Our music philosophy
The emphasis at Deep Sky Radio is 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s oldies music. Deep Sky is primarily a 60’s station.
You will hear more 60’s songs (50%) than the music of the 50’s (40%). 70’s and more are heard less. Top 20 songs are played more often, but not much.
This is our philosophy for playing music at Deep Sky Radio. We hope you enjoy listening. You can always contact us at studio@deepskyradio.com with suggestions. We hope to have a request form soon.
It happened twice to the same artist with the same song. The number one song for 1960 and 1962 was “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, whose real name was Ernest Evans. It was a cover of the original by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters which had peaked at number 28 in 1960.
Checker cashed in on the success of that dance song with more twist songs but not before covering another dance title called “Pony Time” which was his second number one hit. This is actually my favorite by Mr. Checker.
Dance songs by Chubby include: “The Hucklebuck”, “(Dance The) Mess Around”, “Let’s Twist Again”, “The Fly”, “Slow Twistin’” and more. He placed 22 songs in the Top 40 from 1959 to 1965.
The Night Club circuit seemed the goal for Checker before “The Twist” came along. He married Miss World 1962 in 1964 with whom he had four children.
Joe Stampley hit stardom as a country performer in the 1970’s. His journey began in Louisiana where he was born and spread regionally (with The Uniques) to Arkansas and Texas. But not as a country performer.
The Uniques formed in Arkansas with Stampley as the lead vocalist and keyboard, along with Ray Mills, lead guitar; Mike Love ,drums; and Jim Woodfield, guitar. They met at Southern Arkansas University and had a good following in the South, touring and making live appearances.
Regional hits included “All These Things” and “Not Too Long Ago”. “All These Things” was a very popular request on KDAV in Lubbock, TX during my show 2001-2010. The Uniques recorded 22 singles on Paula Records of Shreveport, LA. They never broke out of their regional market.
These two songs are kept alive on deepskyradio.com. Listen for them and let me know what you think.
Dionne Warwick was a Gospel singer as a teenager. I’ve found two groups mentioned with whom she sang (The Gospelaires and The Drinkard Sisters). Don’t know who the Drinkards were but do know she sang with her Aunt Cissy Houston and Cousin Whitney Houston.
She was singing backup vocals for Solomon Burke, The Drifters, Ben E. King and others. This brought her to the attention of Burt Bacharach and Hal David who began writing and producing songs for her. This was in 1962.Her first hit “Don’t Make Me Over” landed on the charts that same year. And the hits kept coming! She had seventy-four in The Hot 100 through the years.
Warwick has earned six Grammy Awards. By the way, her last name is Warrick. The name Warwick came from a misspelling on her first record, so she became Dionne Warwick!
These guys were friends whose professional efforts almost ended before they began. Their first album “Wednesday Morning 3 AM” was such a financial disappointment they decided to go their separate ways. One of the songs was “The Sound of Silence” an acoustic effort that didn’t fare any better than any other songs on that first album. Fortunately, Columbia Records, in order to salvage some of their investment, took that acoustic song and remixed it with electric instrumentation. All this took place in late 1964 to early 1965.
The duo didn’t know any of this was happening until the song went to #1 in America. It stayed there for 12 weeks! Simon & Garfunkel quickly got back together and aren’t we glad they did!
Between 1965 and 1975 they placed 14 hits in the Top 40. You can hear those hits along with their individual hits on deepskyradio.com.
Which song from the 60’s triggered an FBI investigation? A two-year investigation! The cause of the scrutiny was many letters from parents who were concerned about “dirty” words in the lyrics. Most of the story concerns the lyrics, or the understandability of those lyrics. Confusion reigned among parents, teens, and government officials. Why were those lyrics so difficult to understand? Were they deliberately muffled? Did they have a sinister meaning?
Perhaps the confusion lay in the recording of the song. Recorded in the Northwestern Inc. studios of Portland, Oregon the morning of April 5, 1963 the Kingsmen did their best. Two instrumentals were recorded along with “Louie, Louie”. The studio was arranged to record the instrumentals, not vocals. Bad placement of microphones, one hanging from the ceiling for the lead vocalist, and new braces on the teeth of that singer made it difficult to manage diction. I read somewhere that the singer was not the regular lead singer, but a 16 year old who happened to be in the studio that day. Check it out and see what you discover.
deepskyradio.com
Neil Diamond
Born in NYC in 1941 Diamond is a prolific singer-songwriter. Receiving a guitar for his 16th birthday, he was heavily influenced by Pete Seeger. When he was a senior in college he dropped out to become a songwriter at Sunbeam Music Publishing for 16 weeks on contract. His contract was not renewed so he began writing his own songs. He began performing and recording with Jack Packer, a high school classmate. They had some success, but it was Diamond who landed a contract with Columbia Records. With no accomplishments recording, he went back to writing for the next seven years.
