Goodbye Paulie

Sad to see that yesterday, Chicago White Sox player Paul Kornerko played his final game.  He is my second favorite Sox player of all time and played for us 14 years.  He had impressive stats in all categories and was a player's player, always thinking of the team first, willing to do whatever it takes.

He played on this year even with a much diminished role, but with no complaint and definitely was embarrassed by all the hoopla in his final year.

In case you're wondering, my favorite all-time Sox player is Harold Baines, a player who reminded me a lot of Paul Konerko.

Great Watching You Play.  --RoadDog

Whole Lot of Karaoke-ing Going On-- Part 3: Top Ten Sung Karaoke Songs

Top of the Pops.  Our research turned up these recurring, more or less timeless karaoke tunes--songs that people just never seem to tire of singing along to.

1.  DON'T STOP BELIEVING--  Journey
2.  GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN--  Cyndi Lauper
3.  SWEET CAROLINE--  Neil Diamond
4.  I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU--  Dolly Parton or Whtney Houston
5.  FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES--  Garth Brooks

6.  POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME--  Def Leppard
7.  MY HEART WILL GO ON--  Celine Dion
8.  THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL--  Whitney Houston
9.  THE ROSE--  Bette Midler
10.  HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT--  Pat Benatar

"Where It Began..."  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Hung out to dry."--  Back in the days of hanging laundry outside to dry.

Whole Lotta Karaoke-ing Going On-- Part 2: Tips From a Karaoke Pro

In case you're in a bar and get the motivation to get up and sing karaoke, you should read this.

"By day, Harvey Silkowitz, 44, is a New York City lawyer.  By night, he sings karaoke--as H-Bomb."  here are his tips to help engage the crowd:

**  CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL.  The song needs to be suitable to your vocal range.  If it is  packed house, pick something more upbeat.  I go through the song books and try to sing the song in my head.  I pick artists who don't sing well.

**  HAVE FUN ON STAGE"  It is contagious.  Move around, smile.  If people see you're having agood time (as opposed to stiff and scared, they will join in.  It also helps to sing a crowd favorite.

There will be a list of the Top Ten Karaoke songs on Monday's blog.

**  WORK THE CROWD   make eye contact.

I think that perhaps Mr. Silkovitz is the kind of karaoke singer I hate to follow, one that sings well.  I especially don't like the ones who don't even have to look at the words.

Beware Those Guys.  --RoadDog

Hanging Around Here Last Weekend-- Part 2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST:  After my customary listening to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on WDRV, we drove to Twin Lakes with intentions of having Bloody Marys at Main Street Station, but we must have had our "invisible shields" up as the bartender could not see us, so we left.

Watched the Packer-Lion game at Donovan's with half te crowd being Bear fans and pulling for Detroit and the other half, like us, wearing the Packer green and gold.  Sadly, it wasn't the Packer kind of a day and they were mostly unable to get anything going.  That nasty Lion player, Suh,  actually played nice for a change.

On the way back, we stopped in at Never-Sink-In in Spring Grove, but ended up staying quite awhile when buddy Kenny came in celebrating his 64th birthday.  So, we just had to play the Beatles' "When I'm 64" and "Yer Birthday."  We had a great time.

"When I'm 64" Will Be Liz and My Song Next Year.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Hit Parade"--  You know, the song list before today's Top 40.

Whole Lotta Karaoke-ing Going On Out There-- Part 1: Me and the Mic

From the June 1-7, 2014, American Profile Magazine "Why we Love Karaoke" by Neil Pond.

Would that have been the name of Jerry Lee Lewis' song had he released it today?

The Japanese translation means "empty orchestra."  And, that is where it started.  But, karaoke is anything but dull and boring.  And, all sorts of folks get up on stage (or floor) and give it the old college try.  There are  even competitions.

I know that I have even gotten up to sing on occasion.  Liz won't after an unfortunate attempt at "Sentimental Journey" that was even more unfortunately recorded.  When she heard it the next day, there was not much of a chance she'd ever get up there again.

Usually, it takes me some "fortifying" to get up there.  Something else that helps is the person that goes up and completely botches it.  But by the time my name is called, the person before me is always really good, making me a sad contrast.

As a deejay when this started, I figured it would be a flash-in-the-pan and be over within a year.  Shows what I knew.

--RoadDog

4000th Post for This Blog!!

Well, actually, this is the 4032nd post.  That's sure a whole lot of two-fingered typing.  This blog has the most entries of all seven of my blogs and is the second-oldest, coming about when I was unable to get into my first one, RoadDog's RoadLog Blog.

Oh, Well.


SAY WHAT   "Ground Zero"--  Hiroshima was Ground Zero of ALL Ground Zeros.  Well, so were the WTC.

WLS Top Ten Survey for September 25, 1964

1.  PRETTY WOMAN--  Roy Orbison
2.  DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY--  Manfred Mann
3.  THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN--  Animals

4.  LAST KISS--  J. Frank Wilson
5.  REMEMBER (WALKING IN THE SAND)--  Shangri-Las
6.  IT HURTS TO BE IN LOVE--  Gene Pitney
7.  BREAD AND BUTTER--  Newbeats

8.  BECAUSE--  Dave Clark Five
9.  A SUMMER SONG--  Chad & Jeremy
10.  CHUG-A-LUG--  Roger Miller

Makes You Want to Holler Hi-de-ho.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Get pink-slipped."  To get a pink slip with your paycheck meant your job was history.

Hanging Around Here Last Weekend-- Part 1

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH:  We went to K.C.'s Cabin at 173 and Wilmot Road for their great breakfast omelets (even better at bogo), then drove around some Spring Grove subdivisions.    Went shopping at Wal-Mart, Target, Goodwill (my electronics store), Home Depot and Meijer's.

No high school football for third week in a row as the only home team was Round Lake and they do not do very well (they lost 58-0).  I missed the two previous weeks because of rain, cold or a combination of both.

Met Kevin and Kelly and Russ and family at the Legion.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH:

Enjoyed breakfast on front porch and then went to the Fox lake/Grant Township Historical Society meeting in Ingleside where we had a presentation of Grant Township Little League.  Did some yardwork before being chased in by a big bad storm.

