Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Every Blooming THing-- Late May

The yard is a brilliant purple and white right now.  The purple coming from creeping phlox, wild phlox and irises.  The white from the daisies.  I have to have at least a hundred of each.

Plus, I have some little pink perennials blooming.

The tulips, hyacinths and jonquils are gone, as are the lilacs.

The eponeous, azeleas, rose of sharon , golden privets, boxwoods, some of the yews and other evergreen bushes are still struggling to get going after that horrible winter.

Last day to burn yard waste, so I'll have to go out in a bit and do that.

Always Something Bloomin' in the Yard.  --RoadDog

The Drive's 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums-- Part 3

60.  TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION--  Elton John--  '70
59.  DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED--  Moody Blues--  '67
58.  IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR--  Led Zeppelin
57.  EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY--  Rod Stewart--  '71
56.  NIGHT MOVES--  Bob Seger--  '76

55.  CRIME OF THE CENTURY--  Supertramp--  '74
54.  ABRAXAS--  Santana--  '70
53.  GRAND ILLUSION--  Styx--  '77
52.  MACHINE HEAD--  Deep Purple--  '72
51.  DAMN THE TORPEDOES--  Tom Petty & Heartbreakers--  '79

50.  VAN HALEN--  Van Halen--  '78
49.  PET SOUNDS--  Beach Boys--  '66
48.  BORN IN THE U.S.A.--  Bruce Springsteen--  '84
47.  FRAGILE--  Yes--  '72
46.  HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED--  Bob Dylan--  '65

45.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney--  '73
44.  COSMO'S FACTORY--  Creedence Clearwater Revival--  '70
43.  STICKY FINGERS--  Rolling Stones--  ''71
42.  PRONOUNCED--LEH-NERD SKIN-NERD--  Lynyrd Skynyrd--  '73
41.  DEJA-VU--  Crosby Stills Nash & Young '70

Recognize Any of These?  --RoadDog

Just Got Back From Indy-- Part 4

MAY 25TH, 2014:  We stuck around for the crowds to leave and saw Ryan Hunter-Reays' victory lap.  Walked back to the Rv for some cookin' and went to last call at 7 PM of the American Legion and ran into some real interesting characters.

We watched the replay of the whole race in the evening to see...the rest of the story.  Hey, we missed that.

MAY 26TH, 2014:  Most of outside stuff put up last night.  Drove about 50 miles on I-65 and pulled over for a Slider Attack.  Arrived in Round Lake about five hours after leaving.  Tickets, gas and camping came to $300.

Dropped some Indy stuff off at Indy fanatic Terri's and went to J's, Hello Folks and the Legion on the way home.

We did not watch the Hawks-Kings game at all as it came on too late (8 PM) and we don't get NBC  Sports.

Thanks a Lot, NBC.  I'll  Remember This.  --RoadDog


RETIREE Q&A:  Q:  What is considered formal attire for retirees?  A:  Tied shoes.  (I tei mine because otherwise I would trip.)


Friday, May 30, 2014

Just Got Back from Indy 500-- Part 3: Race Day

May 25, 2014:

Awakened by announcements and activity inside the track, just a couple hundred yards away.  Big line for the Legion buffet, but good eating and bacon very crispy.

Much easier entry this time.  Last year some folks got in right as the race began.

Climbed way up to our seats on the catwalk, as far up as you can go right between the first and second turns.  Great seats, but now up to $186 (from $150).

The new race listing of top 16 cars made it easier to keep up with the "angry bees" going around track.  Overall, I knew who was leading most of the time and would recognize them as they zipped by.  I was pulling for James Hinchcliffe and Ed Carpenter who were right in the running for most of the race.

For 149 laps there were no caution flags so they were really driving hard.  The last 51 laps, however, a bit rougher with a lot of crashes.  Worst for me was when my two guys crashed into each other and slid over to right in front of us.  Carpenter was ready to punch out Hinchcliffe when he got out of his wrecked car.

Ryan Hunter-Reay won the race.

--IndyDog

The Drive's 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums-- Part 2

80.  RUNNING ON EMPTY--  Jackson Browne-- '77
79.  FULL MOON FEVER--  Tom Petty-- '89
78.  PERMANENT WAVES-- Rush--  '80
77.  AFTER THE GOLD RUSH--  Neil Young--  '70
76.  A NEW WORLD RECORD--  Electric Light orchestra-- '76

75.  THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST--  David Bowie-- '
74.  FLEETWOOD MAC--  Fleetwood Mac-- '75
73.  A TRICK OF THE TAIL--  Genesis--  '76
72.  LEFTOVERTURE--  Kansas--  '76
71.  LIVE BULLET--  Bob Seger--  '76

70.  HARVEST--  Neil Young--  '72
69.  FOREIGNER--  Foreigner-- 77
68.  ANIMALS--  Pink Floyd-- '77
67.  DISRAELI GEARS--  Cream-- '67
66.  ALL THINGS MUST PASS--  George Harrison--  '70

65.  SOME GIRLS--  Rolling Stones--  '78
64.  A NIGHT AT THE OPERA--  Queen--  '75
63.  AMERICAN BEAUTY--  Grateful Dead--  '70
62.  ELECTRIC LADYLAND--  Jimi Hendrix-- '68
61.  THE YES ALBUM--  Yes--  '71

I Sure Have a Lot of These.  --RoadDog


RETIREE Q&A:  Q:  Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors?  A:  The term comes with a 10% discount.  Plus, back in high school, SENIORS RULE!!


Thursday, May 29, 2014

WLS Top Ten Survey: May 29, 1964

Fifty years ago, today.

1.  LOVE ME DO/ PS I LOVE YOU--  Beatles
2.  DEAD MAN'S CURVE/ NEW GIRL IN SCHOOL--  Jan & Dean
3.  CHAPEL OF LOVE--  Dixie Cups

4.  YESTERDAY'S GONE--  Chad & Jeremy
5.  LITTLE CHILDREN/ BAD TO ME--  Billy J. Kramer & Dakotas
6.  HELLO DOLLY--  Louis Armstrong
7.  LOVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART--  Ray Charles Singers

8.  DIANE--  Bachelors  (jumped from #23)
9.  IT'S OVER--  Roy Orbison
10.  A WORLD WITHOUT LOVE--  Peter and Gordon
10A.  A WORLD WITHOUT LOVE--  Bobby Rydell  (Both of these last two songs jumped from #28)

--RoadDog


RETIREE Q&A:    Q:  "What's the biggest gripe of retirees?"  .  A:  ""There is not enough time to get everything done."


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The Drive's Memorial Day Rock and Roll 500

This past weekend, WDRV, Chicago's Drive, 97.1 FM played 500 great rock songs.  I didn't hear much of it as I was out of town, but these are the top twenty, played on Monday, may 26th.  You can go to their site to see the whole list, all 500 of 'em.

20.  YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG--  AC/DC
19.  YOU REALLY GOT ME--  Van Halen
18.  HEY JUDE--  Beatles
17.  PARADISE CITY--  Guns N' Roses
16.  SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL--  Rolling Stones

15.  SWEET EMOTION--  Aerosmith
14.  KASHMIR--  Led Zeppelin
13.  BABA O'RILEY--  Who
12.  TWIST AND SHOUT--  Beatles
11.  ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL--  Pink Floyd

10.  MORE THAN A FEELING--  Boston
9.  WHOLE LOTTA LOVE--  Led Zeppelin
8.  POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME--  Def Leppard
7.  HIGHWAY TO HELL--  AC/DC
6.  (I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones

5.  WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN--  Who
4.  DREAM ON--  Aerosmith
3.  FREE BIRD--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
2.  LAYLA--  Eric Clapton
1.  STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN--  Led Zeppelin



Once Again, Great Job, Drive!!  --RoadDog

Just Got Back from Indy-- Part 2: May 24th

May 24, 2014:

This was my 63rd birthday.

