Back to 1971-- Part 1

I'm listening to Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1971, a college year for me split between NIU and University of Georgia.  This was also my summer with the Marines (Hey, the Vietnam War was NEVER going to end and I was Draft Lottery Number 22.  Going for sure.).

Songs played so far:

EVERYTHING'S COMING OUR WAY--  Santana
RAM ON--  Paul McCartney
PROUD MARY--  Rolling Stones & Ike & Tina Turner

BERTHA--  Grateful Dead
BABY BLUE--  Badfinger
CARRIE--  Joni Mitchell

LIGHT UP OR LEAVE ME--  Traffic
MR. RIGHT STUFF--  Jean Knight
MORNING RAIN--  Fleetwood Mac

MISTY MOUNTAIN HOP--  Led Zeppelin
MERCY MERCY ME--  Marvin Gaye
WILLING--  Little Feat


NORM PETERSON SAYS:  Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?  "Alright, but stop me at one...make that 1:30."

Music to Listen to This Next Week

WXRT, 93.1 FM, will feature 1971 on Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback tomorrow from 8 to noon CST.

Bob Stroud will do his Rock and Roll Roots Show from 7-10 a.m. CST Sunday on WDRV 97.1 FM and Terri Hemmert with have her Breakfast With the Beatles from 8-10 a.m. on WXRT.

During next week, Bob Stroud has his Ten at Ten at both 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on WDRV.  he plays ten songs from one year:
Mon. 1971
Tues. 1978
Wed. 1988
Thurs. 1975
Fri.  A Wild Ten

Plus, if you want to get a taste of that great Beach Music, Fessa John Hook will be doing his current Beach Music Countdown and Class reunion 2005 shows at his site www.beachshag.com.

Plus, Tom Marker has his Blues Breakers show 9 to 10 p.m. on WXRT Mondays.

All stations stream.

Give 'Em a Listen.  --RoadDog

NORM'S BEST QUOTES:  What's going down, Normie?  "My butt cheeks on that bar stool."

WLS Top Ten February 26, 1965

1.  EIGHT DAYS A WEEK/I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE PARTY--  Beatles
2.  THIS DIAMOND RING--  Gary Lewis & Playboys
3.  DOWNTOWN--  Petula Clark

4.  LAUGH LAUGH--  Beau Brummels
5.  KING OF THE ROAD--  Roger Miller
6.  FERRY CROSS THE MERCY--  Gerry & the Pacemakers
7.  ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT--  Kinks

8.  CAN'T YOU HEAR MY HEARTBEAT--  Herman's Hermits
9.  TELL HER NO--  Zombies
10.  YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING--  Righteous Brothers

--RoadDog

NORM PETERSON'S "CHEERS" BEST QUOTES:  How's life treating you, Norm?  "Like it caught me sleeping with my wife.  Women.  can't live with 'em...pass the beer nuts."

Music Deaths in 2014: Member of Manhattan Transfer

TIM HAUSER, 72  Died Oct. 16, 2014.

Founding member of Manhattan Transfer.  Born in troy, N.Y., in 1941.  Moved to New Jersey where he formed a doo-wop group.  Produced the Viscounts version of "Harlem Nocturne (#52 in 1959).  Went to Villanova University where he sang with Jim Croce.

Created the original Manhattan Transfer in 1969 and recorded one album before they broke up.  Reformed in 1972.

On big hits "Operator (#22 in 1975) and "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone" (#31 in 1980).  They also did a remake of the Ad-Libs "Boy From New York City" (#7 in 1981).

Received ten Grammy Awards.

--RoadDog

Some Great "Animal House" Quotes

AFI's "100 Years...100 Movie Quotes" lists "Toga! Toga!" at #82.

Honorable mention:  "Over?  Did you say 'over?'  Nothing is over until we decide it is!  Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?  Hell, NO!"

"Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son."

"Blanks?"  --RoadDog

Beware!! the JaggermeryxNaida!!!!

It will get you.

Scientists have named an extinct species of swamp creature that lived 19 million years ago JaggermeryxNaida after Mich Jagger.

Go Figure.  --RoadScaredDog


"CHEERS" NORM PETERSON'S BEST QUOTES:  How's it going, Mr. Peterson?  "Poor."  I'm sorry to hear that.  "No, I mean pour."

Music Deaths in 2014: Sixteen Candles, Jethro Tull, Happy Man

TALMADGE "TOMMY" GOUGH, 74.  Died August 24, 2014.  Original tenor singer with the Crests on "Sixteen Candles" (#2 1959), "Step By Step" (#14 1960) and "The Angels Listened In" #22 in 1959).

GLENN CORNICK, 67:  Died August 29, 2014.  Played on Jethro Tull's first three albums before leaving in 1970.

BEATRICE BEST, died September 15, 2015.  Sang baritone with the Jive Five starting in 1962 until he retired in 2012.  Sang on "I'm a Happy Man" (#26 in 1965) and "What Time Is It" (#67 in 1962).

--Songs I remember.  --RoadDog

Movie Scratches 2015: Magic-- Imitation-- Sniper-- Everything

Movie Scratches--  A dog's eye view of today's movies.  This is my snooty-snob list as three of the movies were nominated for Academy Awards for best movie.

