We’re heading back to WLOF in Orlando, Florida, for the survey from this week in 1967, featuring the usual chart-topping classics that have never been off the radio ever since (“Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “The Beat Goes On,” “Happy Together”), and the much-more-interesting boatload of obscurities lurking below.
13. “The Children of St. Monica”/Don Grady. Grady played Robbie Douglas on My Three Sons for the series’ entire run, and he channels the British Invasion here. The spring of ‘67 represented the height of Grady’s musical career—he also played drums in the Yellow Balloon, whose “Yellow Balloon” (yep, same as the name of the group) was a hit at about the same time.
14. “Sit Down, I Think I Love You”/Mojo Men. Formed in 1964, the Mojo Men were one of San Francisco’s first rock bands. Although they would be compared to the Rolling Stones and Them, on this cover of the Buffalo Springfield’s original, they’re distinctly Beatlesque, and slightly ahead of the curve that would lead into the Summer of Love.
31. “Ballad of Walter Wart”/Thorndike Pickledish Choir. A novelty record by a Seattle DJ about a “lazy beatnik frog.” One of the lamer novelties you’re likely to hear.
33. “Matthew and Son”/Cat Stevens. Stevens was only 19 when he recorded his debut album; this and several other singles charted in the UK (driven in part by airplay on offshore pirate radio stations) before his first American hit, 1971’s “Wild World.”
40. “I’m Aware”/The Knack. This is not the Knack of “My Sharona,” but there’s at least one interesting similarity. The “My Sharona” Knack was criticized for copying the Beatles for the look of their debut album, Get the Knack. This Knack was promoted by Capitol Records as “better than the Beatles.” They weren’t (and they knew they weren’t). Three of the group’s four members were just 16 when this was recorded.
Well, that was quick. Unless inspiration strikes over the weekend, this blog will be on hiatus for a while, into next week. Until then . . . turn off your computer and go outside or something.
“Matthew and Son”/Cat Stevens (buy it here)
Filed under: Record Charts, Tracks
