He Had 1 of the BIGGEST HITS EVER…and NOBODY Knew His TRUE IDENTITY for Decades! | Professor of Rock

Today’s featured artist is one of the most mysterious frontmen you could ever meet. Legally changing his name to a symbol and he did it before Prince! He claimed to be a time traveler from another planet… And he also says that he’s lived a past life on prehistoric Earth, back when the dinosaurs were roaming around. So I guess it’s no surprise that the name of his band came from a cult classic 1950s Japanese science fiction film featuring aliens in capes. It’s one of the biggest one-hit wonders ever… Question Mark and the Mysterians with the 1966 classic 96 Tears. Lead singer Question Mark was always hidden behind dark sunglasses, he led his band out of nowhere to the top of the charts with one of the most unexpected songs of the rock era… Paving the way for an army of garage rockers ever after and even inspiring the phrase punk rock… This #1 hit has an inescapable organ riff that defined an era. No one knew who the singer really was for decades… Let's try to find out next on Professor of Rock.
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#classicrock #60smusic #vinylstory #onehitwonder
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember running around the house playing laser tag or photon. You’ll dig this channel of deep musical nostalgia. Make sure to subscribe below right now. Also, check out our patron.
It’s time for another edition of our series Bottled Lightening where we celebrate a song or album that was king for a day. Here we honor artists and bands and that rocketed up the charts… but for reasons unknown weren’t able to sustain that success. Called by some one-hit wonders, we celebrate them instead as lightning in a bottle. On previous episodes, we have covered In a Gadda Davida by Iron Butterfly, Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock, and Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum.
For today’s episode, we’re headed back to a simpler time to experience. a bottled lightning moment that had a hit song at its center. And I don’t think anyone saw coming. It’s a hit with a hidden meaning that the song’s writer refuses to reveal and in fact, no one knew who the singer was because he didn’t have a name… He claimed to be a time traveler. He and his band were known as… from Question Mark And the Mysterians’ and the classic song was called 96 Tears. So I gotta be upfront with you on this one. There’s some strange and at times contradictory stories swirling around this band and this song. Some of which are completely intentional. Mystery was the name of the game for these. But we’re going to do our best here to sort it out. So who were they?
Originally formed in Saginaw, Michigan in 1962, the founding members of Question Mark and the Mysterians consisted of bassist Larry Borjas, guitarist Bobby Balderrama, and drummer Robert Martinez. They were a young group and first started playing together at Larry’s house in Saginaw in 1962. Brought together by their love of rock and roll, the trio jammed together for over a year before getting their first gig at a local Greek Orthodox Church. Needing a singer to take the band to the next level, Robert suggested his strange older brother… whose name I’ll keep confidential for now… We’ll just call him Question Mark. By the end of the story, we’ll try to find out his real identity. Who knows

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the strangest song of the rock era?

[@RBS_]

"...Ive got a LOVELY bunch of......" .....finish it how you may! ....ha-HAA!

[@catherine6653]

Rock Lobster- B52s. It's strange and I love it. 🦞

[@Ganja-jh6iy]

In a gadda David a

[@Lam_3-22-23]

AEIOU and Sometimes Y- Ebn Ozn Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm- Crash Test Dummies

[@freezer8530]

I'll nominate ... "Angie Baby" by Helen Reddy (written by Alan O'Day).

[@andywomack3414]

I'm 75 and this makes me want to cry. I want to go back. I want to do it again.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

I am a generation before you and want to go back. EDIT: Well actually after you being 62 but still I can't imagine not being raised on all this great music that was inspired by greatness as well as inspired greatness. I also want a do over. Can't they figure out a way?

[@653j521]

@@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306 It's called youtube.

[@dennistrull1475]

​@@whichgodofthousandsmeansno530665 here. Agreed

[@kyhi9645]

face mortality like a man

[@edryba4867]

This is the ONE special effect those Imagineer guys will most likely NEVER be able to sell you (on your completely over-priced Disney park pass). It sure would be great to be able to go back to 1964 or so, and enjoy a time-compressed version of all the highlights (which YOU would be able to choose!) between then and now, wouldn’t it?

[@microzap]

I'm 72 years old, and 96Tears has been a favorite since it first came out. The opening organ riff has been the ring tone on my phone for years.

[@andywomack3414]

I wish I could go back in time and do it again. The hell with our parents. We were the greatest generation.