9.  STRANGE MAGIC--  1-27--  Fox Lake, $5--  As the song says, "Love Is Strange."  Just in time for Valentine's Day.

10.  IMITATION GAME--  1-31--  Woodstock, $6--  Academy Award Best Movie nominee.  Using crossword puzzles and math to break the Nazi Enigma Machine.

11.  AMERICAN SNIPER--  2-4--  Fox Lake, $4.50--  Academy Award Best Movie nominee.  If it's by Clint Eastwood, it's GOOD!!  Way too much swearing, but these are younger folks to whom they are no longer swear words, mostly adjectives.  Protecting his men.

12.  THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING--  2-9--  Fox Lake, $6--  Academy Award Best Movie nominee.  Brilliance overcoming terrible disease.

Like the Seasoning Selections At Classic Cinemas.  --RoadDog


Cheer's Norm Peterson's Best Quotes:  Whatcha up to, Norm?  "My ideal weight if I were eleven feet tall."

70th Anniversary of Iwo Jima Flag Raising Today

From Wikipedia.

A big thanks to Liz for bringing this to my attention.

Seventy years ago, Joe Rosenthal snapped a picture that has become a big one in American history.  It was the epitome of the Greatest Generation.

I'll write more about it in my World War II blog, Tattooed On Your Soul.

--RoadDog

And, Especially Thanks to Harold Ramis for "Animal House"-- Part 6

Some great tracts from the soundtrack.  Actually, I liked the whole thing, both songs made for the movie and the oldies.

FABER COLLEGE THEME--  Elmer Bernstein
LOUIE, LOUIE--  John Belushi
SHAMA LAMA DING DONG--  Otis Day & the Knights

ANIMAL HOUSE--  Stephen Bishop
MONEY--  John Belushi
DREAM GIRL--  Stephen Bishop

SHOUT--  Otis Day & the Knights

And, of course, that classic scene with "I Gave My love a Cherry."


SONGS FROM THE MOVIE BUT NOT ON THE SOUNDTRACK

THEME FROM A SUMMER PLACE--  Percy Faith
WHO'S SORRY NOW--  Connie Francis
TAMMY--
WASHINGTON POST MARCH--  John Phillip Sousa

"Sorry."  --RoadBlutoDog

It's Them, Not Me: What the Academy Awards Should Do

I think we should have two different Academy Awards Shows with two different slates of nominations.

One will be for movies people didn't see and the other for those that they did.  That was sure make for a more interesting watching.

I also think that the multiplexes should set aside a screen deserved for the showings of the snob movies for the months between nominations and the awards.  I'd sure go see them.  As I already said, I generally like those nominated movies that I didn't get the chance to see.

Just My Idea.  --RoadDog

What I've Seen for Oscars

Again, i saw 80 movies in 2014.  You'd have thought at least one would have gotten a nod for nomination.  As a matter of fact, the only nomination I saw in 2014 was Best Actress Rosamund Park in "Gone Girl."

I have since nominations were announced, seen three of the eight BEST PICTURE nominations: American Sniper, The Imitation Game  and The Theory of Everything.

I did see two of the Best Animated Feature movies.

BEST DIRECTOR:  Morten Tyldum "Imitation Game"

BEST ACTOR:  Eddie Redmayne "The Theory of Everything" and Benedict Cumberbatch "The Imitation Game."

BEST ACTRESS:  Felicity Jones "The Theory of Everything" and Rosamund Pike "Gone Girl."

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:  No one.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Keira Knightley "The Imitation Game" and Meryl Streep "Into the Woods."

 BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:  Big Hero 6 and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

That's Not Many for All Those Movies I Saw.  Maybe I Just Don't Have "Class?"  --RoadDog

What, a Movie That People See Is Vying for Best Picture Oscar?

From the Feb. 2, 2015, Time Magazine "An Oscar for Sniper?" by Richard Corliss.

This was to be the year of low budget indie films getting Oscar nods for best picture.

"Underlining its commitment to excellent films that few people have seen," the Academy didn't nominate the top grossing "Lego Movie" for Best Animated Feature or "Gone Girl for Best Picture.

It's like they're saying, "Don't bother watching. This one's for connoisseurs only."  As a matter of fact, I am considering not watching for that very reason.  Who cares to "pull" for movies you haven't seen.

But then came Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper."  People have seen it!!  And, it's good.  Of course, when it comes to a Clint Eastwood movie, I know it will be good.

This past year of 2014, I saw 80 movies, way more than most people.  When the Oscar nominations were announced, I hadn't seen ANY OF THEM!!!  Most had never even been shown at my multiplex theatre ion Fox Lake, Illinois.  I was planning to see "American Sniper" but that was all.

I have since been able to also see "The Imitation Game" and "The Theory of Everything."

All three were great movies.  As a matter of fact, I almost always like the movies that are nominated if I get the chance to see them.  It is not fair that only the elite snobs, PBSers and critics get the opportunity to see movies like these.

Maybe I'll Watch, But Most Likely Not.  --RoadDog


CHEERS' NORM PETERSON'S BEST QUOTES:  What's going on, Mr. Peterson?  "A flashing sign in my gut says, 'Insert beer here.'"

