I heard it last night on the radio for the first time in ages!

Five tracks by a true sixties legend:-

Otis Redding - Pain in My Heart (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158fwCG27zE

Otis Redding - Mr. Pitiful (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT_PdnGRukw

Otis Redding - I Can't Turn You Loose (1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOXq_vLCjco

Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvw-pA8JhVI

Otis Redding - Hard To Handle (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZxN9iQM7OY

Nice one, my favourite soul singer, bar-none.

Otis Blue is an absolute masterpiece. I'd rate 'Ole Man Trouble' as probably my personal pick.

I haven't heard much from the '60s at all but here's something that should definitely be appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu65i...ure=plpp_video

Enjoy.

Haven't had enough hit novelty songs; all of these are early 60's except for the 1st which is from 1959 but I had to include it for the title alone!

Lonnie Donegan - Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight)

Charlie Drake - My Boomerang Won't Come Back

Anthony Newley - Pop Goes The Weasel

Bernard Cribbins - Gossip Calypso

Ronnie Hilton - Don't Let The Rain Come Down

Here are my favourite Number One singles in the USA during the year 1961 (in order of preference):-

1. Ray Charles - Hit The Road Jack
Already submitted to the thread by mushymanrob on 12th October 2011 (Page 4)

2. The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Already submitted to the thread by mushymanrob on 12th October 2011 (Page 4)

3. Gary U.S. Bonds - Quarter To Three
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 24th November 2011 (Page 8).

4. The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Terrific track that is imho vastly superior to the version by Tight Fit which topped the UK chart in 1982.

5. Dion - Runaround Sue
After listening to Runaround Sue, go back to my post dated 30th November 2011 on Page 9 of the thread and listen to Dion’s other classic early sixties hit, The Wanderer, then compare the lyrics of both songs and see just what a hypocrite the singer is!

6. Chubby Checker - Pony Time
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 24th November 2011 (Page 8).

7. Del Shannon - Runaway
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 26th September 2011 (Page 1).

8. Roy Orbison - Running Scared
Roy’s wife, Barbara, died last Tuesday (6th December) on the 23rd anniversary of Roy’s death. RIP Roy and Barbara.

9. Bobby Lewis - Tossin' and Turnin'
This is a good track, but I’m a little baffled as to why it was one of the biggest selling singles of the entire decade in the USA. I’m also a little baffled as to why it was completely ignored in the UK.

10. Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John
Yet another of those Country songs that tell a darn good story.


And here’s the full list of Number One singles in the USA during that year (in chronological order):-

Bert Kaempfert - Wonderland By Night (9 January 1961 - 3 weeks at no. 1)

The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow (30 January 1961 - 2 weeks)

Lawrence Welk - Calcutta (13 February 1961 - 2 weeks)

Chubby Checker - Pony Time (27 February 1961 - 3 weeks)

Elvis Presley - Surrender (20 March 1961 - 2 weeks)

The Marcels - Blue Moon (3 April 1961 - 3 weeks)

Del Shannon - Runaway (24 April 1961 - 4 weeks)

Ernie K-Doe - Mother-in-Law (22 May1961 - 1 week)

Ricky Nelson - Travelin' Man (29 May1961 - 1 week)

Roy Orbison - Running Scared (5 June 1961 - 1 week)

Ricky Nelson - Travelin' Man (12 June 1961 - 1 week)

Pat Boone - Moody River (19 June 1961 - 1 week)

Gary U.S. Bonds - Quarter To Three (26 June 1961 - 2 weeks)

Bobby Lewis - Tossin' and Turnin' (10 July 1961 - 7 weeks)

Joe Dowell - Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn) (28 August1961 - 1 week)

The Highwaymen - Michael (4 September 1961 - 2 weeks)

Bobby Vee - Take Good Care of My Baby (18 September 1961 - 3 weeks)

Ray Charles - Hit The Road Jack (9 October 1961 - 2 weeks)

Dion - Runaround Sue (23 October 1961 - 2 weeks)

Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John (6 November 1961 - 5 weeks)

The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman (11 December 1961 - 1 week)

The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (18 December 1961 - 3 weeks)

Another wonderful live TV performance: Born free 1967 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sg9j...&feature=g-all

And a reminder of one of the classic films of the decade.

watching this now...........terrific !

thanks for posting...........

