The Tornados ~ Telstar (1962)

This fantastic instrumental by "The Tornados" was released in 1962 and made number 1 in the UK charts, and also number 1 in the U.S in the same week. As instrumentals go they don't get much better than this one...

[wstevenpray]

This song always reminds me of my childhood sweetheart. We were neighbors from the ages of 1-5 and we were inseparable. Then we moved to another side of town and I only saw her every once in a while. She grew beautiful and I became the typical awkward nerdy kid. I last spoke to her her at an 8th grade dance. As this song played, I fumblingly tried to tell her I always loved her and would never forget her. We moved to a new town a couple of years later and she became a lovely memory. I married my dear wife and am a grandfather. She died not long ago. Whenever I hear this song, I wish her gentle spirit the very best. The first love always seems so pure and innocent. Rest in Peace, Judee.

[anitalalak]

sounds like the future and past at the same time

[twostepron]

As a young soldier I was sent to Germany around mid December 1961. My first Christmas away from home and I heard this song several times. It just brought back memories of that period. I'll be 80 soon and it's almost like yesterday hearing this. Merry Christmas to all. Thanks.

[emilyh.]

Ahhh 1962..i was ten years old..living in Austin when Austin was still a small Texas city and it was still safe to walk the streets anytime without harm..we played outside till it got dark with friends and made our own toys.. especially when your family didnt have money..and it was just my beloved mama raising us 5 kids..but we made it..yes, those were the days my friends..such innocents and carefree days long gone..but never ever from my memory and heart and thanks to YouTube memorable music like this..❤️🙏❤️

[nomedia]

This is a perfect example of early 1960s pre Beatles rock'n roll. It's obvious use of electronic instruments gives it that early 1960s feel. It goes perfectly with 1962 Chevy Impala convertible with the reverb radio unit speaker in the back seat. Electric guitars and amplifiers used that reverb system to create a form of early wanna be stereo. It had that distinctive early electronic sound. Telstar seemed to perfect electronic instrumentation for this era of radio sound. If you didn't live through that period it's basically impossible to explain the modern era of 1962. That particular sound only lasted to maybe the middle of 1963. By then we saw popular music go through an almost complete reformation with the Detroit rhythm and blues and the British music invasion which changed rock'n roll forever. So this Telstar recording existed right before that rock'n roll era of complete change. Telstar is a 1962 time capsule. That is what makes it and 1962 such a special place in pop music history.

[kmjac]

First heard this on a warm sunny day as a 7 year old little boy. I was on holidays at my grandparents home. I am now a grandparent myself, but each time i hear this melody I am transported back to a very happy time and place almost 60 years ago. Cherish every second of your life and love everyone who is in it, time goes by so very very and Love to all.

[barbaramorrison]

My mum is 84 and still gets up to dance to this 💃 whenever it's played in the radio 📻 she loved and danced to this tune back then and still does to this day, she had original 7" vinyl copy 💿 🎸 ❤

[mj]

This moment, on this day in March of 2025, is my first time hearing Telstar in over 60 years. Fascinating!

[annteve]

I used to crawl under the covers with my transistor radio at night and hope for this song to come on. 

[MrIveyIsBonkers]

This sounds like one of those tunes that can make someone who lived during this age look back and cry. The song just seems so nostalgia-ish and inspirational. 

[jacquelinemink]

My dad absolutely loved this song and played it all the time when we were young. So when he passed away and they asked what songs we wanted played at his funeral all 3 of us called out "telstar" and this was one of the 2 songs we chose. We know our dad would be thrilled to have this song played at his memorial we did it for him. He loved this song so much.

[barbaramorrison]

My mum is 84 and still gets up to dance to this 💃 whenever it's played in the radio 📻 she loved and danced to this tune back then and still does to this day, she had original 7" vinyl copy 💿 🎸 ❤ A fabulous music era long gone, but never forgotten

[williamteti]

1962. The year I got married. This song says it all ; everything going at top speed and my head spinning. Wish I could go back to those happy days.

[eddybrodersen]

I was 13 when this came out. It was an amazing, exciting, almost cosmic sound for its time !! Also just gave me a good feeling in a beautiful time to be alive !

[stewartsnape]

This has to be the best instrumental of all time, it was awesome in 62 and still will be in 2022, this was around the time colonel John Glenn went into orbit

[ralphmooreer]

This song is always a joy to hear. A truly timeless classic. It will never get old.

[donaldmorrow]

Most records get older with each listen.  The best records often don't age at all.  This one positively gets YOUNGER with each listen especially when you hear some of the hits being played today.  When I heard this on the radio here in the US for the first time, I thought I was in the capsule with John Glenn.  They could never play this one enough for me.   Say what you will about the life of its creator, Joe Meek, but this man was busy creating the genre EDM (Electronic Dance Music) when the Beatles were just getting around to writing "Love Me Do."  Rock music turned an important corner thanks to this record.  Who could ask for more?

[b.anders]

This is a hymn on human inventiveness and the opportunities that it brings us. It conveys uninhibited optimism and a believe in a bright and happy future for all as only was seen in the sixties. It gives me wings listening to it and at the same time makes me sad when I think where we stand now in the world.

[janhunt]

I was 15 when Telstar came out and have always loved it. A shame it isn't played more often on oldie stations. I remember riding with my bf in his convertible, top down and Telstar playing! Great Great memory of being a teenager in 1962!!!!

[joegongora]

Very great song indeed, "Who's still listening to this song in 11/20/2020". I was in the 1st grade in 1962 & 63 I'm 65 Yrs old. That's a time when music was great.