"Animal House" and My Old Frat, Delta Sigma Phi: Thanks Harold

And, Harold Ramis' best ever.  My all-time favorite movie, "Animal House."  Until the end of the movie, he might as well have been writing about my fraternity at Northern Illinois University, Delta Sigma Phi.  We even had a guy named Czichowski whom we called Cziak, who could have been Bluto's brother.  He drank as much and was on the seven-year plan and never did graduate.

We even had a serious pledge initiation ceremony messed up when one of them said, "I, state your name."  No one could keep a straight face after that.

Our parties were legendary, though we sure wished we'd known about the Toga Parties.  Like Boone, we loved out R&B, soul an Motown Music.  At every party we played just four albums:  Greatest Hits ones by the Four Tops, Sly & the Family Stone and Temptations.  The fourth was "Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, primarily because of "Lodi."  This was song we had adopted for our own words and particular dance to it.

We also had road trips and pledging.

When I saw Harold Ramis' "Animal House, it sure did bring back all those memories.

Thanks Harold.  --RoadDog


CHEERS' NORM PETERSON'S BEST QUOTES:  Hey Mr. peterson, there's a cold one waiting for you.  "I know, if she calls, I'm not here."

WLS Top Ten for February 19, 1965

1.  THIS DIAMOND RING--  Gary Lewis & the Playboys
2.  DOWNTOWN--  Petula Clark
3.  ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT--  Kinks

4.  LET'S LOCK THE DOOR--  Jay & the Americans
5.  LAUGH LAUGH--  Beau Brummels
6.  YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN'--  Rightous Brothers
7.  TELL HER NO--  Zombies

8.  I GO TO PIECES--  Peter & Gordon
9.  KING OF THE ROAD--  Roger Miller (from #21)
10.  EIGHT DAYS A WEEK/I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE PARTY--  Beatles (from #30)

"Trailers for Sale or Rent, Rooms to Let ___."  --RoadDog

Thanks for the Music, Harold Ramis-- Part 5

Cont. from Feb. 14th.

Harold Ramis made great movies and these also had great soundtracks.

VACATION

HOLIDAY ROAD--  Lindsey Buckingham
MR. BLUE--  Fleetwoods
BLITZKRIEG BOP--  Ramones
THE TRIP (THEME FROM "VACATION"--  Ralph Burks
DANCING ACROSS THE USA--  Lindsey Buckingham


CLUB PARADISE

CLUB PARADISE--  Jimmy Cliff
THIRD WORLD PEOPLE--  Jimmy Cliff
YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN--  Jimmy Cliff
APE MAN--  Kinks
MARGARITA--  Mighty Sparrow

--RoadDog

Not Saying It's Cold, But, BBbbrrrrrRR!!

An hour ago, the temperature in nearby McHenry, Illinois, according to WeatherBug was -10.4 degrees with a windchill to -25 degrees.  The front porch thermometer reads -5 degrees at the house and -10 on the deck.

Those doggone Canadians have sent us their weather again despite my specifically asking them not to do it.  Some about that "P.V." swear word.

Once again, most every school here in northeast Illinois is closed (the fourth day so far this year).  Like I used to tell my students, "Snow/cold days are great if you don't have to make them up.  But, if you do, unfortunately, you make them up in June when the weather is nice."  They just couldn't grasp the concept.

But, we have a "heat wave" on its way.  Temps tomorrow high of 21, Saturday high of 30.  Then Sunday 15-19, Monday 7-11 and Tuesday lower 20s.

Shoulda Gone to Florida.  Just Couldn't Get There.  --RoadDog


BEST NORM PETERSON QUOTES FROM "CHEERS":  What's the story, Mr. peterson?  "The Bobsey Twins go to a brewery.  Let's cut to the happy ending."

Florida Vacation Shot Down By the Weather

We were all set to leave today for Panama City Beach, Florida, where we hoped to arrive by Friday night and enjoy a respite from all this cold we've had so far this month.  It is less than one degrees right now and a high of 6 degrees forecast for tomorrow, but a veritable heat wave of 20 degree for Friday.

This cold did not stop us from leaving.  What stopped us was the winter storms hitting Tennessee and the mid south.  We go through Memphis and they have lots of ice with warming and freezing until Friday morning.

We might still have gone down as it is supposed to be sunny and in the 70s at PCB this weekend, but next weekend looks most like 50s and rain.

Yes, its going to be about 20-30 degrees warmer there, but that is a long drive for that little bit more warmth.

We had to cancel last year for the same reason.

One of these days.

Plenty of Reasons to Hate Winter.  --RoadDog


BEST NORM PETERSON QUOTES:  Hey Norm, how's the world treating you?  "Like a baby treats a diaper."

It's Mardi Gras Day

We are on our way to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for our yearly observation of Mardi Gras.

We will stop at the local bakery in town to pick up a King Cake and then will have shrimp gumbo and Hurricanes at Donovan's.

Some music to get you in te correct mood.  These were played last night on Tom Marker's Blues Breakers show on WXRT which was called Lundi Gras in honor of Fat Monday.

