Toppermost Of The Poppermost

Dylan and the Impressions roll on while Gary Lewis asks you to "count me in" (or is he asking for a coke?) while Sam the Sham and his buddies just want you to Wooly Bully. I guess it's better than Chubby begging you to "Do the Freddie!" The first few weeks of April 1965 on the Billboard Charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

RIP Sylvester Stewart, March 15, 1943 - June 9, 2025RIP Brian Wilson, June 20, 1942 - June 11, 2025Martin Quibell, Kit O'Toole and I "break period" to celebrate the lives and music of two artists whose influence cannot be measured, and have been omnipresent as performers, songwriters and producers from the "Toppermost Era" to the present day. #DancetotheMusic #AFriendLikeYou #madeonzencastr Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

The Beatles, Stones, Kinks and Moodies at the 1965 NME Pollwinners show! A Ticket to Ride? Bring It On Home to Me! Also, the full British charts for April of 1965! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

Eight Days a Week continues to roll on, while Marvin Gaye, the Miracles, Jay and the Americans, and Lesley Gore show off their new wares. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

The Beatles still have "Eight Days a Week" and their EP (including "Mr. Moonlight") in the charts while two versions of "For Mama" appear, Brian Wilson gets stoned and the discussion of brightly colored suits continues! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

Petula Clark knows a place (which might include a cellarful of noise), while the Yardbirds ask for your Love (although Eric doesn't want it, so runs away, the Ian Campbell folk group ask us if the times are actually changing, while we meet a new singer in a cloth cap that plays acoustic guitar and harmonica (and nom he's not Bob Dylan). Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

This month, our feature is the Beatles final in-studio appearance on "Thank Your Lucky Stars". Meanwhile, the Stones insist this (will/will not) be the last time, the Moodies continue with Denny Laine, and the potato man himself (Heinz) is digging some potatoes! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

Paul McCartney first hears of the "na na boys", and doesn't want to spoil the party! Elvis shuffles around in the sand, and the Ray Charles singers (but not THE Ray Charles) give us another of their old-timey favorites! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

Ride on that Orange Blossom Special while listening to Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and of course the Beatles! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

Great New Sound for 1965! New, improved Full Dimensional Stereo. Beatles, Tom Jones, The Animals and the Mindbenders! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

More fun in Feb 1965! Will the Righteous Brothers topple Cilla? Animals, Ivy (League) and Brenda too! What a bunch of (Wayne Fontana and the) Mindbenders! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

I Want My Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back! Beyond that, the best of Roger Miller, more early Aretha, and the latest hit single from Lorne Green. All the hottest tunes, whether at the club or on the road! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

What happens when Frankie Valli and his buddies go up against a Bob Crewe certified copy, and another, completely separate duplicate? Tune in and find out! More Trini. More Brenda. More Peter Paul and Mary, and Kit and I get into a knock-down drag-out over Jewel Aiken. We then make up and I acknowledge She's a Woman, and I Feel Fine! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr . If you are looking for Beatles summer fun, join our friends at the Magical Mystery Camp!

January of 1965 continues. Chubby Checker battled Dobie Gray, while the Beau Brummels try and convince us that they are more than "that band starting with B-E-A" that follows the Beatles in the record bins. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

1964 became 1965, but the Beatles had to deal with chasing the Abominable Snowman. Meanwhile, Brian and Cilla (and George Martin) chased The Righteous Brothers and Andrew Loog Oldham (and Phil Spector). We also see the new tunes from the band Decca chose over the Beatles, and the drummer who took up the sticks when Ringo chose the Beat;es over Rory Storm. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

What would happen if we locked the door and thre away the key? I don't know, but Jay and the Americans claim to understand this conundrum. Meanwhile, Bobby, the Shangri-Las and James Brown continue their run at that British group at the top of the charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

Cold weather, maybe a little snow, but the hottest hits of 1964 keep you warm. The Beatles are still on the rise while old favorites such as Chuck Berry and even Gerry succumb to market forces. We also get a side from the REAL singer behind the Archies. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

A Tribute to Jim Reeves, and a tribute to Dennny Laine (Go Now entered the British Charts in December 1964) lead side B (British charts, part two). Brian Epstein and NEMS continue their role, as does Cliff Richard. I Feel Fine, do you? Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

Who wants to go on a Blind Date with George Harrison? Millions of girls for sure, but only Hayley Mills and the backpage of the Melody Maker accomplished the feat. Tune in for Twinkle (but not Little Star), Ken Dodd, Elvis, the CND and a little song that just might be "the first record to start with feedback". Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

