Ten Best Halloween Songs. Not exactly sure where I got theise earlier today.
1. THRILLER-- Mikie got a bit strange himself, even when not in make-up
2. MONSTER MASH-- Bobby Boris Pickett-- A retro classic
3. SUPERSTITION-- Stevie Wonder
4. GHOSTBUSTERS-- Ray Parker Jr. Okay, who thought of the Marshmallow Man?
5. NIGHTMARE ON MY STREET-- Will Smith
6. HALLOWEEN MOVIE THEME-- Watch Out for Wendy.
7. I PUT A SPELL ON YOU-- Screamin' Jay Hawkins A classic
8. TIME WARP-- Rocky Horror Show
9. I'M YOUR BOOGIE MAN-- K.C. & the Sunshine Band. Gettin' some scary disco.
10. HALLOWEEN from Nightmare Before Christmas Also the version done by White Zombie
Like, BOO!! --RoadDog
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Shriek-Along Songs: Ten Scary Movie Soundtracks-- Part 2
5. "WAIT UNTIL DARK" (1967)-- Who'd have though Henry Mancini could get so scary?
4. "THE EXORCIST" (1973)-- Michael Oldfield's "Tubular Bells and then that fuzz-box guitar. Shivers up my spine just typing this.
3. "JAWS" (1975)-- Spielberg at first thought John Williams' two-note theme of the man eater's approach was a joke. I never understood why those dummies didn't get out of the water when they heard those two notes?
2. "HALLOWEEN" (1976)-- Ushered in the age of slasher movies. John Carpenter's "Susperia" with the threatening bass. Then there was that "pshic, pshic sound." Again, hear that, GET OUT!!!
1. "PSYCHO" (1960)-- Bernard Herrmann's driving main title music. Hitchcock originally wanted no music for the shower scene. But those slashing, dissonant strings!!!
Getting That Old Scared Feelin'. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?: Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Tab, 7-Up Hey, pop my top!!
4. "THE EXORCIST" (1973)-- Michael Oldfield's "Tubular Bells and then that fuzz-box guitar. Shivers up my spine just typing this.
3. "JAWS" (1975)-- Spielberg at first thought John Williams' two-note theme of the man eater's approach was a joke. I never understood why those dummies didn't get out of the water when they heard those two notes?
2. "HALLOWEEN" (1976)-- Ushered in the age of slasher movies. John Carpenter's "Susperia" with the threatening bass. Then there was that "pshic, pshic sound." Again, hear that, GET OUT!!!
1. "PSYCHO" (1960)-- Bernard Herrmann's driving main title music. Hitchcock originally wanted no music for the shower scene. But those slashing, dissonant strings!!!
Getting That Old Scared Feelin'. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?: Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Tab, 7-Up Hey, pop my top!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Shriek-Along Songs: Ten Scary Movie Soundtracks-- Part 1
From the October26, 2012, Chicago Tribune by Richard Knight Jr. Includes photos and more information. Worth a look.
10. "THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN" (1935)-- Considered the grand-daddy of all monster movie scores by Franz Waxman.
9. "ROSEMARY'S BABY" (1968)-- Polish jazz pianist composer Krzysztof Komeda's disquieting main title.
8. "THE OMEN" (1976)-- Jerry Goldsmith's only Oscar for this over-the-top score.
7. "SISTERS" (1973)-- Bernard Hermann's fee was the highest in this low-budget shocker, but worth it. (I'm not familiar with this one.)
6. "THE SHINING" (1980)-- Co-composers Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind's spine-chilling, synth-based main title is part of the movie's appeal.
Five More to Come Boomorrow. --RoadDog
10. "THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN" (1935)-- Considered the grand-daddy of all monster movie scores by Franz Waxman.
9. "ROSEMARY'S BABY" (1968)-- Polish jazz pianist composer Krzysztof Komeda's disquieting main title.
8. "THE OMEN" (1976)-- Jerry Goldsmith's only Oscar for this over-the-top score.
7. "SISTERS" (1973)-- Bernard Hermann's fee was the highest in this low-budget shocker, but worth it. (I'm not familiar with this one.)
6. "THE SHINING" (1980)-- Co-composers Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind's spine-chilling, synth-based main title is part of the movie's appeal.
Five More to Come Boomorrow. --RoadDog
Eight Best Sports Bars-- Part 1
From Yahoo! Travel.
Never been to any on the list, but do spend some time watching sporting events in our local Tommy's here in Spring Grove, Illinois. Pretty standard sports bar with lots and lots of TVs and typical pub food, but definitely try their beer nuggets and broasted chicken. Best day to go is Wednesday with $1 Miller product bottles and large, one-topping pizza for $10, extra toppings $1 each.
8. CHICKIE'S AND PETE'S-- Philadelphia. Try the crab fries.
7. STATS-- Atlanta-- Six separate viewing areas. (That's great so you don't have to watch a game with annoying fans for the other team. Thank goodness I'm not an annoying fan.)
6. CHAPPELL'S RESTAURANT AND SPORTS MUSEUM-- Kansas City-- Over 1,000 helmets, Super Bowl rings, Hall of Fame autographs, baseballs and more. And, their famous Chappell Burger. Kind of like the Hard Rock of the sports world.
5. DUFFY'S SPORTS GRILL-- several around Florida. The one in Miami has dockside parking, 200 flat screens and the Dolphin Express bus to games. Oh yes, a pool side bar as well.
We don't usually go to Buffalo Wild Wings as it is TOO EXPENSIVE.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Answers to the last WHICH CAME FIRST: Ping-Pong (1901), Crossword Puzzle Book (1924), Monopoly (1933), Scrabble (1943)
Never been to any on the list, but do spend some time watching sporting events in our local Tommy's here in Spring Grove, Illinois. Pretty standard sports bar with lots and lots of TVs and typical pub food, but definitely try their beer nuggets and broasted chicken. Best day to go is Wednesday with $1 Miller product bottles and large, one-topping pizza for $10, extra toppings $1 each.
8. CHICKIE'S AND PETE'S-- Philadelphia. Try the crab fries.
7. STATS-- Atlanta-- Six separate viewing areas. (That's great so you don't have to watch a game with annoying fans for the other team. Thank goodness I'm not an annoying fan.)
6. CHAPPELL'S RESTAURANT AND SPORTS MUSEUM-- Kansas City-- Over 1,000 helmets, Super Bowl rings, Hall of Fame autographs, baseballs and more. And, their famous Chappell Burger. Kind of like the Hard Rock of the sports world.
5. DUFFY'S SPORTS GRILL-- several around Florida. The one in Miami has dockside parking, 200 flat screens and the Dolphin Express bus to games. Oh yes, a pool side bar as well.
We don't usually go to Buffalo Wild Wings as it is TOO EXPENSIVE.
More to Come. --RoadDog
Answers to the last WHICH CAME FIRST: Ping-Pong (1901), Crossword Puzzle Book (1924), Monopoly (1933), Scrabble (1943)
Monday, October 29, 2012
JSIS: Congrats Giants-- Klingon Wedding-- A-Rod Leaving?-- Motel Keyless Locks
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. CONGRATS GIANTS-- Not bad coming from 2-0 down and 3-1 down in the NLDS and NLCS, then to sweep the Tigers in the World Series. Even if I was pulling for the American League. And striking out the last three Detroit players!! I was hoping for a Midwest WS. There's always. as the Cubs say, next year. Who knows, maybe Cubs-Sox?
2. KLINGON WEDDING-- You just knew this had to happen. A 29 and 23-year-old couple in Britain got married as Klingons. Wonder what the Klingon words for "Till Death Do Us Part" are? That is taking Geekdom to too high a level. Did her father give her away?
3. A-ROD LEAVING?-- Rumors have it that the Rodriguez guy from the Yankees is leaving. Sure hope the Sox don't get him. We already have our Peave Man.
4. MOTEL KEYLESS LOCKS-- A new study shows that these cards you get to open your door are very easy for the bad guys to open. Of course, there are times I can't get into the room no matter how I use them. Maybe easy for crooks, but not so for me.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
1. CONGRATS GIANTS-- Not bad coming from 2-0 down and 3-1 down in the NLDS and NLCS, then to sweep the Tigers in the World Series. Even if I was pulling for the American League. And striking out the last three Detroit players!! I was hoping for a Midwest WS. There's always. as the Cubs say, next year. Who knows, maybe Cubs-Sox?
2. KLINGON WEDDING-- You just knew this had to happen. A 29 and 23-year-old couple in Britain got married as Klingons. Wonder what the Klingon words for "Till Death Do Us Part" are? That is taking Geekdom to too high a level. Did her father give her away?
3. A-ROD LEAVING?-- Rumors have it that the Rodriguez guy from the Yankees is leaving. Sure hope the Sox don't get him. We already have our Peave Man.
4. MOTEL KEYLESS LOCKS-- A new study shows that these cards you get to open your door are very easy for the bad guys to open. Of course, there are times I can't get into the room no matter how I use them. Maybe easy for crooks, but not so for me.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Ten More Famous Songs With Unknown Originals
From the Oct. 14, 2012, Listverse.
Well, I should actually say Little-Known originals. I knew of some of the originals. No pictures with the site, but lots of information.
Song-- Who Originally Sang It-- Person/Group Who Made It Famous
10. BLUEBERRY HILL-- Gene Autry in a 1941 film-- Fats Domino
9. TAINTED LOVE-- Gloria Jones, a Motown-style "B" side-- Sift Cell-- We were just talking about this song last night when we heard it at Stormy Monday
8. CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE-- Slade--
7. I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL-- Arrows-- Joan Jett & the Black Hearts
6. BETTE DAVIS EYES-- Jackie DeShannon-- Kim Carnes This one surprised me.
5. GEORGIA ON MY MIND-- Hoagy Carmichael-- Ray Stevens, Willie Nelson
4. KITTY-- Racey-- Toni Basil Much more famous as the song "Mickey. I was wondering about this famous song until I saw the other name.
3. ME AND BOBBY McGEE-- Roger Miller-- Janis Joplin OK, I've got to hear the Miller version.
2. MACK THE KNIFE-- Kurt Gerron-- Bobby Darrin
1. TURN, TURN, TURN- Bob Seeger-- Byrds
Stuff Many Don't Know. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Monopoly, Scrabble, Crossword Puzzle Book, Ping-Pong
Well, I should actually say Little-Known originals. I knew of some of the originals. No pictures with the site, but lots of information.
Song-- Who Originally Sang It-- Person/Group Who Made It Famous
10. BLUEBERRY HILL-- Gene Autry in a 1941 film-- Fats Domino
9. TAINTED LOVE-- Gloria Jones, a Motown-style "B" side-- Sift Cell-- We were just talking about this song last night when we heard it at Stormy Monday
8. CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE-- Slade--
7. I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL-- Arrows-- Joan Jett & the Black Hearts
6. BETTE DAVIS EYES-- Jackie DeShannon-- Kim Carnes This one surprised me.
5. GEORGIA ON MY MIND-- Hoagy Carmichael-- Ray Stevens, Willie Nelson
4. KITTY-- Racey-- Toni Basil Much more famous as the song "Mickey. I was wondering about this famous song until I saw the other name.
3. ME AND BOBBY McGEE-- Roger Miller-- Janis Joplin OK, I've got to hear the Miller version.
2. MACK THE KNIFE-- Kurt Gerron-- Bobby Darrin
1. TURN, TURN, TURN- Bob Seeger-- Byrds
Stuff Many Don't Know. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Monopoly, Scrabble, Crossword Puzzle Book, Ping-Pong
Friday, October 26, 2012
JSS: Das Boat-- Weather-- Shelter Challenge-- Halloween-A-Go-Go
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. DAS BOAT-- Pulled it out of the water and over to Midwest Marine for winterizing Wednesday. Ready to go yesterday and will pick it up today, bring it home to clean out and then to the barn in Hebron tomorrow. Looks like our 28th season boating is at an end.
2. WEATHER-- Took the boat out Wednesday as that was the last decent day in the near future. Monday to yesterday we were in the upper 70s. The next five days forecasts call for highs in the 40s and lows near freezing. Makes me think winter is near.
3. SHELTER CHALLENGE-- We vote for Shelter Challenge to raise money for our local animal shelter, Save-A-Pet. We won $1,000 the last contest and are ineligible to win twice in a row, but are still #2 in Illinois, but way behind Animal House in Huntley.
In order to vote, you have to punch in some verifying letters and numbers. Today, it was particularly hard as they the letter "c" right next to the letter "w." Almost looked like an "a."
