Category Archives: Popular Music 1960s

The Beatles perform six songs for BBC radio’s ‘Saturday Club’ at Playhouse Theatre in London 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 21 1963)


Video: 'The Beatles - Boys (BBC, Saturday Club - 25 May 1963)'

(Tuesday, May 21, 1963, 5:30-6:30 p.m. BST) — The Beatles recorded the first of two radio sessions for different BBC shows tonight, both at the Playhouse Theatre in London.

They arrived for a 2:30 p.m. rehearsal for a bill-topping appearance on Saturday Club – the first time they were the headline act on the program.

The Beatles chatted to presenter Brian Matthew and performed six songs: “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Do You Want To Know A Secret,” “Boys,” “Long Tall Sally,” “From Me To You” and “Money (That’s What I Want).”

The edition of Saturday Club was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on May 25, 1963, between 10:00 a.m. and midday.


Video: 'The Beatles - Long Tall Sally (BBC, Saturday Club - 25 May 1963)'

The Beatles took a 45-minute break after the recording, returning to the Playhouse at 7:15 p.m. to rehearse an appearance on a new Light Programme show, Steppin’ Out.

The hour-long edition, first broadcast on June 3, 1963, from 10:31-11:30 a.m., was recorded from 10-11:15 p.m.

Performing before a lively audience, The Beatles performed another six songs: “Please Please Me,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Twist And Shout,” “Thank You Girl” and “From Me To You.”

‘If You Wanna Be Happy’ by Jimmy Soul peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 18 1963)

(Saturday, May 18, 1963) — “If You Wanna Be Happy” by Jimmy Soul peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (May 18/25, 1963). Continue reading ‘If You Wanna Be Happy’ by Jimmy Soul peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 18 1963)

The Beatles perform live on BBC ‘Pops and Lenny’ children’s TV show 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 16 1963)


: Video: 'The Beatles At Television Theatre, London (16 May 1963) (Pops & Lenny)'

(Thursday, May 16, 1963, 5:00-5:30 p.m. British Summer Time) — The Beatles made their second appearance on national BBC television today, performing live on the children’s show Pops And Lenny at Television Theatre in London. Continue reading The Beatles perform live on BBC ‘Pops and Lenny’ children’s TV show 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 16 1963)

‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ by Peter, Paul and Mary peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1963)

(Saturday, May 11, 1963) — “Puff, the Magic Dragon” by Peter, Paul and Mary peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ by Peter, Paul and Mary peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1963)

The Rolling Stones record their first single ‘Come On’/’I Want to Be Loved’ in London 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1963)


Video: 'Come On (2022 Stereo Mix / Remaster) - The Rolling Stones'

(Friday, May 10, 1963, evening British Summer Time) — The Rolling Stones recorded their first single tonight at Olympic Studios on Carton Street in London, covering Chuck Berry’s “Come On” and “I Want to Be Loved” by Willie Dixon. Continue reading The Rolling Stones record their first single ‘Come On’/’I Want to Be Loved’ in London 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1963)

‘Pipeline’ by The Chantays peaks at #4 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1963)

(Saturday, May 4, 1963) — “Pipeline” by The Chantays peaked at #4 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Pipeline’ by The Chantays peaks at #4 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1963)

‘I Will Follow Him’ by Little Peggy March peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

(Saturday, April 27, 1963) — “I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of three consecutive weeks (Apr. 27, May 4/11, 1963). Continue reading ‘I Will Follow Him’ by Little Peggy March peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

‘Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad (About My Baby)’ by The Cookies peaks at #7 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

(Saturday, April 27, 1963) — “Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad (About My Baby)” by The Cookies peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Don’t Say Nothin’ Bad (About My Baby)’ by The Cookies peaks at #7 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

‘On Broadway’ by The Drifters peaks at #9 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

(Saturday, April 27, 1963) — “On Broadway” by The Drifters peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘On Broadway’ by The Drifters peaks at #9 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

‘Watermelon Man’ by Mongo Santamaría peaks at #10 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)

(Saturday, April 27, 1963) — “Watermelon Man” by Mongo Santamaría peaked at #10 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Watermelon Man’ by Mongo Santamaría peaks at #10 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1963)