Weekend #1 Music Twofer

 

Sixty (!) years ago tomorrow, The Shirelles became the first all-black girl group to have a number 1 single in the U.S., with the Gerry Goffin/Carole King song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow."  It's been covered by dozens of others, including Brenda Lee, Roberta Flack, Smokey Robinson and, of course, Carole King -- but we think the original's still the greatest.

A few years after, on  January 30, 1964, The Searchers had their second number 1 single on the U.K. charts with "Needles and Pins" (written by Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono).  It, too, has been covered by many artists, including Jackie DeShannon, The Ramones, and Tom Petty.  The lead vocal and jangly guitar are courtesy of founding member Mike Pender.

Hope you enjoy.

Weekend Advice Song

Fifty years ago, we were in the upswing of a huge musical and cultural change being ushered in by groups from Great Britain like The Searchers.  With the Beatles, their rivals from Liverpool, The Searchers birthed the "Merseybeat" sound.  A distinctive and emulated (by blog favorites The Byrds, for example) characteristic of The Searchers' sound was their tight harmonies and their use of the ringing Rickenbacker 12-string guitar on this song and such others as "When You Walk In The Room," and "Needles and Pins."  Our featured song is performed by the core members of The Searchers: Mike Pender, Tony Jackson and Chris Curtis.  One reason musicologists believe The Searchers didn't reach the heights of other groups of that era is the fact that they changed their lineup almost as much as some people change their socks.  Ah, well.  Enjoy "Don't Throw Your Love Away" and your weekend.  (Btw, the title of this song could have served as cautionary advice to one or both of the McDonnells -see yesterday's post - updated).

Weekend Song -- Take 2

We played this song a few years back, performed by its composer Jackie DeShannon.  But we love this 1964 English beat, ringing guitar version by Liverpool's The Searchers, so we're offering a take 2.  Enjoy your weekend.