The Yearly GELT's TOP 1960-1964

1964
Artist of the year : The Beatles
That’s it, the Beatlemania that raged for a year in England arrived in the United States. Leading the so called British Invasion, John, Paul, George and Ringo land in New York in February right in the middle of an uproarious crowd. While all their 45 rpm top the charts, they are becoming a real worldwide social trend. The Fab Four are everywhere, on theater stages, concert halls, TV shows, in movies, on magazine covers and of course in records stores where millions fans are jostling to get their albums. Everybody sings their songs, everyone wants to look like them, play guitar like them, dress like them and have their hairstyle. Following their example, a stack of new bands thrives in recording studios confirming a generational enthusiasm for a new style of music ready to take the power.


 #
 Artist
 Title
 CT
VIDEO 
 1 
Simon & Garfunkel
The Sound Of Silence
(Paul Simon)

 2 
The Searchers
Needles And Pins
(Jack Nitzsche/Sonny Bonno)

 3 
The Beatles
Do You Want To Know A Secret
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 4
The Beach Boys
I Get Around
(Brian Wilson/Mike Love)

 5
The Animals
The House Of The Rising Sun
(Georgia Turner/Bert Martin)

 6
The Beatles
Can't Buy Me Love
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 7
The Supremes
Where Did Our Love Go
(Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier)

 8 
The Righteous Brothers
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
(Barry Mann/Phil Spector/Cynthia Weil)

 9 
Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz
The Girl From Ipanema
(Antonio Carlos Jobim/Vinicius De Moraes/Norman Gimbel)

 10 
The Zombies
She's Not There
(Rod Argent)

 11
J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers
Last Kiss
(Wayne Cochran)

 12 
Barbra Streisand
People
(Jule Styne/Bob Merrill)

 13
The Beatles
Hard Day's Night
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 14
Roy Orbison
Oh, Pretty Woman
Roy Orbison/Bill Dees

 15
The Supremes
Baby Love
(Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier)

 16 
Peter & Gordon
A World Without Love
(Paul McCartney)

 17 
Dionne Warwick
Walk On By
(Burt Bacharach/Hal David)

 18
The Shangri-Las
Leader Of The Pack
(Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich)

 19
The Dave Clark Five
Because
(Dave Clark)

 20
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Dawn (Go Away)
(Sandy Linzer/Bob Gaudio)

 21 
The Kinks
You Really Got Me
(Ray Davies)

 22 
The Beatles
I Feel Fine
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 23 
Little Anthony & The Imperials
Goin' Out Of My Head
(Teddy Randazzo/Eddy Weinstein)

 24
Johnny Rivers
Memphis
(Chuck Berry)

 25
Mary Wells
My Guy
(Smokey Robinson)

 26 
Gerry & The Pacemakers
Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
(Gerry Marsden)

 27 
Bobby Vinton
Mr Lonely
(Bobby Vinton/Gene Allan)

 28
France Gall
Laisse Tomber Les Filles
(Serge Gainsbourg/Davis Boyer)

 29
The Rolling Stones
It's All Over Now
(Bobby Womack/Shirley Womack)

 30
Terry Stafford
Suspicion
(Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)

 31
Them
Gloria
(Van Morrison)

 32 
Dionne Warwick
Anyone Who Had A Heart
(Burt Bacharach/Hal David)

 33
The Moody Blues
Go Now
(Larry Banks/Milton Bennett)

 34
Chad & Jeremy
A Summer Song
(David Stuart/Keith Noble)

 35
Petula Clark
Downtown
(Tony Hatch)

 36
Ronny & The Daytonas
Little G.T.O.
(John Wilkin)

 37
Bobby Goldsboro
See The Funny Little Clown
(Bernard Michel)

 38
The Dave Clark Five
Can't You See That She's Mine
(Dave Clark/Mike Smith)

 39
The Beatles
She's A Woman
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 40 
Marianne Faithful
As Tears Go By
(Mick Jagger/Keith Richard)


1963

Artist of the year : The Ronettes
This year marks the beginning of the meteoric progress of The Beatles and what has been called the British Invasion at a time when music was for decades outplayed by American singers and bands.  But even though the Fab Four shaked the heart of millions hysteric fans, the track that still now conveys the same emotion stays however Be My Baby performed by the Ronettes, the sexy female trio produced by Phil Spector.

