Listen to “Telstar” by the Tornados – the First Single by a British Band to Go Number One in America

The late Alan Caddy – lead guitarist of pioneering British groups the Tornados and Johnny Kidd & the Pirates – was born on this day in 1940. While Caddy sadly passed away aged 60, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Tornados’ Joe Meek-penned international hit “Telstar.”

The record was a Billboard Hot 100 smash and is credited as the first single by a British band to hit the top spot on both sides of the Atlantic.

These first ripples of excitement from across the pond signaled the imminent arrival of the British Invasion. And as the whirlwind of success that was the Tornados topped the charts, George, John, Paul and Ringo were warming up for Beatlemania.

Interestingly, Caddy’s electric guitar partner in the Tornados was George Bellamy whose son, Matt, is the frontman and founder of Grammy Award-winning alternative rock behemoths Muse.

Although “Telstar” was a massive international hit, Meek did not receive royalties from the recording after French composer Jean Ledrut filed a plagiarism lawsuit against him in ’63. 

Failing to take the allegations seriously, Meek ignored the mounting legal correspondence and his rapidly accruing royalties were frozen pending a decision in court. 

Tragically, by the time a verdict had been reached several years later the famed British producer had taken his own life.

A film based on the story of Meek’s life titled Telstar: The Joe Meek Story released in 2008 deals with the complex personal issues leading up to his suicide following the success of “Telstar.” 

And while tomorrow, February 3, marks the 55th year of his passing, Meek will continue to be remembered for his invaluable contributions to music during his pioneering days of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Buy The Tornados Play Telstar And Other Great Hits here.