The Unlikely Success of 'Abraham, Martin, and John'

1968 was a pivotal year in American history, marked by significant social change and civil unrest. Amidst these turbulent times came the unexpected hit 'Abraham, Martin, and John,' a song that resonated deeply with the public and explored the tragic assassinations of key American leaders.

Tragic Assassinations and Social Change

That year saw the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, in April, followed by the untimely death of Robert F. Kennedy in Los Angeles just two months later. These events inspired the song 'Abraham, Martin, and John,' which celebrated the lives and legacies of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy, all of whom were tragically cut down by assassins.

The Song's Surprise Creators and Catchy Lyrics

The song was surprising in both its creators and its lyrics. Songwriter Dick Holler, known for his rockabilly hits and his novelty song 'Snoopy vs. the Red Baron,' poured his grief into a poignant tribute. The lyrics were simple yet powerful, expressing a sense of loss:

Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
You know I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend John
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and men?
We'll be free
Some day soon, it's gonna be one day

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walking up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin, and John

An Unexpected Hit from an Unlikely Artist

The singing star who first turned the song into a hit was Dion DiMucci, a Bronx native and one-time American rock and roll sensation. After a period of struggle and recovery from a heroin addiction, DiMucci shifted his musical style to more mature and contemplative tones. Despite his unconventional choice of song and style, the public responded enthusiastically, catapulting 'Abraham, Martin, and John' to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 in Canada.

Further Success and Enduring Impact

The success of 'Abraham, Martin, and John' didn't end there. Less than a year later, at the age of 75, Moms Mabley, America's first openly gay celebrity and a comedian-actress, recorded and released her version of the song. Her performance peaked at number 35, making her the oldest living person to have a top 40 hit in the United States, a record that still stands over 50 years later.

Other artists also recorded the song, including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, who had a top 40 hit with their version in 1969, and Marvin Gaye, who released an orchestral version that reached number 9 in the UK but was not released in the USA. Tom Clay, an American disc jockey, further popularized the song with a powerful medley in 1971, featuring Jackie DeShannon's hit 'What the World Needs Now is Love' and a combination of speeches and soundbites from key historical figures. This medley helped the song return to the top ten, peaking at number 8 in the USA.

Through these various versions and interpretations, it became clear that the public was deeply moved by the song's message of social change and the sense of loss experienced during a tumultuous period in American history. 'Abraham, Martin, and John' remains a powerful musical tribute to the leaders who were lost and the vision they stood for.