
Forever No. 1: Dave “Baby” Cortez’s “The Happy Organ”
Dave “Baby” Cortez’s chart-topping instrumental hit, “The Happy Organ,” became the first of its kind to reach the coveted number one position on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in May 1959. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant turning point in the evolution of popular music.
“The Happy Organ” not only topped the charts but also demonstrated the potential for instrumentals to be appealing to a younger audience, paving the way for future hits like Roger Williams’ “Autumn Leaves” (1955) and Morris Stoloff’s “Moonglow and Theme From ‘Picnic'” (1956). The success of these instrumental tracks paved the way for further experimentation with the format.
Cortez was born David Cortez Clowney on August 13, 1938, in Detroit. He began his music career by making his first record in 1956 under his own name and also sang with two doo-wop groups, the Pearls and the Valentines, neither of which achieved any chart success.
It is worth noting that Cortez adopted his stage name Dave “Baby” Cortez in 1958. Following this change, his career started gaining momentum. By the time he released “The Happy Organ,” he was just 20 years old when it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Interestingly, the original recording of the song featured lyrics, which were later removed due to Cortez’s dissatisfaction with the vocals. In a sudden twist, the artist began playing around with an unused Hammond electronic organ in the studio, and this “happy” accident led to the creation of his groundbreaking instrumental hit.
This 2:02-minute track showcased Cortez’s innovative approach to music composition, which captivated audiences worldwide.
Source: www.billboard.com