1963

/ Rev. Patti

~ 1963 ~

The Loss of Innocence

1963 was not a very good year for Americans and many say it was the year that stole America’s innocence and the nation was changed forever. But let’s rise above that depressing Note and check out what tunes were making the top of the charts.

Top 10 Billboard Hits of 1963

10.) Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto

9.) My Boyfriend’s Back by The Angels

8.) Can’t Get Used to Losing You by Andy Williams

7.) Fingertips-Part 2 by Little Stevie Wonder

6.) Hey Paula by Paul & Paula

5.) Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton

4.) He’s So Fine by The Chiffons

3.) Rhythm of the Rain by The Cascades

2.) The End of the World by Skeeter Davis

And the number one hit for that year that had everyone dancing and living to this tune all across the country…

Surfin’ USA by The Beach Boys

Prices in 1963

  • New House – $12,650
  • Avg. Yearly Income – $6,200
  • Minimum Wage – $1.25 hr
  • Gallon of Gas – $.30
  • Avg. New Car Price – $2,319
  • RCA 23″ TV – $239.00
  • Pocket Transistor Radio – $5.37
  • Postage Stamp – $.05
  • NY Times – $.10
  • McDonald’s Hamburger – $.15
  • 5 lbs Flour – $.57
  • Loaf of Bread – $.22
  • Pot Roast – $.60 lb
  • Pork Chops – $.88 lb
  • 1 lb Bacon – $.68
  • 1 lb Butter – $.75
  • Dozen Eggs – $.55
  • 1/2 Gallon Milk – $.52
  • 12 Oranges – $.90
  • 10 lbs Potatoes – $.65
  • 1 lb Coffee – $.69
  • 1 lb Margarine – $.28
  • 5 lbs Sugar – $.68
  • Movie Ticket – $.85

Top Headlines of 1963

  1. President John F. Kennedy assassinated on Friday, November 22nd, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, TX (and the whole truth has still to this day been told to the American people.)
  2. Due to the high cost of daily maintenance and repairs, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closes.
  3. The US Postal Service launches the ZIP Code System during July of 1963. (That’s right we didn’t always have zip codes.)
  4. The Beatles invade America with their first release of “I Want To Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There” and their first album “Meet the Beatles”.
  5. The Profumo Crisis in the UK causing resignations from the cabinet.
  6. Studebaker the US car maker goes out of business and ends production.
  7. The US Senate approved ratification of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
  8. The Sabin oral Polio vaccine which is taken with a lump of sugar is given nationwide in the US and UK.
  9. Members of the Ku Klux Klan dynamite a Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
  10. The US and the Soviet Union agree to establish a “hot line” between the nations.

Top Toys of 1963

Big Loo Moon Robot – This Moon Robot is over three feet tall and says ten different things. One of his arms fires plastic balls and the other arm picks things up. His base launches rockets and has a compass, while his chest shoots darts and squirts water. He has lighted eyes that blinks and sold for $9.99

Bozo the Clown – Bozo wears a blue and white polka dot suit and has rooted bright red hair. Pull his chatty ring to hear a number of phrases. Sold for $5.77

Circle Action Car – It makes pre-set circular turns and has lanterns that really work. It sold for $2.99

Digicomp 1 – The first operating Digital Computer in plastic. This binary computer multiplies, compares, processes data and does much more. Comes with a complete manual that explains scientific problems behind modern electronic brain. Sold for $4.19

Indianapol 500 Racer –Just give it a push and it speeds straight ahead. When it roars to a stop, turn key at side and racer raises off the ground. Sold for $3.79..

Lady Gaylord – Irresistible plastic pull toy, completely feminine with long lashes and cherry bedecked straw sombrero. Has a dog house, wagon, play dog biscuits, feeding fish, fire hydrant. Sold for $4.88.

Top TV Shows of 1963

  1. The Beverly Hillbillies
  2. Bonanza
  3. The Dick Van Dyke Show
  4. Petticoat Junction
  5. The Andy Griffith Show
  6. The Lucy Show
  7. Candid Camera
  8. The Ed Sullivan Show
  9. The Danny Thomas Show
  10. My Favorite Martian
  11. The Red Skelton Show
  12. I’ve Got a Secret
  13. Lassie
  14. The Jack Benny Show
  15. The Jackie Gleason Show
  16. The Donna Reed Show
  17. The Virginian
  18. The Virginian
  19. The Patty Duke Show
  20. Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color

Top Movies of 1963

  1. The Great Escape
  2. The Birds
  3. From Russia with Love
  4. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, World
  5. The Pink Panther
  6. Cleopatra
  7. Charade
  8. How the West Was Won
  9. Jason and the Argonauts
  10. Spencer’s Mountain
  11. Bye Bye Birdie
  12. The Sword in the Stone
  13. The Nutty Professor
  14. The Haunting
  15. McLintock!
  16. Lilies of the Field
  17. HUD
  18. The Raven
  19. The Courtship of Eddie’s Father
  20. The Incredible Journey

Well, 1963 is over and it’s time to move up the time line to 1964 tomorrow.

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