Featuring a continued roll of USA's Billboard Hot-100 from 50 years ago (and applicable covers of said songs). Since January, 2012.
The Evening Birds. “MBube.” MBube. Gallo Record Company, 1939.
The first recorded version of “MBube,” more popularly known as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
The writer, Solomon Linda, only ever received a paltry royalty check, whereas Gallo Records earned upwards of $15 million in royalties off licensing.
The Tokens. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The Lion Sleeps Tonight. RCA, 1961.
Hot 100 #1 for 3 consecutive weeks: December 18th, December 25th, and January 6th, 1962.
Originally recorded by Solomon Linda and his group The Evening Birds for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. It was written in the 1920s by Salomon Linda and was named “Mbube.” He was a cleaner and record packer for Gallo Record Company.
Source: youtube.com
