Pick a Day

Music History Events: Releases

January 23, 1964 The Temptations release "The Way You Do The Things You Do."

January 20, 1964 The Beatles' first American album is released: Meet the Beatles! The first two tracks are the hits "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw Her Standing There."

November 22, 1963 Phil Spector (who is Jewish) releases A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, which he worked on all summer with his best musicians. US president John F. Kennedy is killed the same day, and the album suffers dismal sales, although some of the songs, including The Ronettes' version of "Frosty The Snowman," later become holiday favorites.

November 22, 1963 The Beatles release their second studio album, With The Beatles.

October 28, 1963 The Beach Boys release "Be True To Your School," featuring part of the Hawthorne High fight song, where the Wilson brothers went to school.

September 16, 1963 Currently the #1 song in the UK, The Beatles' "She Loves You" is released by the tiny Swan label in America, but the Stateside public has no idea who the group is, and the single fails to chart. When Capitol releases "I Want To Hold Your Hand," Beatlemania ensues and the song hits #1. A re-released "She Loves You" single follows it to the top.

July 26, 1963 Smokey Robinson & the Miracles release "Mickey's Monkey."

July 20, 1963 Lesley Gore releases "Judy's Turn To Cry."

July 10, 1963 Martha and the Vandellas release "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave."

June 29, 1963 A Bob Dylan song charts for the first time when Peter, Paul and Mary's cover of "Blowin' In The Wind" enters the Hot 100 at #86. In August, it climbs to #2, introducing many listeners to Dylan's music.

June 22, 1963 The Surfaris release "Wipe Out."

June 7, 1963 The Rolling Stones release their first single, a cover of "Come On" by Chuck Berry.

June 4, 1963 The Searchers release "Sweets For My Sweet."

May 27, 1963 Bob Dylan releases his second album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

March 22, 1963 In the UK, The Beatles release their debut studio album, Please Please Me. It goes to #1 a few months later; in early 1964, they conquer America.

March 14, 1963 Gerry & the Pacemakers release the single "How Do You Do It" in the UK.

March 4, 1963 The Beach Boys release "Surfin' U.S.A.," a reworking of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen."

November 9, 1962 The Miracles release "You've Really Got A Hold On Me."

October 2, 1962 The Cookies release "Chains."

September 17, 1962 Arthur Alexander releases "Anna (Go to Him)," which is later covered by The Beatles.

August 16, 1962 Peter, Paul, and Mary release "If I Had A Hammer."

August 11, 1962 Tony Bennett releases "Once Upon A Time" b/w "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." When DJs begin flipping over the record and playing the b-side, "San Francisco" climbs to #19 on the charts and eventually wins Bennett Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Solo Vocal Performance.

August 11, 1962 Mary Wells releases "You Beat Me To The Punch."

July 17, 1962 Elvis Presley releases "She's Not You."

July 11, 1962 The Marvelettes release "Beechwood 4-5789."

June 29, 1962 The Contours release "Do You Love Me."

June 4, 1962 The Beach Boys release their second single, "Surfin' Safari" backed with "409."More

May 11, 1962 Ray Stevens releases "Ahab The Arab."

March 19, 1962 Bob Dylan releases his self-titled debut album. It doesn't chart in America, but sets the stage for his breakthrough a year later: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

February 1, 1962 Elvis Presley releases "Good Luck Charm" b/w "Anything That's Part Of You."