1960, Johnny Preston started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Running Bear’. Written by J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), the tune originally entered the chart in October 1959, then quickly vanished, but re-entered in November and slowly climbed to the top. It was also a UK No.1.
1963, The Beatles played at The Cavern Club at lunchtime and in the evening played at the Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead. At the Majestic, every ticket had been sold in advance, leaving 500 disappointed fans waiting outside.
1956, Tennessee Ernie Ford was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of the Merle Travis coal-mining song ‘Sixteen Tons.’ Written in 1947 about the misery of coal mining.