[@strickly60s45]

Hi Microzap, Ditto at my end too. I'm from way up in Toronto..and I'm also 72 and "96 Tears" was A Very Memorable Song For Me Too. Great Ring-Tone Idea. Thanks

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

@@andywomack3414 If they ever invent a time machine sign me up.

[@653j521]

@@andywomack3414 I'm sure that makes them so proud for having raised you to this high plane of immaturity.

[@CarolShook-yg9nn]

I remember listening to the song as a younger child. I just loved it and still do ❤

[@DrWaites]

My dad had his own legend about this band. It didn't matter that it changed every time he told the story, which was every time this song came on the radio on our road trips. Dad passed away last month. I would've liked to have shared the real story in this video with him. Thank you so much for these videos - it's like keeping him here with me.

[@CowGirlKat8691]

So sorry for your loss

[@magpieone9390]

My condolences .😢💔🙏

[@cjgia4898]

I'm sorry. My condolences to you and all who knew him.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Sorry for your loss.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Hugs. 🫂

[@googlamonster5086]

96 Tears is on my top played songs to go on walks. That organ and bass together are catchy as hell. I just love it. It tickles my groove. I'm 70, so I was loving all those songs by the Stones, Beatles, Mamas & Papas, Simon and Garfunkle real time. Such great music!!!

[@23Robusto]

96 Tears. Still on my playlist. That organ sound is just memorizing.

[@scottburton9701]

"96 Tears" is an all-time classic,no doubt about it!

[@jeffrobodine8579]

A staple in the Stephen King movie Cat's Eye.

[@chrisbraswell8864]

My Sister played that song over and over and over in about 66, we had the Album and I personally threw it away in 1990 for no particular reason.

[@motownrockerusa]

Rudy Martinez aka ? is a friend of mine. He just performed a show here in Detroit a couple 💏 weeks ago. He still has it! 😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

Can you get me an interview? Would love to talk to him! my email is the [e-mail] Thanks!

[@jamesredman1263]

Cool!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

How often do you see him?

[@motownrockerusa]

​@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980Not very often. He lives up north and pretty much has retired. Due to health reasons.. Although he will agree to a show here and there. His touring days are done..

[@mangrove]

"Up North" is such a Michigan thing to say, and honestly, it can mean any number of places. When I was growing up in Warren (8 Mile & Ryan), we spent weekends up north near the tip of the Thumb area. Later on, we moved near Traverse City, which was more up north @@motownrockerusa

[@gilbertcortez6472]

Kudos to you on a well researched segment on question mark and the mysterians. I knew Rudy before he became question mark. My friends and I used to follow the band all around Saginaw and Bay City back in’65 and’66. Drummer Eddie Serrato was my cousin. Fun times. A great time to be a teenager.

[@Jreb1865]

How cool is that..😮

[@beebuzz959]

Lucky! Great story, too! Do you know if Rudy had the story of being born elsewhere and his past lives before the band?

[@gilbertcortez6472]

@@beebuzz959I don’t know for sure when Question Mark started those strange stories. Probably after he and the band hit it big.

[@victorianoreyes3642]

My dad went to school with Rudy

[@UberLummox]

Thanks for sharing!

[@hoopiedoo]

I was so honour3d to have Question Mark and the Mysterians to play at our Wyandotte Art Fair nearly 20 years ago. He lives in a town where my family settled in the early 1800s to raise chickens. He still could shake it on stage in his 60s, then despite some real personal tragedies where he had lost his home to fire. Thanks for sharing. Just love that song.

[@BrockSampsonNA]

KCKS?

[@sharonsocoloski5485]

I love the song 96 tears! I actually have the 45! I'm 67 and grew up with all kinds of music.

[@le_th_]

The lyrics are horrific! It's essentially a song about a man who DUPES a female into taking him back for the sole purpose of destroying her emotionally by pretending to want her back so badly only to kick her to the curb and leave her devastated. If these are your favorite type of lyrics, you'd have to be a very disturbed human being. These are the lyrics of an extremely distrubed, pathological individual who enjoys the power of intentionally destroying others: a sociopath.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Lemme say, you have such good taste.

[@sharonsocoloski5485]

@@le_th_ Chill Out! It's a song!

[@joedomingos8486]

Plm

[@garyphisher7375]

Can you recommend any hidden/forgotten songs from that era?

