Toppermost Of The Poppermost: Recent Episodes
toppermost poppermost
Ed, Kit and Martin go chronologically through the singles releases of The Beatles, discussing what inspired the band in the charts, and any links there were with other artists.
Three Beatles songs! Cher! Trini! Eddy Arnold! Wayne Newton! Mr. Roses and Rainbows himself, and even a visit from the bird of paradise! All in this episode!
October 1965. Beatles and Dylan, yes, but also Dionne, Little Anthony, Jonny Rivers, the Letterman and the Incredible Jimmy Smith! The Magical Mystery Camp (https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/toppermost/) once again sponsors Toppermost for the 2026 year! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
The Searchers, PJ Proby, The Fortunes, Chris Andrews and a Boy from down in the Boondocks. Our feature looks back at the last year, inlcuding "Help!" on the charts! The Magical Mystery Camp (https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/toppermost/) once again sponsors Toppermost for the 2026 year! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Herb Alpert, Billy Stewart, A Taste of Honey, Danny Hutton (on Hanna-Barbera Records), Kim Weston, yet another new cover of "Road Runner" and more! The Magical Mystery Camp (https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/toppermost/) once again sponsors Toppermost for the 2026 year! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Several Beatles songs, Fontella Bass and Len Barry's "1-2-3". Even "The Eve of Destruction", it's first cousin "The Dawn of Correction" and a mediocre Patty Duke song can't bring us down! The Magical Mystery Camp (https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/toppermost/) once again sponsors Toppermost for the 2026 year! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
The Gentrys, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Andy Williams, Lesley Gore, the great Roy Head and the return of Jay and the Americans! The Magical Mystery Camp (https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/toppermost/) once again sponsors Toppermost for the 2026 year! Friends of the show Darin Murphy and Jon Stone join us for a feature on the Beatles and Dylan! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Help! keeps on running while The Hollies invite us to look through any window, the Small Faces borrow an old title (and chord progression), while PJ Proby moves on with a tune from Lennon and McCartney. The Magical Mystery Camp (https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/toppermost/) once again sponsors Toppermost for the 2026 year! Friends of the show Darin Murphy and Jon Stone join us for a feature on the Beatles and Dylan! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
I'm mad, and I don't believe we're on the eve of destruction. Elvis, Beatles and Charlie Rich sharing space in the charts with Stevie Wonder. Meanwhile, Phil Spector brushes up on cod french. #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We start the US charts for August 1965. Dean Martin sings, the Kingsmen are reading Playboy, Marianne Faithull (and Kit O'Toole) are enjoying some summer nights despite the fact Barbara Mason is a sad, sad girl. #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
August 1965. Steve Matteo drops in for a feature on film in 1965 (including Help!), and we go through the UK charts in August. Dylan, Stones, Beatles, the Everly Brothers and Sonny (?1). #madeonzencastr
Some of the biggest hits of the sixties that still ring through our heads, hearts (and shopping outlets?). Dylan, James Brown, the Four Tops and the best of the Righteous Brothers. Not just the rock tunes of a year or decade, but the entire twentieth century! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Why is Dylan hanging out with Sonny and Cher while complaining to the Byrds about them? All they really wanna do (Bob) is baby be friends with you. Streisand, and Elvis EP and some grep Soul as well. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Billy Fury, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes and another "could it be anything other than a posthumous record" from Jim Reeves. Decent, but not overly strong material from Roy Orbison and Marianne Faithful. Thankfully, there's the Animals and DC5 to hold up the higher end of the spectrum! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
July of 1965. Cook and Greenaway, the Dave Clark Five, the Animals, Joan Baez and PJ Proby. All this and a feature covering the radio of 1965 with Rob Leonard! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Forget Domani? How would that be possible when we are reminded by both Connie Francis and Francis Albert Sinatra? Lots of film songs. Elvis regurgitates his "Pot Luck", Tom Jones talks about pretty, pussy ... cat lips, Lesley Gore talks about Sunshine Lollipops AND Rainbows, and ever more! #madeonzencastr. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Shangri-Las-65! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood for the Capitol Swirl. Jay and the Americans continue doing their thing, and Johnny Rivers delivers a hit. We still don't quite get why the guy with the Long Liverpool Hair had it cut off, but it'll grow back! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Also, Create your own podcast today! #madeonzencastr
More of the UK charts for 1965. Cliff, Donovn (Colours - don't forget the "U"), the next one from the Moodies, Genet Pitney and our old friend (and Band on the Run cover boy) Kenny Lynch! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Following a feature on the albums of 1965, we enter the UK charts for June of 1965. Ticket to Ride, the Who and Tony Bennett are among the bangers in these charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Len Barry and Shirley Ellis spout puzzles and tongue twisters. Thankfully, we are playing with fire and taking a ticket to ride with Mr. Tambourine Man! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Engine Engine Number Nine! Supremes, Roger Miller and Trini eight days a week (no, that's out of the charts), YES IT IS! (yep, that one's here). Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We are joined by Billy J. Kramer as we discuss his recent album, his upcoming tour through the UK, and his history with Brian Epstein, The BeeGees, Harry Nilsson and more. We also manage to run through the entire British charts for May 1965! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr .
