December 29, 1964:The T.A.M.I. Show is released in movie theaters. It was filmed at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 28 and 29, 1964.
The Auditorium opened in 1958, and from 1961 to 1967 hosted the Academy Awards -- the Oscars. On May 27, 1972, George Carlin recorded his album Class Clown there, including his bit "Seven Words You Can Never Use On Television." It still stands.
"T.A.M.I." stood for "Teen Age Music International." The show was directed by Steve Binder, who later went on to direct Elvis Presley's 1968 "Comeback Special." It was hosted by Jan Berry and Dean Torrence, who'd already had a few hits together. The various acts were backed up by go-go dancers, including Teri Garr, who became a major actress; and Toni Basil, who become one of America's top choreographers, and had a Number 1 hit in 1982 with "Mickey." Film director John Landis claimed he attended the show with his classmate, future Partridge Family star David Cassidy.
Here's the set list. It's one hell of a list, even if you only count what these performers had already done, not what they would later do. An asterisk (*) indicates the performer has been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame :
1. Jan and Dean, singing "(Here They Come From) All Over the World." The song incorrectly places The Rolling Stones in Liverpool, when they were from London and environs.
2. * Chuck Berry: "Johnny B. Goode,""Maybellene,""Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Nadine."
3. Gerry and the Pacemakers, who actually were from Liverpool: "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying,""It's Gonna Be Alright" and "I Like It."
4. * The Miracles, from Motown Records, led by Smokey Robinson: "That's What Love Is Made Of,""You've Really Got a Hold On Me" and "Mickey's Monkey."
5. * Marvin Gaye, from Motown Records: "Stubborn Kind of Fellow,""Pride and Joy,""Can I Get a Witness" and "Hitch Hike."
6. Lesley Gore: "Maybe I Know,""You Don't Own Me,""You Didn't Look Around,""Hey Now,""It's My Party" and its sequel "Judy's Turn to Cry."
A reprise of Jan and Dean: "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" and "Sidewalk Surfin'" (the 1st hit song about skateboarding).
7. * The Beach Boys: "Surfin' U.S.A.,""I Get Around,""Surfer Girl" and "Dance, Dance, Dance."
8. Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas: "Little Children,""Bad to Me,""I'll Keep You Satisfied" and "From a Window."
9. * The Supremes, from Motown Records, with Diana Ross singing lead: "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes,""Run, "Run, Run,""Baby Love" and "Where Did Our Love Go."
10. The Barbarians, probably the only band ever to come out of Cape Cod. They never had a Top 40 single, not even the song they performed here, "Hey Little Bird."
11. * James Brown and The Famous Flames: "Out of Sight,""Prisoner of Love,""Please, Please, Please" and "Night Train." This performance is often credited with introducing The Godfather of Soul to white audiences. Within a year, his new audience had given him his 2 biggest hits: "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)."
12. * The Rolling Stones: "Around and Around,""Off the Hook,""Time Is On My Side,""It's All Over Now,""I'm Alright" and "Let's Get Together." They were still a few months away from releasing "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
*
December 29, 1964 was a Tuesday. Baseball was out of season. The NFL and the AFL had just wrapped up their seasons. No college football bowl games were played. There was 1 NBA game played that day: The St. Louis Hawks beat the San Francisco Warriors, 122-104 at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. Wilt Chamberlain scored 35 points in a losing effort.
And there was 1 NHL game: The Chicago Black Hawks beat the New York Rangers, 4-2 at the old Madison Square Garden. The Rangers led 2-0 and blew it. Bobby Hull scored 2 goals for the Hawks.