Some options for Saturday 12 September
The Beatles The pop music world's most successful group had their first million-sellers in 1963 but they didn't break into the American market until the following year.
SHE LOVES YOU, UK#1(4) from 12 September and again for 2 weeks from 28 November 1963. In chart terms, this was the Beatles’ biggest hit, staying in the Top 50 for 33 weeks (36, if you add its brief re-entry in 1983). It sold over a million copies in Britain alone, and until the follow-up, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, sold even more, it was the biggest-selling record ever in Britain.
Past Masters 1 The big fourth single, the song which epitomized the rush of Beatlemania and gave birth to the fervent (but quickly overused) catchphrase "yeah yeah yeah" US#1(2) from 21 March 1964, 15 weeks in Top 100 – from 25 January)
Playd Wednesday 17 September 2008
Elvis Presley
SHE'S NOT YOU The 40th million-seller for the King of Rock 'n' Roll was written by Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Doc Pomus and was not linked to any movie. MONSTER HIT in N.Z. and UK#1(3) from 13 September 1962 and US#5, 10 weeks in Top 100 from August 1962. Elvis completed a round dozen of UK No. Ones with his 4th chart-topper in as many releases, equaling his own record set 15 months earlier. This was one of a dozen or so titles recorded at the RCA Nashville Studios on 19 March 1962. The majority of those recordings made their way onto the ‘Pot Luck’ album which was a healthy album seller for Presley in the last half of 1962. (Tracks included ‘Suspicion’, which like ‘Wooden Heart’, was lost by RCA as a possible single)
Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller had been asked by Elvis’ publisher, Freddy Bienstock, to come up with some new country flavoured material for this session, and they produced “She’s Not You” together with Doc Pomus.
Playd Tuesday 16 September 2008
The Small Faces
ALL OR NOTHING, UK#1(1), 15 September 1966 Moderate Hit in N.Z.
The nattily dressed Small Faces were led by former child star Steve Marriott (b. 30 Jan 1947). Marriott was later to admit he could barely play guitar in the early days of the group, but despite that he and fellow Small Faces, Ronnie Lane (b. 1 Apr 1946), Ian MacLagan (b. 12 May 1946) and Kenny Jones (b. 16 Sep 1948), provided the only real competition to the Who in the mid-60s.
Playd Monday 29 September 2008
The tease
A UK#1(1), 15 September 1966 Moderate Hit in N.Z. The nattily dressed group were led by a former child star who was later to admit he could barely play guitar in the early days of the group, but despite that he and fellow members provided the only real competition to the Who in the mid-60s.
4 Seasons
*SHERRY. US#1(5) from 15 September 1962, 14 weeks in Top 100 and MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Helen Reddy
*DELTA DAWN US#1, 15 September 1973
Three Dog Night
BLACK AND WHITE US#1, 16 September 1972, also US Adult Contemporary #1 for 1 week. Los Angeles Pop-rock group formed in 1968 featuring lead singers Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron. Disbanded in the mid-1970s. Re-formed in the mid-1980s.
An influential American Folk singer named Earl Robinson wrote this in 1954 with lyricist David Arkin (who is the father of actor Alan Arkin). The song is about racism, and was inspired by a US Supreme Court ruling that segregation in public schools is illegal. The original Folk song (but not Three Dog Night's version) includes the line, "Their robes were black, their heads were white" which refers to the judges.
When Three Dog Night recorded this, it came at a time when civil rights was a big issue in America. The message of racial equality was emphasized by their use of a children's choir in the repeated chorus during the closing moments of the song.
The two paragraphs above from
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4268
Frank Sinatra
THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN. UK#1(3) from 17 September 1954 This Academy Award winning song, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, became the first major hit for Frank Sinatra in England. It entered the British charts one week after his 'Young At Heart' but that only lasted one week.
Playd Monday 1 September
Pat Boone
*Ain't That A Shame, #1(2) from 17 September 1955 The composer's version was also a million-seller, the 10th for Fats Domino but, it only made #10 on the Pop charts. Monster Hit in N.Z.