We close out the US Charts for November 1964 with friends old and new. Jerry Lee Lewis, The Searchers (with a song recorded "many years ago it seems"), The Four Tops, The Impressions and Rick Nelson. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

We start on the American charts for November of 1964. Supremes, Chad and Jeremy, Marvelettes and Little Anthony and the Imperials. Hey, UMe - when are we getting that 180g reissue of "The Greatest Music Ever Sold". Who doesn't love a compilation that puts Glen Campbell, Brian Wilson, Beach Boys, Beatles (solo and group) and others on a single "long playing deck?" Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

More of the British charts for November 1964. Our first month in the history of the show without a Beatles song in either the British or American charts. It will be all the way to *next month* for us to Feel Fine again. Still some quality music as Petula Clark takes us Downtown, the Stones tell us about their Little Red Rooster and the Yardbirds talk about their little schoolgirl. Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

Sixty years ago, Melody Maker took John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison out on a blind date. Sixty years later, Marv, Kit and I tag along. All this, and the first half of the UK charts for November of 1964! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

Still more October fun as we finish the month! Lots of songs, lots of artists. More Jan and Dean, Lesley Gore Ronettes and Fats Domino. Those Liverpool Lads are also holding on, despite their new single not dropping for several more weeks! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

More October fun. Side C, the first half of the American charts. The leader of the pack rolls on, Heuy P. Meaux, Elvis and Ike and Tina go "Vroom!", while we try and determine whether anyone is on that train to Anaheim, Azusa and CucaMonga. Meanwhile, A Hard Day's Night, Matchbox and Slow Down are still present for kids trick-or-treating to mime while going door to door in their Beatle wigs. Happy Halloween, everybody! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

Even if you've been told, time and time again! Side B of October 1964. Val Doonican rips off Dewey Cox. Jimmy Page talks about Shirley Bassey and her bra. Brian concerns himself with Tommy Quickly. Sha La La, and more while the Beatles take a minute to breathe. Happy Halloween, everybody! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

October 1964 on the UK charts - the first two weeks of 1964. There is always something there to remind me there's a place. Our feature (guest: https://x.com/BrutalBeatles) centers on the NEMS offices in London and Whaddon house (home to Brian, George and Ringo during this era), and our usual look at the charts! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

September 1964 on the American charts continues. One of the best known (and deservedly so) Sam Cooke songs along with the Drifters, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles rockin' and rollin' while Capitol and the Beatles also do their thing! Support this podcast at the $6/month level on patreon to get extra content! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

More of the American charts! Hawaiian music comes to the US, Barbra Streisand (or the people around her) cash in on Funny Girl, The Hondells, the Blendells, but no Michael Dells. Meanwhile, Jay and the Americans continue rolling while Capitol and the Beatles also do their thing! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

We start in on the American charts for September 1964! The Beatles do a Carl Perkins tune. An Everly Brothers tune is resurrected, as are the Orlons! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

The British charts for September of 1964 are here! Two years since "Love e Do", and now the Beatles are the top band around the World, and Britain was the home of the biggest pop stars! The Beatles, The Dave Clark 5, the NEMS stable, and maybe a little bit of Old Blue Eyes as well.... Please support this podcast by joining our patreon, or following our zencastr link if you want to create your own show! https://www.patreon.com/toppermostpodcast #madeonzencastr Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

We close out August of 1964 with more from the Cashbox charts. Calling out, around the world (or at least the US and UK). Martha Reeves is Dancing in the Streets, and Roy Orbison is telling us about his pretty woman. Meanwhile, the Beatles continue steamrolling through the 1964 American charts! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

Side three of our four-sided look at August 1964. Beatlemania returns with a vengeance as the band returns to American shores and their first film hits theatres in the states. However, Ray Charles, the Little GTO and Tony Bennett and Motown have their own chart hits! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

We move through the second two weeks of August 1964 on the UK side. Two big hits you might not remember, and two more you certainly do! Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

We are joined by producer Shel Talmy (The Bachelors, The Orchids, The Kinks, The Who) to discuss his work as one of his most memorable earl productions hit the charts. We also move forward through the first two weeks of the British charts for August 1964. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

More of the American charts for July of 1964. The Beatles, George Martin, Lesley Gore, Solomon Burke, Burt Bacharach/Hal David and more. Stick around for a supercut that includes the Carpenters, Luther Vandross (duetting with Aretha) and more! #madeonzencastr.

