RSD Essential 104 - The raw-yet-infectious 96 Tears, with its distinctive organ line was originally released on Pa-Go-Go Records in 1966, but quickly reissued by the more established Philadelphia-based label Cameo-Parkway Records. 96 Tears swept the airwaves, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 29, 1966, beating out The Monkees, Four Tops, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Sonny & Cher, The Beach Boys and many more. Rolling Stonewent on to name it one of the Greatest Songs of All Time. ? and The Mysterians' debut album, also titled 96 Tears, followed in October of ‘66 just as the single was crossing the one million sales mark. The LP, filled out with ten more originals—including the Top 40 hit “I Need Somebody”—plus a version of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday,” peaked at #66. For its 60th anniversary, 96 Tears has been reissued as a 2-LP set featuring an etched B-side on the second LP. This expanded edition includes six bonus tracks, highlighted by the previously unreleased “If You Need Me,” along with additional unreleased alternate and early takes of several songs from the original album.