Outsanding Performers in the 1962 Music Scene

Elvis Presley
The King still reigned supreme. " Good Luck Charm" kicked off the year as a no. 1 smash in late March. " Follow That Dream" hit no. 15 in May, while "She"s Not You" returned Elvis to the top 10 in Aug. The mega-hit "Return To Sender", a no. 2 smash in late Oct., capped off another great year.

Connie Francis was still smokin'. "Baby's First Christmas" hit no. 26 in Jan. But " Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" gave Francis another no. 1 in late Feb. Two ten top hits followed, " Second Hand Love" (no. 7 in May) and " Vacation" (V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!, no. 9 in Aug.). " I Was Such A Fool(To Fall In Love With You)" made no. 24 in Nov.

Sam Cooke (His real last name may have been simply Cook; the "e" may have been added for more distinction.) was, and still is, one of the most influential figures in rock-and-roll history. And one of the most talented; he could sing ballads and rock out extremely well, often wrote or co-wrote several of his songs (such enduring classics!), was a producer, and had a great business sense. (Cooke was one of the first black artists to start his own record label, SAR.)

Cooke was already a star, first in the gospel field, and then, in 1957, became a HUGE pop sensation with his first top 40 hit and no.1 smash, "You Send Me" (also written or co-written by him!). Other big hits throughout the late '50s followed. By the start of the new decade, Cooke's popularity only increased; the man was seemingly unstoppable.

"Wonderful World", co-written with Herb Alpert, hit no. 12, and "Chain Gang" became a no. 2 smash in 1960, while 1961's "Cupid hit no. 17.

"Sam Cooke was a tall, good-looking guy with a normal speaking voice", recalled Mrs. Tina Martin. "Even before The Soul Stirrers, Sam was a member of the Highway QCs, a group of male singers who sang religious songs around various churches in the Chicago area. I and several of my friends, and probably most of the women of Chicago, all had a crush on Sam. He was very handsome and could sing. "

"Twistin The Night Away" kicked off the year of 1962, at no. 9 in mid-Feb. Cooke found himself with a double-sided hit in " Having A Party (mid-June)/Bring It On Home To Me", (early Aug.) no. 17 and no. 13, respectively. Lou Rawls did the backup vocals on the latter. "Nothing Can Change This Love" hit no. 12 in late Oct.

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