1962 Artists & Hits

GO DIRECTLY TO: 60's Music Home Music of 1960 Music of 1961 Music of 1962 Music of 1963 Music of 1964 Music of 1965 Music of 1966 Music of 1967 Music of 1968 Music of 1969 American Bandstand Baby Boomers Beach Boys Beatles Bob Dylan Chubby Checker Connie Francis Elvis Frankie Valli James Brown Rolling Stones

1962, and although rock & roll is still on a bit of a hiatus, beach music makes its debut. The Beach Boys sign a recording contract with Capital Records and release two singles, "Surfin Safari" and "409", their first single "Surfin'" which was originally released in 1961 finds a new audience and renewed chart success. Later that year they would release an album, "Surfin' Safari". They were inspired to some degree by the unique guitar sounds of Dick Dale and the Del-Tones. Dale's unorthodox use of reverberators and loud amplifiers sought to mimic the intensity of crashing ocean waves. Nicknamed "King of The Surf Guitar" his single "Misirlou" made it to the top of the chart. His concert events were called "surfer stomps" because of the stomping of their surf sandals while listening. Also enjoying their first hits were Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The single "Sherry" not only charted but shot to #1. They quickly capitalized on it's success with the follow up "Big Girls Don't Cry" which also hit the top spot. Frankie Valli was one of the first "front men" for a group to have a successful solo career as well as with the group. His falsetto singing style would allow him to remain popular and touring for many more decades.

Top Selling Albums West Side Story - Soundtrack Breakfast at Tiffany's - Henry Mancini Blue Hawaii - Elvis Presley Camelot - Original Cast The Sound of Music - Original Cast

And The Grammy Goes To: Record of the Year - "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" - Tony Bennett Album of the Year - "The First Family" - Vaughn Meader Song of the Year - "What Kind of Fool Am I," - Leslie Bricusse Best Rock and Roll Recording - "Alley Cat" - Bent Fabric

Another first this year was a young performer who was making the rounds at the New York coffee houses named Bob Dylan. He had come to New York to visit his idol and later mentor Woody Guthrie. He was earning extra money by playing harmonica as part of session for another folk singers album when he was asked to audition for his own album. His first album which was self titled "Bob Dylan" was a bit of a flop. the album had two original songs on it, "Talkin' New York" and "Song to Woody" the rest were covers of other folk songs. Commercially unpopular it never reached the charts not even in later years but it did give a glimpse into the unique style and story telling capacity of this great performer.

BILLBOARD #1 HITS
1962

SONG ARTIST (click to purchase) # OF WEEKS DATE The Twist Chubby Checker 2 1/13 Peppermint Twist - Part I Joey Dee & The Starlighters 3 1/27 Duke Of Earl Gene Chandler 3 2/17 Hey! Baby Bruce Channel 3 3/10 Don't Break The Heart That Loves You Connie Francis 1 3/31 Johnny Angel Johnny Angel 2 4/07 Good Luck Charm Elvis Presley 2 4/21 Soldier Boy Shirelles 3 5/05 Stranger On The Shore Acker Bilk 1 5/26 I Can't Stop Loving You Ray Charles 5 6/02 The Stripper David Rose & His Orchestra 1 7/07 Roses Are Red (My Love) bobby vinton 4 7/14 Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Neil Sedaka 2 8/11 The Loco-Motion Little Eva 1 8/25 Sheila Tommy Roe 2 9/1 Sherry The Four Seasons 5 9/15 Monster Mash Bobby 'boris' Pickett 2 10/20 He's A Rebel Crystals 2 11/03 Big Girls Don't Cry The Four Seasons 5 11/17 Telstar Tornados 3 12/22

I hope you are enjoying your rememberances of 1960's music. Click below for more years or return to the Home 1960s Music Page Click Below For Year by Year Song Charts and Information:

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