There have been 22 instrumentals that have hit number one on the pop charts since July of 1955. “The Theme from ‘A Summer Place’” is the best selling of all of them. It is not only the best selling instrumental, … Continue reading →
The Sixties definitely start out on a somber note. The cowboy gets killed in “El Paso,” The Indians die as they try to cross the raging river in “Running Bear” and now we have a girl who goes running back … Continue reading →
I hope you remember J. P. Richardson. You may remember him as The Big Bopper and if you don’t recall that name, then hopefully you remember the song “Chantilly Lace.” Richardson would probably not be remembered today except for the … Continue reading →
In the world of rock and roll, it’s interesting that we start the Sixties decade with a country and western song. And “El Paso” kind of leans toward the western part of that phrase. Marty Robbins wrote this song as … Continue reading →
I saw this story on msn.com and just had to share it here. In 1963, the Kingsmen had a number 2 hit with a song that has become a classic, “Louie, Louie”. The problem was, no one could understand the … Continue reading →
Does anyone remember the Dells. They were a smooth R&B group that were called doo-wop years after doo-wop had kind of died out. The had 8 Top 10 songs between 1968 and 1973 and if younger than 50, you probably … Continue reading →
On this day (Apr 4) in 1964, The Beatles held down the top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100. This was the first time a band or an individual had ever done this and, as it turns out, it … Continue reading →
Very few artists have had the same song on the charts in two different versions. There may be others, but today I’m remembering Neil Sedaka. He wrote “Breaking Up is Hard To Do” as an uptempo early rock and roll … Continue reading →
I’m working on my next Kindle book, this one will be about the Bee Gees. I found this story which really moved me. You might know that Robin Gibb died last year. He was the lead singer on the song … Continue reading →
I don’t want this blog to turn into an obituary column, but the sad fact is that a lot of the performers from the golden age of rock and roll are passing away. People who were famous in the Fifties … Continue reading →