Consisting of Ronnie Bennett, her sister Estelle and cousin Nedra Talley, the girls band already flirted with the Top 100 for 2 years but the release of Be My Baby was to make them in a few months true worldwide stars. With their long dark hair and fine mixed-race looking,  the popularity ratings of The Ronettes skyrocketted at the end of the year to the point to compete with The Beatles with whom they will also tour shortly afterwards.


 #
 Artist
 Title
 CT
VIDEO 
 1 
The Cascades
Rhythm Of The Rain
(John Claude Gummoe)

 2
The Beatles
She Loves You
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 3
The Beach Boys
Surfin' USA
(Chuck Berry/Brian Wilson)

 4 
The Ronettes
Be My Baby
(Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenfield)

 5 
Peter, Paul & Mary
Blowin' In the Wind
(Bob Dylan)

 6 
Little Peggy March
I Will Follow Him
(Franck Pourcel/Paul Mauriat/Norman Gimbel)

 7
The Kingsmen
Louie Louie
(Richard Berry)
 8
Martha & The Vandellas
Heatwave
(Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier)

 9
Barbara Lewis
Hello Stranger
(Barbara Lewis)

 10
Elvis Presley
Bossa Nova Baby
(Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)

 11 
Skeeter Davis
To The End Of The World
(Arthur Kent/Sylvia Dee)

 12
The Beatles
I Want To Hold Your Hand
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 13 
The Drifters
On Broadway
(Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil)

 14 
The Crystals
Da Doo Ron Ron
(Phil Spector/Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich)

 15 
Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
Sugar Shack
(Kimmy McCormack/Jimmy Torres)

 16
The Beatles
Twist And Shout
(Phil Medley/Bert Berns)

 17
Lesley Gore
It's My Party
(John Gluck/Wally Gold:Herb Wiener)

 18
Freddie Scott
Hey Girl
(Gery Goffin/Carole King)

 19
Dion
Drip Drop
(Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) 

 20
The Beatles
From Me To You
(John Lennon./Paul Mc Cartney)

 21
Ruby & The Romantics
Our Day Will Come
(Bob Hilliard/Mort Garson)

 22
Mary Wells
Two Lovers
(Smokey Robinson)

 23
The Essex
Easier Said Than Done
(Larry Huff/William Linton)

 24 
Steve Lawrence
Go Away Little Girl
(Gerry Goffin/Carole King)

 25
The Beatles
Please Please Me
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 26
The Shirelles
Foolish Little Girl
(Helen Miller/Howard Greenfield)

 27
Bobby Vinton
Blue Velvet
(Bernie Wayne/Lee Morris)

 28 
Peter, Paul & Mary
Puff The Magic Dragon
(Leonard Lipton/Peter Yarrow)

 29
Marvin Gaye
Can I Get A Witness
(Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier)

 30
The Chiffons
He's So Fine
(Ronald Mack)

 31
Elvis Presley
Devil In Disguise
(Benie Baum/Bill Giant/Florence Kaye)

 32
Jan & Dean
Surf City
(Jan Berry/Brian Wilson)

 33
Lenny Welch
Since I Fell For You
(Buddy Johnson)

 34
Roy Orbison
Mean Woman Blues
(Claude Demetrius)

 35
Shirley Bassey
I (Who Have Nothing)
(Jerry Leiber/Moke Stoller)
 36
Andy Williams
Can't Get Used To Losing You
(Jerome "Doc" Pomus/Mort Shuman)

 37 
The Jaynetts
Sally, Go'Round The Roses
(Zell Sanders/Lona Spector)

 38
Kyu Sakamoto
Sukiyaki
(Rokosuke Hei/Hashidai Nakamura)

 39
Rick Nelson
String Along
(Bobby Dole/Jimmy Duncan)

 40
The Impressions
It's All Right
(Curtis Mayfield)

1962

Artist of the year : Dion
Born Dio DiMucci, it is with the Belmonts that he started at the end of the 50's a brilliant career. In January 1959, he was part of the fatal tour where the plane carrying Buddy Holly and Richie Valens crashed at Clear Lake (Iowa) but had by chance chosen not to go with them for lack of money to pay the flight. He released  a few months later with his band Teenager In Love, a single propelling him soon at the top of the charts, in which he asserted his own rythmic sound. This first national hit was followed with Where or When, a  track marking a peak. After dissensions within the group and a stay in hospital for heroin addiction, Dion decided however in 1960 to go on a solo career. In 1961, he topped the charts with Runaround Sue, selling over a million copies. He confirmed in spring, 1962 his star status with the release of The Wanderer, resuming with the same success rhythmic recipes typical of his musical personality. Dion remains over the years one of the most iconic singers of the hinge between the 50's and 60's with a string of hits since become anthems of the rock'n roll era.


