U.S. number one by a British group. Up to that point, and since World War II, there had only been three British names that topped the U.S. chart: the first was "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" by Vera Lynn (1952); the second was "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" by Laurie London (1958); and the third was in May 1962 with "Stranger on the Shore" by clarinetist Acker Bilk. Track listing "Telstar" "Jungle Fever" Credits and personnel The Tornados Clem Cattini – drums Alan Caddy – lead guitar Roger LaVern – additional keyboards George Bellamy – rhythm guitar Heinz Burt – bass Other Joe Meek – composer, producer Geoff Goddard – clavioline (on both sides) plus wordless vocals in the final playing of the theme (also on both sides) Dave Adams – transcription of Meek's composition recording Charts Other uses The former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher named "Telstar" as one of her favourite pop songs. See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number-ones by British artists "Early Bird", 1965 instrumental named after Intelsat I Notes According to OCC it is the second instrumental number one of 1962 in the UK, the first being "Wonderful Land" by The Shadows which was No 1 for more weeks than any other single that year (eight). References External links Roger LaVern: The Recording Of The Worldwide Hit "Telstar" 1962 singles UK Singles Chart number-one singles Decca Records singles London Records singles Mercury Records singles Number-one singles in Belgium Irish Singles Chart number-one singles Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles Cashbox number-one singles The Tornados songs Song recordings produced by Joe Meek Margie Singleton songs 1962 songs Songs involved in plagiarism controversies 1960s instrumentals Pop instrumentals