December 2, 2018

 

In 62, on Parlophone, reaching No.17 in the UK,

(also a US No.1)  The Beatles arrived with ‘Love Me Do’.

And in 63, at No.2 was ‘Please Please Me’, on Parlophone,

before their first UK No.1 – ‘From Me To You’.

 

On Polydor, at No.48 – ‘My Bonnie’, for Tony Sheridan & The Beatles,

and still in 63 – ‘She Loves You’ and ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ –

both No.1 in the US and the UK, on Parlophone.

with ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, in 64, their next US/UK No.1 stand.

 

Also in 63, ‘Ain’t She Sweet’, on Polydor, – UK Top 30,

and both ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘I Feel Fine’ – a US/UK No.1 shout.

In 65, ‘Ticket To Ride’ and ‘Help’,  also on Parlophone – 

more US/UK No.1’s,  along with ‘Day Tripper’/’We Can Work It Out’.

 

In 66,’Paperback Writer’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’/’Eleanor Rigby’ –

two more US/UK No.1’s to follow through,

and in 67, ‘Penny Lane/’Strawberry Fields Forever’ –

a US.No.1, that in the UK, reached No.2.

 

Still in 67, ‘All You Need Is Love’ and ‘Hello Goodbye’ –

yet two more US/UK No.1’s on view.

And ending 67, ‘Magical Mystery Tour (Double EP)’,

still on Parlophone, reached a UK No.2.

 

In 68, ‘Lady Madonna’, on Parlophone – a UK No.1,

and still in 68, this time on Apple, ‘Hey Jude’ – a US/UK No.1.

In 69, on Apple, ‘Get Back’ with Billy Preston, a US/UK No.1,

and also in 69, ‘The Ballard Of John And Yoko’ , a UK No.1.

 

Ending 69, ‘Something’/’Come Together’, on Apple, made a UK No.4,

and ‘Let It Be’ in 70 – a US No.1, made No.2, in the UK.

And in 76, on Apple, a US.No.1 and UK No.8, was ‘Yesterday’.

Also in 76, ‘Hey Jude’ on Apple, made a return at No.12 in the UK.

 

Still in 76, ‘Paperback Writer’ – a UK No.23, and

‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ – a UK No.32, ( both on Parlophone),

and ‘Get Back’ with Billy Preston, on Apple – a UK No.28, and

‘Help’ -a UK No.37, and ‘Back In The U.S.S.R’, – a UK No.19 (both on Parlophone).

 

In 78, ‘SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – With A Little Help From My Friends’,

on Parlophone, a UK No.63 entry on view.

And in 82, ‘Beatles Movie Medley’ – a UK Top 10,

and at No.4, still on Parlophone, returned ‘Love Me Do’.

 

In 83, ‘Please Please Me’ claimed a UK No.29 slot,

and ‘From Me To You’  made a Top 40 stand.

And ‘She Loves You’ – a UK No.45,

and at No.62 was ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’.

 

In 84, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ reached a UK No.53,

then ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ made a UK No.52.

and ending 84, ‘I Feel Fine’ was at No.65 in the UK,

and in 85 ‘Ticket To Ride’, – a UK No.70, came back into view.

 

In 86,’Yellow Submarine’/’Eleanor Rigby’, was a UK No.63.

In 87, ‘Penny Lane’/Strawberry Fields Forever’, a No.65 try,

and at No.47,  ‘All You Need Is Love’ was followed,

twenty years on, by ‘Hello Goodbye’.

 

In 88, ‘Lady Madonna’, on Parlophone, was a UK No.67,

and ‘Hey Jude’, on Apple, reached a UK No.52.

In 89, ‘Get Back’ with Billy Preston, on Apple, a UK No.74,

and on Parlophone, in 92, at No.53, was ‘Love Me Do’.

 

In 95, on Apple, making a UK No.7 was ‘Baby It’s You’,

then followed ‘Free As A Bird’ – a UK No.2  (the penultimate hit in this mix),

and ending Part 1 of – For The Love Of The Beatles,

reaching a UK No.4,  is ‘Real Love’, on Apple, from 96.

 

Thank You for the music –

R I P

John Lennon   1940 – 1980

George Harrison   1943 – 2001

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury

December 1, 2018

 

 

In 70, on Paramount, at No.18

was Clint Eastwood with ‘I Talk To The Trees’.