He wrote songs for Jay & The Americans, The Monkees, Lulu, Cliff Richard, and Deep Purple and many others. His first record success was “Solitary Man” on Bang Records in 1966.
deepskyradio.com
Jefferson Airplane, formed in 1965, was based in San Francisco. Later they were renamed Jefferson Starship and, finally, Starship with various band members. From 1967 to 1990 they placed 17 songs in the Top 40.
As Jefferson Airplane only 2 songs made the Top 40, both of which reached the Top 10 and both in 1967 (“Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit”). Grace Slick wrote and sang both songs. “White Rabbit” is widely regarded by many as the
first drug related song to overtly mention drug use. Slick based the song on “Alice In Wonderland”.
Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
The third time is a charm.
At least that’s the way it worked for “Last Kiss”, as performed by J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers from San Angelo Texas back in 1964. Two previous releases of the song by Wayne Cochran, who wrote the tragedy, failed to chart in 1961 and 1963.
As part of the genre of teen tragedy songs, also called “death discs”, “splatter platters” and “tear jerkers”, Last Kiss climbed to #2 on the hit charts. It was so successful Cochran made another effort to record. Still no success.
The Cavaliers charted with only one other song, “Hey, Little One”, which only made it to number 85.
The building where many of the recordings by The Cavaliers remains in San Angelo, Texas. Or was still standing the last time I was there just a few years ago.
Deepskyradio.com
P. P. Arnold: From Gospel singer to a “60s Mod icon
Patricia, born in Texas, moved to California with her family sometime in the fifties and settled in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her family was a talented group of Gospel Singers and she excelled in the genre.
Her big break came in 1965 when she interviewed with Ike and Tina Turner to become a back-up singer as one of the Ikettes. Patricia was just 17 years old. She headed to England on the Turner’s tour where she also began her solo career. While in England she toured with the Rolling Stones, Small Faces and many more.
Patricia’s most well-known song in the U.S. (The First Cut Is The Deepest) never charted but was very popular. It was written by Cat Stevens.
You can only hear this P.P. Arnold song on the Girls Only Show on deepskyradio.com on Sunday nights 6PM – 8PM Central time.
NEW MUSIC BY THE MAMAS AND PAPAS &
JOHNNY TILLOTSON
Written by John Lennon, “I Call Your Name” was recorded by The Mamas and Papas for their 1966 album “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears”. Hard to believe it never charted. Even though The Beatles recorded it in 1964 and a year later by Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas neither charted. It didn’t hit the charts until 1980 by Switch.
The Mamas and Papas version surpassed all others and is a beautiful song. It’s now part of the DeepSkyradio.com music library.
Johnny recorded Pop and Country music and was a successful songwriter. He wrote many of his recordings including “Without You” from 1961. Nine songs by Tillotson reached the Top 10 with many more in the Top 40. He was one of the first “cross-over” artists.
“Without You” is another new addition to the music library of deepskyradio.com. You can discover more about Johnny at https://johnnytillotson.com/
THE NEVADAS
From South Africa, The Nevadas formed in 1964. The group did not include a “Jill” and soon changed their name to The Zombies. They weren’t aware of the British group by the same name and eventually changed their name again. By 1965 they called themselves Four Jacks and a Jill. This time with a Jill.
Popular in their home country, the group included Clive Harding (bass guitar), Keith Andrews (rhythm guitar and organ), replaced by the late Mark Poulos (guitar and organ) during 1966–1967 and subsequently Till Hanneman who joined in 1967 (rhythm guitar, organ, and trumpet), Bruce Bark (lead guitar, harmonica, and saxophone), Tony Hughes (drums) and Glenys Lynne (lead vocal and organ). They remained a group with various members until 1983.
Finally scoring a hit in the United States in 1968 with “Master Jack” which reached number 18 on the Top 40 chart. It was their only Top 40 hit. They reached number 98 with “Mr. Nico” in 1968. They never charted again in the United States.
