RSG! first declared "The weekend starts here!" on August 9, 1963 with Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes taking rock and roll into England's living rooms, despite the rather un-rock-and-roll presence of Pat Boone (introducing his latest film clip) and Burl Ives (singing "Ugly Bug Ball"). The show's presenters were Thank Your Lucky Stars vets Keith Fordyce and David Gell.

As the first season went along, the show increased its "cool" index, with The Rolling Stones arriving in episode three and The Beatles (interviewed by Dusty Springfield, no less) six weeks later. Bands squeezed into the rather small studio with a mass of dancing kids, giving the proceedings the feel of a very cool, very happening party. The shows were also filled with frivolities like miming contests. In The Beatles' first appearance, the band judged four girls doing their own renditions of Brenda Lee's "Let's Jump the Broomstick." (As a side note: years later, when it was reported that that winning girl had disappeared, Paul McCartney was inspired to write "She's Leaving Home".)