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

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 6: Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher

JULY 25TH, SATURDAY

We drove the 50 miles over to Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher, braving all the incoming beach traffic to Topsail Island (fortunately coming in while we were leaving).  Then there was that always horrible Wilmington traffic where it seems everyone drives all the time.

Stopped at Britt's Donuts in Carolina Beach for our pastry fix for lunch.  Then went to Fort Fisher, several miles down the peninsula and heard an interesting talk on the always controversial Confederate General Braxton Bragg and went through the museum.  I spent a lot of time at the new (to me) reproduction of the 150-pdr Armstrong gun.

Drove the short distance to "The Rocks" at the end of the peninsula.  This is also the southern terminus of US Highway 421.  We had excellent fish and shrimp baskets at Big Daddy's at Kure Beach and then got to go inside a beach cottage at Kure Beach that was identical to the one that my grandparents used to own at Carolina Beach until it was destroyed in 1954 by Hurricane Hazel.

A Busy Day.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  TERMINAL--  Time to call the undertaker.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 5: The Wilmington (NC) Star-News

July 24, Friday

Picked up a copy of the Wilmington (NC) Star News yesterday at Wal-Mart, but when I'm at Topsail Beach to get the paper, I go over each morning to either the Jolly Roger Fishing Pier or Godwin's Store.  Both date back to the earliest days of Topsail Beach and Topsail Island after it was opened to civilians.  The military did testing on rockets on the is;land after World War II.

I went to the Jolly Roger today.  A copy of the newspaper now costs 75 cents.  It was 50 cents last year.  This is one of my favorite newspapers.

Spent the day out on the beach, on the condo deck and out at the gazebos in the back yard.  That grass is like a carpet.  You step on it and sink down.

The air conditioner broke down so it was quite the hot night with just fans.

--RoadDog


REDNECK  COMPUTER TERNS:  CHIP--  Yer cusin's uncle's mother's boyfriend's name.



Monday, July 27, 2015

Music Deaths: Wrote "Always On My Mind" and "The Letter"

WAYNE CARSON, 72

Songwriter who penned "Always On My Mind," dies at 72.

By David Colker, LA Times.

Songwriter Wayne Carson was on the phone with his wife in the early 1970s and told her "Well, I know I've been gone a lot, but I've been thinking about you all the time."  This led to that famous Willie Nelson song.  It has been recorded by many other artists since then, including Elvis Presley.

He also had a big hit with the song "The Letter" which went to #1 for the Box Tops in 1967 and three years later Joe Cocker took it to the top ten.  Another hit for him was the Box Tops' "Neon Rainbow" which went to #24.

Two others also have credit for writing "Always On My Mind."

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS: CACHE--  Needed when you go yo the store.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 4: A Beachin' We Go, National Hot Dog Day, Rainy Days and Hot Dogs

JULY 23, THURSDAY

Made entries to all blogs as getting on the internet at Topsail Beach is hit or miss, usually miss.

On the road and, as usual, stopped by the cemeteries to visit those who have gone on, especially Dad at Willowdale and his parents at Wayne memorial, but we had to get out of there fast because of a huger funeral they were having for a former fire chief in the area.  They had two fire trucks with ladders extended and an American flag draped over it.

Took US-117 to I-40 to the exit where we got off and got back on US-117 which we took to Paul's Place Famous Hot Dogs  in Rocky Point, N.C.  My family has been going there for as long as I remember and even before (opened in 1928).

It was National Hot Dog Day and what better place to celebrate it than atthis place.  Meat shortages in WWII caused them to develop one of the best relishes I've ever tasted.  Add mustard, onions and serve the hot dog on a moist bun and you have some mighty fine eating.

Took US-17 to NC-50 onto Topsail island, through Surf City and south to Topsail Beach, arriving shortly before a huge storm broke loose.

Three Hot Dogs and Drink for $5.99.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BYTE--  What yer pit bull did to cousin Jethro.



Friday, July 24, 2015

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 3: 'Possums, Shopping, 'Cue and Shrimp

July 22, Wednesday

After breakfast, Bob and I took the two opossums he had caught in his basement out to a wooded area and let them go.  He has an indoor/outdoor cats and a cat door which the opossums most likely used to enter his basement.

He caught one in a city-supplied trap and a short time later caught one in a garbage can.  Both initially did not want to come out of their cages and had to be coaxed out.  No doubt they will be missing their free  lunch.

We then went to an IGA grocery store called Charlie C's and I got some eastern Carolina BBQ sauce and Texas Pete Hot Sauce.  Texas Pete is a North Carolina company.  Then to a place called Ollie's which is like a Big Lots and Target (the one near me at home closed).  Last was Sam's Club and Trade It where I bought a dubbing cassette deck.

We had a huge buffet at McCall's on the US-70 bypass.  AUCE BBQ, cole slaw and, just as good, Calabash shrimp.

Shrimp and 'Cue.  Life is Good.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BUG--  The reason you is givin' for calling in sick.


Thursday, July 23, 2015

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 2: Another Day Driving, Grazing and Shopping

July 21, Tuesday

Took the road from the LaQuinta 6.7 miles south to US-33 and then that to West Virginia.  Only 4 stoplights and speed limits at least 55 mph and as high as 70 on the limited access stretches.  There are even two rest areas on this stretch, something you don't often see on US highways.

Stopped at Dogpatch Crossing for gas.