Funny, while I was writing this the Zombies played on deepskyradio.com. It was “Time of the Season”.
DOLLY PARTON WHEN SHE WASN’T A COUNTRY PERFORMER
She made her first solo record “Puppy Love” in 1959 when she was just 13 years old. It was a Rockabilly song on the Goldband Records label. She went on in 1962 to make one Soul Pop single “The Love You Gave” with The Merry Melody Singers for the Mercury Records label.
In 1964 she went on to sing for the Monument label (Roy Orbison’s label). She first sang the Pop single “What Do You Think About Lovin”. Then made the (Blue-Eyed) Soul single “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby” that hit the 1965 bubbling under charts.
Next came “Busy Signal” and the (Blue-Eyed) Soul single “Don’t Drop Out”. In 1966 she scored a No. 1 hit with Bill Phillips on the Decca Records label. It was her first hit country song.
She’s been awarded a Grammy three times and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and nominated for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Don’t Drop Out” is the song you will hear on deepskyradio.com
I miss Top 40 radio.
The first time I remember listening to Top 40 was in my older cousin’s red, 1950 Ford. The radio was always blasting with everyone in the car singing along. This would have been about 1958.
Of course, I didn’t realize it was Top 40 radio. Probably nobody in the car knew either. During the 1960’s when I was a teenager, Top 40 was in its heyday. Nothing like it! Nor will there ever be again. The closest you will get is DeepSky Radio.
Top 40 was a conglomeration of styles, artists, and genres. Rock, rock and roll, hillbilly, rockabilly, surf, R&B, soul, funk, garage, folk, folk-rock, surf-beat, freak-beat, psychedelic, pop, country, country-rock, sunshine pop, brass rock, ballads, blues, jump blues, boogie, lounge, beach, be-bop, instrumental, doo-wop, sugar pop, and novelty were all genres you would hear on Top 40 Radio.
If you miss Top 40 radio like I do, just tune in to DeepSky Radio! deepskyradio.com
Initially coming to life in Chicago in 1965 as The Centuries and The Pulsations (both bands held future members of The Buckinghams. It was as the Pulsations the group became a house band on a local television program “All-Time Hits”. The producer suggested a name change in keeping with the British Invasion groups so they became The Buckinghams. The band had a revolving door of members through the years however Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna seem to be the mainstays.
The group signed with USA Records in 1966 and produced their first # 1 song “Kind Of A Drag” which earned a Gold Record. The banner year for the Buckinghams was 1967. Now with Columbia Records The Buckinghams placed four more songs in the Top 20. They were also deemed the “Most Listened To Band In America” by Billboard Magazine.
By 1968 the end was in sight, and they completely dissolved in 1970. The band reformed in 1980 and still performs. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/TheBuckinghams.
Kind Of A Drag Don’t You Care Mercy, Mercy, Mercy Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song) Susan
Listen for these songs on deepskyradio.com
Originally thought to be a surf band from California, The Fireballs were actually from New Mexico. They began as an instrumental group like most surf bands, and the sound was similar yet distinct. Formed in 1957 in Raton, New Mexico, The Fireballs first hit the charts in 1959 with “Torquay” followed by “Bulldog” in 1960 and “Quite A Party” in 1961.
Chuck Tharp (vocals) left the group in the early 60s and was replaced by Jimmy Gilmer from Amarillo, Texas. The Fireballs hit number 1 with “Sugar Shack” in 1963 which earned them a gold record as the Top Song of the Year. “Daisy Petal Pickin’” put them on the charts again in 1964.The final Top 40 song for the group was “Bottle Of Wine” in 1968 which entered the Top 10. The group disbanded in 1969.
The Fireballs were also the house band for Norman Petty Studios and backed many recording artists in the 60s. They were famous, or infamous according to some, for the dubbing of many Buddy Holly demo recordings.
I’ve had the pleasure to know George Tomsco (lead guitar), Stan Lark (bass) and Chuck Tharp and interviewed them while a DJ on KDAV Radio in Lubbock, Texas and watched them perform many times.
Listen for this great music on deepskyradio.com
The Nightriders began life sometime in the early 60s as an instrumental surf band. Choir members from a high school in Los Angeles (Howard Kaylan, Al Nichol, Don Murray, & Chuck Portz) had formed the Nightriders. Mark Volman was added to the group in1962 and they changed their name to The Crossfires in 1963.
