"Big Bad John" #1 11/11/1961

Jimmy Dean had a long music career before getting into the sausage business, as he scored a #1 in the fall of 1961 with a spoken-word ditty about a mining accident. In the 50's he hosted local shows on radio and TV in Washington, DC, helping Patsy Cline and Roy Clark get their starts. After this record, he landed a national TV show on ABC and hired an unknown DC-area puppeteer named Jim Henson, who was so grateful he offered Jimmy a 40% stake in what became the Muppets production company. Dean turned it down with no regrets, saying Henson earned his own success. Later, Jimmy was Johnny Carson's first substitute host. Then came the sausage...

"Runaround Sue" #1 10/28/1961

From the fall of 1961, the only #1 for Dion DiMucci, better known by his first name, who had just split from the Belmonts. He turned down a seat on the plane that later crashed and took the lives of Buddy Holly and the others in February of 1959. That WILL mess with your head. He developed a heroin habit as his career took a huge downturn after the British Invasion, but he got clean and came back in 1968 with "Abraham, Martin and John."

"Together" #48 6/24/1967

This Top 10 R&B hit for the Intruders was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and was an early example of what became known as "Philly soul" with its smooth, slick arrangements. After the group broke up, two members became Jehovah's Witnesses, one became a truck driver and one got into politics.

"The Oogum Boogum Song" #34 6/24/1967

Alfred Jesse Smith literally came straight outta Compton and had a few hits in the 60's. He took the stage name Brenton Wood, a play on the high-end Brentwood section of L.A., home of UCLA and former home of O.J. Simpson. "Oogum boogum" is similar to "abracadabra," very apt as the song dealt with casting a spell on someone.

"Tramp" #26 6/24/1967

Otis Redding recorded an album of duets with Stax labelmate Carla Thomas ("Gee Whiz"), daughter of Rufus Thomas ("Walking The Dog"). This one was all about a couple trading insults, a time-honored comedic thing in the black community which came to be known as "doing the dozens."

"Do It Again A Little Bit Slower" #18 6/24/1967

Sometimes you starve for years before success happens. Sometimes you catch a lucky break. And sometimes your millionaire dad from Dallas owns a record label, as it was with Jon Abdnor, half of the one-hit wonder duo Jon and Robin. Written by Wayne Carson Thompson, who also wrote "The Letter" for the Box Tops.

"Sunday Will Never Be The Same" #9 6/24/1967

The first hit for Spanky and Our Gang - the band, not the kids from those 20's and 30's Hollywood shorts, though lead singer Elaine McFarlane took her nickname from one of those little rascals. The song was offered to the Mamas and the Papas, and to the Left Banke, but both groups passed on it. Their loss.

"Getting Better"

Two days before the Beatles started their first world tour in 1964, Ringo developed tonsillitis. Rather than postpone any gigs, Jimmie Nicol was brought in last-minute for the first few shows until Ringo rejoined them 10 days later. Paul would ask Jimmie how he was dealing with the sudden fame. He always replied, "It's getting better," and that little exchange led to this "Sgt. Pepper" track. Michael Jackson eventually obtained the rights to most of the Beatles catalog (though he still almost went broke) and this song was licensed for a Phillips lighting ad in 1999. Video is Paul doing the track live.

"Sound Of Love" #36 6/17/1967

The Five Americans started out as the Mutineers, a frat party band at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. They moved to Dallas and hooked up with Dale Hawkins (original singer of "Susie Q") as their producer. The band broke up in 1969 amid questions over how their finances were administered. Seems like that happened a lot.

"7 Rooms Of Gloom" #14 6/17/1967

Second only to the Temptations, the Four Tops were Motown's biggest male vocal group, due in no small part to the songwriting/production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. This was the ninth Top 20 pop record for the Tops written by H-D-H, who soon left the label in a dispute over profit sharing and royalties.

