Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Music History Today: April 22, 2021

April 22, 1967: "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & the Shondells peaked at Number 4 US music chart.

I Think We’re Alone Now was presented to me as a slow ballad by my producers, Richie Cordell and Bo Gentry. I was 19, but I heard the hook and thought it sounded like a hit. 

I Think We’re Alone Now by Tommy James & the Shondells single cover
(sign up to follow by email)

We did a quick demo, souping it up and making it much faster. When we played it to Morris Levy, the head of Roulette Records, he loved it, so we went back in the studio to record it properly. I recorded the vocal on Christmas Eve 1966, so we could get the song on the street for the new year. 
Read more: The Guardian

April 22, 1936: Glen Campbell was born in Billstown, Arkansas.

Glen Campbell began his musical career as a songwriter and sideman to some of the biggest stars of the 1960s. 

Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell

He achieved success on both the country and pop charts late in the decade through tracks like "Gentle on My Mind," and the 1970s he cemented his status as a crossover star with the No. 1 hits "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights." 
Read more: Biography

April 22, 1963:  The Crystals released the single "Da Doo Ron Ron."

The Crystals recorded "Da Doo Ron Ron" in March 1963 at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles. It was produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. Jack Nitzsche was the arranger and Larry Levine the engineer. The drummer was Hal Blaine. Dolores "LaLa" Brooks was the lead vocalist. La La Brooks told the syndicated radio program Solid Gold Weekend that Cher was one of the singers backing her lead vocals. 
Read more: Wikipedia

 

April 22, 1972: "Rockin' Robin" by Michael Jackson peaked at Number 2 on the Hot 100 chart.

“Rockin’ Robin” was Michael’s second solo single, although he subsequently sang the song with the rest of the Jackson 5. It was the follow-up to his first solo outing, “Got To Be There.” 

Michael Jackson 1972
Michael Jackson 1972

As Jerry Marcellino noted, “Rockin’ Robin” was the Motown star’s take on an earlier rock ’n’ roll hit by Bobby Day, when it was known as “Rock-in’ Robin.” The song was written under the pseudonym of Jimmie (or Jimmy) Thomas by Leon René, whose Class Records released Day’s original in 1958.  

Read more: Classic Motown

 

April 22, 2000:  Faith Hill topped out at Number 2 on the How 100 with "Breathe."

Faith Hill
Faith Hill

The title track to Hill's Grammy-winning 1999 album, "Breathe" was a smash on both country and adult contemporary radio. The sultry track, which features Dolly Parton on backing vocals, catapulted Hill into a crossover superstar. 
Read more: Wide Open Country

 

I Think We're Alone Now
Tommy James & the Shondells

No comments:

Post a Comment