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Top of the Charts: “Deep Purple” by Nino Tempo & April Stevens

Nov. 16, 1963 - Hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Deep Purple,” a recording by Nino Tempo & April Stevens (pictured). The two performers — a brother-and-sister act born Antonino and Carol Vincinette Lo Tempio — are from Niagara Falls, New York. "Deep Purple" is notable for April Stevens speaking the lyrics in a low, sweet voice during the second half of the song while her brother sings. When the duo first recorded the song as a demo, Nino forgot the words, and his sister spoke the lyrics to remind him. The producers thought Stevens' spoken interlude was "cute" and should be included on the finished product. According to Stevens, her brother was not as easily convinced — “He didn’t want anyone talking while he was singing!”


© 2024 by Joe Rubenstein

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