1962 was a music year music like 1961 before it and 1963 after it- a year dominated by vocal groups, particularly girl groups, singing songs written by professional songwriters, many of whom worked out of the famousBrillBuildinginNew York City.  Many of these songwriters never became music stars in their own right and their names are mostly only familiar to true music geeks- like a pro football fan who can name every member of an offensive line.  Some of these names include Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller,  Shadow Morton, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry, Phil Spector (a more household name for sure) & Doc Pomus & Mort Schuman.  Carole King & Gerry Goffin along with Barry Mann & Cynthia Weill were two other huge names in theBrillBuilding.  Barry Mann did manage to make a few hit records and Carole King went on to become one of the defining stars of the early 70’s singer-songwriter movement.  Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Laura Nyro, Neil Sedaka, Marvin Hamlisch & Andy Kim were otherBrillBuildingsongwriters who achieved varying degrees of success as musicians as well.  As you can see there was more than a fair share of talent locked up in that building churning out hits, and those songwriters are responsible for an immense amount of classic tracks that still are enjoyed today.  But most actual recording artists of the time had very little say over their own material.  The record company machine signed the acts, told them what to play and how to look and in most cases used their own paid for hire musicians to play the music.  The post Buddy Holly/Elvis in the Army/Pre-Beatles/Bob Dylan era is often maligned or at least overlooked by many music historians.  While it was before the album era began so it’s tough to find too many great full length albums, there are still countless amounts of great songs in the early 60’s.  And while ’60 and ’61 were both better than expected to my ears when I revisited them, 1962 is even better.

 

Phil Spector really started to dominate in ’62.  He charted 4 classic tracks by theCrystalsas well as several more minor hits by Bobb B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans & the Cookies.  He would go on to achieve even more success in the ensuing years but ’62 was really the start of something big for him.  Other non Spector groups like the Shirelles, who had hit it big with their most enduring hit “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” the previous year, had three more big ones in ’62 with “Baby It’s You”, “Stop the Music” and the #1 “Soldier Boy”.  Carole King wrote two huge tracks for her baby sitter, known as Little Eva with “The Locomotion” and “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby”.  The Locomotion started off a dance craze called by the same name, common in the early 60’s.  Some other examples being Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” and “Pony Time”  (the dance was known as “The Pony”) & Dee Dee Sharp’s “Mashed Potato Time” (the Mashed Potato).  Motown girl group the Marvelettes had a slew of hits in ’62 as well after hitting #1 with “Please Mr. Postman” in 1961.  Though they didn’t have any big hits yet in 1962, Motown’s future star group the Supremes debuted their charming “Meet the Supremes” album.  The Motown label as a whole was increasing their share of the market place little by little.  By 1964 they would start to completely dominate.  Marvin Gaye had his first hit with “Stubborn Kind of Fellow”, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles hit big with “You Really Got a Hold On Me” & Mary Wells, the face of the label back then had three more hits herself.  The Contours also had their biggest hit in ’62 as well with “Do You Love Me”, unfortunately famous with our generation because of the movie “Dirty Dancing”.

 

Most of the biggest stars of the 50’s were gone or less relevant by ’62.  Buddy Holly died in a plane crash, Chuck Berry was in jail, Little Richard gave up pop music for the church and Elvis, while still releasing catchy stuff in ’62 like “Return to Sender”, mostly sounded a bit neutered compared to his wild 50’s stuff.  The Everly Brothers were releasing the last of their long line of hits.  But there were plenty of other great artists that were in their heydays.  Roy Orbison & Gene Pitney were two of the best singer of their generation. Roywas a 50’s rockabilly holdover from the 50’s Sun Records Era but didn’t release his best stuff until the early 60’s.  Pitney was just getting started in ‘61/’62.  He remains a bit too unknown outside of people who grew up in that era, but he is a true great who’s music should be checked out by all.  “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance” was his biggest hit, which came out in ’62.  Other slightly lesser known acts like the Buddy Holly aping Tommy Roe and Lou Christie had big hits in ’62 as well.

