Crooner’s writes No. 1 hit at Hamilton’s Flamingo Lounge

Back in 1958, a little known singer named Harold Jenkins was booked by Hamilton promoter Harold Kudlets to play at the Flamingo Lounge on MacNab Street for a couple of weeks.

During his time in Hamilton, Jenkins - who later changed his name to Conway Twitty - was inspired to write It's Only Make Believe." In a Time magazine article in late 1958, Twitty recalled the genesis of this signature song: I was at the Flamingo Lounge in Hamilton, Ont., last February and I went up to the office during intermission and wrote It's Only Make Believe' in seven minutes."

The song rocketed Twitty (1933-93) to stardom. It was his first of nine Top 40 hits.

In 1958, the single - that many listeners initially assumed was Elvis - went to No. 1 in the U.S., the U.K. and 20 other countries. More than eight million copies were sold.

Many artists have covered the song, including the Hollies, Glen Campbell, Lynn Anderson and Clay Aiken.