Clocking in at just under two minutes, The Letter is one of the shortest #1 hits in rock history.
And the gruff, raspy vocals heard on the song belong not to some grizzled veteran of the chitlin circuit but to a young kid on his first visit to a recording studio – Alex Chilton was only 17 when he sang on The Letter.
The single was recorded at American Recording Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, in March 1967.
Though it was launched against the prevailing winds of psychedelia in the summer of 1967, the single would not be denied its place on the charts, holding down the #1 position for four weeks.
Alex Chilton Vocals, guitar John Evans Organ Gary Talley Guitar Bill Cunningham Bass, piano Danny Smythe Drums Rick Allen Organ Tom Boggs Drums Jerry Riley
Guitar Swain Schaefer Piano Harold Cloud Bass
Video
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