Monthly Archives: April 2025

Taking their name from Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, the Belmonts led by Dion cranked out the hits in the late 1950’s. They had their first hit with “I Wonder Why” in 1958. Next up was “Nobody Knows,” which hit … Continue reading →

The Supremes were not overnight sensations. On their first recordings, it was Florence Ballard and not Diana Ross who sang lead. Things were going so poorly that Ross took a job in a Detroit department store. However, when she was … Continue reading →

Soupy Sales had the #1 TV show in Los Angeles in the early 60’s. Even Frank Sinatra was a guest. In 1964, Soupy moved his show to New York and was syndicated throughout the country. Famous for getting pies shoved … Continue reading →

Dressed as a cowboy on the album cover, Bo Diddley’s 5TH  album was called “Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger.” The album not only includes the “Gunslinger” single but also “Sixteen Tons,” first made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Bo Diddley … Continue reading →

Originally known as the Starlettes, the Angels had their biggest hit with a song they sang as a demo meant for the Shirelles. However, the Angels’ demo sounded so good that their version was released and “My Boyfriend’s Back” was … Continue reading →

The Buckinghams had 5 top-20 hits. In 1967, they went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single, “Kind of a Drag,” worth up to $20.00. USA Records, which released the 45, also issued the … Continue reading →

Dinah Washington crossed many musical boundaries including Blues, Jazz, Pop, and Rock and Roll. Her biggest hit came in 1959 with “What a Difference a Day Makes.” A copy on Mercury records is worth up to $20.00. A combination of … Continue reading →

It all began for Lightnin’ Hopkins in Houston with a self-made guitar fashioned from a cigar box and chicken wire. Worried that black artists were not receiving the royalties due them, Hopkins insisted on cash for each studio take. He … Continue reading →

Buffalo Springfield became ground-breakers for what is known as Country Rock. They had their biggest hit in 1967 with “For What it’s Worth.” And for what it’s worth, the 45 is worth up to $20.00. The group was short-lived but … Continue reading →

Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs were basically one-hit-wonders and that hit came in 1960 with “Stay.”  The song holds the distinction of being the shortest #1 hit in the history of Rock & Roll. Released on Herald Records, the single … Continue reading →