The Lever Hit Parade continues here where 1964 left off but sadly most charts for 1965 are missing. I have charts for every week of the year but they are a mixed bag. I have decided to include them here as that is all we have. If Lever charts ever surface I will replace them. I will advise what the fill in charts are as we go. We start off with Lever Hit Parade. My thanks to Warwick Freeman for the Lever charts along with many other people, including John Ure and Steve kohler. If anyone has any Lever Hit Parade charts for 1965, or any other year from 1960 back to 1947, please let me know.
Hi Tempest, I've just noticed a slight typo in the charts dated 10-12-64 through to and including 7-1-65, you have "I'm Gonna B Strong" you left off the "E" in "Be".
True Johnny. It is frustrating but it was the only New Zealand chart available at the time. If nothing else it just shows what we were listening to back then.
1 - 1 WE'LL MEET AGAIN-VERA LYNN 2 - 1 F.D.R. JONES-Flanagan & Allen 3 - 1 BEGIN THE BEGUINE/MY PRAYER-Joe Loss 4 - 1 RUN, RABBIT, RUN-Flanagan & Allen 5 - 1 WISH ME LUCK (As You Wave Me Goodbye)-Gracie Fields 6 - 1 WISH ME LUCK (As You Wave Me Goodbye)-Vera Lynn 7 - 1 IF I DIDN'T CARE-Turner Layton 8 - 1 WISHING (Will Make It So)-Vera Lynn 9 - 1 THEY CAN'T BLACK OUT THE MOON-Harry Roy 10 - 1 GOODNIGHT CHILDREN EVERYWHERE-Harry Roy 11 - 1 IF I DIDN'T CARE-Ink Spots 12 - 1 EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN-Bing Crosby 13 - 1 YOU ARE MY HEART'S DELIGHT-Richard Tauber 14 - 1 WE'RE GONNA HANG OUT THE WASHING-Harry Roy 15 - 1 WITH MY LITTLE STICK OF BLACKPOOL ROCK-George Formby 16 - 1 SOUTH OF THE BORDER-Arthur Tracy 17 - 1 LET THE PEOPLE SING-Evelyn Laye 18 - 1 WE'RE GONNA HANG OUT THE WASHING-Arthur Askey 19 - 1 SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE WITH YOU-Hutch 20 - 1 DEEP PURPLE-Nat Gonella 21 - 1 LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD-Max Bacon 22 - 1 THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER-Deanna Durbin 23 - 1 THIS HEART OF MINE-Hutch 24 - 1 AN APPLE FOR THE TEACHER-Connie Boswell & Bing Crosby 25 - 1 IT'S FUNNY TO EVERYONE BUT ME-Ink Spots 26 - 1 BEER BARREL POLKA-Andrews Sisters 27 - 1 ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG-Richard Tauber 28 - 1 I'M THE HUSBAND OF THE WIFE OF MR. WU-George Formby 29 - 1 I DIDN'T ORTER ETT IT-Jack Warner 30 - 1 OH AIN'T IT GREAT TO BE IN THE NAVY-Sandy Powell
From this point on charts are from different sources. Unfortunately the Lever Hit Parade charts are missing from this point on until 30 December. In an effort to fill in the gap, purely for the reason of seeing what we were listening to back then, I am using charts from a different source. With that in mind we switch to an Australian radio chart (as no New Zealand charts exist at this point). It will take a few weeks to settle down so please bear with me. If a better source becomes available or if the missing Lever Charts are found, I will replace these charts with them.
This is the Australian 4BK chart
This week
Last week
No. weeks
February 18, 1965
1
NEW
1
Over The Rainbow - Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs
2
NEW
1
Somewhere - PJ Proby
3
NEW
1
The Wedding - Julie Rogers
4
Re-entry
2
Mister Lonely - Bobby Vinton
5
NEW
1
Saturday Night At The Movies - The Drifters
6
NEW
1
What Have They Done To The Rain - The Searchers
7
NEW
1
Ferry Cross The Mersey - Gerry and the Pacemakers
8
NEW
1
Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun) - Del Shannon
Hi Tempest, I just had a sneak peak at "Leaver" site and a gentleman by the name of "David Bewick" has posted the charts for September 16, 23 & 30, October 7,14,21 & 28, November 4 & 11 and also charts for January 20 & 27 1966 & Feb. 3,10,17 & 24 1966.