We start in on the American charts for July of 1964. Capitol decides to "out-VJ" the VJ label, while Arthur Fiedle and the Hollyridge Strings invade the charts as well. All this and more! We keep on playing those instrumental Beatles covers for-ever! #MadeonZencastr

In addition to our look at the British charts for Ma of 1964, we feature "Rock and Roll Musicals". From "Jailhouse Rock" to "Summer Holiday", "It's Trad Dad (aka Ring-a-Ding-Rhythm)", through to "A Hard Day's Night" and "Ferry Cross the Mersey". Hint: A certain Beatles song ENTERS the chart at number three. All this, and more Do-Wah-Diddy than you can Diddy-Dum-Diddy-Do to. #madeonZencastr

WAIT! Listen to this podcast (wrong Beatle?) on Sunday, July 7 at 11:45 AM localtime! Kit, Martin and I wish Ringo "All the Best" and "Peace and Love" to the universe in this brief WTWF crossover diversion. A tiny bit of Ringo Starr's 24th birthday from 1964, but mostly just doing our bit to help spread the good vibes!

We finish June of 1964. Sie Liebt Dich (Yah! Yah! Yah!), the Valentinos (formerly the Womack Brothers) with a song the stones will cover and make a classic, a not-so-great new one from the Everlys, a banger from Dusty and more from the "artists really were willing to listen to input" in 1964 files. #madeonZencastr

Our first months of four sides. The first week of June 1964 on the Billboard Charts. Irma Thomas (The Soul Queen of New Orleans!), The Girl from Ipanema, the Impressions, Sam Cooke and Johnny Rivers (who might have sold more records than Elvis and the Beatles over some period of time, along with a Bobby Vee song we'd rather forget. #MadeonZencastr.

Francoise Hardy, Peter and Gordon, Little Richard, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Pretty Things and more versions of "Hello, Dolly!" than you might expect as we continue our four-sided odyssey for June. #MadeonZencastr

June 1964. The Beatles are off to the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. when Ringo collapses. What happens next? Jim Berkenstadt joins your toppermost crew to discuss Jimmie Nicol, The Bossa Nova and a little bit of ska. In addition to the feature, we start to cover the British charts. Why "start?" Because we simply cannot stop talking about PJ Proby, so June will pass over to four separate sides! #MadeonZencastr.

More from Cashbox, and more than four by the Beatles! BB King, Lesley Gore, The Temptations, Terry Stafford, Steve Lawrence and the next smash from the Beach Boys. #madeonZencastr

Cashbox Month! The Beatles still dominate, although they will soon move back to "just" being the hottest band in the States. Other acts include Brenda Holloway, Skeeter Davis, Tracey Day (why would anyone change their name from Nora Ferrari?), B.B. King, the Rivieras (...and an explanation of why they did a goose step in the warm California sun) and more. #madeonZencastr

Around the Beatles aired in the UK sixty years ago, so we look at "the other acts" on that show. (See "When They Was Fab" 2024.17, April 28 for Kit and I talking about the Beatles side of things). Additionally, the British charts for May 1964. Amongst other things, we celebrate the 95th anniversary of Burt Bacharach's birth and talk "Baby It's You". #madeonZencastr

The Billboard charts for the final two weeks of April 1964. Rampant Beatlemania (not starring Terri Hemmert), and a couple of tunes that must be heard to be believed! #MadeonZencastr

The Billboard Charts for the first two weeks of April, 1964. The Beatles rule the roost, but Motown continues churning out commercial and critical darlings (My Guy), and Burt Bacharach gives Dionne Warwick a song which will become one of the all-time greats of rock and roll. #MadeonZencastr #FabFaux #MagicalMysteryCamp

The Beatles have conquered the Billboard charts, so we examine some of the news stories from the month. Additionally, the British charts for April 1964. Eden Kane, Shirley Bassey, the Four Pennies, the Undertakers, the Merseybeats and a horn player to be named later! #madeonZencastr

More from March of 1964. Even more Beatles on the charts, but figures including Lenny Welch, The Shirelles, Tony Bennett, Bobby Goldsboro and others you may or may not remember continue to make appearances. #madeonZencastr

Beatlemania, Beatlemania, Beatlemania!!! (and it hasn't even reached it's Zenith). Lots and lots of Beatles, but also Jan and Dean (and Mel Blanc) The Four Preps, Dale and Grace, Nino and April and more! #madeonZencastr