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St. Paul, Minn.

TV western inspires the No. 1 hit 'Ringo'

Lorne Greene And Wife Nancy
Actor Lorne Greene and his wife Nancy, attending the reception for the annual Golden Globe awards at the Ambassador Hotel in California, Feb. 12, 1964.
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

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Today's Morning Edition music is from 50 years ago today when "Ringo" by Lorne Greene was the No. 1 song on the pop charts.

At the time, Greene was the star of the hit TV western "Bonanza." In an attempt to capitalize on the show's popularity, Greene recorded an entire album of cowboy songs called "Welcome to the Ponderosa."

"Ringo" was a single from the album. It tells the story of a lawman who saves the life of an outlaw. Years later, the outlaw returns the favor.

• More Morning Edition music