The Chartbusters were an American group that had a big hit with the single "She's The One" (Mutual Records, catalog number 502) in 1964, during the height of The British Invasion. The Chartbusters were managed by Bobby Poe and featured lead vocalist/lead guitarist Vernon Sandusky from Kansas Music Hall of Famers/Rockabilly Hall of Famers Bobby Poe and The Poe Kats. Bobby and Vernon also produced The Chartbusters' recordings, with Vernon writing or co-writing much of the group's material. Vernon went on to play guitar in Country Music Hall of Famer Roy Clark's band in the 1970's - a gig he held for over 20 years.In the late 1960's and after The Chartbusters broke up, Bobby Poe founded the respected music industry publication "Pop Music Survey". Starting in 1972, The Poe Kat presented 25 annual "Pop Music Survey" Radio/Record Conventions, which lasted until his gala retirement Convention in 1996.
"She's The One" was released in the Summer of 1964 and went on to sell over 750,000 copies, peaking at Number 33 on Billboard's singles chart. At the time, it was also a Number 1 record at several radio stations around the country. Joey Reynolds of WKBW Radio in Buffalo, New York can take credit for breaking the single nationally.
The Chartbusters were a popular live act and did gigs with many of the great stars of the time including The Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers, The Animals, Jan & Dean, Herman's Hermits, The Yardbirds, The Lovin' Spoonful, Dino, Desi & Billy and many more. Their gigs took them all over the country. Shown here is a picture of the band co-headlining with The Animals at the legendary Paramount Theater in New York City. The Chartbusters were one of the featured acts at "The National Teen Show" at the D.C. Armory, a legendary week of entertainment presented by Bobby Poe from April 9th through April 13th of 1966. They were also the house band at The Crazy Horse in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC during the mid-to-late 1960's.
The band also got it's share of TV exposure, performing on national shows such as "American Bandstand" and local Washington, D.C. shows like "Wing Ding". Shown here is a picture of The Chartbusters backstage with Dick Clark.For you trivia buffs out there, Tom Hanks was quoted in People Magazine as saying The Chartbusters were one of the inspirations for his film "That Thing You Do!". In the 1980's "She's The One" was released by Rhino Records on "Nuggets, Volume 4" as part of their highly respected series of classic singles from the mid-1960's (the original vinyl series released in 1984, not the later CD box set).
Rare digital collections by The Chartbusters and Bobby Poe and The Poe Kats are occasionally available on Amazon. The Chartbusters' lead guitarist/lead vocalist Vernon Sandusky was lead guitarist for Bobby Poe and The Poe Kats. Vernon joined The Poe Kats when he was only 16 years old!
Visit the Bobby Poe and The Poe Kats for more information on that band and Vernon Sandusky.