Also, in the 70’s, on Epic – The Isley Brothers

saw ‘Harvest For The World’ follow ‘Summer Breeze’.

 

In 66, (after ‘Tossing And Turning’ in 65),

on Piccadilly, The Ivy League gave us ‘Willow Tree’.

And in the 70’s, Maxine Nightingale, on United Artists, had hits

with ‘Right Back Where We Started From’ and ‘Love Hit Me’.

 

In 81, on RCA was Odyssey

with ‘Going Back To My Roots’ peaking at No.4.

And in 68, The Foundations with ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’,

on Pye, had their second UK,  Top 2 score.

 

In 66, Dinah Washington, on Mercury,

had a Top 40 with ‘September In The Rain’.

And in 65, also on Mercury, German pianist -‘ Horst Jankowski

had ‘A Walk In The Black Forest’ arrive in the No.3 lane.

 

In 94, on Food label, at No.10 was ‘Parklife’,

and then gold selling ‘Country House’, in 95 for Blur.

‘Stoney End’ and ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’, on CBS –

70’s hits for Barbra Streisand, along with ‘The Way We Were’.

 

In 67, The Beatles on Parlophone

took ‘Penny Lane’/’Strawberry Fields Forever’, to No.2.

And in 68, at No.2, on VC Recording label

was ‘Bamboogie’ by UK Producer – Bamboo.

 

In 05, ‘Black Horse And The Cherry Tree’ –

a Top 30, on Relentless for K T Tunstall.

And in 72, ‘Walkin In The Rain With The One I Love’,

a Top 20 for Love Unlimited, so easy to recall.

 

In 84, at No.8, and in 93 at No.1 for 4 weeks –

The Bluebells, on London, had success with ‘Young At Heart’.

And also in 84, ‘When Doves Cry’ and ‘Purple Rain’, for Prince,

on Warner Brothers, both made the UK Top 10 chart.

 

In 86, on Mercury was ‘Down To Earth’

for Curiosity Killed The Cat, making a Top 3 claim.

And back in 64, on Decca, reaching the Top 5,

was Dave Berry with ‘The Crying Game’.

 

In 08, ‘Mountains’ on 14th Floor label,

for UK trio – Biffy Clyro, reached No.5.

In 76, on MGM ‘How High The Moon’ for Gloria Gaynor,

came before her Polydor, US and UK No.1 hit – ‘I Will Survive’

 

In 81, ‘A Good Year For The Roses’ on F Beat XX

for Elvis Costello, made No.6.

And In 77, on Warner Brothers, at No.26,

for George Benson, was ‘Nature Boy’ – last in this mix.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury

November 26, 2018

 

In 81, on Polydor, reaching No.21

was ‘Radio Wall Of Sound’ by Slade,

and in 84, ‘Radio GaGa’ by Queen

on EMI – a number 2 position made.

 

In 01, ‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead

on Parlophone made Number 3,

and ‘Nervous Wreck’ by U.S. group Radio Stars,

on Chiswick, a top 40, proved to be.

 

In 04, ‘Radio’ by Robbie Williams,

on Crysalis reached the No.1 slot,

and in 91, ‘Radio Song’ by REM –

a Top 30, on Warner Brothers, loved a lot.

 

In 61, ‘Transistor Radio’ made No.24

on Pye, for Comedian – Benny Hill,

and in 78, ‘Radio Radio’ – a Top 30 on Radar

for Elvis Costello & The Attractions, that fans love still.

 

In 87, ‘Radio Heart’ at No.35 on GFM for

Radio Heart featuring Gary Numan, is next in this mix.

Also, in 87 ‘I Love My Radio ( My DJ’s Radio)’ 

for Taffy, on Transglobal, made No.6.

 

In 80, ‘On The Radio’ by Donna Summer,

on  Casablanca, peaked at No.32,

and in 78, ‘Jack And Jill’ at No 11, on Arista,

by U.S. group Raydio, came into view.

 

In 83, at No.13 on Sound of New York label was

‘Last Night A DJ Saved My Life On Th Radio’ by Indeep,

and in 76, on Decca, at No.3 was ‘Music’,

by John Miles, guaranteeing a calming night’s sleep.

