1963’s Best Rock Albums

1963's Best Rock Albums

Photo: Emi Public Domain via Creative Commons

1963’s Best Rock Albums list is the one we have been waiting to compose. And that my friends is for one big reason, The Beatles! Yes, 1963 is the year that The Beatles released their first album Please Please Me on EMI’s Parlophone Record label on March 22nd 1963 in the United Kingdom. From that point on rock and roll would never be the same…eventually. Eight months later The Beatles released their second album titled With The Beatles. Soon, hundreds of bands on both sides of the Atlantic would follow in their footsteps although never coming close to wearing the same size shoes. Some did get close, like The Rolling Stones. However, in a recent interview with Howard Stern in the middle of this coronavirus pandemic,  Paul McCartney was asked by Stern who was better, “the Beatles or the Stones?” McCartney responded, “The Beatles of course.” We happen to agree.

Looking back at 1963’s Rock albums we see evidence of small changes in music. The Beatles two albums would have more of an impact on the music of 1964 and on, than it did in 1963. The Gerry and the Pacemakers album was clearly inspired by the Beatles, but most of the other year’s records were based on other trends. The twist craze of 1962 had died out but the surfing trends that began that year really took off in 1963 with the sounds of Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Safaris and most importantly the big time arrival of the Beach Boy who released four albums in 1963.

Bob Dylan released a significant work with his album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. The album would be just as inspiring to an entire generation of activists, folk singers and artists that would try to follow in his footsteps the way rockers would try to follow in the footsteps of The Beatles.

The voices of Dion and Roy Orbison continued to release new music that utilized their magnificent vocal chords wrapped in poignant and memorable original songs. The sound of Motown, R&B and Soul continued to be a dominant force in music with artists like Stevie Wonder, The Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas, Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, Solomon Burke and James Brown releasing very successful and much loved albums.

1963 was a fabulous and interesting year. Just wait until 1964.

# 50 – Dance with the Guitar Man – Duane Eddy

Dance with the Guitar Man - Duane Eddy

# 49 – Tell Him – The Exciters

Tell Him - The Exciters

# 48 – Jack The Ripper – Link Wray

Jack The Ripper - Link Wray

# 47 – Lou Christie – Lou Christie

Lou Christie album

# 46 – The Ventures Play Telstar and the Lonely BullThe Ventures

The Ventures Play Telstar and the Lonely Bull - The Ventures

# 45 – Surfing with the Astronauts – The Astronauts

Surfing with the Astronauts - The Astronauts

# 44 – Meet The SearchersThe Searchers

Meet The Searchers - The Searchers

# 43 – Walking The Dog – Rufus Thomas

Walking The Dog - Rufus Thomas

# 42 – Checkered Flag – Dick Dale

Checkered Flag – Dick Dale

# 41 – The Impressions – The Impressions

The Impressions album

# 40 – He’s So Fine – The Chiffons

He's So Fine - The Chiffons

# 39 – Ain’t That A Shame – The Four Seasons

Ain't That A Shame - The Four Seasons

# 38 – Baby Workout – Jackie Wilson

Baby Workout - Jackie Wilson

# 37 – Pipeline – The Chantays

Pipeline - The Chantays

# 36 – He’s A Rebel – The Crystals

He's A Rebel - The Crystals

# 35 – Drag City – Jan & Dean

Drag City - Jan & Dean

# 34 – I’ll Cry if I Want To – Lesley Gore

I'll Cry if I Want To - Lesley Gore

# 33 – Little Town Flirt – Del Shannon

Little Town Flirt - Del Shannon

# 32 – Let’s Go – The Ventures

Let's Go - The Ventures

# 31 – With a Song In My Heart  – Stevie Wonder

With a Song In My Heart  - Stevie Wonder

# 30 – A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector – P. Spector

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector - P. Spector

# 29 – In The Wind – Peter, Paul & Mary

In The Wind - Peter, Paul & Mary

# 28 – Heat Wave – Martha and the Vandellas

Heat Wave - Martha and the Vandellas

# 27 – Little Deuce Coup – The Beach Boys

Little Deuce Coup - The Beach Boys

# 26 – Prisoner of Love – James Brown

Prisoner of Love - James Brown

# 25 – Wipe Out – The Surfaris

Wipe Out - The Surfaris

# 24 – It’s Gonna Work Out FineIke & Tina Turner

It's Gonna Work Out Fine - Ike & Tina Turner

# 23 – If You Need Me – Solomon Burke

If You Need Me - Solomon Burke

# 22 – The 12 Year Old Genius – Stevie Wonder

The 12 Year Old Genius - Stevie Wonder

# 21 -The Ventures in Space – The Ventures

The Ventures in Space - The Ventures

# 20 – Right Now! – The Righteous Brothers

Right Now! - The Righteous Brothers

# 19 – Twangin’ Up A Storm – Duane Eddy

Twangin' Up A Storm - Duane Eddy

# 18 – Ruby Baby – Dion

Ruby Baby - Dion

# 17 – Night Beat – Sam Cooke

Night Beat - Sam Cooke

# 16 – Laughing on the OutsideAretha Franklin

Laughing on the Outside - Aretha Franklin

# 15 –The Fabulous MiraclesThe Miracles

he Fabulous Miracles - The Miracles

# 14 – Ingredients in a Recipe for SoulRay Charles

Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul - Ray Charles

# 13 – Come and Get These MemoriesMartha and the Vandellas

Come and Get These Memories - Martha and the Vandellas

# 12 – Johnny “Guitar” Watson – Johnny “Guitar” Watson

Johnny "Guitar" Watson album

# 11 – Donna the Prima Donna – Dion

Donna the Prima Donna - Dion

# 10 – Surfer Girl – The Beach Boys 

Surfer Girl - The Beach Boys 

#  9 – In Dreams – Roy Orbison

In Dreams - Roy Orbison

#  8 – Live At The Apollo – James Brown

Live At The Apollo - James Brown

#  7 – How Do You Like It – Gerry and the Pacemakers

How Do You Like It - Gerry and the Pacemakers

#  6 – Big Girls Don’t Cry and Twelve Others – Four Seasons

Big Girls Don't Cry and Twelve Others - Four Seasons

#  5 – King Of The Surf Guitar – Dick Dale

King Of The Surf Guitar - Dick Dale

#  4 – Surfin’ U.S.A.The Beach Boys

Surfin' U.S.A. - The Beach Boys

#  3 – With The Beatles – The Beatles 

With The Beatles - The Beatles 

#  2 – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan

#  1 – Please Please Me – The Beatles 

Please Please Me - The Beatles 

Best Albums of The Year Series

1970’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1971’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1972’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1973’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1974’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1975’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1976’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1977’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1978’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1979’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1980’s Best Rock Albums List

1981’s Best Rock Albums List

1982’s Best Rock Albums List

1983’s Best Rock Albums List

1984’s Best Rock Albums List

1985’s Best Rock Albums List

1986’s Best Rock Albums List

1962’s Best Rock Albums List

Updated May 22, 2023

1963’s Best Rock Albums article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023

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