Vintage Video: A Very Uncharacteristic Long John Baldry Tops the U.K. Chart

by VVN Music

Long John Baldry was known for his long history of singing the blues starting in the early 60's with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and a long line of other bands before breaking out into a successful solo career.

Yet, 50 years ago today, on November 22, 1967, Baldry had his biggest hit, sounding more like a crooner than a blues artist on "Let the Heartaches Begin".

Written by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod, who also composed the number 2 record for the week, the Foundations' "Baby, Now That I've Found You", "Let the Heartaches Begin" stayed at number 1 for two weeks.


For comparison, here's Baldry in 1993 performing one of his better known songs, "It Ain't Easy":


The top five singles in Britain on November 22, 1967:

1. Let the Heartaches Begin - Long John Baldrey
2. Baby, Now That I've Found You - Foundations
3. Everybody Knows - Dave Clark Five
4. Massachusetts - Bee Gees
5. Love is All Around - Troggs