I don't know how accurate he is.
Also in your posting dated 23-11-2015 you mentioned that you also filled in missing gaps for some of the 1965 charts on the "Rate Your Music" site, which ones do you happen to remember?
Hi John The 'Lever site' showing charts from September from David Bewick are actually charts from radio 2ZB in Wellington. It's a strange collection as 2ZB would have been one of the stations that played the Lever Hit Parade. As we don't have the Lever charts from that time there is a chance they could be the missing charts but I have my suspicions. The 30 December chart I have does not match up with it and the chart finished there. His charts go right into 1966. Having said that, I intend to use them as fill in charts. The current Australian charts I am posting came from the Rate Your Music site: http://rateyourmusic.com/list/jwjstone/australian_chart_directory/
why 4BK and not 2SM from Sydney? But the best is the Australian Top 20 from David Kent. These charts are created from a lot of (radio)charts all over Australia. For example:
AUSTRALIA'S (DAVID KENT) TOP 20 SINGLES FOR February 19,1966 TW LW WKS. Song-Artist 1 1 10 WE CAN WORK IT OUT/DAY TRIPPER-BEATLES 2 5 4 My Generation-The Who 3 2 14 The Carnival Is Over-The Seekers 4 4 4 A Must To Avoid-Herman's Hermits 5 9 4 Women(Make You Feel Alright)/In My Book-Easybeats 6 3 5 The Sounds Of Silence-Simon & Garfunkel 7 6 7/4 Love Letters/Dancing In The Streets-Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs 8 - 1 These Boots Are Made For Walkin'-Nancy Sinatra 9 15 2 Barbara Ann-Beach Boys 10 10 3 Tennessee Waltz Song/I Am What I Am-Ray Brown & The Whispers 11 7 12 Tell Him I'm Not Home/Call On Me-Normie Rowe 12 8 7 I'm A Man-Yardbirds 13 12 2 Lies-Knickerbockers 14 11 4 To Whom It May Concern-Chris Andrews 15 13 4 Thunderball-Tom Jones 16 14 5 A Well Respected Man-Kinks 17 - 1 As Tears Go By/Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown-Rolling Stones 18 - 1 My Love-Petula Clark 19 - 1 Someday-Tony Barber 20 16 6 Maria-P.J. Proby
But nevertheless using any Australian chart for New Zealand is at least dubious (in my opinion).
sorry, used the wrong chart, here is the right one:
AUSTRALIA'S (DAVID KENT) TOP 20 SINGLES FOR February 20,1965 TW LW WKS. Song-Artist 1 2 4 UNDER THE BOARDWALK/WALKING THE DOG-ROLLING STONES 2 6 5 Ferry 'Cross The Mersey-Gerry & The Pacemakers 3 3 7 Over The Rainbow/That I Love-Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs 4 1 7 Downtown-Petula Clark 5 8 3 Heart Of Stone-Rolling Stones 6 13 2 Paper Tiger-Sue Thompson 7 4 13 The Wedding-Julie Rogers 8 5 12 I Feel Fine/She's A Woman-Beatles 9 - 1 Break Away(From That Boy)-Newbeats 10 7 5 Somewhere-P.J. Proby 11 14 2 Do What You Do Do Well-Ned Miller 12 19 3 I'll Be There-Gerry & Pacemakers 13 10 9 Walk Away-Matt Monro 14 20 2 Yeh Yeh-Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames 15 9 4 Route 66/Mona/Come On (EP)-Rolling Stones 16 15 7 Party Girl-Tommy Roe 17 11 9 Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun)-Del Shannon 18 - 1 Go Now-Moody Blues 19 18 4 The House Of Johann Strauss=The Barron Knights 20 16 7 Saturday Night At The Movies-Drifters
Thanx Johnny. Yes, it is a bit dubious using an Australian chart but what else can I use to fill the gap? Until 21 August, there is nothing. Please remember these "gap" charts are just there to show what we listened to and what could have been in the Lever charts. They will be replaced with Lever charts if they are ever found. In selecting these charts I was trying to create a flow. As you will see, I was not selecting just one station as on the rate your music website there were charts missing there too. Last edited:
Hi Tempest, just a few things, 1st you have a slight typo it's "The Rolling Stones" version at No. 8 not "The Drifters", their version came out in 1964, 2nd the next chart in the series is dated 26-2-1965 for both 2SM & 3DB and lastly as for "Johnny Guitar" don't let him get to you, if he thinks he can do better he can do his own charts, you can't please everyone.
