The Tornados performing “Telstar“, released originally in 1962.
It reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the UK Singles Chart, #1 on the Irish Singles Chart, #1 on the Belgian Singles Chart, #1 on the South African Singles Chart, and #5 on the US Billboard Black Singles Chart.
This brilliantly innovative instrumental captured the spirit of the age and rocketed to the top of the American Hot 100 on December 22, 1962. The song is about the Telstar communications satellite, which was launched shortly before this song was written. Joe Meek recorded this in his home studio above a leather shop on London’s Holloway Road.
The rhythm guitarist on this track was George Bellamy of The Tornados, who is the father of Muse lead singer Matthew Bellamy. The Tornados - a journeyman club band - disliked the song, but Meek added his own distinctive magic at his home-cooked studio above a leather shop in northern London. An overdubbed Clavioline keyboard provoked spooked space effects, while a backwards tape of a flushing toilet evoked all the majesty of a spacebound rocket.
Producer Joe Meek was intrigued by the sound of the organ on Dave “Baby“ Cortez’ #1 hit, “The Happy Organ“ - so entrapped by it that he tried to duplicate it with the Clavioline keyboard on “Telstar,“ which was played by a studio musician named Geoff Goddard, who also supplied the “humming“ vocal you hear at the end of the song.
This was the best-selling British single of 1962. It was also the first song by a British group to hit #1 in the US. This did not happen again until The Beatles “I Want To Hold Your Hand“ in 1964. Joe Meek idolized Buddy Holly and claimed he could make contact with Holly’s spirit. Meek committed suicide on February 3, 1967, the eighth anniversary of “The day the music died.“
Stereo mix by @radiowollaton8521
Enjoy more of the best 1960s Music Digitally Remastered in 4K:
Listen to The Tornados online:
Spotify -
iTunes -
Classic Hits Studio is a specialized digital remastering studio based in New Zealand. We are dedicated to restoring and enhancing classic music performances and music videos. We are passionate about music and committed to delivering high-quality results.
If you enjoyed this upload, please consider sharing with a friend and subscribing to Classic Hits for more:
Follow our Facebook page:
#TheTornados #Telstar #ClassicHitsStudio
1 view
219
84
4 years ago 00:03:01 115
Сибирские Валенки - Telstar (The Tornados cover)
11 years ago 00:04:11 12
Chasing Tornados
6 years ago 00:02:45 2
The Tornados - Globetrotter
8 years ago 00:02:25 26
The Tornados - Hymn For Teenagers
6 years ago 00:03:16 1
Telstar : The Tornados
6 years ago 00:03:16 1
The Tornados - Telstar
7 years ago 00:03:18 10
The Tornados - Telstar (HQ)
2 years ago 00:02:39 1
The Tornados - Globetrotter - Stereo
2 years ago 00:02:47 1
THE TORNADOS -“Ridin’ the Wind“ (1963)
11 years ago 00:03:43 15
TELSTAR BY THE TORNADOS ON SCOPITONE
9 years ago 00:05:51 23
Salvia (Doma Tornados Remix)
6 years ago 00:02:15 1
The Tornados - Jungle Fever 62
10 months ago 00:02:28 2
Aqua Marina by the Tornados
6 years ago 00:01:56 2
BnB & The Texas Tornados
5 months ago 00:03:20 1
The Tornados - Telstar (1962) 4K
2 years ago 00:02:19 4
Tornados - All the stars in the sky (full length)
7 years ago 00:02:35 1
Tornados - Robot
9 years ago 00:04:46 11
THE BEAT TORNADOS!!!!! Oppi Fjellet - The Wedge. Live 2011
4 years ago 00:03:30 1
THE TORNADOS ’TELSTAR’ 1962 (Massive worldwide hit)
10 years ago 00:03:28 1
The Texas Tornados- Soy de San Luis
6 years ago 00:05:22 1
Saving The Environment With Tornados and Lightning
4 years ago 00:03:47 4
Texas Steve and The Tornados - Gotta Move LIVE
8 years ago 00:07:09 33
Recent Tornados And Floods In Germany | Get Germanized
9 years ago 00:02:40 5
The Beat Tornados - Pole Position - LIVE at Metropol TV!