October 18, 1972
One of rock’n’roll’s greatest pioneers, Chuck Berry, was perched atop the music world with his novelty hit My Ding-A-Ling – hanging at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks.
It ended a one-week stay for Michael Jackson‘s “rat song” for Motown, Ben, after which the reggae hit I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash started its own month-long stay – pushing down Berry’s ‘Ding-A-Ling’ to #3 on November 4th of ’72.
The song was recorded live during Chuck’s headlining performance at the Lanchester Arts Festival at the Locarno Ballroom in Coventry, England on February 3rd, 1972.
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[Note] Some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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MY DING-A-LING
Chuck Berry
(Single Version)
[1972]
Coincidentally, Charles Edward Anderson Berry was also born on this date (in 1926), so his record at the top in 1972 was also a 42nd birthday present.
The song was recorded live during the Lanchester Arts Festival at the Locarno Ballroom in Coventry, England on February 3rd, 1972,
https://youtu.be/BIl9kO3vtoo
Remarkably, after all the great rock’n’roll records he wrote and recorded – and somewhat pathetically – this was Chuck’s ONLY #1 record and million-seller!
Some of his original classic songs include Maybelline, Rock & Roll Music, Sweet Little Sixteen, Johnny B. Goode and No Particular Place To Go.
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DEEP TRAK!
MY DING-A-LING
Chuck Berry
(Unedited Album Version)
[1972]
Near the end of 1972, the longer, unedited version of the song was released on his album The London Chuck Berry Sessions – the full album of the February 3rd concert.
https://youtu.be/nuEWI6KlOok
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DEEP(er) TRAK!
MY DING-A-LING
Dave Bartholomew
(Original Version)
[1952]
Although Berry is credited as the composer on his version, Dave Bartholomew claimed authorship of the song, as he released a similar-sounding version in 1952. But Berry, known for his shrewdness and tenacity with the financial aspects of his career, would never record a song unless he would be the receiving the writing royalties. So, he re-wrote some of original lyrics to alter the song just enough to claim it as his.
Two years later, when Bartholomew left the King label to join Imperial Records, he re-recorded the song under the new title, Little Girl Sing Ting-a-Ling.
https://youtu.be/IcQIxoA5rig
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[Note] Bartholomew (below right) was also musical director and collaborator with Fats Domino (seated) on the hits Blueberry Hill and Ain’t That A Shame.
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