 

November 21, 2018

 

From Room Number 1 rang out

Roxy Music’s ‘Dance Away’

for the umpteenth time

on that very first day.

 

And then from Ultravox

along with Midge Ure –

‘Sleepwalk’ and ‘Passing Strangers’

the neighbourhood had to endure.

 

The Box Room by the front door

was a Boomtown Rat zone,

and also heard was Blondie

‘Hanging on the telephone’.

 

And just as one’s sanity –

it was simply impossible to recall,

came, full blast along the corridor

Pink Floyd’s ‘Another brick in the wall’.

 

Meanwhile, across the landing,

as the windows shook, came Queen,

and also the dulcet tones

of U.S. soul singer, Al Green. 

 

And Ian Dury’s Rhythm Stick’

and Herbie Hancock’s ‘I Thought It Was You’,

had the whole place rocking,

as another gasket blew.

 

Then the Manager paid a visit,

humming Roger Whittaker’s ‘Durham Town’,

which definitely for a minute or two

calmed the household down.

 

And the bathroom always in use,

as an occupant soaked up Billy Paul,

whilst Eagle-loving ‘Desperado’s’

queued impatiently down the hall.

 

And Marvin Gaye – in all his brilliance,

didn’t stand a chance,

with Billy Joel’s ‘My Life’ on repeat –

causing a frenzied trance.

 

Then Carole Bayer Sager from the kitchen

announced, ‘You’re moving out today’,

as some demanded squatters rights,

with Odyssey paving the way.

 

Then suddenly came silence,

and normality was restored –

A whole new world beckoned,

and had to be explored.

 

as some contracts not renewed,

whilst other players were transferred,

and from rooms once filled with vinyl,

now only silence could be heard.

 

And as the keys turned in the locks,

after everyone said goodbyes,

quite fittingly on their car radios, 

Art Garfunkel sang ‘Bright Eyes’.

 

written by  Harriet Blackbury.

and can be read in Issue 63  (page 46) of

backpass – The Retro Football Magazine.

November 17, 2018

 

 

In 84, UK Group – Art of Noise,

reached No.8 with ‘Close (To The Edit)’,

and in 66, on Parlophone ‘Paperback Writer’

gave The Beatles their 10th No.1 credit.

 

In 86, ‘Ballerina Girl’/’Deep River Woman’, on Motown,

gave Lionel Richie his 10th UK Top Twenty,

and ‘Dance Yourself Dizzy’ on the Polo label,

in 80, saw ‘Liquid Gold’ with a No.2 entry.

 

In 83, ‘Karma Chameleon’, on Virgin,

for Culture Club, a No.1 in the US & UK,

and on the Sire label in 89 at No.5,

with ‘Express Yourself’ Madonna had her say.

 

In 1960, on Parlophone, in the Top 3  –

‘Portrait Of My Love’ by Matt Munro, loved by all.

and on Epic, in 79 at No.7,

was Michael Jackson with ‘Off The Wall’.

 

In 62, on Mercury, reaching No.5,

Leroy Van Dyke arrived with ‘Walk On By’,

and also on Mercury, in 75 -‘Art For Art’s Sake’ by 10CC,

 (this Top 5 following ‘I’m Not In Love’ – a No.1 high.)

 

In 84 came ‘State Of Independence’,

by Jon & Vangelis on Polydor,

and at No.5 in 76, on Buddah –

Andrea True Connection sang ‘More More More’.

 

In 62, at No.2, on the Piccadilly label,

Joe Brown sang ‘A Picture Of You’,

and on Crysalis in 73, Leo Sayer with

‘The Show Must Go On’,  also reached No.2.

 

In 2009, on Lavolta label, Red Light Company

took ‘Arts And Crafts’ to No.53,

and in 77, ‘Show You The Way To Go’, on Epic,

for the Jackson 5, their first No.1 was to be.

 

In 86, ‘The Phantom Of The Opera’, on Polydor,

at No.7, Sarah Brightman & Steve Harley did own.

and in 91, at No.16, ‘The Show Must Go On’

by Queen, came on Parlophone.

 

 

 

‘5 Steps’ by Dru Hill made a UK No.22

on Island Black Music label in 97,

and in 87, ‘Five Get Over Excited’,

by The Housemartins reached No.11.