Chubby Checker
*THE TWIST US#1(2) from 13 January 1962, 21 weeks in Top 100. The Twist first entered #1 position for 1 week 19 September 1960. MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Spent a total of 39 weeks in the US charts from 1960 and 1962.
Bobby Vee
*Take Good Care Of My Baby Liberty [USA] MONSTER HIT
US#1(3) from 18 September 1961, 15 weeks in Top 100 (8th Top No 1 of 1961)
Freda Payne
BAND OF GOLD*. UK#1(6) from 19 September 1970. US#3 in 1970, 20 weeks in Top 100 from 25 April. Detroit born 19 September 1945 and sister of The Supremes’ Scherrie Payne. Attended the Institute of Musical Arts. To New York in 1963. Performed with Pearl Bailey, Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones. First recorded for Impulse in 1965 and hosted the syndicated TV talk show ‘For You Black Woman’ in the early 1970s. Produced by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, Payne later made it to #33 with “Deeper And Deeper”, then came “Cherish What Is Dear To You” in 1971 her last UK chart entry. In the US she had one of the major protest songs about the Vietnam War, with “Bring The Boys Home”. * Might be a Coast track but not played on a regular basis that I recall.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Forgotten Singles for Saturday 5 September 2009
Some options for this Saturday 5 September
Rod Stewart
YOU WEAR IT WELL. UK#1, 2 September 1972 and US#13 (10 weeks in Top 100 from 26 August 1972). Written by Rod with Martin Quittenton, it was Rod’s consecutive solo No. 1. (after Maggie May from 1971). - Lx
* Regular on Coast playlist
Mitch Miller
*The Yellow Rose Of Texas, #1(6) from 3 September 1955 (5 weeks at #1 from, 3 September, then 1 more week 15 October) an American Civil War campfire song, adapted to a marching beat. Monster Hit.
The Highwaymen
*MICHAEL. US#1(2) from 4 September, 17 weeks in Top 100 (11th Top No 1 of 1961), UK#1 12 October 1961 and a HUGE HIT in N.Z. The quintet's 1st million-seller is a traditional negro song from the slaves in Georgia, Alabama.
The Bee Gees
*I'VE GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU, UK#1(1), 4 September 1968 - Monster Hit.
The Animals
THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
US#1(3) from 5 September 1964, 11 weeks in Top 100 and UK#1, 9 July 1964. The America version was edited down to 2:58. Au#1(2) from 19 August and MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Paul Anka
*Diana, UK#1(9) from 30 August, US#1, 9 September, NZ#1 in November and Au#1(8) from 21 December 1957
The Supremes
*YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE, US#1(2) from 10 September 1966 and a Monster Hit in N.Z.
Another from the Holland, Dozier, Holland song-writing team and the 8th million-seller for the trio. The song also reached #3 in Britain.
The Kinks
YOU REALLY GOT ME Pye [Britain] Four art students with a flair for rhythm & blues, they came together in 1961, playing and singing in the Muswell Hill area of London with the idea of making some money to help their studies, mainly in art. They soon became well known through their music and their kinky clothes, hence their name. They were eventually brought to the attention of Larry Page who signed them immediately and a Pye contract followed with 'Long Tall Sally' being their first record. Their third release was written by Ray Davies, one of the brothers in the group and it sold over a quarter million in Britain, making UK#1(2) from 10 September 1964. When released in the States on Sinatra's Reprise label, the record reached US#7 and combined sales topped the million. HUGE HIT
The Beatles
HEY JUDE, UK#1(2) from 11 September, US#1(9) from 28 September, Au#1(15) from 2 October and NZ#1(5) from 3 October 1968 - the Top No 1 for the year and rated as the 6th top Million Seller in the US with 10 million sold. Between The Kingsmen – Louie Louie (No 5 at 12 million) and Elvis Presley – It’s Now Or Never (No 7 at 10 million)
Hey Jude, backed with Revolution was the group's 1st release under their new Apple label and entered the US charts at #10, the then highest entry, and reached #1 in the 2nd week. A Paul McCartney song originally written for Lennon's son Julian, the double sided hit was also #1 in Ireland, Germany, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Malaysia, Sweden, Singapore, New Zealand as well as Britain.