With The British Invasion swamping the shores in 1964, The Crossfires realized surf music was losing popularity and changed directions and their name.
They became The Tyrtles, then The Turtles. In 1965, The Crossfires inked a contract with White Whale Records and released their first single, “It Ain’t Me Babe” written by Bob Dylan. The single reached the Top 10 in August of 1965 to be followed by 8 more Top 40 hits by 1969. “Happy Together” knocked the Beatles out of the number 1 spot in March, 1967.
The group disbanded by the end of the 60s decade, leaving a string of great songs played by DeepSkyradio.com
“Let Me Be”, “You Baby”, “She’d Rather Be With Me”, “You Know What I Mean”, “She’s My Girl”, “Elenore”, and “You Showed Me”.
DeepSkyradio.com Where Music Matters Most!
The Versatones were formed when two construction workers (Bob Bogle and Don Wilson) in Tacoma, Washington bought guitars. They began booking gigs in the area and would add a drummer and bass player for their appearances. This was about 1958. Soon after they discovered another group already carried the name Versatones so needed to rename themselves. After some deliberation, with little results, Bogle’s mother suggested the name Ventures. Howie Johnson on drums and Nokie Edwards on bass were soon added. They circulated a number of drummers through the band before signing Skip Moore. Howie Johnson returned to the band when Moore quit.
They first hit the charts in 1960 with “Walk – Don’t Run” going to #2 in the Top 40. Their run of 6 Top 40 hits ended in 1968 with “Hawaii Five-O”. The Ventures are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have sold millions of records worldwide.
Considered the pioneers of Surf Music, The Ventures inspired many guitar players and other Surf bands.
All members of The Ventures are deceased but their music can be heard on Deepskyradio.com.
“Perfidia”, “Ram – Bunk – Shush”, “Walk – Don’t Run ‘64”, “Slaughter On Tenth Avenue”, “Hawaii Five – 0” are the Top 40 hits along with “Walk–Don’t Run”.
What song did Peter Frampton first perform publicly?
Frampton first played in a band named The Little Ravens, then TheTrubeats, The Preachers, The Moon’s Train, The Herd and finally Humble Pie in 1969.
He and David Bowie would get together at school during lunch break and play Buddy Holly songs. Bowie was in a band called George and The Dragons. That first public song? It was a Buddy Holly song called “Peggy Sue” performed at a birthday party. Frampton was 12 years old. This
incident was related to the audience by Frampton at the Buddy Holly Birthday Bash in Lubbock, Texas August 6, 2022.
He also played his “talk box”. It was great!!
Green Onions” by Booker T. & The MG’s was a song that has nothing to do with onions.
Steve Cropper (later a member of The Blues Brothers) told this story at the Buddy Holly 85th Birthday Celebration in Lubbock, Texas. The instrumental was birthed in a jam session. The band members got in a groove that sounded good to most of the band. When they finished the guys in the booth asked, “What are you going to call it”?
Someone said, “You recorded that”?
“Call it onions” came a shout. “Why onions”? “Because it stinks”!
Steve thought well that stinks, too. Onions give you bad breath and bad digestion for some people. Now, green onions are good in the spring and summer, not too strong, really good in a salad. So he suggested, “What about green onions”? The name stuck.
“Green Onions” landed at the number 3 spot on the pop chart and number 1 on the R&B chart in 1962 where it remained for 4 weeks. It was recorded in Memphis at the Stax Studio and released on Stax 127.
Hailing from New Jersey, The Ad Libs was one of the few groups from the ‘60s to feature a female lead singer. Calling themselves The Creators, a group of five street corner singers released their first record on the small local TK Records label. It failed to chart as did another song on the Phillips label.
The group reformed in 1964 with a new name, The Ad Libs, along with some new group members including Mary Ann Thomas as their female lead. Great group harmony combined with a boogie-woogie rhythm produced “The Boy From New York City”.
Blue Cat Records, a subsidiary of Red Bird, signed the group and released the song in December of 1964. The next year found the Ad Libs in the Top 10. It was their only entry on the charts. Although they continued to record for several years all indicators lead to them being called “One Hit
Wonders”. It was a special song you can hear on deepskyradio.com
The famous Lieber & Stoller songwriting team almost met its end in 1956. They had been composing together since 1952 and four years later the duo faced a sudden threat just like the Titanic in 1912. The team almost sank!
