw, You Conquered (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CNKW6RyTUk

The Ronettes went through fits and starts, but eventually split. They reformed after Ronnie's divorce from Phil, but eventually broke up again.

Paradise (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDBggsbxEKc

Ronnie reemerged in 1986 with Eddie Money:

Take Me Home Tonight (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbhXmSBlS_U

In 2001, they won a judgment against Phil Spector for unpaid royalties.

After Amy Winehouse's OD, Ronnie played a tribute...

Back to Black (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTdE9Zd3zQM

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

Phil Spector: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1989

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/phil-spector/bio/

Official Site:
http://philspector.com/

Spector was a producer and songwriter. He is best known for his “Wall of Sound”

Examples of Spector’s work:

To Know Him Is To Love Him by The Teddy Bears (1958):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW2Bi9J2hQE

He’s a Rebel by The Crystals (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu3bKBIEypE

Be My Baby by the Ronettes (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzhbGaCwBzs

You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling by the Righteous Brothers (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTvU3BELZEo

Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrK5u5W8afc&feature=related

The Long and Winding Road by the Beatles (1970):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cUaO1P2mfo

What is Life by George Harrison (1971):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XFfUt7HQWM

Imagine by John Lennon (1971):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7qaSxuZUg

Rock n Roll High School by the Ramones (1979):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQb9sWuWFqU

Silence is Easy by Starsailor (2003):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDyrpYQ_1p8

He was convicted in 2009 for the murder of Lana Clarkson and sentenced 19 years to life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC9N6kd7EUU

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'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.