Then I took I-77 to Charleston after which it turned into the West Virginia Turnpike and into Virginia.  Made my usual stop at the Virginia Welcome Center for my peanut fix.  Then a fill up at the cheapest gas place on the trip, Wytheville, Virginia, where gas was $2.36, cheapest of the trip.

On into N.C. and a stop at Mt. Airy where I was too late for that porkchop sandwich, but did manage to graze at Golden Corral.  Back to I-74/US-52 to Winston-Salem then US-421 to I-40.  Unfortunately I hit the Raleigh-Durham area right in the midst of rush hour, never a good thing, but not as bad as it could have been.  Then got on US-70 east to Goldsboro.

I stopped at J-Rs and thought I would get out of there without buying anything until I happened upon the Christmas store section.  Also stopped at a Wal-Mart to stock up on my CheerWine, a N.C. favorite.

Arrived at Mom's and found out that my brother Bob had caught an opossum in his basement.  Later, he called to say he had caught another one.

One Possum, Two Possum.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BAR CODE--  Them's the fight'n rules down da local tavern.



Wednesday, July 22, 2015

N.C. Trip Summer 2015: A Day of Driving and Cincy Chili-- Part 1

JULY 20, MONDAY

I took the usual route to avoid Chicago, Ill-47 from Woodstock to Mahomat and then east on I-74 to I-465 to I-70 through Indianapolis.  Even though it was rush hour, there were no big slow downs or jams.

Then east on I-70 to Ohio and Exit 29 and some of that great Cincy Chili at Skyline Chili.

Then I-70 to east of Columbus and a room at LaQuinta in Reynoldsburg after some Cds and a book at Half-Price Books.

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BACKUP--  What you fo when you're in the woods and sight a skunk.

Monday, July 20, 2015

More Like It

Sunday, July 19th.

Started the day as usual, listening to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots and recording Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles for later listening.

After yardwork, we went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and saw our favorite local band, Soda.  Then we went to Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake and sat out by the Tiki Bar and ended up at Lakeview Place on Grasslake and sat out on the deck high above Grasslake.

And, even better, when we got home, we still had electricity.

A Day Without Storms.  --RoadDog


HEADLINES FROM 2029:  Spotted owl plague threatens Northwestern U.S. crops and livestock.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Weather Keeps Getting in the Way

As we go through yet another hot and muggy day.  The last several days were the same and led to some pretty bad storms.

Thursday, we had rain for most of our downriver trip.  That caused us to miss a good concert in Antioch's Taste of Summer Festival.  Then, Friday, a storm came up really fast, cancelling a boating trip.

Then, yesterday I finished cutting the grass and we went over to McHenry for their Fiesta Days Summer Festival only to not only get rained on, but also we had Tornado Warnings which closed everything down.  We had also planned to go out to Antioch to see the Shadows of Knight (the ones that sang "Gloria") and Hi-Infidelity, but the warnings and torrential rains washed that out as well.

We ended up at Half-Times and Sunnyside Tavern instead.

I was really up for this weekend, but it got stormed out.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten from July 30, 1965: "I Got You Babe"

1.  SATISFACTION-- Rolling Stones
2.  WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT--  Tom Jones
3.  SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME--  Gary Lewis

4.  I'M A FOOL--  Dino, Desi & Billy
5.  BABY I'M YOURS--  Barbara Lewis
6.  CARA MIA--  Jay & the Americans
7.  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE--  Jackie DeShannon

8.  I LIKE IT LIKE THAT--  Dave Clark Five
9.  CALIFORNIA GIRLS--  Beach Boys
10.  I GOT YOU BABE--  Sonny and Cher

"So Go and Powder That Cute Little Pussycat Nose."  --RoadDog


HEADLINES FROM 2029:  Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world, Mexifornia, formerly known as California.


Saturday, July 18, 2015

Every Blooming THing-- Mid July

This is probably the yard's top color display.

Right now the daylillies and Asiatic lillies are blooming,  tall phlox are just about there.  I have a variety of short, medium and tall daisies blooming as well as blue salvia, bachelor buttons, hostas, purple coneflowers, Missouri primrose, marguerittes, spirea, dianthus, tickweed, bee balm and several perennials which I don't remember the name.

Black-eyed Susans are getting ready to open.

It is a blast of color all around.

But, weeding, trimming and general yardwork is keeping me very busy.  Plus, this year all the rain has certainly caused the grass to grow, made worse with all the clover in it.

--RoadDog


Listening to WLS Songs from July 9, 1965-- Part 4

25.  IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO LATE--  Wayne Fontana  #45.  Good song, though.  Surprised it didn't do better.

24.  IF YOU REALLY WANT ME TO, I'LL GO--  Ron-dells--  I was originally thinking girl group, but it was a male duo of RonnieKelly and the better-known blues/beach performer Delbert McClinton.

20.  DON'T JUST STAND THERE--  Patty Duke  #8.  As good a girl group song as you'll get.  And she can play two roles in a TV show.

18.  JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN--  Ronnie Dove  #16  Follow up tune to his biggest hit "One Kiss for Old Times' Sake."

14.  A WALK IN THE BLACK FOREST--  Horst Jankowski#12.  You'll know it when you hear it.

12.  LAURIE--  Dickie Lee  Strange Things Happen.  Gag me with a fright.  She's back. #14.

"Tell me What, What, What, What's On Your Mind."  --RoadDog


ANSWER THIS:  Why are actors IN movies but On television?