  After Paul made a great chirrizo and eggs breakfast, we walked over to the Legends Day event at the track.  It costs $10 to get in, but a whole lot of stuff is open.  Watched some of the Drivers Meeting, walked through the Gasoline Alley area where the cars are located and saw several of them outside.

I also went to the memorabilia show and didn't buy anything.  I am making every effort not to get "hooked totally" on the Indy 500 and start buying stuff.  So far, I haven't in my three years of going.  Then went to the Chevy Experience area and had a look at one of the 2014 Camaro Indy 500 pace cars.  I was impressed with the new 2014 Malibus and Impalas.

--RoadDog


RETIREE Q&A:  Q:  How many retirees to change a light bulb?  A:  Only one, but it might take all day.


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Just Got Back from Indy 500-- Part 1


Always a great time out at the track.

FRIDAY, MAY 23RD:  The drive to the track.  We parked the RV at the American Legion right across from the track.  After "we're here drinks" we walked over to the town of Speedway's Main Street area and listened to a band for awhile at Barbecue and Bourbon, even though Sue and Paul couldn't go into the roped off area because they didn't have ids.  You'd think that at age 58 you wouldn't need an id.

Went to Dawson's for a bucket.  They went back to the RV.  I went back to the first band (as I had my id) and listened to them and had some really fine giant wings and corn on the cob drenched in their delicious bbq sauce..

I then went to the Rockin' on Main Street event and listened to a band and got Al Unser, Jr.'s autograph.

Back to the RV and then we went to the Legion and listened to a blues band.

'Cue, Suds and Bands.  --RoadDog

RETIREE Q&A:  Q: "When is a retiree's bedtime?"  A: "Two hours after he fall asleep on the couch."




Monday, May 26, 2014

And, the Real Reason We Are Thanking Today

From the front of the Speedway, Indiana, Post 500, which had=s a memorial for one of its fallen:

CORPORAL ZACHARY B. NORDMAYER
FIFTH SQUADRON
FIFTH U.S. CAVALRY REGIMENT
AUGUST 5, 1987- FEB. 23RD, 2009
U.S. ARMY
KIA BALAD, IRAQ

A Fallen Hero.

Thanks For Nothing, NBC!!!

NBC didn't get many viewers today.  We would HAVE liked to watch the Black Hawks-Kings NHL game, but it is only shown on NBC Sports, which we DO NOT GET!!  Plus, it comes on at 8 PM, pretty late for us.

We might have gone to see it at a local watering hole, but here in Spring Grove, Illinois, everybody closes for holidays.

It's time for NBC to change its GRB ways!!!

Well,Here's One We Won't See.  --RoadDog

A Summer Thunder Shower

Not much better than sitting out on the front porch and enjoying the smells and cool of a summer thunderstorm (well, a mild one).  The smell...wow.

I was just outside and enjoying it.

--RoadDog


RETIRED Q&A:  Q.  How many days in a week.  A. 6 Saturdays, 1 Sinday.


Memorial Day 2014

Wishing all the families of the fallen in American service the best, on this the annual observance of memorial Day.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

JSS: Senior Moment-- Address Labels-- Indy 500-- Forget That Third Period

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SENIOR MOMENT--  This morning, it was the great where did I put my coffee cup search.  I make up a pot of coffee and then drink on it several days.  I just heat a cup up in the microwave.  I then return the  cup to the sink.  Well, this morning it wasn't there, nor was it anywhere else I sometimes leave it.

After looking all over, I decided to check the microwave...and there it was.  And, it already had coffee in it.  What had happened was that I had decided to have a second cup of coffee yesterday, put it in the microwave, walked away and....  Well, I forgot...evidently.  Drank it today, though.


2.  ADDRESS LABELS--  I couldn't help but chuckle when I opened my envelope of flyers and found an ad for address labels.  You can get 250 for $3.99 or 500 for JUST $2 more.  I kind of hate to break it to them, but I am kind up to my --- in address labels thanks to all the worthy causes that want my dough.

There is NO WAY I could ever use the ones I already have or the ones that continue to come in the mail...everyday!!


3.  INDY 500--  Heading out tomorrow for that big raceway in central Indiana for the third time in as many years.  No postings for the next several days.

4.  FORGET THAT THIRD PERIOD--  Worst twenty minutes of Blackhawk hocker (that's right, Hocker...that sure wasn't hockey) ever.  Five Kings goals and what was a 2-1 lead was a 6-1 loss.  But, I'd rather lose like that than 3-2.

Perhaps our leaving Twisted Moose after the second period (with a 2-1 lead) had something to do with it.  Not that we're superstitious or anything.

Just Some Stuff--  RoadDog

WLS Top Ten Survey for May 22, 1964

1.  LOVE ME DO / PS I LOVE YOU--  Beatles
2.  DEAD MAN'S CURVE / NEW GIRL IN SCHOOL--  Jan and Dean
3.  YESTERDAY'S GONE--  Chad Stewart  & Jeremy Clyde

4.  CHAPEL OF LOVE--  Dixie Cups
5.  HELLO DOLLY--  Louis Armstrong
6.  LOVE ME WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART--  Ray Charles Singers
7.  TALL COOL ONE--  Wailers  (You have to give these guys credit for sticking around right during the midst of all that Beatlemania stuff.  They were Top ten for most of March-May.)

8.  LET'S HAVE A PARTY / LITTLE DONNA--  Rivieras (I didn't know they had another hit besides "California Sun."  Jumped from #24 the previous week.)
9.  LITTLE CHILDREN / BAD TO ME--  Billy J. Kramer & Dalotas  (Jumped from #29.  Another British Invasion group from Liverpool.)
10.  THE WORLD I USED TO KNOW--  Jimmy Rodgers

11.  Thank You Girl/Do You Want to Know a Secret--  Beatles

I'll Have to Check Out Those Rivieras Songs.   --RoadDog

The Drive's 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All-Time-- Part 1

Back on April 7, 2011, WDRV, 97.1 FM in Chicago listed and played the first side of the 100 greatest classic rock albums of all time.  That lucky Scott of Crown Point, Indiana, won ALL 100 on vinyl!!!   I didn't, but have most of them anyway (and many on that vinyl stuff).  The date following the artist is the year released.

Back in 2011, I was listing them as I heard them.  This is the complete list.