 

Outside of maybe Orbison & Phil Spector most of the best and most interesting music being made in ’62 was coming out of the African American community.  Some of it was firmly part of the record company machine but much of it operating outside of it.  The two biggest stars in ’62 to me are the incomparable Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.  Both had achieved music success in the 50’s, though they were still overshadowed a bit by the rockabilly created by white performers like Elvis Presley & Buddy Holly as well as black artists like Chuck Berry.  Charles & Cook, along with James Brown & Jackie Wilson helped to create Soul Music, which by 1962 was absolutely flourishing.  Cooke owned his own record label by then, SAR Records, and came out with some of his very best songs and enduring tracks like “Bring It On Home To Me”, Nothing Can Change This Love” (my wedding song for anyone who wants to know), Soothe Me & Twistin’ the Night Away”.  Charles, who’s career had continued to grow since the 50’s with tracks like “Hit the Road Jack”, took a left turn and recorded a bunch of country tracks while giving them a soul twist.  The result was “Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music”, one of his best loved albums ever.  James Brown and Jackie Wilson were less active in ’62 but they were still around.  “I’ve Got Money” and “I Just Can’t Help It” respectively each show up on my ’62 mixes.  Neither was a huge hit for either artist but both are great songs.  Other great soul performers from ’62 include the Iceman Jerry Butler, Arthur Alexander (only had minor hits but covered multiple times by the Beatles), The Isley Brothers (with the immortal “Twist and Shout”), Ben E. King, Etta James & Bobby “Blue” Bland (another fantastic artist who didn’t as successfully crossover to the much whiter pop charts).  Further down south Booker T & the MGs (the Stax Records house band) had their first and biggest hit with the instrumental “Green Onions”.  Otis Redding had his first hit and Atlantic Records recording artist Solomon Burke released several great singles.  Other lesser known artists like Irma Thomas, Barbara Lynn & Chuck Jackson all released classics as well.

 

1962 will also always be known as the year the Beatles dropped their first track.  That track was “Love Me Do”, a charming but slight track which is a minor entry in their catalog.  But still it was first.  They wouldn’t achieve real success until the following year in their nativeEnglandand then worldwide domination by 1964.  Though the Beatles and the British Invasion (as well as Bob Dylan) eventually wiped out much of their competition outside of Motown/Stax/Atlantic Soul, one of the vocal groups who started before them who was able to endure was New Jersey’s the Four Seasons.  They started quick out of the gate in ’62 with “Sherry” & “Big Girls Don’t Cry” two of their biggest of many, many hits to follow.  50’s Doo-Wop holdover Dion was still churning them out in ’62 with tracks like “Little Diane” and “Lovers Who Wander”.  The Drifters “Up On the Roof” was another true classic in their long line of them.  The Doo-Wop revival was still going strong in ’62, mostly with more one hit wonders like “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler, “I Love You” by the Volumes, “Remember Then” by the Earls, “You Belong To Me” by the Dupress and “What Time Is It”” by the Jive Five.  Lesser known but underrated tracks by dark horses like The Sheppards (Tragic), Nolan Strong & the Diablos (Mind Over Matter) & the Blue Jays (Right to Love) appeared in ’62 as well.

 

Chess Records was dominating the Blues world in the early 60’s it’s two biggest blues stars were going strong in ’62- Howlin’ Wolf & Muddy Waters.  Waters ’62 hits “You Need Love” & “You Shook Me” would both be later stolen/covered by Led Zeppelin- awesomely of course though.  Chess recording artist, the great Bo Diddley also enjoyed one of his last big hits with “You Can’t Judge a Book By Its Cover”.  Other great blues artist doing great stuff in ’62, include the great slide guitarist Elmore James, Delta blues guitarist Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy & Freddie King.  Many of these songs and styles were picked up by British Blues guitarists in the mid to late 60’s- these great musicians remained mostly unknown in their nativeAmericabut were positively worshipped by the Brits. Jazz bassist Charles Mingus released two classic albums in ’62- “Oh Yeah” & “Tijuana Moods”.  John Coltrane released two of his own with “Coltrane’s Blues” and “Ole”. The great Herbie Hancock released his debut hard bop album “Takin’ Off”.

 

The one truly new thing to happen in 1962 was the rise of surf music.  Though legendary surfer/guitarist released his first track the previous year, he didn’t really emerge until 1962 with tracks like “Surf Beat” and his signature track “Miserlou” (made even more famous in the movie “Pulp Fiction”.  The Surfaris also dropped their first single – the original version of “Surfer Joe” and the mighty Beach Boys released their first two singles “Surfin’ Safari” and “409”.  1962 was both the end of an era and the very beginning of a new one.

 

RAY CHARLES- MODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY & WESTERN VOLUME 1
 

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy Modern Sounds In Country and Western MusicAmazon
 

CHARLES MINGUS- TIJUANA MOODS

Buy Tijuana Moods – Charles Mingus
Buy Tijuana MoodsAmazon

 

 

 

 

JOHN COLTRANE- OLE’

Buy Ole Coltrane (Deluxe Edition) – John Coltrane
Buy Ole ColtraneAmazon

 

 

HOWLIN’ WOLF- HOWLIN’ WOLF

Buy Two On One: Howlin’ Wolf / Moanin’ In the Moonlight – Howlin’ Wolf
Buy Moanin’ In The MoonlightAmazon

 

 

 

 