"Don't Just Stand There"



Friday, July 17, 2015

Goodbye to Frank Costello

We were shocked a couple weeks ago to learn that Frank Costello, former owner of Costello's Pub & Grub on Fox Lake in Illinois, had cancer and was in hospice care in Springfield.  We found out Tuesday that he had died on this past Sunday.

The service was Thursday in Waverly, Illinois, a small town south of Springfield.  We decided a better way to remember him would be to go to his old place to reminiscence.  After he sold it, it became Baja Benny's and is now Stormy Monday.

We're planning to have a lot of his friends gather there at 6 p.m. today to do that.

We were among his first customers when he opened.  Actually, we pulled up on our boat and went inside.  They said they couldn't sell us a beer, as they didn't have their license yet, but we could have a pop.  He was a real godsend during the Round Lake two month teacher's strike as he had daily specials for teachers as well as some of the best soup I've ever had.

The Pub & grub part of the place's name came from me.  I deejayed there many times.

We'll Sure Miss Him.  Here's to You, Frank.  --RoadDog

Battling the Bees

This was sort of a painful confrontation compared to the chipmunk.  Last weekend I was attacked by ground bees and stung three times.  They even chased me across the yard.  Well, this means war.  I try to leave bees alone because of the work they do in the yard, but sting me and that changes everything.

Monday, I went to Menard's which was having a 4 for $5 sale on spray cans of hornet at wasp killer.  I stocked up.

A couple days ago, i was working in the general area where I was attacked, but not by where I think their nest is.  Those little buggers started buzzing me again.  But this time I was ready, and they got zapped pretty well.  I don't know if I killed any, but they sure weren't around after that.

Come On Back if You've Got the Stingers, 'Lil Friends.  You Can meet my 'Lil Friend.  --RoadDog

Messin' With the Chipmunk

All sorts of fun out in the yard this past week.

1.  CONFUSING THE CHIPMUNK--  A week ago, i noticed that one of our chipmunks had gotten up on one of the bird feeders and was trying to lift the basket to get at the seed.  He couldn
't, but i sure enjoyed watching him/her trying.  A couple days ago, I looked out at the feeders and saw the birds perched on the iron and looking down.

There was Mr. Chipmunk up there again and this time really gorging himself.  I chased him off.

Later, I attached a cup to the main pole hanging by a string and within a minute, he was up there checking it out.  It was hilarious watching him put his head very carefully up into the cup.  I think he thought that perhaps I was trying to catch him as he never attempted to get past it.

We'll have to see if I succeeded.  I'm sure he's off somewhere thinking about it and planning.

We'll See.  --RoadDog


Listening to WLS Songs from July 9, 1965-- Part 3

33.  YES I'M READY--Her biggest hit, went to #5.  I knew the song, just wanted to hear it again.

32.  IT FEELS SO RIGHT/EASY QUESTION--  Elvis Presley  #55 from his movie "Tickle Me."  A pretty bad song for the first one.  The second song was much better and went to #11.

30.  I'M A FOOL--  Dino, Desi & Billy.  I knew the song, just wanted to hear it again.  Kind of a take on "Louie, Louie."  Went to #17.  Dena Martin and Lucy's kids with friend Billy

28.  ONE DYIN' & BURYIN'--  Roger Miller  Roger comes up with a sure-fire way to forget a bad love.  Commit suicide.  To #34.

27.  CHANTILLY LACE--  Rene & Rene  I knew the song, but not this version, half of it was sung in Spanish by this Mexican-American duo.  It did not chart nationally.  "Chantilly Lace" like you've never heard it before.

"You Can't Be Kind to Me, Girl.  You Always treat me bad, girl."-- RoadDog


"I'm a Fool"

Going Back to 1982-- Part 3: "Mexican Radio"

HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK--  Ian Drury & the Blockheads
GYPSY--  Fleetwood Mac
I WANT CANDY--  Bow Wow Wow

LITTLE RED CORVETTE--  Prince
DIRTY LAUNDRY--  Don Henley
SENSES WORKING OVERTIME--  XTC

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME--  Culture Club  (An eyeopener.)
I LOVE A MAN IN UNIFORM--  Gang of Four
LOVE MY WAY--  Psychedelic Furs

MEXICAN RADIO--  Wall of Voodoo
TEMPORARY BEAUTY--  Graham Parker
WHITE WEDDING--  Billy Idol

"I Dial It In and Tune the Station."  --RoadDog


"Mexican Radio"

Going Back to 1982-- Part 2: "Annie Get Your Gun"

HEARTBEAT--  King Crimson
OPEN ALL NIGHT--  Bruce Springsteen
STEPPIN' OUT--  Joe Jackson

KISS OF LIFE--  Peter Gabriel
EMINENCE FRONT--  Who
TOWN CALLED MALICE--  Jam

I RAN (SO FAR AWAY)--  Flock of Seagulls
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN--  Squeeze
DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND--  T-Bone Burnett

STRAY CAT STRUT--  Stray Cats
LOVE PLUS ONE--  Haircut One Hundred
YOU GOT LUCKY--  Tom Petty

"I Walked Along the Avenue.  I Never Thought I'd Meet a Girl Like You."  --RoadDog


"I Ran"

WLS Top Ten from July 23, 1965: "I Like It Like That"

Due to an impending trip, I am going ahead on these for a couple weeks.

