1st RECORDING OF: Tryin’ To Get To You - Eagles (1954)

Here are The Eagles (a Washington DC-based Rhythm and Blues vocal group, NOT those other Eagles) with the original recording of "Tryin' To Get To You."

Recorded on May 17, 1954 and released on Mercury #70391.

1955 HITS ARCHIVE: The Crazy Otto - Johnny Maddox (#1 hit)

Here's Ragtime pianist Johnny Maddox (along with the Rhythmasters) with his version of "The Crazy Otto Medley."

This 1955 hit (Johnny's biggest) was released on Dot #45-15325.

1st RECORDING OF: The Crazy Otto Medley - Der schräge Otto (1953)

From 1953, here's the original recording of "The Crazy Otto Medley" by German pianist and composer Fritz "Crazy Otto" Schulz-Reichel.

Released on Germany's Polydor #22009.

Guten Tag!

1935 Guy Lombardo - Broadway Rhythm (instrumental)

From the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture Broadway Melody of 1936, here are Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians with "Broadway Rhythm."

Recorded on August 30, 1935 and released on Decca #549.

FLAMINGOS Would I Be Crying 1956

Here's another great tune from The Flamingos, "Would I Be Crying," recorded in 1956.

This song was featured in the 1956 motion picture "Rock, Rock, Rock" in which this vocal group was one of numerous guests in the film that starred Alan Freed.

Released on Checker #853.

1956 Flamingos - I’ll Be Home

Here's a great Rhythm and Blues (and Doo-Wop) recording as The Flamingos perform "I'll Be Home."

This 1956 hit was released on Checker #830.

I may have posted this video previously.

1st RECORDING OF: Kansas City (aka K.C. Loving) - Little Willie Littlefi...

Some seven years before Wilbert Harrison scored a #1 hit, here's the original recording of the Jerry Lieber-Mike Stoller-penned "Kansas City' (recorded as "K.C. Loving") by Little Willie Littlefield.

Recorded on August 18, 1952 and released on Federal #45-12110.

1st RECORDING OF: Tennessee Waltz - Cowboy Copas (1947)

The year before the song's composers Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart recorded it (and three years before Patti Page did likewise), Cowboy Copas cut "Tennessee Waltz."

Recorded around April of 1947 and released on King #696.

Pete ''Guitar'' Lewis - Midnight In The Barrel House

Time for some Blues with Johnny Otis and His Orchestra, featuring Pete Lewis and His Guitar, "Midnight In The Barrel House."

This 1948 recording was released on Excelsior #OR 536.

1st RECORDING OF: All Shook Up (aka I’m All Shook Up) - David Hill (1956)

Yes folks, someone recorded Otis Blackwell's song best remembered by the title "All Shook Up"  before Elvis did.

Here's singer/actor/songwriter David Hess, under the nom de plume of David Hill, singing "I'm All Shook Up," with Ray Ellis and His Orchestra.

Recorded on November 7, 1956 and released on Aladdin #3359. 

Red Foley - Hearts Of Stone

Here's Red Foley's Country and Western version of "Hearts of Stone."

The Anita Kerr Singers back Red on this one.

Released in 1955 on Decca #9-29375.

1955 HITS ARCHIVE: Hearts Of Stone - Fontane Sisters (#1 hit)

Here are The Fontane Sisters (Geri, Marge, and Bea) with their version of "Hearts of Stone," with orchestra and chorus under the direction of Billy Vaughn.

This 1955 hit was released on Dot #45-15265.

1955 HITS ARCHIVE: Hearts Of Stone - Charms (Otis Williams) (#1 R&B hit)

Here are The Charms with their cover of The Jewels' "Hearts of Stone."

This 1955 Rhythm and Blues hit (probably recorded in late 1954) by the group which featured Otis Williams was released on De Luxe #45-6062.

1st RECORDING OF: Hearts Of Stone - Jewels (1954)

Here are The Jewels with the original recording of "Hearts of Stone."

This 1954 recording was released on R and B #1301.

The Mills Brothers - Get A Job (45 version with lead vocal)

Here are the Mills Brothers with their version of "Get A Job."

