CELEBRITIES--The Multi-Million Singles

A sampling of personalities with hit singles: Edd (Kookie) Byrnes and Connie Stevens, “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb.” Produced by Irving Taylor of “77 Sunset Strip,” this record reached No. 4 on the 1959 charts. Stayed on charts for 13 weeks. Estimated sales: (Billboard, Cashbox, etc.) 2 million.

Shelley Fabares, “Johnny Angel.” A song used on a segment of “The Donna Reed Show” and recorded to push the show. It reached No. 6 six days after it was released and was 20 weeks on charts in 1962. Estimated sales: 3 million.

Lorne Greene, “Ringo.” From Greene’s album “Welcome to the Ponderosa,” “Ringo” was not released by RCA at first. But a Texas disc jockey played the album track again and again. Within two weeks it was No.1. It remained on the charts for 12 weeks in 1964. Estimated sales: 3 million.

Richard Harris, “MacArthur Park.” The Jim Webb hit was recorded in London where it topped the charts. Hit No. 2 in America, 14 weeks on charts in 1968. Estimated sales: 5 million.

Tab Hunter, “Young Love.” In 1957 it rose to No. 1 on the British and American charts--all for a song which “covered” a country ballad by Sonny James. Estimated sales: 2 million.

Pope John Paul, “The Visit.” Rose to No. 11 in America and No. 1 in Britain and sold in 30 other countries. Estimated sales: more than 6 million.

David Soul, “Don’t Give Up on Us Baby.” A former folk singer, Soul had to wait for TV stardom before cutting a record. This was the “monster hit” of 1979--went to No. 7 and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks. Estimated sales 3 million.

Source: Billboard