1950 and 1960s MUSIC GROUPS (not known for million dollar songs) The photo above is Aaron Neville from Closer Weekly.
This post will include artists, from the 1950s and 1960s, that will have limited coverage in this blog as most of these artists did not have a track record of selling millions of records…
Rather than simply listing these artists, I looked each up and noted the number of charted recordings and whether they earned any No1 ratings. As it turns out, this group produced a total of 15 No1s. Two of the artists had three No1s (Aaron Neville and The Impressions). Here is a summary of their No1 recordings:
Photo credit: Spotify
Jerry Butler Jr. (born December 8, 1939) is an American soul singer-songwriter, producer, musician, and retired politician (in Cook County, Illinois). He is also noted as being the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group The Impressions. Their famous recording was “For Your Precious Love” (https://youtu.be/SrZ7NfwNBEk) (RQ 10). He is also a 1991 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. After leaving The Impressions, Jerry had over 55 Billboard Pop and R&B Chart hits as a solo artist, including some 15 Top 40 Pop hits in the Hot 100, and 15 R&B Top 10’s.
Here are 80 artists and bands that had charted songs in the 1950s and 1960s:
“Everybody Plays a Fool” – Aaron Neville (https://youtu.be/bKAJs8waYd4) (RQ 9)
“Hello Stranger” – Barbara Lewis (https://youtu.be/m3Y1O9eVKRs) (RQ 8)
“It’s Alright” – The Impressions (https://youtu.be/Y1LLwC7N1h8) (RQ 9)
“Our Day Will Come” – Ruby and the Romantics (https://youtu.be/nyxQKMIsGyk) (RQ 10)
“Um-Um-Um-Um-Um-Um” – Major Lance (https://youtu.be/g02WmLzozs8) (RQ 8)
“Wild Thing” – The Troggs (https://youtu.be/4qHX493bB3U). (RQ 8)
“96 Tears” – ? & The Mysterions (https://youtu.be/XeolH-kzx4c). (RQ 9)
Overall, within this group of artists, there was one from the 1930s, one from the 40s, twenty-seven from the 50s, thirty-nine from the 60s, one from the 70s, one from the 80s and one from the 2000s. This further supports the fact that the 50-60s was the greatest era of all time music! Here is the updated list with the associated dates of active recording and the number of records produced:
Thomas, Rufus. 1936-1998: 13 charted songs including No1: “Do the Push and Pull” (https://youtu.be/m6zvPHRZP8c) (RQ 8) and No2 “The Breakdown”
Walter, Junior (All Stars). 1945-1995: 13 songs charted including No1: “”Shotgun” (https://youtu.be/FI7CtxlisCk) (RQ 8)
Curtis, King. 1950-1971 Charted 8 songs, one at No9. YouTube mix: (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDEMD7tNBQ1bva_uMDsDxc5_FA&feature=share&playnext=1) “Chief Called” (RQ 7)
Dorsey, Lee. 1950-1986: 9 charted songs, including No9 “Working into n a Coal Mine” (https://youtu.be/3Dy2tuF915E) (RQ 7)
John, Dr. 1950-2019: 7 charted songs including No1: “What a Wonderful World” “Ske-Dat-De-Dat” (https://youtu.be/yZIXAXTV-6w) (RQ8)
Ballard, Hank (Midnighters). 1951-2003: 89 singles including “The Twist” (https://youtu.be/2qoY93CkwlA) (RQ 7)
Starr, Edwin. 1951-2003: 18 charted songs including No6: “Funky Music” (https://youtu.be/VS3W6rEtVVo) (RQ 8)
Mimms, Garnet (Enchanters). 1953-1975: 4 charted songs. “For Your Precious Love” (https://youtu.be/ISDWz_bCXsQ) (RQ 10)
Chambers Brothers. 1954 – Charted one song “Funky” No40. (https://youtu.be/lZhd5QWP_Ao) (RQ 7)
Mack, Lonnie. 1954-2004: 4 charted instrumental songs, including No5: “Memphis” (https://youtu.be/N2RjDrplMKA) (RQ 9)
Stewart, Billy. 1955-1970: 11 charted songs including No10 “Summertime” (https://youtu.be/CDLDl0_pt_k) (RQ 9)
