-  In the headlines, this week 60 years ago  -

The Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1964: The Beatles occupied the top 5 positions. 

No.1: “Can’t Buy Me Love”
No.2: “Twist and Shout”
No.3: “She Loves You”
No.4: “I Want To Hold Your Hand”

No.5: "Please Please Me"

Never before had this happened and followed 2 months of American chart success. From February 1st, 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' stayed 7 weeks at No.1 and then 'She Loves You' for 2 weeks, before on April 4th 'Can't Buy Me Love' was top - and would remain there for another 5 weeks. 

Some music from The Beatles then, and a song new to me called ‘Long, Long, Long’. Before all you Fab Four fans and owners of the 'White Album' start berating me, and in my defense, this track is tucked away on the outer reaches of side 3 of the album, in the shadow of 'Helter Skelter' and I really had never heard it until last year. A George Harrison composition and vocal with Ringo playing his part.  

 

While you’re listening (as there's no video to watch) here’s another short story: 

This unparalleled chart success would have pleased Murray the K no end. 

Murray Kaufman (1922 – 1982), professionally known as Murray the K, was an influential New York City rock 'n' roll impresario and disc jockey in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. 

When the band arrived in New York, Murray was invited by Brian Epstein to spend time with the group, and Murray persuaded his New York radio station (WINS) to let him broadcast his prime time show from the Beatles' Plaza Hotel suite. During the early days of Beatlemania he frequently referred to himself as the 'Fifth Beatle'.
The radio station WINS picked up on the name and billed Murray the K as the Fifth Beatle. 

He wouldn't be the last to be called this: there was George Martin, Billy Preston and a German car !