Author: Margaret Ashworth

Helen Shapiro was only 14 when she recorded this song by John Schroeder and Mike Hawker as her first single. It went to No 3 in Britain.

This was written by Billy Jackson and Jimmy Wisner and originally released in 1963 by The Orlons as the B-side to Bon-Doo-Wah, which peaked at No 55 in the US. … Continue readingThe Searchers: Don’t Throw Your Love Away

Apologies if this is too similar to yesterday’s track, but it reminded me of this terrific number by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, recorded by Dionne Warwick in August 1962 … Continue readingDionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over

This was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and was a hit under three titles. It was first recorded as Message to Martha by Jerry Butler in 1962, appearing as a … Continue readingAdam Faith: Message to Martha (Kentucky Bluebird)

This was the duo’s first single, written by Jerry Lordan and released in January 1963, going to No 1 in Britain. Legend has it that Jimmy Page played acoustic guitar … Continue readingJet Harris and Tony Meehan: Diamonds

This was written by John Fred (surname Gourrier) and group member Andrew Bernard as a play on the Beatles’ Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. It was released in late 1967 … Continue readingJohn Fred & His Playboy Band: Judy In Disguise

This was written by Terry Thompson and released as the B-side of You Better Move On, in the States in 1961 and in the UK in 1962. Johnny Kidd and the … Continue readingArthur Alexander: A Shot of Rhythm and Blues

This was written by Ric Cartey and Carole Joyner, and first recorded by Cartey with the Jiva-Tones in 1956. In 1957 three versions were released more or less simultaneously. The … Continue readingYoung Love

This was written by Huey ‘Piano’ Smith. He recorded it with his group, Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and His Clowns in 1958, but it was not released until 1971 on the … Continue readingFrankie Ford: Sea Cruise