Later went to the Oktoberfest party at Route 12 Bar and Grill in Fox Lake and saw the band Shreds of Evidence play nothing but 60s music (including a lot of the Kinks and Yardbirds).  Way too loud at first, but we prevailed.

Watched the first part of the NIU-Arkansas game there as well and the last part at Antonio's.  We don't get ESPNU at home.  Unfortunately, we were blown out 52-14.  That Arkansas is tough...and that offensive line of theirs!!!  Smallest guy at 315.

--RoadDog

12 Popular Shows That Will Not Return to TV in 2015

From the July 5, 2014, Cheat Sheet.

I watched five of these shows, shown with *.  Also shown is debut year.

1.  *How I Met Your Mother (2005)

2.   Psych (2006) 121 episodes

3.  *Community (2009) five seasons, 97 episodes.  Really funny at first then got really weird.

4.  True Blood  (2008)  7 seasons, 80 episodes

5.   *Mixology (2014)  1 season

6.  Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares 12 seasons, 123 seasons.  Where they would turn around failing restaurants.  The two in our area that they "turned around" closed a few weeks afterwards.

7.  Warehouse 13  (2009) 5 seasons, Syfy

8.  Raising Hope (2010) 88 episodes

9.  *Dracula (2014), 1 season

10.  Californification (2007) 7 seasons, 84 episodes

11.  Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013) 1 season

12.  *Revolution (2012) 2 seasons.  Watched the first season, but stopped because it was always so dark.

Watching Too much TV.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT:  "Full steam ahead."  Fast forward to diesel and oil.

Deaths: Five Stairsteps-- Music Man--Chicago Record Man

CUBIE BURKE, 49   Died May 14, 2014.  Youngest member of the Five Stairsteps who had the big hit "O-o-o Child  (#8 in 1970)

DON DAVIS, 75:  Died June 5, 2014.  Guitarist on the Capitols' "Cool Jerk," "Money" by Barrett Strong" and later a producer for Stax Records.  Produced "Disco Lady" for Johnny Taylor.

BILL TRAUT, 85 Died June 5, 2014.  President of Chicago's Dunwich and Wooden Nickel Records.  While with Dunwich, signed the Shadows of Knight ("Gloria) and while with Wooden Nickel had his biggest success with Styx, American Breed, the Impressions and Ohio Players.

Deaths: Casey Kasem

CASEY KASEM (Died June 15, 2014)  American Top 40 program for nearly 40 years.

I listened to his show a whole lot back in the 80s and 90s when I was deejaying.  That way I got an idea what was hot and what was not.

Born Kemal Amin Kasen in Detroit and was an announcer for Armed Forces Radio during the Korean War.  Worked at a variety of radio stations on his return including KYA in San Francisco and KRLA in Los Angeles.  Also an actor in low-budget movies and the voice of Shaggy in "Scooby-Doo."

On July 4th weekend 1970, he and his associates, including Tom Rounds (who died June 1, 2014) launched AT40, the weekly countdown of Billboard's Top 40.  It was initially a three-hour show, but later expanded to the four hour show we all know.

It was originally carried on 7 stations and eventually 200.

And, then there was his famous signoff.

"Keep Your Feet On the Ground and Keep Reaching for the Stars."

Let the Fur Fly-- Part 2

From the September 19, 2014, Chicago Tribune.  "Main Event: Furry Friday."

Continued from Monday, September15th.

The results are in for the first round of Chicago-area mascots.  The Canine bracket was the most competitive with a real dogfight between Victor E. Huskie of NIU and LU Wolf of Loyola University.  Victor E. was the leading vote-getter overall!!

Whose Left in the Crazy Eight:

LARGE MAMMAL BRACKET

Benny the Bull (Bulls)

Staley (Bears, they were originally the Decatur Staleys and then Chicago Staleys)

CANINE BRACKET

Victor E. Huskie (NIU)

Skates (Wolves, hockey)

UFO BRACKET (UNCLASSIFIED FURRY OBJECTS)

Southpaw  (Sox)

Roobarb  (Sox)

FTF BRACKET (FLYING THINGS AND FELINES)

Tommy Hawk (Blackhawks)

Ozzie (Kane County Cougars, Class A Baseball)

I've already voted.

Vote Early, Vote Chicago-Style.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Film at 11:  Today's TV news is digital.

Deaths: Wide-Awake Deejay

TOM ROUNDS, 77 (1936-June 1, 2014)

Radio executive and deejay, who in Hawaii in 1959, set a record for sleepliness while deejaying from a department store window for 260 hours.  A record that has since been broken by Randy Gardner who stayed awake for 264.4 hours in 1964.

I can'r help but remember when Dick Van Dyke did that on his TV show.

He was later a music video and rock festival pioneer and helped develop the American Top 40 Show with Casey Kasem  (who died June 14, 2014).

WLS Top Ten, September 18, 1964

Since I missed printing this last Thursday.  I get these from WLS on Oldies Loon dite.

1.  PRETTY WOMAN--  Roy Orbison
2.  THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN--  Animals
3.  LAST KISS--  J. Frank Wilson

4.  REMEMBER (WALKING IN THE SAND)--  Shangri-Las
5.  DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY--  Manfred Mann
6.  A SUMMER SONG--  Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde  (Well, it could have been Stuart and Clyde)
7.  BECAUSE--  Dave Clark Five

8.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Supremes
9.  CAR HOP--  Exports (Still hanging in there.  Great instrumental that most people have forgotten.)
10.  A HARD DAY'S NIGHT--  Beatles

And, I've Been Working Like a Dog.  --RoadDog

WLS R&B Top Ten, September 18, 1964

On this date, the WLS Top 40 Silver Dollar Survey went to the Top 30 with the addition of the R&B Top Ten.  I will occasionally print this as I am a big R&B fan.   I imagine it was an attempt to get  the black listeners.  I don't recognize some of these so You Tube here I come.

1.  MERCY MERCY--  Don Covay
2.  FUNNY JOE--  Hinton
3  RHYTHM--  Major Lance

4.  SACRIFICE-- Little Milton
5.  STEAL AWAY--  Jimmy Hughes
6.  SECURITY--  Otis Redding
7.  BABY, I NEED YOUR LOVING--  Four Tops

8.  YOU'LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN--  Dionne Warwick
9.  I STAND ACCUSED--  Jerry Butler
10.  GOTTA GET MY HANDS ON SOME LOVIN'--  Artistics

--  RoadDog


DAY WHAT?  "Drop a dime."  First, find a a pay phone, then drop in 50 cents.  This could also go for jukeboxes.

