Back in 1963, Dick Clark, along with MARS Broadcasting, began syndication of "The Dick Clark Radio Show" out of a small studio in Connecticut. The broadcast featured the same basic outline across all the stations it was on, but in an innovative move, allowed for customization between the various stations that broadcasted the program. The same year that this program debuted, American Bandstand took off and the rest is history.
For a bit of nostalgia and a look back at 1963, here's the first top 10 as presented by Dick Clark (according to Billboard's charts):
10. "Tell Him" by the Exciters
9. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" by Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
8. "Return to Sender" by Elvis Presley
7. "Pepino the Italian Mouse" by Lou Monte
6. "Hotel Happiness" by Brook Benton
5. "Big Girls Don't Cry" by the Four Seasons
4. "Bobby's Girl" by Marice Blane
3. "Limbo Rock" by Chubby Checker
2. "Go Away Little Girl" by Steve Lawrence
1. "Telestar" by the Tornadoes