100,  SCARECROW--  John Mellancamp '85
99.  THE CAPTAIN AND ME--  Doobie Brothers '73
98.  TATTOO YOU--  Rolling Stones '81
97.  THE STRANGER--  Billy Joel--  '77
96.  PARADISE THEATRE--  Styx  '81

95.  LET IT BE--  Beatles '70
94.  SYNCHRONICITY--  Police '83
93.  MOONDANCE--  Van Morrison '70
92.  ESCAPE--  Journey '81
91.  SLOWHAND--  Eric Clapton '77

90.  LED ZEPPELIN 3--  Led Zeppelin '70
89.  BLONDE ON BLONDE--  Bob Dylan '66
88.  FLY LIKE AN EAGLE--  Steve  Miller Band '76
87.  EAT A PEACH--  Allman Brothers '72
86.  HYSTERIA--  Def Leppard '87

85.  LIVE AT BODUKAN--  Cheap Trick '79
84.  ENDLESS SUMMER--  Beach Boys '74
83.  DARKNESS AT THE EDGE OF TOWN--  Bruce Springsteen '78
82.  BAT OUT OF HELL--  Meatloaf ''77
81.  SWEET BABY JAMES--  James Taylor '70

How Many Do You Have?  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "You have to give 100 percent in the first half of the game.  If that isn't enough, in the second half, you have to give what is left."  Last one.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Good Times in the Area: Chain Crawl Kickoff Party and Hawks Game

MAY 16TH, FRIDAY: Met Sue and Paul at Dirty Rooster in Antioch and then Kevin and Kelly at the Legion in Fox Lake.

MAY 17TH, SATURDAY:  Kick-off party for 2014 Chain Crawl.  This is a boating thing (even though our boat is still in the barn in Hebron).  38 places in one summer to go to and get passports stamped.  Always a good time.  We picked up our passport, tee shirt and book at Port of Blarney in Antioch (On channel off  Grasslake)..  Then had lunch at Bella Luke's Hot Dogs in Fox Lake.  Got our second stamp at the Lagoon Lounge (off Pistakee Lake) in Fox Lake who now have throwback Hamm's Beer "From the Land of Sky Blue Waters" on tap.

Next stop at Dockers ( Pistakee Lake)in Fox Lake where we met a fun couple and then El Puerto on Nippersink Lake.

Came home and cut the grass and then went to Captain's Quarters (off Fox Lake) and saw the band Hans & the Harmones and their hectic rock.  The place was packed.

So, we got five passport stamps today.

MAY 19TH, SUNDAY:  The main thing today, after listening to my two radio shows in the morning (Rock and Roll Roots and Breakfast With the Beatles) was the playoff game between the Black Hawks and LA. Kings (this matches up the winners of the Stanley Cup the last two years).  Lots of fun with food and drink specials, air horns, flashing lights and "Chelsea Dagger" when the Hawks would score.

Big crowd as usual and most in Hawk gear and cheering.  We had eight of our Usual Suspects football-watching crew there as well.

Afterwards went to Rusty Nail in Ringwood and then Antonio's in Spring Grove with Kevin and Kelly.

Not a Bad Weekend.  --RoadDog

#1 Songs for Week of May 18th-- Part 2

1961--  RUNAWAY--  Del Shannon
1962--  STRANGER ON THE SHORE--  Mr. Acker Bilk
1963--  TWO FACES HAVE I--  Lou Christie
1964--  LOVE ME DO/PS I LOVE--  Beatles  (Beatlemania, don't you know.)
1965--  MRS. BROWN YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAUGHTER--  Herman's Hermits

1966--  MONDAY MONDAY--  Mamas and Papas
1967--  DON'T YOU CARE--  Buckinghams  (Chicago's own)
1968--  MONY MONY--  Tommy James & the Shondells  (Mutual of Omaha New York)
1969--  GET BACK--  Beatles featuring Billy Preston  (How would it be to get featured by the Beatles?)
1970--   CECILIA--  Simon and Garfunkel  (One of my favorite S&G songs.)

1971--  JOY TO THE WORLD--  Three Dog Night (What was the name of that bullfrog?)
1972--  THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE--  Roberta Flack
1973--  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLE OAK TREE--  Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
1974--  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk
1975--  IT'S A MIRACLE--  Barry Manilow

1976--  WELCOME BACK--  John Sebastian  (Go, Sweat Hogs and Vinnie Barbarino.)
1977--  WHEN I NEED YOU--  Leo Sayer
1978--  NIGHT FEVER--  Bee Gees
1979--  REUNITED--  Peaches & Herb
1980--  CALL ME--  Blondie

I Know Everything After 1955.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "You can see a lot by observing."


Monday, May 19, 2014

#1 Songs for Week of May 18th Through the Years

From Oldies Music site.

1951  TOO YOUNG--  Nat "King" Cole  (And that was exactly what I was since I was born this week back in 1951.)
1952  HERE IN MY HEART--  Al Martino
1953  THE SONG FROM MOULIN ROUGE (WHERE IS YOUR HEART)--  Percy Faith
1954  LITTLE THING MEAN A LOT--  Kitty Kalen
1955  HONEY BABE--  Art Mooney

1956  HEARTBREAK HOTEL--  Elvis Presley
1957  I'M WALKIN'--  Ricky Nelson
1958  ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM--  Everly Brothers
1959  KANSAS CITY--  Wilbert Harrison
1960  SINK THE BISMARCK--  Johnny Horton

60s and 70s Next.  --RoadDog

JSIS: Mick's a Great-Grandfather-- "Hang On Sloopy"

1.  MICK'S A GREAT-GRANDFATHER--  Has it finally come to this?  Rolling Stone front guy Mick Jagger became a great-grandfather when his granddaughter Assisi gave birth to a daughter.  Egads!!


2.  "HANG ON SLOOPY"--  A bill to make "Hang On Sloopy" the official Ohio State Rock Song passed the state's House of Representatives on May 7th without opposition.  The Ohio State Marching Band even played it for the legislators (it is already played during OSU football games).

It now goes to the Senate.

A resolution honoring the song was passed in 1985, but never officially placed into law.

Hang On Ohio.  --RoadDog

YOGI-ISMS:  "90% of the putts that are short don't go in."


Deaths: Jerry Corbitt (Youngbloods)-- Peter Callander (Songwriter)

JERRY CORBITT, Died March 9, 2014.  Guitarist and founding member of Boston's Youngbloods in 1966 with Jesse Colin Young.  The group became the house band at Cafe Au Go-Go in New York City.  Mr. Corbitt wrote and was lead singer on the minor hit "Grizzly Bear" which went to #52.

Their "Get Together" really launched the band's career, but only went to #62 in 1967.  But when it became the promotion for the National Conference of Christians and Jews, it went to #5 in 1968.

PETER CALLANDER, 74.    Died February 25, 2014.  Lyricist for  "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde,"  "Billy Don't Be a Hero," "The Night Chicago Died" and "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast."

Deaths: Hilano Ramus (Association) -- Jessica Cleaves (Friends of Distinction)

From Oldies Music News.

These are deaths that happened in the music world that had an impact on me.

HILANO "LARRY" RAMUS, 71:  Died April 30, 2014.  Early member of the Association, born in Hawaii.  Member of the New Christy Minstrels before joining the Association.  Sang on "Windy" (#1-1967), "Never My Love" (#2--1967) and "Everything That Touches You" (#10--  1968).  The Association was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

JESSICA CLEAVES, 65:  Died May 2, 2014.  Original member of the Friends of Distinction and later sang with Earth, Wind and Fire and Parliament/Funkadelic.  The Friends of Distinction formed in Los Angeles in 1966 and were discovered by football player-turned-actor Jim Brown who got them signed with RCA.

She sang on hits "Grazing in the Grass" (#3--1969), "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" (#6--  1970) and "Going in Circles" (#15-- 1969).


Saturday, May 17, 2014

JSS: Snow & Frost-- Camp Grant-- Chain Crawl KickOff

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SNOW & FROST--  What's with this the last two mornings?  And that mean old Round Lake carnival is gone.  Who to blame a smattering of snow reported in McHenry County yesterday morning (not here though).  Last night, I brought in the plants I had bought and not yet planted.  Where's all this cold coming from?  All that G.W.?

