I believe that is true. Don’t discount session musicians, they are often the best around. There’s a good documentary out there entitled The Wrecking Crew about a group of 15-20 session players that worked in LA from the late 1950s into the early 1970s, and backed nearly all the Beach Boy records and others from Frank Sinatra to Elvis. Glen Campbell, a truly outstanding guitarist, and Leon Russell were part of the Wrecking Crew before going solo. I think they appeared on more than 1,000 recordings.
It may have been this documentary or another I watched that said a lot of session musicians refused to actually join any band because they didn’t want to deal with the hectic schedule. As session players they basically made their own hours.
Interesting. When I Google Jimmie Rodgers and 1960, most of what comes up is for the pop singer with the same name, not the singing brakeman.
Rodgers recorded it in 1930, the two guys who I have not named issued their version in 1960.
Last hints before disclosure. The pair issued one other 45 that I know of, probably because the lst one did so well. The 2nd did not. They were clearly a one hit wonder. Their selection of a name for themselves should be obvious after listening to the song.
I can’t even think of a duo from Wisconson.
After 1960, I may be one of few who do. As Arnold would say, I’ll be back.
I think i just found the song. I believe Dolly also recorded a version of it, very early in her career.
Yes indeed, 56 years ago. I’ll give you the nod and look for another puzzler.
Here are The Fendermen, named after their guitars.
what song from oh kay during the 20s was also in the play crazy for you during the 90s music was written by George and Ira Gershwin. There is somebody I’m longing to see. I hope that he turns out to be…..’Someone to watch over me” I love this song” I saw the 90s reread of this play
Who wrote and recorded a song during the 70s but years later there was a cover of it, which was a much bigger hit. The writer of this song said she made many trips to the bank when she had a hit with it, but could’ve bought the bank by the cover of it. I personally prefer the original version by the person who wrote it.
The Night the Lights went out in Georgia
Vicki Lawrence
That question reminds of a c1970 interview with Carl Perkins cited in his biography. The reporter asked if he was troubled because the Beatles were recording his songs and he wasn’t. He said, and I paraphrase, are you kidding? I get $50,000 in royalties every time they put one of my songs on their album. I never made that much from my own records.
I seem to recall reading that Dolly Parton made more than $1 million in royalties from Whitney Houston’s recording of I Will Always Love You.
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Dolly Parton, song was #1 for her twice, but massive with the Whitney Houston version.
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I’ll try another one. This song was written and recorded by a fellow Michiganian (although some folks say Michigander) in 1960-61, and released shortly after. Despite the song’s age, I suspect many people have heard it. It reached #1 on the national Billboard charts and I quickly found more than 30 covers by other well known artists. Like a lot of songs of those days, the singer pines for his lost love and doesn’t understand why she left.
That’s probably too much info, but it’s hot here today and I don’t want anyone to have to work too hard.
OK, a little more info. The big hit was the artist’s first record. I found 86 cover versions, from Elvis to Bonnie Raitt. The artist liked this song so much that he recorded a little different version in 1967 (nowhere near as popular as his original). Rolling Stone put the original version of the song on it’s list of the 500 greatest songs.
86 covers?
How am I drawing a blank?
I have no answer to that question, despite having been in similar situations.
Last hint. Billboard says this was the 5th biggest selling record in 1961 after being #1 for 4 weeks. It sold 250,000 records in Britain and the US stats are unclear, but it earned a gold record. The singer was not a one hit wonder, as he charted a dozen songs over the years. Sadly, he committed suicide in 1980 and was voted into the R’n’R HOF posthumously. So, don’t go a-walkin’ in the rain.