BLUE MOON!

On this day in music history: April 3, 1961 - “Blue Moon” by The Marcels hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 2 weeks on the same date. Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, it is the biggest hit for the Pittsburgh, PA doo wop vocal group. Originally written in 1934 by songwriting legends Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart (“The Lady Is A Tramp”, “My Funny Valentine”, “Mountain Greenery”), the song makes its debut in the MGM film “Manhattan Melodrama”. “Blue Moon” go on to be a pop vocal standard covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Elvis Presley. Signed to Columbia Pictures’ Colpix Records, The Marcels are paired with producer Stu Phillips for their first recording sessions for the label. “Moon” is recorded as an afterthought during the last eight minutes of studio time. A promotion man for Colpix receives a tape copy of The Marcels version from Phillips who immediately passes it on to prominent DJ Murray The K at WINS in New York City. Murray The K loves the track so much that he plays it twenty six times in one show! Public reaction is instantaneous, and Colpix rush releases it as a single. Entering the Hot 100 at #87 on March 6, 1961, it leaps to the top of the chart three weeks later. The Marcels version “Blue Moon” has a long life after its original run on the charts. The song is featured in the John Landis directed horror film “An American Werewolf In London” in 1981. “Blue Moon” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

another from Jeff Harris' wonderful music blog

I first heard this classic doo-wop number live by Sha Na Na at Reading Festival way back when . . .the first one? 1971 I think! And they came on stage dressed in skin tight sliver lame (some of the guys really shouldn't have!?) and said 
" We got just one thing to say to all you fuckin' hippies! That is that Rock 'n'Roll is here to stay!" 

I was hoooked! Hilarious but note perfect and practiced as any band then and more than many. Here's  an original that they made their own as a cover . . . . . . .Wunnerful stuff!