Terry Stafford - "Suspicion" (1964)

Terry LaVerne Stafford (November 22, 1941 March 17, 1996 was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1964 U.S. Top 10 hit, "Suspicion", and the 1973 country music hit, "Amarillo by Morning".

Born to William Nathan Stafford and Juanita J. Stafford in Hollis, Oklahoma, Stafford grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and graduated from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo in 1960. After high school he moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in music.

The song "Suspicion", which was released on the Crusader record label and which had previously been recorded by Elvis Presley, made it to number 3 in the U.S. and number 31 in the UK Singles Chart. "Suspicion," with a vocal by Stafford that reminded many listeners of Presley, had the unusual distinction of being at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 4, 1964 just below The Beatles when they made history by holding down the entire top five. Stafford's recording sold over one million copies.[1] His follow-up, "Ill Touch a Star" made number 25 in America. Both recordings were produced by Bob Summers (brother-in-law of Les Paul), who played all the instruments on the tracks as well as engineering and recording them.

Stafford continued to record, but had no more hits, although his 1973 release/joint composition, "Amarillo by Morning", was later covered by George Strait on Strait's 1982 album Strait from the Heart. The song was named "#12 country song of all-time" by Country Music Television. Another hit for Stafford was "Big in Vegas" recorded by Buck Owens.

Stafford lived most of his life between Los Angeles and Amarillo, Texas, and died in Amarillo of liver failure.

1964-65: "Hoping" /"A Little Bit Better" Crusader 110
1963: "You Left Me Here To Cry"(Come On Home" /"Heartache On The way" A&M 707
1966: "Out Of The Picture" /Forbidden" Mercury 72538
1966: "Soldier Boy' / "When Sin Stops-Love Begins" Sidewalk 902
1969: "Big in Dallas" / "Will A Man Ever Learn" Warner Bros. 7286
1973: "Amarillo By Morning" / "Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" Atlantic Country 4006
1975: "Darling Think It Over" / Same Melodyland 6009
?? : "Deja Vu" / "Texas Moon Palace" Player 113
?? : "Loves Been Hell On Me" /Long Haul Fever" Player 115

Terry Stafford
Birth name Terry LaVerne Stafford
Born November 22, 1941(1941-11-22)
Origin Hollis, Oklahoma
Died March 17, 1996 (aged 54)
Genres Country, pop
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Years active 19641989
Labels Crusader, Koch Entertainment

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Terry
• Stafford
• Suspicion
• 1964
• Oldies
• TheBacmaster
• Music
• Videos

[tutu1598]

until today i taught it was Elvis's song for the last 37 years

[importantisimo1]

Of all downloads, this one more full sound, thanks.

[importantisimo1]

Would like to know the breakdownof this song: intruments, notes,ect.

[importantisimo1]

@importantisimo1

U are right. sorry delit. made a comment already.

[LuckyThornton]

great song love it

[Kanaporn1]

@tutu1598 That's what I thought too!

[elviskess]

Hate to burst the Terry Stafford bubble on here, but Elvis recorded this song 19 MAR 1962. It is TS who is copying Elvis' style here. Don't get me wrong, I like his version and he has a lovely voice. The notion that Elvis covered his version or somehow stole his thunder is simply wrong.

[sugarfoot59]

@minter74 Hey, we thought Elvis was cool, but.........Terry Stafford did not lose his place with this song, especially with those of us who were young enough to experience his terrific version of this song!  Elvis came later, and we still didn't lose perspective on who put this song out first!

[white69rabbitt]

Remember this from 64 I was 14........

[irismcooper]

@tutu1598

Me too; same sentiments.

Iris

[importantisimo1]

It's a good thing Can't ware out this .