2.  CAMP GRANT--  At 9:30 AM, I'll be at the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society's presentation on World War II's Camp Grant out in Rockford where so many Army medics trained.  Should be quite interesting and I have written about it in my World War II blog.

3.  CHAIN CRAWL KICKOFF--  Today, despite the low temps and Chain-wide No-Wake (our boat, though, is still in the barn out in Hebron), the annual Chain Crawl kicks off with stops at four different places this afternoon and then at 7 PM, the band starts at Captain's Quarters.

Good Times in the Area Despite the Cold.  --RoadDog

Sweet Soul Music from Boomer Radio

Again, all the great stuff a "Boomer" could possibly want.

After some initial internet problems, I've been listening to Boomer radio's Sweet Soul Music since 5:40 AM.  Here's what they've been playing:

LOVE HANGOVER--  Diana Ross
ABC--  Jackson Five  (Those first four songs, wow!)
REUNITED--  Peaches and Herb
UP UP AND AWAY--  Fifth Dimension
SOMEBODY'S BEEN SLEEPING--  100 Proof Aged in Soul  (Always enjoy this one.)

TAKE YOUR TIME (DO IT RIGHT)-- S.O.S. Band  (Get your Funk on.)
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Gladys Knight & the Pips (Even before Marvin did his thing.)
SLIPPING INTO DARKNESS--  War
THE SNAKE--  Al Wilson  (Quite a story song.  Was he talking about a snake?)
ROCK THE BOAT--  Hues Corporation  (Early, early Disco.)

STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN--  Mel and Tim
OUR LOVE--  Natalie Cole
FLOY JOY--  Supremes  (The new Supremes.)
FIGHT THE POWER (PART 1)--  Isley Brothers  (One you don't hear nearly enough.)
LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY--  Friends of Distinction  (Always reminds me of student days at NIU.  Always reminded me of the 5th Dimension.)

SATURDAY NITE--  EW&F
(I'M A) ROADRUNNER--  Jr. Walker & All Stars
P.Y.T. (PRETTY YOUNG THING)--  Michael Jackson  (I forgot how good this one was.)
THERE'S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN--  Archie Bell & the Drells  (Beach Music from the "Tighten Up Guy.)
CALL ME--  Al Green (How smooth can you glide?)

NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE--  Isaac Hayes  (The "Shaft" guy gets mellow.)
EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly & Family Stone
I LOVE MUSIC--  O'Jays

The Last One Always Takes me Back to NIU Back In the Day.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  When asked what time it was, Yogi said, "Do you mean right now?"


Friday, May 16, 2014

Relish the Opportunity: Chicago Sports Hot Dogs

From the May 7, 2014, Chicago tribune "Main Event: Relish the opportunity."

"With the overhyped Hot Doug's (a famous Chicago hot dog stand) supposedly closing in October, who is going to name encased meat sandwiches after famous people?  We are.  That's who."  All but the last one are Chicago sports figures.

THE JAY CUTLER--  100 percent turkey jerky.
THE BOOZER--  Also known as the 50 Cent
THE ABREU--  Warning.  Mighty hot.
THE JOAKIM NOAH--  Soaked and steeped in something.  What is it?  Can't say.
THE KANER--  Extra juice.  Extra Mustard.
THE THEO EPSTEIN--  The ingredients are still a mystery.
THE DERRICK ROSE--  Order ahead, this could take a long time.
THE KEN HARRELSON--  Can o' corn dog.
THE PHIL EMERY--  Grilled, sliced and diced.
THE TOM THIBODEAU--  Delicious when steamed.
THE JIM BELUSHI--  What's between the buns?  Absolutely nothing.

There are some great insides in this list and pretty funny if you know who they are talking about.  All except, Jim Belushi.  he is one really funny guy.

--RoadDog

Bands That Took Their Names from Movies

March 8, 2011, List of the Day "25 Bands That Took Their Names from Movies" by Rob O'Connor.

I am just listing the bands whose names I recognize.

KNACK--  The Knack (And How to Get It) (1965)
BAD COMPANY--  Nine movies with that title, beginning in 1925.
THEM--  Movie about giant ants (1954)
BLACK SABBATH--  A 1963 horror film.
SEARCHERS--  The Searchers (1956)
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS--  (1971)
FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS--  All the Fine Young Cannibals.

--RoadDog

YOGI-ISMS:  Yogi was interviewed after a game.  As compensation, he received a check "Pay to the order of Bearer."  Yogi said, "I've known this guy so long, he can't spell my name right."


Thursday, May 15, 2014

WLS Silver Dollar Survey Top Ten for May 15, 1964

And, that would be FIFTY YEARS ago, in case you're counting.

1.  LOVE ME DO/ P.S. I LOVE YOU--  Beatles
2.  DEAD MAN'S CURVE/ NEW GIRL IN SCHOOL--  Jan and Dean
3.  HELLO DOLLY--  Louis Armstrong

4.  CHAPEL OF LOVE--  Dixie Cups
5.  TALL COOL ONE--  Wailers
6.  SUSPICION--  Terry Stafford
7.  YESTERDAY'S GONE--  Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde (before they were Chad and Jeremy).  Yet another British Invasion group.

8.  CROOKED LITTLE MAN--  Serendipity Singers
9.  THANK YOU GIRL/ DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET--
10.  RONNIE--  Four Seasons (jumped from#16)

Too Much Music.  --RoadDog

Five Things NEVER to Ask on a Job Interview

From Yahoo! Monster.  by Dominique Rodgers.

Like you should have to mention these.

1.  What does this company do?

2.  What is your drug testing policy?

3.  How long until I can have your job?

4.  What about overtime?

5.  Any question about what you've already been told.

Get these Down, Young Job-Seeker.  --RoadDog

Truth In Advertising

On one site I went to, I saw an ad for Dog Poop Pickup Service.  They say, "We're here to pick up where your dog left off."  And, even better, their prices start from $7.95.  I would guess that applies to small dogs.  I wonder how much they charge for St. Bernards or Great Danes?

Now I Done Seen Everything.  --RoadDog

One Mighty Cool Spring for a Global Warming

Overall, this has not been a great spring around northeast Illinois.  And, that is after one REALLY, REALLY COLD WINTER.  We actually had temps in the upper 70s over last weekend (and were of the opinion that the Round Lake Spring Carnival Jinx might, at long last, be over).

However, the rain storms came late Sunday afternoon and we haven't been over 60 degrees since.  Even worse, we've had some huge rain storms and it is raining right now with high predicted at 55 degrees.  Tomorrow 52 degrees.

Perhaps we need to come up with a new, more appropriate name for this ballyhooed Global Warming.  Maybe something along the lines of GW, Much Colder Than You'd Think.

Bring On the War,!!!  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "Ninety percent of baseball is mental, the other half is physical."





Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Four New CDs (Well, New to Me)

Saturday, i went to my local mom and pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier,  in McHenry, Illinois to peruse the stacks of wax and whatever they make CDs out of.  The owner said that he had started the store when he heard that Skip at Full Cyrkle Records in Crystal lake was closing his shop.  He said that THERE SHOULD BE a place for us vinyl, non-downloading folk to go to and flip those albums until our hearts were content.

I not only flipped the vinyl, but also the CDs.

I bought Come Together: America Salutes rthe Beatles which is a collection of Beatle songs done by country stars like Tanya Tucker, Delbert McClinton Little Texas and even Chet Atkins.  I also got Music From Big Pink by the Band, that was their first outing in the record biz.