MARDI GRAS MAMBO--  Hawkettes
I WENT TO MARDI GRAS--  Snooks Eaglin
GROOVE ME--  King Floyd

THE MONKEY--  Dave Bartholomew
MY FEETS CAN'T FAIL ME NOW--  Dirty Dozen Brass Band
WE'VE GOT TO HAVE PEACE--  C.J. Chernier

BLUE MONDAY--  Fays Domino
ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA--  James Booker
ALL ON MARDI GRAS DAY--  Kermit Ruffin

BREAKAWAY--  Irma Thomas
THE PARTY'S STILL GOING ON--  Marcia Ball
BACKNTOWN--  Trombone Shorty
SINGIN' THE BLUES--  Allen Toussaint

WXRT is playing New Orleans music all day today, every couple songs.  Give it a listen.

Bon Tons Roulet!!  --RoadDog

Beast Norm Peterson Qupotes:  What'll you have, Norm?  "Well, I am in a gambling mood Sammy, I'll take whatever comes out of the tap."  Looks like beerm Norm.  "Call me Nr. Lucky."

Eighth Anniversary of the NIU Murders on Saturday

Five students at Northern Illinois University (my alma mater) were shot to death on February 14, 2008, in shootings that began at 3:05 p.m..  Liz and I first learned of it while at K.C.'s Cabin in Spring Grove when we saw film from DeKalb and thought it was neat to get some publicity for a change until we found out what had happened.  (The sound was off at K.C.'s.)

Killed that day:

Catalina Garcia, 20, of Cicero
Juliana Gehant, 32, of Mendota
Ryanne Mace, 19, of Carpentersville
Daniel Parmenter, 20, of Elmhurst
Gayle Dubowski, 20, of Carol Stream

Twenty others were wounded.

The murderer was decent enough to kill himself.  Law enforcement officials collected 48 shell casings and 6 shotgun shells.

I do not know why media continues to identify the murderer.  As far as I am concerned, he had no name or family.

Should Remain Nameless.

Ten Cases of Musical Fraud

From the May 31, 2014, Listverse by Damian B.

10.  C&C MUSIC FACTORY--  Their big hit was "Everybody Dance Now" and Martha Wash of the Weather Girls, best known for singing "It's Raining Men" sang te famous refrain but was deemed to unattractive (heavy) to appear in the video and a model was hired to stand in for her.
9.  Lin Miaoke
8.  Mamotu Samuragochi

7.  Joyce Hatto
6.  Sixto Rodriguez
5.  Robert Mawhinney
4.  Jason Malachi

2.  Will and Monifa
1.  MILLI VANILLI--  German duo (Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan) whose album Girl You Know It's True featured a pair of dancers/models.  the real voices were those of Brad Howell, Jophnny Davis and Charles Snow.  They were discovered when the record skipped during a televised performance.

I'd only ever heard of #10 and #1.  The site has information on the others.  Also the songs.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Gambling-- Big Boy-- State Dog--Scrawny Cub-- Pilot Man

From the Jan. 22, 2015, USA Today "State-By-State."

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff:

1.  GAMBLING--  Gamblers lost more than 234.8 million at Louisiana's 20 major gambling venues in December.

2.  BIG BOY--  The nation's largest Big Boy franchise is accusing their  former assistant treasurer od embezzling at least $3.3 million over the past seven years in Ohio.

3.  STATE DOG--  A Vermont state senator has proposed naming the beagle as the state dog.

4.  SCRAWNY CUB--  The scrawny bear cub that fell out of a tree in southern Oregon will get a chance to return to the wild.

5.  PILOT MAN--  Tennessee Governor Haslam is the riches elected official in the USA despite the fall of gas prices according to Forbes Magazine.  His father founded Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J in 1958 and the governor still owns 15% of it.

Stay Out of Trees.  --RoadDog


CHEERS' NORM PETERSON QUOTES:  What'd you like, Norm?  "A reason to live.  Give me another beer."

Camp Douglas SCV Meeting Today

I am a member of the Camp Douglas Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) located here in the Chicago area.  It is the first SCV camp in Illinois, founded back in the 1980s by Andy Wilson.  I was a charter member.  The name comes from the infamous Union prison camp in Chicago where more than 6,000 Confederates died.

The number of the camp was changed to reflect another previous Chicago SCV camp that had been extinct for many years.

A big problem with having a camp here in northeast Illinois is the large area the camp covers, making for some really long drives.  Nowadays, the camp has alternating meeting sites with the one closest to me in Des Plaines, Illinois, about 40 miles away.

I usually don't go because of the distance and city driving (and the gas prices).  But, because gas is considerably cheaper (but rising) I plan on going today.

I am also a member of the Sons of the American Legion of the Chain of Lakes Post 703 here in Fox Lake.

A real Son For Ya.  --RoadDog

JSS: Senior Moment-- Recall, Oil Change & Rotation-- K.C.'s Cabin-- NIU St. Valentine's Day Massacre-- NIU Memories-- Gas Gouge-- WBRF

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  SENIOR MOMENT--  On the way over to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake, I turned accidentally into the American Legion parking lot and was wondering why I was in that parking lot.  Then I remembered, I wasn't going there.  What was it that the trooper said back on that old "Please Mr. Custer" song?

2.  RECALL, OIL CHANGE & ROTATION--  We took the '11 Malibu over to Ray Chevrolet for the Chevy Recall, an oil change and tire rotation.

