AUGUST 9, 1963 – The first ever edition of the music showcase TV program “Ready Steady Go!” was shown in the UK, introduced by Keith Fordyce and 19 year-old Cathy McGowan. The first show featured The Searchers, Jet Harris, Pat Boone, Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. Originally 30 minutes long, it expanded to 50 minutes the following year, and soon attracted the most popular artists, including The Beatles, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Rolling Stones, The Four Tops, The Kinks, The Spencer Davis Group, Donovan and many others. With new union rules ending the practice of lip-syncing on British TV, ITV aired the last edition on December 23, 1966 after 175 episodes. The Who, arguably one of the show’s most popular guests, performed on the final episode as did the Rolling Stones; Eric Burdon; and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.
August 9, 1963 – The first ever edition of the music showcase TV program “Ready Steady Go!” was shown in the UK
