Palisades Park

Massachusetts-born singer Freddy Cannon scored three top 10 hits in his career, with all of them coming between 1959 and 1962.  One of them, “Tallahassee Lassie,” peaked at number six in 1959, and the other two peaked at number three.  First, “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans” hit number three in 1960, and then, exactly 50 years ago today, Cannon hit number three again, when “Palisades Park” rose to that slot on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart.

“Palisades Park” was written by Chuck Barris, whom you likely know better as the host of The Gong Show.  The song references the amusement park that operated in New Jersey from 1898 to 1971. 

For more on Palisades Amusement Park, check out its official website.  For more on Freddy Cannon, check out his official website.