Now we come to the year 1962, the year I graduated from Castlemont High in Oakland, California. Some of the songs that were popular at this time will have special memories for me. As a graduation present from High School, my Aunts bought me a reel to reel tape recorder (it was a Webcor). I recorded many of my favorite songs from the radio. At this time KEWB has it’s Top 40 (and their survey will always be a Top 40) while KYA has it’s Swingin’ 60 (in the latter part of 1963 they will switch to a Top 30). At this time, KYA will feature many records from R & B and Doo Wop.
January 1962
Songs that will debut locally this month were “The Duke Of Earl” by Gene Chandler (this song would debut at #1 on the KEWB Top 40 on the week of January 6), “Flying Circle” by Frank Slay, “Smoky Places” by The Corsairs, “Twist Her” by The Bill Black Combo, “Dear Ivan” by Jimmy Dean, “She’s Everything” by Ral Donner, “A Little Bitty Tear” by Burl Ives (Burl had his first hit in 1948 with a record called “Blue Tail Fly”), “What’s So Good About Goodbye” by The Miracles, “Crying In The Rain” by The Everly Brothers, “Joey Baby” by Anita & The So & So’s, “Chip Chip” by Gene McDaniels, “He Knows I Love Him Too Much” by The Paris Sisters, “Break It To Me Gently” by Brenda Lee, “Our Concerto” by Steve Lawrence, “What’s Your Name” by Don & Juan, “The Shimmy Shimmy Walk” by The Megatons, “Jamie” by Eddie Holland, “The Percolator Song” by Billy Joe & The Checkmates, “Letter Full Of Tears” by Gladys Knight & The Pips ,”The Greatest Hurt” by Jackie Wilson, “Lost Someone” by James Brown (KYA), “Hand Jive One More Time” by Johnny Otis (KYA), “Mustard” by The Dittos (KYA), “Bandit Of My Dreams” by Eddie Hodges (KYA), “Do The New Continental” by The Dovells (KYA), “Hully Gully Papa” by Jasper Woods (KYA), “Baby Don’t Leave Me” by Joe Henderson (KYA), “The Battle” by Duane Eddy (KYA), “Rough Lover” and “I Surrender Dear” by Aretha Franklin (KYA), “Oliver Twist” by Rod McKuen (KYA), “The Cajun Queen” by Jimmy Dean (KYA), “Mamie In The Afternoon” by Bobby Lewis (KYA), “Far From The Lights Of Town” by Paul Anka (KYA), “Patti Ann” by Johnny Crawford (KYA), “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” by Timi Yuro (KYA), “Yes-Siree” by Linda Scott (KYA), “One More Time” by Danny Peppermint (KYA) and “To Know Him Is To Love Him” by Nancy Sinatra (KYA)
—————————————-Some Of The Stars Of This Year——————————
February 1962
Songs that would debut locally this month were “Do The Surfer’s Stomp” by Bruce Johnson, “Tell Me” by Dick & Deedee, “My Boomerang Won’t Come Back” by Charlie Drake, “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel, “Love Letters” by Ketty Lester, “I Want A Guy” by The Marvelettes, “Lizzie Borden” by The Chad Mitchell Trio, “I’ll See You In My Dreams” by Pat Boone, “Ecstasy” by Ben E King, “Never In A Hundred Years” by Billy Joe Royal, “Come Back Suilly Girl” by the Lettermen, “Outside Heaven’s Door” by Paul Greenwood, “Nut Rocker” by B. Bumble & The Stingers, “Her Royal Majesty” by James Darren, “Midnight In Moscow” by Kenny Ball, “Lose Her” and “Bonnie” by Bobby Rydell, “Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You” by Connie Francis, “Dream Baby” by Roy Orbison, “Mashed Potato Time” by Deedee Sharp, “When My Little Girl Is Smiling” by The Drifters, “Let Me In” by The Sensations, “Please Don’t Ask About Barbara” by Bobby Vee, “Twistin’ The Night Away” by Sam Cooke, “Mexican Divorce” by The Drifters (KYA), “Hey Let’s Twist” by Joey Dee & The Starlighters (KYA), “Drums Are My Beat” by Sandy Nelson (KYA), “Voodoo Doll” by Amelia (KYA), “Desire” by The Trophies (KYA), “Frozen Dinners” by Ronnie & Joey (KYA), “If You Want To” by The Carousels (KYA), “Twist And Freeze To KYA” by The Bob Keen Big Band (KYA), “Clown Shoes” by Johnny Burnette (KYA), “Dark Glasses” by Billy Joe Royal (KYA), “Handsome Guy” by Dick Lory (KYA), “Stop What You’re Doin’ ” by Dal LaRoc (KYA), “I Found A Love” by The Falcons (KYA, Wilson Pickett was in this group), “Cotton Fields” by The Highwaymen (KYA), “Thou Shalt Not Steal” by John D Loudermilk (KYA), “Congo Part 1” by The Twistin’ Kings (KYA), “Guilty” by Clairette (KYA) and “Here It Comes Again” by The Chantels (KYA).