 

‘Five Colours In Her Hair’ by McFly,

in 2004, a UK No.1 bet,

and at No.6 in 61, on Fontana,

with ‘Take Five’ was The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

 

In 86, on the Tent label was Five Star –

at No.2 with ‘Rain Or Shine’,

and in 08, Noah & The Whale, on Vertigo,

made No.7 with ‘5 Years Time’.

 

In 78, ‘Five Minutes’ by The Stranglers,

on United Artists arrived at No.11,

and in 99, ‘Everything But The Girl’

by Five Fathoms, on Virgin, made No.27.

 

‘I’m In Favour Of Friendship’, on Decca,

in 1955 gave Five Smith Brothers a Top 20,

and in 99, ‘Never Had It So Good’,

by Take 5, a No.34 entry.

 

‘Until The Time Is Through’ by Five

on RCA, in 98, reached a No.2 high,

and The Jackson 5, on Tamla Motown, in 71,

was at No.33 with ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’.

 

 

November 12, 2018

 

 

In 72, ‘Ball Park Incident’ by Wizzard

on Harvest – their first Top Ten was to be,

and ‘See My Baby Jive’ and ‘Angel Fingers’

two consecutive No.1s  coming in 73.

 

‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’ –

their last hit of 73,  reaching No.4,

and in Spring of 74, came ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Winter’-

now on Warner Brothers, making a Top Ten score.

 

‘This Is The Story Of My Life (Baby)’

made the Top 40, and then 

finishing the year – ‘Are You Ready To Rock’

saw them with a hit on their hands again.

 

Thank You for the music

RIP  Hugh McDowell   1953 – 2018

( A much respected Rock Cellist with ELO and Wizzard

and many more Bands  – a true musician in every sense of the word)

 

 

 

November 2, 2018

 

 

Clementine Campbell, known as Cleo Laine

in 61, had a Top 5 with ‘You’ll Answer To Me’.

William Ashton, known as Billy J Kramer

in 63, with The Dakotas, had a No.1 with ‘Bad To Me’.

 

Patricia Holt, known as Patti Labelle

in 86, with Michael McDonald took ‘On My Own’ to No.2.

Benjamin Nelson, known as Ben E King

in 87, with ‘Stand By Me’, up to No.1 flew.

 

Bob Davies, known as Jasper Carrot

in 75, took ‘Funky Moped’ for a No.5 ride.

William Cleworth-Piddington, known as Bill Tarmy

in 93, hit No.16 singing ‘One Voice’ with pride.

 

Stefani Germanotta, known as Lady GaGa

had two No.1’s in 09 with ‘Just Dance’ and ‘Poker Face’.

Beverley Smith, known as Beverley Knight

in 04, with ‘Come As You Are’, found a No.9 place.

 

Allen Levy, known as Soloman King

in 68, had a No.3 with ‘She Wears My Ring’.

Ernest Evans, known as Chubby Checker,

in the 60’s, ‘The Twist’, to the dance floor, did bring.

 

Steveland Judkins, known as Stevie Wonder

in 77, had a UK No.2 with ‘Sir Duke’.

Dino Crocetti, known as Dean Martin

in 69, with ‘Gentle On My Mind’, couldn’t be mistook.

 

Aimee Duffy, known as Duffy

in 08, at No.1 with ‘Mercy’ & No.3 with ‘Warwick Avenue’.

Donovan Leitch, known as Donovan

in 66, took ‘Sunshine Superman’ to No.2.

 

Chris Hamill, known as Limahl

in 84, at No.4 with ‘Never Ending Story.

Alecia Moore, known as P!nk

in the Noughties, won all the glory.

 

Gerald James, known as Jess Conrad

in 61, had a Top 20 with ‘Mystery Girl’.

Lugee Sacco, known as Lou Christie

in 66, with ‘Lightnin Strikes’, had fans in a whirl.

 

Barry Sapherson, known as Barry Ryan

in 68, at No.2 with ‘Eloise’.

Ladonna Gaines, known as Donna Summer

in 77, at No.1 with ‘I Feel Love’, fans did please.

 

Carole Klein, known as Carole King

in 62, gave us ‘It Might As Well Rain Until September’.