"Mirage" #10 6/17/1967

Here's one from Tommy James and the Shondells that came about as the result of a happy accident. They were at the studio when co-producer Bo Gentry accidentally loaded a tape of their previous single, "I Think We're Alone Now" backwards on the reel-to-reel. The group liked it, and "Mirage" was pretty much written on the spot as it sounds like "Alone Now" turned inside out.

"All I Need" #8 6/17/1967

David Ruffin was featured once again here on lead for the mighty Temptations. By now, he had become aloof from the rest of the Temps, taking a separate mink-lined limo to the gigs, and also developed a pronounced cocaine habit. Ruffin demanded that he receive top billing in the manner of Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson. He didn't get top billing, and was eventually dismissed from the group.

"Somebody To Love" #5 6/17/1967

If San Francisco was the temple of 60's counterculture, Grace Slick was the high priestess (no pun intended). She joined the Jefferson Airplane after their original lead singer left to give birth. Grace was there through all the changes after they morphed into Jefferson Starship in the 70's and then to just Starship in the 80's. But how did they go from this to "We Built This City"??? The Airplane appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival, held this weekend in 1967. A defining 60's record.

"She'd Rather Be With Me" #3 6/17/1967

Howard Kaylan of the Turtles said he was a little disappointed in hindsight that this was the followup to their only #1, "Happy Together." He said it sounded a bit too old-timey, as if the Beach Boys would've followed "Good Vibrations" with "Barbara Ann." No matter - it still became their second-biggest single.

"Hit The Road Jack" #1 10/14/1961

Today's tune is a favorite at ballparks when an opposing pitcher is replaced, and at hockey games when an opposing player is sent to the penalty box. From October 1961, it's the second of three pop #1's for the Genius, Ray Charles. The female lead vocal is by Margie Hendricks, one of the Raelettes. It was said the way to become a Raelette was to, ummm, "let Ray." I'll "let" you connect the dots. A stripped down, really cool version.

"Take Good Care Of My Baby" #1 9/23/1961

The second #1 written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King was the only #1 (from the fall of 1961) for Bobby Vee of Fargo, ND. He got his break in February 1959 by being asked to fill in when Buddy Holly and the others tragically didn't make it to their scheduled gig in nearby Moorhead, Minn. - sort of a rock circle of life. The song was first given to Dion after he went solo from the Belmonts but it went nowhere. He had to settle for "Runaround Sue" which reached the top a little later in '61. Bobby passed away in 2016.

"It's Such A Pretty World Today" #1 Country 6/10/1967

The no-frills "Bakersfield Sound" came about when country music performers from that town rebelled against the slick productions coming out of Music City in the 60's. Wynn Stewart, a progenitor of that style, scored a #1 country hit this week in 1967. He was part-owner of a club off the Vegas Strip called Nashville Nevada, and once hired a bass player from Bakersfield for the house band by the name of Merle Haggard. A personal country favorite of mine.

"Long Legged Girl (With The Short Dress On)" #63 6/10/1967

Elvis released a gospel album in 1967, which he loved to sing. After that, however, it was back to the grind of forgettable movies and even more forgettable tunes. He reached his limit with "Double Trouble." The soundtrack songs were recorded not in a studio, but on the soundstage in order to cut costs. Elvis even had to do a fluffy big-band version of "Old Macdonald." Things boiled over when he blew through this song in under 90 seconds, then stormed off in a huff. Even a King has his breaking point.

"Misty Blue" (Eddy Arnold) #57 6/10/1967

Bob Montgomery, the writer of this song, estimated there were over 200 versions released. Sounds like he did OK with all those royalty checks. Wilma Burgess (who did it first) and Eddy Arnold (heard here) both made the country Top Five with it. Dorothy Moore, from Jackson, Miss., took her version to the R&B and pop Top Five in 1976.

"Six O'Clock" #18 6/10/1967

The string of hits began to wind down for the Lovin' Spoonful after this one, about a guy being up all night after doing the Wild Thing earlier with his girl. Their next single made the Top 40 and that was pretty much it for John Sebastian and the band. Pretty good run they had there, with their first seven singles all reaching the Top 10.