Donny Osmond
GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL MGM [USA] US#1(3) from 11 September 1971, with 15 weeks in Top 100. This Gerry Goffin / Carole King composition had previously been a million seller and US#1 for Steve Lawrence in 1963. Donny’s recording was released in July and received the R.I.A.A. Gold Disc award on 13 October 1971 – his 2nd of three from 1971.
- Lx
The Beatles The pop music world's most successful group had their first million-sellers in 1963 but they didn't break into the American market until the following year.
SHE LOVES YOU, UK#1(4) from 12 September and again for 2 weeks from 28 November 1963. In chart terms, this was the Beatles’ biggest hit, staying in the Top 50 for 33 weeks (36, if you add its brief re-entry in 1983). It sold over a million copies in Britain alone, and until the follow-up, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, sold even more, it was the biggest-selling record ever in Britain.
Past Masters 1 The big fourth single, the song which epitomized the rush of Beatlemania and gave birth to the fervent (but quickly overused) catchphrase "yeah yeah yeah" US#1(2) from 21 March 1964, 15 weeks in Top 100 – from 25 January)
Rod Stewart
YOU WEAR IT WELL. UK#1, 2 September 1972 and US#13 (10 weeks in Top 100 from 26 August 1972). Written by Rod with Martin Quittenton, it was Rod’s consecutive solo No. 1. (after Maggie May from 1971). - Lx
* Regular on Coast playlist
Mitch Miller
*The Yellow Rose Of Texas, #1(6) from 3 September 1955 (5 weeks at #1 from, 3 September, then 1 more week 15 October) an American Civil War campfire song, adapted to a marching beat. Monster Hit.
The Highwaymen
*MICHAEL. US#1(2) from 4 September, 17 weeks in Top 100 (11th Top No 1 of 1961), UK#1 12 October 1961 and a HUGE HIT in N.Z. The quintet's 1st million-seller is a traditional negro song from the slaves in Georgia, Alabama.
The Bee Gees
*I'VE GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU, UK#1(1), 4 September 1968 - Monster Hit.
The Animals
THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
US#1(3) from 5 September 1964, 11 weeks in Top 100 and UK#1, 9 July 1964. The America version was edited down to 2:58. Au#1(2) from 19 August and MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Paul Anka
*Diana, UK#1(9) from 30 August, US#1, 9 September, NZ#1 in November and Au#1(8) from 21 December 1957
The Supremes
*YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE, US#1(2) from 10 September 1966 and a Monster Hit in N.Z.
Another from the Holland, Dozier, Holland song-writing team and the 8th million-seller for the trio. The song also reached #3 in Britain.
The Kinks
YOU REALLY GOT ME Pye [Britain] Four art students with a flair for rhythm & blues, they came together in 1961, playing and singing in the Muswell Hill area of London with the idea of making some money to help their studies, mainly in art. They soon became well known through their music and their kinky clothes, hence their name. They were eventually brought to the attention of Larry Page who signed them immediately and a Pye contract followed with 'Long Tall Sally' being their first record. Their third release was written by Ray Davies, one of the brothers in the group and it sold over a quarter million in Britain, making UK#1(2) from 10 September 1964. When released in the States on Sinatra's Reprise label, the record reached US#7 and combined sales topped the million. HUGE HIT
The Beatles
HEY JUDE, UK#1(2) from 11 September, US#1(9) from 28 September, Au#1(15) from 2 October and NZ#1(5) from 3 October 1968 - the Top No 1 for the year and rated as the 6th top Million Seller in the US with 10 million sold. Between The Kingsmen – Louie Louie (No 5 at 12 million) and Elvis Presley – It’s Now Or Never (No 7 at 10 million)
Hey Jude, backed with Revolution was the group's 1st release under their new Apple label and entered the US charts at #10, the then highest entry, and reached #1 in the 2nd week. A Paul McCartney song originally written for Lennon's son Julian, the double sided hit was also #1 in Ireland, Germany, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Malaysia, Sweden, Singapore, New Zealand as well as Britain.
