Chart Toppers Archives - Vinyl Stories

Arthur Brown – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1968)

October 26, 2023

In 1968 performance artist Arthur Brown brought his Faustian nightmare journey through hell to music audiences via his album “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown” and became the godfather of “shock rock.” Through his high pitched wails and the helmet that shot flames from his head, Brown would be considered a “one hit wonder,” but changed the face of rock performance forever. A look at the career of “The God of Hellfire,” the birth of shock rock and Arthur Brown’s continuing influence on the rock n’ roll landscape today.

Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac (1975)

October 23, 2023

Is Stevie Nicks a witch? Since her first commercial breakout on 1975’s “Fleetwood Mac,” rumors that the pop icon has a connection with old world magik have continued to be a part of her mythos. But, while she has denied being involved in witchcraft on many occasions, she leans into it in her lyrics, aesthetics and lifestyle. A look at her 1976 hit “Rhiannon” and an exploration into the spell that Stevie Nicks has her fans under.

Frank Sinatra – The World We Knew (1967)

October 5, 2023

In 1967 Frank and Nancy SInatra scored an unlikely hit with “Somethin’ Stupid,” becoming the only father/daughter team to ever reach #1 on the charts. A look at the unique bond between Frank and Nancy, and the historical, albeit it problematic, legacy of the song they recorded together. Extra: In 1998 Sam Tweedle says goodbye to his hero. A look back at the death of Frank Sinatra, and the gift that the Sinatra Family gave to his fans,.

Nancy Sinatra – Boots (1966)

October 2, 2023

In 1966 Nancy Sinatra became one of the biggest pop artists in the world when her mega hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” soared to the top of the charts in nations worldwide. However, the song wasn’t originally supposed to be hers until Frank made writer/producer Lee Hazelwood see his point of view. A look at the far reaching success of “Thee Boots Are Made for Walkin” and how it made Nancy Sinatra a cultural icon.

Brook Benton – Brook Benton Today (1970)

September 25, 2023

Sometimes songs trigger a memory, but often they trigger “non memories.” A personal story of how Brook Benton helps conjure up an obscure memory of a place, a moment, a girl and the bagels, and how “Rainy Night in Georgia” helped revive his career.

Mercy – Love (Can Make You Happy) (1969)

August 28, 2023

Was “Love (Can Make You Happy)” by the Tampa, Florida based band Mercy ever a hit? The strange story of an ambitious singer/songwriter, the con man who tried to steal his musical legacy, and a pretty love song that stemmed out of an unlikely film.

Various Artists – Lambada (1989)

August 21, 2023

Journey back to 1989 when an international dance craze was started via French-Brazillian band Kaoma’s hit “Lambada” and the shocking crime which ended lead singer Loalwa Braz’s life. Extra: Just who wrote “Lambada” anyway, and how Kaoma’s success spawned Roberta and Chico – the 1980’s most uncomfortable kid’s act.

Frank Sinatra – No One Cares (1957)

July 24, 2023

How a young widow from Toronto gave Frank Sinatra his first hit. The story of Ruth Lowe and “I’ll Never Smile Again.”

Roy Orbison – Crying (1962) and Roy Orbison – Mystery Girl (1989)

July 21, 2023

Nobody sang a sad song like Roy Orbison, but few performers knew true suffering and loss than The Big O, giving a haunting reality to his ballads. From the height of his popularity in the 1960’s until his triumphant comeback in the 1980’s, tragedy seemed to follow Roy Orbison at every fatal turn.

Roy Orbison – There is Only One Roy Orbison (1965)

July 19, 2023

Was Roy Orbison too ugly to be put on record cover? The real story of why he adopted his signature sun glasses and how it changed the way the world looked at Roy Orbison. forever Extra: Roy Oribon’s British adventure with The Beatles!

Lesley Gore – Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (1963)

July 12, 2023

When Lesley Gore made her Billboard debut in 1963 she seemed to be the unlikeliest performer to become an early feminist icon. But after a string of hit singles where she played the role of the victim,, Lesley Gore changed the narrative of girls across America when she to recorded the first feminist anthem of pop music, “You Don’t Own Me.”

Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA (1984)

July 3, 2023

When Bruce Springsteen released “Born in the USA” he went from struggling singer/songwriter to a rock n’ roll icon. But when President Ronald Regan name dropped The Boss, perhaps he should have listened to Springsteen’s lyrics first. A look at “Born in the USA” and the history of Republican politicians who have foolishly tried to use it. Extra: How Bruce Springsteen keeps Sam Tweedle’s spouse up at night.

The Crew Cuts – Rock and Roll Bash (1956)

June 30, 2023

Although thier sound barely sounds like rock n’ roll by todays standards, in 1954 ,Toronto based vocal group The Crew Cuts drove 600 miles in a snow storm to Cleveland and became the first Canadian group to enter the Billboard charts with their doo wop classic “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream).” A look at Canada’s earliest entry into the pop industry when rock was very young.