Eight Days a Week rolls on. George and Gene, Connie Stevens, Ray Charles, Al "He's The King" Hirt, Soupy Sales and a couple of songs from "Mary Poppins" are all on the charts. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr .
Dylan and the Impressions roll on while Gary Lewis asks you to "count me in" (or is he asking for a coke?) while Sam the Sham and his buddies just want you to Wooly Bully. I guess it's better than Chubby begging you to "Do the Freddie!" The first few weeks of April 1965 on the Billboard Charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
RIP Sylvester Stewart, March 15, 1943 - June 9, 2025
RIP Brian Wilson, June 20, 1942 - June 11, 2025
Martin Quibell, Kit O'Toole and I "break period" to celebrate the lives and music of two artists whose influence cannot be measured, and have been omnipresent as performers, songwriters and producers from the "Toppermost Era" to the present day. #DancetotheMusic #AFriendLikeYou #madeonzencastr Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
The Beatles, Stones, Kinks and Moodies at the 1965 NME Pollwinners show! A Ticket to Ride? Bring It On Home to Me! Also, the full British charts for April of 1965! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
Eight Days a Week continues to roll on, while Marvin Gaye, the Miracles, Jay and the Americans, and Lesley Gore show off their new wares. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
The Beatles still have "Eight Days a Week" and their EP (including "Mr. Moonlight") in the charts while two versions of "For Mama" appear, Brian Wilson gets stoned and the discussion of brightly colored suits continues! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
Petula Clark knows a place (which might include a cellarful of noise), while the Yardbirds ask for your Love (although Eric doesn't want it, so runs away, the Ian Campbell folk group ask us if the times are actually changing, while we meet a new singer in a cloth cap that plays acoustic guitar and harmonica (and no he's not Bob Dylan). Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
This month, our feature is the Beatles final in-studio appearance on "Thank Your Lucky Stars". Meanwhile, the Stones insist this (will/will not) be the last time, the Moodies continue with Denny Laine, and the potato man himself (Heinz) is digging some potatoes! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
Paul McCartney first hears of the "na na boys", and doesn't want to spoil the party! Elvis shuffles around in the sand, and the Ray Charles singers (but not THE Ray Charles) give us another of their old-timey favorites! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
Ride on that Orange Blossom Special while listening to Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and of course the Beatles! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
Great New Sound for 1965! New, improved Full Dimensional Stereo. Beatles, Tom Jones, The Animals and the Mindbenders! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
More fun in Feb 1965! Will the Righteous Brothers topple Cilla? Animals, Ivy (League) and Brenda too! What a bunch of (Wayne Fontana and the) Mindbenders! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
I Want My Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back! Beyond that, the best of Roger Miller, more early Aretha, and the latest hit single from Lorne Green. All the hottest tunes, whether at the club or on the road! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
What happens when Frankie Valli and his buddies go up against a Bob Crewe certified copy, and another, completely separate duplicate? Tune in and find out! More Trini. More Brenda. More Peter Paul and Mary, and Kit and I get into a knock-down drag-out over Jewel Aiken. We then make up and I acknowledge She's a Woman, and I Feel Fine! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!
