Today in 1964 it was 6-Beach Boys, 5-4 Seasons, 4-Beatles, 3-Beatles, 2-Beatles and number one today in 1964, you guessed it the Beatles.
That's because 1964 was the year for The Beatles. Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Frankie Lymon, etc. were fast becoming a thing of the past. So were Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, and Chubby Checker. Ricky Nelson's last top ten hit of the 60's peaked during the same month that The Beatles debuted in the states. Roy Orbison scored a number one tune with Pretty Woman that same year, but his career as a hit maker except for a hand full of minor hits in '65 and '66 was over until '88 with The Traveling Wilburys.
Mainstream Motown popularity was in its infancy in 1964, and The Phil Spectre Wall Of Sound (Ronettes, Darlene Love, Crystals, Bobb B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans, etc.) stopped cranking out major players toward the end of '63 immediately preceding the beginning of The Beatles in '64. The Shirelles and had a couple of left over hits from 1963, and Steve Caldwell of The Orlons believes that their tune "Knock Knock" would have been their next hit in early '64 if Ed Sullivan hadn't shown the Lads of Liverpool on his show on that infamous night.
The major American acts that were able to sustain their popularity in the states at that time were The Four Seasons and The Beach Boys. That's why both of those acts were in the top ten during this week. Of course there were many other American musicians who charted in 1964 and in the next couple of years, but people were looking for a new sound, and The Beatles were it. This is why it should come as no surprise that The Beatles had that many hits in the top five 43 years ago.
When you heard the oldies on WPGR, WFIL, WPEN, WIOQ and the dead horse WOGL its like this music never existed.
It's interesting that you've listed all of these stations without clarifying the distinct differences and time periods.
WPGR: 1540 did play The Beatles during their short-lived "Beatles and Motown" experiment, but admitedly it was in 1983 when that station was still WRCP. I wouldn't put WPGR and "league" in the same sentence because the station rarely if ever even showed up in the ratings. But that station was unlike any other in Philly. They covered a lot of years with their music, but you're right, they focused on what has become known as "real oldies," and contrasted that sound by skipping over The Beatles and The Beach Boys by playing lots of Motown, Northern Soul, and exclusive Philly hits of the late 60's and early 70's. While they didn't play The Beach Boys (that I remember) for some reason they found it appropriate to subject us to The Four Seasons about once an hour. I never understood that.
WFIL: Before or after the comeback? Hopefully you aren't suggesting that WFIL never played The Beatles. Long John Wade played the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club album cut by cut and commented on each track one by one back in the 60's. I'm no expert on WFIL, but I do know that they played the big hits of the 60's and 70's (including The Beatles) when the music was new and also during the 80's when they returned. They also played the long version of "Light My Fire," which I don't think WOGL has ever done during its entire time on the air.
WPEN: Again. Before or after? 1970's or 2004 and 2005? Both time periods were distinct for 950, and while I don't know too much about their playlist in the 70's, during their recent "real oldies" days, they premiered Beatles-free but actually did end up playing the Fab Four during their last few months. So I fail to see why you say that WPEN never played The Beatles. One could argue that by playing The Beatles they were grasping for air during their last few weeks, but WOGL played that group in crisp and clear FM Stereo. So what was the point?
WIOQ: Who? What? You mean Solid Gold 102? I think my last bowel movement lasted longer than that station. Maybe you're talking about WIOQ in the 70's. That station was far from an oldies station back then. It was a progressive album rock station. But it just so happens that "Breakfast with The Beatles" premiered on WIOQ in 1976. So again I fail to see why you say that WIOQ never played The Beatles.
Last but not least...the dead horse. Like them or not (and I don't) come on, they play The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Four Seasons. Of course the latter two aren't featured as they were ten years ago, but that's because WOGL has turned into a steady diet of horribly loud classic hits and disco. But if you stumble onto the station by accident once in a while you will hear The Beatles.
What's interesting about this discussion is that lately on this forum, oldies radio has centered around WIBG. Reading about that station is interesting and informative, but it's intriguing that we've forgotten the late 80's and early 90's. Those were Philly's best radio years IMHO. There was plenty of rock on MMR and YSP, a steady dose of easy listening on Kiss and EZ, and who could forget the short span of months during which Philly had 5 oldies stations!
Oldies 98
Oldies 1210
WFIL
Solid Gold 102
WPGR
And at the time, even 98.1 was decent. They actually played "At The Hop" and the original version of that song, called "Do The Bop" back to back in the middle of the day during the week. What's funny though, is that back then, everyone complained about WOGL as they do today. Maybe it's because we had all those other stations to listen to. Anyone remember 50's Friday with Tommy McCarthy on Oldies 1210? Good luck finding anyone who listens to Woggle because they actually like the station, but how many of us would like to have its playlist of the late 80's and early 90's on the air today?
I didn't grow up with Hyski, but got turned on to him (and, you!) on WKXW in the eighties! How the technology has changed, yet the music lives.