S1·E12 18 March 1964

Episode recap

The twelfth edition of the first series of Top of the Pops aired on 18 March 1964 and was presented by Pete Murray together with Jimmy Savile. The programme opened with an announcement from the Marquis of Bath, after which the regular roster of musical guests took the stage to perform the current chart hits.

The Dave Clark Five returned to the studio to deliver a second rendition of “Bits & Pieces,” reinforcing the group’s presence on the chart at the time. Gene Pitney also appeared for a repeat performance, this time offering “That Girl Belongs To Yesterday” for a second showing. The Swinging Blue Jeans contributed a lively version of “Good Golly Miss Molly,” while The Bachelors performed the ballad “I Believe.” The Hollies were featured again, presenting a second performance of “Just One Look.” The Rolling Stones likewise returned for a repeat of their cover of “Not Fade Away,” underscoring the band’s growing popularity.

In addition to the live studio numbers, the episode incorporated a pre‑recorded video segment. Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas were shown performing “Little Children,” providing a visual interlude that complemented the live acts. The inclusion of this video highlighted the programme’s blend of live performance and broadcast‑ready music clips.

Overall, the episode combined a mixture of repeat appearances by established chart‑topping artists with fresh performances, reflecting the show’s format of showcasing the week’s most popular records. The presence of both British beat groups such as The Dave Clark Five, The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Hollies, alongside American‑influenced acts like The Rolling Stones, illustrated the diverse musical landscape of early 1964. Hosted by Murray and Savile, the broadcast maintained the series’ reputation for delivering contemporary pop music to a national audience, with the Marquis of Bath’s announcement serving as a brief interlude between the musical segments. The episode concluded after the final live performance and the Billy J Kramer video, completing the scheduled run for that week’s chart show.