Rolling Stone ranked the “96 Tears” one of the Top 10 One-Hit Wonders of all Time, noting that it was one of the most “memorable” songs of the ‘60s garage rock era. “Originally titled ‘69 Tears,’ the Michigan-based band recorded the song in their manager’s living room in 1966, and it hit Number One in October of that year,” the outlet noted.
Destined to be a hit
“One day, Frank started playing a little organ riff, and we really liked it a lot,” he said. “I kinda came up with the chord riff, and every time we practiced, we recorded everything. At first it didn’t have words. Then Question Mark said he had words for it, but I thought he was just singing off the top of his head. I thought he was just improvising.”
RELATED: 1976 One-Hit Wonder Took Months to Get Airplay
Rodgriguez was surprised by the song’s No. 1 status. “I didn’t think the song ’96 Tears’ was gonna go anywhere, but it did real good,” he shared, before explaining his organ work. “A lot of people think my keyboard parts were done on a Farfisa or Vox Continental. But, actually, I recorded the song on a Hammond A1 organ, without the rotating Leslie speaker engaged.”
Photo of Question Mark and the Mysterians, 1960s.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
“I believe it was September 3 when it went nationwide. It debuted at 75. October 29, 1966, it went to number one,” he recalled of his lone No. 1 hit. “The Monkees had come out with their new series and ‘Last Train To Clarksville.’ We were in Dallas promoting ‘96 Tears’ at a TV station. They said, ‘Oh, we really like your song better, but we're gonna have to go with The Monkees this week and then yours next week, because they have a new TV series.’ I said, ‘if you really feel ours is a better song, then why don't you do it?’ ….It's too bad we didn't have a TV series. People don't realize those two songs came out at the same time, and we beat 'em to number one first!”
?SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox?
Hence then, the article about 1966 one hit wonder became a garage rock classic destined to be a hit was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1966 One-Hit Wonder Became a Garage Rock Classic— ‘Destined’ To Be a Hit )
Also on site :