The mod scene in Australia drew a great deal of influence from their neighbours New Zealand – especially when Ray Columbus and the Invaders and Dinah Lee came across the ditch.
Ray Columbus and the Invaders arrived in Australia in 1963 with their version of Lennon and McCartney’s I Wanna Be Your Man.
Although not a hit, it outsold The Rolling Stones’ version and they went back home.
It was not until 1964, when The Beatles had left their mark on Australia, that they returned with She’s A Mod. It was the first Australian number 1 produced in New Zealand.
Dinah Lee, the perfect model of a mod, arrived here with two New Zealand number 1s: Huey “Piano” Smith’s Don’t You Know Kokomo and Jackie Wilson’s Reet Petite.
When she appeared on Johnny O’Keefe’s SING SING SING she became an instant success, with dynamic performances and a fashion sense she had carried over from her modelling days.
On the 11th Soul singer Sam Cooke is shot dead by his manager Bertha Franklin, who allegedly claims to have been sexually assaulted by him while staying at The Hacienda Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Searchers enters the USA top forty on the 19th with Love Potion #9, the old The Coasters and The Clovers hit. It becomes their biggest USA hit when it reaches number three.
During a tour on the 23rd, The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson has a nervous breakdown and leaves the band to concentrate on writing and producing. He is replaced by Glen Campbell for their live shows.
On Christmas Eve, The Beatles’ first Christmas show takes place at the Hammersmith Odeon, London.
The Righteous Bros. hit number one in the USA with You’ve Lost That loving Feeling, an epic Phil Spector production written by Brill Building duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Well.
The top ten in Australia in December 1964
The top ten in Australia in 1964
The number ones in Australia in December 1964
In the USA
In the UK
What’s your favourite hit from 1964? What memories does it inspire?
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