Regards
John.
P.S. The next chart is the 5-3-1965 for both 2SM & 3DB, if your trying to do it in date order.
Hi John. The date was a difficult one. There were several charts from different radio stations for the same weeks with different dates. In the end I decided to follow the Lever Hit Parade dates in sequence so that it would be easier to change should the missing charts be found. So the final Lever chart was dated Thursday 11 February. That's why I have gone for a Thursday in the date. Once again, I'm just trying to create a flow here so please don't be too stressed about these charts. I did notice a problem in date where I missed a week so the 25 February chart I have changed. Apologies about that. The Drifters entry now reads The Rolling Stones and another typo is fixed. I typed Rpy Orbison. Oops. Please someone find the missing charts lol Thanx for your encouragement. Last edited:
I think, it should be allowed to say its own opinion. And I cannot do better, f o r t h i s r e a s o n I gave the well-meant information and recommendation with the Australian Top 20 from David Kent (the chart compiler for the official Australian charts in the 80´s), because these charts are the result of an analysis of a lot of charts all over Australia. Hope you understand now, Mr. Ure, and if there are any grammatical errors / typos (I´m from Germany), please let me know.
Hi Tempest, sorry for being so picky but you've made the same mistake again it's "The Rolling Stones" not "The Drifters" & you've "Rpy" not "Roy".
You may also remember in my posting to you dated 23/11/2015, I suggested that you take a "BEX", a stiff drink and a good lie down, any way keep up the good work.
Hi Tempest, I just read that Warwick ("Was Was") has bought out a new book how does it differ from the charts you've been doing for the past 3 years? If it's any good I'd like to buy a copy.
Hi John. Judging by what he has written here, I think it will be the same charts. Not sure what he has done with the gapes in 1960 or 1965. You will have to ask him that one. I'd like a copy too.
Hi Tempest, I've just had a re read of Warwick's posting and from what I can understand (I could be wrong) I think his book is the "Top 20" songs from 1960-1969.
Hi John I think if you have any queries about Warwick's book, best to ask him as I don't have a copy, yet. I will get one tho when me wife lets me lol. It was the 4BC chart for March 21. See http://rateyourmusic.com/list/jwjstone/4bc_top_40___21_march_1965___brisbane_qld_australia/ Please don't take these charts too seriously. My reason for switching radio stations was there wasn't an even flow of charts from one station to the next. I was trying to create an even flow to just give a reflection of what the Lever Charts could have listed. Looks like I picked the wrong week to give up alcohol lol. Last edited:
Hi Tempest, these Australian charts use to confuse me too and I'm a local, but if you look closely (in particular where there is more then 1 chart for a particular week) you'll see compare the charts to such and such.
With that in mind, to make it easier for you I'm giving you a few examples, the charts for the 25/3/65 through to and including 6-5-1965 are all 3DB.
Regarding Warwick and his book, I asked him what the difference was between his book and the charts you've been doing for the past 3-4 years and he gave me a rather lengthy reply and an example, which you'll be able to see on the "New Chart Book" forum.
what a coincidence! Just 5 Days ago I gave you the information/recommendation that David Kent has compiled (about 10 years ago) a weekly Australian Top 20(1940´s to 1970´s) from many weekly australian chart sources and that this is (in my opinion) the best way to give an optimal overview. So now Warwick Freeman has done just the same with the 1960´s charts of New Zealand. Great. But unfortunately in his book there are only the weekly Top 5.