Sadly, this used to be something where you looked at a picture of an animal and spelled it out. But, it had to be spelled correctly. "Dog," "cat" and "lion" were evidently TOO HARD for some to spell and they switched to numbers and letters.
4. . HALLOWEEN-A-GO-GO/ 1977-- This Sunday, Bob Stroud will be doing his annual Halloween-A-Go-Go show from 7 to 10 AM on WDRV in Chicago. Three hours of scare-you-to-death music. That is CDST.
Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT goes back to 1977 from 8 to noon, CDST.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. DAS BOAT-- Pulled it out of the water and over to Midwest Marine for winterizing Wednesday. Ready to go yesterday and will pick it up today, bring it home to clean out and then to the barn in Hebron tomorrow. Looks like our 28th season boating is at an end.
2. WEATHER-- Took the boat out Wednesday as that was the last decent day in the near future. Monday to yesterday we were in the upper 70s. The next five days forecasts call for highs in the 40s and lows near freezing. Makes me think winter is near.
3. SHELTER CHALLENGE-- We vote for Shelter Challenge to raise money for our local animal shelter, Save-A-Pet. We won $1,000 the last contest and are ineligible to win twice in a row, but are still #2 in Illinois, but way behind Animal House in Huntley.
In order to vote, you have to punch in some verifying letters and numbers. Today, it was particularly hard as they the letter "c" right next to the letter "w." Almost looked like an "a."
Sadly, this used to be something where you looked at a picture of an animal and spelled it out. But, it had to be spelled correctly. "Dog," "cat" and "lion" were evidently TOO HARD for some to spell and they switched to numbers and letters.
4. . HALLOWEEN-A-GO-GO/ 1977-- This Sunday, Bob Stroud will be doing his annual Halloween-A-Go-Go show from 7 to 10 AM on WDRV in Chicago. Three hours of scare-you-to-death music. That is CDST.
Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT goes back to 1977 from 8 to noon, CDST.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
JSIS: Stones Tickets-- Goodbye Ozzie-- Political Advertising
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. STONES TICKETS-- Folks are abuzz about what think will be the last Rolling Stones shows, just four of them and tickets are huge with standing-room only tickets going for $3,702 for one London show. I like the Stones, but definitely not that much. Monday, I went to the local Mom and Pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier, and bought the Stone's CD with "Satisfaction" on it. I can't remember the name of it. At least, I can afford that.
2. GOODBYE OZZIE-- One year and gone. The "Mouth" is out of that cushy Miami Marlins job after just one year. I liked him with the Sox, especially in 2005, but there is no room for all that public potty mouth. And then, to say you admire Castro in Miami? Pretty dumb move. Time to think before engaging mouth, Oz.
3. POLITICAL ADVERTISING-- About a week and a half to go and I'm sure tired of all the commercials. Someone found out that Democratic ads were really heavy on "Two Broke Girls" and Republican ones on reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show." Not sure what all this means.
But, above all else, I sure am glad Illinois is not considered a swing state. People in those states are really getting the dose of mudslinging.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
1. STONES TICKETS-- Folks are abuzz about what think will be the last Rolling Stones shows, just four of them and tickets are huge with standing-room only tickets going for $3,702 for one London show. I like the Stones, but definitely not that much. Monday, I went to the local Mom and Pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier, and bought the Stone's CD with "Satisfaction" on it. I can't remember the name of it. At least, I can afford that.
2. GOODBYE OZZIE-- One year and gone. The "Mouth" is out of that cushy Miami Marlins job after just one year. I liked him with the Sox, especially in 2005, but there is no room for all that public potty mouth. And then, to say you admire Castro in Miami? Pretty dumb move. Time to think before engaging mouth, Oz.
3. POLITICAL ADVERTISING-- About a week and a half to go and I'm sure tired of all the commercials. Someone found out that Democratic ads were really heavy on "Two Broke Girls" and Republican ones on reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show." Not sure what all this means.
But, above all else, I sure am glad Illinois is not considered a swing state. People in those states are really getting the dose of mudslinging.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
Why It Takes So Long to Do These Dumb Blogs
Well, one thing leads to another.
In connection with son Al's death, I went to You Tube. It is always a mistake to go to You Tube as that usually is a three hour layover. One thing leads to another. I hate those video offerings on the right side. Takes up a lot of time.
Anyway, with Alfons being such a Cub fan, I looked up Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" on You Tube and found one of him playing on one of the famous rooftop places across from Wrigley Field's left field. It was six minutes of Steve playing a guitar and singing the song. I have to wonder how he remembered all those words. Great video.
Then, there was one of him playing my favorite country song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" made ever-so-famous by David Allan Coe and also called "The Perfect Country and Western Song" which is what I called it when I played it back in the deejaying days. Always a great sing-a-long, especially when you hit that one part. Well, Steve did not sing that "one part" the way we've always heard it.
Then, there was that great "Lincoln Park Pirates" and "City of New Orleans" of Goodman's.
Unfortunately, Steve Goodman said he co-wrote "Name" with John Prine, well, that took more time. I'm a big Prine fan as well.
So, That's Why? --RoadDog
ANSWERS TO MONDAY'S WHICH CAME FIRST: Teddy Bear (1902), Ragedy Ann Doll (1918), Yo-Yo (1929), Frisbee (1957)
In connection with son Al's death, I went to You Tube. It is always a mistake to go to You Tube as that usually is a three hour layover. One thing leads to another. I hate those video offerings on the right side. Takes up a lot of time.
Anyway, with Alfons being such a Cub fan, I looked up Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" on You Tube and found one of him playing on one of the famous rooftop places across from Wrigley Field's left field. It was six minutes of Steve playing a guitar and singing the song. I have to wonder how he remembered all those words. Great video.
Then, there was one of him playing my favorite country song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" made ever-so-famous by David Allan Coe and also called "The Perfect Country and Western Song" which is what I called it when I played it back in the deejaying days. Always a great sing-a-long, especially when you hit that one part. Well, Steve did not sing that "one part" the way we've always heard it.
Then, there was that great "Lincoln Park Pirates" and "City of New Orleans" of Goodman's.
Unfortunately, Steve Goodman said he co-wrote "Name" with John Prine, well, that took more time. I'm a big Prine fan as well.
So, That's Why? --RoadDog
ANSWERS TO MONDAY'S WHICH CAME FIRST: Teddy Bear (1902), Ragedy Ann Doll (1918), Yo-Yo (1929), Frisbee (1957)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Saying Goodbye to Alfons
Tuesday, there was a memorial service for Al Sowka.
He had been cremated, so no body, but lots of pictures, many of which were the Alfons we remember. As Liz was signing the guestbook, she heard me chuckling around the corner where I found a shot of a long-haired, mutton-chopped late 60s early 70s hippy Al. Now, that was funny.
Enjoyed looking at all the photos and as the deacon said, we were not just there to see Al off, we were there to celebrate our lives with him and those old pictures sure did.
Al's Cubs and Bears jacket were up at the front as well, although I think the jacket should have been cremated with him.
Back at Donovan's, Jeff was playing Alfons' NTN board. I played Cub Al and Go Al and Liz played an Al board, trying to get him on the Top 20 nationally, or at least Top Ten locally, but it wasn't to be.
Yesterday, I mentioned the song "A Dying Cub Fan's Dying Lament" by the late great Steve Goodman and decided to go to You Tube and give a watch.
I found a really great one of the song featuring Goodman sitting at one of the Rooftops across from Wrigley Field with the ballpark behind him and groundskeepers going about their work
A very fitting memorial to Alfons as well. See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xBxZGQ1d3k.
Or, just type the song and name in.
Goodbye, Alfons.
He had been cremated, so no body, but lots of pictures, many of which were the Alfons we remember. As Liz was signing the guestbook, she heard me chuckling around the corner where I found a shot of a long-haired, mutton-chopped late 60s early 70s hippy Al. Now, that was funny.
Enjoyed looking at all the photos and as the deacon said, we were not just there to see Al off, we were there to celebrate our lives with him and those old pictures sure did.
Al's Cubs and Bears jacket were up at the front as well, although I think the jacket should have been cremated with him.
Back at Donovan's, Jeff was playing Alfons' NTN board. I played Cub Al and Go Al and Liz played an Al board, trying to get him on the Top 20 nationally, or at least Top Ten locally, but it wasn't to be.
Yesterday, I mentioned the song "A Dying Cub Fan's Dying Lament" by the late great Steve Goodman and decided to go to You Tube and give a watch.
I found a really great one of the song featuring Goodman sitting at one of the Rooftops across from Wrigley Field with the ballpark behind him and groundskeepers going about their work
A very fitting memorial to Alfons as well. See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xBxZGQ1d3k.
Or, just type the song and name in.
Goodbye, Alfons.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Alfons and "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman
If there were ever a bigger Cub fan than Alfons, I'd sure like to know who that might be.
So, it was kind of strange Monday morning, while I was listening to Len Braemer on Chicago's WXRT and he played Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." That is a very fitting song to remember Alfons by, who took a lot of grief from all the Sox fans at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. But his devotion never wavered.
Just about every day you could find Al at the bar, sucking down beers and playing that NTN game. And, if there was a Cub game on, woe be the person who tried to change it as it would be the Wrath of Al.
And, there he would be with that blue Cubs jacket. Well, seasonally. If not the Cubs jacket, it would a Bears jacket, his other team.
The words to the song hit home. WXRT is celebrating its 40th year of broadcasting Chicago's Finest Rock and going back to one year each weekday and spotlighting it. Monday was 1981. Braemer dedicated the song to Steve's mother, Annette Goodman, who still lives on Chicago's Northwest Side. The song payed at 9:33 AM. It sent shivers down my spine, having learned that Al had just died the day before.
Some of the words that hit home:
"Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground"
Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
Make six bullpen pitchers carry my coffin
and six groundskeepers clear my path.
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
in all their holy wrath.
It's a beautiful day for a funeral
Hey Ernie let's play two
Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats
and toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind.
That Pretty Well Covers It for Ya, Alfons.
So, it was kind of strange Monday morning, while I was listening to Len Braemer on Chicago's WXRT and he played Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." That is a very fitting song to remember Alfons by, who took a lot of grief from all the Sox fans at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. But his devotion never wavered.
Just about every day you could find Al at the bar, sucking down beers and playing that NTN game. And, if there was a Cub game on, woe be the person who tried to change it as it would be the Wrath of Al.
And, there he would be with that blue Cubs jacket. Well, seasonally. If not the Cubs jacket, it would a Bears jacket, his other team.
The words to the song hit home. WXRT is celebrating its 40th year of broadcasting Chicago's Finest Rock and going back to one year each weekday and spotlighting it. Monday was 1981. Braemer dedicated the song to Steve's mother, Annette Goodman, who still lives on Chicago's Northwest Side. The song payed at 9:33 AM. It sent shivers down my spine, having learned that Al had just died the day before.
Some of the words that hit home:
"Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground"
Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
Make six bullpen pitchers carry my coffin
and six groundskeepers clear my path.
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
in all their holy wrath.
It's a beautiful day for a funeral
Hey Ernie let's play two
Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats
and toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind.
That Pretty Well Covers It for Ya, Alfons.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A Goodbye to Alfons
Last Thursday, we went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, as we do around once a week, and were saddened to hear that our buddy, or son as I will tell you about later, had gone to the doctor after he though he had had a stroke and while examing him, terminal cancer was found. He was given only two weeks at the max to live. He died Saturday.
That is a shock.
We had just played NTN with him a month ago and used to play the game every time we went to Donovan's as he used to live in Twin Lakes, but had moved back to Illinois in the last year. We had no idea he was ill.
He was one great NTN player and was especially good at movies, an area I am unbelievably bad in even though I see a lot of movies. And, he shared answers. We always did better as a team when he was there.
He was also in our age group, having been born in August 1951 and had been an Arlington High School in Illinois Class of 69 graduate. This school was right by where we graduated from, Palatine. They were our arch-rivals and were not well-liked. We liked to kid around about past rivalries.
Plus, he was regarded as our "son." We called him "son" and he called us "Mom and Dad." That stemmed back to the time I was deejaying a St. Patrick's Day party at George's Cedar Inn in Lake Villa. Liz. Al and his wife were sitting at the bar when the bartender asked if Liz was Alfons' mother. That got to be a standing joke after that.
Alan Sowka (1951-2012)
Anyway, Alfons, Old Buddy, Sure Gonna Miss You.
