101 # 1 Song of the Day 10-17-12

The 101 number one song of the day was recorded by a group once known as the Five Crowns whose lead singer – a man named Benjamin Nelson – was approached by a man who had a unique solution to a problem with which he was faced.

George Treadwell managed a group which was signed to a ten year contract to perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.  However, after a falling out with the members of the group, he fired them all.  The Five Crowns were appearing at the Apollo at the time but pretty far down the bill.  Treadwell was impressed and asked if they would change their name and in effect become the group he had just fired.  They agreed and the result was one of  their first singles arrived at number one on October 17, 1960.  The Five Crowns became the Drifters and Benjamin Nelson changed his name to Ben E. King – Here’s your 101 number one song of the day -  “Save the Last Dance for Me”