1.  SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones
2.  I'M HENRY THE VIII, I AM--  Herman's Hermits
3.  CARA MIA--  Jay & the Americans

4.  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW--  Jackie DeShannon
5.  WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT--  Tom Jones
6.  SAVE YOUR HEAR FOR ME--  Gary Lewis
7.  I LIKE IT LIKE THAT--  Dave Clark Five

8.  BABY I'M YOURS--  Barbara Lewis (No relation to #6.)
9.  I CAN'T HELP MYSELF--  Four Tops
10.  LAURIE--  Dickie Lee

18.  DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS--  Billy Joe Royal
30.  I GOT YOU BABE--  Sonny and Cher  (These last two were the big songs from my 1965 fishing trip to Canada.)
39.  PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG--.  James Brown  (Was this his first big hit for white audiences?)  No.  he had national hits back in the late 50s, but they rarely cracked the Top 40.  But starting with this song, the Godfather of Soul started his most successful run on the pop charts.)

"Each Time We Part My Heart Wants to Die."  --RoadDog  Answer to the lyrics below.


ANSWER THIS:  Why did we put a man on the moon before we realized it would be a good idea to make  luggage with wheels?


"Cara Mia"

Thursday, July 16, 2015

WLS Top Ten from July 16, 1965

1.  (I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones
2.  I'M HENRY THE VIII I AM--  Herman's Hermits
3.  CARA MIA--  Jay & the Americans

4.  I CAN'T HELP MYSELF--  Four Tops
5.  MR. TAMBOURINE MAN--  Byrds
6.  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE--  Jackie DeShannon
7.  WOOLY BULLY--  Sam the Sham

8.  LAURIE--  Dickie Lee
9.  I WANT CANDY--  Strangeloves
10.  SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME--  Gary Lewis

"When I'm Driving In My Car and a Man Comes On the Radio."  --RoadDog


ANSWER THIS:  When you get to heaven, are you stuck for eternity wearing the same clothes you were buried in?



"Satisfaction"


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Listening to WLS Songs from July 9, 1965-- Part 2

Other songs.

39.  MARIE--  A big throwback to the 1950s sound.  Went to #15.  Their biggest hit was "Diana."

38.  TO KNOW YOU IS TO LOVE YOU--  Peter and Gordon  Kind of a Wall of Sound at the beginning..  they were covering an older song.  Reached #24.  I knew the song, just didn't remember their version.

37.  YOU'D BETTER COME HOME--  Petula Clark  Slow in definitely in her style.

36.  NEW ORLEANS--  Eddie Hodges.  I knew the song but didn't recognize his name until I heard it.  The best-known version was by Gary U.S. Bonds in 1966.

34.  LITTLE LONELY ONE--  Tom Jones.  Follow up to his big hit "It's Not Unusual.  reached #42 National.  Good song in the "What's New Pussycat" vein.

"Where the Honeysuckle's Blooming On the Honeysuckle Vine."  --RoadDog


ANSWER THIS:  Who decided that a round pizza should be put in a square box?

"New Orleans"




Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Listening to the WLS Songs from July 9, 1965

As I mentioned, when I do the Top 40, there are always some songs I either never heard or had forgotten.  This calls for a very careful listen to You Tube (I don't want to end up spending several hours in those oldies.  That mean old "You might like to hear" off to the side gets me way too often.).

I also used my Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1993 book to see what the top national rank was.

40.  DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS--  Billy Joe Royal.  OK, I heard this one, but it is a song that always reminds me of the trip my parents gave me for graduating 8th grade back in 1965.  I was big into fishing and they paid for me to go on a fishing trip in Canada.  This song played over and over on the way there and back and has become hooked in my memory to it.

It was playing in the diner where I bought my first meal by myself.  The trip was either in July or early August.  The other song that brings back memories of that trip was the one used in the movie "Groundhog Day," "Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe."  I see that hit #1 in Chicago on WLS on August 13, 1965, the first song to knock the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" from #1 where it had been since July 9th.

Anyway, "Down in the Boondocks" brought back the memories and hit #9 nationally.  This was its first appearance on the WLS charts.

"Lord Have Mercy on a Boy From...."  --RoadDog


ANSWER THIS:  Can you cry under water?



Monday, July 13, 2015

Bands, Boating, Bars and Attack Bees

THURSDAY, JULY 9--  Yardwork.  Boating on Fox Lake and Nippersink Lake.  Stopped  at the Aquarium on Nippersink Lake by boat for Chain Crawl passport stamp.  Drove to Antioch, Illinois for It's Thursday.  Had wings at The Lodge of Antioch and saw Funk DuJour, an eleven-piece horn band at the bandshell.  Stopped at Chopper's on Il-173 by Channel Lake on the way home for another passport stamp.

FRIDAY, JULY 10--  More yardwork.  Went boating around Fox Lake.  To the Legion on Nippersink Lake and met several of our Usual Suspects and then over to Hello Folks where we saw Mitch Stevens performing.

SATURDAY, JULY 11--  More yardwork.  Watched the Sox-Cubs Crosstown game in Margaritaville in the basement.  Sox won 5-1!!  Went to a party at our neighbor's house to the west of us.

SUNDAY, JULY 12--  More yardwork and I was stung three times when I annoyed some ground bees at their nest.  It was the "Great Skedaddle" half-way across the yard.  In the afternoon, we went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and saw the band Hooked On Sonics.  Then to Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake for a sit out by their great Tiki Bar.  Last stop at Lakeview Place on Grasslake with the best view on the Chain.

And, next week it is McHenry's Fiesta Days and Antioch's Taste of Summer with lots of bands and fun.

