Today in Music History: June 30
Music of the day, any day can mesmerize, energize and synergize. It can be the slowest of songs, the fastest of songs and anything in between. It is you, it is me, it is us. Accompanying the songs are the memories, remembering the best of times, the worst of times and everything in between.
1962 Mike Sarne and Wendy Richard were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Come Outside'. Richard went on to become a famous TV actress.
Songfacts: The novelty song "Come Outside" topped the UK singles chart for Mike Sarne in 1962; written by producer/composer Charles Blackwell, released on Parlophone and backed by "Fountain Of Love", it knocked Elvis off the #1 spot and stayed in the charts for a respectable nineteen weeks. The song is a duet of sorts between Sarne and a then youthful Wendy Richard, who didn't sing but played the would-be girlfriend/conquest who Sarne kept asking her to come outside to see the lovely moon (among other things). Richard's replies including "What for?" were delivered in a broad Cockney accent by the Middlesbrough-born actress who trained at the same academy as Noël Coward.
1973 George Harrison knocked Paul McCartney from the top of the US singles chart with 'Give Me Love, Give Me Peace On Earth'. His second US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK was the opening track on his 1973 album Living in the Material World.
Songfacts: Harrison (from his autobiography I Me Mine): "Sometimes you open your mouth and you don't know what you are going to say, and whatever comes out is the starting point. If that happens and you are lucky, it can usually be turned into a song. This song is a prayer and personal statement between me, the Lord, and whoever likes it."
1973 Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Skweeze Me Pleeze Me', the group's fifth UK No.1 and second single to enter the chart at No.1.
Tidbits of Music Trivia...
1977 Marvel Comics launched a comic book based on the rock group KISS.
Claim: Blood from KISS band members was mixed with the red ink used to print the first KISS comic book. Check this out at snopes.com...fr-e-e-e-eaky!
1978 United Artists released The Buzzcocks single 'Love You More'. At 1 minute 29 seconds, it was the second shortest single ever released. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs 1960 hit 'Stay' was the shortest hit at one minute 28 seconds.
1979 One hit wonder Anita Ward started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Ring My Bell', also a UK No.1.
They say every living person on the planet is here for a reason — and if your reason just happens to be adding your name to that much discussed list of one-hit wonders, then so be it. I just had a look on Wikipedia and have to say their description is a little harsh: "A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success." Well, I can think of worse ways to earn a living.
And like everything in life, some one-hit wonders are better than others. In this modern age, we don’t even notice one-hit wonders; we don’t really pay close attention to the charts anymore. What’s at No.1 this week? Anybody know?
Back to Today in Music History:
1979 Tubeway Army started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Are 'Friends' Electric'. The song by Gary Numan was the first electronic/synthesizer-based record to become a hit in the post-punk era.
1990 New Kids On The Block started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Step By Step'. The group's third US No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK. Their album 'Step By Step' also went to No.1 on the UK album chart today.
2001 Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Lady Marmalade'. A hit for LaBelle in 1975; then it was at No 1 in 1998 for All Saints. This version was from the Baz Luhrmann film Moulin Rouge.
Remembering a Legend...
2001 American guitarist and producer Chet Atkins died in Nashville aged 77. Recorded over 100 albums during his career, produced records for Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves and Waylon Jennings. Was a major influence on George Harrison and Mark Knopfler.
With more than 35 million copies of his 75-plus original releases sold, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chet Atkins was one of the most successful guitarists in history; as a country music producer, he was largely responsible for the pop-oriented "Nashville Sound" of the '60s. Read MORE...
And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...
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