3.  K.C.'S CABIN--  While waiting for the '11 to be finished, we drove the '03 Malibu to K.C.'s Cabin for their buy one, get one breakfasts.  Great deal.  The two of us ate for $12 including coffee and Coke.

4.  NIU ST. VALENTINE'S MASSACRE--  It dawned on us that we were at K.C.'s Cabin on Feb. 14, 2008, when we saw NIU on TV.  Unfortunately, it was because of the murders of five students.

5.  NIU MEMORIES--  On the way home, we were listening to 103.9 FM, the Fox and they played "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin.  That reminded us of NIU's Tune Room at the University Center where that song often played back in 1969-1970.  That reminded us of the Pow-Wow Room next to it where most fraternities would claim a table for the day a good place to meet friends in between (and during) classes.

6.  GAS GOUGE--  Gas in Fox Lake, Illinois, was up to $2.49.  That is a 27 cent increase since Thursday!!
 
7.  WBRF--  I am listening to Classic Country 98.1 FM in Galax, Virginia, right now on the internet.  I always listen to it while driving back and forth to North Carolina.  Some really fine country oldies music.  They are talking about cold with lows near 18 degrees tonight and windchill watches Saturday-Sunday as low as 20-25 below zero.

"What Am I Doing Here?"  --RoadDog

Gone But Not Forgotten: Musicians Who Died in 2014-- Part 3

PAUL REVERE--  Of course, Paul Revere & the Raiders.  One of my favorite all-time groups.

BOBBY KEYES--  saxophone.  Played often with the Rolling Stones.

IAN McGLAUGHLIN--  keyboardist

GERRY GOFFIN--  songwriter and did he ever write a lot of great songs, often with former wife Carole King.

GLENN KORMACK--  bassist with Jethro Tull

DICK WAGNER--  with Alice Cooper on many big hits.

JACK BRUCE--  Cream

JOE COCKER--

"She Came In Through the Bathroom Window."  --RoadDog



SOME OF NORM PETERSON'S BEST QUOTES:  "What's new, Norm?"  "Terrorists, Sam.  They've taken over my stomach and are demanding beer."

WLS Top Ten for February 12, 1965

1.  THIS DIAMOND RING--  Gary Lewis & the Playboys
2.  DOWNTOWN--  Petula Clark
3.  YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN'--  Righteous Brothers

4.  ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT--  Kinks
5.   I GO TO PIECES--  Peter & Gordon
6.  LET'S LOCK THE DOOR--  Jay & the Americans
7.  LAUGH LAUGH--  Beau Brummels

8.  THE CRUSHER--  Novas
9.  TELL HER NO--  Zombies
10.  BYE BYE BABY--  Four Seasons

"Doesn't Mean What It Does Anymore."--  RoadDog

Thanks for the Music, Harold Ramis-- Part 4

Continued from February 3rd.

Not only were his movies outstanding, but he really believed in strong soundtracks using music previously recorded and music made especially for his movies.

GHOSTBUSTERS II--

On Our Own--  Bobby Brown, #2
Supernatural--  New Edition
Higher and Higher--  Howard Huntsberry
Ghostbusters--  Run D.M.C.


AS GOOD AS IT GETS

As Good As It gets--  Hrris Zimmer
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life--  Eric Idle of Monty Python

--RoadDog


NORM PETERSON'S BEST QUOTES FROM "CHEERS"  "What's shaking Norm?'  "All four cheeks and a couple of chins."

Good Times Last Weekend

FEB. 5, THURSDAY:  Spent $631 for furnace repairs (not so fun).  Went to Donovan's and watched the movie "Groundhog Day."  Went to Tommy's on the way back home and ordered a Stan Mikita Blackhawk throwback hockey jersey.

FEB. 6, FRIDAY:  Went to Grayslake, Illinois,  and had breakfast with old buddy Kip at Fred's Diner.  Then the world's largest Ace Hardware store in Round Lake.  Went to Radio Shack for watch battery and met Kevin and Kelly at Squaw Bar.  Then to the American Legion.

FEB. 7, SATURDAY:  Enjoyed Flashback to 1986 and then saw the Bears when they were good at Super Bown XX, from 1986.  Afterwards, we went to Hello Folks and saw Mitch Edwards play for a couple sets.

FEB. 8, SATURDAY:  Went to Burger King for those outstanding ten chicken nuggets for $1.49 deal.  Then saw the Blackhawks beat St.Louist the Twisted Moose in McHenry.  They blow the air horns, turn on the flashing red lights and play Chelsea Dagger for every Hawk score and win.  Hawks won 4-2.

Went to Antonio's afterwards.

--Good Times.  --RoadDog

Gone But Not Forgotten in 2014-- Part 2

Rock musicians who died last year.

Raphael Ravenscrogt--  Played sax on "Baker Street"

Bob Krewe--  Four Seasons songwriter and producer.  Also Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels

Jo Jo Benson--  "Lover's Holiday"

Paul Goddard--  bassist with the Atlanta Rhythm Section

Ed Gagliardi--  bassist with Foreigner

Jimmy Ruffin--  Motown singer "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted"

--RoadDog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  We'll be friends until we are old and senile.  Then, we'll be new friends.

