6 of the 60s: 9/25/13 (1962)...

Hey gang, it's back to the 60s time, and this week I'm going to 1962, the year the Beatles record their first single, "Love Me Do", at Abbey Roads in London. And now let's start off this half-dozen "twistin' party" classics....(I've included links to buy everything either on CD or MP3 in the highlights)...

Joey Dee & The Starliters - "Peppermint Twist - Part 1"
from the album Doin' The Twist At The Peppermint Lounge (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Joey Dee, Henry Glover

The lead vocals for this dance fad classic were provided by David Brigati, whose brother Eddie would gain even more success singing with the Rascals.

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Chubby Checker with Dee Dee Sharp - "Slow Twistin'"from the album For Teen Twisters Only (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
Songwriter: Kal Mann

In my opinion, the best-aged of the "twist" songs, no doubt helped by Sharp's egging of Checker to let some soul out in this call-and-answer. The album has a big "adults twist at your own risk" on the front of this album...

Gary U.S. Bonds - "Dear Lady Twist"
from the album Twist Up Calypso (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriter: Frank Guida

The Jacksonville Florida singer whose career was revived in the 80s by the Boss had a bunch of twistin' hits, including this bluesy one that was more Memphis soul-like...

Sam Cooke - "Twistin' The Night Away"
from the album Twistin' The Night Away (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriter: Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke transcended the fad by just using the name in this classic soul party throwdown.

King Curtis & The Noble Knights - "Soul Twist"
from the album Soul Twist & Other Golden Classics (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17
Songwriter: King Curtis

The man who provided the classic sax riff to the Coasters' "Yakety Yak" died sadly confronting two drug dealers outside his New York apartment in 1971.

The Marvelettes - "Twistin' Postman"
from the album The Marveletts Sing (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #34
Songwriters: Robert Bateman, Brian Holland, William Stevenson

The early Motown girl-group dipped their feet into the twistin' waters with this re-hash of their "Please Mr. Postman" theme that thankfully sounded nothing like the first record.