Good Times 'Round Here.  --RoadDog

Going Back to 1982-- Part 1 "From Small Things"

From Wendy Rice's July 11, 2015, Saturday Morning Flashback to 1982 on WXRT, 93.1 FM in Chicago.

Lots of great music back then and I was listening to a lot of it as I was preparing to start really getting into deejaying.

SITUATION--  Yaz
FROM SMALL THINGS--  Nick Lowe
THE LOOK OF LOVE--  ABC

SEXUAL HEALING--  Marvin Gaye
JACK & DIANE--  John Cougar  (Or is it Mellancamp?)
AVALON--  Roxy Music

GOODY TWO SHOES--  Adam Ant  (You had to love his moves and look.)
SLIP SKIRTS--  Pete Townsend
WHAT DO ALL THE PEOPLE KNOW--  Monroes

SAVE IT FOR LATER--  English Beat
TAINTED LOVE--  Soft Cell
SOMEDAY SOMEWAY--  Marshall Crenshaw  (One of my all-time favorite songs.  Try to listen to it and not get moving.)

CLEANING WINDOWS--  Van Morrison
STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE--  Nick Lowe
ROCK THE CASBAH--   Clash

By the way, Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on WDRV: Mon.--  1982, Tues--  1978, Wed.--  Covers and Thurs.--  1973.

"Sometimes I Feel I've Got to Runaway.  I've Got to Get Away."  --RoadDog

"Tainted Love:"

WLS Top 40 Survey for July 9, 1965-- Part 4: "Satisfaction"

10.  FOR YOUR LOVE--  Yardbirds
9.  WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE--  Jackie DeShannon
8.  WONDERFUL WORLD--  Herman's Hermits

7.  CARA MIA--  Jay & the Americans  (That Jay could really sing.)
6.  I WANT CANDY--  Strangeloves  (Good ol' Frat Rock.)
5.  MR. TAMBOURINE MAN--  Byrds
4.  WOOLY BULLY--  Sam the Sham

3.  I'M HENRY THE VIII I AM--  Herman's Hermits
2.  I CAN'T HELP MYSELF--  Four Tops
1.  SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones  (The song that really put them on the map.)

Lots of British Invasion.  Two Herman's songs and NO Beatles?  What gives?

"I Know a Girl Who's Soft and Sweet.  She's So Fine, She Can't Be Beat."  --RoadDog

"I Want Candy"


ANSWER THIS:  When do you become important enough to be considered assassinated and not just murdered?



Saturday, July 11, 2015

WLS Top 40 for July 9, 1965-- Part 3: "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows"

20.  DON'T JUST STAND THERE--  Patty Duke
19.  WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT--  Tom Jones  (Let's all do the refrain.)
18.  *JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN--  Ronnie Dove

17.  SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME--  Gary Lewis & the Playboys
16.  CRYING IN THE CHAPEL--  Elvis Presley
15.  SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS & RAINBOWS--  Lesley Gore  (I just wrote about her death earlier this week.)
14.  A WALK IN THE BLACK FOREST--  Horst Jankowski

13.  YOU TURN ME ON--  Ian Whitcomb  (A strange, horny song.)
12.  LAURIE--  Dickie Lee  (Oh, well.)
11.  SEVENTH SON--  Johnny Rivers

"I've Got Flowers and Lots of Hours to Spend With You."  --RoadDog


"What's New Pussycat"

One More Trip to 1970: "Immigrant Song"

From Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on WDRV, 97.1 FM, Chicago from July 10, 2015.

Here's ten more from that college year of mine.

MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME-- Three Dog Night
OYE COMO VA--  Santana
ONLY YOU KNOW THAT I KNOW--  Dave Mason

IMMIGRANT SONG--  Led Zeppelin
WOODSTOCK--  CSNY
LAYLA--  Derek & the the Dominoes
LOVE GROWS WHERE MY ROSEMARY GROWS--  Edison Lighthouse

MAKE ME SMILE--  Chicago
GLAD--   Traffic
MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison

"What'll You Do When You Get Lonely and Nobody's Waiting By Your Side?"  --RoadDog

"Layla"

Going Back to 1970-- Part 3: "Rock & Roll, Hootchie Coo"

Still listing the songs Wendy Rice played on her Saturday Morning Flashback show on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM last week.  Today, she is back to another great year of music, 1982 and streaming until noon at www.wxrt.com.

But, back to 1970:

GALLOWS POLE--  Led Zeppelin
THANK YOU--  Sly & the Family Stone
GREEN MANLISHI--  Fleetwood Mac

MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison
IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH REED--  Allman Brothers
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD--  David Bowie

AFTER THE GOLDRUSH--  Neil Young
ROCK & ROLL, HOOTCHIE COO--  Johnny Winter
GET BACK--  Beatles

DIRE WOLF--  Grateful Dead
MISSISSIPPI QUEEN--  Mountain
SUMMERTIME BLUES (LIVE)--  Who

"JoJo Was a Man Who Thought He Was a Loner."  (For some reason I always thought the last word was woman?)--  RoadDog

ANSWER THIS:  We put in our two cents, but only get a penny for our thoughts.  Who gets the extra penny?

In case you're wondering about the lyrics, "Get Back."

