16 November 1962 Knowing that the Beatles asteroid was hurtling through deep space already at this point, the impulse here is to fear for the future of a variety singer whose trademark was yodelling. However, plenty of easy listening cabaret crooners saw out that putative extinction event; one of them even pips the best Beatles … Continue reading Frank Ifield – ‘Lovesick Blues’ →

2 November 1962 Telstar was the first communications satellite, enabling live TV links and transmissions from around the world. I'm not sure how much use Irish broadcasters made of it in 1962, but there it was in the sky over Ireland, replacing God. 'Telstar' as a record is futuristic too - up to a point. … Continue reading The Tornados – ‘Telstar’ →

5 October 1962 Here's the very first official Irish number one single, sitting on an Irish top ten—no Top 30 Hits on the fledgling RTÉ in its first year of service—compiled by future sports commentator and factoid maven Jimmy Magee. And our first Irish number one act is none other than Elvis, who at that … Continue reading Elvis Presley – ‘She’s Not You’ →