Forty-five years ago, the song that was at the top of the singles chart for much of August was by four guys, from the U.S. and Canada,  who considered themselves to be more a a jug band than a rock band. The screaming girls through them for a loop. 

This band, one of my favorites of the era, squeezed into #1 on the charts by bumping four guys from England off the #1 perch. And, three weeks later, they were knocked down to #2 by an English folksinger. Those Brits were not to be trifled with in the 1960's.

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This jug band had four top ten hits prior to the August smash that propelled them to the top of the charts. This gritty hit has gone on to be one of the classics songs of summer. There are few tunes about the hot weather that better describe the big city on a hot day. The minute you hear the opening bars, you know the song. It has been featured in many movie soundtracks.

To see the original artists perform the song that topped the charts, for three weeks back in August 1966, you need to go over to the vintage TV and switch channels. You can watch Have Gun Will Travel another day. Simply click on Richard Boone's face to be taken back to that hot summer in August 1966 when this hit ruled the airwaves. 

 

"This Day In History" features songs and television appearances from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. I will write these, over the next few weeks, months or years as time permits. In the meantime, keep it groovy !

               

 

To see other features in this series, click on Elvis' gold record below

             

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

 
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17 Comments on Summer of 1966, #1 Single in the City

AUG
06
2011
965,651 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steven... I am guessing it was Summer in the City by the Lovin Spoonful.  Great group.  Although this particular song was NOT one that I really liked... I was a big fan of John Sebastian.  Younger Girl was a great song... as was Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind.
12:47am • #1
166,254 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steven I saw the Spoonful at the Santa Monica Civic which was popular with bands because the house paid everyone so the promoters didn’t run off with the money and the “Civic” was outside the jurisdiction of the LAPD. Great band, great music that year.
12:52am • #2
965,651 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Ooops... I didn't see that I could click on the video.  The picture of Paladin and Have Gun Will Travel threw me of.  But I just did click on it... and there he was... John Sebastian and the Spoonful.
12:53am • #3
522,752 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Like Totally Cool!

 
12:56am • #4

Reminds me of welcome back Kotter.
1:01am • #5
156,802 Points 1 Featured Post

Thanks for the link. Great song that brings back sweet memories.
1:04am • #6
292,216 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve,

 Great tune, love it.
2:01am • #7
811,790 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh, I love that song...they were fantastic! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Ahhh... those were the days....

7:39am • #8
973,576 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That summer I was 13, and visiting my cousins in New Jersey.  We went to a Lovin' Spoonful concert!  It was held in a tent!  There were maybe 150 people there.  And they sang this song, of course, along with Sebastian's "Day Dream."  It was a great concert.  Those were the days.
7:39am • #9
973,576 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

P.s. I have a classic, and vintage song, of my own composition, on my post today.

Enjoy!

Maybe you should post it here.  My version that is...
7:43am • #10
299,351 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Just a baby then but the song has never gone away lol

Great influinces in a lot of peoples lives.

Enjoy the day
9:37am • #11
477,641 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Steven,

What a trip.

Thanks for the post.

Clint McKie
10:42am • #12
1,150,525 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Karen Anne, you need to get back into the mindset of no "remote control" on that channel changer.

Jay, I will check out your offering and have Wheatloaf check it too, being a huge influence in the music business.

Andrea, it seemed simpler back then at least for us kids, maybe the parents were not enjoying it all so much.
12:50pm • #13
868,446 Points 5 Featured Posts

Great presentation.

Zal (the singer) ran a restaurant in Kingston Ontario for years, until he passed away a few years ago.

 
6:46pm • #14
AUG
10
2011
644,770 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

These songs make me wonder how a hit develops now.  I listen to Sirius radio.  I doubt that kids listen to the radio anymore so where do they find the hits?  Are there any famous deejays anymore?
9:43pm • #15
AUG
15
2011
1,150,525 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Barbara,

I think youtube has quite a bit to do with some of them.
9:55am • #16
OCT
06
2011
Called Shot Master

1966 - Summer after I graduated from college.  Seems like 100 years ago, not 45.  Good times, goodmemories!
10:36am • #17

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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