BEST NUMBER 1 HIT of the EARLY 1960s? (Part 3)

[NightTrain]

Not as strong a list as the last poll, but I still managed to find *some* good material. Unfortunately, 1962 was a rather weak year for rock 'n' roll. :(

The good news is, with the next poll we get into 1964 and THE BEATLES!!! :bounce:

As usual, dates indicate when a single peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

[madmax]

1. Oh gosh.

All of them. The music I grew up with ;) If I could turn back the hands of time. :bounce:

[Whitacre D_WI]

2. It's a choice between 3 geniuses.

Phil Spector, Joe Meek, and Stevie Wonder.

I eliminated "Fingertips" first, because my favorite Wonder tunes are from the early '70s, and he will get his due later.

Next came the decision between "Telstar" and "He's a Rebel." I chose the latter, because it has a better vocal. (I know, I know ;))

However, I accidentally clicked on "Telstar" anyway. At least Joe Meek only killed HIMSELF, not his girlfriend.


On edit: anyway, the best Spector tunes are "He Hit Me (and It Felt like a Kiss)" and "Do the Screw."

On double edit: and "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?"

[Bertha Venation]

3. Had to give Jan & Dean the honorary nod --

Surf City USA is my home town.

[Wickerman]

4. TELSTAR

Its held up so well. Heard a great cover of it just moments ago by band called the Ukrainians.

http://www.theworld.org/globalhits/index.shtml


Global Hits

March 9, 2004


Listen Technical Help
Artist: Ukrainians
Title: Istoriya
Label: Omnium
Country: England
Music Available from: Public Broadcasting One
More World Music at: BBC Music Online

For today's Global Hit, we turn to "The Ukrainians". They're a punk band whose music blends Western and Eastern European styles. The World's Marco Werman reports.

Despite their name, most of "The Ukrainians" are based in Leeds, England. Half the musicians in the band are second generation immigrants from Ukraine. Their group was born in 1989 out of a recording session for a BBC radio rock program. Now "The Ukrainians'' have just released their "Best of" album. It's called "Istoriya."

"The Ukrainian's" compilation contains tunes filled with frantic and folksy rhythms. The band's mandolin, accordion and violin bring an Eastern European flavor to the mix. The album begins with a previously unreleased track. It's called Telstar. It's ''The Ukrainians''' version of a 1962 hit by the British band ''The Tornados.''

Besides ''Telstar,'' ''The Ukrainians'' have recorded many other covers, most of them originally sung by British punk bands. From "The Smiths," they took a hit song called "The Queen is Dead" and made it their own.

--snip--

[NightTrain]

5. I fell in love with that record the first time I heard it.

It was on Wolfman Jack's radio show long about 1978.

"Telstar" was one of the first reissue 45s I ever bought. And I still love it. Damn, what a great record!!! :headbang:

[Wickerman]

7. Did you listen to the cover?

great stuff!

Yeh, the original is a thing of beauty, without a doubt. such a trippy sound and so piece of its time - yet so, so good in the countless covers I've heard.

thanks for posting it.

[Kahuna]

He's So Fine, was honestly my favorite hit when it came out..

So I have to go with that one..

[Name removed]

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[NightTrain]

8. kick

n/t

[HEyHEY]

9. Sheila

And curse on those idiots out there who think it's a Buddy Holly tune

[NightTrain]

10. Best Buddy Holly knock-off ever!

While I could easily do without all that bubblegum crap Tommy Roe did later in the '60s ("Hooray For Hazel," "Sweet Pea," "Dizzy," "Heather Honey," ad nauseum), I will give the man credit for "Sheila." That record is pure pleasure each and every time I play it!

[MrSlayer]

11. He's So Fine. Only because it's a running joke between my wife and I.

We were walking on Penns Landing here in Philly when some really drunk chick kept pointing at me and saying how "Fine" I was. It was pretty funny. My just goes "Ohh Yeah!!" at me every once in a while.

[Lugnut]

12. Very difficult to choose

I graduated from high school in 1963 so they were all favorites of mine. :)

[jpgray]

13. Hey NightTrain, did the Shadows have any #1 hits? I can't remember (nt)

[NightTrain]

14. Not in the U.S.A.

In fact, I don't think the Shadows ever made the Billboard Hot 100; not even once. That's a shame, too!

[jpgray]

15. Yeah, I knew they had some hits in the UK--that is too bad! (nt)