Blog Archives
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. Read the rest of this entry
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. Read the rest of this entry
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. Read the rest of this entry
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: 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’