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The hit '96 Tears' had humble roots

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96 Tears vinyl
"96 Tears" by Question Mark and the Mysterians.
Real Gone Music.

Today's Morning Edition music is from 50 years ago when "96 Tears" by Question Mark and the Mysterians was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

It was the band's first and only chart topper and is considered the original incarnation of garage rock.

The song was actually recorded in the living room of their manager, Lilly Gonzalez. She started a record label for the band and they took the single around to record stores near their home in Saginaw, Mich. After a Detroit radio station started playing it, the song master was purchased by Cameo Records and distributed nationally.