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Song of the Day #6,104: ‘The Ballad of Davy Crockett’ – Bill Hayes

Throwing back to the week of March 22, 1955, we find Bill Hayes atop the Billboard chart with ‘The Ballad of Davy Crockett.’ This novelty folk song was written by George Bruns (not Burns) and Thomas W. Blackburn for the show Disneyland (which was later retitled The Wonderful World of Disney).

Three versions of the song hit the charts around the same time, including one by Fess Parker that was #6 this week and one by Tennessee Ernie Ford that reached the top ten the following week. But it was this version by actor/singer Hayes that did the best, reaching #1 and holding the top spot for a month.

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Song of the Day #6,103: ‘Itchycoo Park’ – Small Faces

The final inductee I’ll cover from the supersized Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2012 is a twofer. Both Small Faces and Faces were inducted as one, 30 years after their initial eligibility.

Small Faces was an English pop band popular during the mid to late 60s, considered one of the earliest examples of Britpop. When founding member Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie, the remaining members teamed up with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood to form Faces. That lineup released four albums between 1970 and 1973 before disbanding. A few years later, the original Small Faces lineup reunited and they released two more albums under that name.

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Song of the Day #6,102: ‘Scar Tissue’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were first eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and were nominated that year but didn’t make the cut. They were passed over for a nomination in 2011 before being inducted the following year into the class of 2012.

The Los Angeles-based alternative funk rock band has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide since their 1984 debut. Five of their 13 studio albums have gone multi-platinum, with 1999’s Californication and 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik leading the way with more than 8 million sales each.

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Song of the Day #6,101: ‘Stoney End’ – Laura Nyro

Laura Nyro was first eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, but it took until 2010 for her to be nominated. After missing the cut in 2010 and 2011, she was inducted into the class of 2012.

Nyro is an artist who impressed critics and influenced other performers but didn’t have much of a commercial footprint. Her biggest hits were songs she wrote for others, including the 5th Dimension, Three Dog Night, and Barbra Streisand (who recorded today’s SOTD, among other Nyro tunes).

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Song of the Day #6,100: ‘Shop Around’ – The Miracles

The final backing band I’ll cover as part of my look at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2012 is also the most egregious oversight.

The Miracles were Motown’s signature act, putting more than 50 songs on the Billboard charts, including sixteen in the Hot 100 Top 20.

And while Smokey Robinson was the lead singer and principal songwriter for the band, it was very much a band. Robinson didn’t embark on a solo career until he had released 17 albums over 12 years with The Miracles.

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