Oh and this goes to the argument about sounds bought when they came out whether it's embarrassing or cool! 

The FIRST single I ever bought (I was nine!) I adored this and it made me aware perhaps for the first time that after Rossini, Beethoven, Mahler, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Debussyand the gang that my generation were going to be making music that could transport you as well! If somewhat overblown as an argument you get my drift. I had grown up on 'The William Tell Overture' and Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at An Exhibition' until this moment and suddenly I heard this! 

Interesting (sic!) this first version on Youtube sounds different and maybe the mix has been tampered with so my single (and yes I still have it ) sounds like this . . .



On this day in music history: December 22, 1962 - “Telstar” by The Tornados hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks. Written and produced by Joe Meek, it is the debut single and biggest hit for the London based instrumental quintet. The song (named after the AT&T communications satellite) is recorded by Meek in his home studio located in a small flat above a shop in North London. Released in the US by London Records, the single quickly breaks into the charts following its overseas success. Entering the Hot 100 at #85 on November 3, 1962, it will climb to the top of the chart seven weeks later. It is the first single by a British band to hit number one in the US, proceeding The Beatles US breakthrough with “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by nearly fourteen months. “Telstar” is also the subject of a lawsuit from French composer Jean Ledrut who claims that Meek plagiarized the tune from his composition “La Marche d’Austerlitz”. The suit is not settled until three weeks after Meek’s death in 1967. In spite of having produced numerous hits for other artists including Lonnie Donegan and The Honeycombs, by the late 60’s Meek is deeply in debt and suffering from depression. The producer kills his landlady and himself on February 3, 1967. Meek is only thirty years old at the time of his death. “Telstar” is covered by numerous artists over the years, including versions by The Ventures, The Shadows, OMD and The Ashley Hutchings Big Beat Combo. The Tornados’ original version is later featured on an episode the hit 60’s period drama “Mad Men” in 2008.

Mention should also be made of Heinz the blonde fellow in the pictures as he went on to see solo fame but when we first saw him with the Tornados we thought he was the epitome of cool! He was from Eastleigh, His mention in the Joe Meek story is full of controversy but who cared about his sexuality? We didn't!