Ray’s Song Pick of the Day from Monday 9 February 2009

The tease for Monday 9 February 2009
Tonight a UK#2, 9 weeks in Top 20 from September 1966. Monster Hit in N.Z., making #1(2) from 2 February 1967. From a band that lost one of their founding members who died 9 January 2009, aged 65.

The tease for Tuesday 10 February
Tonight a UK#1, 20 February1964 and a MONSTER HIT in N.Z. Originally formed as a novelty instrumental trio called the Harmonichords, being three married men from Dublin, two brothers and a friend. Their clean, smiling image and highly professional stage presence made them a particular favourite with TV producers.

The tease for Wednesday 11 February
The 2nd British hit (after 'Heartbeat') for this shy 19 year old from Belfast. UK#1(3) from 18 February 1955. By the end of the year, this singer had taken seven songs into the British Top 10 and it wasn’t until 1985 that another female vocalist, Madonna, passed her 1955 total. Monster Hit in N.Z.

The tease for Thursday 12 February
Tonight an artist born Michael Milne in Liverpool in November 1925 or 1928? who used his mother's maiden name for his showbusiness career. This song was the first of six Bacharach/David UK No 1's and other versions in Britain included those by Alma Cogan, Dave King and Gary Miller they but didn't match the success of our artist tonight - UK#1(2) from 14 February 1958 and a Big Hit in N.Z., but an even bigger hit here by a Mitch Miller artist.

The tease for Friday 13 February
R&B tinged rock group from London, England comprising two brothers, with a UK#1(1) 18 February 1965, their second UK#1 and their 2nd million-seller. US#6 and a Big Hit in N.Z. This song was a gentler offering than the first two singles had been and in hindsight was seen as the beginning of a long spell of more subtle songs that were to bring the group an impressive run of hits in the 60s and 70s.

And the songs;
Monday, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - Bend It
Tuesday, Bachelors – Diane
Wednesday, Ruby Murray – Softly, Softly
Thursday, Michael Holliday – Story Of My Life
Friday, The Kinks - Tired Of Waiting For You