The Rascals (originally known as The Young Rascals)
People Got To Be Free, US#1(5) from 17 August 1968, 14 weeks in Top 100 from 20 July - Big Hit in N.Z.
Another big hit for the songwriters Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati of the group and the fastest seller for them at that stage, reaching #1 in a month of release. According to songfacts.com, this was written in reaction to the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. The song obtained a double meaning when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated before the single was released.
The Beatles
YELLOW SUBMARINE, UK#1(4) from 18 August and NZ#1(3) from 15 September 1966 Monster Hit
In the UK a double-sided No1 with
ELEANOR RIGBY, UK#1(4) from 18 August and NZ#1(1), 6 October 1966 Monster Hit
*Debbie Reynolds (in Coast system but not played much these days)
TAMMY (with Universal International orchestra conducted by Joseph Gershenson) US#1(5) from 19 August 1957, with 31 weeks in Top 100 from 22 July, and UK#2 with 17 weeks in the British bestsellers. NZ#1 in September 1957. HUGE HIT in N.Z.
This is actually Debbie's second million-seller, her first being a duet with Carleton Carpenter in 1951. The song is by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans from the film Tammy and the Bachelor, starring Debbie, in which she sang it and the record is from the soundtrack of the film.
Chuck Berry
MAYBELLENE, US#5, 11 weeks in Top 100 from 20 August 1955 his 1st million-seller and 1st chart, also R&B#1(11). San Jose, California born, January 1931, Charles Edward Berry became as popular as Bill Haley and Little Richard, sharing the bill with them on tours and signing with Chess and making this his first big hit. Not Released In NZ.
Herman's Hermits (in the Coast system?)
My Sentimental Friend, UK#2, 7 weeks in Top 20 from 3 May and Au#1(1), 20 August 1969 Big Hit
Billy J. Kramer (In Coast system)
BAD TO ME UK#1(2) from 22 August 1963. The first act other than the Beatles to have a UK#1 with a Lennon and McCartney composition. Born William Howard Aston, August 1943 in Liverpool had been a guitarist with a number of bands while still working for British Rail. He was discovered by the Beatles manager Brian Epstein while singing with the Coasters and he became Billy J. Kramer (the middle initial standing for nothing at all and suggested by John Lennon) and Epstein replaced the Coasters with The Dakotas. Kramer's first single was a cover of the Beatles "Do You Want To Know A Secret" Monster Hit in N.Z.
Johnny Cash
A BOY NAMED SUE, US#2(3) from 23 August 1969 - Monster Hit in N.Z.
Written by Shel Silverstein and performed at San Quentin
Johnny Cash was at the height of his popularity when he recorded this song live at San Quentin State Prison in California. The concert was recorded for broadcast by Granada Television on February 24, 1969 and for the Johnny Cash At San Quentin album. The song became Cash's biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, spending three weeks at #2 in 1969; it also topped the country music and adult contemporary charts that same year.
The Elegants
LITTLE STAR A modern rhythmic version of the old nursery rhyme, 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star', and sole million-seller for white doo-wop group formed in Staten Island, New York in 1957. Tune adapted by lead singer Vito Picone and fellow member Arthur Venosa. US#1(1), sharing the same peak date (25 August) with Everly's "Bird Dog", through the dropping of Billboard's Best Sellers and introduction of 'Hot 100'. Big Hit in N.Z. (#1)
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