2015 Movie Scratches: Woods-- Museum-- Taken-- Mortdecai

Movie Scratches--  A Dog's-Eye view of today's movies.

5.  INTO THE WOODS--  1-13--  Fox Lake, free--  Another musical.  Just when you thought it was safe to go into the woods.  "It's the witch next door."  "There's a dead giant in our backyard."

6.  NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB--  1-26--  Fox Lake, $6--  This time, it's the Royal Museum in London.  Poor Sir Lancelot's nasal problems.

7.  TAKEN 3-- 1-26--  Fox Lake, $6--   When will the bad guys learn to leave Liam's family alone?  A man with certain talents who always wishes 'em "Good Luck."

8.  MORTDECAI--  1-27--  Fox Lake $5--  Who needs Austin Powers when you can have Charles Mortdecai?.  The story of his 'stach and shot-up, beat-up manservant Jacques.

How Come I Never Get to See Movies Nominated for the Academy Awards?  --RoadDog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Gone But Not Forgotten in 2014-- Part 1

From the January 4, 2015, Rock and Roll Roots.  Bob Stroud did his annual salute to those musicians who passed on in the past year.  Some I knew about, others I didn't.  he played one or two songs from each one.

Phil Everly
Larry Ramos of the Association
Bob Montgomery--  songwriter

Tommy Ramone--  Ramones drummer, last member living
Jimmy Jamison of Survivor
Jerry LaCroix of Edgar Winter's White Trash

Johnny Winter
Rick Rosas--  Played with Neil Young, CSNY and Joe Walsh
Joe Lala drummer with Blues Image and Manassas

--RoadDog

Flashback to 1986-- Part 3

Highlights of the show were the Challenger Explosion, a review of the movie "Platoon" and TV shows: Golden Girls, Designing Women, ALF, L.A. law and Matlock.

DON'T DREAM IT'S OVER--  Crowded House
CITIES IN DUST--  Susie & the Banshees
CHANGE IN THE WEATHER--  John Fogerty
PRETTY IN PINK--  Psychedelic Furs

YOU CAN CALL ME AL--  Paul Simon
BLOOD AND ROSES--  Smithereens
HARLEM SHUFFLE--  Rolling Stones
CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION--  Violent Femmes

BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN--  Smiths
WEST END GIRLS--  Pet Shop Boys
LEFT OF CENTER--  Suzanne Vega
DOWNSTREAM--  Rainmakers

REAL WILD CHILD--  Iggy Pop
BLUE CHAIR--  Elvis Costello

--RoadDog

Flashback to 1986-- Part 2

The rest of the songs played on Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1986.

THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES--  Timbuk 3
KISS--  Prince
THE JET SET--  Joe Jackson
YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON--  Joe Cocker

PETER GUNN--  The Art of Noise
SUPERMAN--  REM
SHIP OF FOOLS--  World Party
THAT VOICE AGAIN--  Peter Gabriel

ROOM FULL OF MIRRORS--  Pretenders
THE DEVIL IS MY FRIEND--  Jazz Butcher
BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE--   New Order
EVERY LITTLE KISS--  Bruce Hornsby

--RoadDog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS--  I brake for NO apparent reason!

Flashback to 1986: That Super Bowl Shufflin' Year-- Part 1

Wendy Rice's "Saturday Morning Flashback" show on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM is to 1986.  A year that kicked off with the only REAL Super Bowl we've had, Super Bowl XX with Mike Ditka and the boys marching to Bear glory, such a far cry from today's mess.

It streams at www.wxrt.com and goes to noon, CST.

Songs played so far:

MEMPHIS THING--  Rob Jungklas
RIGHT NEXT DOOR--  Robert Cray  (One of my favorite songs off that great Strong Persuader album)
MISSIONARY MAN-- Eurythmics
CARDBOARD BOXES--  Loudon Wainwright III

WILD WILD LIFE--  Talking Heads
BRILLIANT MISTAKE--  Elvis Costello
I KNOW WHAT I KNOW--  Paul Simon
IT'S IN THE WAY THAT YOU USE IT--  Eric Clapton

DEAR GOD--  XTC
GUITAR TOWN--  Steve Earle  (Another favorite)
I TOUCH ROSES--  Book of Love
KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF--  Georgia Satellites  (Also a favorite)

I STILL BELIEVE--  Call
RAT IN THE KITCHEN--  UB40

Give It a Listen.  --RoadDog


DOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  I was always taught to respect my elders.  Now I don't have anyone to respect.

$2.36 Gas in Fox Lake, Illinois: Prices Going Up

I noticed Wednesday that gas prices had jumped to $2.36 ($2.35.9) in Fox Lake from $2.20 on Tuesday.  Sadly, it bodes gas prices starting to head up again.  I expect $4 in 2-3 months.

But, I sure enjoyed it while it lasted.  I never thought I'd see gas prices in the $2-3 range again.

Fox Lake got as low as $1,90, but have been over $2 since the new year began.  Every weekend, they do what I call the Weekend Bump, where they raise gas 15-25 cents on Thursday and drop it throughout the weekend and until Wednesday.

In a few weeks, $2.36 is going to look CHEAP!

