On this date fifty years ago, the number one song was a one-time duet by Dionne Warwicke, who had a string of hits in the 1960’s, most of which were written by Burt Bacharach and soul group Spinners from Detroit, who struggled in the 1960’s but had commercial fame in the 70’s when they teamed up with producer Thom Bell from Philadelphia. It would be the first number one record for the lady and the group. Stevie Wonder edges closer to the top as “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” is at #2. Bachman-Turner Overdrive makes the biggest jump to #3 since Wings flew from #21 to #3 in 1973 with “Live And Let Die”. In one blast, BTO have their highest charting hit and first Top Ten record. Lynyrd Skynyrd from Florida put Alabama in the Top Ten with their first charting record now at #8. Setting a record that probably nobody wants, Billy Preston takes the farthest drop from #1 all the way down to #15 with “Nothing From Nothing”. Could it happen again? Sooner than you think! As Spinners sit at #1, their follow-up is already in the Top 40 as “Love Don’t Love Nobody Part 1” leaps to #31. It’s their eleventh Top 40 hit and eighth in a row. In all of the 1960’s, the group only had two Top 40 records. It’s seconds for (Art) Garfunkel as he now has the second highest solo song of his career as “Second Avenue” reaches #34. Only “All I Know” has charted higher, peaking at #9. Two newcomers, Hudson Brothers and Billy Swan take their first Hot 100 listings into the Top 40. Hues Corporation make it two Top 40 records in a row as they rock again, this time with “Rockin’ Soul” rockin’ up to #37. Marvin Gaye’s first Top 40 hit was “Hitch Hike”. It thumbed its way up to #30 in 1963. His biggest hit was “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” which spent seven weeks at #1. This week the live version of “Distant Lover” is his 37th Top 40 charter at #38. Consistent hit makers Chicago, hit the Top 40 for the fifteenth time with the moody “Wishing You Were Here” making a nice move to #39. Like Hudson Brothers and Billy Swan, Gino Vannelli who is from Montreal, Canada, makes the Top 40 for the first time with his first record, “People Gotta Move” at #40. Al Wilson takes the lead as his version of “La La Peace Song” leap frogs over O.C. Smith. Wilson is now at #60. Smith is struggling at #66. Having the highest debut on the Hot 100, blues singer Benjamin William Lattimore, going by the name Latimore, comes on at #82 with “Let’s Straighten It Out”. It’s remake time for Elvis as he takes his raucous style of “Promised Land” onto the chart at #86. The original, sung by the writer Chuck Berry, was released in 1964 and made it up to #41. Andy Kim is back and going for two number one records in a row with “Fire Baby, I’m On Fire” burning on at #87. Since the success of “Keep On Smilin’”, which made the Top Ten by Wet Willie, Capricorn Records has rereleased “Country Side Of Life”. It debuts at #88 this week. Following their biggest hit in years with “Dancing Machine”, Jackson 5 score another Hot 100 record with “Whatever You Got, I Want” at #89. Edgar Winter’s “River’s Risin’” only made it to #33. This week his group tries for a higher listing as “Easy Street” makes the chart at #90. And The Dells, who formed in 1953 and have been charting records on the R&B chart since 1957 and the Hot 100 since 1962, are back again with “Bring Back The Love Of Yesterday” debuting at #94. Next week…another “Nothing” is really something. A couple of acts are back in the Top Ten after years of releases. And another song ties a record…which isn’t a good thing. The number one album this week was “Can’t Get Enough” by Barry White. Rest In Peace Jack Jones…a great crooner from the 1960’s whose voice took “The Love Boat” sailing every week. Sail on, Brother!
Nice to see and listen to on a Saturday afternoon, Johnny! Well done!
Thanks for the kind words!
On this date fifty years ago, the number one song was a one-time duet by Dionne Warwicke, who had a string of hits in the 1960’s, most of which were written by Burt Bacharach and soul group Spinners from Detroit, who struggled in the 1960’s but had commercial fame in the 70’s when they teamed up with producer Thom Bell from Philadelphia. It would be the first number one record for the lady and the group. Stevie Wonder edges closer to the top as “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” is at #2. Bachman-Turner Overdrive makes the biggest jump to #3 since Wings flew from #21 to #3 in 1973 with “Live And Let Die”. In one blast, BTO have their highest charting hit and first Top Ten record. Lynyrd Skynyrd from Florida put Alabama in the Top Ten with their first charting record now at #8. Setting a record that probably nobody wants, Billy Preston takes the farthest drop from #1 all the way down to #15 with “Nothing From Nothing”. Could it happen again? Sooner than you think! As Spinners sit at #1, their follow-up is already in the Top 40 as “Love Don’t Love Nobody Part 1” leaps to #31. It’s their eleventh Top 40 hit and eighth in a row. In all of the 1960’s, the group only had two Top 40 records. It’s seconds for (Art) Garfunkel as he now has the second highest solo song of his career as “Second Avenue” reaches #34. Only “All I Know” has charted higher, peaking at #9. Two newcomers, Hudson Brothers and Billy Swan take their first Hot 100 listings into the Top 40. Hues Corporation make it two Top 40 records in a row as they rock again, this time with “Rockin’ Soul” rockin’ up to #37. Marvin Gaye’s first Top 40 hit was “Hitch Hike”. It thumbed its way up to #30 in 1963. His biggest hit was “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” which spent seven weeks at #1. This week the live version of “Distant Lover” is his 37th Top 40 charter at #38. Consistent hit makers Chicago, hit the Top 40 for the fifteenth time with the moody “Wishing You Were Here” making a nice move to #39. Like Hudson Brothers and Billy Swan, Gino Vannelli who is from Montreal, Canada, makes the Top 40 for the first time with his first record, “People Gotta Move” at #40. Al Wilson takes the lead as his version of “La La Peace Song” leap frogs over O.C. Smith. Wilson is now at #60. Smith is struggling at #66. Having the highest debut on the Hot 100, blues singer Benjamin William Lattimore, going by the name Latimore, comes on at #82 with “Let’s Straighten It Out”. It’s remake time for Elvis as he takes his raucous style of “Promised Land” onto the chart at #86. The original, sung by the writer Chuck Berry, was released in 1964 and made it up to #41. Andy Kim is back and going for two number one records in a row with “Fire Baby, I’m On Fire” burning on at #87. Since the success of “Keep On Smilin’”, which made the Top Ten by Wet Willie, Capricorn Records has rereleased “Country Side Of Life”. It debuts at #88 this week. Following their biggest hit in years with “Dancing Machine”, Jackson 5 score another Hot 100 record with “Whatever You Got, I Want” at #89. Edgar Winter’s “River’s Risin’” only made it to #33. This week his group tries for a higher listing as “Easy Street” makes the chart at #90. And The Dells, who formed in 1953 and have been charting records on the R&B chart since 1957 and the Hot 100 since 1962, are back again with “Bring Back The Love Of Yesterday” debuting at #94. Next week…another “Nothing” is really something. A couple of acts are back in the Top Ten after years of releases. And another song ties a record…which isn’t a good thing. The number one album this week was “Can’t Get Enough” by Barry White. Rest In Peace Jack Jones…a great crooner from the 1960’s whose voice took “The Love Boat” sailing every week. Sail on, Brother!
Thank you!
🎼I should be over it now, I know. It doesn’t matter much how old I grow. I hate to see October go🎶 Lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Sung by Barry Manilow.