March 1962
Songs that would debut locally this month were “Duchess Of Earl” by The Pearlettes (pictured above), “Night Owl” by The Dukays, “She Can’t Find Her Keys” by Paul Peterson, “Quarter To Four Stomp” by The Stompers, “El Cid” by Billy Storm, “Lover Please” by Clyde McPhatter, “One Of The Guys” by Vinnie Monte, “Slow Twistin’ ” by Chubby Checker, “I Love A Wanderer” by Shelby Flint, “Young World” by Ricky Nelson, “I Want To Love You” by Renee Roberts, “You Win Again” by Fats Domino, “Love Me Warm And Tender” by Paul Anka, “She Cried” by Jay & The Americans, “Good Luck Charm” and “Anything That’s Part Of You” by Elvis Presley, “Johnny Angel” by Shelley Fabares, “Thou Shalt Not Steal” by John D. Loudermilk, “Soldier Boy” and “Love Is A Swingin’ Thing” by The Shirelles, “You Better Move On” by Arthur Alexander, “Johnny Jingo” by Hayley Mills, “Shout Shout” by Ernie Maresca, “Stranger On The Shore” by Mr. Acker Bilk, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” by Tony Bennett, “Memories Of Maria” by Jerry Byrd, “You Are Mine” by Frankie Avalon, “Uptown” by The Crystals, “Hide Nor Hair” by Ray Charles, “Dear One” by Larry Finnegan, “Twist Twist Senora” by Gary ‘U.S’ Bonds, “Moments” by Jennell Hawkins, “Cinderella” by Jack Ross, “The Dance Is Over” by The Addrisi Brothers, “All For The Love Of A Boy” by Frank Lori (KYA), “Remember Me (To Jimmy)” by Kathy Linden (KYA), “I Sold My Heart To The Junkman” by Patti LaBelle & The Blue Belles (KYA), “The Patricia Twist” by Prez Prado, (KYA), “Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind” by Rudy West (KYA, this song was done by The Five Keys in 1956-Rudy was their lead singer), “The Rains Came” by Big Sambo (KYA), “The Young Ones” by Cathy Carroll (KYA), “Begin The Beguine” by The Skip Soder Band (KYA), “Love Can’t Wait” by Marty Robbins (KYA), “The Town I Live In” by McKinley Mitchell (KYA), “To Love Someone” by Ral Donner (KYA), “Annie Get Your Yo Yo” by Little Junior Parker (KYA) and “Why Do You Wanna Make Me Cry” by Connie Stevens (KYA).
April 1962
Songs that would debut locally this month were “Old Rivers” by Walter Brennan, “The Big Draft Medley” by The Four Preps, “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles, “Meet Me At The Twistin’ Place” by Johnny Morisette, “Ginny Come Lately” by Brian Hyland, “Two Of A Kind” by Sue Thompson, “The One Who Really Loves You” by Mary Wells, “Oh My Angel” by Bertha Tillman, “Soul Twist” by King Curtis & The Nobel Knights, “Lemon Tree” by Peter, Paul & Mary, “Twistin’ Matilda” by Jimmy Soul, “Shout” by Joey Dee, “Born To Cry” and “Lovers Who Wander” by Dion, “I Wish That Were Married” by Ronnie & The Hi-Lites, “Conscience” by James Darren, “Everybody Loves Me But You” by Brenda Lee, “Balboa Blue” by The Marketts, “Follow That Dream” by Elvis Presley, “Funny Way Of Laughing” by Burl Ives , “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” by Gene Pitney, “Cuttin’ In” by Johnny “Guitar” Watson (KYA), “Mr. Twenty One” by The Orlons (KYA), “Keep It Up” by Bob Conrad (KYA), “It’s Twistin’ Time” by Hank Ballard (KYA), “Yessiree Yessiree” by Ray Whitley (KYA), “The Jam Part 1” by Bobby Gregg (KYA), “Again” by The Four Cal-Quettes (KYA), “Need Your Love” by The Metallics (KYA), “Cookin’ ” by Al Casey (KYA), “You Don’t Miss Your Water” by William Bell (KYA), “Hit Record” by Brook Benton (KYA), “Two Different Worlds” by Steve Barri (KYA), “P.T. 109” by Jimmy Dean (KYA), “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Jessie Mae (KYA), “A Time To Live And Love” by Gary & Gary (KYA), “Don’t Play That Song” by Ben E. King (KYA) and “Such A Night” by Dinah Washington (KYA).
