With albums still largely reserved for jazz, big band and in-concert recordings, 1962 was another big year for singles.
People may have still been doing the twist (Sam Cooke was, at least), but they were also doing the Locomotion and the Limbo.
Herbie Hancock released Takin’ Off, with “Watermelon Man” eventually becoming a jazz standard, while Booker T. and the M.G.’s’ “Green Onions” went on its own path to infamy.
Though it wasn’t a major success at the time, a young Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut LP. It was a record of mostly traditional songs with two originals.
On the other hand, the Four Season’s debut single “Sherry” was a smash hit that was followed up by even more hits.
It was the year that the iconic James Bond theme song was recorded by the John Barry Orchestra for Mr. No and The Music Man had musical fans singing across the country.
Listen to 1962’s biggest singles below and let us know if you think it was the Greatest Year in Music.
Albums:
Howlin’ Wolf – Howlin’ Wolf
All Aboard the Train – Johnny Cash
Sherry and 11 Others – The Four Seasons
Baby It’s You – The Shirelles
Bashin’: The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith – Jimmy Smith
Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan
By Request – Perry Como
Cha Cha de Amor – Dean Martin
Coltrane – John Coltrane
Dear Lonely Hearts – Nat King Cole
You’ll Never Walk Alone – Doris Day
Crying – Roy Orbison
Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall – Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall
This is Anita – Anita O’Day
Takin’ Off – Herbie Hancock
Surfin’ Safari – The Beach Boys
Sophisticated Lady – Julie London
Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First – Frank Sinatra and Count Basie
Peter, Paul and Mary – Peter, Paul and Mary
The Music Man – Original Soundtrack
Go – Dexter Gordon
Girls! Girls! Girls! – Elvis Presley