Donny Osmond
GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL MGM [USA] US#1(3) from 11 September 1971, with 15 weeks in Top 100. This Gerry Goffin / Carole King composition had previously been a million seller and US#1 for Steve Lawrence in 1963. Donny’s recording was released in July and received the R.I.A.A. Gold Disc award on 13 October 1971 – his 2nd of three from 1971.
- Lx
The Beatles The pop music world's most successful group had their first million-sellers in 1963 but they didn't break into the American market until the following year.
SHE LOVES YOU, UK#1(4) from 12 September and again for 2 weeks from 28 November 1963. In chart terms, this was the Beatles’ biggest hit, staying in the Top 50 for 33 weeks (36, if you add its brief re-entry in 1983). It sold over a million copies in Britain alone, and until the follow-up, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, sold even more, it was the biggest-selling record ever in Britain.
Past Masters 1 The big fourth single, the song which epitomized the rush of Beatlemania and gave birth to the fervent (but quickly overused) catchphrase "yeah yeah yeah" US#1(2) from 21 March 1964, 15 weeks in Top 100 – from 25 January)
Friday, August 28, 2009
Forgotten Singles for Saturday 29 August 2009
To think, in the week following playing The Rascals - People Got To Be Free, with references to Bobby Kennedy, his brother Ted Kennedy sucumbs to cancer. Tried to play the Tom Clay song, What The World Needs Now but, my software in Taupo didn't seem to want to play the 6:17 song. Messy, spoiling my best attempts.
Mr. Lee Grant
Thanks To You, NZ#1(3) from 24 August 1967 - Monster Hit
Mr Lee Grant was born Bogdan Charis Kominowski to Polish parents on April 22 1945, in a Nazi concentration camp just outside Dusseldorf. His father was killed, but he and his mother survived and emigrated to New Zealand in 1949, settling in Palmerston North.
His first interest in music came when he joined a local band called the Cyclones. He was happy to play with them at weekends but then a friend knew a DJ, and he soon had him doing dance gigs in the Hawkes Bay area. The DJ decided that Bogdan Kominowski was a bit of a handful, so he came up with a new name, Lee Grant. The Mr was added to avoid confusion with an Auckland actress Miss Lee Grant.
Mr Lee Grant's first recording was "Doo-Doodle-Do-Doo"/"As Long As I Have You" and to promote the re-release on Zodiac, he travelled to Auckland for an appearance on "Teen Scene". It was while doing that show, he met reporter, Dianne Cadwallader. She decided to become his manager and groomed the 21 year old as a presentable soloist. Dianne secured guest spots at "Teenarama" in Wellington and a recording contract with HMV. She had him dressed by a Wellington fashion mogul and he quickly became New Zealand's Mr Mod and his career was on a fashionable roll.
Jane Morgan with the Troubadours
FASCINATION Kapp [USA], This million-seller for Jane by 1958 (three million by 1965) is an oldie 'Valse Tzigane' of 1904 by F. D. Marchetti, with words (1954) by Dick Manning. It was featured in the film Love in the Afternoon (1957) starring Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn. Educated at the Juilliard School or Music (as lyric soprano) in New York, Jane Morgan sang at clubs to pay for her tuition. Offered a contract by French impresario Bernard Hilda, she became a hit in Paris in a few weeks. Her reputation spread throughout the Continent and Jane starred in Rome, Madrid, Brussels, Geneva and on the French Riviera, becoming a prolific linguist, Then America wanted her to star in the top clubs, and billed her as 'The American Girl from Paris'. She also appeared in many summer stock shows in the USA and in dramatic roles. She is one of the most sought-after night-club entertainers, The French words of 'Fascination' were written by Maurice de Ferandy in 1942. US#7, with 29 weeks in Top 100 from 26 August 1957 and NZ#1 in December 1957. HUGE HIT
Kathy Kirby
Dance On - Written by three members of the group The Avons (who had success with their British cover of "Seven Little Girls Sittin' In The Back Seat") The instrumental version by the Shadows was UK#1(1) 24 January 1963. Kathy's vocal version made UK#11 from 31 August, Au#1(2) from 1 November 1963 and was a Big Hit in NZ. Kathy Kirby today
*The Beach Boys - Do It Again, UK#1(1), 28 August 1968, US#20, 10 weeks in Top 100 from 27 July 1968. Monster Hit in N.Z. (*regular on Coast)
Vanilla Fudge
You Keep Me Hanging On, Au#1(5) from 28 August 1968, (US#6, UK#18 in Top 20 September 1967) Big Hit in N.Z. Had been in the US Top 100 the year before, 5 weeks in Top 100 from 8 July, peak #67. Psychedelic-rock quartet formed in New York in 1966; Mark Stein (lead singer, keyboards). Vinnie Martell (guitar), Tim Bogert (bassist) and Carmine Appice (drummer). The song had been a US#1 for the Supremes in 1966.
