Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond has sold more than 130 million
records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians
of all time. He has written and recorded ten singles that reached
No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

On January 15, 1972, “American Pie,”, an epic poem in musical
form that has long been etched in popular consciousness, hit
#1 on the Billboard charts.

The story of Don McLean’s magnum opus begins almost 13
years before its release, on a date with significance well-known
to any American who was alive and conscious at the time.

Donald McLean III will be 80 years old in October.

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and
first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda under the title
"Mbube", through South African Gallo Record Company.

In 1961, a version adapted into English by the doo-wop
group the Tokens became a number-one hit in the United
States on this day in 1961. It earned millions in royalties
from cover versions and film licensing.

Lyrics of Linda’s original version were written in Zulu, while
those from the Tokens’ adaptation were written by George
David Weiss.

The song has been adapted and covered internationally by
many pop and folk artists. It was first recorded in the United
States by the Weavers in November 1951, and published
under the title "Wimoweh."

The Tokens

After more than a decade of hits like that never quite made it
to the top of the charts, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
finally earn their first #1 hit when “Tears Of A Clown” topped
the Billboard Hot 100 on December 12, 1970.

William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (84).

On July 29, 1967, The Doors’ song “Light My Fire,” from their
debut album, earned the top spot in the Billboard Hot 100,
becoming their first bona fide smash hit and propelling The
Doors from cult favorites of the rock cognoscenti into
international pop stars and avatars of the ’60s counterculture.

James Douglas Morrison
(December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971)