[@dirtywaterpj_dj]

When I was involved in a show they played in the UK in 1998, he was having people refer to him as “Q”. His brother accompanied the band and was the main contact for the organising of the show. His brother said it was a tough job because he needed to get “Q” a passport. That meant him taking off his sunglasses for the photo and allowing his real name to be written in the form. His brother claimed that even he hadn’t seen him without sunglasses in more than 25 years.

[@dennisgreene5055]

in the top 100 for sure... never gets old,,,, still love to hear it after all these years,,,, I'm 78 and need these oldies as much as oxygen

[@ProfessorofRock]

THanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Rock on 🤘

[@hallacar]

These guys were kind of a staple in the Midland/Saginaw/Bay City fair and festival circuit for decades. I think the last time I saw them in the 20-teens. They were always a fun crowd draw. How cool to see you do a show about them. You are the best, sir.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Really? That's so COOL! Thanks for sharing!

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Damn I'm jealous, I always support local bands and hope many of them hit the top. How cool is it you actually saw a band that came from your hometown to hit. #1 . That is so cool

[@hallacar]

@@MyName-pl7zn Well I saw them quite a while after, but I like the fact they returned to their roots to help support locally. I can't say I recall Madonna ever coming back to Bay City to do anything like that.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding!@@MyName-pl7zn

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!@@hallacar

[@terryem4052]

I was born in Michigan in 1966 and I remember having the 45 on my dad's juke box at his restaurant, and I remember seeing them at a fair when I was about 11 years old. We had so many of these songs that you cover in your series I really appreciate your channel and I hope you keep up the great work!

[@johnnyxmusic]

We picked up a good few 45s from the jukebox in our family restaurant, which was in Mt. Vernon, New York. I have “Speak to the Sky” by Rick Springfield, among others.

[@rgs8970]

This video sent me down the rabbit hole of the Billboard Top 100 of 1966! I never realized how many of the oldies I loved growing up were all from that year! Hard to pick favorites, but "Reach Out I'll Be There" by Four Tops, "Wipe Out" by the Surfaris, "Summer In The City" by the Lovin' Spoonful, and "Hanky Panky" by Tommy James and the Shondells were all hits the same year!

[@ProfessorofRock]

So many great songs that year!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Such a fantastic year for music. It does not get any better than The Sound of Silence and Good Vibrations

[@damienrobertson1593]

66 was the year my favorite Stones album(s), AFTERMATH, were released! 66 was an amazing year in music far beyond that!

[@clydekimsey7503]

1965 and 1966 are my 2 favorite years

[@dalehood1846]

@ProferssorofRock,. I heard, possibly in an interview with Tommy James, that Tommy was 16 years old when he sang Hanky Panky. ??????

[@allenhonaker4107]

The simple organ riff made this song. It was a unique sound

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s one of the main reasons why people remember this song.

[@James_St._James]

The only song similar to it that I can think of is "Double Shot of My Baby's Love" by The Swingin' Medallions.

[@lynnestamey7272]

It's a really good hook . Unmistakable sound. Immediately identifiable! I'm happy to be a boomer, alive and dancing in the 60s, 70s. I remember the parties in basements back in the 60s. Music was so much better then. The musicians were REALLY musicians and it was all so fresh.

[@thadmatson4754]

@@James_St._James both of these songs were used by the Residents to great effect. Great call.

[@bdi11000]

at the local carnaval and this song!

[@alanapril4643]

In the summer of 1985, when I was 16, I went searching for the 45 that had 96 tears on it. I ended up finding it at a classical record store near the pizza joint where I first heard the song. I thought it was the coolest song I ever heard and went to every record store looking for this classical masterpiece.

[@Dave-lq2le]

96 Tears was a MONSTER hit back then! Didn't know he was a time traveler. I do remember LSD was pretty popular back then!😂😂😂 😎👍

[@mitchellbaker9434]

Merely a coincidence, I'd say.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding. Ha ha!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Maybe!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I know Carlos Santana was on LSD when he played at Woodstock.

[@Dave-lq2le]

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I'm sure others were too! 😎👍

[@BeSmarterFaster]

I was 14 when this song hit the airwaves in NJ. As an organist myself, who played both a Vox and a Farfisa, I have always loved this number. You revealed details about this song that were completely new to me. Thank you.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Just about everyone knows the organ riff!