That is a shock.
We had just played NTN with him a month ago and used to play the game every time we went to Donovan's as he used to live in Twin Lakes, but had moved back to Illinois in the last year. We had no idea he was ill.
He was one great NTN player and was especially good at movies, an area I am unbelievably bad in even though I see a lot of movies. And, he shared answers. We always did better as a team when he was there.
He was also in our age group, having been born in August 1951 and had been an Arlington High School in Illinois Class of 69 graduate. This school was right by where we graduated from, Palatine. They were our arch-rivals and were not well-liked. We liked to kid around about past rivalries.
Plus, he was regarded as our "son." We called him "son" and he called us "Mom and Dad." That stemmed back to the time I was deejaying a St. Patrick's Day party at George's Cedar Inn in Lake Villa. Liz. Al and his wife were sitting at the bar when the bartender asked if Liz was Alfons' mother. That got to be a standing joke after that.
Alan Sowka (1951-2012)
Anyway, Alfons, Old Buddy, Sure Gonna Miss You.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Movie Scratches: Hope-- Lawless-- House-- Curve
A Dog's Eye View of some of today's movies.
37. HOPE SPRING-- 8-29-- FOX LAKE $4- A chick flick for old chicks. Could Tommy Lee get anymore crocheter?
38. LAWLESS-- 9-12-- FOX LAKE $4-- "Have you met Howard?" "Nancy Boy vs. the bootleggers.
39. THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Not what you'd think. Definitely not.
40. TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Imagine Clint Eastwood making another great movie...and, at his age.
The Rush For the Bathroom After the Movie. --RoadDog
37. HOPE SPRING-- 8-29-- FOX LAKE $4- A chick flick for old chicks. Could Tommy Lee get anymore crocheter?
38. LAWLESS-- 9-12-- FOX LAKE $4-- "Have you met Howard?" "Nancy Boy vs. the bootleggers.
39. THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Not what you'd think. Definitely not.
40. TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE-- 10-3-- FOX LAKE $4-- Imagine Clint Eastwood making another great movie...and, at his age.
The Rush For the Bathroom After the Movie. --RoadDog
What Is Ray Stevens Up To These Days?
From the American Profile Magazine.
Ray Stevens, a native of Clarkdale, Georgia, is 73 and spent the past two years producing a 108-song box set of laughs, The Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, which includes about 20 of his hits like "The Steak," "Guitarzan," "Along Came Jones" and "Ahab the Arab."
He won Grammys for "Misty" and "Everything Is Beautiful."
I would sure like to hear that set of comedy music. This was one of the funniest guys ever.
"Don't Look Ethel!!" --RoadDog
Ray Stevens, a native of Clarkdale, Georgia, is 73 and spent the past two years producing a 108-song box set of laughs, The Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, which includes about 20 of his hits like "The Steak," "Guitarzan," "Along Came Jones" and "Ahab the Arab."
He won Grammys for "Misty" and "Everything Is Beautiful."
I would sure like to hear that set of comedy music. This was one of the funniest guys ever.
"Don't Look Ethel!!" --RoadDog
Just Hanging Around
FRIDAY OCTOBER 19TH
Wet, overcast day. Ten at Ten was to 1969 and my pick for favorite was "Proud Mary" by CCR. I am a huge Creedence fan. Other songs: What Is and Never Should Be, And When I Die, I Want You Back, Because, These Eyes, Get Ready, Space Oddity, Space Cowboys and Wooden Ships.
Met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday and enjoyed Jim Seig performing at Route 12 Bar.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
Went over to McHenry for a talk on Civil War weapons by a former FBI agent who headed up the Operation Graylord Sting where several judges were arrested. The governments secret witness was Terry Hake and we went to Palatine High School with him.
Ate lunch at Culver's and came home and watched Northern Illinois defeat Akron and unfortunately, Purdue and Northwestern both blew leads to lose at the end.
We were surprised by a phone call from Cousin Joe saying he was in Madison and would be stopping by on his way back from Aberdeen, SD, where unfortunately he did not get the city manager job. We took him over to Captain's Quarters where the Average Joe Band was playing. You've got to like a band that calls themselves a name like that. Introduced Joe to the joys of brats, specifically Johnsonville Brats!!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
Joe and I boated over to McDonald's and around the Chain for awhile before he left. We then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin to watch the Packer game (Bears play tonight). Packers won, but we were saddened to find out that our friend Alfons had died yesterday.
Came home and raked leaves and burned some and watched some of the shows that I had recorded on the VCR this last week and that great AMC "Walking Dead."
Sure Glad To get Another Chance to see Joe. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST (Put them in order)
Raggedy Ann Doll, Teddy Bear, Frisbee, Yo-Yo
Wet, overcast day. Ten at Ten was to 1969 and my pick for favorite was "Proud Mary" by CCR. I am a huge Creedence fan. Other songs: What Is and Never Should Be, And When I Die, I Want You Back, Because, These Eyes, Get Ready, Space Oddity, Space Cowboys and Wooden Ships.
Met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday and enjoyed Jim Seig performing at Route 12 Bar.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
Went over to McHenry for a talk on Civil War weapons by a former FBI agent who headed up the Operation Graylord Sting where several judges were arrested. The governments secret witness was Terry Hake and we went to Palatine High School with him.
Ate lunch at Culver's and came home and watched Northern Illinois defeat Akron and unfortunately, Purdue and Northwestern both blew leads to lose at the end.
We were surprised by a phone call from Cousin Joe saying he was in Madison and would be stopping by on his way back from Aberdeen, SD, where unfortunately he did not get the city manager job. We took him over to Captain's Quarters where the Average Joe Band was playing. You've got to like a band that calls themselves a name like that. Introduced Joe to the joys of brats, specifically Johnsonville Brats!!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
Joe and I boated over to McDonald's and around the Chain for awhile before he left. We then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin to watch the Packer game (Bears play tonight). Packers won, but we were saddened to find out that our friend Alfons had died yesterday.
Came home and raked leaves and burned some and watched some of the shows that I had recorded on the VCR this last week and that great AMC "Walking Dead."
Sure Glad To get Another Chance to see Joe. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST (Put them in order)
Raggedy Ann Doll, Teddy Bear, Frisbee, Yo-Yo
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Movies That Tanked in 2011
From Yahoo! Movies "Gobble Gobble: The Biggest Box Office Turkeys of 2011" by Kurt Orzeck.
*-- I didn't see it.
Rum Diaries
Mars needs Moms*
Larry Crowne
Cowboys & Aliens
Green Lantern*
Conan the Barbarian
Your Highness-- Probably one of the worst movies I ever saw.
The Dilemma*
The Big Year
The Thing
Other than "Your Highness, I really liked all the other movies, but then again, I like most movies that I see.
Want Some Dressing With That Turkey. --RoadDog
*-- I didn't see it.
Rum Diaries
Mars needs Moms*
Larry Crowne
Cowboys & Aliens
Green Lantern*
Conan the Barbarian
Your Highness-- Probably one of the worst movies I ever saw.
The Dilemma*
The Big Year
The Thing
Other than "Your Highness, I really liked all the other movies, but then again, I like most movies that I see.
Want Some Dressing With That Turkey. --RoadDog
JSIS: SUV Seats-- Fake Ketchup-- Haunting Business
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
From today's Yahoo!
1. SUV SEATS-- People are stealing the third row seats from SUVs and getting as much as $1,000 each. Sounds like a sit and run to me.
2. FAKE KETCHUP-- Police found a factory making fake Heinz Ketchup. What next, fake blood?
3. HAUNTING BUSINESS-- Haunted houses have become big business. We have several here in northeast Illinois. People will pay big money to get the bejeebers scared out of them. I remember one of the best times I ever had was working in the Round Lake, Il., Jaycees Haunted House. I really loved scaring people, especially my students who got a little extra in their scare.
You Know What They Say About Payback. --RoadDog
Answers to yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST?
Mechanical Dishwasher (1879), Electric Oven (1889), Self-Contained Electric Clothes Washer (1907), Home Refrigerator (1913)
From today's Yahoo!
1. SUV SEATS-- People are stealing the third row seats from SUVs and getting as much as $1,000 each. Sounds like a sit and run to me.
2. FAKE KETCHUP-- Police found a factory making fake Heinz Ketchup. What next, fake blood?
3. HAUNTING BUSINESS-- Haunted houses have become big business. We have several here in northeast Illinois. People will pay big money to get the bejeebers scared out of them. I remember one of the best times I ever had was working in the Round Lake, Il., Jaycees Haunted House. I really loved scaring people, especially my students who got a little extra in their scare.
You Know What They Say About Payback. --RoadDog
Answers to yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST?
Mechanical Dishwasher (1879), Electric Oven (1889), Self-Contained Electric Clothes Washer (1907), Home Refrigerator (1913)
Friday, October 19, 2012
What Is Americana Music?
It is music that kind of defies classification, but nonetheless, really good stuff. Unfortunately, it is not very popular compared to hip-hop and rap and the sort. I accidentally came across a radio station in Central Illinois on my travels called the Whip, WHHP in Farmersburg (?), and they play the stuff. 98.3 I believe.
Anyway, Cashbox Magazine has a bunch of countdowns that you can listen to, and one of them is the Americana Top Twenty (wish it was Top 40 and also that it would be hosted and not just played.
The most recent has some songs that I really liked:
ALL FALL DOWN-- Shawn Colvin
O SUSANNA-- Neil Young and Crazy Horse
HO HEY-- The Luminers
THE BOXER-- Jerry Douglas and Mumford & Sons
SING UP TO THE MOON-- Leftover Salmon (You've just got to love a group with that name.)
NORTH SIDE GAL-- J.D. McPherson
WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN' ON-- Paul Thom
ROLL ME UP-- Willie Nelson
ROOSTER RAG-- Little Feat
HAIL HAIL-- Shovels & Rope (Another different sort of name.)
LEVI-- Old Crow Medicine Show
Oh Yes, and Bob Stroud is going back to 1969 on his Ten at Ten show this morning (repeated at 10 PM tonight). www.wdrv.com . That would be 10 AM CDST. Worth a listen. Ten straight songs, no commercials, but little tidbits that take you back every two songs.
I'll Be Listening. --RoadDog
Anyway, Cashbox Magazine has a bunch of countdowns that you can listen to, and one of them is the Americana Top Twenty (wish it was Top 40 and also that it would be hosted and not just played.
The most recent has some songs that I really liked:
ALL FALL DOWN-- Shawn Colvin
O SUSANNA-- Neil Young and Crazy Horse
HO HEY-- The Luminers
THE BOXER-- Jerry Douglas and Mumford & Sons
SING UP TO THE MOON-- Leftover Salmon (You've just got to love a group with that name.)
NORTH SIDE GAL-- J.D. McPherson
WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN' ON-- Paul Thom
ROLL ME UP-- Willie Nelson
ROOSTER RAG-- Little Feat
HAIL HAIL-- Shovels & Rope (Another different sort of name.)
LEVI-- Old Crow Medicine Show
Oh Yes, and Bob Stroud is going back to 1969 on his Ten at Ten show this morning (repeated at 10 PM tonight). www.wdrv.com . That would be 10 AM CDST. Worth a listen. Ten straight songs, no commercials, but little tidbits that take you back every two songs.
I'll Be Listening. --RoadDog
Some CDs I'd Sure Like to Have
Reckon I'll have to fire up the old Amazon machine, though.
GROUNDHOG DAY ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK-- I have the cassette tape of it.
GOOSECREEK SYMPHONY-- Anything by them except "Words of Earnest" which I already have.
PAT DAILEY-- "The Coolest S.O.B. in the World" and Pride of US North Coast (Ohio) Langram Road, Exposed, Looking Back
DUKE ROBILLARD-- Stomp! the Blues Tonight, World Full of Blues
RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHT OWLS-- Twisted
JOE LOUIS WALKER-- Between a Rock and the Blues
ROBERT CRAY-- This Time
DELBERT McCLINTON-- Acquired Taste
LEVON HELM-- Levon Helm
J.J. CALE AND ERIC CLAPTON-- Road to Escondido
CHARLIE DANIELS-- Road Dogs (Hey, that's my name!)
Same of Us Don't Download. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?
Home Refrigerator, Mechanical Dishwasher, Electric Oven, Self-Contained Electric Clothes Washer
Answer tomorrow.
GROUNDHOG DAY ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK-- I have the cassette tape of it.
GOOSECREEK SYMPHONY-- Anything by them except "Words of Earnest" which I already have.