I guess we are all striving to fill the gaps which is great. It only adds to the interest and hopefully will flush out missing charts. That's one of my reasons for posting them. Fingers crossed eh.
Hi John The charts I am posting I prepared (believe it or not) well over a year ago. I'm not too worried about them to be honest as it's the Lever charts I am more interested in. - Come on peoples - search your atticks lol
In the 1960's Billboard Magazine from America started to publish charts from overseas. In August 1965, a chart appeared from New Zealand. I have no idea what this chart is based on but I include it here as a fill in. This chart was dated 21 August 1965 but for the sake of flow, it is for the week 19 August.
This week
Last week
No. weeks
Title
Peak
1
2
Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds
1
2
1
Long Live Love - Sandie Shaw
3
3
Crying In The Chapel - Elvis Presley
4
6
Trains And Boats And Planes - Billy J. Kramer And The Dakotas
5
8
Help Me, Rhonda - The Beach Boys
6
4
Last Chance To Turn Around - Gene Pitney
7
12
This Little Bird - Marianne Faithful
8
11
Engine, Engine #9 - Roger Miller
9
NEW
1
I'm Alive - The Hollies
9
10
5
Count Me In - Gary Lewis And The Playboys
11
NEW
1
A Walk In The Black Forest (Eine Schwarzwaldfahrt) - Horst Jankowski His Orchestra And Chorus
11
12
19
Back In My Arms Again - The Supremes
13
14
Till We Kissed - Ray Columbus And The Invaders
14
7
Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter - Herman's Hermits
Hi Tempest, I don't if the chart you used for the 19-8-65 is from the same sauce as today's chart, but for the 19-8-65 you have "Donovan" "Colours" as a new entry, you also have it as new entry on today's chart shouldn't it be a re-entry???
Hi Tempest, this doesn't have anything to do with the charts, but I heard that the south island has been hit by yet another severe earth quake I think they said Christchurch was hit I hope you and your family are alright.
Hi Tempest, this doesn't have anything to do with the charts, but I heard that the south island has been hit by yet another severe earth quake I think they said Christchurch was hit I hope you and your family are alright.
Hi John. The earthquake was 7.5 and centred near Hamner Springs. Kaikora is worst hit and totally cut off by slips, bridges and roads. It will cost billions to fix this. It was 50 times stronger than the Christchurch quake and vertually the whole country felt it. I have family nearby but they are OK, just very shaken. Thanx for your concern.
I'm switching now to a chart compiled by radio 2ZB in Wellington. I find this a bit strange as the ZB network played the Lever Hit Parade charts. It may well be that this is the same chart but I'm not 100% sure on that. I suspect not as I have a recording of the 30 December Lever chart and that is different from this one. I just don't know why 2ZB would produce their own chart whilst playing the Lever chart as well. Maybe someone can enlighten me. My thanx to David Bewick for supplying the details.
This week
Last week
No. weeks
September 16, 1965
1
Help! - The Beatles
2
I'm Henry VIII, I Am - Herman's Hermits
3
I'm Alive - The Hollies
4
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
Hi Tempest, glad to hear that you & your family are safe, as for today's chart, my guess is that like over here each station & state had their own chart. I mentioned a site some time ago called "A.R.S.A" and they have charts from all round the world including N.Z. & I've noticed some of their charts are completely different to "Leaver".
Unfortunately we have to go back to the Billboards charts now. This one was dated 20 November and is the chart for the Thursday November 18, 1965 chart week. Note, last week and No. weeks columns are for the Billboard chart not the previous 2ZB chart. Once again, this just represents what we were listening to back then and is just here to fill the gap until missing Lever charts surface.
That's not a Billboard chart if "Like A Rolling Stone" is number #1, that single only reached #2 on the Billboard 100... Though it did go to #1 on the Cashbox charts (one of the various US chart publications of the day).
