FlinterFile: Acker Bilk- Stranger On The Shore

In 1961, Bernard Stanley Bilk (as this man really was called, ‘acker’ is the same as ‘friend’) released an instrumental clarinet song. A few years before, he had founded the Paramount Jazz Band.

FlinterFile: Ray Charles- Hit The Road Jack!

In 1961, Percy Mayfield wrote one of his hits. He was a singer, but after a car accident, he was disfigured and focused on writing songs.

FlinterFile: Eddie Hodges- I’m Gonna Knock On Your Door

In 1961, Eddie Hodges recorded his only hit. The song was written by Aaron Schroeder and Sid Wayne, who had written it for the Isley Brothers.

Song of the day: Dion- The Wanderer

In 1961, Ernie Maresca wrote the song The Wanderer. The song is about a man who is travelling and thinking about his (many) loves. Ernie had written with Dion for his earlier number 1 hit, Runaround Sue, but actually thought of giving this song to Nino and the Ebbtides. They wanted another song, so Ernie gave it to Dion as a b-side of The Majestic. The DJ’s flipped the single and played this more, making it a number 2 hit in the US, number 10 in the UK and number 1 in Australia. Enjoy

Dion- The Wanderer

Song of the day: Ben E. King- Stand By Me

This song was written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and released in 1961 by Ben E. King. The song was inspired by the religious Lord Stand By Me. Ben E. King actually wrote it for the Drifters, who never recorded it. Ben E. King recorded the song after Spanish Harlem, and a hit was born. A number 1 in the US and a number 27 in the UK, which would also become number 1 after the re-release due to a commercial. Enjoy

Ben E. King- Stand By Me

Song of the day: Barry Mann- Who Put The Bomp

In 1961, Barry Mann and Gerry Goffin, who also wrote The Loco-Motion, wrote the song ‘Who Put The Bomp’. The song was about the nonsense of the Doo-Wop lyrics and the girlfriend of Barry, who fell in love with him after hearing several of these songs. The song perfectly fits the idea of the doo-wop songs, and became a classic among those. In the US, it would be a hit, reaching number 7 as the highest. The UK only knows the cover version, which charted at number 21 there. Enjoy

Barry Mann- Who Put The Bomp

Song of the day: Del Shannon- Runaway

A mix between pop and rock n roll was recorded in 1961, as the only big hit for Del Shannon. His first recording session with Maximilian was a big failure, but the manager said they should try playing one of their older songs: Little Runaway. It was recorded, re-arranged with more instruments and released: the song made it to number one in both the UK and the US! Del Shannon then disappeared, though he made lots of other good songs. Enjoy

Del Shannon- Runaway

Song of the day: Bobby Lewis- Tossin’ And Turnin’

Let’s move on in the history: 1961! Since the Top 40 (Netherlands) exists since 1965, I took a look at the end of the year chart from Billboard. On number one was the Song of the day. And it truly is a great song! (Yes, with a saxophone 🙂 ) Oh, and the video features the complete song, including the prelude. Enjoy

Bobby Lewis- Tossin’ And Turnin’