PAT DAILEY-- "The Coolest S.O.B. in the World" and Pride of US North Coast (Ohio) Langram Road, Exposed, Looking Back
DUKE ROBILLARD-- Stomp! the Blues Tonight, World Full of Blues
RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHT OWLS-- Twisted
JOE LOUIS WALKER-- Between a Rock and the Blues
ROBERT CRAY-- This Time
DELBERT McCLINTON-- Acquired Taste
LEVON HELM-- Levon Helm
J.J. CALE AND ERIC CLAPTON-- Road to Escondido
CHARLIE DANIELS-- Road Dogs (Hey, that's my name!)
Same of Us Don't Download. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?
Home Refrigerator, Mechanical Dishwasher, Electric Oven, Self-Contained Electric Clothes Washer
Answer tomorrow.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Music Tidbits: Mitch and Count
A little more information on two groups who were in Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show from Oct. 7, 2012, when he went back to that date in 1966.
MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS--
Mitch Ryder born Feb. 26, 1945, as William S. Levise, Jr. Sand like Little Richard and had a dynamic stage show. One website calls him the Unsung Hero of Michigan Rock and Roll Wynona Ryder took the "Ryder" as a stage name after seeing and Mitch Ryder album in her father's collection. Bob Crewe managed the group.
Great garage Rock and Blue-Eyed Soul. Big hits were "Devil With the Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly" which Stroud played and hit #4 on the national charts. Others were "Sock It To me"#6, "Jenny Take a Ride" #10 and "Too Many Fish in the Sea,"
COUNT FIVE--
Psychedelic/Garage Rock band out of San Jose, California, that started in 1964. Their "Psychotic Reaction" which Stroud played, reached #6 in 1966, their only song to ever crack the Top 100, so a true One-Hit Winder. Broke up one year later. reunited in 1989 for one concert. Two of the original members have died.
Thanks Wikipedia.
Great Party Songs In Any Era. --RoadDog
MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS--
Mitch Ryder born Feb. 26, 1945, as William S. Levise, Jr. Sand like Little Richard and had a dynamic stage show. One website calls him the Unsung Hero of Michigan Rock and Roll Wynona Ryder took the "Ryder" as a stage name after seeing and Mitch Ryder album in her father's collection. Bob Crewe managed the group.
Great garage Rock and Blue-Eyed Soul. Big hits were "Devil With the Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly" which Stroud played and hit #4 on the national charts. Others were "Sock It To me"#6, "Jenny Take a Ride" #10 and "Too Many Fish in the Sea,"
COUNT FIVE--
Psychedelic/Garage Rock band out of San Jose, California, that started in 1964. Their "Psychotic Reaction" which Stroud played, reached #6 in 1966, their only song to ever crack the Top 100, so a true One-Hit Winder. Broke up one year later. reunited in 1989 for one concert. Two of the original members have died.
Thanks Wikipedia.
Great Party Songs In Any Era. --RoadDog
Asleep At the Wheel: One of My Favorites
From Reuters.
Like they say, "Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep At the Wheel."
And I have about ten of their CDs to show I'm a fan and have seen them once in a great show at Woodstock, Illinois' Opera House. Now that was some big fun.
And, they've been singing those great Western Swing songs for 42 years ever since front man, 6'7" tall Ray Benson, started the group in 1970 in, get this, Paw Paw, West Virginia. Back then, he had no idea the group would still be around, though I believe he is the only original member and it has had a bit of a revolving door for other members.
In the process, they have wracked up nine Grammy Awards, released more than 25 albums, recently performed with Willie Nelson, and even released an album with him.
Two years ago, the band celebrated its 40th anniversary and Benson's 59th birthday, at an invitation-only party March 16th in Austin. I was NOT invited.
In 1970, the band opened for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna.
In 1973, Asleep At the Wheel moved to Austin, Texas, at the invitation of Doug Sahm and Willie Nelson.
Of course, featuring Western Swing as they do, they play a lot of Bob Wills music.
Bob Would Be So Proud. --RoadDog
Answers for yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST:
Pressure Cooker (1690), Zipper (1893), Pop-Up Toaster (1930), Electric Blender (1963)
Like they say, "Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep At the Wheel."
And I have about ten of their CDs to show I'm a fan and have seen them once in a great show at Woodstock, Illinois' Opera House. Now that was some big fun.
And, they've been singing those great Western Swing songs for 42 years ever since front man, 6'7" tall Ray Benson, started the group in 1970 in, get this, Paw Paw, West Virginia. Back then, he had no idea the group would still be around, though I believe he is the only original member and it has had a bit of a revolving door for other members.
In the process, they have wracked up nine Grammy Awards, released more than 25 albums, recently performed with Willie Nelson, and even released an album with him.
Two years ago, the band celebrated its 40th anniversary and Benson's 59th birthday, at an invitation-only party March 16th in Austin. I was NOT invited.
In 1970, the band opened for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna.
In 1973, Asleep At the Wheel moved to Austin, Texas, at the invitation of Doug Sahm and Willie Nelson.
Of course, featuring Western Swing as they do, they play a lot of Bob Wills music.
Bob Would Be So Proud. --RoadDog
Answers for yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST:
Pressure Cooker (1690), Zipper (1893), Pop-Up Toaster (1930), Electric Blender (1963)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
JSS: Boating-- Raking-- New Gas Station
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. BOATING-- A bit windy, but still got our first day out on the boat since Oct. 4th yesterday. Planning on boating over to McDonald's in Fox Lake for breakfast this morning. Every year, we shoot for a minimum 40 times out on the boat and thought it would be easy to make until the summer's drought and the cold and rainy fall weather.
2. RAKING-- Went out yesterday and raked the pine straw up from the two pine islands. I am not a fan of raking, but would hate to see all that free mulch cut up by the lawnmower.
3. ON THE SUBJECT OF RAKING-- Saturday's Bliss comic strip summed raking up very well. You see husband and wife standing before a huge accumulation of leaves and he says "We're going to need a bigger rake." Not a bigger boat!! I laughed till I raked.
4. NEW GAS STATION-- They've been working on it for the last several months, but yesterday I saw that the new Marathon station at the corner of US-12 and Spring Grove Road here in Spring Grove, Illinois, was finally open. There was a Citgo there, but the owner didn't pay his sales tax. Hopefully the new place will keep prices cheaper than the Citgo, which was always 10-20 cents higher than the surrounding area.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
1. BOATING-- A bit windy, but still got our first day out on the boat since Oct. 4th yesterday. Planning on boating over to McDonald's in Fox Lake for breakfast this morning. Every year, we shoot for a minimum 40 times out on the boat and thought it would be easy to make until the summer's drought and the cold and rainy fall weather.
2. RAKING-- Went out yesterday and raked the pine straw up from the two pine islands. I am not a fan of raking, but would hate to see all that free mulch cut up by the lawnmower.
3. ON THE SUBJECT OF RAKING-- Saturday's Bliss comic strip summed raking up very well. You see husband and wife standing before a huge accumulation of leaves and he says "We're going to need a bigger rake." Not a bigger boat!! I laughed till I raked.
4. NEW GAS STATION-- They've been working on it for the last several months, but yesterday I saw that the new Marathon station at the corner of US-12 and Spring Grove Road here in Spring Grove, Illinois, was finally open. There was a Citgo there, but the owner didn't pay his sales tax. Hopefully the new place will keep prices cheaper than the Citgo, which was always 10-20 cents higher than the surrounding area.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
JSIS: New Menus-- Old Coke Commercials
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. NEW MENUS-- We went to favorite restaurants the last two days and both had new menus. Never a good thing as that means the prices will be higher. And, they were. Imagine that. Of course, they will tell you that they have new offerings, but the main thing is that it will cost more.
2. OLD COKE COMMERCIALS-- Came across this excellent site if you're an OF like me which had eight old TV commercials for good old Coca-Cola, even if you call it soda. One features Ozzie and Harriet. A couple of the commercials didn't play, but check it out at Vanished Americana. Relive those days gone by.
www.vanishedamericana.com
You'll need to scroll down when you get there.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST And Remember, put them in order, even more of a challenge:
Pressure Cooker, Zipper, Pop-Up Toaster, Electric Blender
1. NEW MENUS-- We went to favorite restaurants the last two days and both had new menus. Never a good thing as that means the prices will be higher. And, they were. Imagine that. Of course, they will tell you that they have new offerings, but the main thing is that it will cost more.
2. OLD COKE COMMERCIALS-- Came across this excellent site if you're an OF like me which had eight old TV commercials for good old Coca-Cola, even if you call it soda. One features Ozzie and Harriet. A couple of the commercials didn't play, but check it out at Vanished Americana. Relive those days gone by.
www.vanishedamericana.com
You'll need to scroll down when you get there.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST And Remember, put them in order, even more of a challenge:
Pressure Cooker, Zipper, Pop-Up Toaster, Electric Blender
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Every Blooming THing-- Mid-October
We were a bit worried about fall color because of this summer's drought, but the trees and bushes have come through in great fashion, although starting the color change a bit earlier and not keeping the leaves for as long.
My Amur maples and Japanese lilacs have already lost their leaves as have the crabapples. The honey locusts are yellow as are the birch and one of my two sugar maples.
Getting ready to rake the pine straw up by the pine islands. Love that free mulch.
The mums are blooming all over the place as are the wild mini daisies. The burning bushes are blazing away right now and the tall grasses have tassled out nicely.
The Halloween decorations have been hung on the bushes in front.
I may or may not have to cut the grass again and no longer water anything outside. The plants I want to save have been moved inside for the winter. October 7th, I used a nice day to burn the burn pile which was about four feet high and 15 feet long. I'm sure it won't be too long before we are no longer able to burn stuff.
Getting Ready for That Winter. --RoadDog
My Amur maples and Japanese lilacs have already lost their leaves as have the crabapples. The honey locusts are yellow as are the birch and one of my two sugar maples.
Getting ready to rake the pine straw up by the pine islands. Love that free mulch.
The mums are blooming all over the place as are the wild mini daisies. The burning bushes are blazing away right now and the tall grasses have tassled out nicely.
The Halloween decorations have been hung on the bushes in front.
I may or may not have to cut the grass again and no longer water anything outside. The plants I want to save have been moved inside for the winter. October 7th, I used a nice day to burn the burn pile which was about four feet high and 15 feet long. I'm sure it won't be too long before we are no longer able to burn stuff.
Getting Ready for That Winter. --RoadDog
JSIS: Elvis' Home For Sale-- Eyeball Mystery Solved
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff.
1. ELVIS' HOME FOR SALE-- No, not the one in Memphis called Graceland, but another house of his in Los Angeles with 4 bedrooms for a nifty $13 million if can be your piece of Elvis history. And you can go out every day to see what Elvis fans have written on the gate.
2. EYEBALL MYSTERY SOLVED-- Scientists have determined that the giant eyeball found on the Florida beach, which I wrote about several days ago, came from a swordfish. fence that in.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
1. ELVIS' HOME FOR SALE-- No, not the one in Memphis called Graceland, but another house of his in Los Angeles with 4 bedrooms for a nifty $13 million if can be your piece of Elvis history. And you can go out every day to see what Elvis fans have written on the gate.
2. EYEBALL MYSTERY SOLVED-- Scientists have determined that the giant eyeball found on the Florida beach, which I wrote about several days ago, came from a swordfish. fence that in.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
And Some More Oct. 6, 1976 Songs, And Two from 1976
When Bob Stroud comes back from commercial break, he starts off with a snippet from another song popular that date. These were his intro-snips.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAINT ME A PICTURE-- Gary Lewis & the Playboys (Sure wish he had played the whole song. This was a good one.)
DANDY-- Kinks-- (Until recently, I did not know they had done this song first. Stroud used it to intro the Hermits' version.)
IF I WERE A CARPENTER-- Bobby Darrin-- Going through quite a big transformation as so many artists did coming into this era. Now, instead of a Big Band, Swinging crooner, he's sort of a folkie with this Tim Hardin classic. The Four Tops would cover this the next year.
LITTLE MAN-- Sonny and Cher-- (Was Cher singing about Sonny on this one? Always neat to see the two standing side-by-side.)
WIPE OUT-- Originally released in 1963, but rereleased in 1966 and in Top Ten on this date.
AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...1976
SUMMER-- War
DISCO DUCK-- The Good, the Bad and Truly Ugly. (Come on, Bob, I liked this one.)
Answers to yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST?