CHARLES MINGUS- OH YEAH

BuyOh Yeah – Charles Mingus
Buy Oh Yeah (US Release)Amazon

Best of 1962 Volume 1 (3/17/02)

1.  Dick Dale & His Deltones- Miserlou

Buy Miserlou – Guitar Legend: The Very Best of Dick Dale
Buy MiserlouAmazon

 

2.  The Surfaris- Surfer Joe (Original Long Version)

Buy Surfer Joe (Two Additional Verses) – The Best of the Surfaris
Buy Surfer Joe (Original Version With Two Additional Verses)Amazon

 

3.  Bruce Channel- Hey Baby!

Buy Hey! Baby (Single Version) – 60’s Gold
Buy Hey! Baby!Amazon

 

4.  Booker T & the MG’s- Green Onions

Buy Green Onions – The Best of Booker T & The MGs
Buy Green OnionsAmazon

 

5.  The Drifters- Up On the Roof

Buy Up On the Roof – Rhino Hi-Five: The Drifters – EP
Buy Up On The Roof (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

6.  The Crystals- He’s a Rebel

Buy He’s a Rebel – The Phil Spector Collection
Buy He’s A RebelAmazon

 

7.  Marvin Gaye- A Stubborn Kind of Fellow

Buy Stubborn Kind of Fellow (Stereo Version) – Playlist Plus: Motown 50th Anniversary
Buy Stubborn Kind Of FellowAmazon

 

8.  Muddy Waters- You Need Love

Buy You Need Love – Muddy Waters: His Best (1956-1964)
Buy 01 Muddy Waters – You Need LoveAmazon

 

9.  John Lee Hooker- Boom Boom

Buy Boom! Boom! – The Best of John Lee Hooker
Buy Boom BoomAmazon

 

10.  The Falcons- I Found a Love

Buy I Found a Love – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 5
Buy I Found A Love (LP Version)Amazon

 

11.  The Four Seasons- Sherry

Buy Sherry – The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Buy Sherry (2007 Remastered LP Version)Amazon

 

12.  Chris Montez- Let’s Dance

Buy Let’s Dance – The Hits
Buy Let’s DanceAmazon

 

13.  Little Eva- The Locomotion

Buy The Loco-Motion – 100 Hits 60’s
Buy The Loco-MotionAmazon

 

14.   The Shirelles- Baby It’s You

Buy Baby It’s You – The Shirelles: 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Baby It’s YouAmazon

 

15.  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles- You Really Got a Hold On Me

Buy You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – The Ultimate Collection: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Buy You’ve Really Got A Hold On MeAmazon

 

16.  The Supremes- Your Heart Belongs to Me

Buy Your Heart Belongs to Me – Diana Ross & The Supremes: Anthology
Buy Your Heart Belongs To Me (Stereo Version)Amazon

 

17.  Sam Cooke- Nothing Can Change This Love

Buy Nothing Can Change This Love – 30 Greatest Hits – Sam Cooke Portrait of a Legend (1951-1964) [Remastered]
Buy Nothing Can Change This LoveAmazon

 

18.  Patsy Cline- She’s Got You

Buy She’s Got You (Single Version) – Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits (Remastered)
Buy She’s Got YouAmazon

 

19.  Roy Orbison- Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)

Buy Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) – 16 Biggest Hits: Roy Orbison
Buy Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)Amazon

 

20.  Mary Wells- You Beat Me to the Punch

Buy You Beat Me to the Punch (Single Version) – The Definitive Collection: Mary Wells
Buy You Beat Me To The PunchAmazon

 

21.  Howlin’ Wolf- I Ain’s Superstitious

Buy I Ain’t Superstitious (1961 Single Version) – The Chess Box: Howlin’ Wolf
Buy I Ain’t SuperstitiousAmazon

 

22.  Bobby Bland- Ain’t That Lovin’ You

Buy Ain’t That Lovin’ You (Single) – Bobby Blue Band: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 – The Duke Recordings
Buy Ain’t That Lovin’ YouAmazon

 

23.  Barbara Lynn- You’ll Lose a Good Thing

Buy You’ll Lose a Good Thing – You’ll Lose a Good Thing
Buy You’ll Lose A Good ThingAmazon

 

24.  Dion & the Belmonts- Born to Cry

Buy (I Was) Born to Cry – The Best of Dion & The Belmonts
Buy (I Was) Born To Cry (Digitally Remastered 91)Amazon

 

25.  Gene Pitney- Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Buy Only Love Can Break a Heart – Gene Pitney: 18 All-Time Greatest Hits
Buy Only Love Can Break A HeartAmazon

 

26.  George Jones- She Thinks I Still Care

Buy She Thinks I Still Care – The Essential George Jones
Buy She Thinks I Still CareAmazon

