Classic singles that still sound great and props for a Top!

(Courtesy of RCA and Ascot Records)
(Courtesy of RCA and Ascot Records)
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10/17/1964 (55 years ago today) - Actually, this one was first recorded by a group called The Exciters, but it was Manfred Mann's version of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" that started a two week run at No. 1 on this date (with a little help from the burgeoning British Invasion, and perhaps some 'status' as the first Nonsense Song Title to top the singles chart) -- It knocked Roy Orbison's "(Oh) Pretty Women" out of the No. 1 spot, and was not in any way whatsoever related to "Diddy Wah Diddy", which was also a mighty cool, catchy classic (originally written and recorded in 1956 by Bo Diddley and blues master Willie Dixon, later becoming the one and only dent in the chart for none other than Captain Beefheart in 1966) -- Of note: The Exciters {mentioned above} had a really big hit on their own in 1962 with "Tell Him", which you probably know better from Linda Ronstadt's classic radio version in 1982. Lots goin' on here, we know, so that'll do for now...

10/17/1970 (49 years ago today) - Impressive stats: The Jackson Five start five consecutive weeks at No. 1 with the classic single "I'll Be There", their fourth Number One of the year -- According to Motown, by the end of 1970 The J-5 had sold over 10 million records, which could have been plain ol' record company hype, but in reality the group was righteously mega-hot at this point -- The other No. 1's were equally classic: "I Want You Back", "ABC" and "The Love You Save", all from 1970. "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1971) and "Dancing Machine" (1974) were also chart-toppers, so you can't go wrong with a Jackson Five "Greatest Hits" collection, that's what it all comes down to. Ya can't deny it.

10/17/2008 (11 years ago today) - He had one of the best voices in all of Motown: Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs passed away at his home in Detroit after a long bout with cancer, a stroke, and various other ailments that forced him to stop touring in 2000; he was 72 years old. Some of the classic singles that feature Levi on lead vocal include "Baby I Need Your Loving", "Reach Out I'll Be There", "It's The Same Old Song", "Standing In The Shadows Of Love", "Bernadette" and the never-been-bettered-by-anybody-anywhere "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)". Nice stuff indeed. Thanks, Levi...

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"When I call your name/Girl, it starts the flame...", xoxo!

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