What Was American Top 40 Radio Like In The Period 1963 to 1968 Please?

Question

Hello.I'm a 53 year old man from England trying to do some very basic research into pop music radio of the past.

I would like to know what American Top 40 radio was like during the period 1963 to 1968 please.

Also, what were the most listened to radio stations and what their audience figures were please?

Also, does anyone have any information on K.L.I.F. please?

You are more than welcome to answer in here or email me directly and I will reply to all who contact me.

I thank you so very much in advance for your kind help and generosity in answering my questions. It is greatly appreciated.

Alan L.

Answer 1

Alan, I'd have to write an essay but it was very diverse, with rock, pop, soul, bubblegum and even Sinatra in the top 10 during that period. Whatever came along to catch the mood scored, no matter the style.

Answer 2

what you consider pop today was a mix of western, old crooners, easy listening music,  teen male idols, male and female sister groups, early do whop groups out of Philadelphia and the southern states, rythym and blues...early folk music, jazz, instrumental ,latin music,  we just listened to everything because our parents did when we were growing up...

I think people were very fortunate to live in that time as you learned to appreciate all kinds of music.....not only the pop stuff.....it brings back lots of great memories for me..

Answer 3

Go to www.musicoutfitters.com They have the top 100 listing for the years you inquire of.

Answer 4

It depended where you were.. I'm from Louisiana where two stations WTIX and WNOE were known throughout the nation.

WTIX was mainly known as they were one of the first stations in the nation who appealed to whites (race) but would actually spin Black (race) albums . For many years, the Black R and B music was rereleased by a white cover group as to appeal in segregated areas.

A little research using google will bring up a wealth of info including about KLIF (no dots are used on callsigns... it's not a name like in GB)

But for a hint of what KLIF sounded like try this link

http://www.reelradio.com/se/index.html

(pay site..$12/US a year but hours of wealth of info and links to other recorded sound checks from other top 40 stations in the 1960s and 1970s)

But here is a free link to a KLIF broadcast from 1961

http://airchexx.com/markets/dallas/ken-l... ( Minus music due to licensing restrictions)

Answer 5

It was groovy man!!