Flexible Rubber Ice Tray (1932) How come we had to keep using those miserable metal ones until the 60s?,
Grocery Cart (1937) Still a really fun thing to "ride" down a slope until you hit that car.)
Tupperware (1945) Nothing like one of these "parties" for a really good time.
Self-Wringing Mop (1961)
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAINT ME A PICTURE-- Gary Lewis & the Playboys (Sure wish he had played the whole song. This was a good one.)
DANDY-- Kinks-- (Until recently, I did not know they had done this song first. Stroud used it to intro the Hermits' version.)
IF I WERE A CARPENTER-- Bobby Darrin-- Going through quite a big transformation as so many artists did coming into this era. Now, instead of a Big Band, Swinging crooner, he's sort of a folkie with this Tim Hardin classic. The Four Tops would cover this the next year.
LITTLE MAN-- Sonny and Cher-- (Was Cher singing about Sonny on this one? Always neat to see the two standing side-by-side.)
WIPE OUT-- Originally released in 1963, but rereleased in 1966 and in Top Ten on this date.
AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...1976
SUMMER-- War
DISCO DUCK-- The Good, the Bad and Truly Ugly. (Come on, Bob, I liked this one.)
Answers to yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST?
Flexible Rubber Ice Tray (1932) How come we had to keep using those miserable metal ones until the 60s?,
Grocery Cart (1937) Still a really fun thing to "ride" down a slope until you hit that car.)
Tupperware (1945) Nothing like one of these "parties" for a really good time.
Self-Wringing Mop (1961)
Monday, October 15, 2012
Where Were You October 7, 1976? --Part 2
LET 'EM IN-- PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS-- From Wings At the Speed of Sound- (Can that guy do pop or what?)
SUNRISE-- ERIC CARMEN-- When the Raspberries broke up, he went on a solo stint and released a really accessible. fine first album. It had a couple hits off it, including this one. (I don't remember this one.)
WITH YOUR LOVE-- JEFFERSON STARSHIP-- New album entitles Spitfire. A great Marty Balin tune.
BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY-- PETER FRAMPTON-- From Frampton Comes Alive, the number one album in town this date. (This album was all over the radio. I even went out and bought a copy.)
STILL THE ONE-- ORLEANS-- We lost a great vocalist this year, the group's Larry Hoppen. (I only heard a couple of their songs on the radio, including this one. But, I recently bought their greatest hit album and there is a lot of great stuff on it. Kind of a mix of Doobie Bros./Eagles.)
THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD-- GORDON LIGHTFOOT-- (Song about the last big ship to sink on the Great Lakes. I used to do a three-day mini-lesson on the ship with a Great Lakes tie-in and the song. We'd map out the places he mentioned. The wreck anniversary is coming up early next month.)
DON'T FEAR THE REAPER-- BLUE OYSTER CULT-- From the Agents of Fortune album.
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC-- WOLD CHERRY-- One-hit wonder (But what a one-hit wonder. One of the great party songs ever. Can white boys get funky?)
DEVIL WOMAN-- CLIFF RICHARD-- English heartthrob breaking through in American Top Ten.
IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW-- CHICAGO-- The #1 song in Chicago by some home-grown boys. (Cousin Joe guessed this song on the first three notes. He is a big Chicago fan thanks to me.)
Hard to Believe This Was 36 Years Ago and Galaxies far Away. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST: Tupperware, Grocery Cart, Flexible Rubber Ice Tray, Self-Wringing Mop? Answer tomorrow.
SUNRISE-- ERIC CARMEN-- When the Raspberries broke up, he went on a solo stint and released a really accessible. fine first album. It had a couple hits off it, including this one. (I don't remember this one.)
WITH YOUR LOVE-- JEFFERSON STARSHIP-- New album entitles Spitfire. A great Marty Balin tune.
BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY-- PETER FRAMPTON-- From Frampton Comes Alive, the number one album in town this date. (This album was all over the radio. I even went out and bought a copy.)
STILL THE ONE-- ORLEANS-- We lost a great vocalist this year, the group's Larry Hoppen. (I only heard a couple of their songs on the radio, including this one. But, I recently bought their greatest hit album and there is a lot of great stuff on it. Kind of a mix of Doobie Bros./Eagles.)
THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD-- GORDON LIGHTFOOT-- (Song about the last big ship to sink on the Great Lakes. I used to do a three-day mini-lesson on the ship with a Great Lakes tie-in and the song. We'd map out the places he mentioned. The wreck anniversary is coming up early next month.)
DON'T FEAR THE REAPER-- BLUE OYSTER CULT-- From the Agents of Fortune album.
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC-- WOLD CHERRY-- One-hit wonder (But what a one-hit wonder. One of the great party songs ever. Can white boys get funky?)
DEVIL WOMAN-- CLIFF RICHARD-- English heartthrob breaking through in American Top Ten.
IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW-- CHICAGO-- The #1 song in Chicago by some home-grown boys. (Cousin Joe guessed this song on the first three notes. He is a big Chicago fan thanks to me.)
Hard to Believe This Was 36 Years Ago and Galaxies far Away. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST: Tupperware, Grocery Cart, Flexible Rubber Ice Tray, Self-Wringing Mop? Answer tomorrow.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
JSIS: Here's Looking At You-- Something You Don't See Every Day
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU-- A big-old giant eyeball was found washed up on the South Florida beach that has created quite a buzz. It is softball sized and blue. A man found it while taking a morning stroll along Pompano Beach, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. And, Liz gets mad when I come back from a beach stroll with a lot of shells.
Scientists think it came from a giant squid or really large sword fish. Perhaps Captain Jack's Kraken?
2. SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY-- Just in time for Halloween, after all the stores have been selling the stuff since August, but some folks in Los Angeles were pleasantly surprised to see a big old space shuttle, the Endeavour, on its way from LAX to the California Science Center.
The trip will take two days and along the way, there are diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs. I'd like to have one of those. That is as good as the "Caution: Low-Flying Airplanes on US-12 south of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin" or the "Tanking Crossing" signs at Camp Lejeune in NC.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
1. HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU-- A big-old giant eyeball was found washed up on the South Florida beach that has created quite a buzz. It is softball sized and blue. A man found it while taking a morning stroll along Pompano Beach, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. And, Liz gets mad when I come back from a beach stroll with a lot of shells.
Scientists think it came from a giant squid or really large sword fish. Perhaps Captain Jack's Kraken?
2. SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY-- Just in time for Halloween, after all the stores have been selling the stuff since August, but some folks in Los Angeles were pleasantly surprised to see a big old space shuttle, the Endeavour, on its way from LAX to the California Science Center.
The trip will take two days and along the way, there are diamond-shaped "Shuttle Xing" signs. I'd like to have one of those. That is as good as the "Caution: Low-Flying Airplanes on US-12 south of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin" or the "Tanking Crossing" signs at Camp Lejeune in NC.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
Saturday, October 13, 2012
JSIS: Say It Ain't So, Brian-- Cheers Reunion--
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff
1. SAY IT AIN'T SO, BRIAN-- Founding Beach Boy Brian Wilson has been dropped from the band as it nears the end of its tour. I was hoping the three originals would stay together. If you like Beach Boy music, get a copy of their new CD. Takes you right back.
2. CHEERS REUNION-- Featured on ET all this past week. I missed all but one showing. I can hardly stand ET, but did really like the sitcom. It debuted thirty years ago this month.
3. WENDY'S-- Soon-to-be-your-upscale fast food restaurant. Updated their logo and now offering baked sweet potatoes. How Sweet!!
4. GREAT WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT-- I saw that the average pay package for financial employees in New York and Wall Street is $362,950. I shouldn't have gone into teaching.
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
Friday, October 12, 2012
Where Were You October 7, 1976?-- Part 1
Last Sunday, Bob Stroud did a Time Warp back to Oct. 7th for both 1966 and 1976 on his Rock and Roll Roots show. I love those Time Warps as it is a slice of my history and always brings back memories.
October 7, 1976, I was early on in my 4th year of teaching and now tenured. I was teaching quarterly elective classes in geography at Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois. We were enjoying the new home at 1013 Morningside in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, that we bought for $33,000, a real whole lot of money back then. I was developing a green thumb for the yard, which I kept in good shape for the dog, Brandy so she would have a place to run and bark at other dogs will the gall to walk by.
We had some real great neighbors that we always got together with and became good friends with.
IT'S OK-- BEACH BOYS-- Their comeback album just recently released entitled 15 Big Ones.
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART-- ELTON JOHN AND KIKI DEE--
ROCK N' ME-- STEVE MILLER BAND-- From Fly Like An Eagle
LOWDOWN-- BOZ SCAGGS-- In the Top Ten. Former member of the Steve Miller Band.
THAT'LL BE THE DAY-- LINDA RONSTADT-- Remembering Buddy Holly's first hit. (Yeah, Pilgrim!"
SAY YOU LOVE ME-- FLEETWOOD MAC-- All over the radio in '75 and '76 with their self-titles album. (I knew the first Fleetwood Mac and was wondering which guy had the high voice.)
Gettin' the Lowdown on '76. --RoadDog
Answers toTuesday's WHICH CAME FIRST:
Square-Bottom Grocery Bag (1872), Disposable Paper Cups (1908) (Ask Toby Keoth when they invented Red Solo Cups.),Brillo Pads (1913), Aluminum Can (1960)
October 7, 1976, I was early on in my 4th year of teaching and now tenured. I was teaching quarterly elective classes in geography at Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois. We were enjoying the new home at 1013 Morningside in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, that we bought for $33,000, a real whole lot of money back then. I was developing a green thumb for the yard, which I kept in good shape for the dog, Brandy so she would have a place to run and bark at other dogs will the gall to walk by.
We had some real great neighbors that we always got together with and became good friends with.
IT'S OK-- BEACH BOYS-- Their comeback album just recently released entitled 15 Big Ones.
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART-- ELTON JOHN AND KIKI DEE--
ROCK N' ME-- STEVE MILLER BAND-- From Fly Like An Eagle
LOWDOWN-- BOZ SCAGGS-- In the Top Ten. Former member of the Steve Miller Band.
THAT'LL BE THE DAY-- LINDA RONSTADT-- Remembering Buddy Holly's first hit. (Yeah, Pilgrim!"
SAY YOU LOVE ME-- FLEETWOOD MAC-- All over the radio in '75 and '76 with their self-titles album. (I knew the first Fleetwood Mac and was wondering which guy had the high voice.)
Gettin' the Lowdown on '76. --RoadDog
Answers toTuesday's WHICH CAME FIRST:
Square-Bottom Grocery Bag (1872), Disposable Paper Cups (1908) (Ask Toby Keoth when they invented Red Solo Cups.),Brillo Pads (1913), Aluminum Can (1960)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Happy Count-Up Day: 10-11-12
Just noticed that when I wrote a blog entry. This date only happens once every 100 years.
Next year, it's 11-12-13.
So Enjoy It, Enjoy!!! To Paraphrase Scott frpm Scott's Turf Builder. --RoadDog
Next year, it's 11-12-13.
So Enjoy It, Enjoy!!! To Paraphrase Scott frpm Scott's Turf Builder. --RoadDog
Cousin Joe Comes for a Visit-- Part 2
I had to take a Bob (nap) when I got back as we had talked until 1 AM this morning (Oct. 6th), much past my bedtime at 11 PM. Then, I had gotten up at 5 and couldn't go back to sleep. Joe slept until 9 AM. I sure wish I could sleep that late.
We dropped Liz off at Captain's Quarters for the Chain Crawl Final Party and we took a ride around Fox Lake, stopping a various points to look across it. Went by the boat (but not out for a cruise as it was VERY COLD).
Dinner was Taco Bell-Long John Silver's. Then we went to Fox Lake's Oktoberfest which is getting to be like the Round Lake spring carnival. Whenever they have it you can count on lousy weather. I mean, it was c-o-l-d!!! We saw the New Invaders do two sets outside, but would beat a hasty retreat inside as soon as they would stop to warm up. Kind of reminded me of some of those April and May baseball games out at Comiskey Park in Chicago where I would have to thaw out in the bathrooms which were heated.
I have seen the New Invaders several times and they always put on a great show playing that sixties music. A lot of talent there. We think there was a female singer, but she was so bundled up, it was hard to tell. Joe sure knows his 60s music. We talked about how he got me to liking the Mothers of Invention and I got him into Chicago, or Chicago Transit Authority,as they were called back then.