Deaths: Dave Diamond: Underground Radio Pioneer

DAVE DIAMOND, 77 (1936-May 5, 2014)

Born Sidney Ivan Davison, Jr..  DJ whose late 60s, early 70s programs popularized many psychedelic and rock bands.  Served Korean War.

His "Diamond Mine" show became one of the first "underground" rock shows in San Francisco in 1968.  One of the first deejays to play the Doors, Seeds, Love, Linda Ronstadt and Iron Butterfly.  Music publisher of Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Incense and Peppermints."

I get these rock deaths from the Oldies News site.  Where you want to go for all information on the oldies artists.

Deaths: Talk Radio Format-- Drummer-- DJ

BEN HOBERMAN, 92:  Died may 3, 2014.  Radio executive KABC, ABC Radio.  Pioneered the Talk Radio format.  I'm not much of a talk radio guy, even talk sports radio.

BOBBY GREGG (1936-May 3, 2014)  Drummer, record producer.  Drummer on Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence."

MURRAY SAUL, 86:  WMMS radio icon in Cleveland  The Get Down Man, noted for his rants against radio.  Got into RnR after the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan even though he was already in his 40s.

Dallas Frazier, Mr. "Elvira"-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

This past week I was writing in my RoadLog blog about my trip to Carolina Beach, N.C. this past July, and specifically about my memories of hanging out in the Silver Dollar Saloon on the boardwalk in 1976 and listening to the jukebox.

We, well me, really played the songs "North Carolina" and "Elvira" a lot.  Both were sung by Dallas Frazier.I sure had a good time listening to them on You Tube and bringing back memories.  Even thinking right now about ordering an album or CD with them on it.

I am a country music fan and have heard of Dallas Frazier on occasion so did some further research on him.

He was born October 27, 1939 and is a noted musician and songwriter who had much success in the 1950s and 1960s.

His birthplace was Spiro, Oklahoma, but he grew up in (Merle and Buck land) in Bakersfield, California.  As a teen, he played with country star Ferlin Husky.

More to Come.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  ""E ticket"  Before the electronic ticket, Disneyland's most expensive ride coupons meant a top-of-the-kine experience.  (Doesn't mean anything to me.)

What the Brits Won't Miss About the Scots-- Part 2

I find out today that the vote for Scottish separation was 55% to remain, but with more promised autonomy.

But, these are too funny not to tell.

NO MORE WHINING, GRIPING AND BELLYACHING:  "Sometimes the sound of complaining coming from north of Hadrian's Wall is worse than a thousand pipers playing at once."

NO MORE SEAN CONNERY:  "He was great as the original James Bond but ever since then he's been one big pain in the butt with his nonstop lobbying for Scottish independence."

NO MORE HAGGIS:  "Not only will you no longer have to eat the stuff, you won't have to suggest that it's edible either."

The author, David Martin, is a humorist living in Ottawa, Ontario.

Wonder What William Wallace's Body id Doing?  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Drink the Kool-Aid."  Extreme compliance, like the Jonestown mass suicide.  When we were growing up, this is what we drank (non-poisoned, of course) instead of that bottled water the kids drink today.  And, it had s-u-g-a-r in it.  Lits of Sugar.

What the Brits Won't Miss About the Scots-- Part 1

From the September 12, 2014, Chicago Tribune by David Martin.

Appropriate today because of the referendum for Scottish independence occurring right now as I type.  Polls predict a close vote.  "But the English shouldn't be pessimistic about Scottish independence given all the positive results it will bring such as:"

NO MORE BAGPIPES:  "the sound of a dozen squirrels being tortured."

NO MORE SCOTTISH CINEMA:  "Can anyone understand what the actors are saying in Scottish films?"

NO MORE ENGLISHMEN WEARING KILTS:"They say it's a manly, but it just seems like an excuse to engage in cross-dressing."

NO MORE SCOTCH WHISKY: Because the Scots are your friends and neighbors, you had to act like the stuff was special and actually tasted good."

NO MORE LOCH NESS MONSTER:  "For all those years you had to humor the Scots and give some credence to their mythical monster.  Let's face it: It's nothing more than an elaborate ruse to entice tourists to visit a land with nothing much else to see."

These are pretty funny.

And, there Are More.  --RoadDog

Sugar Rush: Songs About That Sweet Thang-- Part 2

NO SUGAR TONIGHT/NEW MOTHER NATURE--  Guess Who
CINNAMON GIRL--  Neil Young
SWEET YOUNG THING--  Monkees

ICE CREAM MAN--  Van Halen
SUGAR MAGNOLIA--  Grateful Dead
CANDY-O--  Cars

SWEET MARY--  Wadsworth Mansion
TUPELO HONEY--  Van Morrison
SWEET BLACK ANGEL--  Rolling Stones

SUGAR AND SPICE--  Cryan' Shames
SWEET SOUL MUSIC--  Arthur Conley
SWEET CHERRY WINE--  Tommy James & the Shondells

SUGAR MOUNTAIN--  Neil Young

Gotta Get me Some 'o That Tupelo Honey Next Time to Florida.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Dial her up."  What, no push buttons or memory?

Sugar Rush: Songs With That Sweet Thing-- Part 1

From Bob Stroud's July 17, 2011, Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDTV, 97.1 FM in Chicago.

SUGAR DADDY--  Fleetwood Mac
SUGAR ON SUNDAY--  Clique
CHERRY CHERRY--  Neil Diamond

SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders
WILD MOUNTAIN HONEY--  Steve Miller Band
SUGAR SUGAR--  Wilson Pickett

SWEET TALKIN' WOMAN--  ELO
INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS--  Strawberry Alarm Clock

HONEY PIE--  Beatles
WILD HONEY PIE--  Beatles
SAVOY TRUFFLE--  Beatles

I WANT CANDY--  Stangeloves
CANDY'S ROOM--  Bruce Springsteen
POPSICLE--  Jan and Dean

Cake and Ice Cream Too.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT:  "Cut to the Chase."  Silent film directors often ended monies with thereal action.