But two I was particularly happy with were by the Kinks.  I have been going back and collecting Kinks albums/CDs of late as I have gotten to like them even more than before.  They were the grungy Beatles before the Beatles got grungy.  The owner told me that someone had come in and sold their whole collection of Kinks and Creedence Clearwater Revival CDs.  I already have all the CCR/John Fogerty CDs.

I ended up buying The Live Kinks CD from the 1960s and Everybody's in Show-Biz.

Looking Forward to Some Listening.  --RoadDog

Dec. 31, 1960 WLS Silver Dollar Survey

Just in case you missed them.  I would have been nine and wasn't listening to pop music.  Not a real lot of rock, though.

1.  WONDERLAND BY NIGHT--  Bert Kaempfort
2.  ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT--  Elvis
3.  EXODUS--  Ferrante & Teicher

4.  MAGNIFICENT SEVEN--  Al Caiola
5.  A THOUSAND STARS--  Kathy Young
6.  YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Johnny Burnette
7.  LONELY TEENAGER--  Dion

8.  ANGEL BABY--  Rosie & the Originals
9.  RAT RACE--  Richard Maltby  (I don't remember this one at all.)
10.  NORTH TO ALASKA--  Johnny Horton

Just In Case.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "It ain't over until it's over."


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Movie Scratches: Sabotage-- Noah-- Rio-- Muppets

A dog's eye view of today's movies.

25.  SABOTAGE--  4-9--  Fox Lake, $4.50--  A real nasty way to steal money.    And, Arnold gets his man.

26.  NOAH--  4-9--  Fox Lake, $4.50--  Like CCR wondered, "Who'll stop the rain?"  I kept thinking that  old Bill Cosby bit.

27.  RIO 2--  4-15--  Fox Lake, $5--  City macaw goes Amazon.  More color than you could ever imagine.

28.  MUPPETS MOST WANTED-- 4-15--  Fox Lake, $5--  Will the real Kermit please stand up.  My badge is bigger than your badge.

Viewing chairs with plastic over them.  What's that about?  --RoadDog

A Visit to My Record Store: Vinyl Frontier

Saturday, I negotiated the horrible mess that is streets in McHenry, Illinois, to visit my local mom and pop record store and spend some dough.  It didn't much matter which street you took, traffic was backed up and you waited and waited.  Il-120 and Il-31 in town are receiving a long overdue construction project.

Talked with the owner who said the Record Store Day we had several weeks ago was the best-ever.  He had over 500 customers that day and made enough profit to buy himself a new car with cash.  Perhaps there is hope for old non-downloading folk like me who just play cassette tapes, vinyl and CDs.

I bought four CDs and an album.

The album was continuing with my collecting Dave Clark Five music "I Like It Like That."  It features that song.and eleven others I haven't heard before.

As the liner notes said: "Exactly what consumes D.C. fans is Dave's compelling directness, a beat that's brazen and bold (to say the least), an approach to tunes (mostly penned with other members of his glad-all-over group) that's rugged and rousing.  In all, music that is as direct as its lyrics."

About Those CDs.  --RoadDog

Back to Ace

Friday, while waiting for Liz while she was at the hairdressers in Round Lake, I drove over to the Ace Hardware on Il-134 (Railroad Avenue as it runs alongside the old Milwaukee Line, now Metra).

I don't know how long it has been there, but it was already at site when we moved into Round Lake Beach in 1975.  At one time the place was billed as the World's Largest Ace Hardware. It may still be as it is the same size.   And in the 70s and 80s it was quite the bustling place.  Just about everybody went  there, even to pay utilities.

And, then, it really got crowded come spring when the plants would arrive.  I spent a lot of time and money there (even though a flat of annuals cost $4.99-$5.99).

Of course, with the coming of Wal-Mart and especially Home Depot and Menard's (down Il-134 at US-12), customers have fallen off tremendously.  Even me.  I rarely go unless waiting for Liz at the hairdresser.

I looked at the flowers outside and walked through the well-stocked store before breaking down and buying a flat of annuals for $12.99 and geranium for 99 cents.

It Was Like Going Back to Old Times.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "It's  deja vu over again."

Monday, May 12, 2014

Boomer Radio: Vintage Rock

Typing away and listening to this great internet station.  I especially like it because they not only play some of the great old songs I've heard a lot, but quite a few I'm either not very familiar with or have never heard.  Here are the songs played since noon today.  The ones with ** mean I wasn't overly familiar with it:

GO DOWN GAMBLIN'--  BS&T
M'LADY--  Sly & the Family Stone.  My absolute favorite song at the Delta Sig dances back in college.  Put this on and see one "Dancin' Fool!"
**HOT BURRITO NO. 1--  Flying Burrito Brothers
**HOMBURG--  Procul; Harum

HEARTBREAKER--  Led Zeppelin.  I was kind of wondering if they'd play "Livin' Lovin' Maid" next.  They didn't.  Probably the first time the two songs haven't been played back-to-back.  I was sure ready for it.
**TAM LIN--  Fairport Convention  I thought it was the Jefferson Airplane.
**BABY'S CALLING ME HOME--  Steve Miller Band
**DON AND DEWEY-- It's a Beautiful Day

MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan
**IRON BUTTERFLY THEME--  Iron Butterfly
PLASTIC FANTASTIC LOVER--  Jefferson Airplane
UP TO ME--  Jethro Tull

**SAD MORNING--  Buffalo Springfield  And here I was thinking I'd heard all their songs.
BOX OF RAIN--  Grateful Dead
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN--  Who  For some reason I always thing TV when I hear this song nowadays.
MAY THIS BE LOVE--  Jimi Hendrix.  I always thought this one was named "Waterfalls."

**PRETTY POLLY--  Judy Collins
LOVE ME TWO TIMES--  Doors
NO MORE MR. NICE GUY--  Alice Cooper
**WAKE ME, SHAKE ME--  Blues Project

SONG OF THE WIND--  Santana

This Is One Great Station!!  --RoadDog

May 8, 1964 WLS Silver Dollar Survey Top Ten

Just taking a look at Beatlemania a HALF CENTURY ago!!!


1.  Dead Man's Curve/New Girl in School--  Jan and Dean
2.  Suspicion--  Terry Stafford
3.  Love Me Do/ P.S. I Love You--  Beatles

4.  Tall Cool One--  Wailers
5.  Hello Dolly--  Louis Armstrong
6.  White On White--  Danny Williams  (Sure wish I had remembered this song as it would have been so great of a father-daughter dance when I used to deejay.)
7.  Bits and Pieces--  Dave Clark Five

8.  Crooked Little Man--  Serendipity Singers
9.  Whenever He Holds You--  Bobby Goldsboro
10.  Thank You Girl/You Can't Do That--  Beatles

#21.  Not Fade Away-- Rolling Stones

--SongDog

Fire at the Polish Legion in McHenry

Yesterday, we went over to the Polish American Legion in McHenry, Illinois, for their monthly brunch.  When we got there, we found the place so crowded that people were eating while standing up.  That wasn't our  scene so we left and went elsewhere to eat.

As we were leaving, we noticed that a person ran out and called for some workers to come in very quickly.

Last night when we got home, we found out that they had had a bad fire and a whole lot of damage was done.  It must have started right when we were leaving, judging from the time of the fire given in the newspaper.

Fortunately, there were no injuries and most of the plaques and important stuff was saved.

The club has been there since 1980 and plan to continue elsewhere while it is rebuilt.

