Somewhat Obscure, Pre First Album Singles

'I'll Let You Know' - the Del-Phis (1961)


Martha & the Vandellas

 

'The Story of my Heart' - the Mascots (1960)


the O'Jays

 

'Two Figures (on the wedding cake) - Pat & Lolly Vegas



A couple of months later they had the instrumental 'Wax 'em Down' by the Avantis released on the Chancellor label
THE AVANTIS wax 'em down


Their first album was "Pat & Lolly Vegas at the Haunted House" in 1966; they later formed Redbone at the end of the 1960s

 

'I Love You, I Love You (I will not let you go)' b/w 'Confession Blues' - the Maxin Trio (1949)



Maxin Trio w/ Ray Charles I Love You, I Love You (I Will Never Let You Go) (DOWN BEAT 171) (1948)
"featuring vocals and piano by Ray Charles"

 

'Starry Eyes' - "R. Ericson & Bleibalien" (1975)


first (post-13th Floor Elevators) Roky Erickson single, produced by Doug Sahm

 

'Go Ahead and Cry' - Sky Saxon and the Soul Rockers (1963/4)



Sky Saxon And The Soul Rockers - Go Ahead And Cry
Later of the Seeds

 

'Feelin' Fine' - the Drifters (UK; 1959) - before the Shadows became aware that instrumentals would be their forte, and that there was already a successful US group with the same name


Ian Samwell song

 

'No Place for Me' b/w 'Lumberjack' - Willie Nelson (1957)



Willie Nelson - No Place For Me

 

'Love' - Jean Knight (1964)


recorded at Cosimo's in New Orleans with Art Neville -piano and Mac Rebennack - guitar. Had to wait until 1971 for her first hit and album, 'Mr. Big Stuff'

 

Sonny and Cher released a few singles in 1964 billing themselves as Caesar and Cleo. Always liked their cover of Love Is Strange:

 

Jan Berry would become a big deal during 1963 ~ 1965 as half of Jan & Dean doing a Beach Boys sound. Had a #1 with Surf City in 1963. But he had an oddball doo-wop hit with tune titled Jennie Lee in 1958 as part of Jan & Arnie:

 

'Bad Mouth' - Tony Joe & the Mojos (1965)


Tony Joe White

 

'The Tree' - Barry McGuire (1961)


originally released on the Mosaic label; reissued in 1965 by Era Records after 'Eve of Destruction'

 

About five years before the famous BOOTS version on MONUMENT, was this version of "Yakety Sax" in 1958 by RANDY RANDOLPH on RCA

 

'Babe I'm Leaving You' b/w 'Wild About My Loving' - the Levee Breakers (1965)


YouTube

YouTube

with Beverley Kutner; later Beverley on Deram Records; John & Beverley Martyn ...

 

Men At Work - "Keypunch Operator"
Released on a small independent label, MAW Music, in 1980. They signed to the Australian branch of CBS in 1981 and released "Who Can It Be Now?", their first successful single.

 

Down Under was the B-side! ffs!

 

Yeah, it was the superior song. The hit version is even better though

 

'Sultan' - the Squires



The Squires - Wikipedia

 

'College Queen' - Jim Ford (ca 1961/2)



not responsible for writing the song
Jim Ford - College Queen / Lazy Love

Jim Ford - Wikipedia

 

'It's been a long, long, time for me' - Donny Young (1958)


Johnny Paycheck

 

'Two by Two' - Johnny Ramistella (1958)


Johnny Rivers

 

'Give her my regards ' - Steve Marriott (1963)


Kenny Lynch song

 

'Mona' - the Iguanas

 

'Get Ready for Betty' - Betty Maybry (1964)


Betty Mabry - Get Ready For Betty

aka Betty Davis, a couple of year before she met Miles. wikipedia claims that she had one previous single, 'The Cellar'.