60s Recorded Live Chart Makers

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:56 am

While most of the chart hits have been studio performances, some songs in the 1960s did well on the charts and were recorded live.

One of my picks would be "Memphis Tennessee by Johnny Rivers recorded at Whisky a Go Go. Quite an interesting band too:

Johnny Rivers: guitar and vocals
Joe Osborne: bass
Eddie Rubin: drums

I love the spontaneity of this song, the relaxed presentation, the bare bones production and Johnny Rivers' great vocal which would become a classic of the 1960s at least for those in North America.

This song reached number 2 in the US in June 1964, spending 8 weeks on the charts. There were many songs that would eclipse this release, but it is very memorable for me. Of interest to me is the success that Dave Berry and the Cruisers would have with this song nine months earlier as it reached 19 on the UK charts in September 1963.

I would be interested in your favourite recorded live song that saw success on the late 1950s or 1960s charts, US or UK.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:24 am

Peter, I love that version of "Memphis Tennessee"!

I have a lot more respect for an artist that allows a live version of a song out. Shoot, even I can be made to sound good in a studio.

For the life of me I cannot recall a live 60's song. "Frampton Live", jumped out as an excellent live recording, but that was way after. I'll have to dig out the old 8 track tapes.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:47 am

I believe that the June 1967 performance of "All You Need Is Love" over television comes close to being a live recording that went to the toppermost. Not quite though. Lennon unhappy with the voice did some overdubs in the studio, if I recall correctly, although I cannot recall the date or the particulars.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:50 pm

Johnny Rivers also had "Secret Agent Man", which IIRC was also a live recording.

Others from late '60s(?) that I can remember are The Who's "Summertime Blues" and "Substitute" (from the Live At Leeds album), but I don't know how they charted.

Was Donnie Lonegan's "Does Your Chewing Gum ..." in the '60s? If so, then that's another one that was recorded live.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:37 pm

Great songs Gary. From what I understand, the Who reached the 38th spot with "Summertime Blues" in August 1970 and 5th spot with "Substitute" in May of 1966.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Apr 23, 2007 5:15 am

I can think of several 70's live singles (Allman Bros, Little Feat, Joe Cocker, Lynyrd Skynyrd), but I'm not having much luck with the 60's...

"All You Need Is Love" was intentionally overdubbed immediately after the live recording, and also the next day I believe.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:54 am

Wasn't one of Dionne Warwick's singles a live recording?

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:57 am

Pretty certain that once the Searchers made number 1 in UK with their first release, Philips rushed out a single with Sweet Nothin's as A side and What Did I say as B side both Imam fairly certain were taken from live recording made at Star Club, only made 48 in charts because clearly not promoted etc and Radio stations concentrated on the official follow up Sugar and Spice.

As regards The Who Gary, Substitute was in fact a studio version that was the hit came out before Live At Leeds Album

einar · Post by **einar** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:13 am

Did Cream chart with Crossroads? Was on single anyway, sounds live and a terrific perforance. At the end, Jack Bruce says "Eric Clapton, please", and Clapton goes "HoHo".

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:39 am

Ah, Einar beat me to it.
Anyway, that's my only guess.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:40 am

Einar, I do not believe that Cream charted with Crossroads in the UK or the US.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:46 am

Crossroads made number 28 in US did not chart in UK,never heard it and not a Cream fan so can't say if it was live or not, must have been based on Einar and Kevin.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:46 am

Ho!

Stevie Wonder - "Fingertips - Pt II"

Just wracking my brains, here...

rob_mac · Post by **rob_mac** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:29 am

Crossroads was on the 'wheels of fire - live at the fillmore east' Album released in 1968 here in the UK, But was never released as a single.

Lonnie Donegans 'My old mans a dustman' was recorded live at the Doncaster Gaumont Cinema in 1960 and made no 1.

From Rob

rob_mac · Post by **rob_mac** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:49 am

What about the Beatles 'Get back / Don't let me down' single? This was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs. Does this count?

From Rob