Monthly Archives: February 2023

In 1967, the Box Tops went all the way to #1 with, “The Letter, ” thanks to lead singer, Alex Chilton. The 45 on Mala Records is worth no more than $15.00. In 1968, the band reached #2 with “Cry … Continue reading →

One of the most successful instrumental bands of the late 50’s and early 60’s was Johnny & The Hurricanes. With Johnny Paris on sax and Paul Tesluk playing organ they churned out a number of hits like “Red River Rock,” … Continue reading →

In 1963, Dimension Records released the album, “The Dimension Dolls.” On the album are the labels’ best-known female stars including the Cookies singing “Chains,” a song later covered by the Beatles. There’s also Little Eva with her monster hit, “Locomotion.” … Continue reading →

In 1968, Elvis starred with Nancy Sinatra in the movie “Speedway.” Elvis played a racecar driver while Nancy was an IRS agent trying to collect his back taxes. The film also featured NASCAR drivers like Richard Petty and Cale Yarbrough. … Continue reading →

Perhaps the most unsual group to record for Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis, was the Prisonaires. They just happened to be inmates at the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville. Their biggest hit came in 1953 with “Just Walkin’ … Continue reading →

Do You Love Me” was a song written by Barry Gordy for the Temptations. But when the Temptations were late for a recording session, Gordy gave it the Contours to record. They had a hit with it in 1962 and, … Continue reading →

Ricky Nelson had nine top-10 singles in a row in the late 1950’s. But the Rockabilly influence began to fade by the end of the decade, and Ricky’s music gave way to the softer more polished sounds of the early … Continue reading →

The Five Keys formed in 1945 in Newport News, Virginia and although they never had any giant hits they were pioneers in the early days of Doo Wop and heavily influenced many of the major acts of the fifties. They … Continue reading →