Mike Stoller was on an overseas trip when the boat he was on, the Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria, collided with a Swedish liner named the Stockholm. The wreck killed 52 people and the Swedish liner sank.
When Stoller arrived safely on shore his teammate, Jerry Lieber, met him with the news of a new song hit titled “Hound Dog”. Stoller asked, “Big Mama Thornton?” She recorded the original version in 1953. Leiber answered “No, some white kid named Elvis Presley.”
Did you know Jimmy Dean (singer, actor, entrepreneur) was a cousin of actor James Dean? It’s true although they had no real friendship or close relationship.
Born and raised in Plainview, Texas Jimmy Dean was always drawn to music. He learned to play piano at a very early age, then guitar.
After serving his time in the military Jimmy decided to pursue music as a career and formed “The Texas Wildcats” which included Roy Clark of Hee Haw fame. “Big Bad John” and “P.T. 109” were his only Top 10 hits.
Jimmy’s best work came on television and a variety show he hosted in Washington, D. C. in the early 1960s called “Town and Country Time” a local show. Using this medium it is said that Jimmy brought country music to America. CBS television realized the potential of a national show and Jimmy moved to New York City to host the national variety show, again promoting country music.
If you are ever near Plainview, Texas, plan a stop at The Jimmy Dean Museum on the campus of Wayland Baptist University.
Of course, you know of Jimmy Dean sausage, right?
Deepskyradio.com plays “Big Bad John” and “P.T. 109”.
This photo shows the location of Buddy Holly’s planned Prism Record Company in Lubbock, Texas. The building blueprint included recording studios with rest room, kitchen access and an outdoor dining terrace.
The structure was also to be the living quarters for Buddy’s parents. All housed under one roof with the studio and office the living area was three bedrooms, three baths, sun terrace, gallery, living room, dining room and large kitchen with a breakfast area. There was to be a large entrance patio and a four-vehicle carport. The plans are quite impressive in a mid-century modern style.
The blueprint and elevation rendering can be viewed at The Buddy Holly
Center in Lubbock, Texas.
Their very first single went to number 1. Not many individuals or groups can claim such success.
Gary Lewis, the first son of comedian Jerry Lewis, learned to play drums starting at age 5. He then performed his first song on his Dad’s 1957 movie, “Rock-A-Bye Baby”, when he was 12 years old. He also sang on Jerry’s TV show in the early 60s.
The real motivation for performing was The Beatles. They were the impetus for Gary assembling a band playing drums and lead vocals. The rest of the group included Dave Walker (guitar), Dave Costell (guitar), Al Ramsey (bass), and John West (cordovox).
They were fortunate in gaining the attention of producer Snuff Garrett (Lubbock, Texas native) at Liberty Records. Mr. Garrett suggested “This Diamond Ring” for their first single which was a rhythm and blues single by Sammy Ambrose. The record became the first and only number 1 hit for the group.
They placed 7 records in the Top 10 from 1965 to 1966 and totaled 12 Top 40 hits by 1968.
One of my absolutely most favorite groups, you can hear Gary Lewis and The Playboys on DeepSkyRadio.com including “Count Me In”, “Save Your Heart For Me”, “Sure Gonna Miss Her” and all the other great songs.
Ever hear of a group called The Bedouins?
Or 13th Floor?
Both groups existed in the California music scene in the mid-60’s. Both became the Grass Roots, originally dubbed Grassroots. The Bedouins were only The Grassroots for less than a year. Citing the need for independence, they rejected the control of the Dunhill record label.
The first hit for the Grassroots was recorded by session musicians, much like the Monkees and 1910 Fruitgum Company, the Grassroots were a figment of the imagination. “Where Were You When I Needed You” reached number 28 the Summer of 1966. There was no band to perform the hit song publicly. That’s when the 13th Floor Became the Grass Roots. Throughout the next 7 years they put together a string of 14 Top 40 hits.
One of my favorite bands of the 60s, the Grass Roots songs “Let’s Live For Today”, “Midnight Confessions” and Sooner Or Later” all went to the Top 10 on the charts. You can hear those songs and the rest of their Top 40 hits on DeepSkyRadion.com.
Tommy Sands –A cowboy movie star?