Tommy Roe
SHEILA. US#1(2) from 1 September 1962, 14 weeks in Top 100 and a HUGE HIT in N.Z. Tommy Roe's own group from his teenage years, recorded "Sheila" for the Judd label in 1960 but the song didn't have any impact until after Roe signed to ABC Paramount.
Mr. Lee Grant
Thanks To You, NZ#1(3) from 24 August 1967 - Monster Hit
Mr Lee Grant was born Bogdan Charis Kominowski to Polish parents on April 22 1945, in a Nazi concentration camp just outside Dusseldorf. His father was killed, but he and his mother survived and emigrated to New Zealand in 1949, settling in Palmerston North.
His first interest in music came when he joined a local band called the Cyclones. He was happy to play with them at weekends but then a friend knew a DJ, and he soon had him doing dance gigs in the Hawkes Bay area. The DJ decided that Bogdan Kominowski was a bit of a handful, so he came up with a new name, Lee Grant. The Mr was added to avoid confusion with an Auckland actress Miss Lee Grant.
Mr Lee Grant's first recording was "Doo-Doodle-Do-Doo"/"As Long As I Have You" and to promote the re-release on Zodiac, he travelled to Auckland for an appearance on "Teen Scene". It was while doing that show, he met reporter, Dianne Cadwallader. She decided to become his manager and groomed the 21 year old as a presentable soloist. Dianne secured guest spots at "Teenarama" in Wellington and a recording contract with HMV. She had him dressed by a Wellington fashion mogul and he quickly became New Zealand's Mr Mod and his career was on a fashionable roll.
Jane Morgan with the Troubadours
FASCINATION Kapp [USA], This million-seller for Jane by 1958 (three million by 1965) is an oldie 'Valse Tzigane' of 1904 by F. D. Marchetti, with words (1954) by Dick Manning. It was featured in the film Love in the Afternoon (1957) starring Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn. Educated at the Juilliard School or Music (as lyric soprano) in New York, Jane Morgan sang at clubs to pay for her tuition. Offered a contract by French impresario Bernard Hilda, she became a hit in Paris in a few weeks. Her reputation spread throughout the Continent and Jane starred in Rome, Madrid, Brussels, Geneva and on the French Riviera, becoming a prolific linguist, Then America wanted her to star in the top clubs, and billed her as 'The American Girl from Paris'. She also appeared in many summer stock shows in the USA and in dramatic roles. She is one of the most sought-after night-club entertainers, The French words of 'Fascination' were written by Maurice de Ferandy in 1942. US#7, with 29 weeks in Top 100 from 26 August 1957 and NZ#1 in December 1957. HUGE HIT
Kathy Kirby
Dance On - Written by three members of the group The Avons (who had success with their British cover of "Seven Little Girls Sittin' In The Back Seat") The instrumental version by the Shadows was UK#1(1) 24 January 1963. Kathy's vocal version made UK#11 from 31 August, Au#1(2) from 1 November 1963 and was a Big Hit in NZ. Kathy Kirby today
*The Beach Boys - Do It Again, UK#1(1), 28 August 1968, US#20, 10 weeks in Top 100 from 27 July 1968. Monster Hit in N.Z. (*regular on Coast)
Vanilla Fudge
You Keep Me Hanging On, Au#1(5) from 28 August 1968, (US#6, UK#18 in Top 20 September 1967) Big Hit in N.Z. Had been in the US Top 100 the year before, 5 weeks in Top 100 from 8 July, peak #67. Psychedelic-rock quartet formed in New York in 1966; Mark Stein (lead singer, keyboards). Vinnie Martell (guitar), Tim Bogert (bassist) and Carmine Appice (drummer). The song had been a US#1 for the Supremes in 1966.
