Tommy James had to wait of a couple of years for his debut hit to take off but then many followed. More than 300 cover versions of his hits have been recorded and two of those songs made chart history in the USA. One of the biggest Tommy James songs was inspired by a bank's neon sign while another of his hits was banned!
Johnny Rivers sold more than 30 million records between 1964 and 1978. Some of his best known hits include "Summer Rain", "Slow Dancin" and "Secret Agent Man". Perhaps less well known is the fact that he gave a number of singers and songwriters their big break with his record label and publishing company. Johnny Rivers has some of the best hit stories you'll ever hear.
One of the early rock and roll records had a profound effect on a young Dave Edmunds as he tells in this interview. He also explains how his first hit came about almost inadvertently and shares a very funny story about a movie he was in with another rock and roll legend.
Not a lot of people are lucky enough to live to the age of 90. Even fewer get to leave behind a catalogue of work that will stand the test of time. Sir George Martin accomplished both. He was the record producer behind The Beatles and a gentleman in every sense of the word. His hit stories are compulsive listening.
Did you know that it's generally considered that the very first "disco" hit was written and produced by Harry Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band? The twist in the story is that KC didn't sing it! KC put his vocals on the many Sunshine Band hits but NOT on that ground breaking first disco hit. Hear the story in his interview with Ian Keenan.
Few people can claim an impact on the Aussie music industry as big as Harry Vanda's! From The Easybeats to AC/DC there's been many acts who owe their success to Harry Vanda & George Young. Producers, songwriters and band mates in both The Easybeats and Flash and The Pan, this interview was recorded just after the were given the award for "Best Australian Song" EVER!
Not every record producer plays such an important role in the process as Shel Talmy. Shel was behind the mixing desk for some of the most important hits to come out of Britain in the 60's. The Kinks, The Who and The Easybeats all owe him a great deal. Plus there was another Australian band which had a hit produced by Shel Talmy.
The keyboardist for Duran Duran, Nick Rhodes, has been part of the band since day one and knows all the band's hit stories. With Ian Keenan he discusses the band's longevity and how their videos have held up. He reveals how a "bleaching" disaster features in one Duran Duran video plus shares a recollection regarding a one-hit-wonder band he produced in the 80's.
One of the "late greats" claimed by cancer is Lee Hazlewood. Lee died in 2007 and this interview was recorded in 2004, before his diagnosis. Lee had plans for a comeback which included a new album with Nancy Sinatra. That's discussed as well as his amazing output in the 50's and 60's. By the way there's a Nancy Sinatra interview here on hitstories.net.
In a fascinating interview the singer/songwriter who made pina coladas famous with his song "Escape" tells the true story behind the song. Rupert Holmes also explains that he produced and played keyboards on a hit for a British band in the 70's, gave Michael Jackson advice early in his career and worked closely with Barbra Streisand....and that's just the start of his story!
