Needle in a Haystack (The Twilights)

18 OCTOBER 1966

Australian group the Twilights hit #1 on the Australian charts during this month in 1966 with their cover of The Velvelettes' 1964 hit ‘Needle in a Haystack’. This was their fifth single and their biggest success.

The Twilights formed in Adelaide in 1965, although all members of the band had actually been born in the UK. They moved to London in 1967 but were crowded out by the quantity and quality of competition there (although they did get to perform at Liverpool's Cavern Club and record at Abbey Road). The group returned to Australia with a more psychedelic flavour to their music (see 'Cathy Come Home') and had mixed but generally declining success until they disbanded in late 1968.

B-side: 'I Won't Be The Same Without Her'

Released: August 1966

Highest chart position: #1 (Aus)

Length: 2:12

Label: Columbia DO 4717

Writers: William 'Mickey' Stevenson - Norman Whitfield