Gene Pitney – Town Without Pity (1966)

June 26, 2023

Are we living in a time without Pitney? Celebrating the career of 60’s pop singer Gene Pitney. Extra: The story of “Town Without Pity” and “Angelica.”

Sonny and Cher – Look at Us (1965)

June 21, 2023

When Sonny met Cher in 1962, he was a struggling songwriter working as an underdog in Phil Spector’s studio, and she was a teenage runaway with dreams of stardom. Ambitious and in love, the pair spent three years being kicked around the LA scene until 1965, when Inspired by the love that bonded them together, Sonny Bono wrote one of pop musics greatest love songs, “I Got You Babe,” catupultiing them to the top of charts and international stardom. A look at the early days of Sonny and Cher.

Tanya Tucker – Delta Dawn (1972), Bette Midler – The Devine Miss M (1972) and Helen Reddy – Long Hard Climb (1973)

June 19, 2023

The tragic real life story behind the country classic “Delta Dawn,” and how it hit the Billboard charts three times in two years with recordings by three iconic women – Tanya Tucker, Bette Midler and Helen Reddy. Extra: Who passed on “Delta Dawn,” and why?

The Original Caste – One Tin Soldier (1969)

June 12, 2023

Before “Billy Jack,” Canadian pop-folk band The Original Caste introduced the world to “One Tin Soldier.” A look at the band, and the origins behind the song that would become one of the most famous anthems of peace.

The Monkees – The Monkees (1966)

May 31, 2023

Were The Monkees a real band, or four guys who were hired to play a band on TV? For nearly six decades, fans have been arguing with cynics and music snobs over the legitimacy of Davey, Mike, Mickey and Peter who, despite being one of the most successful pop acts in the history of music, have never been able to escape their preassembled origins. A defense of The Monkees and why their music matters.

Night Ranger – Midnight Madness (1983)

May 22, 2023

“You’re motorin’.” The story behind Night Ranger’s 1983 power ballad “Sister Christian” – a brother’s coming of age advice to his little sister.

Mashmakhan – Mashmakhan (1970)

May 15, 2023

If Jethro Tull and The Doors had a love child, it’d be Mashmakhan. Montreal based prog-rockers Mashmakhan had a massive hit in Canada and Japan with “As Years Go By” but the less commerical psychadelic infused tracks that made up the remainder of their 1970 debut album confused radio programmers and record buyers, making them a “one hit wonder.” An appreciation of one of the best underappreciated Canadian albums ever recorded.

Paul Revere and the Raiders – The Spirit of ’67 (1966)

May 3, 2023

When Mark met Manson. A chilling story from Paul Revere and the Raider’s front man Mark Lindsay about the time he met one of the 20th Century’s most notorious villains, and “The Spirit of ’67’s” unlikely link to the Sharon Tate murder.

Paul Revere and the Raiders – Something Happening (1968)

May 1, 2023

Despite being one of the best American bands of the 1960’s, Paul Revere and the Raiders never found the legacy they’ve deserved. Was it the gimmicky costumes, their association with Dick Clark Productions or the animosity between Paul Revere and front man Mark Linsday which prevented them from becoming top tier rock legends? A look at the rise and fall of Paul Revere and the Riaders, and why they need to be rediscovered.

Bobbie Gentry – The Girl From Chickasaw County (2022)

April 21, 2023

40 years after her self exile from the music industry, singer/songwriter Bobbie Gentry has finally found appreciation amongst modern music fans. Too honky tonk for rock fans and too progressive for country fans, Bobbie was perhaps too ahead of her time in the 60’s and 70’s, but is finally gaining a modern cult following for her swampy blues-country originals and genre spanning crossover masterpieces. However, while the world finally listens, Bobbie doesn’t want to be found.

Burt Bacharach – Greatest Hits (1974)

February 9, 2023

Sam Tweedle celebrates the decade spanning career of America’s greatest pop music composer Burt Bacharach through the impossible task of choosing his top 11 Bacharach songs.

Robby Krieger – Versions (1982)

January 18, 2023

Celebrating the song writing legacy of The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, and the story of how he wrote “Light My Fire.”

Kate Bush – The Sensual World (1989)

August 30, 2022

In 2022 Kate Bush hit the mainstream for the first time when a new generation discovered her via the hit Netflix seriesd “Stranger Things.” Sam Tweedle travels back to 1989 when he disocvered Kate Bush at age fifteen with her album “The Sensual World” and how it changed the way he listened to music forever.

Lights – Pep (2022)

August 9, 2022

That time that Sam Tweedle met Canadian synth-pop singer Lights and fell in love! A snapshot of a future pop superstar at the start of her career in the wake of her latest album “Pep.”

Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu (1980)

August 8, 2022

In memory of Olivia Newton-John. That time Sam Tweedle caught “Xanadu Fever,” affecting the peace and tranquility of his home. Just how many times can a man listen to the Xanadu soundtrack?