The Dutch group Shocking Blue went all the way to the top of the US record charts in 1970 with “Venus.” That song was written by the lead guitarist of the group, Robbie van Leeuwen. The group formed in 1967 and was popular in Europe before making it in the US. They had some other hits in Europe but ended up breaking up in 1974. Van Leeuwen is the only member of the group still living. Lead singer Mariska Veres died in 2006 of gallbladder cancer.

“Venus” was the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chary for just the week of Feb. 1 – 7. It did much better on the Cash Box chart where it stayed on the top of their list for three weeks (Jan. 25 – Feb. 7).