Pick a Day

Music History Events: Charts

December 22, 1962 The Tornadoes' "Telstar" - an instrumental inspired by the Telstar satellite - hits #1 in the US for the first of three weeks.

December 15, 1962 The First Family, a comedy album by Vaughn Meader that envisions President John F. Kennedy in various everyman scenarios (like stopping at a gas station to fill up his 70-vehicle motorcade), hits #1 in the US, replacing novelty: My Son, the Folk Singer by Allan Sherman. Rock and Roll may not be dead, but is on life support.

November 3, 1962 The Crystals' "He's A Rebel" hits #1 for the first of two weeks. None of the actual group appears on the track, as Phil Spector uses Darlene Love to sing lead. The real Crystals learn about the song when they hear it on the radio.

November 3, 1962 Billboard magazine drops the "Western" from its "Country and Western" chart title.

September 21, 1962 A year and a half before The Beatles break in America, The Springfields' "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" becomes the first British song to reach the Top 20 in the US. Later, member Dusty Springfield would have several more solo hits of her own.

September 15, 1962 The Four Seasons' "Sherry" hits #1 for the first of five weeks.

September 1, 1962 Tommy Roe's "Sheila," which he wrote when he was just 14, hits #1 in America for the first of two weeks.

August 25, 1962 Little Eva, who takes care of Carole King and Gerry Goffin's daughter, takes their song "The Loco-Motion" to #1 in America.

August 11, 1962 Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" hits #1 for the first of two weeks.

July 14, 1962 Bobby Vinton's "Roses Are Red (My Love)" hits #1 for the first of four weeks.

July 7, 1962 David Rose's "The Stripper" hits #1.

June 2, 1962 Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" hits #1 for the first of five weeks.

May 26, 1962 Mr. Acker Bilk's "Stranger On The Shore" hits #1.

May 5, 1962 The Shirelles go to #1 in America with "Soldier Boy," where they sing about staying true while their fellas go off to battle.

April 21, 1962 Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" hits #1.

March 31, 1962 In these pre-Beatles years, Connie Francis is one of the biggest stars in America. She scores her third #1 with "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You."

March 10, 1962 "Hey Baby" by Bruce Channel goes to #1 in the US.

January 27, 1962 Joey Dee and the Starliters' "Peppermint Twist" hits #1 for the first of three weeks.

December 11, 1961 Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii hits #1.

November 6, 1961 Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John" hits #1 for the first of five weeks.

October 9, 1961 Ray Charles lands his second #1 US hit when "Hit The Road Jack" goes to the top.

September 18, 1961 Bobby Vee's "Take Good Care Of My Baby," written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, hits #1 for the first of three weeks.

August 28, 1961 Joe Dowell's "Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn)" hits #1, where it will stay for one week.

August 21, 1961 Elvis Presley's LP Something For Everybody hits #1.

July 10, 1961 Bobby Lewis's "Tossin' And Turnin'" hits #1 for the first of seven weeks.

June 5, 1961 Roy Orbison's "Running Scared" hits #1.

June 1, 1961 Elvis Presley's "Surrender" hits #1 on the UK singles chart.

May 29, 1961 Ricky Nelson's "Travelin' Man" hits #1 in the US, his second and last chart-topper ("Poor Little Fool" hit #1 in 1958).

May 22, 1961 Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-in-Law," written by Allen Toussaint, hits #1 in America.

April 24, 1961 Del Shannon's "Runaway" hits #1 in America.