January of 1965 continues. Chubby Checker battled Dobie Gray, while the Beau Brummels try and convince us that they are more than "that band starting with B-E-A" that follows the Beatles in the record bins. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
1964 became 1965, but the Beatles had to deal with chasing the Abominable Snowman. Meanwhile, Brian and Cilla (and George Martin) chased The Righteous Brothers and Andrew Loog Oldham (and Phil Spector). We also see the new tunes from the band Decca chose over the Beatles, and the drummer who took up the sticks when Ringo chose the Beat;es over Rory Storm. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
What would happen if we locked the door and thre away the key? I don't know, but Jay and the Americans claim to understand this conundrum. Meanwhile, Bobby, the Shangri-Las and James Brown continue their run at that British group at the top of the charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Cold weather, maybe a little snow, but the hottest hits of 1964 keep you warm. The Beatles are still on the rise while old favorites such as Chuck Berry and even Gerry succumb to market forces. We also get a side from the REAL singer behind the Archies. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
A Tribute to Jim Reeves, and a tribute to Dennny Laine (Go Now entered the British Charts in December 1964) lead side B (British charts, part two). Brian Epstein and NEMS continue their role, as does Cliff Richard. I Feel Fine, do you? Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Who wants to go on a Blind Date with George Harrison? Millions of girls for sure, but only Hayley Mills and the backpage of the Melody Maker accomplished the feat. Tune in for Twinkle (but not Little Star), Ken Dodd, Elvis, the CND and a little song that just might be "the first record to start with feedback". Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We close out the US Charts for November 1964 with friends old and new. Jerry Lee Lewis, The Searchers (with a song recorded "many years ago it seems"), The Four Tops, The Impressions and Rick Nelson. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We start on the American charts for November of 1964. Supremes, Chad and Jeremy, Marvelettes and Little Anthony and the Imperials. Hey, UMe - when are we getting that 180g reissue of "The Greatest Music Ever Sold". Who doesn't love a compilation that puts Glen Campbell, Brian Wilson, Beach Boys, Beatles (solo and group) and others on a single "long playing deck?" Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
More of the British charts for November 1964. Our first month in the history of the show without a Beatles song in either the British or American charts. It will be all the way to next month for us to Feel Fine again. Still some quality music as Petula Clark takes us Downtown, the Stones tell us about their Little Red Rooster and the Yardbirds talk about their little schoolgirl. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Sixty years ago, Melody Maker took John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison out on a blind date. Sixty years later, Marv, Kit and I tag along. All this, and the first half of the UK charts for November of 1964! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Still more October fun as we finish the month! Lots of songs, lots of artists. More Jan and Dean, Lesley Gore Ronettes and Fats Domino. Those Liverpool Lads are also holding on, despite their new single not dropping for several more weeks! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
More October fun. Side C, the first half of the American charts. The leader of the pack rolls on, Heuy P. Meaux, Elvis and Ike and Tina go "Vroom!", while we try and determine whether anyone is on that train to Anaheim, Azusa and CucaMonga. Meanwhile, A Hard Day's Night, Matchbox and Slow Down are still present for kids trick-or-treating to mime while going door to door in their Beatle wigs. Happy Halloween, everybody! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Even if you've been told, time and time again! Side B of October 1964. Val Doonican rips off Dewey Cox. Jimmy Page talks about Shirley Bassey and her bra. Brian concerns himself with Tommy Quickly. Sha La La, and more while the Beatles take a minute to breathe. Happy Halloween, everybody! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
October 1964 on the UK charts - the first two weeks of 1964. There is always something there to remind me there's a place. Our feature (guest: https://x.com/BrutalBeatles) centers on the NEMS offices in London and Whaddon house (home to Brian, George and Ringo during this era), and our usual look at the charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
September 1964 on the American charts continues. One of the best known (and deservedly so) Sam Cooke songs along with the Drifters, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles rockin' and rollin' while Capitol and the Beatles also do their thing! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