It might be a coincidence, but did you notice that the Billboard charts you switched to from 18-11 and the following from 25-11 are similar to the 2ZB Wellington charts from 04-11 and 11-11? The only difference apart from the number of songs is that 'California Girls' is missing from the number 6 spot in the latter 2ZB chart, and the rest of the songs have moved forward one spot. Could 2ZB have submitted NZ charts to Billboard? Or whatever source that collected them to both. I suppose you have more charts from both sources during that period, thus enabling you to compare the 2 charts over a longer period.
As to AGJ above, I guess you think it's a US chart. But the charts here are Billboard presenting NZ charts! And Dylan obviously scored a Kiwi no.1!
Looking forward to '66 (that's the year when my interest in charts began)
John - Thanx. Yes another great Beatles song. Joe - As I mentioned above, the Billboard charts presented here were on a feature page showing charts from other countries. The ones here were New Zealand charts. Chart Watcher - Thanx for your comments. I switched back to Billboard as I had no more 2ZB charts available. I think you could be onto something there. The charts from 1966 - 1975 are already in the chart forum.
Finally, a chart I know to be correct. I actually have a recording of this final Lever Hit Parade chart. It was a one hour special showcasing the years the chart had run (1946 - 1965) with a lot of the original announcers in the studio. I do have a chart for 2ZB in the same week but it's vastly different from this one. 2ZB would have played the Lever Hit Parade so I'm curious to know why they also had their own chart. Maybe each region had their own and the Lever chart was compiled from those. Just a theory. My thanks to Warwick for supplying me with the recording. His book is well worth the coin, so I highly recommend it. I've Already used it as research for Ray Columbus. For more details look at New Chart Book forum. If anyone can help fill in the gaps from 1946 - 1960 and in 1965 please email me at johnthetempest@gmail.com.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, completes my project. In the chart forum you will now be able to find charts from 1960 to 1975. I have just completed another project and statistics from that will show up on Sunday. Next year I plan to post some early compilations charts so watch this space. John Tempest
Hi Tempest, congratulations on yet another outstanding year, also the last 3 years, I'm sure a lot of time and research has gone into compiling these charts, in particular the "40th Anniversary Special" & "Top 1,000" you did last year.
Just a few questions, 1) in my posting dated 9-10-2016, I mentioned that a gentleman by the name of "David Bewick" had charts for Jan 20 & 27 as well as Feb 3-24, do you plan on posting those as well? Did "Bill Board" have charts for the 1st 2weeks of Jan as well?
2) As with the 1975 charts where there was a 3 week over lap from the "Listener Chart" with the current chart, is there an over lap for the "Leaver Charts" with the "Hit Parade Charts?
There are six charts from January/February 1966 from 2ZB which I could post if you want. I also have Billboard charts right up to the end of March. I suppose, if nothing else, it would fill the gap. The recording I have from 30 December 1965 announces that is was the final ere Lever Hit Parade and it was two and a half months until the NZ Listener started publishing charts. Thanx again for your help, especially on finding my regukar typos
"Till We Kissed" was originally titled "Where Have You Been (All My Life)". I believe the original was recorded by Arthur Alexander, who also did the originals of "Anna (Go To Him)", "You Better Move On", "Soldier Of Love" and (if memory serves) "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues", as recorded by The Beatles, The Stones, The Beatles again and pretty much everyone respectively. "Where Have You Been" was covered by Gerry and the Pacemakers, among others, before Ray turned it into a vehicle for his one-man version of The Righteous Brothers. A fantastic record, in my view, perhaps Ray's best.
Wow. Great work CatoFur. "Where Have You Been (All My Life)" Was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It was first released by Arthur Alexander in 1962 as the B-side of "Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)". The Beatles played it live at the Star Club in 1962. I have a recording of it on the album Live 31 December 1962 at the Star Club, Hamburg, Germany. Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded a faster version in 1963 and it was also covered by Gene Vincent. In 1965 Ray Columbus and The invaders, in my opinion, recorded the best version under the name Till We Kissed. This week it is the number one song on the NZ Heatseekers chart with She's A Mod sitting at #4
Hi Tempest, thanks for your quick reply, if possible as you say it tie everything up in to a nice little package.
