Speaking of 

Classic Pop Songs

On this day in music history: March 30, 1963 - “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on April 6, 1963. Written by Ronnie Mack, it is the debut single and biggest for the female R&B/Pop vocal quartet from New York City. Originally consisting of group members Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee, The Chiffons are formed in 1960 while all are students at James Monroe High School in the Bronx. In 1962, the girls meet songwriter Ronnie Mack who becomes their manager, who suggests that they add fourteen year old Sylvia Peterson to the group, making them a quartet. Mack writes “He’s So Fine” for the group as their first single. While Mack tries to secure a record deal for The Chiffons, the song attracts the attention of music publisher Bright Tunes run by Phil Margo, Mitch Margo, Jay Siegal and Hank Medress, better known as The Tokens (“The Lion Sleeps Tonight”). They love the song and offer to produce them, as they have a production deal for Capitol Records. Having already exhausted their production budget, The Tokens take The Chiffons into a small demo studio to record “He’s So Fine”. After the track is completed, they play it for Capitol Records president Voyle Gilmore, who rejects the song as being “too simple and too trite”. The group shop the song around, and are rejected by more than a dozen record labels before it is picked up by Laurie Records in New York. Released in December of 1962, the song initially gets off to a slow start, but eventually catches on. Entering the Hot 100 at #87 on February 23, 1963, it leaps to the top of the chart five weeks later. Sadly, songwriter Ronnie Mack will not have long to enjoy his newly found success. Shortly after the song reaches number one, he is diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease and succumbs to the illness just a few months later at the age of only twenty three. The Chiffons score further hits with the Carole King and Gerry Goffin penned “One Fine Day” (#5 Pop, #6 R&B) and “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” (#10 Pop). “He’s So Fine” later becomes the subject of a lawsuit between Bright Tunes Publishing and former Beatle George Harrison when the publisher accuses him of plagiarizing “He’s So Fine” for his number one single “My Sweet Lord”. The lawsuit drags on for years before it is finally settled. George Harrison’s estate purchases the publishing rights to “He’s So Fine” and holds the copyright to this day. Ironically, The Chiffons cover “My Sweet Lord” in the mid 70’s, though it is not a hit.

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The Harrison court case is complete nonsense and should never have made it to court . . .did no-one do ANY research and call expert witnesses who knew how to write music . . . . . you know given that most pop music is extremely similar the lawyers will be in business until doomsday . . . . . which looks like it's closer than you think . . . . . you know most pop songs use a maximum of three chords . . .good luck trying to copyright THAT!