Roses Are Red (My Love)

Exactly 50 years ago today, Bobby Vinton’s very first single, “Roses Are Red (My Love),” hit number one on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart.  The song would spend four weeks at the top of the chart, tying it with “There! I’ve Said It Again,” which would hit number one a year and a half later, as the biggest hit of Vinton’s career.  Vinton scored two additional number one singles, with “Blue Velvet” spending three weeks at the top in September-October 1963 and “Mr. Lonely” grabbing a lone week in the pinnacle position in December 1964.

This made for a particularly successful three year period in which the Duquesne University graduate and son of a bandleader hit the top 40 with 15 consecutive singles, starting with his debut chart-topper.

For more information on Bobby Vinton, who has been touring this year, check out his official website.