After such a good start, Australian music was at the crossroads. The dominance of Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye was gone and muted by the conservatism of record companies, and the crippling rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney, Australian music was standing still. Sydney ignored Melbourne’s most popular artist, Johnny Chester, even though he had three local hits, Hokey Pokey, Can-Can Ladies, and at the moment a cover of the huge UK hit by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Shakin’All Over. Johnny Chester hosted various TV shows including Teen Time, Teen Scene and Country Road. He had 30 hit singles but it was in the 70’s with his band Jigsaw that he had his biggest hits, Gwen (Congratulations); Shame And Scandal; Midnight Bus; World’s Greatest Mum; and She’s My Kind Of Woman”.
The first week in April saw Elmo Lewis introduced as a guest with Blues Incorporated at London’s Ealing Jazz Club. His real name was Brian Jones and on the 7th two enthusiastic blues fans were in the audience, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, this was the first time all three had met. Alexis Korner had persuaded the club to play this new sound of rhythm and blues and the club was packing them in.
On the 10th The Beatles have a fans night at the Cavern Club, Liverpool, before flying out to Hamburg for a seven-week residency at The Star Club. When they arrive in the German city they are informed that ex-group member Stuart Sutcliffe had died from cerebral paralysis due to a brain haemorrhage. Sutcliffe was never a competent bass player and always stood with his back to the audience so they could not witness his inadequacies, but he was also a very good friend of John Lennon for a long time. Although he did not leave much of a musical legacy Stuart’s paintings have been highly praised and been exhibited with great acclaim since his death.
Elvis Presley’s ninth film, Follow That Dream, was premiered in the USA on the 11th. Songs featured in the movie included, Follow That Dream, What A Wonderful Life, and I’m Not The Marrying Kind. Elvis also had his sixteenth USA number one with Good Luck Charm, his last for nearly eight years.
A sad day for Jerry Lee Lewis on the 24th when his son Steve Allen drowned in the swimming pool at his home. This was one of many tragedies that plagued his life. At the end of the month, Jerry Lee Lewis returns to the UK for the first time since his infamous 1958 tour was cancelled after only three shows. This time the British public were more forgiving and lapped him up when he whipped up a storm at his first concert in Newcastle.
British jazz band, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen have their first top ten hit in the USA and number one in Australia with Midnight in Moscow, their style of traditional jazz became very popular with hits such as March Of The Siamese Children, Sukiyaki, Samantha, So Do I, Someday (You’ll Be Sorry), Hello Dolly, I Still Love You All, The Green Leaves Of Summer, and When I’m 64.
The number ones in Australia in April 1962
7th Midnight In Moscow – Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen
14th 21st 28th Good Luck Charm – Elvis Presley
In the UK, Wonderful Land/Stars Fell On Stockton by The Shadows spent the whole month at number one.
In the USA
7th 14th Johnny Angel – Shelley Fabares
21st 28thGood Luck Charm – Elvis Presley
The top ten records in Australia for April 1962
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