Later known as “The Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin started out in Memphis, Tennessee. She was born March 25, 1942 and her father (C. L. Franklin) was an itinerant preacher who preached the gospel wherever he could. The family moved … Continue reading →
After the Young Rascals had their number one hit, “Good Lovin’” back in 1966, they struggled to get another one. “Good Lovin’” had been written by outsiders and the band wanted to write their own music. So, Felix Cavaliere and … Continue reading →
This is the third number one for the Supremes in succession and their tenth number one overall. It is also the last single the Supremes recorded with Florence Ballard as backup singer. Go back to the article on “Love is … Continue reading →
Pop quiz: Can you name the only two father-daughter teams who have had number one songs individually. Now, you just have to look at the title of this article to see one of the them. Frank and Nancy Sinatra (father … Continue reading →
It was about 2002. A little town near us were having a summer concert series. It was only a twenty mile drive and you could go see some of the greats from the past. We saw the Drifters and some … Continue reading →
It’s hard to believe, but by the end of 1966, the Beatles were already beginning to drift apart. They wouldn’t officially break up until April 10, 1970. That was the date of the formal break up, although John Lennon had … Continue reading →
No one can doubt just how hot the Supremes were in the mid-Sixties. This was their third number one in a row and their ninth number one overall. Like all the others, it was written by the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. … Continue reading →
“Ruby Tuesday” was supposed to be the B-side of the single. The A-side was “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” A lot of radio stations in this country felt very nervous about playing a song with those kind of sexual lyrics. … Continue reading →
1967 began with a bang. The Monkees controlled the top spot for six straight weeks before relinquishing the number one spot to the Buckinghams. Even with holding the spot for six weeks, the Monkees do not hold the number one … Continue reading →
We end 1966 with the Monkees. To prepare for their second album, Don Kirshner, the Monkees publisher, wanted to bring in other talent besides Boyce and Hart, who had written their first hit, “Last Train to Clarksville,” so they decided … Continue reading →