David Hayward, known as Justin Hayward

in 78, sang ‘Forever Autumn’ – a Top 5 to remember.

 

 

 

 

Barry Pincas, known as Barry Manilow

in 75, gave us ‘Mandy’ on the Arista label.

Reginald Dwight, known as Elton John

in 73, with ‘Daniel’, brought a Top 5 to the table.

 

Marie Lawrie, known as Lulu

arrived at No.7 in 64 with ‘Shout’.

Priscilla White, known as Cilla Black

in 66, asked ‘Alfie’ what it was all about? 

 

Harry Webb, known as Cliff Richard

in 80, with ‘Carrie’, reached No.4.

Michael Barratt, known as Shakin Stevens

in 82, with ‘Oh Julie’, gained a No. 1 score.

 

Norman Smith, known as Hurricane Smith

in 71, with ‘Don’t Let It Die’, made a UK No.2.

Mary O’Brien, known as Dusty Springfield

in 63, sang ‘I Only Want To Be With You’.

 

Diane Earle, known as Diana Ross

in 71, reached No.7 with ‘Remember Me’.

Johann Holzel, known as Falco

in 86, saw ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ at the top of the tree.

 

James Newell Osterberg, known as Iggy Pop

in 98, took ‘The Passenger’ to No.22.

Hugh Cregg, known as Huey Lewis,

with The News, in 86, sang ‘Stuck On You’.

 

Michael Penniman, known as Mika

in 07, found ‘Grace Kelly’ at No.1.

Gerard Sayer, known as Leo Sayer

in 73, demanded ‘The Show Must Go On’.

 

Paul Williams, known as Billy Paul

gave us ‘Me And Mrs Jones’ in 73.

Dave Grundy, known as Dave Berry

in 63, on Decca, gave us ‘Memphis Tennessee’.

 

Clive Powell, known as Georgie Fame

had No.1’s with ‘Yeh Yeh’ and ‘The Ballad Of Bonnie & Clyde’.

Yvette Stevens, known as Chaka Khan

in 84, gave ‘I Feel For You’ -a gold selling, a No.1 ride.

 

Leonard Borisoff, known as Len Barry

in 65, on Brunswick, had a hit with 1-2-3.

Terence Nelhams-Wright, known as Adam Faith

in 60, had his second No.1 – ‘Poor Me’.

 

Rosemary Brown, known as Dana

in 70, took ‘All Kinds Of Everything’ to No.1,

and in 75, with ‘It’s Gonna Be A Cold Cold Christmas,

 this Irish singer had every heart won.

 

October 20, 2018

 

 

With their gold selling single ‘Denis’,

in 78, Blondie reached a UK No.2 slot,

and ‘(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear’,

again on Chrysalis, gave them a Top Ten spot.

 

Then, still in 78, followed ‘Picture This’, at No.12,

and at No.5 arrived  ‘Hanging On The Telephone’,

and with their next two singles reaching  No.1 in 79

the UK chart, they made their own.

 

With platinum-selling single ‘Heart Of Glass’

and gold-seller ‘Sunday Girl’, setting the scene.

Followed by ‘Dreaming’, which made No.2,

with ‘Union City Blues’ making No.13.

 

In 80, gold-seller ‘Atomic’, still on Chrysalis-

being another UK No.1 they had won,

with ‘Call Me’ and ‘The Tide Is High’

in the US and UK, both reaching No.1.

 

In 81, US No.1 ‘Rapture’ made a UK No.5,

and in 82, next to fall into line 

was ‘Island Of Lost Souls’ at No.11,

and ‘War Child’ at No.39.

 

In 88 came ‘Denis (remix)’ at No.50,

and in 89, at No.61 ‘Call Me (remix)’.

Then 94 saw ‘Atomis (remix)’ reach No.19,

and in 95, at No.15 ‘Heart Of Glass (remix)’

 

‘Union City Blues’ made No.31, also in 95,

(and their last hit on Chrysalis, proved to be),

and in 99, gold-seller ‘Maria’ on Beyond, a UK No.1,

 pleasing fans as far as the eye could see. 

 

‘Nothing Is Real But The Girl’, also in 99 on Beyond,

came next, reaching No.26,

and in 03 ‘Good Boys’ on Epic, at No.12 –

the last hit in this nostalgic Blondie mix.

 

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