About this season
Ready Steady Go! is one of the UK's first rock/pop music television programmes and was a forerunner of MTV-type programming. It was conceived by Elkan Allan, head of Rediffusion TV. Allan was assisted by record producer/talent manager Vicki Wickham, who became the show's producer, and Michael Lindsay-Hogg who was appointed the show's director in 1965. It was broadcast from August 1963 until December 1966. It was produced by Associated-Rediffusion the weekday ITV contractor for London, called Rediffusion-London post 1964. The live show was eventually networked nationally. The show gained its highest ratings on 20 March 1964 when it featured the Beatles being interviewed and performing their songs "It Won't Be Long", "You Can't Do That" and "Can't Buy Me Love" - the last of which was a hit at the time. RSG! USA! was a Dick Clark production in 1964. A trademark infringement ended the show after six episodes. Its last episode was broadcast on 23 December 1966.
Episodes (52)
1. Rolling Stones; The Who; Walker Brothers; Zombies
Aired 3 September 1965 • 30 min
--The Rolling Stones (taped 2-Sep-65) - ""Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin'),"" ""That's How Strong My Love Is"" and ""Satisfaction"" --""Mime Time"" parody with the Stones, Andrew Loog Oldham and Cathy McGowan miming to ""I Got You Babe."" --The Preachers (a British band, introduced by Bill Wyman) Other guests: --The Who - ""My Generation"" and ""Dancing In The Street"" --Big Dee Irwin --Lou Johnson --The Zombies - ""Whenever You're Ready"" --Walker Brothers - ""Make It Easy on Yourself"" --Honeycombs - ""That's the Way""
2. Manfred Mann; Chris Farlowe; Goldie & the Gingerbreads
Aired 10 September 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Chris Farlowe --Goldie & the Gingerbreads --Manfred Mann - ""If You Gotta Go Go Now""
3. The Hollies; Gary Lewis; Small Faces; Dusty Springfield
Aired 17 September 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Dusty Springfield - ""Some Of Your Lovin'"" --The Hollies - ""Look Through Any Window"" --Gary Lewis --The Small Faces - ""Whatcha Gonna Do About It?""
4. Manfred Mann; Lou Johnson; Wayne Fontana
Aired 24 September 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders - ""She Needs Love"" --Manfred Mann - ""If You Gotta Go Go Now"" --Lou Johnson Additional guest? (need to verify): --Sandie Shaw - ""Message Understood""
5. The Exciters; The Searchers; The Yardbirds
Aired 1 October 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Searchers - ""When I Get Home"" --The Yardbirds - ""Evil Hearted You"" & ""Still I'm Sad"" --The Exciters
6. The Everly Brothers; The Supremes
Aired 8 October 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Supremes --The Everly Brothers - ""Love Is Strange""
7. Ben E. King; Lulu; Georgie Fame; The Fortunes
Aired 15 October 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Ben E. King --Lulu - ""Try to Understand"" --Dusty Springfield - ""Some of Your Lovin'"" --Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames - ""Something"" --The Fortunes - ""Here It Comes Again"" --Graham Bond Organisation
8. The Rolling Stones; The Animals; The Searchers
Aired 22 October 1965 • 30 min
--The Rolling Stones - ""Cry To Me,"" ""She Said Yeah,"" ""Get Off Of My Cloud"" --The Animals - ""We Gotta Get Out Of This Place"" and ""I'm Gonna Change The World"" Scheduled guests: --The Animals - ""It's My Life"" --The Searchers - ""When I Get Home"" --Chris Farlowe --Scott Hamilton --The Rolling Stones - ""Get Off My Cloud""
9. Dave Clark 5; The Yardbirds; The Merseybeats
Aired 29 October 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Dave Berry - ""I'm Gonna Take You There"" --The Dave Clark Five - ""Over And Over"" --The Ivy League - ""Our Love Is Slipping Away"" --The Merseybeats - ""I Love You Yes I Do"" --The Yardbirds - ""Evil Hearted You"" & ""Still I'm Sad""