More of the American charts! Hawaiian music comes to the US, Barbra Streisand (or the people around her) cash in on Funny Girl, The Hondells, the Blendells, but no Michael Dells. Meanwhile, Jay and the Americans continue rolling while Capitol and the Beatles also do their thing! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We start in on the American charts for September 1964! The Beatles do a Carl Perkins tune. An Everly Brothers tune is resurrected, as are the Orlons! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
The British charts for September of 1964 are here! Two years since "Love Me Do", and now the Beatles are the top band around the World, and Britain was the home of the biggest pop stars! The Beatles, The Dave Clark 5, the NEMS stable, and maybe a little bit of Old Blue Eyes as well.... Please support this podcast by joining our patreon, or following our zencastr link if you want to create your own show! https://www.patreon.com/toppermostpodcast #madeonzencastr Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We close out August of 1964 with more from the Cashbox charts. Calling out, around the world (or at least the US and UK). Martha Reeves is Dancing in the Streets, and Roy Orbison is telling us about his pretty woman. Meanwhile, the Beatles continue steamrolling through the 1964 American charts! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Side three of our four-sided look at August 1964. Beatlemania returns with a vengeance as the band returns to American shores and their first film hits theatres in the states. However, Ray Charles, the Little GTO and Tony Bennett and Motown have their own chart hits! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We move through the second two weeks of August 1964 on the UK side. Two big hits you might not remember, and two more you certainly do! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
We are joined by producer Shel Talmy (The Bachelors, The Orchids, The Kinks, The Who) to discuss his work as one of his most memorable earl productions hit the charts. We also move forward through the first two weeks of the British charts for August 1964. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
More of the American charts for July of 1964. The Beatles, George Martin, Lesley Gore, Solomon Burke, Burt Bacharach/Hal David and more. Stick around for a supercut that includes the Carpenters, Luther Vandross (duetting with Aretha) and more! #madeonzencastr.
We start in on the American charts for July of 1964. Capitol decides to "out-VJ" the VJ label, while Arthur Fiedle and the Hollyridge Strings invade the charts as well. All this and more! We keep on playing those instrumental Beatles covers for-ever! #MadeonZencastr
In addition to our look at the British charts for Ma of 1964, we feature "Rock and Roll Musicals". From "Jailhouse Rock" to "Summer Holiday", "It's Trad Dad (aka Ring-a-Ding-Rhythm)", through to "A Hard Day's Night" and "Ferry Cross the Mersey". Hint: A certain Beatles song ENTERS the chart at number three. All this, and more Do-Wah-Diddy than you can Diddy-Dum-Diddy-Do to. #madeonZencastr
WAIT! Listen to this podcast (wrong Beatle?) on Sunday, July 7 at 11:45 AM localtime! Kit, Martin and I wish Ringo "All the Best" and "Peace and Love" to the universe in this brief WTWF crossover diversion. A tiny bit of Ringo Starr's 24th birthday from 1964, but mostly just doing our bit to help spread the good vibes!
We finish June of 1964. Sie Liebt Dich (Yah! Yah! Yah!), the Valentinos (formerly the Womack Brothers) with a song the stones will cover and make a classic, a not-so-great new one from the Everlys, a banger from Dusty and more from the "artists really were willing to listen to input" in 1964 files. #madeonZencastr
Our first months of four sides. The first week of June 1964 on the Billboard Charts. Irma Thomas (The Soul Queen of New Orleans!), The Girl from Ipanema, the Impressions, Sam Cooke and Johnny Rivers (who might have sold more records than Elvis and the Beatles over some period of time, along with a Bobby Vee song we'd rather forget. #MadeonZencastr.
Francoise Hardy, Peter and Gordon, Little Richard, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Pretty Things and more versions of "Hello, Dolly!" than you might expect as we continue our four-sided odyssey for June. #MadeonZencastr
June 1964. The Beatles are off to the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. when Ringo collapses. What happens next? Jim Berkenstadt joins your toppermost crew to discuss Jimmie Nicol, The Bossa Nova and a little bit of ska. In addition to the feature, we start to cover the British charts. Why "start?" Because we simply cannot stop talking about PJ Proby, so June will pass over to four separate sides! #MadeonZencastr.