The Late Great Clarence Clemons-- Part 2

From Wikipedia.

CLARENCE CLEMONS ( Jan. 11, 1942-June 18, 2011)

Member of Bruce Springsteen's E. Street Band from 1972 until his death.  Made several solo albums (I have one).  In 1985, he had a hit with Jackson Browne on "You're A Friend of Mine."

He cited an uncle who influenced him in his youth when he bought him a King Curtis album.

Attended Maryland State College on both a music and football scholarship.  The Cleveland Browns offered him a trial, but he got into a car accident the day before.

He met Springsteen in 1971 while both were playing in different bands.  On the Greetings From Asburg Park album, he did vocals on two of the songs.

--RoadDog

The Late Great Clarence Clemons-- Part 1

Clarence Clemons was the sax player in Bruce Springsteen's E. Street Band and a key influence on Springsteen's life.

He was called "Big Man," standing 6'5" and weighing 270+ pounds.

He had had health problems in the years leading up to his death in 2011.

He had had a stroke at his home in Singer Island, Florida.

--RoadDog

JSS: Gas Me-- Grass-- Football

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  GAS ME--  I heard on the radio yesterday that gas prices are steadily falling across the country, but not here in northeast Illinois.  It has had two huge jumps in the since Labor Day weekend and has "dropped" to $3.57 right now, considering that it was down to $3.44 a week before Labor Day.  The report said that it is expected to be $3.15 by Halloween and "might" even go BELOW $3!!  That won't happen around here though.

2.  GRASS--  My grass is in fast-growing mode right now.  I have to cut it every 4-5 days.  Cool (cold) temps and lots of rain tends to do that.

3.  FOOTBALL--  All this rain has kept me from getting to see my high school football games the last two Fridays.  Maybe this Friday I'll be able to see the Round Lake Panthers play the Zion ZeeBees.  This past Friday it was both cold and rainy.  I don't see games in either one of those, and definitely not both.

All five teams played in the cold and rain last Friday.

Local high schools I go to for games:

RICHMOND-BURTON ROCKETS--  Our town's high school.  I send lots and lots and lots of money there with my property taxes.
GRANT BULLDOGS--  Fox Lake's high school.  We spend so much time there, this is our second home.
PALATINE PIRATES--  My alma mater, Class of '69.
JOHNSBURG SKYHAWKS--  The School is two miles straight south of us.  When the wind isn't blowing, I can listen to the game.
ROUND LAKE PANTHERS--  Lived there for 19 years and taught there for 33 years.

Rah, Rah, Ree, Kick Him in the Knee...  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Close, but no cigar."  Or Ring.  Those fairground booth prizes were mighty hard to win.

Let the Fur Fly-- Part 2: The The Chicagoland Mascots

These are the mascots in the Chicago tribune poll.  You can vote at (www.chicagotribune.com.mascot)

LARGE MAMMAL BRACKET

1.  Benny the Bull (Bulls)
2.  Clark the Cub (Cubs)
3.  Staley (Bears)
4.  Da Bull (Bulls)

CANINE BRACKET

1.  Victor E. Huskie (NIU)
2.  LU Wolf (Loyola)
3.  Skates (Wolves)
4.  Sparky (Fire)

UFO BRACKET (Unclassified Furry Objects)

Southpaw (Sox)
2.  Dibs (DePaul)
3.  Roobarb (Sox)
4.  Ribbie (Sox)

FTF BARCKET (Flying Things and Felines)

1.  Tommy Hawk (Blackhawks)
2.  Willie the Wildcat (Northwestern)
3.  Sky Guy (Sky)
4.  Ozzie (Kane County Cougars)

I Voted According to My Favorite Teams, Of Course.  --RoadDog

Let the Fur Fly!!-- Part 1: Vote Early, Vote Often (If It's for My 'Cot)

From the September 12, 2014, Chicago Tribune "Main Event Furry Friday:  Let the fur fly."

"Currently, the Mascot hall of Fame is only a virtual place online (www.mascothalloffame.com), but there are plans to build a physical Hall in Whiting, Indiana.  That's great, but we checked the MHOF website and noticed they have inducted anyone since 2008.  Are they super-selective, or just plain lazy?  Let's find out.

"Go to (www.chicagotribune.com/mascot) poll and vote in Round 1 of our mascot tournament."  Round 2 will be next Friday.  I voted today.

They have four brackets of Chicago-area mascots:
Large Mammal Bracket
Canine Bracket
UFO Bracket (Unclassified Furry Objects)
FTF Bracket (Flying Things and felines

And, Who Are the Mascots?  Next Post.  --RoadDog

OK, Let's Call It Something Else: That Global You-Know-What "Thang"

My apologies to those folks who live and breathe the dire consequences of this, but, the Earth has always undergone periods of colder and you-know-what.  I'm sure emissions will have an impact this go around, but, give me a break.

But what I hate most about it is that name, Global You-Know-What.  That second word, to me connotes considerable, or at least noticeable, weather.  And we sure are not getting it around here along the Illinois-Wisconsin border near Lake Michigan.

Last winter, we were introduced to a new word, that hateful, worthless "Polar Vortex."  All spring and summer have been considerably cooler.  Then, this past week, it got so cold, we had to turn on the furnace and I had to bring in my most cold-susceptible outside plants like the caladiums.

Temps since Thursday have struggled to get over 50 degrees and nights dropped into the upper 30s.

I'm thinking we should now call it, perhaps, "Global, Not As ____ As You Might Think."

Oh, Well, Where's That Sweatshirt?  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Catch you on the flip side."  Do they still make 45s?

200th Birthday of the Star-Spangled Banner

And here I was thinking it was today, the 15th, but actually was yesterday.  Oh, well.  Let me congratulate the song and country now (otherwise I would have written about it yesterday, even though I usually don't do the blogs on Sundays).

I still have two flags that have been up since 9-11.

For an excellent short account of the history of the song, check out Wikipedia.

And, of course, in my humble opinion, Chicago has the very best "Star-Spangled Banner" singer, the Blackhawks' Jim Cornelison.  I imagine there is a You-Tube video of him singing it.  It is an experience with cheering and yelling throughout the whole thing.  And then, that voice!!!

We had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him last Saturday at the NIU-Northwestern football game.  