 #
 Artist
 Title
 CT
VIDEO 
 1 
The Kingston Trio
Where Have All The Flowers Gone
(Pete Seeger/Joe Hickerson)


 2 
Ricky Nelson
Teenage Idol
(Jack Lewis)

 3 
Dion
The Wanderer
(Ernie Maresca)

 4
Dee Dee Sharp
Mashed Potato Time
(Bernie Lowe/Kal Mann)
 5 
Sam Cooke
Twistin' The Night Away
(Sam Cooke)

 6 
Little Eva
The Loco-Motion
(Gerry Goffin/Carole King)

 7
Ray Charles
I Can't Stop Loving You
(Don Gibson)
 8 
Bryan Hyland
Sealed With A Kiss
(Gary Geld/Peter Udell)

 9 
Shelley Fabares
Johnny Angel
(Lyn Dudy/Lee Pockriss)

 10 
Elvis Presley
Good Luck Charm
(Wally Gold/Aaron Schroeder)

 11
Chubby Checker & Dee Dee Sharp
Slow Twistin'
(Kal Mann)

 12 
The Drifters
Up On The Roof
(Gerry Goffin/Carole King)

 13
Sandra Dee & Bobby Darin
Dream Lover
(Bobby Darin)

 14 
Joanie Somers
Johnny Get Angry
(Hal David/Sherman Edwards)

 15 
Jay & The Americans
She Cried
(Ted Darrill/Greg Richards)

 16
Elvis Presley
Can't Help Falling In Love
(Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George David Weiss)

 17
The Shirelles
Soldier Boy
(Luther Dixon/Florence Greenberg)

 18
The Isley Brothers
Twist And Shout
(Phil Medley/Bert Berns)

 19
Chris Montez
Let's Dance
(Jim Lee)

 20
The Beach Boys
Surfin' Safari
(Brian Wilson/Mike Love)

 21
Roy Orbison
Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)
(Cindy Walker)

 22
The Beatles
Love Me Do
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

 23
Neil Sedaka
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
(Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield)

 24 
Marcie Blane
Bobby's Girl
(Henry Hoffman/Gary Klein)

 25
The Orlons
Wah-Watusi
(Barry Mann/Dave Appel)

 26
The Everly Brothers
Crying In The Rain
(Howard Greenfield/Carole King)

 27
Pat Boone
Speedy Gonzales
(David Hill/Buddy Kaye/Ethel Lee)

 28 
Ben E. King
Don't Play That Song
(Ahmet Ertegun/Betty Nelson)

 29
Freddy Cannon
Palisades Park
(Chuck Barris)

 30
Tommy Roe
Sheila
(Tommy Roe/Robert Bosch)

 31 
Johnny Crawford
Cindy's Birthday
(Jeff Hooven/Hal Winn)

 32
Connie Francis
Don't Break That Loves You
(Benny Davis/Ted Murry)

 33
Cliff Richard
The Young Ones
(Sid Tepper/Roy C. Bennett)

 34
Barbara George
I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)
(Barbara George)

 35 
Petula Clark
Chariot
(Franck Pourcel/Paul Mauriat/Jacques Plante)


 36
Ketty Lester
Love Letters
(Victor Young/Edward Heyman)

 37
The Highwaymen
Cotton Fields
(Leadbelly)

 38
Peter, Paul & Mary
If I Had A Hammer
(Pete Seeger/Lee Hays)

 39 
Helen Shapiro
Tell Me What He Said
(Jeff Barry)

 40
The Exciters
Tell Him
(Bert Berns)

 

1961

Artist of the Year : Ben E. King
Each year brings its batch of hits and although most fell into oblivion with time,  some have never aged at all. This is the case of Stand By Me, a track even considered as one of the songs of the century. Composed by the hit making songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, it was inspired by a gospel written in the early twentieth century and refreshed shortly before by Sam Cooke. The Rhythm & Blues rendition released by former Drifter Ben E. King is truly the perfect blend. Covered more than 400 times by the greatest singers from John Lennon to Lady Gaga, he never seems to go beyond.
« …(King)’s is surrounded by a superb, subtle arrangement, where the majestic orchestra doesn't sweep in until the bridge where it cleverly disguises a key change. Best of all, "Stand By Me" played like a love song, but it wasn't. It was a testament to friendship, one of the best of its kind in pop history. Perhaps that's why it was also one of the most endearing songs of the rock era. King's peerless original was never matched and it won the hearts of many generations of listeners….” (Stephen Thomas Erlewine – Allmusic.com)