Then, we went over to Captain's Quarters and saw a couple sets by Sucker Punch before going home.
We watched that great NC State victory over Run-Up-the-Score Floida State downstairs at the Margaritaville Bar.
Good to Get Caught Up With What Is Going On With Joe. --RoadDog
We dropped Liz off at Captain's Quarters for the Chain Crawl Final Party and we took a ride around Fox Lake, stopping a various points to look across it. Went by the boat (but not out for a cruise as it was VERY COLD).
Dinner was Taco Bell-Long John Silver's. Then we went to Fox Lake's Oktoberfest which is getting to be like the Round Lake spring carnival. Whenever they have it you can count on lousy weather. I mean, it was c-o-l-d!!! We saw the New Invaders do two sets outside, but would beat a hasty retreat inside as soon as they would stop to warm up. Kind of reminded me of some of those April and May baseball games out at Comiskey Park in Chicago where I would have to thaw out in the bathrooms which were heated.
I have seen the New Invaders several times and they always put on a great show playing that sixties music. A lot of talent there. We think there was a female singer, but she was so bundled up, it was hard to tell. Joe sure knows his 60s music. We talked about how he got me to liking the Mothers of Invention and I got him into Chicago, or Chicago Transit Authority,as they were called back then.
Then, we went over to Captain's Quarters and saw a couple sets by Sucker Punch before going home.
We watched that great NC State victory over Run-Up-the-Score Floida State downstairs at the Margaritaville Bar.
Good to Get Caught Up With What Is Going On With Joe. --RoadDog
It's Them, Not Me: OK, Who Passed the Gas!!!
From the October 11, 2012, "Who Knew? Gas Prices Around the World."
Obviously, Americans are complaining about these ridiculously high gas prices. I know here in the Chicagoland area, we are really mad about California passing us for most expensive gas. After all, you always want to be #1 at something and our baseball teams definitely aren't.
I understand gas in San Diego is $4.73 and some folks are even crossing over to Mexico to get cheaper gas.
Some prices here in northeast Illinois: Fox Lake: $3.90, Richmond $3.90, Lake Geneva, Wi. $3.78 and Twin Lakes, Wi. $3.80.
But, in other countries, you can expect to pay even more. In Norway, a gallon of premium will set you back $10. In Japan $7.50. In England $8. And in Canada $5.50
The poor folks in Venezuela, Chavez Land, pay a whopping 18 cents!!! I feel for them.
Gas prices in the U.S. would even be higher except for a government $14.2 billion subsidy to keep prices lower.
I know I'm not getting rich off these gas prices. I wonder who is getting rich?
I Don't Think It's Working. --RoadDog
Obviously, Americans are complaining about these ridiculously high gas prices. I know here in the Chicagoland area, we are really mad about California passing us for most expensive gas. After all, you always want to be #1 at something and our baseball teams definitely aren't.
I understand gas in San Diego is $4.73 and some folks are even crossing over to Mexico to get cheaper gas.
Some prices here in northeast Illinois: Fox Lake: $3.90, Richmond $3.90, Lake Geneva, Wi. $3.78 and Twin Lakes, Wi. $3.80.
But, in other countries, you can expect to pay even more. In Norway, a gallon of premium will set you back $10. In Japan $7.50. In England $8. And in Canada $5.50
The poor folks in Venezuela, Chavez Land, pay a whopping 18 cents!!! I feel for them.
Gas prices in the U.S. would even be higher except for a government $14.2 billion subsidy to keep prices lower.
I know I'm not getting rich off these gas prices. I wonder who is getting rich?
I Don't Think It's Working. --RoadDog
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Where Were You October 7, 1966?-- Part 3
REACH OUT (I'LL BE THERE)-- FOUR TOPS-- In the Top Ten with one of their biggest hits ever. Great Motown classic. (And, the late great Levi Stubbs.)
BLACK IS BLACK-- LOS BRAVOS-- from Spain.
HOORAY FOR HAZEL-- TOMMY ROE-- Great Bubblegum (A Very underrated performer. He sure had a lot of great songs.)
ELEANOR RIGBY-- BEATLES-- "A" side of single from the latest album, Revolver, just weeks old.
YELLOW SUBMARINE-- BEATLES-- "B" side
STOP STOP STOP-- HOLLIES-- Hit Bound
CHERRY CHERRY-- NEIL DIAMOND-- newcomer
MR. DIEINGLY SAD-- CRITTERS-- (I sure couldn't remember the name of the group until Stroud told me.)
96 TEARS-- ? AND THE MYSTERIANS-- Also Top Ten at #2. (Originally had the numbers reversed, but radio wouldn't play it.)
EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT-- TROLLS-- What a tragic tale this is. Digging into our rich local heritage. A little garage band from Chicago in the Top Ten on the ABC label. (I hadn't heard this one in a really long time.)
CHERISH-- ASSOCIATION-- From their debut album. Pretty impressive to have a #1 hit off a debut album. The name of the album was Along Comes the Association.
That Was Sure Some Great Chicago Music Back Then. --RoadDog
BLACK IS BLACK-- LOS BRAVOS-- from Spain.
HOORAY FOR HAZEL-- TOMMY ROE-- Great Bubblegum (A Very underrated performer. He sure had a lot of great songs.)
ELEANOR RIGBY-- BEATLES-- "A" side of single from the latest album, Revolver, just weeks old.
YELLOW SUBMARINE-- BEATLES-- "B" side
STOP STOP STOP-- HOLLIES-- Hit Bound
CHERRY CHERRY-- NEIL DIAMOND-- newcomer
MR. DIEINGLY SAD-- CRITTERS-- (I sure couldn't remember the name of the group until Stroud told me.)
96 TEARS-- ? AND THE MYSTERIANS-- Also Top Ten at #2. (Originally had the numbers reversed, but radio wouldn't play it.)
EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT-- TROLLS-- What a tragic tale this is. Digging into our rich local heritage. A little garage band from Chicago in the Top Ten on the ABC label. (I hadn't heard this one in a really long time.)
CHERISH-- ASSOCIATION-- From their debut album. Pretty impressive to have a #1 hit off a debut album. The name of the album was Along Comes the Association.
That Was Sure Some Great Chicago Music Back Then. --RoadDog
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Cousin Joe Comes for a Visit-- Part 1
I was delighted to hear that my cousin Joe from Virginia was going to be passing through this past weekend on his way to Aberdeen, South Dakota, for a job interview. I very rarely have family come to visit all the way "up North" as we are.
He arrive about midnight Friday-Saturday.
Saturday morning, we went for a ride. Aberdeen is located on US-12, which has always been an important road to me. Even more so, Aberdeen is located on the same road. We had breakfast at the Depot in Richmond which is in the old railroad station of Solon Mills (moved to present location).
Then, we drove US-12 to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and around town, looking at the fall color (especially great on Snake Road west of town). They were setting up for Oktoberfest.
Then, back to Spring Grove, also on US-12, and looked at the Fred Hatch plaque at the park. Fred Hatch was the man who invented the farm silos we see today back around 1900. We were going to see his grave, but the road was closed for construction. We also went to the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery Park which was just dedicated last month. At one time, most all game fish in the state of Illinois got their start there.
That Night We Had Some Music. --RoadDog
He arrive about midnight Friday-Saturday.
Saturday morning, we went for a ride. Aberdeen is located on US-12, which has always been an important road to me. Even more so, Aberdeen is located on the same road. We had breakfast at the Depot in Richmond which is in the old railroad station of Solon Mills (moved to present location).
Then, we drove US-12 to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and around town, looking at the fall color (especially great on Snake Road west of town). They were setting up for Oktoberfest.
Then, back to Spring Grove, also on US-12, and looked at the Fred Hatch plaque at the park. Fred Hatch was the man who invented the farm silos we see today back around 1900. We were going to see his grave, but the road was closed for construction. We also went to the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery Park which was just dedicated last month. At one time, most all game fish in the state of Illinois got their start there.
That Night We Had Some Music. --RoadDog
Dead Page: The Flower Guy
SCOTT McKENZIE (jAN. 10, 1939-AUGUST 18, 2012)
Born Philip Wallach Blondheim in Jacksonville, Fl. Best-known for his song "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair." In 1961, he and John Phillips (of the Mamas and Papas) were with a group called the Journeymen until the Beatles came along. Phillips formed the Mamas and Papas while McKenzie refused to join and tried a solo career.
John Phillips wrote, produces and played guitar on "San Francisco," which is why it always sounded like a song the Mamas and Papas would have done to me.
Released May 13, 1967 and was an instant hit, climbing to #4 in the US and #1 in the UK.
In 1986, McKenzie sang with a new version of the Mamas and Papas and also co-wrote "Kokomo," a Number One hit for the Beach Boys in 1988.
He also wrote "Hey, What About Me," the break-through hit for Anne Murray.
If there ever was a song that summed up 1967 better than "San Francisco," I'd sure like to know.
If You're Going Where?
Born Philip Wallach Blondheim in Jacksonville, Fl. Best-known for his song "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair." In 1961, he and John Phillips (of the Mamas and Papas) were with a group called the Journeymen until the Beatles came along. Phillips formed the Mamas and Papas while McKenzie refused to join and tried a solo career.
John Phillips wrote, produces and played guitar on "San Francisco," which is why it always sounded like a song the Mamas and Papas would have done to me.
Released May 13, 1967 and was an instant hit, climbing to #4 in the US and #1 in the UK.
In 1986, McKenzie sang with a new version of the Mamas and Papas and also co-wrote "Kokomo," a Number One hit for the Beach Boys in 1988.
He also wrote "Hey, What About Me," the break-through hit for Anne Murray.
If there ever was a song that summed up 1967 better than "San Francisco," I'd sure like to know.
If You're Going Where?
Where Were You October 7, 1966?-- Part 2
HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR MOTHER BABY STANDING IN THE SHADOW-- ROLLING STONES-- Brand new.
YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE-- SUPREMES-- One in an incredible string of hits for Motown's Supremes Top Ten this date. (Loved the music, loved the choreography.)
DANDY-- HERMAN'S HERMITS-- Their latest single was a cover version of a song just released by the Kinks written by Ray Davies. The Hermits decided to make it their own next British Invasion hit. (Wonder if the Fort Fisher Hermit liked Herman's group?)
PSYCHOTIC REACTION-- COUNT FIVE-- Out of San Jose, California. Number One in Los Angeles this date and just making it up the charts here in Chicago. (More great Garage Rock.)
SUNSHINE SUPERMAN-- DONOVAN-- #1 for him on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart just the week before this.
WORKING IN A COALMINE-- LEE DORSEY-- The late-great. Some great New Orleans stuff. (Yeah, Right, Ya Ya.)
LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE-- MONKEES-- Their debut hit in the Top Ten. Side "A"
TAKE A GIANT STEP-- MONKEES-- "B" side, written by Carole King.
Always Loved the Motown Choreography. Have to Be Careful When I've Been Drinking and a Motown Song Comes On. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?:
Aluminum Can, Brillo Pads, Disposable Paper Cups, Square-Bottom Grocery Bag
YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE-- SUPREMES-- One in an incredible string of hits for Motown's Supremes Top Ten this date. (Loved the music, loved the choreography.)
DANDY-- HERMAN'S HERMITS-- Their latest single was a cover version of a song just released by the Kinks written by Ray Davies. The Hermits decided to make it their own next British Invasion hit. (Wonder if the Fort Fisher Hermit liked Herman's group?)
PSYCHOTIC REACTION-- COUNT FIVE-- Out of San Jose, California. Number One in Los Angeles this date and just making it up the charts here in Chicago. (More great Garage Rock.)
SUNSHINE SUPERMAN-- DONOVAN-- #1 for him on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart just the week before this.
WORKING IN A COALMINE-- LEE DORSEY-- The late-great. Some great New Orleans stuff. (Yeah, Right, Ya Ya.)
LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE-- MONKEES-- Their debut hit in the Top Ten. Side "A"
TAKE A GIANT STEP-- MONKEES-- "B" side, written by Carole King.
Always Loved the Motown Choreography. Have to Be Careful When I've Been Drinking and a Motown Song Comes On. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST?:
Aluminum Can, Brillo Pads, Disposable Paper Cups, Square-Bottom Grocery Bag
Monday, October 8, 2012
Where Were You October 7, 1966?-- Part 1
Yesterday, Bob Stroud TimeWarped us back to that date, October 7th for 1966 and then jumped ahead ten years to 1976 for the second half of the three hour show. I always like these trips back. Brings back lots of memories.
