"Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone reaches #1 (just like we all knew it would!) this week on The WLS Hit Parade Survey.
New to The Top Ten this week are "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations and "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" by The Bob Seger System.
I have to admit that I'm a little surprised by Diana Ross and the Supremes' showing at #11 with "I'm Livin' In Shame" as I just don't remember WLS playing this one that much ... and it really hasn't held up all that well as one of their stronger numbers. (I guess it made sense as a logical follow-up release to "Love Child" ... but this one just never did much for me ... and "Love Child" is such a powerful song that ANYTHING would have likely paled in comparison.)
Songwriter Joe South has a hit on his hands under his own name this week as "Games People Play" climbs from #24 to #16. (I remember my Dad LOVING this song!!! My Mom, not so much. By this point, both of them were primarily listening to country music ... so the fact that this one crossed over to the pop charts ... or vice versa ... gave us all something in common for a change!)
And finally, here's a nod to two of our frequent FH contributors ...
The 1910 Fruitgum Company jump six places with their latest, "Indian Giver" ... and Tommy Roe premiers at #34 this week with what will go on to be the biggest hit of his career ... "Dizzy" ... Tommy's second chart-topper.
This week in 1969:
February 5th – The Monkees ("Last Train To Clarksville") and Jeannie C. Riley ("Harper Valley P.T.A.") are guests on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
Also on this date, Singer Bobby Brown is born – and Conrad Hilton, Jr. dies
February 7th – “This Is Tom Jones” premiers on ABC-TV. Tom’s opening night guests included Mary Hopkin and The Moody Blues
February 8th – Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood form Blind Faith
Also on this date, George Harrison has his tonsils removed. (They are destroyed so that they cannot be later sold!)
February 9th – The Grammy Nominations for 1968's "Record Of The Year" include three country tunes ... "Harper Valley P.T.A." by Jeannie C. Riley, "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro and "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell. These three songs will compete against The Beatles ("Hey Jude") and Simon and Garfunkel ("Mrs. Robinson") ... and it is Simon and Garfunkel that takes home the award.
Also on this date, Actor Gabby Hayes dies
And, incredibly, February 9th marks the Fifth Anniversary of The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
It is amazing to think how much the band has grown since then. (Keep in mind, they were supposed to fizzle out in fifteen minutes according to all the critics!)
1965 brought "Rubber Soul" ... 1966, "Revolver" ... and 1967 gave us the landmark LP "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Last year they formed their own record company and released a double album titled "The Beatles" (with a stark white cover ... and nothing else) on Apple Records ... and also had the biggest #1 Hit of their career when "Hey Jude" topped the chart for nine straight weeks in Billboard.
And right now we're just about ten months away from witnessing their crowning achievement ... "Abbey Road" will be released in October and once again turn the world on its collective ear.
