Monthly Archives: October 2024

In 1970 Apple Records released the John Lennon single, “Mother.” It wasn’t much of a hit, reaching only #43 on the Billboard Hot 100. Abandoned by his father, and even though he didn’t live with his mother, the two were … Continue reading →

In September of 1967, sixteen-year-old Alex Chilton and his band, the Box Tops, are number one in the country with “The Letter”. It will stay at #1 for four weeks. “The Letter” is only the second #1 hit in the … Continue reading →

Brenda Lee charted 47 times in the 1960’s. She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. It would take Madonna to break her record of nine consecutive top-10 hits … Continue reading →

Gladys Knight & the Pips began their rise to stardom in 1953 and for the next 35 years the hits just kept on comin’. The first hit was “Every Beat of my Heart.” Next up was “Letter Full of Tears.” … Continue reading →

In 1996 Isaac Hayes, who wrote the classic, “I’m a Soul Man,” for Sam and Dave sent presidential candidate Bob Dole a letter requesting Dole supporters stop using the phrase, “I’m a Dole Man.” The Sam and Dave album, “Soul … Continue reading →

As with baseball cards from a player’s rookie season, the first records from recording artists can be quite valuable. Such is the case for Alice Cooper. In 1969, Straight Records released his 45, “Return of the Spiders,” with “Shoe Salesman” … Continue reading →

In February of 1974, Casablanca Records released the first Kiss album. First issues do not contain the song, “Kissin’Time.” In July the album was re issued and this time with “Kissin’ Time.” The Kiss album containing “Kissin’ Time” is worth … Continue reading →

In September of 1971, the Grateful Dead have their ex-manager arrested for embezzling $70,000.00. Peace and love is nice, brother, but let’s face it; it is all about the money. Instead of stealing, maybe their manager should have scooped up … Continue reading →

In October of 1972 Michael Jackson made a rat a star when he hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Ben.” It was his third time in Billboard’s top spot. He was 13. The rat was a little younger. … Continue reading →

A song first recorded in 1939 in the Zulu language in South Africa as “Mbube” was number one for 4 weeks in the early 1960’s when a doo-wop group known as the Tokens makes “Mbube” a true classic that everyone … Continue reading →