[@rockystarland6051]

Yup… it was really weird how this song to be so popular yet it was basically 2 chords and changed to 1 chord for the bridge (“And when the sun goes down… 🎶) Guess there is some truth about simple is best 😂

[@BeSmarterFaster]

@@rockystarland6051 Many super popular songs are just a few chords. Proud Mary stays on one chord for a very long time. Nearly all of Santana's first album was mostly 2 chord songs. Tons of blues numbers are just 1-4-5 progressions.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

I was 14 too.

[@DJarry394]

Maybe you can cover The Monks, the most influential group nobody ever heard of (except for artists who liked avant-garde music)

[@danporath8258]

A few years back had business with Bobby Balerama in Bay City. In his living room he had guitars and posters of shows. I didn't recognize his name but asked if he was a mysterian. He gave me 2 CD's of his current work. My older sister in law used to watch them in the garage as kids.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

She was right there!

[@WilliamEdmondson258]

This was a great song. Growing up during the 60's there was so much good music.

[@christineml1476]

It's brilliant marketing before we knew what it was. Create something odd, catchy and listeners will talk about it for decades. Brilliant!

[@ProfessorofRock]

He was and is brilliant. Good point Christine!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

People will want to know who you are!

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I had no idea Creem magazine's Marsh coined the term "punk rock" ,so fitting. I love these stories of a real rag tag group of garage bands creating a raw sound without much production but a great simple groove and solid lyrics hitting it big. The dude even changed his name to ? Love it. What a crazy underdog story! The ultimate garage band song? Maybe. Great episode professor the music scene was insane during the 60s.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks my Name!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Apparently, the term punk rock has been around since as far back as 1970.

[@lauraturner4216]

Well said! It was a crazy time indeed

[@Joseph-ax999]

I loved Creem magazine. It was the best. The writers and editors loved the music but treated the artists with total disdain. Figuring that they were all swell heads, which was probably true.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@Joseph-ax999 agree, I always thought Robert Christgau was the harshest on many of the band and albums I loved

[@hariatmakhalsa1648]

Even when 96 Tears came out, not many people thought the song was strange (but maybe the band was). Strangest song(s) "They're Coming to Take me Away" or "Surfing' Bird"

[@witsend236]

Spirit in the sky by Norman Greenbaum was the first single I ever bought. I remember pocket money was hard to come by back in the day but it never stopped me getting involved in music. Never regretted the purchase or the many I have made since. Music is great and well worth wasting your money on.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I met Norman last summer! Great guy. THat's so cool!

[@ShelleybutyoucancallmeShell]

Saving our money to buy cassettes, albums all those years ago was a very wise decision. It helped prevent the wasting of money on cigarettes and alcohol (or drugs!). Music was a much better way to go.🙂

[@jamesredman1263]

Greenbaum's album was one of my indulgences from a part-time job in my junior year of high school. I found the quirky musical treatment of Spirit in the Sky engaging.

[@matthewronson5218]

Books and music are two investments that can pay dividends over a lifetime (even when you have to buy new ones after wearing the old discs or tapes out & replacing them, with returns that extend well beyond their cost(s). Books for knowledge and entertainment, music for mental floss and hygiene :). This means that you must buy books on music. Just ask the Professor how that worked for him.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Spirit in the Sky is an eternal classic.

[@catserver8577]

Yay! This song holds up so well today. So far ahead of the time!

[@skiptrailer7048]

best tune ever

[@rockyruane9379]

One of the greatest songs ever recorded

[@andrewfurst5711]

I knew most of this story, but once again "The Professor" nailed it - and added a lot that I didn't know. "Professor" Adam not only has a great, well-timed and interesting delivery of these stories, but his research is always spot-on. I've watched a lot of these videos, and I've never seen Adam get anything wrong, unlike a lot of other so-called reporters. Thanks for this video and so many others.

[@Milehighssc5280]

Being much younger than most people that watch these videos, I had no idea the backstory behind this band and the song. Thank you so much for sharing the story!

[@zangzang1268]

If you like this stuff - try "Nobody" by the Human Beinz - same era and basic vibe. Also give a listen to "Heart Full of Soul" by The Yardbirds. While you're looking around check out "Them" and "The Animals". Gloria by Them rips ass - Van Morrison in his early days before going solo.

