@onehitwondered.bsky.social
Celebrating American One-Hit Wonders from the Billboard Hot 100 era... A US #OneHitWonder is a group/performer with just 1 hit single, as measured against the industry-standard US Billboard Top 40, which is #1 through #40 on their Hot 100 chart. 🇺🇦 🇨🇦
The Vandenberg name lives on! In 2020, Adrian revived Vandenberg with a fresh lineup, releasing the album 2020 (featuring a re-recorded "Burning Heart"), followed by Sin in 2023. Adrian Vandenberg is a true rock legend who’s never stopped working… or evolving. #AdrianVandenberg #OneHitWondered
It might be worth noting that although Adrian Vandenberg did play the iconic solo on the 1987 version of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” guitarist John Sykes played all of the guitar (rhythm & lead) on the rest of that self-titled album. #JohnSykes #Whitesnake #OneHitWondered
After Vandenberg fell apart in the mid-’80s, Adrian Vandenberg was invited to join Whitesnake, initially as a studio guitarist. He played the solo on the band’s 1987 version of “Here I Go Again,” and co-wrote all of the music for the 1989 Whitesnake album Slip of the Tongue. #OneHitWondered
Vandenberg was a hard rock band built around guitarist Adrian Vandenberg. He formed the group in 1981, and they broke through the following year with their self-titled debut on Atlantic/Atco… The band’s signature song was/is “Burning Heart,” a power ballad from the debut album. #OneHitWondered
Ever heard of Vandenberg? Some of you, I’m sure… if only for the guitar virtuoso Adrian Vandenberg. The group sat in that sweet spot between melodic hard rock and early-’80s metal: think big hooks & polished guitar solos. #Vandenberg #OneHitWondered
The week ending March 12, 1983, Dutch/American rock group Vandenberg earned US #OneHitWonder honors when their quintessential ‘80s power ballad “Burning Heart” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #39. The single spent 2 weeks at the spot before dropping from the chart. #Vandenberg #OneHitWondered
Since then, Macy Gray has been a true original… She’s released 10+ studio albums, exploring everything from jazz to rock covers… and has built a successful acting career in films like Training Day, Spider-Man & The Paperboy. #MacyGray #OneHitWondered
Her music career was almost an accident. While studying screenwriting at USC, Macy Gray wrote a song for a friend's demo. When the vocalist didn't show up, Gray recorded the vocals herself... In 1998, she signed with Epic Records. #MacyGray #OneHitWondered
Macy Gray’s real turning point was her 2nd single, “I Try,” which pushed her from promising newcomer to major crossover star. The song also won Macy Gray a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards. #MacyGray #GrammyAwards #OneHitWondered
Macy Gray has one of those voices… one of the most distinctive voices of the neo-soul era with that raspy, Billie Holiday-inspired delivery. She broke through at the end of the ‘90s with a sound that blended soul, R&B, jazz, & pop. Her debut single was “Do Something.” #MacyGray #OneHitWondered
The week ending March 11, 2000, Grammy Award-winning American R&B/soul singer/songwriter Macy Gray earned US #OneHitWonder honors when her contemporary neo-soul classic “I Try” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #36. It spent 23 weeks on the chart, peaking at #5. #MacyGray #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
Neneh Cherry's husband Cameron McVey, married in 1990, was one-half of that duo...
Birthday wishes out to 🇺🇸 singer/songwriter Bobby McFerrin, #BOTD in 1950. Bobby famously earned US #OneHitWonder honors in 1988 when his breezy, optimistic “Don’t Worry Be Happy” spent 13 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40. It became the only a cappella single to reach #1 on the chart #OneHitWondered
Hal Blaine powered Gary Usher’s studio creation, The Hondells, to US #OneHitWonder honors in 1964 when the cover of the Beach Boys’ “Little Honda” spent 9 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, peaking at #9. Fun fact: future superstar Glen Campbell also played on the track. #HalBlaine #OneHitWondered
'Legend says...' 😀
For sure
Remembering Hal Blaine, who #DOTD in 2019. Hal Blaine didn’t earn US #OneHitWonder honors… but he helped others accomplish the feat! As a drummer for LA’s Wrecking Crew, Hal played on over 6000 songs. His drumming is featured on 150 US top 10 hits, 40 of which went to #1! #HalBlaine #OneHitWondered
Since we're doin’ a bit of a dive into J.J. Cale covers, here’s another one that many Skynard fans don’t realize is, in fact, a cover song. #JJCale #LynyrdSkynyrd #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
Eric Clapton was definitely J.J. Cale’s biggest champion… Eric Clapton's “Cocaine,” (off 1977’s Slowhand) had been written & originally recorded by J.J. Cale… and became an iconic global anthem with Clapton's cover... #JJCale #EricClapton #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
How ‘bout a lil’ meeting of the minds, so to speak? #JJCale #EricClapton #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
Songwriting is J.J. Cale’s biggest legacy… He first released “After Midnight” in 1966… After having been introduced to Cale’s music by Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton covered the song on his 1970 self-titled debut album. #JJCale #EricClapton #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
The Tulsa Sound’s influence spread far beyond Oklahoma… through artists who borrowed its groove, like Mark Knopfler, and especially Eric Clapton, who championed J.J. Cale’s songs & style. Clapton made Tulsa understatement sound powerful. #EricClapton #MarkKnopfler #TulsaSound #OneHitWondered
J.J. Cale was a key architect whose laid-back guitar style, muted vocals, and deep sense of rhythm helped define the sound. He wasn’t alone, though... Leon Russell, Elvin Bishop, Carl Radle, and other Tulsa players helped shape the city’s rich musical sound. #TulsaSound #OneHitWondered
Rocky Frisco was really one of the OG pioneers of the Tulsa Sound, helping shape its loose, funky blend of rockabilly, blues, country, and R&B long before the phrase caught on... A true Tulsa original. #RockyFrisco #OneHitWondered
The Tulsa Sound? The Tulsa Sound was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma… part rockabilly, part blues, part country, part swampy R&B, and a lot of groovin.’ It was relaxed, funky, stripped down, and never in a hurry…I’ve heard it described as ‘less flash, more feel’. #TulsaSound #OneHitWondered
The Grammy Award-winning J.J. Cale was one of the pioneers of the ‘Tulsa sound’ (influenced by blues/country with a laid-back groove). It’s true, as a performer, “Crazy Mama” was Cale’s only hit… but as a songwriter, he has a permanent place in music history. #JJCale #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
The week ending March. 11, 1972, legendary Tulsa, OK singer/songwriter & guitarist J.J. Cale earned US #OneHitWonder honors when his laid-back, lazy “Crazy Mama” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #38. The single spent 8 weeks on the chart, peaked at #22.) #JJCale #OneHitWondered #MusicSky
Strangely, "Manchild" was a Worldwide hit... everywhere but America, where it didn't even chart on the #Billboard #Hot100.
"Buddy X" did chart in America... It peaked at #43 on the US #Billboard #Hot100, oh so close to the #Top40.
No, Neneh Cherry is not a one-hit wonder… Eagle-Eye Cherry, Neneh’s younger brother, did earn US #OneHitWonder honors in 1998 when his folky alt-rock classic “Save Tonight” spent 25 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, peaking at #5. #EagleEyeCherry #NenehCherry #OneHitWondered
#2HitTuesdays Neneh Cherry is the daughter of 🇺🇸 jazz trumpeter/bandleader Don Cherry… From pioneering free jazz with the Ornette Coleman Quartet to his global vibes, Don Cherry helped remake jazz as something freer, wider, and more adventurous. #DonCherry #NenehCherry #OneHitWondered