Monthly Archives: April 2022

“(Let me take you on a) Sea Cruise” is one of the best-loved hits of the 1950’s with multiple millions sold (mostly as 45’s). Frankie Ford made a living from his classic hit from 1959. The 45 rpm version is … Continue reading →

As “Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band” was the most heralded of all Beatles albums so was “Pet Sounds” for the Beach Boys.  With songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows,” Rolling Stone Magazine lists “Pet Sounds” … Continue reading →

Domingo Samudio had one of the biggest hits in the history of Rock ‘N’ Roll. In 1965 he recorded as Sam the Sham. Along with his group, the Pharaohs, he made “Wooly Bully” a true classic, selling 3 million copies … Continue reading →

“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” is so bad it has become a Christmas cult classic. The plot involves Martian parents coming to Earth to kidnap Santa Clause so he can bring joy to their little Martian misfits, even though Santa … Continue reading →

Some hits come about in the strangest ways. Legend has it that Monotones member Charles Patrick heard a commercial for Pepsodent toothpaste including the line “You’ll wonder where the yellow went…” and wrote a hit called“(Wonder Who Wrote) The Book of Love.” Released … Continue reading →

Marianne Faithful had her first hit in 1964 when she was just seventeen. “As Tears Go By,” written by boyfriend Mick Jagger, would be her biggest hit. An original copy on London Records can get you $50.00. However, another song written … Continue reading →

With a mixture of garage-rock and flower power, the Seeds, a Los Angeles band in the mid 60’s, created a classic in 1965 with  “Pushin’ Too Hard.” Copies that read “Pushin’ Too Hard” are common and are worth up to … Continue reading →

It’s called “The Shoop Shoop Song” and went as high as number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. But everyone seems to know Betty Everett’s hit as “It’s In His Kiss.” Released on Vee Jay Records, it’s worth … Continue reading →

“I’ll Cry Instead” was originally recorded by the Beatles for the movie, “A Hard Day’s Night.” It can be found on the soundtrack album but was cut from the film with its flip side, “I’m Happy Just to Dance with … Continue reading →

Eskew Reeder is not well known to your average music fan. Recording as Esquerita, he was a major influence on Little Richard with his wild, screaming, racy songs. He was Little Richard before Little Richard was Little Richard. Esquerita never … Continue reading →