"Dickens" was a hit for Canadian group Leigh Ashford in 1971. It was a track from their Kinfolk album that was released that year.
Background The single which was composed by Gord Waszek and Buzz Shearman was backed with the nonsense song, "Lee Oompa Kum Pah Pah".45Cat - Leigh Ashford - Discography, CanadaCash Box, May 15, 1971 - Page 26 Leigh Ashford Inks RCA Pact It was from their 1971 Kinfolk album which was produced by Mort Ross and released on RCA LSP 4520, Revolver LSP-4520.citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Ashford, Leigh - Kinfolk45Cat - Leigh Ashford - Discography, Canada
"Dickens" came 3rd with 5.3 in the Maple Leaf System competition with Tom Northcott coming first with "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" at 6.3, results published in Billboard, January 2, 1971.Billboard, January 2, 1971 - International News Reports, Maple Leaf System Winner As reported in the Jan, 23 edition of RPM Weekly, RCA had faith in the single's potential and their promotion team were taking advantage of the current chart action with the intention of bolstering it. The team that was pushing it consisted of Ed Preston, Scott Richards and Johnny Murphy.RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No 23 January 23, 1971 - Page 2 RCA makes big push for Leigh Ashford
It was mentioned in the January 30, 1971 issue of Billboard that re-mixed and re-edited versions of "Dickens" were being sent to rock music stations.Billboard, January 30, 1971 - Page 53 International News, From The Music Capitals of the World TORONTO
Chart action By the 23rd of January, the single was doing well with some chart action across Canada.RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No 23 January 23, 1971 - Page 2 RCA makes big push for Leigh Ashford It was also at #68 on the RPM100 Singles chart.RPM Weekly, Volume 14 No 23 January 23, 1971 - Page 9 RPM100 SINGLES By February 6th, it was charting at CKOC.Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 68 Canada's Content Rule For Radio in 1st Week It eventually got to #27 in Canada.
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