This is going to be a particularly had rise to $4.  Last year, gas had gotten "down" to $3.50 before the pre-pre-pre Summer Driving Gouges started in February.  $3.50 to $4 is not as bad as $2 to $4.

--Enjoy It While You Can.  --RoadDog

Music Deaths in 2014: Don Lanier and Rosetta Hightower

DON "DIRT" LANIER, 78

Died July 23, 2014.  Lead guitarist for the Orchids.  Backed up Buddy Knox (Hula Love) and Jimmy Bowens.

ROSETTA HIGHTOWER, 70

Died August 2, 2014.  Lead singer with the group Orlons on "Wah Watusi" (#2 in 1962), "Don't Hang Up" (#4 in 1962) and "South Street" (#3 in 1963). I really liked this group.  Also backed many others including John Lennon and Joe Cocker.

Past Movie Scratches, 2014: Just-- Manos-- Battleship-- Rambo-- Rambo-- Zoo

Movies seen in 2014, not in a theater.  Mostly at home.

61.  JUST GO FOR IT--  And he had her all along and didn't know it.

62.  MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE--  As bad and dumb of a movie as can possibly be made.  So bad it was good.

63.  BATTLESHIP--  The USS Missouri rescues the digital age from the mean old space aliens.  Who says analog is all bad?

64.  RAMBO II: FIRST BLOOD--  Best line, "Remember, Rambo, you are not expendable." Well, with the new "Expendable" movies, he was.  There have been three of them so far.

65.  RAMBO III--  This time the Ram kicks Soviet butt in Afghanistan.  Both these movies had lots and lots and lots of Rambo eyes shots.  I should get a medal or have my mind examined for sitting through both these movies.

66.  WE BOUGHT THE ZOO--  A good thing to do when you don't know anything about running zoos.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches, 2014: Black-- Bullitt-- Jaws-- Durham-- Runner-- History--

Movies I Saw at Home or elsewhere, not in a theater, in 2014.

55.  MEN IN BLACK--  Battling the B.U.B., Big Ugly Bug.  The bug and the ill-fitting human costume.

56.  BULLITT--  How to Wreck Cars 101.

57.  JAWS--  "You're gonna need a bigger boat."  The captain survived the sharks at the USS Indianapolis sinking, but not the big one.

58.  BULL DURHAM--  Life in the minors.

59.  GUN RUNNER--  Key West in the 50s before it got touristy.

60.  HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PT. 1--    That Mel Brooks is one funny fellow.

--RoadDog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  We got married for better or worse.  He couldn't do better and I couldn't do worse.

WLS Top Ten for February 5, 1965

"Just" 50 years ago.

1.  THIS DIAMOND RING--  Gray Lewis & the Playboys
2.  DOWNTOWN--  Petula Clark
3.  YOU LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING--  Righteous Brothers

4.  ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT--  Kinks
5.  LET'S LOCK THE DOOR--  Jay & the Americans
6.  THE CRUSHER--  Novas
7.  LOVE POTION #9--   Searchers

8.  HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO YOUR HEART--  Jerry Vale
9.  I GO TO PIECES--  Peter & Gordon
10.  HEART OF STONE--  Rolling Stones

--Roaddog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  I'm not old...I'm chronologically gifted!

Watch Battery Ran Out and I'm Miserable

Much to my dismay, my watch's battery ran out on Sunday during the midst of that snow storm.  I can now tell you exactly how many hairs I have on my wrist where the watch used to be.  I only look down at it several times an hour, maybe more.

The whole wrist just doesn't feel right either.

Of course, you can't use AA or AAA batteries in a watch.  Yesterday, we were going to go to Wal-Mart to have them put a battery in, but it started snowing again in earnest, so canceled that plan.  Maybe today.

I don't know how people who don't wear watches do it.  I see most pulling out their cell/smart phones to find the time.  I am not used to that and besides, I rarely ever use mine.  I make maybe one call a month on it and receive maybe one call unless I'm on vacation.

One Watchless Dude.  --RoadWhatTimeIsItDog

Past Movie Scratches, 2014: Cockleshell-- Gump-- Grumpy-- Tails-- Grumpier-- War

Movies seen at home or elsewhere other than theaters.

49.  COCKLESHELL HEROES--  British commando raid

50.  FORREST GUMP--  "And that's all I have to say about that."  "Stupid is as stupid does."

51.  GRUMPY OLD MEN--  Can they get much more grumpier?  The old fish in the backseat trick.

52.  RED TAILS--  How about those Tuskegee Airmen?

53.  GRUMPIER OLD MEN--  Yep.  They can get grumpier.  Nothing like a fast-paced game of bumper boats.

54.  THIS MEANS WAR--  Spies using their abilities to get the gal.

--RoadDog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  Florida: God's waiting room.

Groundhog Day Festival in Woodstock on Saturday

I went to Woodstock, but was too late for the free showing of the famous movie at the Woodstock Theatre which was the Alpine Theater in the movie.  Instead, I went to the Square Mall and went to the Defenders' Book Store which sells donated books and CDs.  I did my part to support them.

I walked by the site of the Top Cafe, where Bill stuffed his face and knew everyone, but it was too crowded.  Walked by the theater and saw on the marque that they had "The Imitation Game" which I have been wanting to see, so saw it and missed the chili cookoff.