"Him Or Me (What's It Gonna Be)" #5 6/10/1967

Paul Revere and the Raiders were kind of like the Rodney Dangerfield of rock and roll. They got no respect from the media. They put out some really rockin' tunes but the critics hated them. Mark Lindsay and Paul Revere would host a short-lived spinoff of "American Bandstand" called "Happening '68." This was their last Top 10 record until 1971 and "Indian Reservation."

"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"

Sorry for the late post - been traveling since 6:00 AM and just got home. This may be the most analyzed track in rock history. It's certainly one of the trippiest songs in the Beatles catalog, though Lennon swore it had no drug overtones. Uhhh, yeah. John (and Ringo, who was there) said this was based on a picture his son Julian brought home from nursery school that he drew for his friend Lucy O'Donnell. The real Lucy passed away in 2009. We're getting into a period of Beatle recordings where it's almost impossible to find the originals online, thanks to the legal eagles. So here's a clean audio version from the Rock Band video game http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4byyne_beatles-rock-band-lucy-in-the-sky-with-diamonds-full-band_videogames and the 1974 Elton John version with the reggae guitars of Dr. Winston O'Boogie (actually Lennon; Winston was Lennon's given middle name). Sir Elton's take might just be the best Beatles cover ever.

"Hip Hug-Her" #37 6/3/1967

The biggest record for Booker T. and the MG's since their debut single, "Green Onions" in 1962. It was said that MG's stood for "Memphis Group" and not the sports car with those initials. Years later it was revealed that the band took their name from producer Chips Moman's car. The other story was concocted to avoid legal issues. As funky as it gets.

"Happy Jack" #24 6/3/1967

By now, the Who had developed a reputation for outrageous stage shows in the UK but were still fairly unknown in America. This single, along with their appearance at the Monterey Pop festival in June 1967, would help alter that perception. Today's video is from an unsold British TV pilot where Roger, Pete, John and Keith were to portray Monkees-type characters. Mirth and wackiness ensued - very MTV-like. The song was speeded up on the clip for some reason. The Who and Jimi Hendrix were impressed (and maybe a little intimidated) by the other's live shows. At Monterey, Jimi may have one-upped the Who's equipment-smashing antics. Dude lit his guitar on fire, man.

"When You're Young And In Love" #23 6/3/1967

One of the last hits for the Marvelettes was a remake of a Van McCoy-written song first done by Ruby and the Romantics ("Our Day Will Come"). The group was clearly struggling by now. There were changes in personnel, and Motown was heavily promoting other female acts. They soldiered on, and would have one more pop hit.

"I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman" #20 6/3/1967

There were some oddball records that became hits in the 60's. Certainly one of the oddest, and a Top 5 UK single, was credited to Whistling Jack Smith, who didn't exist. Some say it was actually Noel Walker, the record's producer. Others claim it was done by British session singer John O'Neill, who also sang the the theme to TV's "Wagon Train." Regardless, the live gigs were lip synched (whistle synched?) by Coby Wells. BTW, a batman (note the lower case) is English slang for a military valet. Much of the song's US popularity was mistakenly attributed to a guy in a cape and tights. Video is from the German "Beat Club" show.

"Creeque Alley" #5 6/3/1967

The sixth Top 5 for the Mamas and the Papas was an autobiographical look at how they got started. The real Creeque Alley (pronounced "creaky") is in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, one of the places the group honed their sound. There's a website, creequealley.com that explains the song much better than I could, line by line. Papa John Phillips told a slightly different version of their island days, though, in a radio interview years ago with Howard Stern. He said somehow American Express sent him, a starving musician, a card with no credit limit. The catch was that the balance had to be paid in full each month. He had no intention of ever making any payments, so the group ran up all their expenses on that card for a few months until they finally landed a record deal. There was a deadline to sign the contract in L.A., yet they only had $200 total between them. Papa John went to the AMEX office for a cash advance (no ATM's!) to get back to the mainland, but the card was immediately revoked. $150 got them as far as San Juan, Puerto Rico, so Papa John took their last $50 to a casino and sat down at the blackjack tables. A couple of hours and $2,000 in winnings later, they were off to L.A. in style. I don't know how true that was, but it's a hell of a story!

