Ray Brown & The Whispers - In The Midnight Hour (1965)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
Australia
#2 Sydney #4 Melbourne #1 Brisbane #4 Adelaide #6 Perth

Chart-topping Sydney band that originated in the surf music scene as The Nocturnes. After acquiring Ray Brown as their lead singer, they went on to become one of the most popular Australian bands of the British Invasion era.

Double-sided hit in Brisbane with Now Is The Time.

Further reading: Ray Brown history at Milesago.

Disambiguation: 1. This is not Ray Brown, the American jazz bassist (1926-2002). 2. These Whispers are not the American R&B vocal group formed in 1964.

Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour (1965)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
USA
Original version
#21 USA #12 UK

Single on Atlantic #2289, recorded at Stax, Memphis by major 60s soul artist with a gospel and R&B background, nicknamed ‘The Wicked Pickett’.

Wilson Pickett (1941-2006) sang in Detroit vocal groups The Violinaires and The Falcons and released some solo singles on minor labels in the early 60s before signing to Atlantic in 1964. He had sixteen records on the Billboard Top 40 1965-1972, including Land Of 1000 Dances (1966, #6) and Funky Broadway (1967, #8).

Other versions: See In The Midnight Hour at Cover.info where numerous versions are listed.

Further reading: 1. Wilson Pickett at Wikipedia. 2. The Falcons and Wilson Pickett at SoulWalking. 3. Wilson Pickett at Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Cross Country - In The Midnight Hour (1973)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
USA
Later version
#30 USA #47 Sydney #34 Brisbane #14 Perth

Cross Country were Jay Siegel, Mitch Margo, and Phil Margo of The Tokens (The Lion Sleeps Tonight). See also It’s A Happening World by The Executives.

See The Tokens Page.

Jeff St John & The Id - In The Midnight Hour (1967)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
Australia
Later version

On the 1967 album Big Time Operators, on Spin, also on the EP Big Time Operator (1967).

See The Id’s hit song Big Time Operator. See also Jeff St John & Copperwine.

Thanks to Terry Stacey for version alert.

Little Mac & The Boss Sounds - In The Midnight Hour (1965)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
USA

Instrumental single on Atlantic. Ann Mason’s You Can’t Love Me (In The Midnight Hour) was on the other side (below).

Ann Mason & Little Mac & The Boss Sounds - You Can’t Love Me (In The Midnight Hour) (1965)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
USA

Single on Atlantic, the other side of the Little Mac & The Boss Sounds single (above).

Chris Farlowe - In The Midnight Hour (1965)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
UK

On EP on Immediate Farlowe In The Midnight Hour (the label's first EP, #IMEP 001).

Given the Australian tendency to keep one eye on the British scene at this time, this could even be an influential version. The EP was a #6 best-seller in the UK, according to 45-rpm.org.uk.

Thanks to Terry Stacey.

The Mirettes - In The Midnight Hour (1967)

(Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett)
USA
Later version

Single on Revue by three former Ikettes who included Venetta Fields, renowned backing singer now resident in Australia where she has worked with many local artists, notably John Farnham. The single had some regional chart success in the US and the track was also on the Mirettes’ album In The Midnight Hour.

References: 1. Mirettes at All Music. 2. Venetta Fields entry at Wikipedia.

Version alert from Terry Stacey.