62 Years Ago Today, Rock History Changed When an Iconic Band Recorded Its Breakthrough Hit
Sixty-two years ago today, rock music history changed inside of a Hollywood studio when a legendary American rock band began recording the song that would help make them iconic. In 1964, The Beach Boys began capturing the instrumental elements of the track that would mark a turning point in the band's history, 'I Get Around.'
The Beach Boys Began Recording 'I Get Around' On April 2, 1964
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A 2025 Billboard article confirms that The Beach Boys recorded their hit song, 'I Get Around,' in April 1964. Additionally, a 2023 piece from the radio station 94.5 WTMB pinned down the precise start of those sessions to April 2, 1964, 62 years ago today.
The Beach Boys' 'I Get Around' Was the Band's First No. 1 Hit
During The Beach Boys' long career, the legendary rock band had a staggering 55 songs reach the Billboard Hot 100, with 15 of them breaking into the top 10. Four of their tracks topped the charts, including 1988's 'Kokomo (From Cocktail),' 1966's 'Good Vibrations,' and 1965's 'Help Me, Rhonda.'
The first time that the band was able to dominate the chart came earlier. On July 4, 1964, The Beach Boys reached No. 1 for the first time with 'I Get Around.' The song would stay at No. 1 for 2 weeks and remain on the Billboard Hot 100 for a total of 15 weeks.
Why The Beach Boys' 'I Get Around' Topping the Chart Changed Rock Music
Finally standing atop the music industry for the first time in its history marked a huge turning point for the band. After all, the group repeatedly reaching No. 1 played a major role in establishing them as one of rock music's most legendary acts. They even became so respected that Billboard included them in its list of the best rock bands of all time.
More importantly, the song's success changed rock music because of the nature of the track. During the early stage of their career, The Beach Boys were known as the surf rock band that defined that genre for many fans. However, 'I Get Around' broke that mold by moving away from surf themes, and it became the first time they had a true breakthrough hit.
In the years that followed them first reaching No. 1, The Beach Boys would experiment with its sound and release tracks that were groundbreaking, like 'Good Vibrations.' Their musical evolution helped them build a legacy that has earned them spots on several lists of the most influential bands ever.
It is very easy to imagine the legendary band's later albums sounding very different if 'I Get Around' didn't prove they could change from the sound that first made them famous. Record labels almost always want their acts to recreate the formula of their previous hit songs and easily could have made a similar push with the band. However, when The Beach Boys enjoyed their first No. 1 with a song that evolved their style, that would have acted as encouragement for the band to continue experimenting. That led to the band recording the songs that would go on to influence their peers and change rock music.