There's one more question I forgot to ask you if by any chance you find the missing charts for 1960 & 1965 also the missing charts for 1956-1959 is there any chance you might revise your "Top 1,000" for the "50th Anniversary" of the charts? Just a thought.
Hi John I'll post charts up to the start of the NZ Listener charts on this 1965 page. If I ever get any further missing charts the Top 1000 of all time will be revised. I have found a few missing charts from 1956, 1957, 1952 and a part chart from 1947. Also,I have just finished a major project upgrading my singles chart info. From that I have a range of new statistics. The Lever Charts are not, as yet, included in the mix, but I will post these statistics soon. With the end of year coming, it's review time for the current charts so I will add in the 2016 entries once the year is complete. In the new year I want to post Compilations charts. The RIANZ site does include some of these but I want to complete the set, starting in 1979. Always plenty to do... Last edited:
Hi Tempest, I've just checked "Rate Your Music" & they have the charts for both 9/1/1966 & 16/1/1966 being the 1st two weeks of 1966, they can be used before the two charts listed by "David Bewick".
Thanx John. I decided to go with the New Zealand chart that was published in Billboard magazine as there are no gaps leading into the NZ Listener chart. Once again, these charts are only here to give an idea what we were listening to back then. The final Lever chart was on 30 December 1965, that I know. The first NZ Listener chart was dated 25 March 1966 so there were no New Zealand charts for nearly three months except for the Billboard and the 2ZB chart. The latter can be seen at http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=Lever%20hit%20parades&qyear=1966&qmonth=Feb#n_view_location.
This week
Last week
No. weeks
January 6, 1966
1
1
3
Turn! Turn! Turn! - The Byrds
2
4
2
A Lovers Concerto - The Toys
3
12
1
Get Off Of My Cloud - The Rolling Stones
4
18
1
We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper - The Beatles
5
9
2
1-2-3 - Len Barry
6
2
6
Tears - Ken Dodd
7
15
1
Message Understood - Sandie Shaw
8
3
7
Hang On Sloopy - The McCoys
9
10
2
Let's Hang On! - The 4 Seasons
10
7
8
Yesterday - The Beatles
Note: the last week and No. weeks column was for the Billboard chart.
Hi Tempest, this doesn't have anything to do with chart, but I was having a chat with my friend in Queensland, the Beatle expert & he was telling me that the Beatle movie which screened both here and N.Z. is now available on DVD through J.B. Hi Fi, hopefully your wife will let you buy a copy. Ha, Ha, Ha.
Thanx John. Will have a look. Early Christmas present to myself I think Did you read the comment earlier about the song Till We Kissed. I have a recording of The Beatles doing that. Actually I have a lot of stuff by them not released including Ba Ba Black Sheep and Tie Me Kangaroo Down with Rolf Harris lol. Very funny by the way!!! Last edited:
Hi Tempest, I've just been going through all the charts you've posted over the last 3 years and I've noticed a slight typo for the charts you posted dated 31-10-13 through to & including 3-11-13, you have "Flowers In The Wall", when it's "Flowers On The Wall."
Hi Tempest, this doesn't have anything to do with the charts, but I heard last night that another legend died last week (7/12/2016), "Greg Lake" of "Emerson Lake & Palmer".
And that is all I have. The 1966 to 1975 charts are all in the forum, as are charts right back to 1960. Tomorrow I will post some statistics on the NZ Listener charts. I just finished an overhaul of my singles chart info and the figures I can get from it make interesting reading. Also on the way - The Christmas Chart.
Hi Tempest, once again I want to congratulate you on the outstanding work you've done over the past 3-4 years, particularly the charts for 1960-1965, I'm surprised at how many Australian artists charted.
"I'm Counting On You" Johnny O'Keefe 23-11-1961. "I've Been Everywhere" Lucky Starr 5-7-1962. "I Remember You" Frank Ifield 30-8-1962. "Lovesick Blues" Frank Ifield 13-12-1962. "Surfside" Denver Men 4-4-1963. "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" Frank Ifield 1-8-1963. "55 Days In Peking" Rob E G 5-9-1963. "Bombora" The Atlantics 12-9-1963.
Quite a few N.Z. artists charted here in Australia around the same time from 1963-1967.