Tex, Joe. 1955-1982: 35 charted songs including 4 No1s:
“I Want To” (https://youtu.be/iNbcRQNHH6M) (RQ 7)
” I Gotcha” (https://youtu.be/qDEZQxg2TSM) (RQ 3)
“Hold What You’ve Got” (https://youtu.be/_GFq-FT1rZM) (RQ 7)
“A Sweet Woman Like You” (https://youtu.be/_yx6aaLArZw) (RQ 5)
Dells, The. 1955-1992: 44 songs, 10 Top10s. “Stay in My Corner” (https://youtu.be/iX3cOtmyyOc). (RQ 6)
Tokens, The. 1955-2000: 15 charted songs including No1: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (https://youtu.be/FGl5ReYunoY). (RQ 10)
K-Doe, Ernie. 1955-2001: 4 charted songs including No1: “Mother in Law” (https://youtu.be/6EN5eJf5h_k) (RQ 9)
Burke, Soloman. 1955-2010: 10 charted, No10 “The Price” (https://youtu.be/0zqeOsKBibc) (RQ 6)
Dale, Dick. 1955-2019 With Stevie Ray Vaughn. Charted one song (“Pipeline”) at No3 (https://youtu.be/56SAxtf-RTg) (RQ 10)
Floyd, Eddie. 1956 – Charted 18 songs including No1 “Knock on Wood” (https://youtu.be/Kceiks__PsE) (RQ 10)
Scott, Freddie. 1956-2003: 3 charted songs. “Hey Girl”. (https://youtu.be/c3mvJE-SUnc) (RQ 9)
Bell, William. 1957- 5 charted including: “Trying to Love Two” No1 (https://youtu.be/OsaXenjCY5A) (RQ 8)
Everett, Betty. 1957-2000 Charted 10 songs including No5 “Let It Be Me” (https://youtu.be/Hx9N7WIAhDc) (RQ 9)
Jackson, Chuck. 1957-2010: 65 singles. YouTube mix. “Any Day Now” (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDEMPFQI_cVXYOzeqwWFYCGTpQ&feature=share&playnext=1) (RQ 10)
Butler, Jerry. 1958-1985: 38 charted including No7 “He Will Break Your Heart” (https://youtu.be/cAohwPAFTLk) (RQ 8)
Impressions, The. (Curtis Mayfield, lead singer), 1958-1987: 77 charted songs including: No1s:
“Its Alright” (https://youtu.be/Y1LLwC7N1h8) (RQ 10)
“Keep on Pushing” (https://youtu.be/HU-mEsCk3D8) (RQ 8)
“We’re a Winner” (https://youtu.be/uLMRzDFMvEo). (RQ 8)
Contours, The. 1959- Charted 8 songs with “Do You Love Me” No1 (https://youtu.be/3EoI-6lQFIE) (RQ 8)
Kingsmen, The. 1959 – 5 charted songs. “Louie Louie” (https://youtu.be/1RZJ4ESU52U) (RQ 9)
Thomas, Irma. 1959 – 3 Charted songs. “Anyone Know What Love Is?” (https://youtu.be/G_K9xsSdgMs) (RQ 8)
Conley, Arthur. 1959-1988 Charted 7 songs with “Sweet Soul Music” No2 (https://youtu.be/sp3JOzcpBds) (RQ 7)
Lance, Major. 1959-1994: 25 charted songs including No1: “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” (https://youtu.be/g02WmLzozs8) (RQ 8)
Neville, Aaron. 1960- 13 charted songs including 3 No1s:
“Everybody Plays the Fool” (https://youtu.be/bKAJs8waYd4) (RQ 10)
“Don’t Know Much” With Linda Ronstadt (https://youtu.be/WmuJ0us63GQ) (RQ10+)
“All My Life” With Linda Ronstadt. (https://youtu.be/sBX97E_QmsI). (RQ 9)
“Greatest Hits” “Don’t Take Away My Heaven” (https://youtu.be/JQy0fzRmjAk) (RQ 8)
Orions, The. 1960- 8 albums. YouTube mix: (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDEME1NerWjmedPVCUA688JA5Q&feature=share&playnext=1)8. “Wa Wa Tootsie” (RQ8)
Tams, The. 1960- 11 Charted sings including No1 (in the UK): “Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me” (https://youtu.be/ZLubTUsfZD8) (RQ 6)
Tomas, Carla. 1960- 20 charted songs. “The Greatest Hits” (https://youtu.be/VE7FS6xfjbw) (RQ 8)
Dee, Joey. (Starlifters) 1960-1970 Charted 21, with “Peppermint Twist” No1 (https://youtu.be/W8wEORnZxdg) (RQ 9)
Alexander, Arthur. 1960-1993: 20 albums. YouTube mix: “In the Middle of It All” (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDEMR_8gsttaVJfy-hAP9JKvHg&feature=share&playnext=1) (RQ 8)
Bell, Archie (and the Drells). 1961- 5 charted including: No1 “Tighten Up” (https://youtu.be/Wro3bqi4Eb8) (RQ 8)
