American Bandstand 1964 -Songs of ’63- Be My Baby, The Ronettes

Airdate: January 04, 1964

“Wrecking Crew” drummer Hal Blaine, who passed away this week (RIP), played drums on over 6,000 singles, 150 of which were top 10 hits and 40 went all the way to #1. Phil Spector’s “Be My Baby” made it to #2 in October of ‘63 (held out of the top spot for 3 straight weeks by “Sugar Shack”) and has one of the most iconic drum riffs of all time thanks to a mistake by Hal Blaine of hitting the snare on the 4th beat instead of the 2nd and 4th beat as it was originally written.

The first time Ronnie Bennett (lead vocalist and future wife of Phil Spector) heard “Be My Baby” after recording it was while she was on tour and watching American Bandstand on a hotel TV. Dick Clark introduced the song saying “This is going to be the record of the century”.

Regulars dancing in the waning days of the show in Philadelphia today are: Gary Stapleford (1:03), and from left to right at 2:05 - Pat Carpino & Michelle Liebowitz, Bobby Baritz & Aileyne Sullivan, and Bruce Richard & Barbara Warchol. (I wonder if there is a name for this dance…2 steps forward, 2 steps back, with a spin mixed in?)
Here are some Hal Blaine #1 hits on American Bandstand:

“These Boots Are Made For Walkin‘”, Nancy Sinatra
https://youtu.be/-xr1mKCLFfA

“Poor Side of Town”, Johnny Rivers
https://youtu.be/2T_DKZQ1Q9c

“Surf City”, Jan & Dean
https://youtu.be/hEHb3oHJ_OI

“The Happening”, The Supremes
https://youtu.be/ZO4LX6_p2MU

”Windy”, The Association
https://youtu.be/udfy8628dMs
Coming Up Tomorrow: A little St. Patrick’s Day bonus featuring the Bandstand dancers and, of course, The Irish Rovers.

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