October 7th of 1966, I was a sophomore at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, after having been a freshman at Fremd High School in the same village. We were the first sophomores at the school since Fremd had been built and turned into the freshman-sophomore school for Palatine. They were in the process of splitting the two schools. I was starting wrestling practice and running the halls to get in shape.
The construction workers were still working on the new addition to Palatine so classes were forever being interrupted by work sounds.
DEVIL WITH THE BLUE DRESS ON/ GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY-- MITCH RYDER & DETROIT WHEELS-- Hit Bound. A medley they had put together. "Devil" had originally been a Motown song by Shorty Long and "Molly" was a Little Richard classic. (Was there ever a better Garage/Frat Rock band?)
SEE SEE RIDER-- ANIMALS-- Their version of an old R&B hit. Mitch Ryder had a version of it out earlier in the year, but called it "Jenny Take a Ride." (When Stroud played this one, at first I thought it was another Mitch Ryder song, but it just didn't quite sound right.)
MR. SPACEMAN-- BYRDS-- (Was this a "druggie" song?)
THE GREAT AIRPLANE STRIKE-- PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS-- (A song about a real airplane strike. About 35,000 airline employees at five airlines went on strike July 8th to August 19th, right in the middle of the summer flying season. "If I can't leave here, I just might stay here.")
Taking me Back. --RoadDog
Answers to Saturday's WHICH CAME FIRST:
Carbon Paper (1806), Adhesive Postage Stamp (1840), Ballpoint Pen (1888), Adhesive Tape (1928)
October 7th of 1966, I was a sophomore at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, after having been a freshman at Fremd High School in the same village. We were the first sophomores at the school since Fremd had been built and turned into the freshman-sophomore school for Palatine. They were in the process of splitting the two schools. I was starting wrestling practice and running the halls to get in shape.
The construction workers were still working on the new addition to Palatine so classes were forever being interrupted by work sounds.
DEVIL WITH THE BLUE DRESS ON/ GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY-- MITCH RYDER & DETROIT WHEELS-- Hit Bound. A medley they had put together. "Devil" had originally been a Motown song by Shorty Long and "Molly" was a Little Richard classic. (Was there ever a better Garage/Frat Rock band?)
SEE SEE RIDER-- ANIMALS-- Their version of an old R&B hit. Mitch Ryder had a version of it out earlier in the year, but called it "Jenny Take a Ride." (When Stroud played this one, at first I thought it was another Mitch Ryder song, but it just didn't quite sound right.)
MR. SPACEMAN-- BYRDS-- (Was this a "druggie" song?)
THE GREAT AIRPLANE STRIKE-- PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS-- (A song about a real airplane strike. About 35,000 airline employees at five airlines went on strike July 8th to August 19th, right in the middle of the summer flying season. "If I can't leave here, I just might stay here.")
Taking me Back. --RoadDog
Answers to Saturday's WHICH CAME FIRST:
Carbon Paper (1806), Adhesive Postage Stamp (1840), Ballpoint Pen (1888), Adhesive Tape (1928)
Saturday, October 6, 2012
JSS: Cousin Joe-- Clean Up-- The "Dragon Plant"
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. COUSIN JOE-- Arrived at midnight last night on his way to South Dakota to interview for a job and will be staying here today. Good to have him come for a visit. The last time he made it "up here" was back in 1973, when he hitchhiked from North Carolina and was the only one from my side of the family, other than immediate family, to make it.
2. CLEAN UP-- Joe's coming got me to cleaning up areas that I otherwise let go, including the sunroom which very badly needed it. Another factor driving a sunroom cleanup was that it is becoming necessary to move the plants inside that summer it outside on the deck. We had a freeze forecast last night, but I don't think we got it.
3. THE "DRAGON PLANT"-- The really pressing reason for the sunroom cleanup. None of the ones I brought in yesterday would survive a freeze or frost, especially the 30 year-old "Dragon Plant" as Liz calls it. It has pointy leaves that stick her every time she walks by it.
It is huge and I have to use a cart to move it. It has outgrown the sunroom, but I can't just let it die. I sure wish I could find someone to take it.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Adhesive Postage Stamp, Ballpoint Pen, Carbon Paper, Adhesive Tape
1. COUSIN JOE-- Arrived at midnight last night on his way to South Dakota to interview for a job and will be staying here today. Good to have him come for a visit. The last time he made it "up here" was back in 1973, when he hitchhiked from North Carolina and was the only one from my side of the family, other than immediate family, to make it.
2. CLEAN UP-- Joe's coming got me to cleaning up areas that I otherwise let go, including the sunroom which very badly needed it. Another factor driving a sunroom cleanup was that it is becoming necessary to move the plants inside that summer it outside on the deck. We had a freeze forecast last night, but I don't think we got it.
3. THE "DRAGON PLANT"-- The really pressing reason for the sunroom cleanup. None of the ones I brought in yesterday would survive a freeze or frost, especially the 30 year-old "Dragon Plant" as Liz calls it. It has pointy leaves that stick her every time she walks by it.
It is huge and I have to use a cart to move it. It has outgrown the sunroom, but I can't just let it die. I sure wish I could find someone to take it.
Just Some Stuff. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Adhesive Postage Stamp, Ballpoint Pen, Carbon Paper, Adhesive Tape
Friday, October 5, 2012
Music Tidbits
"SWEETS FOR MY SWEET"
Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shulman and originally recorded by the Drifters, but most people , especially those in the Chicago area, remember it as a Cryan' Shames song, a garage band that made it big. The song made the Chicago WLS and WCFL charts in April 1967.
ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION
Made 15 albums and carried on the tradition of Southern Rock. Founded in 1970 by former members of the Candy Men (Roy Orbison's backup group) and Classics IV. Session band for Stdio One in Doraville, Georgia (near where my family lived in the 70s and 80s)
Just Some Interesting Stuff. --RoadDog
ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY'S WHICH CAME FIRST:
Hershey Bar (1894), Eskimo Pie (1921), Popsicles (1924), M&Ms (1940) You know, melts in your....
Thursday, October 4, 2012
End of the Baseball Season for Me
Watched the White Sox finally play some good ball last night as they closed out the 2012 season in second place in the AL Central Division, by far the weakest one, with an 85-77 record. They did better than most had expected and largely because three previously worthless, highly-paid players, had finally started doing what they were paid to do. That would be Dunn, Peavey and Rios.
Now, it appears Peavey will be leaving as a free agent. Too bad, because he got paid very well (over $10 million) for two years when he certainly didn't earn it. He should stay at least one more year to make up for his worthlessness. Either that or give a lot of that ill-gotten money back or at least to charity.
The Sox were plagued right to the end by lack of attendance at home games. Too bad.
Then, there were the Cubs who only out performed one team, the Houston Astros, in their Central Division of the National League. So, it was a 61-101 record and fifth place.
Even their main fan base, the beautiful people, abandoned them toward the end as Wrigley Field was no longer the place "TO BE SEEN." Some tickets for the last series against the Astros were going for under $1. Even with that horrendous record, they still really outdrew the Sox by a lot.
Anyway, now with no team I like in the playoffs, it will not be necessary for me to watch any games.
Wait Till next Year...Again and Again and Again. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST: Hershey Bar, M&Ms, Eskimo Pie, Popsicles. Answer tomorrow.
Now, it appears Peavey will be leaving as a free agent. Too bad, because he got paid very well (over $10 million) for two years when he certainly didn't earn it. He should stay at least one more year to make up for his worthlessness. Either that or give a lot of that ill-gotten money back or at least to charity.
The Sox were plagued right to the end by lack of attendance at home games. Too bad.
Then, there were the Cubs who only out performed one team, the Houston Astros, in their Central Division of the National League. So, it was a 61-101 record and fifth place.
Even their main fan base, the beautiful people, abandoned them toward the end as Wrigley Field was no longer the place "TO BE SEEN." Some tickets for the last series against the Astros were going for under $1. Even with that horrendous record, they still really outdrew the Sox by a lot.
Anyway, now with no team I like in the playoffs, it will not be necessary for me to watch any games.
Wait Till next Year...Again and Again and Again. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST: Hershey Bar, M&Ms, Eskimo Pie, Popsicles. Answer tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
OK, There Was a Bent Fabric
I had to look up Bent Fabric, you remember, the guy who brought us "Alley Cat" which was Top Twenty fifty years ago.
Turns out, he didn't just use the name to be catchy, it was pretty close to his real name.
He was born in Denmark in 1924 and still living. His real name is Bent Fabricus-Bjerre.
The song went to #7 in the U.S. and its follow up was "Chicken Feed." He must have an animal thing, but I know that's what I got paid to teach when I started.
Of interest, if you're in Mexico, you're likely to hear both songs a lot as that is what they play on those ice cream trucks.
All Bent Up With No Place to Go. --RoadDog
A Look Back: Top 20 Songs of October 1962-- Part 2
That would be fifty years ago.
11. VENUS IN BLUE JEANS-- Jimmy Clanton
12. IF I HAD A HAMMER-- Peter, Paul and Mary
13. ALL ALONE AM I-- Brenda Lee
14. YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH-- Mary Wilson
15. SURFIN' SAFARI-- Beach Boys (Was this their first big hit?)
16. SHEILA-- Tommy Roe-- (A much underrated singer. he sure had some mighty fine hits in his career.)
17. POPEYE (THE HITCHHIKER)-- Chubby Checker-- (Don't ever remember twistin' to this one.)
18. GINA-- Johnny Mathis-- (Don't remember this one.)
19. RAIN RAIN GO AWAY-- Bobby Vinton (Don't remember this one either.)
20. ALLEY CAT-- Bent Fabric-- (You've just gotta love anyone who calls himself Bent Fabric.)
My Gal Sheila. --RoadDog
Answers to Monday's Which Came First:
Cheddar Cheese (1666)
Mayonnaise (c. 1800)
Worchestershire Sauce (c. 1850)
Corn Flakes (1906)
11. VENUS IN BLUE JEANS-- Jimmy Clanton
12. IF I HAD A HAMMER-- Peter, Paul and Mary
13. ALL ALONE AM I-- Brenda Lee
14. YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH-- Mary Wilson
15. SURFIN' SAFARI-- Beach Boys (Was this their first big hit?)
16. SHEILA-- Tommy Roe-- (A much underrated singer. he sure had some mighty fine hits in his career.)
17. POPEYE (THE HITCHHIKER)-- Chubby Checker-- (Don't ever remember twistin' to this one.)
18. GINA-- Johnny Mathis-- (Don't remember this one.)
19. RAIN RAIN GO AWAY-- Bobby Vinton (Don't remember this one either.)
20. ALLEY CAT-- Bent Fabric-- (You've just gotta love anyone who calls himself Bent Fabric.)
My Gal Sheila. --RoadDog
Answers to Monday's Which Came First:
Cheddar Cheese (1666)
Mayonnaise (c. 1800)
Worchestershire Sauce (c. 1850)
Corn Flakes (1906)
Dead Page: Singer and Songwriter
JOE SOUTH (Feb. 28, 1940-September 5, 2012)
Singer, songwriter died at age 72.
His "Games People Play" (always reminds me of Senior Lounge" at Palatine High School) reached #12 and won a Grammy for best contemporary song and song of the year in 1969. Also had a big hit with "Walk a Mile in My Shoes."
His first single was the novelty "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witchdoctor."
A session guitar player for Aretha Franklin on "Chain of Fools," for Bob Dylan on "Blonde On Blonde" and for Simon and Garfunkel.
Also wrote "Down in the Boondocks" for Billy Joe Royal (always reminds me of the fishing trip to Canada after graduating eighth grade), "Don't It Make You Want to Go Home" for B.J. Thomas and "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" for Lynn Anderson.
Some Really Great Songs.
Singer, songwriter died at age 72.
His "Games People Play" (always reminds me of Senior Lounge" at Palatine High School) reached #12 and won a Grammy for best contemporary song and song of the year in 1969. Also had a big hit with "Walk a Mile in My Shoes."
His first single was the novelty "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witchdoctor."
A session guitar player for Aretha Franklin on "Chain of Fools," for Bob Dylan on "Blonde On Blonde" and for Simon and Garfunkel.
Also wrote "Down in the Boondocks" for Billy Joe Royal (always reminds me of the fishing trip to Canada after graduating eighth grade), "Don't It Make You Want to Go Home" for B.J. Thomas and "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" for Lynn Anderson.
