More proof The Beatles are hard to beat (it's so true!) -- TV show theme hits No. 1 (but which one?) -- Props for a teen idol who was actually a talented musician (it happens, honest!)

(Courtesy of Capitol Records)
(Courtesy of Capitol Records)
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5/8/1964 (56 years ago today) - At this point, The Beatles have held onto the Number One spot on the U.S. singles chart for an unbelievable fourteen weeks in a row(!), with (an equally unreal) three successive No. 1's -- Here's the tally: "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was at the top for seven weeks, followed by "She Loves You" (two weeks) and "Can't Buy Me Love" (five weeks) -- They were rather good, you know...

5/8/1976 (44 years ago today) - Former Lovin' Spoonful leader John Sebastian topped the singles chart when "Welcome Back" took over at No. 1 -- You remember the classic TV show theme to "Welcome Back, Kotter" {yes, you do}; the ABC sit-com was the first time we were introduced to a then-unknown actor by the name of John Travolta and his dopey-grinnin' character, "sweat-hog" Vinnie Barbarino. Whatever-happened-to-stand-up-comedian Gabe Kaplan played the title role, with TV Guide (you remember that too!) noting that the show was about a "compassionate teacher who returned to his inner city high school to help a new generation of trouble-making kids". Okay then...

5/8/1940 - Born on this day, Rick Nelson, totally underrated as a true country-rock pioneer -- Perhaps (unfortunately) best known as "Ricky" Nelson, one of the late '50's/early '60's teen-pop-dream-boys, famous for his good looks and charm -- He became a huge TV star thanks to his family's whimsical weekly half-hour "The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet", along with his impressive run of 19 Top 40 hits between 1957-'59 alone, most notably the 1958 No. 1 classic "Poor Little Fool" (which still sounds great, really) -- As he grew older, Rick gave up acting and seriously immersed himself in nuthin'-but-music, recording a string of critically acclaimed C&W/R&R fusion albums that solidified his long-taken-for-granted talent: 1972's "Garden Party" and '74's "Windfall" are truly worth seeking out -- Tragically, his desire to attain that much-desired-yet-elusive cred factor never really happened until after he perished in a plane crash on December 31, 1985, at age 45 -- If there's a list of artists that should be looked at and listened to with new ears, Rick Nelson's near the top for sure...

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"But it's all right now/I learned my lesson well...", xoxo!

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