That’s what Colonel Tom Parker (yes, THE Colonel) hoped to invent for Tommy Sands! Tommy had been a young performer on The Louisiana Hayride. Now, as a teenager, Parker first saw him in Houston.
Sands rejected the cowboy image for pop music. Parker signed him to RCA records with nominal success. His break came when Parker got him the lead in Kraft Television Theatre’s “The Singin’ Idol” episode in 1957. A song from the show (Teen-Age Crush) was released and landed at number 3 on the charts. His career had been launched.
Did Elvis get paid with donuts?
Yes!
One thing the King and I had in common. I’m sure Southern Maid was his favorite donut. Mine, too! Photo shows the donut store I patronized for many years. Still, when I make it back to my hometown, I MUST get some glazed donuts there. Nothing like them.
Strange love. Or Strangelove.
No, not the satirical comedy movie from 1964. That wasn’t really about love.
I’m talking love. Strange Love. Love Is Strange.
The song from 1957 by Mickey and Sylvia. That Top 40 hit was their only entry on the chart. They had several others in the Hot 100 over the years but nothing like the success of “Love Is Strange’ on RCA’s Groove label. It remained in the Top 40 for three months.
Mickey Baker was a prominent session guitarist and had been in the music business for many years. Sylvia Vanderpool, a singer who was known as “Little Sylvia”, became a student of Mickey’s who was also teaching guitar. They teamed up and recorded first on the Rainbow record label with no success.
John Wayne said it. Buddy Holly sang it. “That’ll Be The Day”
The Beatles sang it, also.
The first song the Beatles (as The Quarry Men, 1958) ever sang in a recording studio was “That’ll Be The Day”.
It was a difficult song for anyone to play, much less record. The intro was the greatest puzzle for all groups to figure out. That lead guitar of Buddy’s was a challenge and one of the first to break the code, and do a decent job, was a recent addition to The Quarry Men. George Harrison played that intro and lead guitar on the first recording in Liverpool. The neophyte Beatles owed a lot to Buddy Holly and always freely admitted it.
John Wayne said it. Buddy Holly sang it. “That’ll Be The Day”
The Beatles sang it, also.
The first song the Beatles (as The Quarry Men, 1958) ever sang in a recording studio was “That’ll Be The Day”.
It was a difficult song for anyone to play, much less record. The intro was the greatest puzzle for all groups to figure out. That lead guitar of Buddy’s was a challenge and one of the first to break the code, and do a decent job, was a recent addition to The Quarry Men. George Harrison played that intro and lead guitar on the first recording in Liverpool. The neophyte Beatles owed a lot to Buddy Holly and always freely admitted it.
(Source: Rave On: The Biography of Buddy Holly by Phillip Norman)
Did you know Shelley Fabares starred in three films with Elvis, knocked Elvis out of the number one spot on the Billboard chart and was married to Mike Farrell of “Mash” fame? “Girl Happy”, “Spinout”, and “Clambake” (1965-1967) were the Elvis movies. Shelley was also a regular on TV shows from the 50s to the 80s and starred in other movies.
Many People think her only chart hit was “Johnny Angel”. Shelley charted again in 1962 with “Johnny Loves Me” at number 21. She recorded until 1968 though none of those efforts landed on the charts.
In addition to her two chart hits you can hear “I Know You’ll Be There” and “Lost Summer Love” on deepskyradio.com.
Gary U. S. Bonds
Gary Levone Anderson was born in Florida and raised in Virginia, yet he was famous for his “New Orleans” sound. He first started singing in church and with a group known as “The Turks”. He soon drew the attention of Legrand Records in Norfolk, Virginia established in 1959.
One of his early promotion tours included Dick and Dee Dee from California on a tour of Texas in 1961. Gary had three songs on the Top 40 charts, while Dick and Dee Dee were trying to get exposure outside California.
His first two songs were released under the name “U.S. Bonds” leading many to believe this was a group. The U.S. came from Legrand Records trying to benefit from advertisements for U.S. savings bonds. After the confusion on the name, subsequent records included the name “Gary U.S. Bonds”.
During the Top 40 Era (1955-1975) Bonds placed nine songs on the popular chart.
“New Orleans”, “Quarter To Three”, “School Is Out”, “Dear Lady Twist”, and “Twist, Twist Senora” can all be heard on DeepSkyRadio.com along with other hits.
