“Hello Mary Lou” is a song written by U.S. singer Gene Pitney first recorded by Johnny Duncan in 1960, and later by Ricky Nelson in 1961.. In the United Kingdom it reached No. 2. It was also a hit in much of Europe. A 1991 reissue following the song’s use in a TV advert gave the song a second chart run, peaking at No. 45 in the UK Singles Chart. The song features an influential guitar solo by James Burton, often cited by later guitarists such as Brian May. Piano is by Ray Johnson, who had succeeded Gene Garf as Nelson’s regular session pianist in November 1959. Other musicians on the record include Joe Osborn on bass and Ritchie Frost on drums. The song appears on Nelson’s sixth album Rick Is 21.
Songs with Banjo from Harold Hagler