I also really liked the Jimi Hendrix version from Woodstock.

A Big Happy Birthday to That Great Song.  --RoadDog

Today's Top Twenty Beach Music Songs for SOS Fall Migration-- Part 2

10.  SWING IT--  Lomax
9.  WISHING--  Rick Strickland
8.  FELL IN LOVE TOO LATE--  Carolina Breakers

7.  SOMEBODY THROW'D BAD LUCK ON ME--  Summerdaze Band
HM:  SHOOT THAT MOON--  Summerdaze Band

6.  I REALLY DIDN'T MEAN IT--  Atlantic Groove
5.  GOODBYE TRAIN--  Grayson Hugh
4.  SEXY SOUL--  Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot

HM.  SUN, SURF AND SUMMERTIME--  Squash Tones
3.  SHAME ON YOU--  Lesa Hudson
2.  MAYBE WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS--  Entertainers
1.  EXTRA CAREFUL--  Band of Oz

I need to Go Here One of These Days.  --RoadDog

Today's Beach Music Top Twenty: Fall SOS Migration-- Part 1

Listened to the Beach Music Top Twenty on 94.8 FM, the Surf, today as it is the SOS Fall Migration to the Grand Strand.in North Myrtle Beach, S.C..  Ted Bell was playing it as he always does on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. EST.  These are the songs the Beach Music fans are shagging (name of the Beach Music dance, not the English idea) will be dancing to until Monday.

20.  COLD BEER AND HOT WOMEN-- Clifford Curry
19.  FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE--  Backwater Rhythm & Blues
18.  I JUST WANT TO SATISFY--  Steve Owens & Summertime

17.  I NEED YOU NOW--  Rhonda McDaniel
16.  CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU--  Fantastic Shakers
HM.  YOU'RE MY GIRL-- King
15.  HEADIN' OUT--  Boulevard Boys
14.  WHENEVER I CALL YOU FRIEND--  Tim Cashion & Terri Gore

13.  LOVIN' NEVER FELT SO GOOD--  Michael Jackson
HM:  NO MORE PAIN--  Grayson Hugh & Jim Quick
12.  SUNDAY MORNING WOMAN--  Phil Wilson
11.  TAKE ME AWAY--  Debby Dobbins

  Debby Dobbins

Beach Music 1967 Top 40 Songs

From Fessa John Hook.  He is back up and running his weekly Beach Music charts and also Beach Music Yearly Top 40s all the way back to the 50s and, for you blues fans, his great Saturday Night Fish Fry.  You can give all of them a listen at his www.beachshag.com site.

I especially like listening to songs from back then that I liked, but didn't know they were Beach Songs.

40.  I'LL TURN TO STONE--  Four Tops
39.  BELL BOTTOM BLUE JEANS--  Sonny Warner
38.  I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU--  Jackie Wilson

37.  CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU--  Frankie Valli
36.  MORE LOVE--  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
35.  GROOVIN'--  Rascals
34.  HEAVEN MUST HAVE SENT YOU--  Elgins

33.   TOGETHER--  Intruders
32.  EVERYBODY NEEDS LOVE--  Gladys Knight & the Pips
31.  YOU'VE GOT TO PAY THE PRICE--  Al Kent

--RoadDog

Top Beach Songs, June 4, 2011

Catching up on some of my old notebooks of material.

From the Surf, 94.9 FM.

HITBOUND:  Back to the Beach-- Danny Woods & Board of Directors (formerly Chaitman of the Board

12.   BOARDWALK ANGEL--  Carolina Breakers
11.  WHY DON'T WE JUST DANCE--  Josh Turner

10.  SWEETNESS OF YOUR LOVE--  Lust
9.  I STILL DO--  Fantastic Shakers
8.  WHO'S ROCKING YOU--  Donny Ray

7.  A LITTLE BITTY HOUSE WITH A BIG OLD PARTY--  Soul Children
6.  LIGHTEN UP ON ME--  Rhonda McDaniel
5.  I CAN'T THINK--  Band of Oz
4.  LOVING IN REWIND--  Jim Quick & Coastline

3.  FORGET YOU--  Cee Lo Green  (Was it really that long ago?
2.  LET'S WALK--  Austin DeLone
1.  THE BOP--  Miss Jody

A'Beachin' I Go.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  CARBON COPY--  Before Xerox photocopiers.  Never did figure out how to use one and not get it all over my hands.

Sadly, No Johnsburg "Circle of Flags" Ceremony This Year

I drove to the Johnsburg, Illinois, Library at 9 and didn't see anything.  I even tried the veterans' memorial by the Community Club, but nothing was there either.  I guess they are not having it this year.  Too bad.

My wife Liz showed me items on Facebook.  One video to the music of the Eagles' "New York Minute" by a school teacher for his students was particularly impressive. When you listen to the lyrics of the song, they really hit home.  About everything changing in a minute, which it sure did back on 9-11-01.

I also saw the Alan Jackson video "Where Were You" which always gets me.  If any one song sums those sad events up for me, it's that one.

9-11 "Circle of Flags" Commemoration in Johnsburg Today

From the Johnsburg (Illinois)  Library site "9-11 Remembrance in Johnsburg, Illinois.

They started last night preparing the grassy area between the library and First Midwest bank on Johnsburg Road.  Today, September 11th, they will be having "The Placing of the American Flags" at 9 a.m..  They will fly until 7 p.m., when there will be retrieval.  I plan to be at both ceremonies.

This commemoration is largely through the efforts of Barbara and Don Klapperich

This has taken place every year since 2005.  Twenty-eight large American flags and poles are placed.  Tonight, there will also be a candlelight service.

A Fitting Way to Observe This Tragic Event.

GRBs Gassin' Us!!!

It has been painful to go to the ol' gas pump these last two weeks.

First, the GRBs at Big Oil jacked gas from $3.46 to $3.60 in honor of Labor Day (their little attempt to make people's lives better, you know).  Over the next week, they dropped it AL:L the way to $3.54.  Let's see, that was a 14 cent jump in less than a minute, then six days to drop 6 cents.

Then, this past Saturday, in Fox Lake, Illinois,.the gas went from $3.54 to $3.75, a 21 cent jump in a matter of minutes.  On the way home from the NIU/NU game, it had dropped to $3.70, where it still remains as of Wednesday.

