Question One: Phil Spector, before he made the news recently for a murder indictment, is best known for his “wall of sound” and for producing an incredible number of hit records and putting together some spectacular vocal groups. What was his first number one song on the pop Billboard charts?

Answer: When Phil Spector was a teenager, his father passed away. Rumor has it that the title of his first hit, “To Know Him Is to Love Him,” was taken from the inscription on his father's gravestone. After entering the Hot 100 chart in September, 1958, this record by the Teddy Bears (which featured Phil) hit number on December 1st, where it stayed for three weeks.

Question Two: Stax Records is famous as the champion of southern Soul music, with hits by artists like Otis Redding and Booker T & the MGs, among others. What was the original name of Stax? What was the first Top Ten hit for the label?

Answer: Stax Records (or Stax/Volt) was founded in Memphis in 1959 by Jim Stewart, a former country fiddler, and Estelle Axton, as Satellite Records. The first Top Ten hit from the new label was "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" by Carla Thomas.  The song hit the Billboard charts on January 10, 1961, where it stayed for 14 weeks, reaching number ten.

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