10. The Who; Sir Douglas Quintet; Donovan
Aired 5 November 1965 • 30 min
--The Who - ""My Generation"" --Sir Douglas Quintet --Lesley Duncan --Paul and Barry Ryan - ""Don't Bring Me Heartaches"" Additional guests (scheduled): --Donovan - ""Turquoise"" --The Moody Blues - "" Everyday""
11. Wilson Pickett; Marc Bolan; Nashville Teens
Aired 12 November 1965 • 30 min
--Marc Bolan - ""The Wizzard"" (his first single) Other guests (scheduled): --Johnny Halliday --Tom Jones - ""Thunderball"" --The Nashville Teens - ""I Know How It Feels To Be Loved"" --Wilson Pickett - ""Don't Fight It"" and ""In The Midnight Hour --The Small Faces - ""I've Got Mine"" --Sylvie Vartan
12. The Who; The Searchers; Gary & the Pacemakers
Aired 19 November 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Chris Andrews - ""Yesterday Man"" & ""To Whom It Concerns"" --Gerry and The Pacemakers - ""Walk Hand In Hand"" --Keith Powell --The Searchers - ""Take Me For What I'm Worth"" --The Who - ""My Generation"" From another source: --Beatstalkers --Gerry and The Pacemakers --Gillian Hill --The Kinks - ""Till The End Of The Day"" --Keith Powell --The Searchers --The Who - ""Shout And Shimmy""
13. The Animals; Herman's Hermits; Peter and Gordon
Aired 26 November 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Animals - ""It's My Life"" --Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames - ""Something"" --Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas - ""Neon City"" --Peter and Gordon - ""Baby I'm Yours"" --Herman's Hermits - ""A Must To Avoid"" --Sue and Sunny From another source: --The Who - ""Love Hurts"" & ""Runaround Sue"" (two songs they never issued studio versions of) --The Animals
14. Walker Brothers; Fontella Bass; Hollies; The Toys
Aired 3 December 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Fontella Bass - ""Rescue Me"" --Wayne Fontana - ""It Was Easier To Hurt Her"" --The Hollies - ""If I Needed Someone"" --Major Lance --Ketty Lester --The Toys - ""A Lover's Concerto"" --The Walker Brothers - ""My Ship Is Coming In"" --The Who - ""My Generation""
15. Spencer Davis Group; Kinks; Manfred Mann; The McCoys
Aired 10 December 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Kinks - ""Till The End Of The Day"" --Manfred Mann - ""There's No Living Without Your Loving"" --The McCoys - ""Hang On Sloopy"" --The Rockin' Berries --The Spencer Davis Group - ""Keep On Running"" --Dodie West
16. Fourmost; Tom Jones; Cleo Laine; Walker Brothers
Aired 17 December 1965 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Fourmost - ""Girls Girls Girls"" --Tom Jones and the Squires --Cleo Laine --Joe Tex & His Trio --The Walker Brothers - ""My Ship Is Coming In"" --Dee Dee Warwick
17. 1965 Christmas Show
Aired 24 December 1965 • 30 min
The RSG Pantomime with --Cilla Black (as the storyteller) --Cathy McGowan (as Cinderella) --The Who's Pete Townshend (as the wicked stepmother) --Herman's Hermits' Peter Noone (as the Prince) --The Kinks's Ray Davies (as an ugly sister) --The Animals's Hilton Valentine (as an ugly sister) --Eric Burdon (as the fairy godmother) --The Hollies' Graham Nash and Bobby Elliott (as pantomime horse) Music: --The Who - ""Jingle Bells"" ""My Generation"" ""The Kids Are Alright"" and ""Baby Don't You Do It"" --The Animals --Chris Farlowe --Herman's Hermits - possibly ""A Must To Avoid"" --The Hollies - possibly ""If I Needed Someone"" --The Kinks - ""Till The End Of The Day"" Plus, various skits, and a finale of ""White Christmas"" sung by all participants. Scheduled guests (from another source): --Eric Burdon --Dave Dee, Dozy Beaky, Mick and Titch - ""You Make It Move"" --Donovan - ""Turquoise"" --Spencer Davis Group - ""Keep On Running"" --Paul Jones --Alan Price (possibl
18. RSG! The New Year Starts Here! (1966 New Years Show)
Aired 31 January 1965 • 30 min
