1958 Hitmakers
These are some of the hitmakers in 1958
The Four Preps would score 3 hits this year, but their biggest hit would enter the Top 100 in the latter part of 1957. It would enter the Billboard Top 40 in January 1958-“26 Miles” (peaking at #2). Robert Carr and Johnny Mitchell would form the duo of Robert & Johnny-they would score their only Top 40 hit this year, a song called “We Belong Together” (March 1958, peaking at #32). Billy Ford and Lillie Bryant would form the duo of Billy & Lillie-their only hit this year was “La Dee Dah” (January 1958, peaking at #9).
Dion & The Belmonts would enter the Billboard Top 40 for the first time in 1958. They would score 2 hits-their biggest was “No One Knows” (September 1958, peaking at #19). The Valiants were a Doo Wop group that would have 1 hit this year, a record called “This Is The Night”. This song would enter the Billboard Top 100 in the latter part of December 1957, peaking at #69. On March 31, 1958 it would peak at #7 on the KOBY Top 40 in the Bay Area. Ed Townsend would score 1 hit this year-“For Your Love” (April 1958, peaking at #13).
The Pastels were a Doo Wop group that consisted of Richard Travis, Tony Thomas, Jimmy Willingham and DiFosco “Big Dee” Irwin-their hit this year was “Been So Long” (March 1958, peaking at #24). Earl Grant would score 1 hit this year-“The End” (September 1958, peaking at #7). Jerry Butler & The Impressions would score 1 Billboard Top 40 hit this year-“For Your Precious Love” (June 1958, peaking at #11). By 1960 Jerry Butler would become a solo star and The Impressions would also become hitmakers.
The Chantels would feature the lead voice of Arlene Smith and they would have 2 hits this year-their biggest was “Maybe” (January 1958, peaking at #15). The Aquatones would feature the lead voice of Lynn Nixon and they would only have only 1 hit this year-“You” (May 1958, peaking at #21). The Silhouettes would have only 1 Top 40 hit this year, but it was a #1 record-“Get A Job” (January 1958, #1 for 2 weeks).
Jimmy Clanton would score 3 hits this year, his biggest was “Just A Dream” (August 1958, peaking at #4). The Quintones would come from York, Pennsylvania and they would feature the lead voice of Roberta Hayman. Thier only Top 40 hit would come this year- “Down The Aisle Of Love” (September 1958, peaking at #18). Bobby Darin would score his first hit in 1958 and it would be his biggest of 3 hits this year-“Splish Splash” (June 1958, peaking at #3).
Ersel Hickey would have only 1 hit in his career and it would come in 1958. It was called “Bluebirds Over The Mountain” and it would enter the Billboard Top 100 in April 1958, peaking at #75. This song would peak at #30 on the KOBY Top 40 in the Bay Area on the week of April 7, 1958. Jackie Wilson, the entertainer that was called “Mr. Excitement”, would come on the musical scene this year with 2 hits-his biggest was “Lonely Teardrops” (December 1958, peaking at #7). Conway Twitty (his real name was Harold Lloyd Jenkins) would have 1 hit this year-“It’s Only Make Believe” (September 1958, peaking at #1 for 2 weeks). He would have a few more Top 40 hits before he would venture into the world of country music, where he would become a country music legend.
Bobby Day had been a member of The Hollywood Flames last year. Now he is a solo artist, scoring 1 Top 40 hit this year. His big hit was called “Rockin’ Robin” (August 1958, peaking at #2). James Brown would have a Top 100 hit in December of 1958, a record called “Try Me” (December 1958, peaking at #48). This song would enter the KOBY Top 40 in the Bay Area in December of 1958, peaking at #24 on the week of January 19, 1959. Domenico Modugno would only have 1 hit to ever make the nation’s Top 40 and it would come in 1958-“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)”, (August 1958, peaking at #1 for 5 weeks).
Duane Eddy and his “Twangy Guitar” would debut on the musical scene in 1958, scoring 3 hits. His biggest hit this year was “Rebel Rouser” (July 1958, peaking at #6). The Crescendos would only have 1 hit in their career and it would come in 1958-“Oh Julie” (January 1958, peaking at #5). An instrumental group called The Champs would score 2 hits this year-their biggest was “Tequilla” (March 1958, peaking at #1 for 5 weeks).
The Poni Tails, a trio from Lyndhurst, Ohio would have only 1 Top 40 hit in their career and it would also come in 1958-“Born Too Late” (July 1958, peaking at #7). A Doo Wop group called The Elegants would also score their only national Top 40 hit this year-“Little Star” (July 1958, peaking at #1 for 1 week. The Elegants would also have a lesser hit later this year called “Goodnight” and it peaked at #23 on the KOBY Top 40 on the week of November 10, 1958. Jimmy McCracklin was born in Arkansas but eventually came to the Bay Area. In the late 1970’s he actually lived about a block from my parents in East Oakland-his biggest hit called “The Walk” would hit the national charts in March 1958, peaking at #7).
Bobby Freeman was born in San Francisco on June 13, 1940 and in 1956 he was even a member of a Doo Wop group called The Romancers. Musical success would find him as a solo performer-scoring 2 national Top 40 hits this year. His biggest hit was “Do You Want To Dance” (May 1958, peaking at #5). The Crests would score their first hit at the end of this year and it would be the biggest hit of their career-“Sixteen Candles” (December 1958, peaking at #2 for 2 weeks). Little Anthony & The Imperials would score only 1 hi this year-“Tears On My Pillow” (August 1958, peaking at #4)
The Monotones would come from Newark, New Jersey. Their only hit this year was “Book Of Love” (April 1958, peaking at #5). Frankie Avalon would score 3 hits and his biggest was “De De Dinah” (January 1958, peaking at #7). Ritchie Valens would have 1 hit this year -“Donna” (December 1958, peaking at #2 for 2 weeks).
The Big Bopper would score 2 hits this year-his biggest was “Chantilly Lace” (August 1958, peaking at #6). Connie Francis would have 5 hits this year-her biggest was “Who’s Sorry Now” (March 1958, peaking at#4). The Olympics would score 1 national Top 40 hit this year- “Western Movies” (August 1958, peaking at #8).