16 Reasons
Ever hear of a group called “The Foremost” or “The Three Debs”? Most people haven’t. They were groups formed by Concetta, our featured artist, in the early 1950’s. The first group included 3 men and Concetta. The men later became part of The Lettermen.
Born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia in Brooklyn, New York. Connie Stevens became a successful singer and actress. Best known for her good looks and acting, Connie was also on the Top 40 carts in 1059 and 1960. She also scored several minor numbers in 1962 and 1964.
She appeared in several movies but was a popular actress on TV in “Hawaiian Eye” from 1959-1963. Connie became an instant teen idol when she appeared in teen movies “Young and Dangerous”, “Eighteen and Anxious”, “The Party Crashers”, “Dragstrip Riot”, and with Jerry Lewis in “Rock-A-Bye Baby”.
She will be 84 in August of 2022. Connie was the first guest on the first Muppet Show ever taped.
Connie Stevens songs on deepskyradio.com
Rick Nelson or Ricky Nelson? It depends.
It’s Ricky Nelson from a young age until the Spring of 1961. Then he becomes Rick Nelson. What’s the difference? Maybe it’s age. Ricky is a boy’s name. Rick is more “grown up”. Oh, then there’s the music.
A noticeable change takes place in Ricky’s music about 1959. Until then, his music is upbeat and has a driven, rockabilly sound and style. Perhaps guitar legend James Burton, who later played with Elvis Presley and the material provided for many of Nelson’s early hits by Johnny and Dorsey Burnett contributed to the sound. Twenty-five songs hit the Top 40 chart during this time.
Rick Nelson has a more mellow, slow, reflective style from the summer of 1961. Only nine songs are hits during the next 3 years. He scores two more Top 40 hits in 1970.
You can hear Ricky’s early style on deepskyradio.com: “Be-Bop Baby”, “Believe What You Say”, and more. You can also hear Rick’s more mellow songs like, “Young World”, “It’s Up To You” and more.
Roy Orbison
Texan by birth, Roy was popular in west Texas where he spent his early years. As leader of The Wink Westerners and later The Teen Kings he performed in many towns surrounding Wink, Texas. Roy performed in Odessa, Texas regularly. It was in Odessa he first saw Elvis in concert and that motivated him to investigate Rock and Roll instead of the country music he’d been performing.
When “Ooby Dooby” was recorded at the Petty Studios in Cloves, New Mexico, the Teen Kings got the attention of Sam Phillips in Memphis who also recorded them and on to Monument Records in Memphis for Roy.
Roy was a songwriter and pitched “Only The Lonely” to Elvis and the Everly Brothers who both rejected the tune. So, Roy recorded it himself and was rewarded with the number 2 spot on the Billboard Chart. That song catapulted Roy’s career. Between 1960 and 1965, Orbison recorded nine Top 10 hits. Ten more broke into the Top 40.
“Running Scared,” “Crying,” “It’s Over,” and “Oh, Pretty Woman,” are just a few of Roy’s songs you can hear on deepskyradio.com.
The Darlings
The Darling Sisters placed nine hits in the Hot 100 during the 1960’s. They were really sisters-plus-one. One cousin (Nedra Talley) and the Bennett sisters (Veronica and Estelle Bennett) had been singing together at least since they were teenagers. Their big break came in 1963 when they moved from Colpix records to Phil Spector’s Phillies label.
They were known as Ronnie And The Relatives for a short time while at Colpix. As Ronnie And The Relatives they also became dancers at The Peppermint Lounge in NYC and did some song performances, also. Copix issued the first single credited to The Ronettes, not Ronnie And The Relatives.
It was as The Ronettes that the group scored their hits on Phillies Records. Other songs they recorded at Phil Spector’s studios were credited to The Crystals.
“Be My Baby” and “Baby, I Love You” are just two of their great recordings played on deepskyradio.com!
Do you remember an English group called The Deltas?
Before 1962 the Hollies were known as The Deltas around Manchester. Prior to that two of the group members, including Graham Nash, were members of a band called The Fourtones.
The Deltas first called themselves The Hollies for a December 1962 gig at the Oasis Club in Manchester. Although it’s not known as fact, it has been suggested that Eric Haydock named the group as a reference to a Christmas holly garland, though in a 2009 interview Graham Nash said that the group decided just prior to a performance to call themselves The Hollies because of their admiration for Buddy Holly. In 2009, Nash wrote, “We called ourselves The Hollies, after Buddy and Christmas.”