 

27.  Ray Charles- I Can’t Stop Loving You

Buy I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles – Georgia On My Mind
Buy I Can’t Stop Loving YouAmazon

 

28.  Arthur Alexander- Anna (Go to Him)

Buy Anna – Teenage Memories, Vol. 2
Buy AnnaAmazon

Best of 1962 Volume 2 (3/18/02)

1.  The Contours- Do You Love Me

Buy Do You Love Me (Single) – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: Best of the Contours

Buy Do You Love MeAmazon

 

2.  The Tornados- Telstar

Buy Telstar (1962) – The Tornados Play Telstar and Other Great Hits

Buy Telstar (Original Recording – 1962)Amazon

 

3.  Claudine Clark- Party Lights

Buy Party Lights – The Chancellor Records Story (Vol. 2)

Buy Party Lights – OriginalAmazon

 

4.  The Four Seasons- Big Girls Don’t Cry

Buy Big Girls Don’t Cry – The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Buy Big Girls Don’t CryAmazon

 

5.  Dionne Warwick- Don’t Make Me Over

Buy Don’t Make Me Over – The Dionne Warwick Collection: Her All-Time Greatest Hits

Buy Don’t Make Me Over (LP Version)Amazon

 

6.  The Supremes- Let Me Go the Right Way

Buy Let Me Go the Right Way – Diana Ross & The Supremes: Anthology

Buy Let Me Go The Right Way (Stereo Version)Amazon

 

7.  Elvis Presley- Return to Sender

Buy Return to Sender – The Essential Elvis Presley (Remastered)

Buy Return To SenderAmazon

 

8.  Jerry Butler- Make It Easy On Yourself

Buy Make It Easy On Yourself – Best of Jerry Butler

Buy Make It Easy On YourselfAmazon

 

9.  Arthur Alexander- You Better Move On

Buy You Better Move On – Popcorn Hits, Vol. 1

*Track not available via Amazon

 

10.  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles- I’ll Try Something New

Buy I’ll Try Something New – The Ultimate Collection: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

Buy I’ll Try Something NewAmazon

 

11.  Dion & the Belmonts- Lovers Who Wander

Buy Lovers Who Wander – The Best of Dion & The Belmonts

Buy Lovers Who WanderAmazon

 

12.  The Crystals- Uptown

Buy Uptown – Da Doo Ron Ron – The Very Best of The Crystals

Buy UptownAmazon

 

13.  James Brown- I’ve Got Money

Buy I’ve Got Money (Single Version) – The Singles, Vol. 2
Buy I’ve Got MoneyAmazon

 

14.  Elmore James- Shake Your Moneymaker

Buy Shake Your Money Maker – Shake Your Money Maker: The Best of the Fire Sessions
Buy Shake Your Money MakerAmazon

 

15.  Gene Chandler- Duke of Earl

Buy Duke of Earl – Original Solid Gold Hits, Volume 2
Buy Duke Of EarlAmazon

 

16.  The Devotions- Rip Van Winkle

Buy Rip Van Winkle – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 8
Buy Rip Van WinkleAmazon

 

17. Lou Christie- The Gypsy Cried

Buy The Gypsy Cried – 20 Songs Of Lou Christie
Buy The Gypsy CriedAmazon
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18.  Bobby Bland- Yield Not to Temptation

Buy Yield Not to Temptation – Bobby Bland: The Anthology
Buy Yield Not To TemptationAmazon

 

19.  Ray Charles- You Don’t Know Me

Buy You Don’t Know Me – Genius of Soul
Buy You Don’t Know MeAmazon

 

20.  Mary Wells- The One Who Really Loves You

Buy The One Who Really Loves You – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: Best of Mary Wells
Buy The One Who Really Loves YouAmazon

 

21.  The Duprees- You Belong to Me

Buy You Belong to Me – The Duprees: Their Very Best – EP
Buy You Belong To MeAmazon

 

22.  Roy Orbison- Leah

Buy Leah – 16 Biggest Hits: Roy Orbison
Buy LeahAmazon

 

23.  The Volumes- I Love You

Buy I Love You – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 3
*Track not available via Amazon

 

24.  George Jones- A Girl I Used to Know
Buy A Girl I Used to Know – The Essential George Jones
Buy A Girl I Used to KnowAmazon

25.  Ben E. King- Don’t Play that Song (You Lied)

Buy Don’t Play That Song (You Lied) – Rhino Hi-Five: Ben E. King – EP
Buy Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)Amazon

 

26.  Chuck Jackson- Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)

Buy Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird) – The Scepter Records Story, Vol. 1
Buy Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)Amazon

 

27.  Otis Redding- These Arms of Mine

Buy These Arms of Mine – The Very Best of Otis Redding
Buy These Arms Of MineAmazon