Tommy Roe
SHEILA. US#1(2) from 1 September 1962, 14 weeks in Top 100 and a HUGE HIT in N.Z. Tommy Roe's own group from his teenage years, recorded "Sheila" for the Judd label in 1960 but the song didn't have any impact until after Roe signed to ABC Paramount.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Forgotten Singles for Saturday 22 August 2009
Too tired to create a tease, lets just post the info I've dragged out of my Million Sellers file ...
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)
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)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Forgotten Singles for Saturday 15 August 2009
UK#1(2) from 13 August and US#1(2) from 17 October 1964.
Another #1 success in 1964 for songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and MONSTER HIT in N.Z.
Rock-quintet consisting of four members from Spain and one from Germany. Mike Kennedy leader with a UK#2, 9 weeks in Top 20 from 16 July and US#4, 12 weeks in Top 100 from 13 August 1966 - Big Hit in N.Z.
A group with a UK#1(1), 14 August 1968
Led by Arthur Wilson, Whitby, England born June 1944, the band included drummer Carl Palmer, later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Monster Hit in N.Z.
An American pop music singer-songwriter, who was "widely perceived as one of the archetypal bubblegum artists of the late 1960s, with a NZ#1(1), 14 August 1969. In his home country, the song only made it to US#29 (8 weeks in Top 100 from 26 April) and the follow-up to his US#1(4) from 15 March and UK#1, 4 June 1969
US#8, 17 weeks in Top 10 from 17 August 1959. Missouri born in December 1928, a pop - country singer / guitarist who first recorded in 1951 and first charted in August 1956. This was his 4th US chart and a BIG HIT in N.Z.
A trio, comprising brothers, Dean and Marc Mathis with Larry Henley. They got their falsetto sound (of lead Larry Henley) from Dean Mathis pitching to Boudleaux Bryant a Four Seasons style rendition the trio did of Boudleaux's composition 'Bye Bye Love'. Needing a fourth song for their first recording session, they picked up on a recent demo of this song, rearranged it in falsetto style, and was released as the B-side of their first 45 from 15 August 1964 - and that became their only million-seller. HUGE HIT in N.Z. US#2(2) from 19 September 1964, but charted from 15 August - hence my inclusion in Saturday's programme.
And the songs:
Before 1pm - Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy, (first jpeg) already on the Coast playlist as I was reminded when I got in there, so played that just before 1pm.
1pm Los Bravos - Black Is Black, in the Coast system but not played on regular basis as far as I'm aware
2pm The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - Fire (second jpeg)
3pm Tommy Roe - Heather Honey
4pm Jerry Wallace - Primrose Lane (third jpeg) [originally a mono recording] the version I played was off the Collectables 6035 Primrose Lane, Very Best Of Jerry Wallce CD and was a remake, played slightly faster and was shorter in duration at 2:13 than the original at 2:25.
5pm The Newbeats - Bread And Butter
Friday, August 7, 2009
Forgotten Singles for Saturday 8 August 2009
UK#1(2) from 4 August and NZ#1(3) from 13 October 1966 - Monster Hit in N.Z.
UK#1(3) from 5 August, Au#1(3) from 1 September and US#1(3) from 4 September 1965. The title song from this group's second film, it sold a million in one week in the States and 500,000 in the first week in Britain where it was an instant #1 also for 3 weeks.
This group received 5 gold disc awards in 3 months; including this track, a US#1(1) 7 August 1965, and (eventual) 5th million-seller for the group with a song that had been made famous in 1911 by the cockney comedian, Harry Champion. Monster Hit in N.Z.
US#25, with 14 weeks in the Top 100 from 7 August 1961. Backed with CRYIN’ which made the Top 100 one week later on 14 August and peaked higher at US#2. (16 weeks in the Top 100).
