KBTR in Denver has disappeared, at least as a radio station (KBTR-TV is a low-power TV station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana). Its former dial position is now occupied by KNUS, a news-talk station. They were a Top 40 station in 1964, so let’s have a look at their top Ten from 56 years ago…
| # | Song/Artist | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Right Or Wrong Ronnie Dove |
Ronnie Dove signed with Diamond Records in 1964, and released this cover of a Wanda Jackson hit. It reached #20 nationally. He had more success in 1965, then moved to country music in the ’70’s. |
| 9 | Walking In The Rain The Ronettes |
A song by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Ronnie Spector’s husband Phil. It reached #23 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the R&B chart. It’s ranked at #266 on Rolling Stone‘s 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. |
| 8 | Run Run Run The Gestures |
The Gestures were a teenage garage rock band from Mankato, Minnesota. They used to be called The Jesters until this first record. It was a regional hit, and reached #44 on the Hot 100. They released one more single before breaking up. |
| 7 | Willow Weep For Me Chad & Jeremy |
A song written in 1932 by Ann Ronell and considered a jazz standard, Chad & Jeremy took it to #15 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. |
| 6 | The Jerk The Larks |
Don Julian performed with the Los Angeles-based group The Mewadowlarks, who shortened their name to The Larks at some point. “The Jerk” is one of the many songs written to accompany a dance, and it reached #1 on the R&B chart and #7 on the Hot 100; it was Julian’s only hit. |
| 5 | Mr. Lonely Bobby Vinton |
Bobby started writing this when he was in the Army, and was released as the US’s involvement in the Vietnam war was ramping up. Epic Records had taken the song and given it to Buddy Greco, who they thought would be their next big star, but he only took it to #64. Vinton’s version reached #1 nationally during this week in 1964. |
| 4 | Anyway You Want It Dave Clark 5 |
The runner-up in my most recent Battle of the Bands, from their 1964 album Coast To Coast. It reached #25 in the UK and #14 in the US. |
| 3 | My Love, Forgive Me Robert Goulet |
Title track from Bob’s 1964 album, it reached #16 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. |
| 2 | Come See About Me The Supremes |
This was the third of five consecutive singles to reach #1 nationally. This one had two stints at #1, separated by… |
| 1 | I Feel Fine/She’s A Woman The Beatles |
“I Feel Fine” was the A side of this single, but in some markets (including Chicago) this was treated as a double A side record. “I Feel Fine” was the first record to feature feedback: Paul had struck a note on the bass and it set off John’s electric-acoustic guitar in the studio, and they decided to leave it in. |
And that’s Top Ten Tuesday for December 15, 2020.
Hovering at the cusp of my caring about Top-40 music, John. I know a few of these. Did KBTR advertise themselves as that bitter place on the dial, or did they go with Better music?
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Looking back at some of their old surveys, they called themselves “the bright spot of Denver radio.” They could have used you…
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Neat list!
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Kind of a blast from the past…
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Great selection of songs!
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Folks in Denver had pretty good taste back then…
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I’m back! I actually know some of these songs but never the title. A good way to start the Tuesday!
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