Friday, July 10, 2015

Going Back to 1970-- Part 2: "Tarkio Road"

OHIO--  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
THE LETTER--  (live)--  Joe Cocker
TWO OF US--  Beatles

ANGEL--  Jimi Hendrix
ROADHOUSE BLUES--  Doors
BLUES POWER--  Eric Clapton

UP AROUND THE BEND--  CCR
APE MAN--  Kinks
TARKIO ROAD--  Brewer & Shipley

GASOLINE ALLEY--  Rod Stewart
NATURE'S WAY--   Spirit
WAR--   Edwin Starr

"'Cause It means Destruction of Innocent Lives."  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for July 9, 1965-- Part 2: Set Me Free

30.  I'M A FOOL--  Dino, Desi & Billy
29.  THEME FROM A SUMMER PLACE--  Lettermen
28.  ONE DYIN'& BURYIN'--  Roger Miller

27.  *CHANTILLY LACE-- Rene 7 Rene  (I knew the song, but not the group and they were an interesting act.)
26.  SET ME FREE--  Kinks
25.  *IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO LATE--  Wayne Fontana
24.  *IF YOU REALLY WANT ME TO, I'LL GO--  Ron-dells

23.  I LIKE IT LIKE THAT--  Dave Clark Five
22.  BABY I'M YOURS--  Barbara Lewis
21.  ALL I REALLY WANT TO DO--  Byrds

"I Don't Want No One If I Can't Have You to Myself."  --RoadDog


ANSWER THIS:  What's the difference between unique and very unique?

Thursday, July 9, 2015

WLS Top 40 for July 9, 1965-- Part 1: Down in the Boondocks

As always, a big thanks to the Oldies Loon site for providing these trips back to my past.

I usually do just the Top Ten, but every so often expand to include the whole survey.  Usually I remember the Top tens, but quite often there are several on the full list which I don't.  And, there are others that I haven't heard in so long, it's worth a shot giving a listen on You Tube.

Here are the Top 40 songs in Chicago fifty years ago.  (*) are ones I didn't know.

40.  DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS--  Billy Joe Royal  (This one sure reminds me of my 8th grade graduation fishing trip to Canada.)
39.  *MARIE--  Bachelors
38.  TO KNOW YOU IS TO LOVE YOU--  Peter and Gordon

37.  *YOU'D BETTER COME HOME--  Petula Clark
36.  *NEW ORLEANS--  Eddie Hodges  (Knew the song, not by him.)
35.  CALIFORNIA GIRLS--  Beach Boys  (And on their way real high in the charts.)
34.  LITTLE LONELY ONE--  Tom Jones

33.  YES, I'M READY--  Barbara Mason
32.  *IT FEELS SO RIGHT/EASY QUESTION--  Elvis Presley  (Two of his songs I've never heard before.)
31.  HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE--  Patti Page

"People Put me Down 'Cause That's the Side of Town I Was Born In."  --RoadDog




Going Back to 1970-- Part 1: "Lake Shore Drive"

From Wendy Rice's WXRT Saturday Morning Flashback Show from July 4, 2015.

Again, a trip back to my college days and lots and lots of memories.

I HEAR YOU KNOCKIN'--  Dave Edmunds
THE SHAPE I'M IN--  Band
DOMINO--  Van Morrison

COME AND GET IT--  Badfinger
SWEET BABY JAMES--  James Taylor  (This song really takes me back.)
OOH OOH CHILD--  Five Stairsteps  (From Chicago)

MAYBE I'M AMAZED--  Paul McCartney  (At first I was really upset when the Beatles broke up, but then I became aware that now we would have a lot more of the music since they were each going out on their own.)
LAKE SHORE DRIVE--  Aliotta, Haynes & Jeremiah  (Pretty-well sums up Chicago.)
QUESTION--  Moody Blues

WHY DOES LOVE HAVE TO BE SO SAD--  Derek & the Dominos
I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU--  Temptations
BOX OF RAIN--  Grateful Dead  (Well, they WERE playing those big concerts in Chicago this last weekend.  I was shocked to read only two people there arrested for marijuana.  The Cops said they had more pressing things to do like keeping certain Chicagoans from killing each other in honor of the nation's birthday.

INSTANT KARMA--  John Lennon
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED--  Stevie Wonder
THE MIGHTY QUINN--  Bob Dylan

ALL RIGHT NOW--  Free  (Does music get any better than this.)
SPIRIT IN THE DARK--  Aretha Franklin
WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY--  Cat Stevens

"Gonna Knock You Right On the Head.  Better Get Yourself Together."  --RoadDog


I get these from the March 2015 Orange Peel.

ANSWER THIS:  What disease did cured ham have?



Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Music Deaths: Lesley Gore

LESLEY GORE, 68.  Died Feb. 16, 2015.

Reportedly discovered in 1963 at the age of 16.  Signed by Mercury Records Music Director Quincy Jones who produced her first big hit "It's My Party" (#1, 1963)  Jones rushed the release of the song to beat out a Phil Spector-produced version of the same song by the Crystals by two weeks.

Then, she had a string of hits: "Judy's Turn to Cry" (#5, 1963), "She's a Fool" (#5, 1964), "You Don't Own Me" (#2, 1964), "Maybe I Know" (#14, 1964), "Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows" (#13, 1965).

Often referred to as the younger Connie Francis.

No one could do a Girl Group song better than her, even if she sang by herself.

Booker T. & the MGs

Instrumental R&B band served as the house band for the influential soul label Stax Records.  Played with Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave.

Their biggest hit was "Green Onions" which went to #3 pop and #1 R&B in 1962.

The original members were Booker T. Jones on organ and piano, Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums.

It was a racially integrated band with two white and two black members.  The name MGs came from Memphis Group.

--RoadDog


THE LAST WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Good Fourth Around Here

A lot of yardwork, eating and fireworks.

