The year is 1963 and just when you thought the 50s were behind us "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary is banned from play at many radio stations because it is believed to be a reference to marijuana. Radio was not the only censor, on television Bob Dylan is not allowed to perform a anti-segregationist song on the Ed Sullivan Show. He refuses to perform at all and boycotts the show.
Little Stevie Wonder is yet another huge success for Berry Gordy and Motown Records. Despite two lack luster albums in 1962 Wonder finally scores big with "Fingertips" which remained at No1 for three consecutive weeks. That was Motown's only No1 spot this year.
And as if it were a hint of what was coming next year, the Beatles first album "Please Please Me" is released in the U.K. where it hits No1 and stays there for an unheard of 30 consecutive weeks. The single "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was released prematurely in December of 1963 just a couple of weeks before their first visit and concert in the U.S. That "visit" in early 1964 was the very first volley in the British Invasion.
Country music lost one of the most influential and successful female artists of this time. Patsy Cline was killed at the age of 30 in a private plane crash. Her crossover success was already helping to bring country music into the mainstream with her 1961 hit "I Fall to Pieces".
"Louie Louie" became pretty much the only hit or other mention for the Kingsmen. It was however famous because of the poor enunciation of lead singer Jack Ely the lyrics were incorrectly interpreted as being indecent. The song was banned by several radio stations as well as the entire State of Indiana until the band proved that the lyrics were harmless.
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| SONG | ARTIST | No OF WEEKS | DATE | |
| Go Away Little Girl | Steve Lawrence | 2 | 1/12 | |
| Walk Right In | Rooftop Singers | 2 | 1/26 | |
| Hey Paula | Paul & Paula | 3 | 2/09 | |
| Walk Like A Man | The Four Seasons | 3 | 3/02 | |
| Our Day Will Come | Ruby & The Romantics | 1 | 3/23 | |
| He's So Fine | Chiffons | 4 | 3/30 | |
| I Will Follow Him | Little Peggy March | 3 | 4/27 | |
| If You Wanna Be Happy | Jimmy Soul | 2 | 5/18 | |
| It's My Party | Lesley Gore | 2 | 6/01 | |
| Sukiyaki | Kyu Sakamoto | 3 | 6/15 | |
| Easier Said Than Done | The Essex | 2 | 7/06 | |
| Surf City | Jan & Dean | 2 | 7/20 | |
| So Much In Love | Tymes | 1 | 8/03 | |
| Fingertips - Pt 2 | Little Stevie Wonder | 3 | 8/10 | |
| My Boyfriend's Back | The Angels | 3 | 8/31 | |
| Blue Velvet | Bobby Vinton | 3 | 9/21 | |
| Sugar Shack | Jimmy Gilmer & Fireballs | 5 | 10/12 | |
| Deep Purple | Nino Tempo & April Stevens | 1 | 11/16 | |
| I'm Leaving It Up To You | Dale 7 Grace | 2 | 11/23 | |
| Dominique | The Singing Nun | 4 | 12/07 | |
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