Friday, February 24, 2017

February 24th

This week's hot shot debuts include "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles, premiering at #49 and, for the time being anyway, ahead of "Penny Lane", which sits at #62.

Also new on the chart this week is "Dedicated To The One I Love" by The Mamas and the Papas, which premiers at #55 and still to this day remains one of my favorite recordings of all time.  



"The 59th Street Bridge Song" by Harpers Bizarre (another timeless classic), is new at #75, "The Return Of The Red Baron" by The Royal Guardsmen, the obvious follow-up to their previous #2 Snoopy Hit, debuts at #82 and "Jimmy Mack" by Martha and the Vandellas", one of those great Motown hits that you will NEVER get out of your head, comes in at #86.  







Paul McCartney records his lead vocal for "Lovely Rita" at today's EMI Session for the upcoming "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.  

The Bee Gees sign a five year manger's contract with Robert Stigwood  

In an ABC Television Special titled "The Songmakers", profiles of popular artists of the day are featured via interviews, rehearsals, recording sessions and live performances on stage.  The All-Star Line-Up includes The Mamas and the Papas ("Boys And Girls"), Simon and Garfunkel ("The 59th Street Bridge Song"), Dionne Warwick ("I Say A Little Prayer"), Smokey Robinson and the Miracles ("Mickey's Monkey"), Judy Collins, The Byrds (who, with Judy, perform "Turn Turn Turn"), Burt Bacharach, Hal David, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Henry Mancini and others.  (Be cool to see THAT one again!)  

The Supremes begin recording "The Happening" at Motown Records in Detroit.  The Motown "house band", The Funk Brothers, are joined by Wrecking Crew Drummer Hal Blaine for this session.