Here is a list of some of the New Zealand artists that charted, next to each song is the state they charted.
"Chu Lu Chu Lulu" Bill & Boyd 1964. N.S.W., Q.L.D., Vic & W.A. "Cloudy Summer Afternoon" Bill & Boyd 1965. S.A. & W.A. "Edelweiss (From "The Sound Of Music") 1966. Vic. "If I Were A Rich Man (From "Fiddler On The Roof") 1967. N.S.W., Vic & W.A. "She's A Mod" Ray Columbus 1964. N.S.W., S.A., Q.L.D., Vic & W.A. "Till We Kissed" Ray Columbus 1965. N.S.W. & W.A. "Zip A Dee Doo Dah" (From Disney's "Song Of The South")Max Merritt 1965. Q.L.D. "White Rabbit" Peter Posa 1963 N.S.W., Q.L.D. & Vic.
Thanx John. I think NZ artists did better in Australia than on their home turf. Nothing changed there then. A count of successful kiwis in the singles chart this year can be counted on one hand and you still have a thumb left. Happy new year to you, too mate. Trust your break was a good one.
Yes, more good work John T and John U. Here is a list of NZ songs that made the top 20 for 1965 from my book:
Bright Lights Big City - Dave MILLER and the BYRDS Downtown Bus - YEOMEN I'll Forgive You Then Forget You - Dinah LEE Johnny Tod - CONVAIRS Little Egypt - RAYDERS Lovin' Place - Gale GARNETT Moon Blues - FOUR FOURS Pushing A Good Thing Too Far - Dinah LEE The Crying Game - SIERRAS Theme From An Empty Coffee Lounge - FOUR FOURS Till We Kissed - Ray COLUMBUS and the INVADERS What A Gal - SHERATONS Yo Yo - Ray COLUMBUS and the INVADERS
Some odd-balls in there.
I found it strange that Peter Posa's White Rabbit didn't chart here. I have no idea why. As for Bill and Boyd's Cloudy Summer Afternoon, it got great airplay and didn't chart. It should have, it's a great song. However on the subject of charting on other sides of the Tasman, one Aussie song did not chart in OZ, but made the NZ charts: A great song: 'One Small Photograph - Kevin SHEGOG (1961)'
Following on with the OZ-NZ theme, It took an Aussie Radio station to show a wee bit of interest in my book. So much for our own stations! See Download link under my Book Forum for the broadcast.
Great work Warwick. Hope your book is selling well. I've been an advocate for NZ artists for years going right back to when I hosted a show on radio called Home Brew which was 100% local music. However a look at what charted in the 2016 Top 40 Singles chart as I posted today on the Best Of 2016 entry shows local radio and even the charts are not interested in supporting locals. It's all about American music. Guess you discovered that on Aussie radio.
I´ve found a chart from 1960 in the Cashbox Magazine (US - Competitor to Billboard) Issue April 2, 1960 (A Source is not given)
New Zealand´s Best Sellers
1 Running Bear - Johnny Preston 2 What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For - Emile Ford 3 Way Down Yonder In New Orleans - Freddy Cannon 4 Among My Souvenirs -Connie Francis 5 We Got Love - Bobby Rydell 6 The Big Hurt - Toni Fisher 7 Oh Carol - Neil Sedaka 8 Robbin´ the Cradle - Red Hewitt 9 Hound Dog Man - Fabian 10 Marina - Joe Vina
Found 3 more 1960´s Charts in the Cashbox Magazine
Issue February, 27, 1960
New Zealand´s Best Sellers
1 What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For - Emile Ford 2 Morgen - Billy Vaughan 3 Kissin´ Time - Bobby Rydell 4 In The Mood - Ernie Fields 5 Way Down Yonder In New Orleans - Freddy Cannon 6 Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell 7 Why - Frankie Avalon 8 The Big Hurt - Toni Fisher 9 Misty - Johnny Mathis - Sarah Vaughan 10 We Got Love - Bobby Rydell
Issue February, 13, 1960
New Zealand´s Best Sellers
1 Red River Rock - Johnny & The Hurricanes 2 Danny Boy - Conway Twitty 3 Morgen - Ivo Robic 4 Travellin´Light - Cliff Richard 5 Mona Lisa - Conway Twitty 6 I´m Gonna Get Married - Lloyd Price 7 Broken-Hearted Melody - Sarah Vaughan 8 Teen Beat - Sandy Nelson 9 Deck Of Cards - Wink Martindale 10 Only Sixteen - Craig Douglas
Issue January, 30, 1960
New Zealand´s Best Sellers
1 Seven Little Girls - Paul Evans/The Curls 2 Kissin´ Time - Bobby Rydell 3 Mr. Blue - Fleetwoods 4 Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell 5 Misty - Johnny Mathis 6 Worried Man - Kingston Trio 7 Deck Of Cards - Wink Martindale 8 Teen Beat - Sandy Nelson 9 Travellin´Light - Cliff Richard 10 Like Young - Ann Henry
The booklet for the 2009 CD 'From The Stebbing Zodiac - Viscount Music Vaults Volume One 1963 - 1965' which contains material by Cathy Howe, The Sierras and The Glendelles has a chart printed in the center insert.
