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On this day in music history: May 20, 1967 - "Groovin'" by The Young Rascals hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks (non-consecutive), also peaking at #3 on the R&B singles chart on the same date. Written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, it is the second chart topping single for the New York City-based blue eyed soul/pop rock quartet. For the band's sixth single release, they will venture into new musical territory. Taking an interest in Afro-Cuban music, keyboardist and lead vocalist Cavaliere along with percussionist Brigati will come up with a leisurely paced groove with that sound in mind, and begin crafting a song around it. Lyrically, it will be about how the only time the two busy musicians could spend with their respective girlfriends was on Sundays. When they get into the studio to cut the track, they will enlist the assistance of veteran studio bassist Chuck Rainey to play on the song. Once it's completed, the band will present the song to Atlantic Records, who at first are unsure of the song's commercial potential. Famed New York DJ Murray "The K" will convince the label to release song after he expresses his enthusiasm for it. Released on April 10, 1967, it is an immediate smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #79 on April 22, 1967, it will rocket to the top of the chart just four weeks later. "Groovin'" will prove to have major staying power once it reaches the summit. After two weeks at the top, it will be bumped from the #1 spot by Aretha Franklin's "Respect" for two weeks, then it will return to the top for an additional two weeks. "Groovin'" will be certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Rockshow, the concert film featuring Paul McCartney and Wings taken from the 1975 - 1976 tour “Wings Over America,” screens one night only at San Francisco’s Balboa Theatre on Thursday, May 16th at 7:30pm.

Filmed at the enormous Kingdome in Seattle, Rockshow was not premiered until November of 1980 in New York, April of 1981 in London and, until now, never in San Francisco!

Don't miss your chance to see this special film! Get your tickets HERE!
 

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Remembering R&B legend Otis Redding (born Otis Ray Redding, Jr. in Macon, GA) - September 9, 1941 - December 10, 1967.

Also remembering Ronnie Caldwell, Carl Cunningham, Jimmy King, and Phalon Jones of The Bar-Kays.

On this day in music history: December 10, 1966 - “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, it is the third number one single for the Southern California based band. The song will have its origins in a conversation that Brian Wilson has with his mother during his childhood; she will tell him that dogs bark at people depending on the "vibrations" they sensed from them. Wilson tells this to his bandmate Mike Love and Love will come up with the title "Good Vibrations." Initially, Wilson will collaborate with lyricist Tony Asher on the song. Not entirely pleased with the lyrics, Love will completely re-write them. "Vibrations" will be recorded in 17 sessions over a period of six months in four different studios. The song will incorporate a number of instruments not typical for a pop song including cellos and a electro-therimin.  At an approximated cost of over $50,000, it is the most expensive single record ever produced (at the time), with the final version being edited together from various sections recorded over the lengthy sessions. The song’s innovative production and structure will make it an immediate smash on both sides of the Atlantic, stoking demand for the band’s next album Smile, which is currently in the works. The album itself will not surface in its intended form until nearly 45 years later in 2011.
 

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On this day in music history: November 26, 1962 - The Beatles record "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why" in Studio Two at Abbey Road in London. It will be the band's second attempt at recording "Please," having previously recorded it on September 11th (during the session for the second version of "Love Me Do") in a different and slower arrangement, influenced by Roy Orbison's "Only The Lonely." Producer George Martin is initially not fond of the song and suggests that the band's next single be the Mitch Murray-penned "How Do You Do It?" That song had been passed over in favor of "Love Me Do" and is once again up for consideration. In the interim, Lennon and McCartney will  dramatically re-arrange "Please Please Me" and play it again for Martin. Duly impressed, "Please" is issued along with "Ask Me Why" as The Beatles second single on January 11, 1963 (and February 25th in the US). "Please" will reach #2 on the UK single chart. While the song goes on to be a big hit in the UK, it will flop on its original US release. After The Beatles break in the US with "I Want To Hold Your Hand," Vee Jay Records will re-release "Please Please Me" (b/w "From Me To You" on the second issue) in January 1964, peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 on March 14, 1964.