Covay, Don. 1961-1980 Charted 3 songs. “Mercy Mercy” (https://youtu.be/pWioaVN9olY) (RQ 6)
Carter, Clarence. 1962-3 Charted songs, “Slip Away” No6 (https://youtu.be/tj8eAHn_2YM) (RQ 8)
Lynn, Barbara. 1962-9 charted songs. Left handed lead guitar! “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.” (https://youtu.be/LoaLCc2jR_g) (RQ 8)
Mysterions, ? And The. 1962-5 songs including No1: “96 Tears” (https://youtu.be/R7uC5m-IRns) (RQ 8)
Hughes, Jimmy. 1962-1970: 7 singles including “Steal Away” (https://youtu.be/kBozxCs3yFk). (RQ 7)
Chandler, Gene. 1962-1985: 40 charted songs including No1: “Duke of Earl” (https://youtu.be/h6Uht69h8Is) (RQ 10)
Tate, Howard. 1962-2011: 6 charted songs. @ Ain’t Nobody Home.” (https://youtu.be/sYWJczQ-5QU) (RQ 7)
Surfaris, The. 1962-2017: 5 hits including No2: “Wipe Out” (https://youtu.be/-YusHyd-duQ). (RQ 8)
Love, Darlene. 1963 “The Boy I’m Going to Marry.” (https://youtu.be/xpe8u-FDXVU) (RQ 9)
Ruby (& The Romantics). 1963-1969: 16 charted songs including No1: “Our Day Will Come” (https://youtu.be/NfnEoou-FKU) (RQ 9)
Lewis, Barbara. 1963-1970: 9 charted songs including No1: “Hello Stranger” (https://youtu.be/J5BRuWS9iAk) (RQ 10)
Dekker, Desmond (& The Aces). 1963-2006 Charted two songs. “Israelites”. (https://youtu.be/HA1ZRIQuHy4) (RQ 9)
Mitchell, Willie. 1963-2008: 9 charted songs
Troggs, The 1964- 37 singles including No1: “Wild Thing” (https://youtu.be/gSWInYFVksg). (RQ 7)
Sir Douglass Quintet. 1964-1973: 4 charted songs. “Mendocino” (https://youtu.be/ya_mImHmRZw) (RQ 9)
Love. 1965- 8 singles. “My Little Red Book.” (https://youtu.be/ftO9ClIhFAo) (RQ 6)
Meters, The. 1965- 12 charted songs. “Sissy Strut” (https://youtu.be/MXI5Nuz6OHg) (RQ 7)
Quicksilver Messenger Service. 1965- 6 live albums. “Fresh Air” (https://youtu.be/RNE0CKK71TI) (RQ 6)
Country Joe & The Fish. 1965-1970 Charted 4 songs. “Live at Monterrey” (https://youtu.be/YDhLYJMPlYg) (RQ 6)
Dyke (Blazers). 1965-1971: 4 charted songs. “Funky Bway” (https://youtu.be/3C5Kl58eMTA). (RC 8)
Purify, James & Bobby. 1965-1980: 17 charted songs including No5: “I’m Your Puppet” (https://youtu.be/liKhLNY5GYI) (RQ 8)
Mayall, John (Blues Breakers). 1965-2019: 36 albums including No3: “Bare Wires” (https://youtu.be/6LYNg7ZJSic) (RQ 6)
Count Five, The. 1966- Charted 1 song. “Psychotic Reaction.” (https://youtu.be/fBTT3VPriV8) (RQ 8)
Carr, James. 1966-1980: 3 Charted songs. “Forgetting You”. (https://youtu.be/GgQysv3P1-w) (RQ 8)
Blue Cheer. 1966-2009: 2 charted including No14: “Summertime Blues” (https://youtu.be/YXcYZsqkZ-g). (RQ 8)
Velvet Underground. 1966-2009: 19 charted singles. “Pale Blue Eyes.” (https://youtu.be/KisHhIRihMY) (RQ 8)
Procol, Harum. 1967- 3 charted songs including No5: “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (https://youtu.be/vIWCSrG1d-Y) (RQ 9)
Electric Flag, The. 1967-1974: Mike Bloomfield, my son’s favorite- lead guitarist (7 albums). “Over Lovin You” (https://youtu.be/KRWgtYtrrj8). (RQ 8)
Captain Beefhart. 1967-1982; 5 Charted albums (highest No11). “Trout Mask Replica” (https://youtu.be/aF0g-2SeoMM) (RQ 5)
Traffic. 1967-2005: 11 albums. “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” (https://youtu.be/sS_eHdqcrM8) (RQ 9)
Band, The. 1968-1999: 14 albums (three with Bob Dylan). “Greatest Hits” “The Weight” (https://youtu.be/FFqb1I-hiHE) (RQ 10)
Womack, Bobby (Valentines). 1969-1973: 14 singles charted. “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” (https://youtu.be/IKH52rUZj9E) (RQ 10)
Stooges, The. 2007-2013: 3 charted songs. “Search and Destroy.” (https://youtu.be/CqIgJWZKlJo) (RQ 6)
All-Time Greatest Music 