“Transistors, Hoola Hoops & Music”
This was the time when I got my first transistor radio-now you could take the music with you. This was also the time when the hoola hoop craze was sweeping the country. In the Bay Area, these were some of the songs that we heard on the radio.
January 1958
Songs that would debut on the KOBY Top 40 this month would include “Woman From Liberia” by Jimmie Rodgers, “Jo Ann” by The Playmates, “Catch A Falling Star” by Perry Como, “Wild Is The Wind” by Johnny Mathis,”Bertha Lou” by Clint Miller, “Get A Job” by The Silhouettes, “Swinging Shepherd Blues” by Johnny Pate, “Witchcraft” by Frank Sinatra, “Sugar Time” by The McGuire Sisters, “La De Dah” by Billy & Lillie, “Maybe” by The Chantels, “Don’t” and “I Beg Of You” by Elvis Presley, “Sail Along Silvery Moon” by Billy Vaughn, “Oh Julie” by The Crescendos, “Short Shorts” by The Royal Teens, “De De Dinah” by Frankie Avalon, “Why Don’t They Understand” by George Hamilton IV, “So Tough” by The Kuf Linx and “Little Pigeon” by Chuck Sims.
February 1958
Songs that would debut on the KOBY Top 40 this month were “Good Golly Miss Molly” by Little Richard, “Oh Oh I’m Falling In Love Again” by Jimmie Rodgers, “March From The River Kwai” by Mitch Miller, “A Wonderful Time Up There” by Pat Boone, “You Are My Destiny” by Paul Anka, “The Ballad Of A Teenage Queen” by Johnny Cash, “Are You Sincere” by Andy Williams, “Barbara Jean” by Barry DeVorzon, “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry, “Magic Moments” by Perry Como, “Maybe Baby” by The Crickets, “Tequila” by The Champs and also by Eddie Platt, “Bop A Lena” by Ronnie Self, “This Is The Night” by The Valiants (lead singer was Billy Storm), “Whole Lotta Woman” by Marvin Rainwater, “Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay” by Danny & The Juniors, “Yes, My Darling” by Fats Domino and “Don’t Let Go” by Roy Hamilton.
March 1958
Songs that would debut on the KOBY Top 40 this month were “Lollipop” by The Chordettes, “Little Blue Man” by Betty Johnson, “The Walk” by Jimmy McCracklin (Jimmy moved to Oakland, California and ended up living about a block from my parent’s old house), “Been So Long” by The Pastels, “Breathless” by Jerry Lee Lewis, “Cherry Pie” by The Tri Lads (this was a local hit, eventually done in 1960 by Skip & Flip), “Do You Want To Dance” by Bobby Freeman, “Book Of Love” by The Monotones, “We Belong Together” by Robert & Johnny, “Who’s Sorry Now” by Connie Francis, “Lonely Island” by Sam Cooke, “Kathleen” by Wally Lewis, “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It” by Ricky Nelson, “The Witch Doctor” by David Seville, “Don’t You Just Know It” by Huey ‘Piano’ Smith & The Clowns, “Twilight Time” by The Platters, “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” by Laurie London, “You Mean Everything To Me” by The Slades, “Chanson D’Amour” by Art & Dottie Todd, “Bluebirds Over The Mountain” by Ersel Hickey, “Bye Bye Elvis” by Genee Harris, “Return To Me” by Dean Martin, “Slow Down” by Larry Williams and “Stairway To Love” by Marty Robbins.This was the big news event in the world of music in this month. Elvis Presley would join the Army
April 1958
Songs that would debut on the KOBY Top 40 survey this month would include “Henry Goes To The Moon” by Ruff And Ready (this was a cut in record done by KOBY disc jockey Ted Randal), “Pony Tail” by Larry Dean, “Kewpie Doll” by Perry Como, “Walkin’ The Low Road” by Randy Sparks (eventually Randy would be the leader of The New Christy Minstrels), “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck” and “Don’cha Think It’s Time” by Elvis Presley, “Little Turtle Dove” by Bobby Day, “All I Have To Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers
“Every Night” by The Chantels, “No No” by Fats Domino, “Jacqueline” by Bobby Helms, “Chanson D’Amour” by Art & Dottie Todd, “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, “Make Me A Miracle” and “Secretly” by Jimmie Rodgers, “Billy” by Kathy Linden, “Looking Back” by Nat ‘King’ Cole, “Oh Lonesome Me” by Don Gibson, “Senior Class Ring” by Jimmy Helms, “You” by The Aquatones, “Rumble” by Link Wray and “Sugar Moon” by Pat Boone.
May 1958
Songs that would debut on the KOBY Top 40 this month were “For Your Love” by Ed Townsend, “Leroy” by Jack Scott, “Big Man” by The Four Preps, “Tina” by The Spaniels, “Zorro” by The Chordettes, “To Be Loved” by Jackie Wilson, “Teacher, Teacher” by Johnny Mathis, “Little Train” by Vasel & Storz, “Jennie Lee” by Jan & Arnie, “Endless Sleep” by Jody Reynolds. “Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley, “El Rancho Rock” by The Champs, “Cha-Hua-Hua” by the Pets, “Yakety Yak” by The Coasters, “I Got A Robe” by Laurie London and “I Wonder Why” by Dion & The Belmonts.
June 1958
Songs that would debut on the KOBY Top 40 this month were “High School Confidential” by Jerry Lee Lewis, “Oh My Soul” by Little Richard, “Padre” by Toni Arden, “One Summer Night” by The Danleers, “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson, “Patricia” by Prez Prado, “You’d Be Surprised” by Kathy Linden, “For Your Precious Love” by Jerry Butler & The Impressions, “Padre” by Toni Arden, “Hard Headed Woman” by Elvis Presley, “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin, “Are You My Girlfriend” by Morry Williams & The Kids
“Willy And The Hand Jive” by Johnny Otis, “Got A Match” by The Daddy-O’s, “Sheik Of Araby” by Lou Monte, “Left Right Out Of Your Heart” by Patti Page, “A Certain Smile” by Johnny Mathis, “Rebel Rouser” by Duane Eddy, “When” by The Kalin Twins and “Guess Things Happen That Way” by Johnny Cash. 🙂 🙂 🙂
References: The music surveys of KOBY in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area in California, U.S.A.