I did go by Wayne's Lanes, the bowling alley where Bill had his glass half full discussion with the two townies.  Afterwards, they got into the car and went for their wild ride.

Had a couple brews and watched part of the movie.  It was neat to see the scene and be sitting right there.

A Fun day.  --RoadDog

Thanks for the Music, Harold Ramis-- Part 4: Ghostbusters, Stripes

Not only did he have those great movies, but he also was a big-believer in solid soundtracks.  If it was a Ramis movie, it had a great soundtrack.

Here are some more movies and soundtrack selections I particularly liked:

GHOSTBUSTERS

Ghostbusters (1984)--  Ray Parker, Jr. #1 for 3 weeks.  (And who doesn't holler out you know what when they ask the question?)
Cleaning Up the Town--  Bus Boys
Saving the Day--  Alessi Brothers
In the Name of Love--  Thompson Twins #1 US Dance/Club Play
I Can't Wait Forever--  Air Supply
Disco Inferno--  Trammps

"Who You Gonna Call?"..........Heard You!

STRIPES

Rubberband Man--  Spinners
Do Wah Diddy Diddy  (What a great cadence march.)
Da Doo Ron Ron
Stripes March--  Elmer Bernstein

"Army Strong, Sir!!"  --RoadDog


GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  That Snap, Crackle, Pop in the morning...ain't my bowl of Rice Krispies.

Thanks for the Music, Harold Ramis-- Part 3: A Salute to Today, Groundhog Day

Some great songs from his movies.

This past Saturday, i went to Woodstock, Illinois, where Harold Ramis' "Groundhog Day" movie was made.  I watched the movie at Wayne's Lanes, where the bar scene in the bowling alley "Glass half empty scene" was filmed.  Outside the bowling alley was where they got into the car and went on that run through the streets of Woodstock and railroad tracks.

This is where Bill Murray realized that since he was repeating the same day over and over he could do anything he wanted, even get arrested or die, and wake up the next day like nothing had happened.

Some great music from the movie:

I Got You Babe--  Sonny and Cher (This song was playing from the gazebo as I walked across Woodstock Square (Gobblers Knob in the movie) and where the dance scene took place when Bill was trying to win over Andi.).

Weatherman--  Delbert McClinton
Piano Sonata in C--  Mozart
You Don't Know Me--  Ray Charles
Almost Like Being in Love--  Nat King Cole
Pennsylvania Polka--  Frankie Yankovic

Great Soundtrack, Great Movie.  --RoadDog

Thanks for the Music, Harold Ramis-- Part 1: Meatballs, Caddyshack

I was saddened by the death of Harold Ramis last year.  His movies are among my most favorite, but they always featured great soundtracks.

I went through some of his movies and found the soundtracks and listened to the ones that I could.  These are some of the songs I really liked:

MEATBALLS:

Making It--  David Naughton #5
Good friend--  Mary MacGregor
Meatballs--  Rick Dees
Are You Ready for the Summer--  North Star Camp Kids Chorus

CADDYSHACK  1980

I'm Alright--  Kenny Loggins
Anyway You Want It--  Jorney
Summertime Blues--  Eddie Cochran (heard not on soundtrack)
Boogie Wonderland (heard not on soundtrack)

Plenty More to Come.  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Pirates-- Talkers-- Perdition-- Girls-- Shack-- Bosses--

Movies Seen other than in a theater last year.

43.  PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD--  Definitely a strange place to get married.

44.  WIND TALKERS--  Navajo Code Talkers.

45.  ROAD TO PERDITION--   The photographer always gets his shot.

46.  DREAM GIRLS--  Great music and choreography.  The story of the Supremes.

47.  CADDY SHACK--  Bill destroys mums and chases that old groundhog...again.

48.  HORRIBLE BOSSES--  Or, how to botch murders.  And you thought your boss was bad.

--RoadDog

GOLDEN YEARS BUMPER STICKERS:  I asked my wife if old men wore boxers or briefs?  She said, "Depends."

Watching the Game At Margaritaville

Margaritaville is my basement bar.

Half-time and I'm finishing my blogs.  Quite a Super Bowl so far with a tie score at half.  Overall, I'm pulling for the Seattle Seahawks despite Lynch.  But probably my favorite non-Bear/Packer play is New England's Gronkowski, the "Gronk."

We had a room at Donovan's in Twin Lakes but the blizzard conditions that still continue, took care of that.

I used the snowblower about 10:30 a.m. and cleared off at least 6-8 inches of snow (and a drift at 2 feet at both the top and bottom of the driveway).  At 4:45 p.m., I went back out and cleared a 3-foot drift by the garage and another 6-8 inches of snow.  It is hard to tell exactly how much we've gotten because of the 20-30 mph winds and constant blowing.

But, I know I've cleared off at least 16 inches of snow today!!

We have friends who are totally into skiing and snowmobiling who went to Arizona and Utah earlier this week because there was no snow.

They should come back and shovel my driveway.

I Hate Snow On My Driveway, Sidewalk and Roads.  --RoadDog


GOLDEN BUMPER STICKERS:  I'm in the initial stages of my golden years:  SS, CDs, IRAs, AARP...