 

28.  Sam Cooke- Bring It On Home to Me

Buy Bring It On Home to Me – 30 Greatest Hits – Sam Cooke Portrait of a Legend (1951-1964) [Remastered]
Buy Bring It On Home To MeAmazon

Best of 1962 Volume 3 (3/10/04)

1.  Ernie Maresca- Shout! Shout! Knock Yourself Out

Buy Shout Shout (Knock Yourself Out) – Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)
Buy Shout Shout (Knock Yourself Out)Amazon

 

2.  The Isley Brothers- Twist and Shout

Buy Twist and Shout – The Scepter Records Story, Vol. 1
Buy Twist And ShoutAmazon

 

3.  Sam Cooke- Havin’ a Party

Buy Having a Party – 30 Greatest Hits – Sam Cooke Portrait of a Legend (1951-1964) [Remastered]
Buy Having A PartyAmazon

 

4.  King Curtis- Soul Twist

Buy Soul Twist – The Best of King Curtis
Buy Soul Twist – OriginalAmazon

 

5.  Muddy Waters- You Shook Me

Buy You Shook Me – Muddy Waters: His Best (1956-1964)
Buy 01 Muddy Waters – You Shook MeAmazon

 

6.  Buddy Guy- Stone Crazy

Buy Stone Crazy – Stone Crazy – EP
Buy Stone CrazyAmazon

 

7.  Bobby Bland- Who Will the Next Fool Be

Buy Who Will the Next Fool Be? [Stereo] – Bobby Bland: The Anthology
Buy Who Will The Next Fool Be?Amazon

 

8.  Patsy Cline- Heartaches

Buy Heartaches – Crazy (Her Greatest Hits)
Buy HeartachesAmazon

 

9.  Gene Pitney- (The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance

Buy (The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance – Gene Pitney: 18 All-Time Greatest Hits
Buy (The Man Who Shot) Liberty ValanceAmazon

 

10.  Willie Nelson- Crazy

Buy Crazy – The Essential Willie Nelson
Buy Crazy (2001 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

11.  Ray Charles- Bye Bye Love

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

12.  The Ikettes- I’m Blue (The Gong Gong Song)

Buy I’m Blue (The Gong Gong Song) – Beg, Scream & Shout!: The Best of ’60s Soul, Vol. 3
Buy I’m Blue (The Gong Gong Song) (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

13.  The Starlets- I Sold My Heart to the Junk Man

Buy I Sold My Heart to the Junkman – The Soul and R&B Archives: Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles (as the Starlets)
Buy I Sold My Heart To the JunkmanAmazon (as the Starlets)

 

14.  The Everly Brothers- Crying in the Rain

Buy Crying In the Rain – Walk Right Back: The Everly Brothers 1960-1969
Buy Crying In The RainAmazon

 

15.  The Beatles- Love Me Do

Buy Love Me Do – 1
*Track not available via Amazon

 

16.  Arthur Alexander- Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

17.  The Shirelles- Soldier Boy

Buy Soldier Boy – The Shirelles: 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Soldier BoyAmazon

 

18.  The Crystals- He’s Sure the Boy I Love

Buy He’s Sure the Boy I Love – Da Doo Ron Ron – The Very Best of The Crystals
Buy He’s Sure The Boy I LoveAmazon

 

19.  Don & Juan- What’s My Name

Buy What’s Your Name – 60’s Jukebox Hits – Vol. 2
Buy What’s Your NameAmazon

 

20.  The Jive Five- What Time Is It?

Buy What Time Is It? – Collectors Gold Series: The Jive Five
Buy What Time Is ItAmazon

 

21.  The Earls- Remember Then

Buy Remember Then – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 5
Buy Remember ThenAmazon

 

22.  Solomon Burke- Cry To Me

Buy Cry to Me (Single Version) – The Very Best of Solomon Burke
Buy Cry To Me (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

23.  The Cookies- Chains

Buy Chains – The Very Best Of
Buy ChainsAmazon

 

24.  Esther Phillips- Release Me

Buy Release Me – Beg, Scream & Shout!: The Best of ’60s Soul, Vol. 2
Buy Release Me (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

25.  Mary Wells- Two Lovers

Buy Two Lovers – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: Best of Mary Wells
Buy Two LoversAmazon

 

26.  The Marvelettes- Beachwood 4-5789

Buy Beechwood 4-5789 (Single) – The Ultimate Collection: The Marvelettes
Buy Beechwood 4-5789Amazon

 

27.  The Excellents- Coney Island Baby

Buy Coney Island Baby – Forever Doo Wop, Vol. 2
Buy Coney Island BabyAmazon

 