JULY 3, FRIDAY--  I set out all my flags and banners.  Did yardwork every day, one of my pleasures.  This afternoon and early evening we were over at friends John and Sherry's for a 4th of July get-together.

JULY 4, SATURDAY--  Drove to twin lakes, Wisconsin for the parade and then met with friend Gayle who has moved to Arizona and had her boyfriend Charlie along with her.  It was great catching up with her and meeting Charlie at both Main Street Tap and Donovan's.

Stopped at the Spring Grove 4th of July grounds at Horse Fair Park for awhile, then went home.  Watched the fireworks show for the village from the front of our house as usual.

JULY 5, SUNDAY--  Listened to Bob Stroud's Summer of 1975 show in the morning.  remembered we had our first 4th of July in our new house in Round Lake Beach 40 years ago in 1975.

Went to Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake and sat out by the tiki bar on a perfect day.  Then went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and watched the Eddie Butts Band and stopped at Lakeview Place on Grasslake.

Sure Enjoyed It.  --RoadDog

Summer of 1975-- Part 6: July 5, 1975 "Old Days"

These are songs playing  on radio and in your record collection 40 years ago.

SHOW ME THE WAY--  Peter Frampton--  Before he hit it real big in 1976.
REAL MAN--  Todd Rundgren
BAD TIME--  Grand Funk--  their last big hit.

KASHMIR--  Led Zeppelin
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE--  David Bowie--  Singing a Beatles song.
I'M NOT IN LOVE--  10CC

TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS--  Doobie Brothers
SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
OLD DAYS--  Chicago

SHINING STAR--  Earth, Wind & Fire
MAGIC--  Pilot
SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE--  Elton John

SWEET EMOTION--  Aerosmith
FREEWAY JAM--  Jeff Beck
ONLY WOMEN BLEED--  Alice Cooper

WILDFIRE--  Michael Murphy  #1 song in Chicago July 5, 1975.

"Good Times I Remember.  Fun Days Filled With Simple Pleasures.  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.


Monday, July 6, 2015

Movie Scratches: Avengers-- Tomorrowland-- Andreas-- Poltergeist

Movie Scratches:  A dog's-eye view of today's movies.

33.  AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON--  5-26--  Round Lake Beach, $5--  Poor, misguided robot a.i..  That skyscraper collapse was a bit too much like 9/11 though.  Still have a problem with that.

34.  TOMORROWLAND--  5-27--  Fox Lake, $5--  Enter "It's a Small World" and exit "Tomorrowland."  The only hope for the earth's future, but George messes up.  Robot love?

35.  SAN ANDREAS--  6-1--  Round Lake Beach, $5--  Watch out for falling buildings or, Boating amongst the skyscrapers.  As much action as you can handle.

36.  POLTERGEIST--  6-9--  Round Lake Beach, $5--  With an Illinois connection this time.  Stay out of the closet the best you can.  Just when you thought it was safe.m, they pull you back.

Great Prices and Eating at RLB.  --RoadDog

Summer of 1975-- Part 5: July 5, 1975: "Jackie Blue"

From Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on Chicago's Drive, WDRV, 97.1 FM.  This is his second installment from that summer with parts 3 and 4 coming up the first Sundays of August and September.  These are the songs that were playing on the radio (here in Chicago mostly WLS and WCFL, though there were a lot of FM stations at the time as well.  These are also songs we played on our albums on the stereo.  Using surveys, these are ones that were playing July 5, 1975.

I forgot about the show and slept through the first hour, but have gone on site to get the list.

JACKIE BLUE--  Ozark Mountain Daredevils
CALL ON ME--  Bad Company  (The band I always get these guys mixed up with Foreigner for some reason.)
WHEN WILL I BE LOVED--  Linda Ronstadt  (What a voice.)

SISTER GOLDEN HAIR--  America
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM--  Elton John
TRAVELIN' MAN--  Bob Seger

ONE OF THESE NIGHTS--  Eagles  (And fast becoming a favorite country rock band of mine.)
KILLER QUEEN--  Queen
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT--  Neil Young  (We had friends who went up for his show at Milwaukee's Summerfest last night.)

HEY YOU--  Bachman-Turner Overdrive
WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS--  War
LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID--  Wings  (With that Paul guy.)

MEDICINE JAR--  Wings  (Well, it was 8 a.m. and Terri Hemmert was coming on with her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT,)
HOW LONG--  Ace
I'M ON FIRE--  Dwight Twilley Band

"I've Been Made Blue, I've Been Lied To."  --RoadDog


THE WIT OF WILL ROGERS:  When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.






Saturday, July 4, 2015

America Ranked on July 4th-- Part 2

15th--  Happiness:  7.1%

16th--  Most democratic:  76.9

17th--  Corruption:  74 (with 100 the highest)

18th--  Adult obesity rate:  33%

21st--  Internet users (per 100 people):  84.2

24th--  Reading education: 498

27th--  Adult literacy rate, 2012:  99%

28th--  Internet download speeds:  36.8 megabits per second

28th--  Science education:  497

31st--  Motherhood index, 2015

41st--  Average life expectancy:  79.6 years

48th--  Average annual pure alcohol consumption, 2010:  2.4 gallons per person

55th--  Annual infant mortality: 6.2 deaths per 1,000 births

106th--  Homicide rate (2007): 5 per 100,000 persons

124th--  Cellphone subscription (per 100 people):  95.5

Happy Birthday Rank, #1.  --RoadDog




America Ranked on the 4th of July-- Part 1

From the July 3, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Tribune Graphics.