More from Cashbox, and more than four by the Beatles! BB King, Lesley Gore, The Temptations, Terry Stafford, Steve Lawrence and the next smash from the Beach Boys. #madeonZencastr
Cashbox Month! The Beatles still dominate, although they will soon move back to "just" being the hottest band in the States. Other acts include Brenda Holloway, Skeeter Davis, Tracey Day (why would anyone change their name from Nora Ferrari?), B.B. King, the Rivieras (...and an explanation of why they did a goose step in the warm California sun) and more. #madeonZencastr
Around the Beatles aired in the UK sixty years ago, so we look at "the other acts" on that show. (See "When They Was Fab" 2024.17, April 28 for Kit and I talking about the Beatles side of things). Additionally, the British charts for May 1964. Amongst other things, we celebrate the 95th anniversary of Burt Bacharach's birth and talk "Baby It's You". #madeonZencastr
The Billboard charts for the final two weeks of April 1964. Rampant Beatlemania (not starring Terri Hemmert), and a couple of tunes that must be heard to be believed! #MadeonZencastr
The Billboard Charts for the first two weeks of April, 1964. The Beatles rule the roost, but Motown continues churning out commercial and critical darlings (My Guy), and Burt Bacharach gives Dionne Warwick a song which will become one of the all-time greats of rock and roll. #MadeonZencastr #FabFaux #MagicalMysteryCamp
The Beatles have conquered the Billboard charts, so we examine some of the news stories from the month. Additionally, the British charts for April 1964. Eden Kane, Shirley Bassey, the Four Pennies, the Undertakers, the Merseybeats and a horn player to be named later! #madeonZencastr
More from March of 1964. Even more Beatles on the charts, but figures including Lenny Welch, The Shirelles, Tony Bennett, Bobby Goldsboro and others you may or may not remember continue to make appearances. #madeonZencastr
Beatlemania, Beatlemania, Beatlemania!!! (and it hasn't even reached it's Zenith). Lots and lots of Beatles, but also Jan and Dean (and Mel Blanc) The Four Preps, Dale and Grace, Nino and April and more! #madeonZencastr
The British charts for March of 1964. Can't Buy Me Love arrives, while Lennon/McCartney also continue the string with Peter & Gordon and World Without Love. We also consider the state of "other music" on the British charts. #madeonzencastr
The Beatles continue rampaging the charts, but the Americans also stake some ground. Two sides from Elvis in the charts (one good, one very bad), The Shoop Shoop Song, a bad Merseybeat knockoff and a Beatles novelty record (about the hair, of course) written by someone you might not expect! #madeonzencastr.
The first two weeks of Billboard, 1964. Dawn, Fun Fun Fun and more of the Beatles than you can shake a forest at! #MadeonZencastr
Cilla, Beatles, Stones and a feature on the Ed Sullivan Show. Side A - the British charts and more!
We roll into the American charts for January 1964. Marsha Albert, Carroll James, and millions of East Coasters help "I Want To Hold Your Hand" to the Top of the Cashbox charts. Meanwhile, Capitol cannot keep up with demand as the Ed Sullivan show approaches.
I Want to Hold Your Hand firmly takes control of the American charts, while British bands continue their dominance on the British charts. To use the lingo of music writers of the time. "While the Beatles crawl to the top of the Cashbox charts (but not quite Billboard), the Searchers give us a swinging, twisting new deck!"
1963 draws to a close, and Capitol records decides to celebrate by finallly releasing a little record from across the pond - Frank Ifield covering Bing Crosby! All this and more, including some thoughts on that other record which would escape on boxing day and make a big splash in January!
"I Want to Hold Your Hand" enters the British charts, "She Loves You" hums along, as does the NEMS crew. Piers Hemmingsen guests as we spend some time considering the rise of the "British Invasion" in Canada.
The American charts for November of 1963. Doldrums in the charts that were not improved by the Kennedy assassination at the end of the month. A lot of filler, with a select few gems. Steven Allen, Ray Charles (not that one) and Sammy Davis, Jr. too!
The charts roll on. She Loves You finds it's way back to the top of the charts and we discuss Beatles covers from the first year in honor of the Stones "I Wanna Be Your Man" #MadeonZencastr
We close out October 1963 with two more weeks that have nothing to do with Eeephing or Ardells. Somehow we manage a Happy Days reference, and a story about George Greif. #MadeonZencastr,.
It doesn't matter what we call it, you are going to remember this show for one of two things - eefin' (no, it's not dirty), the Ardells and their successor "The American Beetles". Dress up as 30-year old high schoolers, moptops or maybe even Alvin and Dave Seville. We're not done yet though. Coming soon is our one-sided Bonus EP to finish out the month of October!
The George Martin train rolls on. Cilla Black, Shirley Bassey and the latest smash hit from Gerry and the Pacemakers. All this and more on Toppermost of the Poppermost, covering the British charts for the month of October 1963. #MadeonZencastr Use our special code toppermost at zencastr.com/pricing to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.
