During segregation, a road trip could be dangerous for Black Americans... Hotels, restaurants & gas stations often refused service, while some towns threatened Black travelers after dark. In 1936, postal worker Victor Hugo Green began publishing The Negro Motorist Green Book. #OneHitWondered

Follow-ups “Tastes So Good to Me” and “Penny Whistle Band” failed to chart, and Cross Country broke up in 1974... The project was brief, but it showed how three voices associated with early-’60s pop could convincingly reinvent themselves for the singer-songwriter era. #CrossCountry #OneHitWondered

Cross Country followed “In the Midnight Hour” with the Mitch Margo-penned “Tastes So Good to Me” in November 1973… It had a brighter, more country-flavored tone, and better represented Cross Country’s own sound. Despite scattered radio play, it never charted. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Three years after Pickett & Cropper wrote their soul masterpiece there, the Lorraine Motel became the site of one of America’s darkest moments: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated outside Room 306 on April 4, 1968. Today, the motel is home to the National Civil Rights Museum. #OneHitWondered

But the Lorraine Motel was important long before it became part of music history. During segregation, it was one of the relatively few Memphis hotels welcoming Black travelers, appearing in the Green Book. Its guests included stars like Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong & Otis Redding. #OneHitWondered

In 1979, Amii Stewart earned US #OneHitWonder honors when her classic disco cover of “Knock On Wood” spent 14 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, including one week sitting at the #1 spot! #AmiiStewart #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

The Lorraine Motel was almost an extension of the Memphis music scene. Stax musicians and visiting stars regularly stayed there, and both “In the Midnight Hour” & Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” (also co-written with Steve Cropper) were written there. #EddieFloyd #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” helped define ’60s soul... It was recorded at Stax with Booker T. & the M.G.’s & the Memphis Horns. The single hit #1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and crossed over to #21 on the #Top40, giving Pickett his breakthrough pop hit. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Wilson Pickett & Stax guitarist Steve Cropper wrote one of soul music’s defining records, “In the Midnight Hour,” in 1965 at Memphis’ Lorraine Motel... Pickett had come south looking for the raw Memphis sound he’d heard on records by Stax. #WilsonPickett #SteveCropper #OneHitWondered

Cross Country’s breakthrough was an unlikely reworking of Wilson Pickett's “In the Midnight Hour.” Instead of recreating that driving ‘65 Stax groove, Cross Country slowed it down, wrapped it in acoustic guitars & close harmonies, then built toward a psychedelic finish. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Cross Country’s cover of Chuck Berry’s “Rock and Roll Music” appears to be one of those ‘the single exists, but nobody has put the dang thing online’ situations. If anyone has the single and a way to get a decent digital copy, let me know. #OneHitWondered

After signing with Atco in 1973, Cross Country first released a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Rock and Roll Music,” but it failed to chart... Their lone, self-titled LP followed, produced by the trio with Hank Medress and Dave Appell’s production team. #CrossCountry #OneHitWondered

Following the departure of founding Tokens member Hank Medress, the remaining trio pivoted away from a '50s/’60s doo-wop sound for acoustic folk-rock, country touches & layered harmonies… riding the wave of early '70s soft rock. Rebranded as Cross Country, they signed with Atco. #OneHitWondered

Hugo & Luigi…? Yepper! Producers Hugo Peretti & Luigi Creatore were also #OneHitWonder honorees! In 1960, they spent 3 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40 with “Just Come Home.” #HugoPeretti #LuigiCreatore #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Cross Country wasn't starting from scratch… they were formed by Jay Siegel & brothers Mitch & Phil Margo. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they made up 3/4 of The Tokens, the doo-wop group famous for the 1961 #1 Hugo & Luigi-produced "The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

The week ending September 22, 1973, Brooklyn folk/soft-rock harmony group Cross Country earned US #OneHitWonder honors when their cover of Wilson Pickett's “In the Midnight Hour” entered the US #Billboard #Top40 at #39. The single spent 4 weeks on the chart, peaking at #30. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Birthday wishes for American choreographer/dancer & singer Toni Basil, #BOTD in 1943. Toni earned US #OneHitWonder honors in 1982 when her new wave/bubblegum poppin’ rendition of the Chinn & Chapman-penned “Mickey” spent 18 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, peaking at #1. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Happy birthday to American singer/author Debby Boone, #BOTD in 1956. Boone earned US #OneHitWonder honors in 1977 when her pop-worship cover of the sentimental, soft ballad “You Light Up My Life” spent 21 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, 10 of ‘em at #1!!! #DebbyBoone #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Happy birthday to Johnette Napolitano, #BOTD in 1957. As the lead vocalist/songwriter & bassist for LA alt-rockers Concrete Blonde, Johnette earned US #OneHitWonder honors when their #1 Modern Rock ballad “Joey” spent 8 weeks on the US #Billboard #Top40, peaking at #19. #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

Birthday remembrances to 🇺🇸 writer/producer Jay Huguely, #BOTD in 1940. As Cledus Maggard & the Citizen's Band, Jay earned US #OneHitWonder honors in 1976 when his #1 country novelty “The White Knight” crossed over onto the US #Billboard #Top40, peaking at #19 #CledusMaggard #OneHitWondered #MusicSky