[@ItsSusieQue96]

This is not the back story-sorry but the professor failed the exam on this one. I’m Que’s publicist and rin the fan club on Facebook -who does a story on a still performing artist without talking to thd artist, his manager or his publicist???

[@Milehighssc5280]

@@ItsSusieQue96 then contact him and get the story straight. He doesn't hide his contact info and welcomes the truth and interviews!!!

[@flamencoprof]

I can tell you this made it to No. 7 on 03 Nov. 1966 in New Zealand. I know because I have 9 sheets of yellowing lined school pad paper listing in pencil the charts of each week from the 15th of September through to the 10th of November, 1966. What a nerdy little geek I was!

[@mrbniederer]

? and the Mysterians 96 Tears were officially named the rock song of Bay City in a ceremony at a restaurant named City Hall. They played at the event - all the original band members except the drummer. His son played in his place using his dad’s drum set. The song and album were recorded in a basement studio in Bay City’s south end. Bobby Balderama fronts a blues/rock band and this past summer he came onstage with Larry McCray and they jammed on Soulshine. A good time was had by all.

[@markmaciag235]

I think it was recorded on Raymond St. on the West Side. I’m a 65 y/o Southender.

[@mrbniederer]

Yes you’re correct. Not in the Polish south end. The Mexican/Latino neighborhoods are north of that. I had a friend named Steve Alvarado who knew where the house was located and grew up with some of ?’s brothers. He lived on Madison south of Columbus so I guess I always think of that as the south end.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s so cool! Is the recording studio still there, or was it turned into another establishment?

[@James_St._James]

@@markmaciag235 Wow. That's incredible. I was just living on Raymond Street in Bay City in September and October. 96 Tears has been my favorite song since I was a teenager. I knew they were from Bay City, but I had no idea I was living on the same road the song was recorded. I was just a couple blocks away from Salzburg and Euclid. Apparently The Mysterians sans Question Mark played in Bay City in August right before I got there.

[@James_St._James]

@@mrbniederer I'm guessing you are from there. Bay City is a cool little town. I was living on Raymond Street just last month. Just about every house in the area is very well maintained. However, the residential roads are absolutely beat to hell. Giant potholes everywhere. And if you are a pot smoker, no place better than Bay City. 36 dispensaries. I'm in Jersey now and it's 10 times more expensive than in Bay City.

[@karmab4391]

I do not have a lot of memories of 96 Tears besides recognizing its uniqueness. Still, one of the things I love about this channel is the question of the day makes me think about songs I have not listened to in a while so I immediately go rock out to them. Good times.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching! Any requests?

[@karmab4391]

I would to hear the story behind Hear N' Aid and the song "Stars"@@ProfessorofRock

[@verdinox4548]

This is one of the best channels on all of KZbin. Thanks for the amazingly wonderful content, Professor! 🎶❤️🎵

[@darelvanderhoof6176]

I saw them play at Edgewater Park in a pavilion, near the Detroit area, back in the late 60's, maybe 66 or 67. They played 96 tears and it sounded just like the record on the radio. I was about 10 years old, and the amusement park was great, it had all the carnival rides you would ever want. Its gone now.

[@kennethheying7845]

I love this song. Early, simple and enjoyable.

[@briandawson1082]

I don't care for all of the songs that you feature, but I love how you tell the stories behind them. Professor, You Rock!

[@oldschoolfunkster1]

One of my favorite songs of my youth. Actually probably one of my first rock songs I ever loved. Every time I hear this song it takes me to that time. And it STILL sounds great!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s an incredible song. Has aged remarkably well.

[@seeingsights]

This is an incredible story. Great job, Professor of Rock!

[@robertprice9052]

I loved Question Mark! I met him in an airport thirty years ago. Very nice guy.

[@esspyarrow8772]

This is my ringtone. In the late 90's I wrote to them and he wrote back in a the sweetest way possible.

[@robertcrawford52]

Great show! Love it when you cover the older classics! :) Keep up the great work!

[@aluminumshapingobsession2814]

Adam, can’t get enough of your stuff. Thanks for being so creative!!!

[@terrystewart2034]

I guessed the group and song immediately. I was the lead singer in a Fort Lauderdale rock band (The Noblemen) back in the mid-late 60s. We performed that song.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Do you have any videos on KZbin of the band?

