Lightnin' Strikes Lightnin' Strikes "Lightnin' Strikes" is a song written by Lou Christie and Twyla Herbert, and recorded by Christie on the MGM label. It was a hit in 1966, making it first to No. 1 in Canada in January 1966 on the "RPM" Top Singles chart, then to No. 1 in the U.S. on the "Billboard" Hot 100 in February, No. 3 on the New Zealand "Listener" chart in May, and No. 11 on the UK "Record Retailer" chart. RIAA certification on March 3, 1966, garnering gold status for selling over one million copies. The song was arranged, conducted, and produced
Lightnin' (play) revived in 1938 for a two-month run at the John Golden Theatre with Fred Stone playing Lightnin’ Bill Jones and was adapted for cinema twice in films starring Jay Hunt (1925) and Will Rogers (1930). The story takes place in the mythical town of Calivada where Lightnin' Bill Jones, or more correctly his wife, operates a rather seedy hotel that straddles the California-Nevada state line convenient for those looking for a quick Nevada divorce. He is nicknamed Lightnin’ because, as the local postmaster put it, “We call him Lightnin’ because he ain’t.” Lightnin’ Bill, a Civil War veteran known to