If 1961 was the year when many of the newer styles and genres of music just started to enjoy chart success, then 1962 was when those styles became fully established in the popular music conscious.
Motown was now riding a new-found wave of success with longtime session musician Marvin Gaye going solo and recording such classic songs as, "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" and "Pride And Joy". Other great Motown tunes recorded this year included "Do You Love Me" by The Contours, "You Beat Me To The Punch" by Mary Wells, and Smokey Robinson And The Miracles' "You Really Got A Hold On Me". In Memphis Tennessee, Stax Records gave us "Green Onions" by Booker T. And The MG's.
Surf Rock was in its first big year of popularity with many of the genre's classic songs being recorded this year such as: Dick Dale's "Miserlou", The Surfari's "Wipe Out", and The Chantays' "Pipeline". This early in the game, it seemed that the genre was here to stay.
In terms of vocal surf music, The Beach Boys released their first album "Surfin' Safari" in the autumn of 1962. While the album is mostly campy and dated, it does contain three classics such as the title track, "409", and the year old "Surfin'". Plus, the boys were mostly teenagers during recording so we can't expect a "Good Vibrations" in 1962.
On the east coast, we had Brill Building pop music still making significant chart headway with many girl group hits such as "The Loco-Motion". Even actual Brill Building songwriters were having hits such as Neil Sedaka with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do". Nearby in New Jersey, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons emerged with two smash hit singles. Many more would follow...
Folk music also continued to prosper with Peter, Paul & Mary releasing their debut album. Later in the year, they would record one of their signature tunes, "Puff The Magic Dragon". Bob Dylan also began work on what would become one of his greatest albums "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", and among the songs completed this year was his classic "Blowin' In The Wind".
Finally, overseas in Britain, The Beatles started the year off on day 1 (literally), by taping a 15 song demo for Decca records which was rejected. Months later, the tapes fell into the hands of EMI who arranged a more successful audition at Abbey Road Studios. In August, drummer Pete Best was replaced by Ringo Starr, and thus the classic Beatles lineup was born.
In September, The Beatles recorded their first single - "Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You" which got to #17 on the UK charts. In November, they recorded "Please Please Me/Ask Me Why", the former of which prompted George Martin to exclaim, "Gentlemen, you've just recorded your first #1 record!". It would still be over a year before that chart success reached the States. Finally, another important British band emerged on the scene - the blues influenced Rolling Stones.
Now, with all of these great songs and great genres of music presented above, it will be interesting if the Billboard charts correspond to those names and artists. Since many of the pop artists of the time still had a foot in the door of 1950's pop music, I am still expecting a lot of soft pop hits. I am also expecting more dance-specific songs, even though this was the last huge year for the genre. Let's find out just how 1962 played out, right here on Dr. Rock's Hit Or Miss -
First Up For 1962 - "Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee And The Starliters.
Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock -
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