On this day in music history: September 17, 1966 - “Land Of 1,000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #6 on the Hot 100 on September 10, 1966. Written by Chris Kenner, it is the third chart topping single for the R&B vocal icon from Prattville, AL. After less than a year of working successfully with musicians at Stax Studios in Memphis, Wilson Pickett will have a major falling out with the studio’s house band and label co-founder Jim Stewart. As a result, Stewart will tell Atlantic Records executive and producer Jerry Wexler that he is banning all non-Stax recording artists from working at the label’s Memphis studio. Wexler will instead send Pickett to work with producer Rick Hall at his FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. While deciding on material to record, one of the songs chosen will be “Land Of 1,000 Dances”. Written and originally recorded by New Orleans born singer Chris Kenner (“I Like It Like That”) in 1963 (#77 Pop), the song will become a party anthem and is covered numerous times including versions by Thee Midniters (#67 Pop) and Cannibal & The Headhunters (#30 Pop), the latter being the most successful version to date. Wilson Pickett will record his version of the song on May 11, 1966 with members of the Muscle Shoals rhythm section including Roger Hawkins (drums), Spooner Oldham (keyboards), Junior Lowe (bass), Jimmy Johnson (guitar) along with Memphis based musicians Chips Moman (guitar), and horn players Charlie Chalmers and Andrew Love (tenor sax), Wayne Jackson (trumpet), and Floyd Newman (baritone sax). As soon as recording is completed, all will agree that they have a hit on their hands. Released in late July of 1966, Pickett’s high octane version of “Land Of 1,000 Dances” will quickly rise up the R&B and pop singles charts simultaneously, becoming one of singer’s signature songs and a highlight of his frenetic live performances.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:21:26 +0000
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