[note 1] Later in 1962, Meek produced a vocal version, "Magic Star", sung by Kenny Hollywood.

Written and produced by Joe Meek,[4] it featured either a clavioline or the similar Jennings Univox, both keyboard instruments with distinctive electronic sounds.

"Telstar" won an Ivor Novello Award and is estimated to have sold at least five million copies worldwide.

[6] In 2007, Tim Wheeler of Ash wrote that "Telstar" was one of the earliest pop tracks influenced by science fiction, and that "for its time it was so futuristic and it still sounds pretty weird today".

Prior to this, only three British solo artists had achieved a U.S. number one: "Auf Wiederseh'n, Sweetheart" by Vera Lynn (1952); "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" by Laurie London (1958); and "Stranger on the Shore" by Acker Bilk (May 1962).