 #
 Artist
 Title
 CT
VIDEO 
 1 
Ben E. King
Stand By Me
(Ben E. King/Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)


 2 
Del Shannon
Runaway
(Del Shannon/Max Crook)

 3 
Ray Charles
Unchain My Heart
(Bobby Sharp)

 4 
Patsy Cline
I Fall To Pieces
(Hank Cochran/Arlan Howard)

 5 
 Elvis Presley
 Little Sister
(Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)

 6 
Connie Francis
Where The Boys Are
(Neil Sedake/Howard Greenfield)

 7 
Dion & The Belmonts
Runaround Sue
(Ernie Maresca)

 8
Chubby Checker
Let's Twist Again
(Kal Mann/Dave Appell)

 9
Roy Orbison
Crying
(Roy Orbison/Joe Melson)

 10 
The Paris Sisters
I Love You How You Love Me
(Barry Mann/Larry Kolber)

 11 
Ricky Nelson
Travelin' Man
(Jerry Fuller)

 12
The Regents
Barbara Ann
(Fred Fassert)

 13
Ray Charles
Hit The Road Jack
(Percy Mayfield)

 14
Elvis Presley
Surrender
(Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)

 15
The Dovells
The Bristol Stomp
(Kal Mann/Dave Appell)

 16 
The Everly Brothers
Walk Right Back
(Sonny Curtis)

 17
The Marvelettes
Please, Mr Postman
(Georgia Dobbins/William Garrett)

 18
The Highwaymen
Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)
(Traditional)

 19 
Sue Thompson
Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)
(John D. Loudermilk)

 20 
Steve Lawrence
Portrait Of My Love
(Cyril Ornadel/Norman Newell)

 21 
Timi Yuro
I'm So Hurt
(Cat Ballou)

 22 
Neil Sedaka
One Way Ticket
(Jack Keller/Hank Hunter)

 23
Brenda Lee
Dum Dum
(Jackie DeShannon/Sharon Sheeley)

 24 
Gene Pitney
Town Without Pity
(Dimitri Tiomkin/Ned Washington)

 25
Barry Mann
Who Put The Bomb (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)
(Barry Mann/Gerry Goffin)

 26
Linda Scott
Don't Bet Money Honey
(Linda Scott)

 27
Faron Young
Hello Walls
(Willie Nelson)

 28
Clarence "Fogman" Henry
I Don't Know Why But I Do
(Paul Gayten/Bobby Charles)

 29
John Leyton &The Outlaws
Johnny Remember Me
(Geoff Goddard)

 30
Gene McDaniels
A Hundred Pounds Of Clay
(Kay Rogers/Luther Dixon/Bob Elgin)

 31
Ricky Nelson
Hello Mary Lou
(Gene Pitney/Cayet Mangiaracina)

 32 
Dee Clark
Raindrops
(Dee Clark)

 33
Gary U.S. Bonds
Quarter To Three
(Frank Guida/Gary Anderson/Gene Barge/Joseph Royster)

 34
The Lettermen
The Way You Look Tonight
(Dorothy Fields/Jerome Kern)

 35 
Bobby Vee
Take Good Care Of My Baby
(Carole King/Gerry Goffin)

 36
The Marcels
Blue Moon
(Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)

 37
Dick & Deedee
The Mountain's High
(Dick St John/Deedee Sperling)

 38
Jimmy Dean
Big Bad John
(Jimmy Dean)

 39
The Tokens
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
(Solomon Linda)

 40 
Joey Dee & The Starliters
Peppermint Twist
(Joey Dee/Henry Glover)


1960


While most hits that marked year 1960 were forgotten for a long time, remains the outstanding rendition of Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles, a native son. The song was not among the best sellers of the year but as it was already a jazz standard since its was written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1930, it became thanks to Ray Charles's magic a hit of the universal heritage. The thing was nevertheless not easy when segregation still raged in the Southern States. Having badly received that the musician refused, on behalf of the ban on black people, their invitation to play in concert halls reserved for whites, the authorities of Georgia prohibited him in retaliation coming into the State. It was not until 1979 that the government apologizes to the artist and adopts Georgia On My Mind as State Song.