Why?  "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Reason," say the GRBs at Big Oil.  We wanted more money is apparently the reason.  And, they don't have to worry about any politicians giving more than lip service about this latest gas gouge.

Makes Me So Mad!!  --RoadDog

A Real Rainy Day 'Round Here

They forecast it correctly and we sure did get a lot of rain starting really early this morning.  I was sure glad we got our boating in yesterday and cut the grass as well.  The grass has been on a real growth kick thanks to all the rain we've been having.  I am having to cut it every four days and even then, it is quite high.

This morning, Linn Braehmer on WXRT was playing rain songs and couple comedy bits on it, including Bill Cosby's "Noah."
RED RAIN--  Peter Gabriel
CAN'T STOP THE RAIN--  Los Lobos
BOX OF RAIN--  Grateful Dead
RAIN--  Beatles

RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD--  B.J. Thomas

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for September 11, 1964

I usually try to do this entry on the exact date, but tomorrow being 9-11, I plan on doing something else.

1.  HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN--  Animals
2.  REMEMBER (WALKING IN THE SAND)--  Shangri-Las
3.  PRETTY WOMAN--  Roy Orbison (from #16)

4.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Supremes
5..  BECAUSE--  Dave Clark Five
6.  LAST KISS--  J. Frank Wilson (from #17)
7.  DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY--  Manfred Mann (not on previous week)

8.  EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY--  Dean Martin
9.  CAR HOP--  Exports
10.  A SUMMER SONG--  Chad Stewart and Jeremy Clyde (Better known as ....)

12.  BREAD & BUTTER--  Newbeats
14.  A HARD DAY'S NIGHT--  Beatles
15.  G.T.O.--  Ronny & the Daytonas
16.  IT'S ALL OVER NOW--  Rolling Stones

24.  CHUG-A-LUG--  Roger Miller
35.  MATCH BOX--  Beatles
35A.    SLOW DOWN--  Beatles
40.  SOFTLY AS I LEAVE YOU--  Frank Sinatra

A Lot of Big Hits on This Survey.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Twenty-Selling #1 Songs 1960-September 4, 1964-- Part 2

11.  CALCUTTA--  Lawrence Welk (Feb. 61).  (Not who you'd expect to see on the pop charts.)
12.  MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK--  Angels (Aug-Sep '63)
13.  EXODUS--  Ferrante and Teicher (Dec. '60)  (Another one you'd be surprised to see on today's charts.)

14.  SUGAR SHACK--  Jimmy Gilmer (Oct. '63)
15.  IT'S MY PARTY--  Lesley Gore (May '63)
16.  HEY PAULA--  Paul & Paula (Feb. '63)
17.  ROSES ARE RED--  Bobby Vinton (July '62

18.  WONDERFUL SUMMER--  Robin Ward (Dec. 63)
19.  DUKE OF EARL--  Gene Chandler (Feb.-March '62)
20.  PATCHES--  Dickey Lee (Oct. '62)

Duke of Who?  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?   CAME IN OVER THE TRANSOM:  Only if you left the little window above the door open.

WLS Best Top 20 Selling #1 Records 1960-September 4, 1964-- Part 1

From the September 4, 1964, WLS Silver Dollar Survey.

WLS became a pop music station in 1960, so this was their best ever songs over the five year period of time.  No big surprise, the Beatles had the top three spots.

1.  I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND--  Beatles (Jan.-Feb. '64)
2.  SHE LOVES YOU--  Beatles (March '64)
3. TWIST & SHOUT--  Beatles (March and April '64)

4.  DOMINIQUE--  Singing Nun ('63)
5.  I CAN'T STOP LOVIN' YOU--  Ray Charles (June '62)
6.  SHERRY--  Four Seasons (Sept. '62)
7.  LOVE ME DO--  Beatles (May/June '64)

8.  RAG DOLL--  Four Seasons (July '64)
9.  SUKIYAKI--   Kyu Sakamoto (May-June '63)
10.  SOLDIER BOY--  Shirelles (May '62)

Four Beatle Songs!  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?:  BIG CHEESE-- Oversize grocery promotions were very impressive.  I don't actually remember this one.

Almost a Full Football Weekend

Friday, I was stormed out, Saturday we attended a college game and Sunday watched   Da Bears lose.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5:  I had to cut the grass in a hurry when it got threatening out and storms were predicted.  they didn't come for a couple hours then we had a big rain and more storms forecast.  I went to see "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" which was surprisingly good.  Another storm hit while I was inside and it drizzled all the way home.

Decided not to go to the Richmond-Burton football game and went to the Legion.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:  We went to the Northwestern-Northern Illinois football game in Evanston.  Happy to report the stadium was almost half red with Huskie fans.  Close game, but NIU won 23-15, our first-ever win over the Wildcats and we are now 1-7-1 against them.

Stopped at White Castle in Palatine on the way home and were too tired to go to the Saufen und Spiel festival in Johnsburg, so just stopped at Antonio's and Tommy's.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7:  Got together with the "Usual Suspects" and watched Da Bear game against the Bills on big screens set up out in the beer garden building at the Squaw Bar.  Stopped at Antonio's and Tommy's on the way home.

Well, 1-1 for Weekend.  --RoadDog.


SAY WHAT?  "Better dead than red"  Then the Berlin Wall fell.  No more Soviet Union.

JSS: A Fourth Gazing Ball and Out-of-Control Grass

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  FOURTH GAZING BALL--  Recently, I had to buy my fourth gazing ball for the front yard.  I am a big fan of gazing balls which probably served as the inspiration for Chicago's Bean in Millennium Park.  This one is green, but the others were blue.

I lost the first one to some trick-or-treaters, the second one tome, when I planted the snow shovel accidentally on top of it when taking a break from the big Groundhog Day blizzard a few years back.  I forgot it was there as it was covered with snow.

I lost the third one while pulling some spent plants and bumped it, causing it to fall off the pedestal onto a concrete frog.


2.  OUT-OF-CONTROL GRASS--  I really had to rush yesterday to get the grass cut before storms rolled in at 11 a.m..  They were forecast and sure liked they were coming, but never materialized.  But, about 2 p.m. we had one bad storm roll through and another at around five, W

We have been getting a whole lot of rain and I have now cut the grass three times in nine days.  Usually this time of the year I only have to cut every week and a half or so.

