In October 1961….
Motown and its sister label Tamla had been formed in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. Gordy had produced more than 20 USA top 100 entries including Jackie Wilson’s “Reet Petite”, Marv Johnson’s “You Got What It Takes”, and Barrett Strong’s “Money”. Motown’s year was rounded off by the signing of a gifted young blind singer/instrumentalist Steveland Judkins, only 11 years old and was scheduled to release his debut disc in the New Year under the name of Little Stevie Wonder.
Number one both sides of the Atlantic and top 10 in Australia is The Highway Men with “Michael”. The song is actually an old 19th century slave song. They were a college band and included a college champion pole vaulter, a fraternity president, a campus radio sports reporter, and a Charango player. A Charango is a ten stringed Bolivian instrument made from the back of an armadillo!
The top 10 in Australia in October 1961
The number one in the USA for October 1961
7th Take Good Care Of My Baby – Bobby Vee
14th 21st Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles
In the UK 7th Kon Tiki – The Shadows
14th Michael – The Highway Men
21st 28th Walking Back To Happiness – Helen Shapiro
In Australia 7th 14th I’m Counting On You – Johnny O’Keefe
21st 28th Mexico – Bob Moore
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