THE NEW YEAR STARTS HERE (Special New Years Show) ITV network from 10:52 pm until midnight (or until close-down). Another source listed the starting time as 11:55 pm. Introduced by Keith Fordyce and Cathy McGowan Guests: The Animals Chris Andrews Dave Berry The Dave Clark Five Tom Jones The Kinks Lulu Kenny Lynch The Rolling Stones - ""Satisfaction"" & ""Get Off Of My Cloud"" The Searchers - ""Take Me For What I'm Worth"" Dusty Springfield Also guesting, but not credited, Alfie Bass and Bill Fraser (Bootsie and Snudge) miming to The Righteous Brothers classic hit single ""You've Lost That Loving Feeling"" r.adams207 submitted the following song titles: The Who - ""I Can't Explain"" Chris Andrews - ""Girl Don't Come"" Tom Jones - ""Chills And Fever"" Lulu - ""Shout""
19. The Hollies; The Exciters; Georgie Fame
Aired 7 January 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Exciters - ""A Little Bit Of Soap"" --Georgie Fame --The Hollies - ""I Can't Let Go""
20. Patti LaBelle; Fontella Bass; Lee Dorsey
Aired 14 January 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Fontella Bass - ""Recovery"" --Lee Dorsey - ""Get Out Of My Life Woman"" --Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles - ""All Or Nothing"" and ""Over The Rainbow"" Also scheduled (but not listed in TV Times): --The Kinks - ""Till The End Of The Day"" --Tom Jones
21. Dusty Springfield; Donovan; The Nashville Teens
Aired 21 January 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Donovan - ""Josie"" (and possibly ""Little Tin Soldier"") --The Nashville Teens - ""The Hard Way"" --Dusty Springfield - ""Little By Little""
22. The Small Faces; Sandie Shaw; Paul & Barry Ryan
Aired 28 January 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Sandie Shaw - ""Tomorrow"" --The Small Faces - ""Sha La La La Lee"" --Paul & Barry Ryan - ""Have Pity On The Boy"" From another source: --The Who - ""Circles""
23. The Spencer Davis Group; Adam Faith
Aired 4 February 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Adam Faith - ""Idle Gossip"" (and possibly ""If Ever You Need Me"") --The Spencer Davis Group - ""Keep On Running""
24. The Animals; Len Barry; Breakaway; The Action
Aired 11 February 1966 • 30 min
--The Animals - ""Maudie"" and ""Inside Looking Out"" Scheduled guests: --The Animals - ""Inside Looking Out"" --Len Barry - ""Like A Baby"" --Breakaway (possibly The Breakaways) --The Action From another source: --James Brown
25. The Hollies; Tom Jones; The Yardbirds
Aired 18 February 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Boz --The Hollies - ""I Can't Let Go"" --Tom Jones and the Squires - ""Thunderball"" --The Yardbirds - ""Shapes of Things"" and ""You're A Better Man Than I""
26. The Walker Brothers; Billy J. Kramer; Doris Troy
Aired 25 February 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Doris Troy --Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas - ""We're Doing Fine"" --The Walker Brothers - ""The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore""
27. The Small Faces; Manfred Mann; The Yardbirds
Aired 4 March 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Spencer Davis Group --Manfred Mann --The Small Faces - ""Sha La La La Lee"" --The Yardbirds - ""Shapes Of Things"" From another source: --David Bowie and the Buzz - ""Can't Help Thinking About Me"" --The Small Faces
28. James Brown and the Famous Flames
Aired 11 March 1966 • 30 min
--James Brown and the Famous Flames (The James Brown Revue) The songs include ""I Got You""
29. 18 March 1966
Aired 18 March 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Billy Fury - ""I'll Never Quite Get Over you"" --The Spencer Davis Group - ""Somebody Help Me"" From another source: --The Who - ""Barbara Ann"" and ""Substitute"" --Bob Lind - ""Elusive Butterfly"" --Barbara Lewis --Irma Thomas
30. The Animals; Wilson Pickett; Dusty Springfield