“Bus Stop”, “Stop Stop Stop” and “Carrie-Anne” were the Hollies first Top 10 hits in the USA.
The Hollies placed 11 Top 40 hits on the charts from 1966-1974. You can hear all their hits on Deepsky Radio. deepskyradio.com
Did you know Dave Clark of the DC5 was a stunt car driver?
World-wide the DC5 has sold more than 50 million records. There was a definite friendly competition with the Beatles. Many Called it a rivalry, but that was more created than actual. There was mutual admiration between the groups.
In the time between 1964 and 1966, two and a half years, the DC5 placed 15 consecutive Top 20 hits on the charts in America! That’s more than any other American OR British group…except the Beatles.
They were known for the “Tottenham” sound, which was inventive, stylish, full of energy, excitement, and emotion.
Actually, Dave drove cars alright, but as a stunt man who crashed cars. That’s how he made money to buy studio time for some of their first recordings.
We play all 15 of the DC5’s top hits on DeepSkyRadio.com
Did you know DeepSky Radio plays songs by Caesar & Cleo?
This duet was very popular in the 60’s and 70’s. You know many of their chart hits. Caesar was a successful songwriter in California and worked sessions with Phil Spector producing, writing, and singing back-up vocals.
Cleo was a shy singer who turned up at Spector’s studio one day in 1964. She began singing back-up, also. “Dream Baby” was her first solo effort. It has a good sound but didn’t make the Hot 100 in 1965.
Caesar also released his first solo single in 1965. It hit the #10 spot on the Top 40 chart. They joined forces in 1965 and first performed as Caesar & Cleo. Thankfully, they changed to their real names, Sonny & Cher.
They were music’s hottest couple from 1965-1967. You can hear all the hits on DeepSkyRadio.com.
The Song that wasn’t sung (by them)!
It happened twice. The first song hit the top of the charts and the second landed at number 11.
What?
This female group started in Brooklyn in the early Sixties. It didn’t take long for them to be noticed as they made the switch from church music to popular music.
Phil Spector was attracted to them and wrote their first hit, “There’s No Other (Like My Baby)”. They recorded on Spector’s Phillies label.
Spector moved to California to set up a new studio and kept The Crystals in his stable of artists. Impatient for them to make the move to the West Coast, Spector wanted to get their next record produced so substituted another girl group (Darlene Love & the Blossoms) to record “He’s A Rebel”. The record went to number one but under the Crystals name! The second song went to number 11 and was also recorded by Darlene Love & the Blossoms but released again under The Crystals name!
Of course, The Crystals did sing those songs at concerts. Don’t know who received the royalties for the recordings.
Swamp Rock (Pop). It’s about alligators and crocodiles, right?
Actually, a sub-genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll, swamp rock is a combination of Rhythm and Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll. It includes drums, piano, bass, guitar and at least two horns. Most likely a tenor sax and trumpet.
This music originated in South Louisiana, especially New Orleans. Cajuns and Creoles are credited with the development of the sound.
Jimmy Clanton was one of the first major artists to reach the charts with great success. From Baton Rouge, Clanton bought his first guitar for $12 and even formed a group called “The Dixiecats”. He was asked to join a band called “The Rockets” when he turned 18 years old. After graduation he traveled to New Orleans and eventually made contact with Ace Records owner, Johnny Vincent in Jackson, MS.
In 1958 “Just A Dream” was released and reached #4 on the charts. Clanton enjoyed a dozen chart entries between 1958 and 1963. Three of those entered the Top 10. He also appeared on American Bandstand and in movies.
You can hear “Venus In Blue Jeans”, “Just A Dream”, “Another Sleepless Night” and more on deepskyradio.com
Ever hear of Luggee & the Lions? The lead singer’s name was Luggee Alfredo Giovoni Sacco. We know him as Lou Christie. He grew up outside of Pittsburg. His first solo performance was in the first grade when he sang “Away In A Manger.” By Junior High his singing abilities were recognized by everyone and he organized a group called the Crewnecks. The group didn’t last long but he learned a lot from the experience. One of his first releases “Little Did I Know” is a new addition to the DeepSky play list. It never charted, but it is a catchy tune. It was followed about a year later by his first big hit “The Gypsy Cried.”
You can hear all his great songs on DeepSky Radio.