28.  Bobby Darin- I’m Beginning to See the Light

Buy I’m Beginning to See the Light – Great Gentlemen of Song: Spotlight On Bobby Darin
Buy I’m Beginning To See The Light (2005 – Remastered)Amazon

 

29.  Tony Bennett- I Left My Heart in San Fransisco

Buy I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Single Version) – The Ultimate Tony Bennett
Buy I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Single Version)Amazon

Best of 1962 Volume 4 (5/29/06)

1.  The Rivingtons- Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow

Buy Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow – 20 Silly Songs to Make You Smile
Buy Papa-Oom-Mow-MowAmazon

 

2.  The Orlons- The Wah-Watusi

Buy The Wah Watusi – Cameo Parkway: The Best of the Orlons, 1961-1966
Buy The Wah WatusiAmazon

 

3.  Dee Dee Sharp- Mashed Potato Time

Buy Mashed Potato Time – Cameo Parkway: The Best of Dee Dee Sharp, 1962-1966
Buy Mashed Potato TimeAmazon

 

4.  Little Joey & the Flips- Bongo Stomp

Buy Little Joey & The Flips – Bongo Stomp – Goldisc Records From The Vault Vol. 1
Buy Little Joey & the Flips – Bongo StompAmazon

 

5.  Herbie Hancock- Watermelon Man

Buy Watermelon Man – Cantaloupe Island
Buy Watermelon ManAmazon

 

6.  Sam Cooke- Sugar Dumpling

Buy Sugar Dumpling – The Man Who Invented Soul
Buy Sugar Dumpling (Original Version)Amazon

 

7.  Ray Charles- You Are My Sunshine

Buy You Are My Sunshine – Genius of Soul
Buy You Are My SunshineAmazon

 

8.  The Temptations- Dream Come True

Buy Dream Come True – The Complete Collection: The Temptations
Buy Dream Come TrueAmazon

 

9.  Tommy Roe- Sheila

Buy Sheila (Single) – Tommy Roe: Greatest Hits
Buy SheilaAmazon

 

10.  Marcia Blane- Bobby’s Girl

Buy Bobby’s Girl – The Best of the Girl Groups: 50s & 60s
Buy Bobby’s GirlAmazon

 

11.  Neil Sedaka- Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Buy Breaking Up Is Hard to Do – The Very Best of Neil Sedaka
Buy Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (2001 Remastered)Amazon

 

12.  The Crystals- He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)

Buy He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss) – Da Doo Ron Ron – The Very Best of the Crystals
Buy He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)Amazon

 

13.  Little Eva- Keep Your Hands Off My Baby

Buy Keep Your Hands Off My Baby (Single Version) – One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost & Found (Remastered)
Buy Keep Your Hands Off My BabyAmazon

 

14.  The Shirelles- Stop the Music

Buy Stop the Music – The Shirelles: 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Stop The MusicAmazon

 

15.  The Marvelettes- Strange I Know

Buy Strange I Know (Single) – The Ultimate Collection: The Marvelettes
Buy Strange I KnowAmazon

 

16.  Connie Francis- Vacation

Buy Vacation – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Connie Francis
Buy VacationAmazon

 

17.  Patsy Cline- So Wrong

Buy So Wrong (Single Version) – Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits (Remastered)
Buy So WrongAmazon

 

18.  Solomon Burke- I’m Hangin’ Up My Heart For You

Buy I’m Hanging Up My Heart for You – The Very Best of Solomon Burke
Buy I’m Hanging Up My Heart For You (LP Version)Amazon

 

19.  Loretta Lynn- Success

Buy Success – Gold: Loretta Lynn
Buy SuccessAmazon

 

20.  Bo Diddley- You Can’t Judge a Book By It’s Cover

Buy You Can’t Judge a Book by It’s Cover (Single) – The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection: Bo Diddley – His Best
Buy You Can’t Judge A Book By It’s CoverAmazon

 

21.  Bobby Bland- Stormy Monday Blues

Buy Stormy Monday Blues [Stereo] – Bobby Bland: The Anthology
Buy Stormy Monday BluesAmazon

 

22.  The Contours- Shake Sherry

Buy Shake Sherry (Single) – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: Best of the Contours
*Not available via Amazon

 

23.  Eddie Holland- Jamie

Buy Jamie – Hitsville USA – The Motown Singles Collection, 1959-1971
Buy JamieAmazon

 

24.  Dion- Little Diane

Buy Little Diane – The Best of Dion & The Belmonts
Buy Little DianeAmazon

 

25.  Shelly Fabares- Johnny Angel

Buy Johnny Angel – Tearjerkers and Heartbreakers… Original Artists
Buy Johnny AngelAmazon

 

