Monthly Archives: February 2022

Mickey & Sylvia had one of the biggest hits of 1956 with “Love is Strange.” Released on Groove Records, a copy of the 45 is worth up to $50.00. But you can’t say Sylvia Vanderpool is a one-hit-wonder as she … Continue reading →

The Spencer Davis Group is best known for hits like “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m a Man.” Best known member of the band is Stevie Winwood who in 1967 would leave Spencer Davis to form the band known as Traffic. … Continue reading →

One of the great one-hit-wonders of the early Rock and Roll era is “Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)” by the Impalas, a vocal group from Brooklyn. It was the legendary Dee Jay Alan Freed who got them a … Continue reading →

Bobby Darin was truly a man of many talents. He was a 1950’s teen idol, a swinging Big Band crooner in the style of Frank Sinatra, a Blues singer rivaling Ray Charles, and a successful actor. Darin was nominated for … Continue reading →

“The 7TH Voyage of Sinbad,” released by Columbia Pictures in 1958, was the first in a series of Sinbad movies. It featured the animation of the legendary Ray Harryhausen. Starring Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant, the original soundtrack on Colpix … Continue reading →

One of Rock and Roll’s greatest anthems of the 50’s is “At the Hop” by Danny & the Juniors. Supposedly, it was Dick Clark who suggested the original title of “Do the Bop” be changed to “At the Hop.” First … Continue reading →

Following the death of his singing partner, Tammi Terrell, Motown superstar, Marvin Gaye, fell into a deep depression. After years of well-crafted top-40 airplay it was a song of political consciousness that brought him out of the doldrums. “What’s Going … Continue reading →

Dick Dale, originally from Boston, is credited with being the earliest pioneer of Surf music, which blossomed after he moved to California. He is known as the “King of the Surf Guitar.” His 1958 hit, “Miserlou,” on Deltone Records is … Continue reading →

Smokey Robinson is as important to the Motown story as its founder, Barry Gordy. Bob Dylan has called Smokey Robinson “America’s greatest living poet.” With the Miracles, Smokey had 27 top-40 hits and many more as a solo performer. In … Continue reading →

Johnny Horton had several big hits in the late 50’s and early 60’s such as “The Battle of New Orleans,” “Sink the Bismarck,” and “North to Alaska.” Like his idol Hank Williams, Johnny lost his life in a car accident. … Continue reading →