As covered in our legendary series "Who Played The First Beatles Record In America", this is the chart that started it all. (In fact, Dick Biondi, the guy who handled the honors, is even pictured on the front of the survey ... the week that "Please Please Me" by the mis-spelled Beattles first appeared on a U.S. chart ... and ELEVEN MONTHS before it first charted nationally!)
Skeeter Davis had the #1 Single AND the top Featured Album of the Week with her monster hit "The End Of The World", still one of my all-time favorites. You'll also find Jan and Dean at #10 singing a song written for a VERY young Linda McCartney! And Peter, Paul and Mary debut on the charts this week with their '60's classic "Puff, The Magic Dragon". (Hey, maybe they should re-release this one now that all these states are on board with legalizing marijuana!!!)
*****
Here's an oldie but goodie from KOIL, circa 1959. Some GREAT tracks on this chart ... and a list of 50 tunes to boot!
Just look at this list of Who's Who '50's stars ... The Coasters, Frankie Avalon, Lloyd Price, The Chipmunks, Brook Benton, The Crests, Andy WIlliams, The Diamonds, Annette, Duane Eddy, Jack Scott, LaVern Baker, Ricky Nelson, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin, Conway Twitty, Perry Como, Connie Francis, Paul Anka, Pat Boone, Jimmy Rogers, Fats Domino, The Fleetwoods, The Chordettes, Johnny Mathis and Peggy Lee ... they're ALL here. (So where the heck is Elvis?!?!?)
Well, he's in the army!!!
The chart is dated just 5 1/2 weeks after the fatal plane crash that took Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper ... which might help explain their presence on this chart. Then again, it just MIGHT be because these guys were making some GREAT music back then.
Let's listen to a few of them, shall we? ('Cause Lord knows you sure ain't gonna hear 'em on the radio anymore!!!)
And finally, a trip down to Kentucky, where we see Chicago's New Colony Six are doing VERY well indeed, holding down the #2 Spot with "I Will Always Think About You". In fact, catching "Soul Coaxin'" by Raymond LeFevre at #3 is quite a surprise, too! (Note to Ron Smith: Maybe THIS is where all your votes are coming from in your Labor Day Oldies Countdown Poll!!! A heavy concentration of Kentuckian voters perhaps!)
One of Dave The Rave's favorite groups, Chery Slush, is in at #14 with "I Cannot Stop You" ... and it's kinda fun to see a couple of Country / Pop duets sitting at #10 and #11 with "Country Girl, City Man" by Judy Clay and Billy Vera and "Playboy" by Gene and Debbie, another one of my favorites, down from #6 the week before.