26.  The Jive Five- Hully Gully Callin’ Time

Buy Hully Gully Callin’ Time (Stereo) – Collectors Gold Series: The Jive Five
Buy Hully Gully Callin’ Time (Stereo)Amazon

 

27.  Boris Pickett & the Crypt Keepers- The Monster Mash

Buy Monster Mash – The Original Monster Mash
Buy Monster MashAmazon

Best of 1962 Volume 5 (12/1/12)

1. The John Barry Seven- The James Bone Theme

Buy James Bond Theme (From “Dr. No.”) – Best of Bond… James Bond 50th Anniversary Collection
Buy James Bond Theme (From “Dr. No.”)Amazon

 

2.  The Rockin’ Rebels- Wild Weekend

Buy Wild Weekend – Wild Weekend – EP
Buy Wild WeekendAmazon

 

3.  Dick Dale- Shake ‘n’ Stomp

Buy Shake n’ Stomp – Guitar Legend: The Very Best of Dick Dale
Buy Shake N’ StompAmazon

 

4.  The Beach Boys- Surfin’ Safari

Buy Surfin Safari – Sounds of Summer – The Very Best of The Beach Boys
Buy Surfin’ Safari (2001 – Remaster)Amazon

 

5.  Gary U.S. Bonds- Seven Day Weekend

Buy Seven Day Weekend – The Very Best of Gary U.S. Bonds
*Not available via Amazon

6.  Don Gardner & Dee Dee Ford- I Need Your Loving

Buy I Need Your Loving (Original 45 Version) – Lost 45s The 60s

Buy I Need Your LovingAmazon

 

7.  Nathaniel Mayer- Village of Love

Buy Village Of Love – Essential Soul Masters
Buy Village Of LoveAmazon

 

8.  Francois Hardy- Tous Le Garcons Et Les Filles

Buy Tous Les Garçons Et Les Filles – My Girl – Do the Pop!
Buy Tous Les Garçons Et Les FillesAmazon

 

9.  Sam Cooke- Twistin’ the Night Away

Buy Twistin’ the Night Away – 30 Greatest Hits – Sam Cooke Portrait of a Legend (1951-1964) [Remastered]
Buy Twistin’ The Night AwayAmazon

 

10.  Jackie Wilson- I Just Can’t Help It

Buy Baby (I Just Can’t Help It) – Somethin’ Else!!
Buy Baby (I Just Can’t Help It)Amazon

 

11.  Louis Prima- You’re Just in Love

Buy You’re Just in Love – Capitol Collectors Series: Louis Prima
Buy You’re Just In Love (Digitally Remastered 91)Amazon

 

12.  Bo Diddley- I Can Tell

Buy I Can Tell – Bo Diddley: The Definitive Collection
Buy I Can TellAmazon

 

13.  Howlin’ Wolf- You’ll Be Mine

Buy You’ll Be Mine (Single Version) – The Chess Box: Howlin’ Wolf
Buy You’ll Be MineAmazon

 

14.  Benny Spellman- Lipstick Traces

Buy Lipstick Traces – The New Orleans Hit Story, 1950-1970 (Disc 1)
Buy Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) (2002 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

15.  Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs- May I

Buy May I – Good Vibrations, Vol. 1 – 13 Carolina Beach Music Classics – Disc 1
Buy May I – OriginalAmazon

 

16.  The Blue Jays- The Right to Love

Buy The Right To Love – Lover’s Island
Buy The Right To LoveAmazon

 

17.  Ketty Lester- Love Letters

Buy Love Letters – Greatest Hits
Buy Love LettersAmazon

 

18.  Etta James- Something’s Got a Hold On Me

Buy Something’s Got a Hold On Me – Women Blues Singers (1928-1969)
Buy Something’s Got A Hold On MeAmazon

 

19.  Richie Barrett- Some Other Guy

Buy Some Other Guy – Only In America: Atlantic Soul Classics
Buy Some Other GuyAmazon

 

20.  Nolan Strong & the Diablos- Mind Over Matter

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

21.  Ray Charles- Take These Chains From My Heart

Buy Take These Chains from My Heart – The Hits of Pop & Doo Wop, Vol. 5
Buy Take These Chains From My HeartAmazon

 

22.  Solomon Burke- Down in the Valley

Buy Down In the Valley – The Very Best of Solomon Burke
Buy Down In The Valley (LP Version)Amazon

 

23.  George Jones- Aching. Breaking Heart

Buy Aching, Breaking Heart – George Jones – Greatest Hits
Buy Aching Breaking HeartAmazon

 

24.  The Drifters- Mexican Divorce

Buy Mexican Divorce (Single/LP Version) – Up On the Roof: The Best of the Drifters
Buy Mexican Divorce (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

25.  The Sheppards- Tragic

Buy Tragic (Remastered) – Tragic (Remastered) – Single
Buy TragicAmazon

 

