Author: Margaret Ashworth

This was her third single and second chart-topper. It was recorded when she was still only 14, though she was 15 when it went to No 1. It was written … Continue readingHelen Shapiro: Walkin’ Back to Happiness

In honour of Lloyd Price, who has died at 88, here is his second-biggest UK hit which reached No 9 in 1959. (The biggest was Stagger Lee, No 7 in 1958). … Continue readingLloyd Price: Personality

This was written by the group’s leader Ray Davies and released in 1968. It reached No 12 in the UK but did not make the US charts. In 1989 Kirsty … Continue readingThe Kinks: Days

This was written by Mike d’Abo and Tony Macaulay, and released by The Foundations in 1968 as their fourth single. It made No 1 in America and No 2 in … Continue readingThe Foundations: Build Me Up Buttercup

This was Shannon’s fourth single, written by him and released in 1961. It was not a massive success in America, reaching No 38, but it got to No 2 in … Continue readingDel Shannon: Hey! Little Girl

This was written by husband and wife team Red Surrey and Jean Dinning, and released in 1959 by her brother Mark. Radio stations in the US and the BBC banned … Continue readingMark Dinning: Teen Angel

Written by the group’s founder John Sebastian, this was their third single. It reached No 2 in both America and Britain in 1966. This is a ‘live’ performance but since … Continue readingLovin’ Spoonful: Daydream