I'm mostly a fan of current music but my stepdad's love of the Rat Pack seems to have rubbed off on me, plus I'm a fan of some soul music so both factors eventually led me to searching out the Rat Pack for itself. Personally I think Dean and Sammy are better than Frank, but even then Frank is still great. Favourite has to be Sammy though, great voice, great dancing, and for want of a better word, I guess he was 'edgier', or more interesting at least, than the other two. Dean cracks me up though: "I've had a very special request but I'm gonna sing anyhow."

I watched it last night... Great find....

We need a thumbs up smiley here!

Just to add this clip from 1963...

The Ugly Bug Ball http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW2_xXMelR8

And a bit of artistic licence here as it's a much older song, but was played many times through the 60's and re released by several people.. Burl Ives - Grandfather's Clock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4NKlOx9eZQ

In fact, you just have to see this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyJzz...eature=related

As the Amy WInehouse version is getting a lot of airplay at the minute I thought I'd give this an outing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--8Ju1jb8Bw
Our Day will Come - Ruby and the Romantics

I have for personal reasons on a few occasions in the last couple of weeks listened to Fifth Dimension with Aquarius. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06X5HYynP5E

Love this one. Cracking track!



Nice song. I like Amy's version too.



Tremendous! "Aquarius" and "Let The Sun Shine In" seem an odd pairing for a medley, but it works so well, and the Fifth Dimension perform this medley brilliantly. Such a shame the musical "Hair" has dated so badly, it has some fantastic songs in it.

This had given me an idea. How about some other cover version of songs from the musical "Hair"?


Let's start with the Cowsills, a group that had zero success in this country, despite recording some very good singles. Here they are doing a great job with the title song:-

The Cowsills - Hair (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFy-yzj02FE


This medley of two songs from "Hair" was Nina Simone's biggest ever British hit single, it peaked at No. 2 on the chart:-

Nina Simone - Ain't Got No / I Got Life (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDFiCLNhM8k


From a very big hit single in this country to a single that failed to chart over here, although it was a top five hit in America. Here are Three Dog Night with (imo) a tremendous version of one of the best songs from "Hair":-

Three Dog Night - Easy To Be Hard (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeXcaRYNlSQ


Let's finish this selection of cover versions of songs from the musical "Hair" with one of my favourite ever one-hit wonders:-

Oliver - Good Morning Starshine (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw3oxJvSRj0

60's hits that were successfully revived through covers in future decades is the subject of this post.

First up, a guilty favourite from the 70's disco era. As the original was by Spanish beat group Los Bravos, it seems appropriate the cover would be from neighbouring France. Both the original and the cover by Belle Epoque were hits across Europe.

Los Bravos - Black is Black (La Belle Epoque)

Next a song some may consider a Phil Collins original. Nothing against the man but I prefer the '66 hit by The Mindbenders.

Mindbenders - Groovy Kind of Love (Phil Collins)

Into the 90's with a Sonny and Cher classic that was covered by dance group All Seeing I.

Sonny and Cher - Beat Goes On (All Seeing I)

Next a cover of a cover, the Royksopp single used in that Vodafone ad actually took its sample from an obscure Swedish cover released the same year as the Bobby Vinton hit by Gals and Pals

Bobby Vinton - Blue on Blue (Royksopp)

Lastly, originally a hit for Cher in 1966 then swiftly covered by Nancy Sinatra the same year, her version only really came to the fore when it was used in the Kill Bill soundtrack then sampled by Audio Bullys in their 2005 UK top ten hit.

Nancy Sinatra - Bang Bang (Audio Bullys)

i didnt even know nancy sinatra had covered 'bang bang' until audio bullys covered it.... much prefer cher's 'gypsy' production...

Some Christmas songs

Little Saint Nick - Beach Boys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSynDh_K0EE

Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means To Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPJjl...eature=related

So many to choose from the Spector Christmas album , so will just pick three .

Darlene Love - Winter Wonderland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAC3j...eature=related

The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXlsW...eature=related

The Crystals - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7wD2...eature=related

From one legendary sixties soul singer who died too young to another legendary sixties soul singer who died too young.

Half a dozen tracks by the great Sam Cooke.