Aired 25 March 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Wilson Pickett - ""634-5789"" --The Animals - ""Inside Looking Out"" --Dusty Springfield - ""You Don't Have To Say You Love Me"" --Robert Henry (not listed in TV Times) --Roy Orbison (not listed in TV Times) --Wilson Pickett (not listed in TV Times) --Mary Wells (not listed in TV Times)
31. Ready Steady Allez (from France)
Aired 1 April 1966 • 30 min
READY STEADY ALLEZ (Live from The Locomotive Discotechque, Paris, France) Rediffusion 7:00 - 7:30 pm --The Who - ""My Generation"" and ""Substitute"" --The Yardbirds - ""Shapes Of Things"" --Brian Jones and Bill Wyman (non-musical apperance) Assorted French acts including --Mireille Mathieu
32. Cilla Black; Martha & the Vandellas; The Shangri-Las
Aired 8 April 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Arthur Alexander --Cilla Black - ""Alfie"" --Lou Christie --Don Conway (or Don Covey) --Martha and the Vandellas --The Shangri-Las
33. Chris Andrews; Dusty Springfield; The Vibrations
Aired 15 April 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Chris Andrews - ""Something On My Mind"" --The Lovin' Spoonful - ""Daydream"" --Dusty Springfield - ""You Don't Have To Say You Love Me"" --The Vibrations --Timi Yuro
34. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore; Lovin' Spoonful
Aired 22 April 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Peter Cook and Dudley Moore --The Lovin' Spoonful - ""Daydream"" --Manfred Mann
35. Neil Christian; Pinkerton's Assorted Colours
Aired 29 April 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Neil Christian - ""That's Nice"" --Pinkerton's Assorted Colours - ""Don't Stop Loving Me Baby"" --Keith Relf - ""Mr. Zero"" --The Yardbirds - ""Jeff's Boogie""
36. Wayne Fontana; Tom Jones; Patti LaBelle; Small Faces
Aired 6 May 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Small Faces - ""Hey Girl"" --Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles - ""Ebb Tide"" --Wayne Fontana - ""Come On Home"" --Tom Jones - ""Once There Was A Time"" & ""Not Responsible""
37. The Everly Brothers; The Mindbenders; The Scaffold
Aired 13 May 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Scaffold - ""2 Day's Monday"" (and ""3 Blind Jellyfish"") --The Everly Brothers --The Mindbenders - ""Can't Live With You (Can't Live Without You)""
38. Ben E. King; Sandie Shaw; Paul & Barry Ryan
Aired 20 May 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Ben E. King --Paul and Barry Ryan - ""I Love Her"" --Sandie Shaw - ""Nothing Comes Easy"" From another source: --An interview with Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys
39. The Rolling Stones; The Animals; The Yardbirds
Aired 27 May 1966 • 30 min
--The Rolling Stones - ""I Am Waiting,"" ""Under My Thumb"" and ""Paint It Black"" Other guests (scheduled to appear): --The Animals - ""Don't Bring Me Down"" --The Yardbirds - ""Over Under Sideways Down"" --Chris Andrews - ""Whatcha Gonna Do Now""
40. Cilla Black; ; Roy C.; Billie Davis & Keith Powell; Oscar
Aired 3 June 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Cilla Black - ""Don't Answer Me"" --Billie Davis & Keith Powell - ""You Don't Know Like I Know"" --Roy C. - ""Shotgun Wedding"" --Oscar - ""Club Of Lights"" Also: --The Beatles - ""Paperback Writer"" & ""Rain"" promo videos
41. Manfred Mann; Twice As Much; Tony Hazzard
Aired 10 June 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Manfred Mann - ""You Gave Me Somebody To Love"" --Twice As Much - ""Sittin' On A Fence"" --Tony Hazzard - ""You'll Never Put Shackles On Me""
42. Chris Farlowe; The Hollies; Herman's Hermits; Gene Pitney
Aired 17 June 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Hollies - ""Bus Stop"" --Chris Farlowe - ""Out of Time"" --Gene Pitney - ""Nobody Needs Your Love"" --Herman's Hermits - ""This Door Swings Both Ways"" From another source: --Chris Farlowe - ""Out of Time"" (Jagger/Richard's song) --Mick Jagger interviewed by Cathy McGowan
