“Hey Jude” was the first single the Beatles released on their own label, Apple. It was the best selling single of their career, even now, in 1968, four years after they invaded America. It is also the longest song to … Continue reading →
“Harper Valley PTA” is the holder of at least two records, one at least that has never been duplicated. Jeannie C Riley is the first woman to hit the top of the pop charts and the country charts with the … Continue reading →
There are a lot of Sixties protest songs as we were embroiled in the Vietnam War and people were starting to stand up and make their voices heard in this country. But, I think “People Got to Be Free” could … Continue reading →
There is something in the music business called “The Third Album Syndrome.” When an act starts out, they usually have enough material to record at least two albums and, if they are successful, after that, they go on tour and … Continue reading →
I’m not sure if there are any other performers from South Africa who have made it to number one on the American charts, but I’m pretty sure Hugh Masekela is the first. Hugh was born in 1939 in KwaGuqa Township, … Continue reading →
Herb Alpert had had thirteen Top 40 hits before recording “This Guy’s In Love With You.” And they were all instrumentals. This is the first time he sang on a record that was released as a single. Herb Albert was … Continue reading →
In 1967, Mike Nichols was working on his new film, The Graduate. He had heard Simon & Garfunkel music and decided that Paul Simon would be a good person to write the music for the film. Columbia agreed as they … Continue reading →
Poor Archie Bell. He might have been a much bigger star if it weren’t for the Vietnam War. Archie Bell was born in 1944 in Henderson, Texas, but his family moved to Houston (about 180 miles) before he was one … Continue reading →
Bobby Goldsboro was born in 1941 in Marianna, Florida. His family moved to Dothan, Alabama when he was a teenager, where his family lived after that. His interest in music started when he was just twelve years old. He visited … Continue reading →
1967 was Otis Redding’s year. Everything seemed to be going right for him. He had written the song “Respect” which was recorded by Aretha Franklin and went to number one. Arthur Conley, who was a protege of Otis hit number … Continue reading →