#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Monday, Monday,” second hit for the Mamas and the Papas following “California Dreaming.” The songs would end up at #1 and #2 on the year-end KRUX chart for 1966.
Holding at #2 is Bob Dylan with “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” (aka “everybody must get stoned”). The Rolling Stones debut at #19 with “Paint It Black” featuring Brian Jones on sitar — following in the footsteps of the Beatles’ George Harrison, who introduced the Indian instrument to pop music the prior year.
Other future classics include Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman” (#4), the Beach Boys’ “Sloop John B” (#9), and the Righteous Brothers’ “(You’re My) Soul And Inspiration” (#11).
Phoenix duo Floyd & Jerry climb to #5 with “Believe In Things.” These were the days when local artists could actually get played on local radio, without having to fight out-of-state corporate programmers.
Johnny Rivers had a monster hit with “Secret Agent Man” (#6), theme song to the TV series Danger Man. The show itself played off the popularity of the James Bond movies and books. The record features a killer guitar riff that evoked the sound of the 007 films.
Biggest jumper: “Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart” by the Supremes, rocketing from #21 to #9, followed closely by “Younger Girl” (#28 to #16), a Lovin’ Spoonful cover by the Hondells.
Among other great songs on the chart:
- “Groovy Kind Of Love” (#3) by the Mindbenders, answering the musical question, “What do you call a corduroy condom?” (sorry, old DJ joke);
- “Time Won’t Let Me” (#7) by Cleveland rockers the Outsiders featuring lead vocal by Sonny Geraci, who sang another hit in 1972 with “Precious And Few” while in the band Climax;
- “Kicks” (#10) by Paul Revere & The Raiders, a rockin’ anti-drug song that was the first hit for prolific songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, who continued to write hits into the 21st century;
- “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” (#22) by the Swingin’ Medallions a great party song featuring the ever popular Hammond B-3 organ;
- “Don’t Bring Me Down” (Hitbound) by the Animals, a very cool rendition of the Carole King–Gerry Goffin song.
Finally, there’s “I Am A Rock” (Hitbound) by Simon & Garfunkel, their third hit following “Homeward Bound” and “The Sound of Silence” The latter was a surprise #1 hard rock hit in 2016 for the Disturbed, which proves once again that great songs can transcend generations.