Just Soime Stuff.  RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  BEAM ME UP SCOTTY:  Some outdated futuristic in the late 60s, Star trek technology.

Say What?

From the June 2010 AARP Bulletin  "Power of 50" by Betsy Towner.

"Technology, customs and culture come and go with the times.  Along the way, they hatch expressions that become ingrained in our language and outlive their roots.

"Perhaps the next generation can use a little help with understanding these 50 phrases."

I will be putting these at the end of my first posts to this blog for the next month or so.

I must admits, there were some of these that I didn't know or hadn't thought about.

For example:  ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH:  Dealt with railroads and switching tracks.  If you were "asleep at the switch" there could be some really dire consequences.

--RoadDog

The Band Called "The Exports": Somebody Get Me a Cheeseburger!!

OK, yesterday, I mentioned that a group called the Exports had the number ten song on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey in Chicago this date.  I didn't recognize the song nor did I know anything about the group, so did a little research.

Of course, I started on You Tube so i could hear the song.  Turns out, I had heard the song before and it is an excellent car instrumental.  It starts with some talk like you'd hear at a car drive-in restaurant (perhaps where Steve Miller got the "Somebody give me a cheeseburger" on their "Living in the USA" song.

There was no information in Wikipedia or on You Tube.  But I did find some background on the Official Site Blog by Carl Huffman, who said he also had a really hard time finding out anything about this group.

The group was formed in 1963 in Glenwood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago located near the Indiana line.  This was their only hit and sadly, only played around the Midwest with very little radio-play on the coasts.  The group modeled themselves after the Ventures.

So, Now You Know.  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT:  BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD:  Now, that'd be back to your computer, iPad or Smart Phone.

WLS Top Ten Survey for September 4, 1964

1.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Supremes
2.  BECAUSE--  Dave Clark Five
3.  THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN--  Animals

4.  EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY--  Dean Martin
5.  UNDER THE BOARDWALK--  Drifters
6.  A HARD DAY'S NIGHT--  Beatles
7.  REMEMBER (WALKING IN THE SAND)--  Shangri-Las (from #20)

8.  HANDY MAN--  Del Shannon
9.  WISHIN' & HOPIN'--  Dusty Springfield
10.  CAR HOP--  Exports  (I don't remember this one.  You Tubes here I come.)

OK. Let's Sing.  --RoadDog


THE LAST SIGNS OF OLD AGE:  Your social security number only has three digits.  Thanks to the Orange peel magazine for these.

Music Deaths: Casey Kasem

Died June 15, 2014, age 82.

Just as important as Dick Clark in early pop and rock music, Casey got the tunes across.  I spent many an hour listening to his shows back in my deejay days to find out what the pop songs sounded like.  I could get the names of big songs from various lists, but I needed to hear them to see if I wanted to include them in my traveling songs for shows.

His was a very familiar voice.

Kind of always reminded me of the Mr. Rogers of the older kids.

Definitely will miss him.  --RoadDog

Chicago Baseball Teams Battling It Out for Last Place

I watched the Sox actually win a game last night.    They are battling it out with the Minnesota Twins for last place in the AL Central.  The Twins are notorious Sox-killers as well, but the Sox broke a 3-3 tie in the tenth to win 6-3.

And, rarity that it is, but the Cubs also won.  It is a rare day when both of our teams win.

The Cubs are deep in last place in the NL Central.

Right now, pretty much the only fun us Chicago baseball fans have is seeing whose team will end the season with the worst (or best) record.

Right now, the Cubs are 63-76 with a .457 winning percentage.  The Sox are 63-75 with a .457 percentage.

Reckon we don't need to worry about the playoffs...Again.

And Adam Dunn, traded from the Sox to the Oakland A's after being paid $54 million over four years to do nothing, hit a home run in his first Athletic at bat.

Go Figure.  --RoadDog

JSS: Traffic Circle-- Property Taxes-- Boating

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  TRAFFIC CIRCLE--  Yesterday I checked out the new and much-ballyhooed traffic circle in nearby Johnsburg, Illinois.  I hate traffic circles.  You never know where they're going to hit you from.  Approaching from the south, they have a sign up "Traffic Circle Open.  Be Ready."  It Should also read, "Be Ready to Get Hit."

2.  PROPERTY TAXES--  Yesterday, I went to our local bank and paid my property taxes to the tune of $4,747.69.  That's a lot, but even worse, that is only HALF OF IT!!  I need a break.

3.  BOATING--  No boating Saturday to Monday because of bad weather and the crowds out on the Chain over Labor Day weekend.    We did go out yesterday and hopefully today and tomorrow.  So far, we've been out 28 times.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog


SIGNS OF OLD AGE:  Your relatives longingly refer to your things as your "estate."

Music Deaths: John Spinter and Gene Walker

JOHN SPINTER Died July 9, 2014.  Born 1954.  Guitarist and songwriter for Outfield. Their debut album, Play deep, went multi-platinum in 1985.  Their "Your Love" (#6 1986), "All the Love in the World" (#19 1986 and "For You #21 1990).

GENE WATSON, 76.  Died July 21, 2014.  Jazz, rock and soul saxophonist.  Toured with the Beatles, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Drifters and the Platters.  Played with Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Isley Brothers, Brenda Lee and Neil Diamond.

I'd never heard of him, but I bet he had some stories to tell and had to be really good to play with that many people.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Richard Cowsill, Tommy Ramone, Johnny Winter

From Oldies News, your place to keep up with any and everything dealing with our oldies artists (not always deaths, either).

RICHARD COWSILL, 63: died July 8, 2014.  Road manager of the Cowsills (remember Reuben Kincaid from the "Partridge Family") twin brother of group member Bob Cowsill.   I sure enjoyed the Cowsills and even the TV series based on them.

TOMMY RAMONE, 62.  Died July 11, 2014.  Last surviving Ramone.  I wasn't much of a Ramone fan, mainly because I had only heard a few of their songs.  But Little Steven got me into the band on his Underground Garage radio show and I am a big fan now.

JOHNNY WINTER, 70.  Died July 16, 2014.  Texas blues man.  I didn't care much for him until I got hooked on the blues.

