”Lay, Lady, Lay” (Bob Dylan) #7 9/6/1969

A few weeks back we featured the Byrds version of this Bob Dylan song. Dylan hadn’t had a major hit in the three years since his near-fatal motorcycle accident. His voice sounded very different on this. He attributed that to quitting smoking, but some claim the vocals were sped up. Charlie Daniels (yeah, him) played guitar here.

“Get Together” (1969 reissue) #5 9/6/1969

Some songs have a convoluted history before becoming a hit, and this one is right up there. It was written by Dino Valenti (a.k.a. Chet Powers) in 1963 and done by everyone from the Kingston Trio to We Five to Jefferson Airplane. Early on, Powers had to sell his publishing rights so he could pay a lawyer to fight drug charges. The Youngbloods recorded it in 1967 but the single stalled at #62. Fast forward to 1969, when their version was used in a PSA for the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The 45 was re-released and became a huge Top 5 record.

“Can’t Find My Way Home” Album cut

Supergroups became a thing in the late 60’s. Some were quite successful; others, like Blind Faith, barely kept it together before splitting up. With only one LP, they suffered from a lack of material to perform as headliners at their concerts. This track still became an album rock radio standard. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood have done a number of reunion shows since then.

“Living In The U.S.A.” (Wilmer and the Dukes) #114 8/30/1969

It was said that Wilmer and the Dukes, regional stars in western New York, were the inspiration for the fictional “Animal House” band Otis Day and the Knights. They got some radio airplay with this remake of a Steve Miller tune, but never broke through on a national level. They still had a dedicated following. TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!

“I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am” (Dean Martin) #75 8/30/1969

The last Hot 100 entry from Dean Martin was a country Top 5 hit the previous year for Merle Haggard. Dino gravitated into recording more country-sounding material over the next few years. He appeared in the “Cannonball Run” movies with an all-star cast. At various times his son-in-law was Beach Boy Carl Wilson and his daughters-in-law were Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill and actress Olivia Hussey.

“Simple Song Of Freedom” #50 8/30/1969

Folkie Tim Hardin wrote some great songs, like “If I Were A Carpenter” and Rod Stewart’s “Reason To Believe.” But this, his highest charting single, was written and first done by Bobby Darin. Hardin had some issues with stage fright (yet he played Woodstock!) and heroin, which finally got the better of him when he OD’d in 1980.

“Your Husband, My Wife” #46 8/30/1969

The final Top 50 record from Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge. Johnny started out as the front man of the Crests with such hits as “Sixteen Candles,” “Step By Step,” “The Angels Listened In” and “Trouble In Paradise.” The Bridge was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.