"My Little Red Book" #52 6/25/1966

We give you a very different version of a Burt Bacharach/Hal David song from "What's New, Pussycat?" by the L.A. group Love. They were a rarity - a integrated hard-rockin' outfit fronted by Arthur Lee, a very charismatic lead singer and certainly not a token brother. They only had one Top 40 single (the followup to this) but were quite influential in the Southern California music scene. Arthur did several years in prison for firearms violations and passed away in 2006.

Love - My Little Red Book

"Crying" (Jay and the Americans) #25 6/25/1966

Originally a huge record for Roy Orbison in 1961, this was also a Top 5 for Don McLean in 1981. Great songs always rise to the top. It would be the last Top 40 entry until 1969 for Jay and the Americans until their remake of the Drifters' "This Magic Moment." In the late 60's these guys used Walter Becker and Donald Fagen as session musicians before they achieved fame as Steely Dan. You gotta start someplace.

Jay and the Americans - Crying

"Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)" #13 6/25/1966

The 17th single released under the Four Seasons name - hence the song title. This tied with "Mack The Knife" for the most key changes (five) within a hit record in the rock era. The video is from "Where The Action Is" and introduced by Dick Clark, and it appears to be filmed across the Hudson from Manhattan. Can't go wrong with any record from the original Jersey Boys.

Four Seasons - Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)

"Oh How Happy" #12 6/25/1966

The Shades of Blue took this partly finished song written by Motown's Edwin Starr, fleshed it out, and became a one-hit wonder. But as happened so many times, these kids from the Detroit suburbs didn't know the ways of the music business, and didn't know about songwriting credits and royalties. Thus, they were hosed, and the group soon broke up.  I was happy on this date in 1966 - "Dark Shadows" premiered on ABC. A low-budget soap opera that was cheesy, cheap, and full of stupid plot lines...and we loved it.

Shades of Blue - Oh How Happy

"Sweet Talkin' Guy" #10 6/25/1966

One of the last vestiges of the pre-Beatles girl group sound, and a final Top 10 hit for the Chiffons. These ladies from the Bronx helped define that genre from the early 60's. The Gerry Goffin-Carole King written "One Fine Day" from '63 was a great example, but the vocal arrangement here is simply outstanding. It's just an excellent pop record. Nothing wrong with that.

Chiffons - Sweet Talkin' Guy

"Paperback Writer" #1 6/25/1966

From the "Revolver" sessions came a stand-alone single, the 13th #1 in America for the Beatles in just over two years. Paul played lead guitar, which he did more frequently as they retreated farther into the studio. The previous day, they started what turned out to be their final world concert tour with three shows in Germany - Münich, Essen, and where it all began for them in Hamburg. We'll have a few posts about that tour coming up, since it was a watershed moment in 60's music. Yes, they're singing "Freré Jacques" in the background.

Beatles - Paperback Writer

"River Deep-Mountain High" #88 6/18/1966

Phil Spector thought not only was this the greatest record he'd ever produced, but the greatest record in the history of music. It did reach the Top 5 in Britain, but completely tanked in America, so much that he became a recluse for years. This was billed as an Ike and Tina Turner single, but Phil paid Ike $20,000 to stay away. The record cost an unheard-of sum of $22,000, eclipsed later in the year by "Good Vibrations." Spector made Tina sing it over and over in the studio, making her sweat until she finished the session in her bra! The combo of the Supremes and Four Tops had a much bigger hit in the 70's with it.

Ike and Tina Turner - River Deep-Mountain High