Some Really Great Songs.
Dead Page: He Wrote the Lyrics
HAL DAVID (May 25, 1921- September 1, 2012)
A lyricist noted for collaborations with Burt Bacharach from New York's Brill Building. Dionne Warwick hopefully was at his funeral as she owed her career to the two. Met Bacharach in 1957 and wrote hits for the Carpenters, Dusty Springfield, B.J. Thomas, Gene Pitney, Tom Jones and Jackie DeShannon among others.
His songs Oscar nominated: What's New Pussycat, Alfie, The Look of Love and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Don't Make Me Over, (They Long to Be) Close to You and Walk On By are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Just these songs alone would make him a favorite songwriter of mine.
But, here are just some of the others he had a part in:
Sea of Heartbreak
To All the Girls I've Loved Before
This Guy's in Love With You
I'll Never Fall in Love Again
Do You Know the Way to San Jose
What the World Needs Now
I Say a Little Prayer for You
(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
Wishin' and Hopin'
Promises Promises
One Less Bell to Answer
24 Hours from Tulsa
Blue on Blue
Johnny Get Angry
Message to Michael
You'll Never Get to Heaven
Gone, But Never Forgotten. These Are Some Great Songs
A lyricist noted for collaborations with Burt Bacharach from New York's Brill Building. Dionne Warwick hopefully was at his funeral as she owed her career to the two. Met Bacharach in 1957 and wrote hits for the Carpenters, Dusty Springfield, B.J. Thomas, Gene Pitney, Tom Jones and Jackie DeShannon among others.
His songs Oscar nominated: What's New Pussycat, Alfie, The Look of Love and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Don't Make Me Over, (They Long to Be) Close to You and Walk On By are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Just these songs alone would make him a favorite songwriter of mine.
But, here are just some of the others he had a part in:
Sea of Heartbreak
To All the Girls I've Loved Before
This Guy's in Love With You
I'll Never Fall in Love Again
Do You Know the Way to San Jose
What the World Needs Now
I Say a Little Prayer for You
(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
Wishin' and Hopin'
Promises Promises
One Less Bell to Answer
24 Hours from Tulsa
Blue on Blue
Johnny Get Angry
Message to Michael
You'll Never Get to Heaven
Gone, But Never Forgotten. These Are Some Great Songs
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
It's Them, Not Me: Those Really High Gas Prices
From Sept. 20, 2012, Bill O'Reilly "Where's Our Energy." Thanks to Bob for sending this along to me.
When Obama took office, we were paying around $1.84 for gas. We are paying a touch more for it right now. I filled up earlier today in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, for $3.86. Yesterday, it was $3.90 in Fox Lake, Illinois.
According to O'Reilly, oil companies watch the world speculation market and "if the traders are bidding the price of oil up because Iran misbehaves or something up goes the pump price." Of course, I do not think they're just watching the bidding, but participating in it.
OPEC raises prices every time the U.S. pumps dollars into the economy. "Last week, the Fed released $23 billion into the market place, hoping the cash will spur lending to the banks." Of course, all this does it makes bank folks' bonuses much, much bigger as far as I'm concerned. And, of course, I think that every time OPEC raises the oil price, the price of anything they get from us should go up immediately by a like amount.
"Obama loathes the fossil fuel industry, and does everything he canto inhibit production." He should be forcing an increase in production to help those of us who can't participate in the big money interest and profits that the really rich can get. That means, and pipeline should be encouraged and Big Oil should be opening more refineries.
We Need a Break. --RoadDog
This isn't funny so no last thoughts today.
When Obama took office, we were paying around $1.84 for gas. We are paying a touch more for it right now. I filled up earlier today in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, for $3.86. Yesterday, it was $3.90 in Fox Lake, Illinois.
According to O'Reilly, oil companies watch the world speculation market and "if the traders are bidding the price of oil up because Iran misbehaves or something up goes the pump price." Of course, I do not think they're just watching the bidding, but participating in it.
OPEC raises prices every time the U.S. pumps dollars into the economy. "Last week, the Fed released $23 billion into the market place, hoping the cash will spur lending to the banks." Of course, all this does it makes bank folks' bonuses much, much bigger as far as I'm concerned. And, of course, I think that every time OPEC raises the oil price, the price of anything they get from us should go up immediately by a like amount.
"Obama loathes the fossil fuel industry, and does everything he canto inhibit production." He should be forcing an increase in production to help those of us who can't participate in the big money interest and profits that the really rich can get. That means, and pipeline should be encouraged and Big Oil should be opening more refineries.
We Need a Break. --RoadDog
This isn't funny so no last thoughts today.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Cheers' 30th Anniversary
And, speaking of TV, yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the premier of one of my all-time favorite sitcoms, "Cheers." The date was September 30, 1982 and the series ran for 11 years. It debuted dead last in the ratings, but the network gave it a chance and it became an all-time classic. Some 40 million watched the final episode in 1993. Was it THAT LONG ago?
I was sure one of those watching it. Just turned off the lights at the end. My favorite character by far was Coach, who just lived in his own little world. That opening bit where people were humming a song and whenever they walked by someone else, they started humming it. That is, until someone walked by coach and he started humming a different song. That was Coach.
Never thought Frazer would do so well in his own show, either.
Great Cast and Great Writing = a Great Show. --RoadDog
I was sure one of those watching it. Just turned off the lights at the end. My favorite character by far was Coach, who just lived in his own little world. That opening bit where people were humming a song and whenever they walked by someone else, they started humming it. That is, until someone walked by coach and he started humming a different song. That was Coach.
Never thought Frazer would do so well in his own show, either.
Great Cast and Great Writing = a Great Show. --RoadDog
Fall TV Shows in Trouble?
The new TV season has just been underway just a week now, and experts are saying several of the new shows are already in trouble.
I've the ones I've seen, the most surprising one on the list is CBS' "Vegas." I saw it and liked it a lot, so hope they give it time.
Two others I would have to give a question mark, however, both on NBC "Guys With Kids" and "Animal Practice." I like the idea for the first one and liked the cast on the second one, other than WAY TOO MUCH MONKEY! Hey, a little monkey goes a long way.
I didn't see "The Neighbors" on ABC, but aliens living in the suburbs could be a good concept. What was that old SNL skit?
I turned "Partners" off part way through it. Why do the networks think we want to see so much gay stuff?
Watching WAY TOO MUCH TV. --RoadDog
I've the ones I've seen, the most surprising one on the list is CBS' "Vegas." I saw it and liked it a lot, so hope they give it time.
Two others I would have to give a question mark, however, both on NBC "Guys With Kids" and "Animal Practice." I like the idea for the first one and liked the cast on the second one, other than WAY TOO MUCH MONKEY! Hey, a little monkey goes a long way.
I didn't see "The Neighbors" on ABC, but aliens living in the suburbs could be a good concept. What was that old SNL skit?
I turned "Partners" off part way through it. Why do the networks think we want to see so much gay stuff?
Watching WAY TOO MUCH TV. --RoadDog
There I Go Again, Buying That Obsolete Technology
I just can't help myself.
This past weekend, I bought a book and six CDs. All obsolete technology.
Friday, I had to get the new one by Mumford & Sons called "BABEL" pronounced "Baybull" at target. Love that sound.
Then to Half-Price Books with all that Mom and Pop feel to the place. Great selection and price. Always costs $30 to $40 to go in there. This would be the one in Palatine, Illinois, by Dundee and Rand (US-12) roads.
WE LOVE PIRATE RADIO-- Five CD set with 105 1960s songs. Lots of British songs.
SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES: 1977-- Three CD set with some we are familiar with here in the US and a lot of the ones from the UK.
ENDLESS HIGHWAY: THE MUSIC OF THE BAND--Singers and groups like Bruce Hornsby, Allman Brothers, Blues Traveler and Josh Turner singing songs by you-know-who.
RED RUBBER BALL-- THE CYRKLE-- A greatest hits collection. remember "Turn Down Day?"
The book was on battleships and cruisers in the world's navies.
Then, yesterday, I went to the Vinyl Revolution in McHenry, Illinois, and enjoyed flipping through those CDs and albums. Limited myself to just one CD.
TO THE BONE-- KINKS-- Their last release before breaking up in 1996, a double CD with 29 songs.
Stuck in the Past. --RoadDog
This past weekend, I bought a book and six CDs. All obsolete technology.
Friday, I had to get the new one by Mumford & Sons called "BABEL" pronounced "Baybull" at target. Love that sound.
Then to Half-Price Books with all that Mom and Pop feel to the place. Great selection and price. Always costs $30 to $40 to go in there. This would be the one in Palatine, Illinois, by Dundee and Rand (US-12) roads.
WE LOVE PIRATE RADIO-- Five CD set with 105 1960s songs. Lots of British songs.
SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES: 1977-- Three CD set with some we are familiar with here in the US and a lot of the ones from the UK.
ENDLESS HIGHWAY: THE MUSIC OF THE BAND--Singers and groups like Bruce Hornsby, Allman Brothers, Blues Traveler and Josh Turner singing songs by you-know-who.
RED RUBBER BALL-- THE CYRKLE-- A greatest hits collection. remember "Turn Down Day?"
The book was on battleships and cruisers in the world's navies.
Then, yesterday, I went to the Vinyl Revolution in McHenry, Illinois, and enjoyed flipping through those CDs and albums. Limited myself to just one CD.
TO THE BONE-- KINKS-- Their last release before breaking up in 1996, a double CD with 29 songs.
Stuck in the Past. --RoadDog
A Look Back: Top 20 Songs October 1962-- Part 1
Taken from The Book of Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts From 1954 to the Present Day (well, 2001) by Dave McAleer.
Based on the Billboard Charts for the whole month.
Going back 50 years to this month, October 1962. I was 11, in sixth grade and living in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. This was PB (Pre-Beatles) so I wasn't listening to music at the time.
1. MONSTER MASH-- Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt Kickers. I wonder if he was related to Wilson (as in Pickett). I actually got to see him sing this song at the Kenosha County (Wisconsin) Fair. For some reason, I sure played this song a lot in October when I was deejaying.
2. SHERRY-- FOUR SEASONS-- An all-time great.
3. RAMBLIN' ROSE-- NAT "KING" COLE-- One of my Dad's favorites. Dad listening to pop music? Who'd have figured.
4. PATCHES-- DICKEY LEE-- The only "Patches" song I knew was that syrupy one by Clarence Carter.
5. DO YOU LOVE ME-- CONTOURS-- Great song when released. Great in that dance scene from ""Dirty Dancing."
6. I REMEMBER YOU-- FRANK IFIELD--
7. LET'S DANCE-- CHRIS MONTEZ-- "Food Fight!!!!" You remember that scene from "Animal House."
8. GREEN ONIONS-- BOOKER T. & THE M.G.S-- How do you make a better instrumental than this.
9. HE'S A REBEL-- CRYSTALS-- Great girl-group song.
10. ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK A HEART-- GENE PITNEY--
Welcome to Fall. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Put 'em in order.
Worcestershire Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, Mayonnaise, Corn Flakes
Based on the Billboard Charts for the whole month.
Going back 50 years to this month, October 1962. I was 11, in sixth grade and living in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. This was PB (Pre-Beatles) so I wasn't listening to music at the time.
1. MONSTER MASH-- Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt Kickers. I wonder if he was related to Wilson (as in Pickett). I actually got to see him sing this song at the Kenosha County (Wisconsin) Fair. For some reason, I sure played this song a lot in October when I was deejaying.
2. SHERRY-- FOUR SEASONS-- An all-time great.
3. RAMBLIN' ROSE-- NAT "KING" COLE-- One of my Dad's favorites. Dad listening to pop music? Who'd have figured.
4. PATCHES-- DICKEY LEE-- The only "Patches" song I knew was that syrupy one by Clarence Carter.
5. DO YOU LOVE ME-- CONTOURS-- Great song when released. Great in that dance scene from ""Dirty Dancing."
6. I REMEMBER YOU-- FRANK IFIELD--
7. LET'S DANCE-- CHRIS MONTEZ-- "Food Fight!!!!" You remember that scene from "Animal House."
8. GREEN ONIONS-- BOOKER T. & THE M.G.S-- How do you make a better instrumental than this.
9. HE'S A REBEL-- CRYSTALS-- Great girl-group song.
10. ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK A HEART-- GENE PITNEY--
Welcome to Fall. --RoadDog
WHICH CAME FIRST? Put 'em in order.
Worcestershire Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, Mayonnaise, Corn Flakes
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