The orchestra is conducted here by Milt Rogers.

Released in January, 1958 on Dot #45-15695.

1958 HITS ARCHIVE: Get A Job - Silhouettes (#1 hit)

Time for one of 1958's biggest hits, "Get A Job" by The Silhouettes.

Originally released in late 1957 on the Philadelphia-based Junior label, this recording would be released nationally over Herald subsidiary Ember Records #E-1029.

The record ultimately sold over a million copies.

Rays - Silhouettes - Late 50's Doo Wop Classic

From 1957, here are The Rays with their original recording of "Silhouettes."

Originally released on XYZ #X-102.

The Freeze Tony and Joe 1958

From 1958, here are Tony (Savonne) and Joe (Saraceno) with their own composition, "The Freeze."

Tony and Joe's hit recording was released on Era #45-1075.

Golden Years: THE CYCLONES - Bullwhip Rock

From 1958, here are The Cyclones with a rockin' instrumental, "Bullwhip Rock."

Released on Trophy #T-500.

MIDNIGHTERS In The Doorway Crying 1957

From their post-Annie, pre-Twist period, here are The Midnighters, featuring Hank Ballard, with "In The Door Crying," a song that Hank wrote.

This 1957 recording was released on Federal #12293.

BO DIDDLEY Say! Boss Man 1957

Time to say "SAY! (Boss Man)" with Bo Diddley with this self-penned number.

This 1957 recording was released on Checker #878.

TITUS TURNER Get On The Right Track Baby 78 1956

Time for ole tyme Rhythm and Blues with Titus Turner as he sings his own composition "Get On The Right Track Baby.

Released on February 6, 1956 on Wing #W-90058.

1962 HITS ARCHIVE: Ruby Ann - Marty Robbins (#1 C&W hit)

From 1962, here's Marty Robbins with his hit recording of "Ruby Ann."

Released on Columbia #4-42614.

1937 Frankie Reynolds - Paradise (instrumental)

Here a swinging Fox Trot version of "Paradise," as played by Frankie Reynolds and his Birmingham, Alabama-based orchestra.

Recorded on August 4, 1937 in Charlotte, North Carolina and released on Bluebird #B-7137.

No, this is not the same Frank Reynolds who had two stints as the ABC TV Network's evening news anchorman.

1st RECORDING OF: Ko Ko Mo - Gene and Eunice (1954 Combo version)

From 1954, here's the original recording of "Ko Ko Mo," with Gene and Eunice, backed by Jonesy's Combo.

Released on Combo #45-64.

Hilltoppers - Trying - Fantastic Early 50's Doo Wop (1952)

From 1952, here are the Hilltoppers, featuring Jimmy Sacca on the lead vocal,  with the Billy Vaughn-penned "Trying."

Released on Dot #15018.

Before he became Dot Records' in-house orchestra leader, Billy was a member of this vocal quartet.

1957 HITS ARCHIVE: Tonite, Tonite - Mello-Kings

Hailing from Mt. Vernon, New York, here are the Mello-Kings with their 1957 hit "Tonite, Tonite."

Released on Herald #H-502.

CHARMS Two Hearts 78 1954

Here are the Charms, featuring Otis Williams, with the original version of "Two Hearts," covered by, amongst others, Pat Boone and Frank Sinatra.

This 1954 recording was relased on De Luxe #6065.

1956 HITS ARCHIVE: When You Dance - Turbans (#3 R&B hit)

Time for classic Rhythm and Blues with the Turbans as they sing "When You Dance."

This 1956 hit was released on Herald #H-458.

1959 HITS ARCHIVE: Tallahassee Lassie - Freddy Cannon

Time for vintage Rock 'n' Roll with Freddy Cannon as he sings "Tallahassee Lassie."

This 1959 hit was released on Swan #4031.

1960 HITS ARCHIVE: Lonely Blue Boy - Conway Twitty

Time now for Conway Twitty with "Lonely Blue Boy."

Released on December 14, 1959, this early 1960 hit was released on MGM #K12857.

1959 HITS ARCHIVE: Baby Talk - Jan & Dean

From 1959, here are Jan and Dean with "Baby Talk."

Released on Dore #522.