“Smell Of Incense” #56 10/26/1968

The band Southwest F.O.B. started out at Samuell High School in the Pleasant Grove section of Dallas, and soon became a local opening act for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Three Dog Night. But they never came close to a hit again. Two members were monstrously successful in the 70’s - we knew them as England Dan (Seals) and John Ford Coley.

“Naturally Stoned” #40 10/26/1968

This barely qualifies as a one-hit wonder, reaching #40 for a Nashville duo named the Avant-Garde, consisting of Bubba Fowler...and Chuck Woolery. Yeah, THAT Chuck Woolery, as in the original host of “Wheel Of Fortune,” “Love Connection” etc. Gotta start somewhere. Produced by Billy Sherrill, the guy behind the glass for so many country hits by the likes of Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Charlie Rich, and most of Music City back then. We’ll be back in two and two...

“Baby Come Back” #32 10/26/1968

As the 60’s rolled on, integrated rock groups became more prevalent. Here’s one from the Equals that was a British #1 but their only US chart record. They were all badly injured in a 1969 car accident in Germany. Front man Eddy Grant eventually left as a result, moving back to Guyana and resurfacing in the 80’s as a solo act with “Electric Avenue.” This one’s an absolute favorite of mine.

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” #30 10/26/1968

Thank goodness for lengthy songs on classic rock radio. The album version by Iron Butterfly ran 17+ minutes, and was the ultimate “in case of fire” bathroom break record. The DJ prayed it didn’t skip! The single edited out all the solos, including the nearly three minute drum solo. Organist Doug Ingle wrote the song while drinking a gallon (!) of wine. Drummer Ron Bushy was transcribing the words but Ingle slurred the title “In The Garden Of Eden,” badly mangling it; they left that in. Erik Brann was 17 and played guitar for only three months when this was recorded. It was part of a Simpsons episode where Bart snuck the sheet music into church. A true one-hit wonder, though the LP stayed on the charts for almost three years.

“Shape Of Things To Come” #22 10/26/1968

From a movie shot in 15 days titled “Wild In The Streets.” The film’s plot was that anyone over the age of 25 couldn’t be trusted and were declared non-members of society to be re-educated; it even advocated a voting age of 14. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote this tune performed by the fictional band Max Frost and the Troopers, whose drummer was played on screen by a very young Richard Pryor.

“Over You” #7 10/26/1968

The fourth straight gold single and Top 10 for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. It was also their last hit written and produced by Jerry Fuller. They “wanted to do their own thing.” Worked well for the Monkees, right? The last straw was when Fuller hired a 40-piece orchestra to back the band on a new tune, but the group hated the song and skipped the session. Video has Portuguese subtitles - don’t ask.

“Little Green Apples” (O.C. Smith) #2 10/26/1968

A well-written song will easily cross over to various genres. Bobby Russell wrote this and “Honey” so 1968 was very good for him. This slice-of-life was done earlier in the year by Roger Miller becoming a Top 10 country hit. O.C. Smith’s version made the Top 5 on the pop, R&B and easy listening charts. Smith never had another big hit; he became a minister in Los Angeles until he died in 2001.