Sure glad we had left.

They don't know for sure how it started.  But, someone mentioned that there have now been three restaurant fires in the last several months in the McHenry area:  Wings and Things completely burned down.  Rusty Nail had damage.

We'll Miss It In the Meantime.  --RoadDog

Ten Most Annoying Time-Wasters-- Part 2

5.  Tamper-Proof Packaging.  Well, I figured out how to open those medicine bottles.

4.  Automatic telephone directories.  Be prepared to wait.

3.  Malware.  I'd sure like to stick it to them.

2.  Customer Support.  An oxymoron if ever there were one.

1.  Too Many Choices.

--RoadDog

Ten Most Annoying Time-Wasters-- Part 1

From July 9, 2010, Listverse.

10.  Blow-In Cards in magazines.  You know, the "special off" cards that get put in magazines that are always falling out.  Actually, we ought to just start mailing them all in (left blank of course).  All that postage due might get them to start attaching them.

9.  Extension cords and water hoses getting tangled up.  I have a water hose in the back that even if you just look at it, gets a crimp.  If i wasn't so cheap I'd buy a new one.  Oh yeah, Christmas string lights.

8.  Red Lights (Read my way to beat 'em in my RoadLog Blog)..

7.  Microsoft Products (Especially of late)  "Sorry, but Windows has to shut down."  What do you mean, no more updates??!!!

6.  Telemarketers  (Well, just hit your automatic electric shocker.)

Make My Day.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISM:  "I didn't say the things I said."

Saturday, May 10, 2014

JSS: End of Round Lake Carnival Jinx?-- Everybody Out-- McHenry Gridlock-- Chaos at Menard's Nursery-- Dandelion Plot

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  END OF ROUND LAKE CARNIVAL JINX?--  Today is drop-dead, down-right gorgeous after the warm yesterday but really heavy winds.  Is it possible that this means the end of that bad-old Round Lake Spring carnivals reign of horrible weather.  I hope so.

2.  EVERYBODY OUT--  With all that great weather, I think everybody who has a car in the McHenry, Illinois, area is out and driving around.  Parking lots were almost full.  Spring Fever has bitten, bitten mighty hard.

3. McHENRY GRIDLOCK--  Unfortunately, with all those folks out driving, downtown McHenry is undergoing a much-needed construction project and roads are torn up and down to two lanes all over, causing some major backups.

4.  CHAOS AT MENARD'S NURSERY--  I've seen Menard's in Fox Lake busy before, but not like today.  And, the inside wasn't too bad.  But just try to get near the nursery area.  The checkout lines were both open and backed up ten deep, made even farther by the carts and shopping carts.  Everyone's in the planting mood.

5.  DANDELION PLOT--  I don't know, but I've seen the multitude of dandelions in my yard seemingly bending over to whisper amongst themselves.  I thinking they're plotting overthrow.  Just to be safe, I'm getting my spade.  Hey guys, think SALAD!!!

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog

I've About Had It With NBC

More specifically, NBC Sports.

Why do they keep putting the Black Hawk games on so late.  Every game this second playoff round has been on between 8:15 and 8:45 PM!!!  That's too late for old folk like me (62).  Maybe ok for the kids, but too late for me.

And, even more maddening, all the games are on NBC Sports Channel, something that does not come with our cable package.  If your home team is playing in the playoffs, they should be available on a local over-the-air station, not just cable.  Here in Chicago that would be WCIU or WGN.

Anyway, I plan on not watching tomorrow's game (on at 8, of course) in protest.

Considering the low quality of most NBC offerings these days, perhaps they should just cancel regular programming and show the NHL Hockey playoffs.

And a Big Boo to NBC!!  --RoadDog

Johnny Cash Memorabilia Auction in 2010

From Canada.com.

The Man in Black had 1000 lots and was expected by Julien's Auctions to bring in between $400,000 to $600,000.

At auction was a blue denim jumpsuit worn in 1969 while rehearsing for his San Quentin live show which became an album.    Expected $3,000 to $5,000.

Knee-length black cape.  $2,000- 3,000.

Martin D-28 acoustic guitar on which he wrote the first four lines of "I Walk the Line."  It is signed and expected to get $20,000 to $30,000.

An undated handwritten note from Bruce Springsteen and addressed to "Big John"  $500 to $700.    It says, "Here's my  latest ((album).  It's got a lot of country + folk influence.  I thought you might get a kick out of it."

The lots also include the lyrics to dozens of obscure and unrecorded songs.

"I Keep a Close Watch On This Heart of Mine."  --RoadDog

Ted Templeman

Musician, producer.  Born Oct. 24, 1944.  In 1967 he was a member of Harper's Bizarre, a group who had a big hit with Simon and Garfunkel's "59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy)."

He has had much success a s a recording engineer and producer, producing most of the Doobie Brothers early albums, including Toulouse Street.  Also Montrose, many of the Van Halen albums, David Lee Roth, Carly Simon, Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, Michael McDonald, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Little Feat's Sailing Shoes.  He also produced Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey and St. Dominick's Preview.

And Most Folks, Including Me, Had Never Heard of Him.  --RoadDog

YOGI-ISMS:  "Nobody goes there anymore.  It's too crowded.
"


Friday, May 9, 2014

JSS: First Grass Cutting-- RL Carnival Still There--Chiang Jiang Buffet-

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  FIRST GRASS CUTTING--  Two weeks ago, I took the lawn tractor out to cut the grass for the first time this season.  However, even though I had just had a company get it ready for the season, half way through, the belt on the deck broke.  I finally got it back Wednesday and cut the lawn which by then really, really needed it.


2. RL CARNIVAL STILL THERE--  Today, we went to Round Lake for our semi-annual dental check ups and cleaning.  And, over by the Big Lots (old Eagle grocery store) we saw a Ferris wheel and other items belonging to the infamous, bring-on-the-bad-weather, Round lake spring carnival.

That would explain the crummy weather last weekend and week before that.  Very warm today but extremely windy.  We'll have to see what the carnival does to this weekend's weather.


3. CHIANG JIANG  BUFFET--  We ate at one of our favorite places in Round Lake Beach after the dental appointments, Chiang Jiang, a Chinese buffet.  It is located in what is left of the once bustling Mallard Creek Shopping center which is now essentially vacant.

We had heard that the place is going to have to move as Meijer's is going to take over the old Wal-Mart and raze the stores in that section to enlarge.  They said they were looking for a new place to operate and we were quick to suggest Fox Lake where our Chinese buffet closed a year ago.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "If the fans don't come out to the ball park, you can't stop them."




Thursday, May 8, 2014

It's a Bird's Life

Enjoyed sitting out on the front porch this morning for the first time and not freezing.  Had my coffee and breakfast out there listening to the many birds around the neighborhood.

A cardinal in the front sunburst honeylocust was chirping out a much different tune from what I usually hear.  Normally it is just a series of sharp chirps.  But he was doing a series of three long chirps, then 3-4 quick ones.  Perhaps it was a mating song.  Hope so.  We would like to get a pair hanging around the yard.

Speaking of birds, the last two days I have been spending a lot of money on them.  Tuesday I went to a local bird store in Spring Grove, Illinois, called It's a Bird's Life.  II wanted to know how to attract cardinals.  The person there was very knowledgeable and told me about the type of feeder I needed, which has a platform for cardinals and other songbirds to stand on as the little perches on the feeder I have up is better for the small birds like sparrows and chickadees.

I ended up spending $56 for a feeder and saffron seed.

