What Were You Doing May 4, 1969?

Bob Stroud did his whole Rock and Roll Roots show on May 4th on the songs playing in our radios back on May 4, 1969. Normally he spends an hour and a half on one year and the second hour and a half on the same date 5 years later. But, he said there were so many great songs, he did all three hours on the same date. I agree with him.

On May 4, 1969, I was preparing to graduate from Palatine High School and working at Burger King on Northwest Highway (US-14) for just over an buck an hour, but all the Whoppers I could eat. I was still going steady with Liz.

The first comment is Bob Stroud's. The second in parentheses is mine. The songs for the first hour:


25 MILES-- EDWINN STARR-- We may have to head back 39 years, but to get there, we only have to go 25 miles. One of the greatest soul songs of 1969. (Just as good as "War")
I'VE BEEN HURT-- BILL DEAL & THE RHONDELLS-- Some of that great Beach Music from the Carolinas in your radio. (I didn't know Bob knew about Beach Music which I would have to rate as my overall favorite music. It's a Beach Thing, You Wouldn't Understand.)

LOVE (CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY)-- MERCY--out of Tampa Bay, one hit wonder and climbing the charts.
SWEET CHERRY WINE-- TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS-- the cabernet variety, follow up to "Crimson & Clover" (two classics from their psychadelic era)
GRAZING IN THE GRASS-- FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION-- From LA, first of their three hits. Vocal version of the instrumental by Hugh Masakela the previous summer.

ROCK ME-- STEPPENWOLF-- The Friends of Distinction and Steppenwolf were both from LA, but with highly different approaches to music. (Takes me right back to that great jukebox in the Senior Lounge at the old Palatine High School.)
I COULD NEVER LIE TO YOU-- NEW COLONY SIX-- debuting this date, the new 45 from the New Colony Six. (Another one of those great 60s Chicago groups.)
THE LETTER-- ARBORS-- covering the Box Tops. (I'm not familiar with this song.)
I SHALL BE RELEASED-- BOX TOPS-- the Box Tops covering Bob Dylan. (Not familiar with this one either.)

YOU'VE MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY-- BLOOD, SWEAT, and TEARS-- One of the must-have albums of the day, the second BS&T album that was self-titled and it was such an inventive fusion of rock, jazz, pop, and soul, you name it, it was all there, including several hit records. Their take on an old Motown song done a couple years before this by Brenda Holloway. (This album has to be in anybody's ultimate rock collection, possible a top ten album of all time.)
MR. SUN, MR. MOON-- PAUL REVERE & the RAIDERS-- gettin' all formal on us. (Turn in your Rock and Roll Shoes, Guys!! My least favorite-ever song by them.)
ATLANTIS-- DONOVAN-- (Could have done without that syrupy, gooey intro.)

Bob always introduces each part after commercial break with a song from that date. "To Know You is to Love You" by Bobby Vinton and the Vogues doing the Penguins classic "Earth Angel."

This is Part One of Three. Takes Me Right Back. --RoadDog