JUKE BOX TOP 10 CONTENT -  JULY 2011

  (1) 1951 US CHARTS (2) 56 US CHARTS (3) 1961 US CHART

1. NAG- THE HALOS (3)

One of the many great group records on the US Top 100 50 years ago this month. The bass singer is vocal group veteran Arthur Crier, and the group backed Barry Mann and Curtis Lee on their doo-wop slanted hits.

2. RUNAROUND – THE REGENTS (3)

The group’s follow up to the original version of ‘Barbara Ann’ is every bit as good.

3. I’LL BE THERE – DAMITA JO (3)

The ex Steve Gibson & the Red Caps vocalist reached the US Top 20 with this answer record to ‘Stand By Me’.

4. HILLBILLY HEAVEN – TEX RITTER (3)

A Top 20 pop hit for Tex 50 years ago. If you don’t know the song, give it a good listen.

5. & 6. HEART & SOUL – THE CLEFTONES / JAN & DEAN (3)

Two successful (but quite different) 1961 doo wop revivals of the old standard.

7. DEDICATED TO THE SONGS I LOVE – THE 3 FRIENDS (3)

Great novelty hit from 1961 which included the names of countless hits of the time.

8. & 9. LOVERS ISLAND/SO LONG TO LOVER’S ISLAND – LEON PEEL & THE BLUEJAYS (3)

One of the classiest doo wop hits of 1961 followed by their similar later recording (for fellow lovers of the

That’s-almost-identical school of music).

10. THE FOOL – THE GALLAHADS (2)

Our first visit to 1956 gives us the little heard hit vocal group cover of Sanford Clark’s classic debut smash.

11. I WILL WAIT – FOUR BUDDIES (1)

From 1951 comes this groundbreaking pre doo-wop vocal outfit’s Top 10 R&B hit.

12. THAT’S WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF – THE SPINNERS (3)

The first hit from the Motown act was a standout mix of modern R&B sounds and doo-wop.

13. THE OLD PHILOSOPHER – EDDIE LAWRENCE (2)

For any of you who, like me, saw this record listed on charts in 1956 and wondered what it was – wonder no more.           

APOLOGIES TO LISTENERS WHO AREN’T KEEN ON ’61 MUSIC OR DOO-WOP – MORE OF THE REST NEXT TIME I PROMISE!