--RoadDog

Where Were You August 31, 1974?-- Part 3

OH ATLANTA--  Little Feat
DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME--  Elton John
IT'S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL--  Rolling Stones

NOTHING FROM NOTHING--  Billy Preston (The only person to be featured on a Beatles song.)
WILD THING--  Fancy  ("Wild Thing" like you haven't heard before.)
CALL ON ME--  Chicago

MOVING ON--  Bad Company (The first song from this group I always get confused with Foreigner for some reason.)
EARACHE MY EYE--  Cheech and Chong    (What can I say?)
1984--

YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET--  BTO
WORKING AT THE CAR WASH BLUES--  Jim Croce  (Sure miss him.)
THE NIGHT CHICAGO DIED--  Paper Lace  (East Side of Chicago?  Kinda wet, you know.)

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD--  Rufus, featuring Chaka Kahn)
BEACH BABY--  First Class
COME MONDAY--  Jummy Buffett  (His first Top 40 and where he talks about coming home from a Labor Day Show.  Kind of appropriate for today.)

Big Parrothead, Here.  RoadDog

ADD These Two NIU Huskies to the List in the 2014 Draft

Jimmie Ward was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round, the 30th pick.

Ken Bishop was drafted by Dallas Cowboys in the 7th round, 251st pick.

--RoadDog

NIU's Top NFL Picks-- Part 3

4.  GARRETT WOLFE, RB: One of Liz and my all-time favorite Huskie players.  Third Round, 93rd overall in 2007.

When the Bears selected the 5-foot-seven running back in the third round in 2007, a lot of fans raised an eyebrow.  Despite dominating the college ranks as an NIU senior in 2006, Wolfe did not have the kind of build for an NFL running back.

Wolfe never got consistent carries with the Bears, although he was a solid special teams player, and spent four seasons in the NFL


5.  DOUG BARTLETT, DT:  Los Angeles Rams, fourth round, 91st overall in 1987.

Bartlett, a member of NIU's 1983 MAC Championship team, didn't play a game for the Rams, but did play in ten cpntests for the 1988 Eagles, the team that lost to the Bears in the 1988 divisional playoff game known as the "Fog Bowl."  I watched that game, sort of.

Proud of Our NIU Boys.  --RoadDog

A Musician You Should Know: Graham Gouldman

From Wikipedia.

I heard Little Steven talking about this guy on his Underground Garage Show a while back.  I'd never heard of him before, but sure knew about things he's done.

Born May 10, 1946, an English songwriter, musician and member of 10 CC.  Played in many Manchester, England, bands in the 1960s.

Wrote "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul" for the Yardbirds.

Wrote "Bus Stop" and "Look Through Any Window" for the Hollies.  ("Look Through Any Window" might have been the first 45 I ever bought.)

Wrote "Mo Milk Today" and "Listen People" for Herman's Hermits.

Had a bad experience writing Bubble Gum Music for Kasentz-Katz, but did write one of my favorites of that genre, "Sausalito (Is the Place to Go."

All of the above songs are particular favorites of mine.

Founded and was a member of 10CC from 1972-1983.

Good Music, Sir.  --RoadDog

Six Things You Didn't Know About Korean Rapper Psy and His Party Song

From the Sept. 7, 2012, ABC News by Laura Effron.

Psy, real name Jae-Song Park, is 35 (back then).

1.  "Gangham Style made K-Pop (Korean Pop Music) cool again.

2.  The song was (obviously) a smash hit in Korea first.  It spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard's K-Pop Hot 100.

3.  The repetitive lyrics is "Oppan Gangham Style."

4.  Gangham is a posh district of seoul, South Korea, something like the Beverly Hills of South Korea.

5.  Psy has been around for over a decade.

6.  Is a Korean Justin Bieber on the horizon?  Perhaps.

--Great Video, Though.  --Road "Gangham Style" Dog

Gangham Style Gone and Probably Never-to-Be-Forgotten

From Y! Music.

Remember hearing this song played ad infinitum back a coupla-three years ago?    Well, South Korean rapper Psy had a new single out called "Gemtlemen," back then, but it never took off, making him, so far, a one-hit wonder.  But, at the time, he was known as "The King of You Tube."

This new single met with mixed reviews and closely followed the same formula as his big hit.

I loved the video and the song was one you just couldn't get out of head.

Really!!  --RoadDog

SIHNS OF OLD AGE:  You keep repeating yourself.

Where Were You August 31, 1974? --Part 2

WALK ON--  Neil Young
ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT--  Cat Stevens  (Originally done by Sam Cooke in the 60s.)
OL' 55--  Eagles

WILDWOOD FLOWERS--  Jim Stafford  (Sittin' there on that sack of seed.)
LET ME ROLL IT--  Paul McCartney & Wings  (Well, it was time for Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles to start on WXRT.)
BLUEBIRD--  Paul McCartney & Wings

I SHOT THE SHERIFF--  Eric Clapton (My first intro to reggae, even if I didn't know it at the time.)
SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE--  Aerosmith
SURE AS I'M SITTING HERE--  Three Dog Night

THE AIR THAT I BREATHE--  Hollies
YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN'--  Stevie Wonder
SWEET HOME ALABAMA--  Lynyrd Skynyrd  (Take that, NEIL!!!)

Southern Man Don't need You Around Anyhow.  --RoadDog

Where Were You August 31, 1974?-- Part 1

Yesterday, Bob Stroud at Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, had his last of four parts of music from the summer of 1974, 40 years ago.  This is something I eagerly look forward to hearing every summer since 2007, when he went back to the Summer of Love, 1967.  To say the least, the shows take me back.

August 31, 1974, I was beginning my second year of teaching at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois.  I was driving a '73 Pinto back and forth between our new apartment (two bedrooms) in Vernon Hills.

Liz was still working at General Finance Corporation home office in Evanston, bit still looking for a teaching job.

These were tunes we listened to on our daily weekday commutes.

RIKKI, DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER--  Steely Dan
PICK UP THE PIECES--  Average White Band
KEEP ON SMILING--  Wet Willie

SCARLET BEGONIAS--  Grateful Dead
RADAR LOVE--  Golden Earing
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS--  Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Cruising Down the Road.  --RoadDog


SIGNS OF OLD AGE:    You Keep repeating Yourself, Repeating yourself, repeating yourself...
.