Let's start with his biggest ever hit single in this country. This track got to no. 2 in the charts, but only when re-released in 1986. It peaked at a disappointing no. 27 when first released:-

Sam Cooke - Wonderful World (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNO72aCnVr0


Next, his first ever British top ten hit:-

Sam Cooke - Chain Gang (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-K0ZnFl0q4


Johnny Nash's cover of the next song was a top ten hit single in 1969 and the Detroit Spinners topped the charts with it in 1980, but Sam's original is the only version for me:-

Sam Cooke - Cupid (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48yOkcQWe0


The brilliant "Twisting The Night Away" has already appeared on the thread, so here's the almost as good, but not quite so successful, follow up single:-

Sam Cooke - Having A Party (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-5zlj49ugk


Here's the original version of a song that was a big hit for the Animals three years later. As much as I love the Animals' version, imo it's not a patch on Sam's version:-

Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home To Me (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAQE-tHjPAc


Finally, arguably the greatest track ever recorded by Sam Cooke (and arguably one of the greatest tracks ever recorded by anyone):-

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaNzxniXxYE

You missed out my favourite !

The Ronettes - I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIw0GvucbXM

Excellent!

Massive fan of Sam Cooke.

I had a Sam Cookeathon on Sunday afternoon!

A lady with great taste!

Here are my favourite Number One singles in the USA during the year 1962 (in order of preference):-

1. Gene Chandler - Duke Of Earl
I love Doo-Wop music, and although it’s usually associated with the 1950’s, a lot of great Doo-Wop tracks were still being recorded in the early sixties. This is the original version of a song that was a big UK hit for the Darts in the late seventies.

2. The Tornados - Telstar
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 28th September 2011 (Page 2).

3. Tommy Roe - Sheila (1962)
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 2nd November 2011 (Page 6).

4. Mr. Acker Bilk - Stranger On The Shore
Already submitted to the thread by JohnnyForget on 25th November 2011 (Page 9).

5. Chubby Checker - The Twist
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 24th November 2011 (Page 8).

6. Little Eva - The Locomotion
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 24th November 2011 (Page 8).

7. The Crystals - He's a Rebel
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 2nd November 2011 (Page 7).

8. Bruce Channel - Hey! Baby
If you’re only familiar with the abomination that is DJ Otzi’s 2001 chart-topping cover version, then the original version will come as a revelation. It is anything but an abomination; in fact it’s quite superb. The harmonica break on this track inspired John Lennon's playing on The Beatles' first single, Love Me Do.

9. Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers - Monster Mash
One of the all time great novelty songs. Wonderful stuff!

10. Joey Dee and the Starliters - Peppermint Twist
Already submitted to the thread by Vabosity on 24th November 2011 (Page 8).

11. The Shirelles - Soldier Boy
Their second and final Number One single in the USA. Good track.

12. Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
A lot of his stuff, both from the sixties and seventies, is not really my cup of tea, but I’m rather fond of this track and I can’t deny that this man is a hugely talented artist.



And here’s the full list of Number One singles in the USA during that year (in chronological order):-

Chubby Checker - The Twist (13 January 1962 - 2 weeks at no. 1)

Joey Dee and the Starliters - Peppermint Twist (27 January 1962 - 3 weeks)

Gene Chandler - Duke Of Earl (17 February 1962 - 3 weeks)

Bruce Channel - Hey! Baby (10 March 1962 - 3 weeks)

Connie Francis - Don't Break the Heart That Loves You (31 March 1962 - 1 week)

Shelley Fabares - Johnny Angel (7 April 1962 - 2 weeks)

Elvis Presley - Good Luck Charm (21 April 1962 - 2 weeks)

The Shirelles - Soldier Boy (5 May 1962 - 3 weeks)

Mr. Acker Bilk - Stranger On The Shore (26 May 1962 - 1 week)

Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You (2 June 1962 - 5 weeks)

David Rose - The Stripper (7 July 1962 - 1 week)

Bobby Vinton - Roses Are Red My Love (14 July 1962 - 4 weeks)

Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (11 August 1962 - 2 weeks)

Little Eva - The Locomotion (25 August 1962 - 1 week)

Tommy Roe - Sheila (1 September 1962 - 2 weeks)

The Four Seasons - Sherry (16 September 1962 - 5 weeks)

Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers - Monster Mash (20 October 1962 - 2 weeks)

The Crystals - He's a Rebel (3 November 1962 - 2 weeks)

The Four Seasons - Big Girls Don't Cry (17 November 1962 - 5 weeks)

The Tornados - Telstar (22 December 1962 - 3 weeks)

The thread's now reached 10,000 views, guys!