43. The Kinks; Dave Berry; Tom Jones; Dave Dee & Co.
Aired 24 June 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Tom Jones - ""Not Responsible"" --The Kinks - ""Sunny Afternoon"" --Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch - ""Hideaway"" --Dave Berry - ""Mama"" --Norma Tanega - ""Walking My Cat Named Dog""
44. Chris Curtis; Dusty Springfield
Aired 1 July 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Dusty Springfield - ""Going Back"" --Chris Curtis (formerly of The Searchers) - ""Aggravation"" From another source: --The Hollies - ""Bus Stop""
45. Simon & Garfunkel; The Troggs; Walker Brothers
Aired 8 July 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Joy Marshall - ""The More I See You"" --Simon and Garfunkel - ""I Am A Rock"" --The Troggs - ""With A Girl Like You"" --The Walker Brothers - ""(Baby) You Don't Have To Tell Me""
46. Dusty Springfield; David and Johnathan
Aired 15 July 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --David and Johnathan - ""Lovers Of The World Unite"" --Freddie and the Dreamers - ""Playboy"" --Dusty Springfield - ""Going Back""
47. Madeline Bell; Dave Dee & Co.; Paul & Barry Ryan
Aired 22 July 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Madeline Bell - ""Don't Come Running To Me"" (and ""I Really Got Carried Away"") --Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - ""Hideaway"" --Lee Drummond --Paul & Barry Ryan - ""I Love How You Love Me"" --The Yardbirds - ""Farewell, Lost Woman""
48. Manfred Mann; Joe Tex
Aired 29 July 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Manfred Mann - ""Just Like A Woman"" --Joe Tex and his Band
49. The Troggs
Aired 5 August 1966 • 30 min
--The Troggs - ""With A Girl Like You"" Other guests unknown
50. Julie Felix; The Fourmost; The Game; The Alan Price Set
Aired 12 August 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --Julie Felix --The Fourmost - ""Here, There And Everywhere"" --The Game --The Alan Price Set - ""Hi-Lili Hi-Lo""
51. The Who; Manfred Mann; Cliff Bennett; Twice As Much
Aired 19 August 1966 • 30 min
Guests (scheduled to appear): --Cliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers - ""Got To Get You Into My Life"" --Salena Jones - ""I Am Yours"" --Manfred Mann - ""Just Like A Woman"" and/or ""You Gave Me Somebody To Love"" --Twice As Much --The Who - ""A Legal Matter"" and ""I'm A Boy""
52. Sonny & Cher; Small Faces; Overlanders; The Mindbenders
Aired 26 August 1966 • 30 min
Scheduled guests: --The Mindbenders - ""Ashes to Ashes"" --The Overlanders - ""Go Where You Wanna Go"" --The Small Faces - ""All Or Nothing"" --Sonny & Cher - ""Little Man""