Then, yesterday, I spent another $36 at Menard's for two big bags of bird food and another feeder, this one shaped like an old one-room schoolhouse (since we were both teachers).

Those Little Buggers Best Appreciate Me.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISM  "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Top Ten Boy Bands of All Time

From About.com.

Though the term did not come into general use until the 1990s, there are clearly earlier precedents   Generally, it refers to an all-male group, primarily vocals and not playing their own instruments.  They frequently include distinct choreography and are marketed primarily to teens (well, now, pre-teens).

The Beatles and Monkees have a historical importance to the concept, but have been left off this list.

I find it sad that when these pre-teens get older, they seem to drop their crushes.  They shouldn't.  If you liked it at one time, never drop them.  And, these bands have a lot of really good songs.

1.  Backstreet Boys--  1993
2.  New Kids On the Block--  1986
3.  The Jackson 5--  mid-1960s

4.  Take That--  the biggest-selling band in the U.K.--  1990
5.  NSYNC--  Mostly from the New Mickey Mouse Club--  1996
6.  Boyz II Men--  Philadelphia--  1986
7.  The Osmonds--  started as a barbershop quartet in 1958--  pop stars in 1971

8.  New Edition--  1978
9.  Westlife--  1999,  U.K. Their first 25 singles all hit the U.K. Top Ten.
10.  Boyzone--  1993

Nothing Wrong With Them.  --RoadDog

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Inside Scoop On Brother Jimmy (Buffett)

From the Dec. 27, 2012, Y! Music  "Jimmy Buffett Worth $400 Million."

I wonder how much of that he has gotten from me as I sit here with just about every album and CD he's ever put out.

He was born Christmas Day, 65 years ago "The Christmas War Baby Turned Island Boy On the Day W.C. Fields Died.

As far as earnings, he is behind Paul McCartney and Bono, but ahead of Elton John and Mick jagger.He has had no songs in Billboard's Top Pop 40 since 1979 (and didn't have a whole lot before that) although he did have a #1 Country Song with "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" nine years ago.

Owns the Margaritaville chain of restaurants, retail stores, hotels and nigh clubs.  His Margaritaville in the Flamingo in Las Vegas is "the top grossing restaurant in the nation" making some $43 million  a year.

Of course, his concerts are legend with his rabid partying Parrot Heads, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

Wastin' Away Again...Somewhere.  --RoadDog

Monday, May 5, 2014

Perhaps This Is Why College Costs Are So High

From the April 3, 2014, USA Today "Coaches Salaries.

In these days of constantly rising college costs for students, the USA Today ran a payout breakdown for the salaries of the coaches of the 64 basketball teams teams that made it to the Big Dance, March Madness.  Now, I must say I watched a lot of the games and enjoyed it, but perhaps there has come a time when colleges need to reexamine what they're paying their basketball coaches (and football coaches are paid even more!!!)

Some of the pay of the coaches were unavailable, but the majority of the coaches were getting more than a million dollars, especially in the "Major" conferences.

Lowest pay was Wofford's Mike Young at $171,244.  Highest was Duke's Mike Krzyzewski at $9,682,032.

Some of the higher salaries:
Arizona $2,627,806
Florida: $3,905,964
Kansas: $4,960,763
Kentucky: $5,511, 381
Louisville: $$5,758,338
Michigan State:  $3,893,954
Ohio State:  $3,282,000

Check Them Out.  It is astounding.

Good Work If You Can Get It.  --RoadDog




Cancelled or Nearly Dead TV Shows (That I Like)

From the April 3, 2014, USA Today.

These are the shows that I will miss:

ABC--  "The Neighbors" and "Super Fun Night."  I always enjoy aliens coping with earth ways in the former and the latter one was a big surprise as I thought it was going to be really stupid, but showed a lot of promise.

NBC--  "Dracula" and "The Michael J. Fox Show."  I thought the former was to be just a short-run, one-time thing.  I never got to hooked on the latter.

CBS--  "Hostages,"  "How I Met Your Mother" and "Intelligence."  I understood the first one to be just a short-run, one-time show.  I will miss the second one, but it was time to go.  The third one showed a lot of promise.

---RoadDog


YOGI-ISM:  Referring to bad sun conditions in left field at the stadium, "It gets late out there early."


Saturday, May 3, 2014

Yep! Bad Weather= Round Lake Spring Carnival: The Curse Continues

That dreaded nasty Round Lake, Illinois, spring carnival is back on Rollins Road for the umpteenth year and, as usual, is bringing some really crummy weather.  Just about everyone in the area knows about it and what it brings.

I kind of knew it at the beginning of the week when temps started averaging 40-50 degrees, overcast and off-and-on rain/drizzle.  It had to be, and Thursday, we got confirmation when we talked to a man at the Fox Lake American Legion who confirmed that the carnival was indeed getting ready to open this weekend.

We had the crummy weather all the way to today, but even with sun and temps in the lower 60s, there is a lot of cold in the breeze.  

The spring carnival curse started way back when I was a Jaycee in Round Lake around 1977.  I had just gotten into a ticket booth on a day with temps in the upper 70s, sun and just great weather.  Within an hour, temps had dropped to the 40s with a mighty cold strong wind a-blowing.  

Just about every time the carnival has been in town since then, the bad weather has come with it.  

And, even worse, that horrible carnival plays for two straight weekends.

I Hate That Carnival.  --RoadDog

A Few Sports Gripes

Lats night's Black Hawks-Wild game did NOT BEGIN until 8:45!!!  That is way TOO LATE for a home game to begin in Chicago.  And, I was even madder because it was only shown on NBC Sports Channel and the NHL Channel.  Unfortunately, we don't get either channel on out cable package, forcing us to go to Tommy's to watch it.

When a city's team is in the playoffs, people of that city should be able to watch it on an all-access station like WGN or WCIU.

Also, sad to see the Bulls season end.  I doubt that there has ever been a team with more heart and effort as they try so hard to overcome the Rose double-onus.  Not only has he not played essentially for two seasons, the $30 million a year he earns hurts the team when it comes to getting players that can help.

My vote for MVP is Joakim Noah.

--RoadDog

Pete Seeger Day in Minnesota Today

From Oldies News.

Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed today, May 3, 2014, as"Pete Seeger Day" in the state.  This would have been his 95th birthday.  He died January 27, 2014.

Over 35 performers will present a multi-media even in St. Paul tonight.I was unable to find out his Minnesota connection.


Also, Creedence Clearwater Revival's leader, John Fogerty (my favorite group) will deliver the commencement address at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music on May 16th.

Deaths: Paul Goddard: Atlanta Rhythm Section

From Oldies News, a really great site to find out what is going on with anybody connected with old music.  I like old music.

PAUL GODDARD. 68.  Died April 29, 2014.  Founding member and bass player of the Georgia's Atlanta Rhythm Section/  Formed as the house band for Studio One in Doraville, Georgia.  They started out on their own in 1971, but didn't have a big hit until 1977's "So Into You" went to #7.

Other big hits were "Imaginary Lover" (#7 1978), "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight" (#17 in 1978) and "Spooky" (#17 in 1979).

Rolling Stone Magazine named Goddard's work on "Another Man's Woman" from the 1979 live album "Are You Ready" as one of the Top Five bass solos of all time.  I listened to it on You Tube and see why.

Other hits for the band were "Doraville" in 1974, "Juk'in" in 1976 and "Champagne Jam."

It is too bad that their biggest hits were slow and pretty as these guys could really "cook."