Artist of the year : Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
Recognizable by his eyepatch, Johnny Kidd had certainly only a short career but no artist of the early 60s was certainly as influential as him on British rock music that would wash over the world a few years later. It’s while mainly taking inspiration from Bo Diddley that he releases Shakin ' All Over, a forerunner title variant from rockabilly, propelling  him # 1 UK in August 1960. He doesn’t enter the US charts but his song will be further covered many times and even if Johnny Kidd would no more manage to achieve such music feat, Shakin' All Over belongs for good to the legend of rock n' roll.




 #
 Artist
 Title
 CT
VIDEO 
 1 
Ray Charles
Georgia On My Mind
(Hoagy Carmichael/Stuart Gorrell)
 2 
Frankie Avalon
Why ?
(Robert "Bob" Marcuccci/Peter De Angelis)
 3 
Elvis Presley
It's Now Or Never
(Aaron Schroeder/Wally Gold/Eduardo Di Capua)
 4 
Brenda Lee
I'm Sorry
(Dub Albriton/Ronnie Self)
 5 
The Brothers Four
Greenfields
(Frank Miller/Richard Dehr/Terry Gilkyson)
 6 
Dion & The Belmonts
Where Or When
(Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)
 7
Chubby Cecker
The Twist
(Hank Ballard)
 8 
The Everly Brothers
Let It Be Me
(Gilbert Bécaud/Pierre Delanoë/Mann Curtis)
 9
The Hollywood Argyles
Alley Oop
(Dallas Frazier)
 10
Paul Anka
Puppy Love
(Paul Anka)
 11
Toni Fisher
The Big Hurt
(Wayne Shanklin)
 12
The Platters
Harbor Lights
(Hugh Williams/Jimmy Kennedy)
 13
Roy Orbison
Only The Lonely
(Roy Orbison/Joe Melson)
 14
The Shirelles
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
(Gerry Goffin/Carole King)
 15
The Everly Brothers
Cathy's Clown
(Don Everly/Phil Everly)
 16
Sam Cooke
Wonderful World
(Sam Cooke/Herb Alpert/Lou Adler)
 17
The Drifters
Save The Last Dance For Me
(Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)
 18
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
Shakin' All Over
(Johnny Kidd)

 19
Elvis Presley
Stuck On You
(J. Leslie McFarland/Aaron Schroeder)
 20
Johnny Burnette
You're Sixteen
(Robert B. Sherman/Richard M. Sherman)
 21
Connie Stevens
Sixteen Reasons
(Bill Post/Doree Post)
 22
Ben E. King
Spanish Harlem
(Jerry Leiber/Phil Spector)
 23
Elvis Presley
Are You Lonesome Tonight
(Lou Handman/Roy Turk)
 24
Bobby Darin
Beyond The Sea
(Charles Trenet/Albert Lasry)
 25
Etta James
At Last
(Mack Gordon/Harry Warren)

 26
The Drifters
This Magic Moment
(Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)
 27
Bobby Rydell
Volare
(Domenico Modugno/Franco Migliacci)
 28
Marty Robbins
El Paso
(Marty Robbins)
 29
Steve Lawrence
Pretty Blue Eyes
(Bobby Weinstein/Teddy Randazzo)
 30
Jack Scott
What In The World's Come Over You
(Jack Scott)
 31
Sam Cooke
Chain Gang
(Sam Cooke)
 32
Melina Mercouri
Ta Paidia Nou Piraia
(Manos Hadjidakis/Jacques Larue)
 33
Jimmy Jones
Handy Man
(Jimmy Jones/Otis Blackwell)
 34
Gary U.S. Bonds
New Orleans
(Gary U.S. Bonds)
 35
Jimmy Clanton
Go Jimmy Go
(Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman)
 36
Brook Benton & Dinah Washington
Baby (You've Got What It Takes)
(Clyde Otis/Murray Stein/Brook Benton)
 37
Brenda Lee
I Want To Be Wanted
(Kim Gannon/Pino Spotti/Alberto Testa)
 38
The Miracles
Shop Around
(Smokey Robinson/Berry Gordy)
 39
Johnny Tillotson
Poetry In Motion
(Paul Kaufman/Mike Anthony)
 40
Neil Sedaka
Stairway To Heaven
(Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield)

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