May 1962
Songs that would debut locally this month were “Playboy” by The Marvelettes, “Queen Of My Heart” by Rene & Ray, “If I Cried Every Time You Hurt Me” by Wanda Jackson, “Itty Bitty Pieces” by James Ray, “Fortune Teller” by Bobby Curtola, “Cindy’s Birthday” by Johnny Crawford, “Walk On The Wild Side” by Jimmy Smith, “Al Di La” by Emilio Pericoli, “Doctor Feel Good” by Doctor Feel Good & The Interns, “I Love You” by The Volumes, “That’s Old Fashioned” by The Everly Brothers, “Palisades Park” by Freddy Cannon, “Snap Your Fingers” by Joe Henderson, “Mr. Twenty One” by The Orlons, “I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” by Don Gibson and also by Ray Charles, “Night Train” by Ernie Englund and also by James Brown, “Second Hand Love” by Connie Francis, “Teach Me Tonight” by George Maharis, “Swingin’ Gently” by Earl Grant, “I’ll Try Something New” by The Miracles, “West Of The Wall” by Toni Fisher, “Sharing You” by Bobby Vee, “Born To Lose” by Ray Charles, “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker (KYA), “So This Is Love” by The Castells (KYA), “Scotch And Soda” by The Kingston Trio (KYA), “I Don’t Love You No More” by Jimmy Norman (KYA), “The Green Leaves Of Summer” by Kenny Ball (KYA), “A Million Miles From Nowhere” by Billy Storm (KYA), “I Just Got A Letter” by The Fashions (KYA), “Sweet Sixteen” by The Colts (KYA), “Dancin’ The Strand” by Maureen Gray (KYA), “A Steel Guitar And A Glass Of Wine” by Paul Anka (KYA), “The Crowd” by Roy Orbison (KYA) and “Loveless Life” by Ral Donner (KYA).
June 1962
——————————————-Some Of The Stars Of 1962——————————–
Songs that would debut locally this month were “Theme From Ben Casey” by Valjean, “Stranger On The Shore” by Andy Williams, “Let Me Love You” by Buddy Greco, “The Stripper” by David Rose, “Sweet And Lovely” by April Stevens & Nino Tempo, “Wah Watusi” by The Orlons, “Sealed With A Kiss” by Brian Hyland, “Gravy” by Deedee Sharp, “Twist And Shout” by The Isley Brothers, “Johnny Get Angry” by Joannie Sommers, “Softly As I Leave You” by Matt Monro, “Wolverton Mountain” by Claude King, “I’ll Never Dance Again” by Bobby Rydell, “Theme From Route 66” by Nelson Riddle, “Seven Day Weekend” by Gary ‘U.S.’ Bonds, “It Keeps Right On A Hurtin’ ” by Johnny Tillotson, “Little Bitty Pretty One”by Clyde McPhatter, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” by Neil Sedaka, “Ahab The Arab” by Ray Stevens, “Roses Are Red” by Bobby Vinton, “Theme From Dr. Kildare (Three Stars)” by Richard Chamberlain, “Need Your Love Tonight” by Elvis Presley, “Village Of Love” by Nathaniel Mayer & The Fabulous Twilights, “Speedy Gonzales” by Pat Boone, “You’ll Lose A Good Thing” by Barbara Lynn, “Dancin’ Party” and “Gotta Get Myself Together” by Chubby Checker, “What’s A Matter Baby” by Timi Yuro, “I Need Your Loving” by Don Gardner & Deedee Ford (KYA), “Memphis Twist” by Earl Forrest (KYA), “Bongo Stomp” by Little Joey & The Flips (KYA), “But Not For Me” by Ketty Lester (KYA), “Potato Peeler” by Bobby Gregg (KYA), “Keep Your Love Locked” by Paul Peterson (KYA), “Runaway Pony” by Duane Eddy (KYA), “If The Boy Only Knew” by Sue Thompson (KYA), “Been A Long Time” by The Five Quails (KYA), “Bristol Twistin’ Annie” by The Dovells (KYA), “Where Are You” by Dinah Washington (KYA), “Taste Of Honey” by The Victor Feldman Quartet (KYA), “What About Love” by Freddy King (KYA) and “I’m A Woman” by Christine Kittrell (KYA). 🙂 🙂 🙂
References: The music surveys of KYA and KEWB in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area and “Pop Memories 1890-1954” by Joel Whitburn.