[@raythackston1960]

Back in the mid 80's our keyboard player ask us to play the song because he loved it. We knew the song and didn't hate it but thought it would flop live. But our first night playing it...the dance floor was flooded by the crowd. And we kept it till we slit up. It lead us to play more songs from the 60's and people loved it. We played everything from John Prine, Hank snow, Hank Williams Sr., with modern country, all the way to Ozzy, Judas Priest, and Led Zepplin and more. There was not much we could not nor did not play. Great times.

[@TheTwangKings]

Mystery, space and strangeness were very hip in the mid 60s. Garage bands and TV shows capitalized on it.

[@kraigpeterson3667]

I never knew who sang this! Thank you so much for posting this. You truly are the Professor of Rock! Rock on brother!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching Kraig!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

The Stranglers cover of 96 Tears is one of their best songs in a run of UK hits in the eighties. Great interpretation by the men in black.

[@stephenbrown4211]

Never been a fan of them but that’s a great cover

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good call!

[@ProfessorofRock]

!

[@DebbieTDP]

​@@stephenbrown4211it's sad not to love the Stranglers 😢

[@herseem]

Am a big Stranglers fan and seen them live a few times (and chatted with Hugh Cornwell after a solo gig), but the album '10' had very poor audio quality. Not sure exactly what they'd done to the sound, maybe they'd mastered it on a potato or something, but it sounds very poor.

[@jimmcclellan8891]

You read my mind Professor! This song and video is addictive. Simple beat, so very entertaining. Was hoping you’d cover this.

[@paul6925]

What a great year for music. So many of my favourites from the 60s

[@bensfisher6065]

I just learned more about this Band,,,More than I did before,,, thanks P.O.F... KEEP ROCKING 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@danmac1871]

3 chords….love it. This was a great episode. Loved it. The world a strange place.

[@ericcrawford3453]

Thanks Professor for this salute to maybe the greatest one hit wonder, eight there with Red Bone's Come & Get Your Love!! You rock Professor! T.C.B. 🤟⚡

[@lawrenceklein3524]

Growing up in Tucson and having many Hispanic friends, we claimed these guys as "Our Own"! Of course it didn't hurt having a cousin in Detroit who also shared the same taste in music!

[@mariskacandice890]

I need to amend and apologize for my previous comments. I love 96 Tears! Always have. But I always thought ? was just part of the band name. I never put it together that the singer changed his name to that or thought to look up the band members. Please accept my apologies as I had a bad week with my depression. Professor of Rock please don’t ever stop with the best and most fascinating channel on KZbin!

[@alicejean4879]

Excellent video! My most fondest memories of this song is when my brothers got together with cousins and neighborhood friends to sing Temptations songs and copy their steps, lol Motown music brought good times to sooo many households and neighborhoods!❤

[@GBURGE55]

I've been into 60's music since I was about 10 years old (1974) & hadn't heard this song until the mid '80's when it was played on the radio. I found & bought via a mail order company a classic re issue 7" single of it. Obviously now have a downloaded copy too. This is one of the best most hypnotic tracks I've EVER heard. All time classic.

[@rickpawl]

This song was also featured in the 1985 movie Cat’s Eye, a collection of three stories by Stephen King, where James Wood’s wife is made to hop around on an electrified floor because her husband snuck a cigarette. Also starring Drew Barrymore. Thank you so much for these great back stories to some great music.

[@calvinbealer7264]

Great 😃👍 Song from the Fall 🍁🍁🍁 of 1966. Thank You Professor and Happy Holidays.

[@feegureeetout]

Always get thank yous when i karaoke this classic. Instantly recognizable. The hallmark feature of great songs.

[@johntiggleman4686]

A great garage band song. There were so many out there, and they deserve reviews.

[@christopherjohnson2171]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail I knew what this was going to be about. Great idea for a video!

[@-.Steven]

What a great deep-dive into Rock and or Roll! Love it! ❤ I recall this song being in the Stephen King movie, The Cats Eye. Great movie, as I recall, and a great 60's song! Thanks Professor! This is a Gem! 💎

[@gdsbmf]

This has been my favorite song since at least 1990. At the time, it was out of print. That really added to the mystery of the song. Fast forward to now, thanks to ebay, I have 2 cd copies and several vinyl copies of this song. When I moved to Bloomington, Indiana in the fall of '97, this was this first show I saw in town at the Bluebird. I still have the flyer somewhere. Something about that organ. The sound just gets under your skin. I've loved it for years.

