Big shake up in The Top Ten this week where fully half the tunes are new entries into this very elite territory.
"Wedding Bell Blues" by The Fifth Dimension (up from #17 to #6), "Baby It's You" by Smith (up from #14 to #7), "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" by Crosby, Stills and Nash (up from #16 to #8), "Ball Of Fire" by Tommy James and the Shondells (up from #13 to #9) and "Reuben James" by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (up from #12 to #10) all burst their way into The Top Ten this week on the WLS Chart.
And the big movers don't stop there.
"Sugar On Sunday" by The Clique climbs from #25 to #18, a move of seven places, "Take A Letter Maria" by R.B. Greaves jumps ten spots from #31 to #21, "Holly Holy" by Neil Diamond is up nine spots from #32 to #23 and "Leaving On A Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul And Mary makes a move of twelve spots from #39 to #27.
Two of 1969's hottest new acts have the top premiers this week as "Eli's Coming" by Three Dog Night debuts at #30 and "And When I Die" by Blood, Sweat And Tears enters the chart for the very first time at #32.
David Clayton-Thomas ... still sounding great after all these years!
THIS WEEK IN 1969:
October 14th – Glen Campbell is awarded a gold record for his single “Galveston”
October 15th – “Paint Your Wagon,” starring unlikely singers Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood, opens in movie theaters.
Also on this date, half a million protestors sing “Give Peace A Chance” at Viet Nam Moratorium demonstration held at The National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Also on this date Johnny Cash wins an unprecedented five CMA Awards, taking home honors for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Best Album, for ''San Quentin'', Best Single, for ''A Boy Named Sue'' and Best Vocal Group or Duo, with his wife June Carter Cash.
October 16th – Brian Wilson’s daughter Wendy is born
Sadly, also on this date, Leonard Chess, founder of Chess Records, dies when he has a heart attack driving his car and crashes here in Chicago
October 17th – Wyclef Jean is born
October 18th – The Jackson Five make their television debut on The Hollywood Palace.
Also on this date, rocker Bill Haley receives an eight minute standing ovation after performing at a rock and roll revival concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Ironically, two years later Rick Nelson will be booed on stage at this same event, inspiring him to write his #3 Hit “Garden Party.”)
And Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul And Mary, marries Mary Beth McCarthy, daughter of Eugene McCarthy. The couple met the year before while campaigning of her father in Willmar, Minnesota. The trio's latest hit record is climbing the charts on its way to #1 in all three national trade publications.
October 19th – The rock group Smith performs “Baby It’s You” on The Ed Sullivan Show. The program also features more Mets celebrations as several of the now World Series Champs take the stage to sing “You Gotta Have Heart” from the Broadway Musical “Damn Yankees.” (On hand are pitchers Tug McGraw, Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver … has there ever been a better pitching staff than this one?!?!) Bill Dana (as Jose Jimenez) also talks about being Casey Stengel’s speech teacher.
Also on this date, songwriters Kris Kristofferson and Shel Silverstein (with the help of a little bit of wine) write the song “Once More With Feeling.” Jerry Lee Lewis will record the song the very next day.
October 20th – Merle Haggard performs “Okie From Muskogee” on “Music Scene.” Also appearing on tonight’s program are Sly and the Family Stone and The Temptations.