"Respect" #1 6/3/1967

One for the ages, and the ultimate feminist anthem. An absolutely iconic song from Aretha Franklin, one she heavily rearranged from the fine original by Otis Redding. Yes, Aretha came up with the arrangement and played piano here. She inserted the term "propers," later shortened to "props" meaning R-E-S-P-E-C-T, which became part of our lexicon. The outrageous sax solo by King Curtis was actually appropriated from a Sam and Dave song in the same key recorded the previous night. It worked. Sockittomesockittomesockittomesockittome...

"Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)" #1 9/9/1961

A folk music revival took place in the early 60's on college campuses. This version of a 19th century work song became a #1 hit for the Highwaymen in September 1961. It was sung by slaves rowing to the mainland from islands off the Georgia coast. When Steve Trott left the band for law school, he was replaced by Gil Robbins, father of actor Tim Robbins. Trott went to Harvard and became Associate Attorney General under Ronald Reagan. This band sued the country supergroup using that name (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson) but dropped the claim when both groups shared a Hollywood concert stage in 1990.

"Wooden Heart" #1 9/2/1961

Elvis did a German folk song, "Muss i denn" on the "G.I. Blues" soundtrack, singing to a puppet in the movie. For that reason RCA wouldn't release it as a single, fearing it would damage the King's image. Joe Dowell took the song to #1 in September of 1961. Ray Stevens played the organ here. According to Songfacts the session was rushed, as on the same day producer Shelby Singleton also recorded Ray's "Ahab The Arab" and Leroy Van Dyke's "Walk On By."

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"/"With A Little Help From My Friends"

The album that ushered in the Summer of Love. It would not be an understatement to say this completely changed the music industry. They were less than five years removed from "Love Me Do" and "yeah yeah yeah" but once again, the Beatles didn't just break the rules, they wrote new ones for everybody else to follow. Released on June 1, 1967 in the UK and the next day in America, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was totally unlike anything else up to that point. At a time when acts were expected to crank out two or three LP's per year, the Fab Four went an unheard-of 10 months between albums. No singles were released from the LP until the 70's. "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were intended for "Pepper" but instead were issued as a stand-alone single. George Martin said in hindsight that omitting those tracks from the finished album was a huge mistake. Part way through, Paul came up with the concept that since they would never perform the songs live, why not develop alter egos (as part of a psuedo-military band complete with pastel uniforms) and use as many musical styles as possible? From there, the idea took on a life of its own. The front and back cover art, printed lyrics, the photographs inside - we take all that for granted now, but those things were groundbreaking in 1967. This was the band's first LP to finally have the same running order in the US and UK. We shall touch on each track over the next few months. The title song segues seamlessly into Ringo's vocal on "With A Little Help From My Friends." No one had ever tied album tracks together without leaving a pause between the grooves. It wasn't a true concept album, but the songs had enough common threads. And they did it all on a four-track console! Our video is from the 2014 50th anniversary tribute to the Beatles' first appearance on Ed Sullivan in 1964 and featured Paul and Ringo, the two surviving members.

"Portrait Of My Love" #36 5/27/1967

The final Top 40 record for the Tokens was first done in 1960 by Matt Monro and became a hit for Steve Lawrence in 1961, the same year "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" reached #1 for these guys. Lead singer Jay Siegel sang backup on Robert John's cover of "Lion" in the early 70's. Jay and several other Tokens formed a band called Cross Country, who had a minor hit in the 70's covering "In The Midnight Hour."