[@johndoiron9615]

This is so cool! I love this song, and the story behind it.

[@SiobhanSibealFernweh]

Another great song that withstands the test of time. Just great music.

[@ponzo1967]

I remember my foster sister playing this on piano which was funny because she played gospel music exclusively. I said "isn't that 96 tears? and she stumbled to find the words "I don't know!" .... Yes you do! Lol

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Ha!

[@thomasallen3818]

I recently played 96 Tears on keyboard for my grandson. One of the first songs I learned to play in the mid ‘60’s. My first keyboard was a Vox Continental, but sold it to buy a Yamaha YC-10 combo organ.

[@yuothineyesasian]

96 Tears. Great tune.

[@hugoxavierbastidas8630]

Great back history about one of my favorite songs of my youth.

[@michaellavery4899]

Any time our paths cross, you always speak of something worthwhile. Great job.

[@Exotic3000]

A great video. I remember this song getting tons of airplay in Southern Ontario…… right up until 1971.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Huh. Why’d it stop there?

[@johnbrierley7579]

Definitely one in my top 10 of 60's garage. It never gets old and it's always fun. I was 9 years old when it hit and I remember those times every time I hear it. It was a great time to be a kid.

[@robgronotte1]

I saw ? and the Mysterians in concert on their reunion tour around 1998 or so, they were great. At the time I heard a story about how when they flew to Europe, QM was told he had to remove his sunglasses for identification. His brother said that was the first time he had seen QM without his sunglasses on for 20 years or so.

[@KarenOrr-ed8vb]

I just wonder if his eyes are not totally ruined wearing sunglasses all the time!

[@mrsp2115]

In the summer of 1966 in Southeast Michigan 96 Tears was BIG and was played frequently on the radio. My driver's training teacher let me play it a full blast while driving!

[@ritchhine6255]

Great song. Great story i would tell on the radio back in the day.. I remember learning the keyboard riff for my cover-band. Once i figured it out we included the song in almost every set because it was so popular. Thanks for this video.👌✌️🙏

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

What was your band’s name?

[@ritchhine6255]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 The RH Factor

[@catherine6653]

I like this song. I have it on my fabulous oldies playlist. The B52s like it too. They mention this song in their song Deadbeat Club. The jukebox plays real loud 96 Tears.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Oh yes, I love Deadbeat Club.

[@catherine6653]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Me too 😊

[@GeraldM_inNC]

You can hear its influence all over their style, especially "Planet Claire". Evidently on his style of dancing too

[@pugil1sttheboxingforce940]

Great stuff, Adam, as always. My oldest brother had the 45 of 96 Tears--as well as D.O.A. by Blood rock and so many others.

[@melamspacher5755]

Thank You !! This is the most fun I've had listening to You !!😂😂😂

[@ErikSamys]

Thank you for this, Adam. I always wondered about this band. Now I know😁

[@ProfessorofRock]

Happy to help! Thanks Erik!

[@jamesredman1263]

I had forgotten the whole Mysterians thing and had it in my head that it was a Stones tune. Thank you for "three chords and the truth"! Garage band makes a massive hit.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

One punk band has a song called "3 chords and an eff you"

[@michaelmusson3593]

don't feel bad I thought it was the Amimals

[@donniemoyer9261]

wowzer! I remember seeing ? and the Mysterians on bandstand with his sun glasses on and like you said, nobody knew his name..that song and the whole 1st Lp has always been one of my favorites..thanks, I'll be checking you out..

[@noglobalists]

I was once a Mysterian. It was in 1974 or '75 that Question Mark attempted a comeback that ended in disaster. I somehow landed the keyboard part from a chance encounter with other band members outside a liquor store in Canoga Park. We rehearsed in a room of a derelict motel (that I assume Q - as we came to know him - owned) in Saugus. Q never rehearsed with us. I think I saw him once before the gig, which was held at the Glass-blower's Union Hall in Saugus. I came with my band, performing before Question Mark's big entrance, until some jerk found the circuit breaker panel and turned off the power to the entire hall for a few minutes. When the power came back on there was a considerable delay (consumed by long chords on the Arp string ensemble) before the start of 96 Tears because I forgot that my Hammond B3 (not a Vox Continental) needed to be restarted after the power-down. This threw Q into a panic, and the rowdy crowd wasn't very receptive to him, anyway. He entered the stage wearing an orange jumpsuit with an oval cut out of the middle, with a "Q" glittered to his torso. The crowd was jeering. It was rather embarrassing. Q was in tears - 96 of them.