Friday, May 2, 2014

Deaths: Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith and Joe "Speedo" Frazier

From Oldies News.

ARTHUR "GUITAR BOOGIE" SMITH. 93.  Died April 3, 2014.  Composer of the "Dueling Banjos" song from the 1872 movie "Deliverance."  It was a #2 hit for Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell.

Martin Mull had a parody that went to #92 called "Dueling Tubas."


JOE "SPEEDO" FRAZIER, 70.  Died March 1, 2014.  Lead singer and only black members of the group Impalas.  Joe uttered "Uh oh" at the beginning of "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home" which went to #2 in 1959.  It was a mistake that he said it, but they left it in and I loved it.  .

Library of Congress Adds 25 Songs to National Recording Registry

From Oldies News.

APRIL 2ND, 2014:  Some of the songs added this year:  "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers; "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival; "Theme From 'Shaft'" by Isaac Hayes; "Heart Like a Wheel" album by Linda Ronstadt and Vaughn Meader's "First Family" album.

--RoadDog

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Drive's Album Sides Thursday: On Vinyl

Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM is having an album sides May Day today, something they unfortunately only do once or twice a year.  I wouldn't mind having it once a month myself.  Anyway, they play a whole album side ON VINYL, complete with hisses and pops.

That's just the way I used to play 'em back at home in Palatine, Il., the dorms at NIU, the frat house at NIU, home in Dunwoody, Ga., at the dorms and trailer at UGA, apartment in DeKalb, then apartments in Des Plaines and Vernon Hills, Illinois, and our home in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.  Even occasionally here in Spring Grove (where I usually play CDs).

Back then, I either stacked them, played them, then flipped them, or, once I got better turntables, played only one and then flipped it.

You hear the needle drop then they play the whole side, commercial free.

Albums played so far today:(Side)  year:

ASIA (1) '82
LED ZEPPELIN III (2) 1970
BROTHERS IN ARMS--  Dire Straits  (1) 1985
TED NUGENT  1975
OUTLANDOS D' AMOUR--Police (1)  1978

THE JOSHUE TREE--  U2  (1) 1987
RUNNING ON EMPTY--  Jackson Browne (1) 1977
AJA--  Steely Dan  (1) 1977
STREET SURVIVORS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd (1) 1977
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR--  Beatles (2) 1967

I should mention that tomorrow's Ten at Ten is 1968.

Just Like the "Old" Days.  No o-Pads Here (Allowed).  --RoadDog




WLS: 20 Best Silver Dollar Survey Records From Our First Four Years-- May 1, 1964

Hard to believe it, but WLS had just been playing pop music for four years by May 1, 1964.  They compiled a list of the top 20 songs they'd played since their beginning in 1960.  I am not sure what criteria they used.  Maybe it was just deejay favorites or they counted weeks on survey and position.

1.  I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND--  Beatles
2.  SHE LOVES YOU--  Beatles
3.  TWIST AND SHOUT--  Beatles
4.  DOMINIQUE--  Singing Nun
5.  I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU--  Ray Charles

6.  SHERRY--  Four Seasons
7.  SUKIYAKI--  Kyu Sakamoto
8.  SOLDIER BOY--  Shirelles
9.  CALCUTTA--  Lawrence Welk
10.  MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK--  Angels

11.  EXODUS--  Ferrante & Teicher
12.  SUGAR SHACK--  Jimmy Gilmer
13.  IT'S MY PARTY--  Lesley Gore
14.  HEY PAULA--  Paul and Paula
15.  ROSES ARE RED--  Bobby Vinton

16.  WONDERFUL SUMMER--  Robin Ward
17.  DUKE OF EARL--  Gene Chandler
18.  PATCHES--  Dickey Lee
19.  STRANGER ON SHORE--  Acker Bilk
20.  EASIER SAID THAN DONE--  Essex

Kind of interesting to find the Singing Nun, Lawrence Welk, Ferrante & Teicher and Acker Bilt on a top twenty for young folks.  No big surprise with the Beatles in the top three spots.

I Sure Liked That :"Sukiyaki."  --RoadDog

About Those Songs I Didn't Remember On the Last Post-- Part 1

On the May 1, 1964 WLS Top Ten post, I mentioned three songs I didn't remember ever hearing.  So, I went to good old You Tube, the place to hear those obscure songs and sure enough, they had all three of them.

First up was "LONG COOL ONE" by the Wailers.  Of course, with a name like the Wailers, I had to wonder about reggae.  It wasn't.  A great song, though.  An instrumental backed on the You Tube cut with "High Wall."  Definitely a song Little Steven should use as intro-outro on his Underground Garage show,

According to Joel Whitburn's Top Pop book, "Tall Cool One" was originally out in 1959 and went to #36 during a 13 week chart run debuting 5/18/59.  They had a follow up, "Mau-Mau" which peaked at #68 in five chart weeks debuting 8/17/59.  Then, in 1964, "Tall Cool One" returned to#38.    I'm not sure why it came back.  Perhaps it was in a movie?

The Wailers were a teenage rock and roll instrumental quintet from Tacoma, Washington, formed in 1958.

Listen Up, Little Steven.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten: May 1, 1964

1.  Suspicion--  Terry Stafford
2.  Dead Man's Curve/New Girl in School--  Jan & Dean
3.  White on White--  Danny Williams (This would make a really good wedding song for father-daughter dance.  Wish I'd thought of it when I was deejaying.  But the hard dance to find was the Mother-son dance.)
4.  Hello Dolly--  Louis Armstrong
5.  Bits and Pieces--  Dave Clark Five
6.  Crooked Little Man--  Serendipity Singers   (OK, stop singing it. "My roof's got a hole in it...")
7.  Love Me Do/PS I Love You--  Beatles
8.  Tall Cool One--  Wailers (I don't remember this one.  Guess I'll have to You Tube it.)
9.  Forever--  Peter Drake   (Another one I don't remember.)
10.  Can't Buy Me Love/You Can't Do That--  Beatles

Some others of interest:
11.  She's a Bad Motorcycle--  Crestones (Yet another.  With a name like that, I should have remembered it.  )
14.  Thank You Girl/Do You Want to Know a Secret--  Beatles
16.  Yesterday's Gone--  Chad and Jeremy  (or was it Peter and Gordon.  I can never keep the two groups apart.)

--RoadDog

Back to the Amazing April 4, 1964, Billboard Beatles Chart-- Part 2

From Billboard.

In case you don't remember the Top Five Beatles Songs.  Of interest, note the four different record labels the songs were on:

1,    Can't Buy Me Love (Capitol)
2.    Twist and Shout (Tollie)
3.     She Loves You  (Swan)
4.    I Want to Hold Your Hand  (Capitol)
5.    Please Please Me (Vee-Jay)

AND, as if  having the Top Five wasn't enough, the Beatles also had another seven slots occupied on the rest of the chart:

31.  I Saw Her Standing There (Capitol)
41    From Me to You  (Vee Jay)
46.  Do You Want to Know a Secret  (Vee Jay)
58.  All My Loving  (Capitol)
65.  You Can't Do That  (Capitol)
68.  Roll Over Beethoven  (Capitol)
79.  Thank You Girl  (Vee Jay)

No doubt, an interesting story why these songs were on four different record labels.

Did We Even Have a Chance Not to Become Beatle Fans?  --RoadDog

YOGI-ISMS--  Deep Thoughts from Yogi Berra, much to the Aflack duck's dismay:   "A nickel isn't worth a dime today."