"As the United States of America celebrates its 239th birthday from sea to shining sea, take a glimpse at where the country ranks globally in various socioeconomic categories:

1st--  Annual health expenditure as a percentage of GDP: 17.9%

1st--  U.S.-registered patents:  3,236,285

1st--  Prison population:  2.2 million

3rd--  Total estimated population:  318,892,103

3rd--  Land area:  3,794,000 square miles.

3rd--  Annual household spending:  $31,227

3rd--  Available military manpower in 2013:  145,212,012

5th--  Red meat consumed per day, 2011:  332 grams

10th--  Carbon emissions, 2010:  17.6 metric tons per person

13th--  Refugee population:  263,662

And, I Have More.  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  When you've given a lesson in meanness to acritter or person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Getting Ready for the Fourth of July

Put my flags up this morning.  Yesterday, we went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes and stopped at Never Sink Inn in Spring Grove for their weekly blues jam.

Today we are going one subdivision over in Johnsburg to a cookout.

Tomorrow we are planning on watching the parade in Twin Lakes, having a few cocktails at Main Street and Donovan's and then coming back to Spring Grove for the celebration.  Mitch Edwards is playing at Horse Fair Park in the afternoon, followed by Mr. Myers, a band that we have been following since it began in DeKalb back at Andy's in 1983.

As usual, we will watch the Spring Grove Fireworks from the front of our house.

Happy 239th, America!!  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for July 2, 1965

Always a big thanks for Oldies Loon providing this.

1.  MR. TAMBOURINE MAN--  Byrds
2.  WOOLY BULLY--  Sam the Sham
3.  I CAN'T HELP MYSELF--  Four Tops

4.  I WANT CANDY--  Strangeloves
5.  SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones
6.  WONDERFUL WORLD--  Herman Hermits
7.  FOR YOUR LOVE--  Yardbirds

8.  CRYING IN THE CHAPEL--  Elvis Presley
9.  I'M HENRY THE VIII, I AM--  Herman's Hermits
10.  A WALK IN THE BLACK FOREST--  Horst Jankowski

So, Herman's Hermits have two songs in the top ten.  How many Beatles songs are there?

Wendy Rice goes back to 1970 on her Saturday Morning Flashback show tomorrow 8-noon on WXRT in Chicago.

"I'm an Eightball Man, That's What I Am."  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:   Always drink upstream from the herd.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Festivals, Bands Last Weekend

JUNE 26TH, FRIDAY--  We met friends Kip and Susie at K.C.'s Cabin for breakfast and spent the rest of the day doing yardwork before meeting Kevin and Kelly at the Legion for 50-50.  Kelly's mother was there with her boyfriend Paul who was in World War II and an FBI agent afterwards.

JUNE 27TH, SATURDAY--  Enjoyed listening to Wendy Rice go back to 1989 on her WXRT show.  Drove to Round Lake Beach's Beach fest and saw the band Bad Medicine do Bon Jovi and Def Leppard songs.

Then drove over to Wauconda for Wauconda Fest, stopping along the way at Bonner Road Inn which has been there since the 1960s.  At the Fesr, we saw Piano Man do covers of Billy Joel and Elton John and then the Mason Rivers Band, which played country music.

Stopped at Sunnyside Tap on the way home.

JUNE 28THM SUNDAY--  Listened to Rock and Roll Roots and recorded Breakfast With the Bearles as usual.  Did some yardwork and then drove over to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road and then to Captain's Quarters where we saw the band Hooked on Sonics.

Love Those Bands.  --RoadDog

New "Vacation" Movie Coming

From the April 13, 2015, Yahoo! Movies "Three Generations of Griswolds Pose for First 'Vacation' Photo" by Kevin Polowy.

I have just seen a coming preview of this new movie and, I have to admit, that I laughed through it.  This is going to be one funny movie.  And the original is one of my all-time favorites as were the follow-ups "Vegas Vacation" and "Christmas Vacation."   "European Vacation" was alright, but not as good as the others.

Anyway, those posing were Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo, son Rusty (Ed Helms), daughter-in-law Debbie (Christine Applegate) and their kids (Skyler Gisdondo and Steele Stebbini).

The photo is taken in front of the famous puke green "Wagon Queen Family Truckster," a modified Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon.

The first "Vacation" movie had Michael Hall and Dana Baron i 1982  Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo will have cameo roles.

Anticipating This One.  --RoadDog

JSIS: Urban Gets Paid-- Building a Cheaper Big Mac-- Cancelled in 2014JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff.


1.  URBAN GETS PAID--  A LOT!!  His OSU contract extended to 2020 after the 2014 National Championship.  He now will average $6.5 million a year.  This during a time that a college education keeps costing so much more.  You've got to wonder.

2.  BUILDING A CHEAPER BIG MAC--  With the price of a Big Mac around $4 these days, just order a McDouble without ketchup.  Then add lettuce and Big mac sauce.  It is the "Poor man's Big Mac" at around $1.49.

3.  CANCELLED IN 2014--  TV shows that got the axe.
CBS:  The Millers, The Crazy Ones, Friends With better
NBC:  Revolution
ABC:  Suburgatory, Super Fun Night and Trophy Wife.  This last one I really miss.  At first I thought it was going to be  a stupid show, but what a cast.  And, I liked the other two shows as well.

Watching Too Much TV.  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  It don't take a genius to spot a goat in flock of sheep.