American Bandstand 1964 – TOP 10 – Louie, Louie – The Kingsmen

Airdate: January 18, 1964

Today is the unofficial start of “Beatlemania” as The Beatles first song to chart in America, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, enters the Billboard Hot 100 at #45. It will be #3 next week. In about 10 minutes from now, in this episode, they will play it for, perhaps, the first time ever on national TV in the U.S. (eat your heart our Ed Sullivan) I will be posting a link to that clip soon. I will say, it is “very strange” (and very cool) watching 2 different eras crossover as the Philadelphia kids dance to “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. It almost seems anachronistic

‘Louie, Louie” is at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 today for its 3rd week in a row and 1 of 6 non-consecutive weeks at #2. It never made it to #1.
In response to never hitting #1 - The Kingsmen drummer Ken Easton: “F- - - !”

Only 3 more weeks until American Bandstand will start airing from Hollywood. They either taped the last episodes in Philadelphia last week or they are taping them as this episode is airing. The final Philadelphia kids dancing today are: Richie Cartledge & Michelle Liebowitz (1:44), Gary Stapleford (far left, 2:45), Bruce Richard & Barbara Warchol (2:54) and Bobby Baritz, Sandi Bartholomew & Ailyene Silverman (3:19).

Whether you prefer the more modern and long-running Bandstand from Hollywood or the more classic Bandstand from Philadelphia, thank you for watching!

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This episode (a new one to the library) was donated by @jthyme. Thank you Gary!