By Bob Berry

It was only 1:57 seconds long, but it’s two of the greatest minutes in the history of 60’s pop.

It’s “The Letter“, by Memphis, Tennessee’s The Box Tops, and it began FOUR weeks at Number One on September 23rd, 1967. And perhaps most remarkable,”the Letter” was the first song the group ever released!

The Box Tops had a string of hits thru 1969, including “Cry Like A Baby”, “Soul Deep”, all recorded with the legendary studio musicians, the  “Memphis Boys“. And lead singer Alex Chilton later became a seminal figure in alternative and indie music, fronting the group Big Star.

But they never equaled the success of “The Letter”.

Click here to read more about the song and it’s writer Wayne Carson, in a blog I wrote when he passed away in July. And here is a video of a live performance of “The Letter” by The Box Tops, recorded at the legendary New York City music showcase, The Bitter End.