26.  Jay & the Americans- She Cried

Buy She Cried – The Best of Jay & The Americans
Buy She CriedAmazon

 

27.  Irma Thomas- It’s Raining

Buy It’s Raining – Finger Poppin’ and Stompin’ Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions for Minit Records 1960-1962 (Remastered)
Buy It’s Raining (2002 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

28.  Shep & the Limelites- I’m All Alone

Buy I Am All Alone (LP Version) – Daddy’s Home: The Very Best of Shep & The Limelites
Buy I Am All Alone (LP Version)Amazon

 

29.  The Supremes- You Bring Back Memories

BuyYou Bring Back Memories (Stereo Version) – Meet The Supremes (Expanded Edition)
Buy You Bring Back Memories (Stereo Version)Amazon

Best of 1962 Volume 6 (12/2/12)

1.  Dick Dale- Surf Beat

Buy Surf Beat – Greatest Hits 1961-1976
Buy Surf Beat (Single Version)Amazon

 

2.  The Beach Boys- 409

Buy 409 – Surfin’ Safari
Buy 409 (2007 – Remaster)Amazon

 

3.  The Marketts- Surfers Stomp!

Buy Surfer’s Stomp – The Marketts: Their Very Best – EP
Buy Surfer’s StompAmazon

 

4.  Herbie Hancock- Driftin’

Buy Driftin’ – Takin’ Off
Buy Driftin’Amazon

 

5.  Kenny Ball- Midnight in Moscow

Buy Midnight In Moscow – The Very Best Of
Buy Midnight In MoscowAmazon

 

6.  Link Wray- Big City After Dark

Buy Big City After Dark – Big City After Dark – Missing Links Volume 2
Buy Big City After DarkAmazon

 

7.  Charles Mingus- Dizzy Moods

Buy Dizzy Moods – Tijuana Moods
Buy Dizzy Moods Amazon

 

8.  Freddie King- The Stumble

Buy The Stumble – Kings of King
Buy Stumble (LP Version)Amazon

 

9.  Roosevelt Sykes- Out On a Limb

Buy Out On a Limb – It’s All About the Blues
Buy Out On A LimbAmazon

 

10.  Little Milton- So Mean To Me

*Track not available via iTunes
Buy So Mean To MeAmazon

 

11.  Little Wilie John- She Thinks I Still Care

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

12.  Louis Prima- St. Louis Blues

Buy St. Louis Blues – Capitol Collectors Series: Louis Prima
Buy St. Louis BluesAmazon

 

13.  Lightnin’ Hopkins- Rolling and Rolling

Buy Rollin’ and Rollin’ – Lightnin’ Hopkins: The Complete Aladdin Recordings
Buy Rolling And RollingAmazon

 

14.  Lavern Baker- See See Rider

Buy See See Rider – Soul On Fire: The Best of LaVerne Baker
Buy See See Rider (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

15.  Mel Torme’- Comin’ Home Baby

Buy Comin’ Home Baby – An Education (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Buy Comin’ Home Baby (LP Version)Amazon

 

16.  The Sensations- Let Me In

Buy Let Me In – Let Me In – The Hits
Buy Let Me InAmazon

 

17.  Chubby Checker- Limbo Rock

Buy Limbo Rock – The Best of Chubby Checker: 1959-1963 (Cameo Parkway Original Recordings)
Buy Limbo Rock (Original Hit Recordings)Amazon

 

18.  Dion & the Belmonts- Love Came To Me

Buy Love Came to Me – The Best of Dion & The Belmonts
Buy Love Came To Me (1991 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

19.  Sam Cooke- Soothe Me

Buy Soothe Me – The Man Who Invented Soul
Buy Soothe MeAmazon

 

20.  Neil Sedaka- Next Door to an Angel

Buy Next Door to an Angel – The Very Best of Neil Sedaka
Buy Next Door To An Angel (2001 Remastered)Amazon

 

21.  The Marvelettes- Playboy

Buy Playboy (Single) – The Ultimate Collection: The Marvelettes
Buy PlayboyAmazon

 

22.  Clyde McPhatter- Lover Please

Buy A Lover’s Question (LP Version) – Deep Sea Ball – The Best of Clyde McPhatter
Buy Lover PleaseAmazon

 

23.  Francois Hardy- J’suis D’accord

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

24.  Bertha Tillman- Oh My Angel

Buy Oh My Angel – Goodies – Old Is New: Backseat Romance
Buy Oh My AngelAmazon

 

25.  Arthur Alexander- Where Have You Been (All My Life)

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

26.  Willie Nelson- Hello Walls

Buy Hello Walls – The Essential Willie Nelson
Buy Hello WallsAmazon