[@steveelder5306]

this song featured heavily on many levels in Stephen Kings book Hearts In Atlantis. and its indeed one of the memorable his from that era. I love it! thanks Professor!

[@starrywizdom]

I've always loved 96 Tears, but I'm not the only one. "I'm a human fly and I don't know why/ I got 96 tears and 96 eyes" -- Human Fly, the Cramps. "Going down to Allen's for a twenty-five cent beer/ And the jukebox playing real loud, 96 Tears" -- Deadbeat Club, the B52s. The vivid image is of a sort of psychedelic hierarchical structure upon which people travel up & down, occasionally meeting up when their paths cross. Whoever is at the bottom is perpetually crying 96 tears, while whoever is at the top shows what kind of person they are by whether on not they wave to those below, & the whole thing is coloured by that inimitable organ!

[@ryaneverett9901]

!Brava!Brava!Brava! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👍🏻 It's like you cracked my egg and poured in the images.

[@exploringthemitt8112]

First off, great video! I've been watching your content for a few months now, I appreciate the nostalgia. Anyway, I used to work at a television station in the Flint/Saginaw market. At least a couple times a month, Mr. ? would call into the newsroom. I had a couple conversations with him personally, I'll just say he's a bit eccentric. The funniest takeaway was when somebody unfamiliar with his music would answer the phone. The response was always the same: "Hello, this is Yada Yada, who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" "question mark? Is that your name? How do you spell it?" 🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelreid5912]

I’ve heard this song many times… what a great backstory! Not much to ‘?’ now….great job Prof..

[@mikemartinez7433]

I was four in 66, 96 Tears was a major influence in my love of the keyboard Rock sound, and until reading about an hour ago I had no clue the lead vocalist shared my last name. As the youngest of 12, I do remember this being popular amongst the sibs ❤🎉

[@motherelmtree609]

Reminds me of skating as a kid

[@debbiereitmulder2151]

Definitely has that British 1960's invasion song flavor....even though it wasn't. Very cool song!! Love your stories about these songs!! Thanks!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

As is Black is Black by Los Bravos from the same year.

[@nomoreblahblah]

Best Rock and roll song 96 tears Raw and Raunchy.

[@ekartpa]

Always loved this song! Great organ riff and great groove! I may still have the 45 somewhere!

[@Silentscreamer37]

This song is fantastic. It’s been one of my favorite songs since I was a kid. I also really like their song “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby.”

[@michaelrue1400]

Smash Mouth made a hit out of it. Just went and listened to the original. It should have been a hit the first time.

[@JB-ub3gd]

I play Tears on the juke at my local all the time...never fails to put the hips in motion. Killer track

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a great song for swaying.

[@idahomike4254]

Great track and fantastic presentation as always. Cheers!

[@scotness]

I first heard this song when I was a kid during the mid 80's. I remember it was on an am oldies station in LA and I was blown away by how simple it was and loved it.

[@stevebeanemusic897]

My mid-'60s garage band, The Brass Tacks, played a pretty good version of 96 Tears. I was a drummer then and loved laying down the back beat on that song. Our organ player learned that riff perfect and got a pretty good faux Vox Continental sound with the Sears Silverstone organ his folks bought him because he really wanted to be in a band./// Always enjoy your shows and the interesting info you bring plus the great interviews. Keep on Rockin'!

[@outlawdronz407]

I’m another of the fans who grew up in Michigan during that time. I remember the battle of the bands (MC5 and Grand Funk) and listening to this song on WTRU. Great memories thanks👍🏾👍🏾

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@kunkmiceter]

Great episode, you guys nailed it. 👍

[@dahur]

As a long time resident of Flint, Michigan I can tell you a couple things about Rudy Martinez. He lived in Clio, Mi, (about 20 miles north of Flint), and when his house burned down he lost everything. He had changed his name legally to the ? symbol, but when he tried to collect social security, the SSA wouldn't take a symbol as a name. So he had to change his name again, this time spelling out "Question Mark". Also as I understand it, Rudy had no idea of the enormity that 96 Tears would become...and in 1966 he sold off the rights to "96 Tears" for a few thousand dollars. Big mistake..as ownership of that song has reaped millions upon millions of dollars.