The biggest Merseybeat group not managed by Brian Epstein. Formed in 1962 the group were signed to Pye in 1963 and put under the care of staff producer Tony Hatch and this was the first of six such production successes for him. A cover of a Drifters hit it became #1 the day of the Great Train Robbery - UK#1(2) from 8 August 1963 and a Monster Hit in NZ.
and a US#4, UK#5 and NZ#1(1), 8 August 1968 - Monster Hit in N.Z.
And the songs;
1pm, The Troggs – With A Girl Like You
2pm, Beatles – Help
3pm, Herman's Hermits – I'm Henry VIII, I Am
4pm, Roy Orbison – Candy Man
5pm, Ohio Express – Yummy Yummy Yummy
The article in Wikipedia says; "Though marketed as a band, it would be more accurate to say that the name "The Ohio Express" served as a brand name used by Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffrey Katz's Super K Productions to release the music of a number of different musicians and acts. The best known songs of The Ohio Express (including their best scoring single, "Yummy Yummy Yummy") were actually the work of an assemblage of studio musicians working out of New York, including singer/songwriter Joey Levine."
and the biggest Merseybeat group not managed by Brian Epstein - I did play The Searchers - Sweets For My Sweet. A regular on the Coast playlist.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Unforgettable Music in support of Massey
Its been some time since I have had the opportunity to back announce Hot Chocolate - It Started With A Kiss. This was a record I remember we, at Radio Senicland in Greymouth, wore out the beginning of from lots of playing and cueing up (where with a vertical pick-up you turn the 45rpm record back and forth until you find the start point, back track just a little, so that when you release the spindle lock the record is up to speed on the turntable by the time the needle connects with the start of the song.) This Hot Chocolate song got worn out and we had to seek a replacement from the record company.
l guess this says that I've been on radio formats that don't play such material until I got involved with this station down country shortly after we set up my Unforgettable Music format to broadcast out of Warren Flaunty's building in Don Buck Road. This came about through an offer from Warren to the Massey Matters team that he would facilitate such an arrangement with a special rental agreement.
The first Massey Matters Co-ordinator Fran got into gear and with the right contacts helped pull all the necessary funding and logistic requirements together to make it happen.
So the Massey Matters Office is up and running around the back and below the Massey Pharmacy in Don Buck Road. So do pop in and see the team of Linda, Sue and Jen and they might let you lift the table cloth and reveal the computer running the programme under the table in the corner. Phone the office on 832 0431.
Thanks to Jim Wolf of the Unforgettable Music Society, who did the cleaning of seagull matter with the seat of his pants, sliding along Warren's roof ridge line to install the antenna and run the coax cable down into the office.
With my broadcasting into Taupo, via the internet from my home in Sunnyvale Road, I have been kept quite busy so that I haven't really had a chance to push along the next phase of the trial of running Unforgettable Music as a Community Station for Massey.
While I do a show into Taupo from 6 to 10am, I just let Massey radio run on its on, but playing the same music (and hourly playlist) that goes out down the line (where I can't actually hear that programme), so Massey enables me to monitor the flow of music and general sound. Although I did experiment with adding a variation of the same announcements I did for Taupo into the programme running out of Massey 6 to 7am Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th July. Did anyone notice?
For our next phase of Unforgettable Music Massey, I need to find the time to guide our best funding secretary to chase up support to have a repeating transmitter at either Royal Road (to reach Luckens Road perhaps) or at the Massey High School (to reach into Ranui).
I believe there is some synergy between Ranui and Massey, so having a radio station linking the two would be quite useful.
Should these repeater trials prove successful, the other option, as I see it, is to have another Low Power FM station aiming at the younger end of the Massey population. Then we would need more volunteers to prepare and present programmes.
I have heard from people willing to help, and hopefully their names are in a 'safe place' that I can recall when I need it. It is not just voices on air I need assistance on but people with an eye for detail to coordinate the requests for Community Notices and the like. It would be nice to also find researchers to help fine 'identities' to interview for oral history archive purposes and to run extracts on Unforgettable Music Massey.
Now I have to find time (inclination and energy TIE) to sort out some Forgotten Singles for the month of August to play on Coast. I search through my Million Sellers and No 1 Hits files from 1955 to end of the Seventies.
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