Ray’s Song Pick of the Day from Monday 19 January 2009

Tease for Monday 19 January
Tonight the follow-up to this artist’s first hit from 1959. A Rock 'n' Roll drummer who became a prominent studio musician. Heard on "Alley Oop", "To Know Him Is To Love Him", "A Thousand Stars" and many others. Guitar playing on his first three hits was by co-writer Richie Podolor (aka Richie Allen), later a respected songwriter / record producer. A Top 10 in the US, UK Top 5 and Aus#1(2) from 20 January 1961 MONSTER HIT in N.Z.

Tease for Tuesday 20 January
Two guys who had been with Cliff Richard's backing group The Drifters, renamed the Shadows. The drummer left in October 1961, followed by the other half of this duo in March 1962. This hit knocked the Shadows – Dance On off the top of the UK charts on 31 January 1963 for three weeks.

Tease for Wednesday 21 January
The instrumental version of the same song that became an Australian #1 for Kathy Kirby. Replaced at #1 after a week by "Diamonds" by two ex Shadows members, Jet Harris & Tony Meehan.

Tease for Thursday 22 January
Similar to the late Eartha Kitt, tonight’s artist performed all over Europe and established a fine reputation. In 1958 she sang the French version of this song - "Le Jour Ou La Pluie Viendra" (B-side on her British #1). With English lyrics by Carl Sigman she recorded and released the English version to only moderate success in the US but in Britain her European reputation ensured No 1 success.UK#1, 23 January 1958 and a MONSTER HIT in N.Z.

Tease for Friday 23 January
The 1st million-seller for this quartet who began performing together in high school in New Jersey. A talent show success in 1957 brought them a recording contract with Decca with their first release, "I Met Him On A Sunday" making the charts in April 1958. This song charted twice, straddling their next release and first No. 1 and was a Moderate Hit in N.Z.


And the songs;
Monday, Sandy Nelson, Let There Be Drums
Tuesday, Jet Harris & Tony Meehan - Diamonds
Wednesday, The Shadows – Dance On
Thursday, Jane Morgan – The Day The Rains Came
Friday, The Shirelles – Dedicated To The One I Love