English rock band The Yardbirds have a rather short tenure on the US charts given their tremendous influence. The band was also the early stomping grounds where superstars like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page honed their craft. The Yardbirds got off to a promising start in the US in 1965 as "For Your Love" and "Heart Full Of Soul" soared to #6 and #9, respectively. They'd follow these babies up with other classics like "I'm A Man," which hit #17, and "Shapes Of Things," which hit #11 and became a R&R Hall of Famer. The group would achieve two more Top 40 entries in 1966 with "Over Under Sideways Down" (#13) and "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (#30). After several personnel changes, the group would break up in 1968. Members found other successful projects or solo work. Jimmy Page formed The New Yardbirds, which grew into Led Zeppelin. Sadly, lead singer and harmonica player Keith Relf died in 1976 at the age of 33 after suffering a massive electric shock while playing guitar. "I Ain't Done Wrong" did not chart, but showcases the raw energy of a bold new band aiming to reform rock and roll. The song builds into a fierce climax that foreshadows the heavier edge that Led Zeppelin would later bring to the table.
Vanilla Fudge was a psychedelic jam band largely known as a one-hit wonder thanks to their version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On," which peaked at #6 in 1968. The year before, it stalled at #67. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" has gotten a lot of chart mileage. Originally taken to the top spot by The Supremes in 1966, the song also cracked the Top 100 when covered by Wilson Pickett in 1969 and Jackie DeShannon in 1970 (as a medley). But it would be Kim Wilde who delivered it back to #1 in 1987. Some members of Vanilla Fudge were also in the backing bands of artists like Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart. The only other Top 40 entry the band scored was "Take Me For A Little While," which underperformed at #38 in 1968. The band's final chart appearance would come the next year when "Shotgun" reached #68.
