The song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the second British
recording to reach No. 1 on that chart in the year, after “Stranger on the
Shore” in May, and was also a number one hit in the UK. It was the second 
instrumental single to hit No.1 on both the US and UK weekly charts. 

”Telstar” was named after the world’s first communication satellite which
was launched by the US earlier in the year  and proceeded the Beatles’
chart debut by 13 months.

Ross Simpson

Ed Danahue

 

Carl Dean Wilson (December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998)

Carl Wilson is best known as a founding member, lead guitarist
and occasional lead vocalist of The Beach Boys. He performed
lead vocals on a number of popular songs by the Beach Boys,
including "Good Vibrations" and "God Only Knows". Carl Wilson
was the youngest brother of fellow Beach Boys Dennis and Brian
Wilson and cousin of Beach Boy Mike Love. He was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Wilson died of cancer in 
in 1998 while still touring and recording with The Beach Boys.