Monthly Archives: January 2025

On February 2, 1979, while celebrating his freedom after a 7-week jail sentence for assault, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols died of a drug overdose after injecting heroin that his dear ol’ mum had reportedly given him. Ah, ‘tis … Continue reading →

“12 X 5” was the second album in America for the Rolling Stones and, like the first, didn’t feature many hits written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as future albums would. The two hits on the album are “Time … Continue reading →

Before Bruce Johnston became a member of the Beach Boys in the mid-60’s, he was with a group called the Rip Chords, best known for their hits, “Hey Little Cobra,” in 1963 and “Three Window Coupe” in 1964. But their … Continue reading →

The long list of hits for Jackie Wilson began in 1958 with “Reet Petite.” More hits followed like “Lonely Teardrops,” “I’ll be Satisfied,” and “(Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me) Higher and Higher.” But his biggest hit came in 1963 with … Continue reading →

“Records you should know about” are records that most people have never heard of but can be worth a lot of money. Here are 2 that fall into the very collectible category known as Northern Soul. “I’m Comin’Over” by Johnny Honeycutt, … Continue reading →

The Drifters’ hit, “Save the Last Dance for Me,” spent 3 weeks at # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. The story behind the hit is fascinating. Songwriter Doc Pomus, sitting in his wheelchair as a result of … Continue reading →

In 1966, the Beach Boys hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Barbara Ann.” Lead singers on the record are Beach Boy Brian Wilson and Dean Torrence of famed singing duo Jan & Dean. Their 45 with picture sleeve … Continue reading →

Ray Charles had his first big hit for Atlantic records in 1955 with “I Got a Woman.” Then the floodgates opened with more classics like “What’d I Say” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” However, before Ray Charles began his … Continue reading →

In 1963, Paul Revere and the Raiders recorded and released their version of the Rock and Roll classic, “Louie Louie.” They used the same studio in Portland Oregon where the Kingsmen recorded the definitive and legendary version. Had it not … Continue reading →

Where do the ideas come from for some of Rock and Roll’s greatest hits? In 1957, Elvis Presley held the #1 spot on Billboard for two months with “All Shook up.” Songwriter Otis Blackwell got the idea for the song … Continue reading →