The American charts continue their roll - some blues, some soul but precious little rock. Duane Eddy joins in the surfing craze, Nino and April inspire the name of a future hard roc perennial, while Ray Charles proves that it doesn't matter where you are from if you are "Busted."
":From Me to You" slides down the British charts, but the Beatles have an ace up their sleeve - something new and fresh! She Loves It, and She Loves You. We track the new single, see what else the Brits were listening to, and look at the first year of the Fabs on the British charts!
Live (on Tape and edited) from the SEATAC room in Chicago, Illinois - it's "Toppermost of the Poppermost" with Ed Chen and Kit O'Toole. Marv was present in spirit. So may I introduce to you, the act you've known for all these years (well, at least one!) If you want the "Rockshow" version rather than the "Wings over America" style presentation, look for the video on YouTube!
Brian Wilson and his love of close harmony (see Freshman, Four) appear, leaders of the surf trend. Your boyfriend's back, your baby's gone surfin' and neither has grown the Beatle haircut that will become so visibile in less than half a year!
The summer of 1963 rolls on, and the Beatles introduce an unsuspecting audience to their next single "She Loves You". Meanwhile, the charts roll on, and the acts who will be known as the "British Invasion" a year later are making their presence known in the homeland.
July of 1963 in the United States. Still no sign of the British invasion, but an interesting selection of songs ranging from terrible to all-time classics. Danke Schoen, Trini Lopez, Joey Dee and a Surfin Hootenanny!
Mortal Enemies? Mozart and Salieri? Mick and Keith, John Paul and George. A new band is on the charts with a song they are not big fans of, signed to a contract because George Harrison was kind enough to offer them as a recommendation. Tune in to learn about Andrew Loog Oldham's band, and how they were helped by the "four headed monster"
The Billboard charts for June 1963. VeeJay is pushing "From Me To You" in the papers, and Del Shannon brings his cover into the world. All this and more.
June of 1963. The crossroads of past, present and future. Paul McCartney turned 21, John Lennon appeared on "Juke Box Jury", and The Beatles compete with Gerry and the Pacemakers for the top of the British charts.
The American charts for May 1963 show almost no sign of the forthcoming British invasion. Despite that, new acts are popping, while stalwarts like Dion and Tony Bennett (not to mention Rick Nelson) continue their run.
The Beatles continue their reign atop the British charts, while other NEMS and George Martin acts look to challenge. This month: Billy J Kramer with two Lennon-McCartney songs starts his rise.
April 1963! The Beatles unveil Please Please Me, the George Martin empire starts to take hold, and the old ways start to crumble. Will Gerry and the Pacemakers overtake the Beatles? Will any of these guys ever make it in the States? Stay tuned...
As promised, the B-side of our look at March 1963. Kit, Ed and Martin dive into the American Charts. Rick Nelson, Henry Mancini, Motown and more.
The reigning pop stars of the first half of 1963? The Beatmakers! Please Please me was mostly, but not unanimously number one in the UK, but such a question does not exist for "How Do You Do It". George Martin was correct, the tune from Mitch Murray and Brian's "next big thing", Gerry and the Pacemakers follows on the Beatles Liverpool success with a new chart-topper. Too much to say for one show, so the American charts for March 1963 will soon be available as a flip-side!
As Please Please Me zooms up the British charts, we look at the other contenders for "the next big thing." Blue Grass? Bossa Nova? Tune in and figure it out!
A New Year. The Beatles start traveling the country with headliners such as Helen Shapiro, Chris Montez an Tommy Roe. The "Please Please Me" single is released and starts its rise while Ross MacManus lead the Joe Loss Orchestra.
December 1962. Love Me Do continues its run through the British charts as Motown, the Beach Boys and others prepare for the new phenomenom with their own volleys.
Love Me Do continues its climb up the charts in the UK, and the Beach Boys peek in on the US charts.
This is the trailer "episode 0" of "Toppermost of the Poppermost", hosted by Ed Chen, Kit O'Toole and Martin Quibell. Ever wondered what was on the charts at the same time as the Beatles. This show will explore the friends, collaboratores, influencers and infliuenced as we more through the 1960's.