The liner notes state the following for the kiwi track 'He Doesn't Love Me' released in June 1965:
"This was probably Cathy's most successful record (see chart listing poster). reaching No. 5 on the Lever Hit Parade was exceptional and on the local chart in Christchurch, it remained in the top position for a staggering 10 weeks.
Going by that, the chart (which is a top 10) is probably from around June or July 1965 and lists the following records:
1 - Long Live Love: Sandie Shaw 2 - Tossin' & Turnin': The Ivy League 3 - Cara Mia: Jay & The Americans 4 - Colours: Donovan 5 - He Doesn't Love Me: Cathy Howe 6 - Till We Kissed: Ray Columbus 7 - Easy Question: Elvis Presley 8 - Girl On The Billboard (artist obscured by telesnap of Howe performing on TV) 9 - When Summertime Is Over (same as above) 10 - The Piper (same as above
Hi Tempest, I've just checked 45cat and 1) "Girl On The Billboard" is by "Del Reeves" 2) "When Summertime Is Over" is by "Jackie Trent" (who later teamed up with "Tony Hatch") and 3) "The Piper" is by "Sam Cooke", you might have to double check may be with Warwick.
Hi, long time no visit. Just looking at the top 10 by "Goodiesguy' above. Considering I remember 99% of the aired songs from the sixties, I went on Youtube for a listen. The Cathy Howe, Sam Cooke and Jackie Trent tracks I'd never heard before, they must have been a local thing. As for the Del Reeves song 'Girl on a billboard' I know very well. This song got lots of airplay in Auckland, and in fact (In my Opinion) is an exceptionally great song. It's a poppy country track with a hint of humour. This brings to mind a couple of other well aired 60's tracks of a similar style. Namely 'Tex Williams - The Night Miss Nancy Ann's Hotel For Single Girls Burned Down', 'Bobby Russell -1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero', and the NZ track 'Ken Lemon - Living In A House Full Of Love'. All of which can be heard on Youtube.
New member here from USA. In December 1964 I moved to Blenheim from California for a 16 month stay. Having only NZBC to rely on (except when I could pick up 2UW after midnight sign off) A big change from the American Top 40 stations in and around my home in San Francisco. However, I have fond memories of 2ZB. I especially enjoyed TSMS (The Stewart Mcpherson Show) on Saturday nights. I contacted him via email a few years back and was delighted he responded. I was trying to find out what the sign off record was that was played after his show on Saturday nights. He claimed it was something by the Tremeloes but in fact it is Goodnight Everyone, a video I found on You Tube. Anyway, even after returning home in May 1966, I'll never forget the music and times of this period. So glad I discovered this site. Thanks to all who make it possible. Cheers!
Thanx for sharing Bob. I too am an import. Having moved to New Zealand in 1971 from the UK. On a footnote, I was in San Francisco in 2017 on holiday. I wrote my Chart Beat while there on 11 September, 2017. Last edited:
