The Drive's Essential 1970s A to Z This Past Weekend

Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM had a new thing going on this past weekend when they played the 1970s from A to Z.

Sure brought back some great memories from my late teens and twenties.  here are the "A" songs:

AFTER MIDNIGHT--  Eric Clapton
AFTER THE GOLD RUSH--  Neil Young

AIN'T EVEN DONE WITH THE NIGHT--  John Mellancamp
AIN'T TALKIN' 'BOUT LOVE--  Van Halen
AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG--  Rolling Stones

ALL MY LOVE--  Led Zeppelin
ALL RIGHT NOW--  Free
ALREADY GONE--  Eagles

AMERICAN GIRL--  Tom Petty
AMERICAN WOMAN--  Guess Who

AMIE--  Pure Prairie League
ANGIE--  Rolling Stones
ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (PART 2)--  Pink Floyd

AQUALUNG--  Jethro Tull

"There She Stood in the Street, Smiling From Her Head to Her Feet."  --RoadDog


INSURANCE CLAIMS:  I thought the side window was down but iy was up, as I found when I put my head through it.

"All Right Now"

It's High School Football Season Again Here in Illinois: My Five Teams

And, I missed the first game because of the rain threat from dear old weather.  Yesterday it threatened to rain (and did drizzle on several occasions).  Plus, every weather forecast called for heavy rain about game time.

I back five local high school teams.

Palatine High School in Palatine.  This is where I went to school, Class of '69.  I even put up my Palatine Pirates banner on the front porch.

Round Lake High School.  We lived in Round Lake Beach for 17 years and taught in Round Lake schools (though not the high school) for 33 years.

Grant High School in Fox Lake.  We spend a lot of time in that town.  Plus, this is where we keep the boat during the summer.

Richmond Burton High School, serving Spring Grove and Richmond.  We live in Spring Grove and pay a WHOLE LOT OF TAXES to this school.  I have to back my money.

Johnsburg High School.  The school is two miles directly south of us, the closest high school.

Grant and Round Lake were blown out last night.  Johnsburg (the game I wanted to see), rolled by Oregon.  Richmond-Burton won a close one.  Sadly, Palatine lost a close one to Stevenson 26-24.

Hut One, Hut Two.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 Songs From August 27, 1965: "You've Got Your Troubles".

As in 50 years ago.  Billboard Chart top position shown.

30.  ACTION--  Freddie Cannon.  Theme for TV show "Where the Action Is."
29.  DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC--  Lovin' Spoonful
28. I'M ALIVE--  Hollies

27.  JUST YOU--  Sonny and Cher.  Lesser-known song peaked at #20.
26.  YOU'VE GOT YOUR TROUBLES--  Fortunes  peaked at #7.
25.  WORLD THROUGH A TEAR--  Neil Sedaka  Peaked #76.  Never heard this one.  Though a woman was singing it at first.
24.  TROUBLE WITH A WOMAN--  Kip & Ken  Didn't chart.  Some call and response with some Beatles "Yeh, Yeh, Yehs."

23.  IT'S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE--  Royalettes  Peaked at #41.  Four women.  Recorded by several other groups.  Real good version, though.
22.  MOHAIR SAM--  Charlie Rich  Peaked at #21.  Country goes pop/rock
21.  DRUMS A-GO-GO--  Persuaders (Hollywood Persuaders) Didn't chart on Billboard.  Covering the Sandy Nelson song.  Video features a stripper who went down to G-string and tassels.

"Fast Talking, Slow Walking."  --RoadDog


INSURANCE CLAIMS:  A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.



"Mohair Sam"

Music Deaths: Ray Charles (Not "The" Ray Charles)

RAY CHARLES, 96.  Died April 6, 2015.

Leader of the Ray Charles Singers and orchestra leader of Perry Como's 50s TV show.  Not to be confused with the R&B singer Ray Charles with the same name.

He was born Charles Raymond Offenberg in Chicago in 1918. Also worked on "The Muppet Show" and was the male voice on TV's "Three's Company TV Theme "Come and Knock on Our Door.

Charted ten times with his Ray Charles Singers including "Love Me With All Your Heart" (#3-1964 and "Al Di La" (#29-1964).

WLS Top 40 for August 27, 1965-- Part 1 "Laugh At Me"

This is one of the surveys where, instead of just the Top Ten, I do all 40 songs to get a better idea of what was hot FIFTY YEARS AGO.  As usual, there were a lot of songs in the lower reaches I had not heard.  Thank goodness for You Tube.  Now I've heard them.

40.  HOUSTON--  Dean Martin  Was Dean going country on his TV show singing this and "playing" the harmonica?
39.  HEY HO--  Guess Who Live at River Heights Community Club in in Feb. 1966.  Bootleg but good show.  Follow up to "Shakin' All Over."
38.  IF YOU WAIT FOR LOVE--  Bobby Goldsboro  Flip side of "If You've Got a Heart."  I liked the flipside much better.  Both sides made the Top 100#60 and #75.

37.  LAUGH AT ME--  Sonny  As in Sonny without Cher.  This is why Cher does most of the singing.
36.  MOONLIGHT & ROSES--  Vic Dana.  OK, I'd heard it before, just wasn't sure of the title.
35.  WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE--  Animals
34.  BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE--  James Darren.  Neat video with all those bikini-clad young ladies.

33.  NIGHT PEOPLE--  Leaders  Sure hard to find out anything about this group.  Did not make the Billboard Top 100.  On Fantana label.  Group had guys and gals in it.

32.  I LIVE FOR THE SUN--  Sunrays  A great summer song.  They sounded a lot like the Beach Boys.
31.  I'LL MAKE ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE--  Ronnie Dove  His 6th top hit, reaching #21 on Billboard.  Sure reminded me of Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You."

"In This Dirty IOld Part of the City Where the Sun refuses to Shine."  --RoadDog


"We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place"

Feel Like a Number-- Part 3: "One After 909"

Still counting.

HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED--  Bob Dylan
WHEN I'M 64--  Beatles
ROUTE 66--  Rolling Stones

QUESTIONS 67 AND 68--  Chicago
96 TEARS--  ? and the Mysterians
409--  Beach Boys

ONE AFTER 909--  Beatles
LAND OF A 1000 DANCES--  Wilson Pickett
2000 LIGHT YEARS FROM HOME--  Rolling Stones

40,000 HEADMEN--  Traffic
BILLION DOLLAR BABIES--  Alice Cooper
LOOKING OUT FOR #1--  BTO

"Too many Teardrops For One Heart To Be Crying."  --RoadDog


"96 Tears"

Feel Like a Number-- Part 2: "49 Bye Byes"

Bob Stroud's still counting.

YOU KNOW MY NAME (LOOK UP THE NUMBER)--  Beatles

YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr
AT SEVENTEEN--  Janis Ian
I'M EIGHTEEN--  Alice Cooper

HEY NINETEEN--  Steely Dan
25 OR 6 TO 4--  Chicago
30 DAYS IN THE HOLE--  Humble Pie

39--  Queen
49 BYE BYES--  CS&N
50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER--  Paul Simon

HAWAII FIVE-O--  Ventures
OLE '55--  Eagles

"Make a New Plan, Stan."  --RoadDog

"Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover"

Feel Like a Number-- Part 1: Number Songs

From Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV 97.1 FM; from October 16, 2011.

For whenever you get those number blues.

FEEL LIKE A NUMBER--  Bob Seger

One Through Ten

ONE--  Three Dog Night
TWO DIVIDED BY LOVE--  Grass Roots

GIMME THREE STEPS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE--  BTO
FIVE O'CLOCK WORLD--  Vogues

IF 6 WAS 7--  Jimi Hendrix
SEVEN BRIDGES ROAD-- Eagles
EIGHT MILES HIGH--  Byrds

NINE TONIGHT--  Bob Seger
CLOCK STRIKES TEN--  Cheap Trick

"Up Every Mornin' Just To keep a Job."  --RoadDog


From the Orange Peel Gazette. Here are a selection of strange but true stories from people filling in their insurance claims.
INSURANCE CLAIMS:  To avoid a collision I ran into the other car.

"Five O'Clock World"

Movie Scratches: Max-- Terminator-- Inside-- Vacation

A Dog's-Eye View of Today's Movies.

41.  MAX--  7-7--  Fox Lake, $5--  Wonder Dog to the rescue.  You cried, you laughed.

42.  TERMINATOR: GENYSIS--  7-14--Round Lake Beach, $5--  "Old, but not obsolete."  Pops takes a lickin', but keeps on tickin'.  Sarah is not as weak as they thought.

43.  INSIDE OUT-- 8-4--   Round Lake Beach, $5--  It's all in your head.Imaginary friend and "Sad" to the rescue.

44.  VACATION--  8-5--  Fox Lake, $5--  New trip, but some of the same old problems.Too much sex and way too much swearing.

Sticky Floors.  --RoadDog


THE LAST REDNECK COMPUTER TERM:  SESI--  What you call your week-old underwear.

The Five Most Popular Breakfast Chains

From the August 20, 2015, Yahoo! Finance.Money talks News "The 5 Most Popular Restaurants for Hardcore Breakfast Fans" by Karla Bowsher.

According to people who eat breakfast out at least two times a week.

1.  McDonald's
2.  Subway
3.  IHOP
4.  Burger King
5  Starbucks

The three with the biggest gains:

1.  Chick-fil-A
2.  IHOP
3.  Taco Bell

Ham 'n Eggs.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  SUPERCONDUCTOR--  Amtrak's Employee of the Year.

Which NFL Team Has Had the Most Arrests Over the Last Five Years?

From the August 8, 2015, Yahoo! Sports by Jay Busbee.

What with training camps and exhibition games half way through, this is a good time to look at another statistic.  Maybe this should be a part of that Fantasy Football.

Minnesota leads with 18, followed by Denver with 16.
Indianapolis--  13
Tampa Bay--  13
San Francisco--  12
Chicago Bears--  11
Detroit--  11 (And with the way they play on the field, I'm surprised it is so low.)
Tennessee--  11

The best behaved team is Houston with just one arrest.

In the last 260 weeks, 260 NFL players have been arrested.

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  SERIAL PORT--  A red wine you drink with breakfast.

Why Chicago Gas Prices Are So High Now

From the August 19, 2015,Chicago Tribune by Alejandra Cancino.

Picture of Shell Station on Division Street in Chicago with prices: Regular $3.99.9, Plus $4.39.9 and V-Power$4.59.9.  In other words: $4, $4.40 and $460.)

In Ft. Lauderdale gas is an average of $2.556.  Nationally, it is $2.66.  So, why so expensive in Chicago and the Midwest?  My brother said it was $2.38 in Goldsboro, North Carolina.  Gas Buddy shows gas at $2.30 in Wytheville, Virginia.

We were at the Marathon Station at Ill-173 and Wilmot Road in Spring Grove last Wednesday, August 12th.  We filled up for $2.70 and as we pulled out the price was $3.40!!  gas in Fox Lake stayed at $3.40 until yesterday when it dropped to $3.36.  It can jump up 70 cents in a second, but for some reason takes a REAL long time to go down.  makes you wonder.

Here in Chicago metro area, a gallon of gas costs an average of $3.46, up 70 cents from last week.

Chicago area stations depend on gas from British Petroleum's refinery in Whiting, Indiana, and it suddenly sgut down the largest of its three crude distillation units for repairs on August 8.

They won't say what the problem was or when it will go back on line.

My opinion was that this was not necessary and done as a way to increase profits.  It will be a long time before I go to a BP station.

Rip Me Off.  --RoadDog

Not funny, so no Redneck Computer term today.

Redbone and Blue Swede

BLUE SWEDE--  "Hooked ona feeling" went to #1 in 1971.  Swedish rock band formed to back Bjorn Skifs in convert,  they did the cover of B.J. Thomas' 1969 song.  Stayed on the U.S. charts for 18 weeks.  The poor folks I deejayed for would always have to listen to the beginning several times or more.  I still like it.

REDBONE--  Big song "Come and Get Your Love"  Million-selling, gold certified #5 in 1974.  Native American rock group most active in the 1970s.  Formed in 1969 in Los Angeles.  The Redbone name is a Cajun term referring to persons of mixed race.  Also had a big hit with "Maggie" in 1970 and "Witch Queen of New Orleans."

Ooga Chaka, Ooga Chaka.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  SCREEN--  Helps keep the skeeters off the porch.

WLS Top Ten for August 20, 1965

1.  I GOT YOU BABE--  Sonny and Cher
2.  HELP-- Beatles
3.  CALIFORNIA GIRLS--  Beach Boys

4.  SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones
5.  LITTLE MISS SAD--  Five Impressions
6.  WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT--  Tom Jones
7.  DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS--  Billy Joe Royal

8.  HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME--  Mel Carter
9.  I'M A FOOL--  Dino, Desi & Billy
10.  LIKE A ROLLING STONE--  Bob Dylan

This was quite a great Top Ten.

"When I Was Younger, So Much Younger Than Today."  --RoadDog


"Help"

Creedence Clearwater Revival-- Part 3: Internal and Legal Problems

The group broke up in 1972, but still owed 8 albums to Fantasy records.  John Fogerty refused to honor the contract and had to pay Fantasy owner Saul Zaentz performance rights to play his own songs and stopped performing them for many years.

In 1985, John Fogerty had a comeback album with Centerfield.  Zaentz sued for copyright infringement for "Old Man Down the Road" saying that it plagiarized "Run Through the Jungle."  In other words, Fogerty was sued for copying his own song.  The courts decided in favor of Fogerty.

But, Zaentz was able to get an out-of-court settlement for defamation on Fogerty's "Zanz Kant Danz."

Tom Fogerty died of AIDs complica from a transfusion after having not spoken with his brother John for years.

At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993. CCR members Stu Cook and Doug Clifford were not allowed on the stage.  Tom Fogerty's wife had his ashes on the stage.

John Fogerty, inspired by a visit to bluesman Robert Johnson's grave, started playing his Creedence songs again.

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS: ROM--  Where the pope lives.

Creedence Clearwater Revival-- Part 2: Down Home Rock

The band played what was called Down Home Rock, which preceded what became known as Southern Rock.  I have also heard their music called Swamp Rock.  Either way, this sure prepared my way for Southern Rock.

They headlined at the Woodstock music and Arts Festival in New York in 1969, but few remember their show as they took the stage at 3 a.m. after a particularly long Grateful Dead set (jamming you know).  Most of the people were sleeping by then.  And, even worse for those of us not there, they were cut out of the famous movie.  And that was because John Fogerty denied permission to use it.  Why, John?

Tom Fogerty quit the band in 1971  The writer of "Good Golly Miss Molly" sued the band for plagiarizing it in their song "Travellin' Band."

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  ONLINE--  Where to stay when taking the sobriety test.

Creedence Clearwater Revival-- Part 1: The Golliwogs

We have been riding around in the '03 Malibu with the CD "Cosmo's Factory" in the player.  Just an amazing album.  If someone asked me to name my favorite 1960s-1970s band, iy would have to be CCR, although I sure liked a lot of the groups.

This is a very good write up on the group.

From the May 14, 2002, Spinner.

Tom Fogerty was three years older than John and the leader of the band, but realized John had the goods.  "I could sing, but John had a sound."

They had a band called the Blue Velvets which became the Golliwogs with schoolmates Stu Cook on bass and Doug Clifford on drums.  Then came THE NAME, which was taken from John's friend Credence Newball and a beer commercial touting their mountain spring water.

They first cracked the charts in 1968 with Dale Hawkins' swamp classic "Susie-Q" and Screaming Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell On You."

In 1969, they really broke through with three albums in the Top 100 and five #2s, but never had a #1 song as surprising as that may seem.

My Group.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  NETWORK--  Scoop'n up a big fish before he breaks the line.

Good Times Around Here Last Weekend

Or, Why We Tend to Stay Around Here During the Summer.  here in Northeast Illinois in the Chain of Lakes.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH--  Boating on the Chain of Lakes.  Evening concert in Veterans Park in McHenry, Illinois.  Grand opening of The Grove (formerly Never-Sink-Inn in Spring Grove.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH--  Boating on the Chain.  American Legion.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH--  Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.  Grand opening of the Drop Zone Bar (named for parachuters) at the Fox Lake American Legion.  Country band Mason Rivers playing on the outside stage.  Then, the Lakes Swing Band playing at the Dog 'N Suds in Ingleside.  Classic cars and those great Charcoburgers and root beer.  Then the Spring Grove Firefighters' Steak Fry at Horse Fair Park.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH--  Sunnyside Tavern.  Hickory Lodge in McCullom Lake for pizza.  Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake for the Tiki Bar, Captain's Quarters for the band and then Lake View Place.

Today, it is boating and a classic car show in McHenry.

As a matter of fact, the really BAD thing around here right now are the really HOT temperatures and the $3.40 a gallon gasoline thanks to the good folks at BP.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog



REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  MOUSEPAD--  Where Mickey and Minnie live.

Music Deaths: Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hot Chocolate

BOB BURNS, 64.  Died April 3, 2015.

Founding drummer of Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Drummed on all their early hits including "Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird" and "Gimme Three Steps."  Left the group in 1975.

ERROL BROWN-- 71.  Died May 6, 2015.

Lead singer of Hot Chocolate.  Sand "You sexy Thing" (#3-1976), "Emma" (#8-1975) and "Every 1s a Winner" (#6-1979).

Library of Congress Releases 25 New Inductees

The Library of Congress has released its new list of 25 inductees to the National Recording Registry (now at 425 culturally-significant ones as of March 25, 2015).

This year it includes the singles:

SIXTEEN TONS--  Tennessee Ernie Ford
STAND NY ME--  Ben E. King
YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING--  Righteous Brothers

It also includes these albums:  First albums by Joan Baez and the Doors, "Stand" by Sly & the Family Stone and Steve Martin's "Wild and Crazy Guy."

What Was He?  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Battleship-- Corpse-- Nightmare-- Thinner-- Friday-- Elm

BATTLESHIP--  USS Missouri to the rescue.  Based on the famous game.

CORPSE BRIDE--  A love story of a different sort.

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS--  Halloween is trying to take over Christmas and kidnap Santa Claus.

THINNER--  A hard way to lose weight.  Doing it the hard way.

FRIDAY THE 13TH--  If it's not dear Jason.

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET--  It's a revengeful Freddie K..

--RoadDog


REDNECH COMPUTER TERMS:  MODEM--  What you do when the grass and weeds get too tall.

Thanks a Lot BP

First british Petroleum gave us the Gulf of mexico mess, now this.  And, if you ask me, they very well might have done this on purpose to boost profits.  At the very least they could have warned me in advance of what they were going to do so I could have filled up everything that needed it.

Gas around Fox lake is $3.20 (down a big 20 cents).  But gas in Spring Grove and at Rock Corner (where i got gas Thursday at $2.70 and saw it jump to $3.40) are both still at $3.40.

Gouge Me, Eh!!?  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Lost-- Jurassic-- Spider-- Spider-- Casablanca-- Hallows

These are movies I watched in TV during 2014.

THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK--  All those gymnastics finally pays off.

JURASSIC PARK III--  Don't eat the dog.  Godzilla

SPIDERMAN 2--  Probably the dumbest bad-guy monster ever.

SPIDERMAN 3--  The Sandman Cometh.  That "70s Show" Eric was a real meanie.

CASABLANCA--  "Here's looking at you kid.'  First time I've ever seen the whole movie.  About time.

HARRY POTTER: DEATHLY HALLOWS 2--  Explains how everything got to be as they did.Hermoine makes her pick.

--RoadDpg


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  MEGAHERTZ--  How your head feels after seventeen beers.

Super Gas Gouge Yesterday: 70 Cent Jump!!! Gas Now As High As $3.40!!!

Yesterday, August 12th, I was in for a shock.

On the 11th, gas in Fox Lake, Illinois was at $2.70 a gallon, ($2.69.9) and had been dropping a few cents every several days.

On the way to the theater yesterday, I saw gas was at $2.80, a ten cent jump, which often happens around here because of all the traffic coming up to the Chain of Lakes for boating on on their way to Lake Geneva and other points in Wisconsin.  However, the BP was, for some reason, at $3.40.  Someone sure must have goofed.

After the movie, I met Liz at the boat and told her about the $3.40 a gallon at BP.  She told me something about she heard that the BP in Whiting, Indiana, had had some sort of a problem yesterday and gas prices in the Midwest were expected to go up soon.

On the way back home, I saw that gas was still $2.80 at Thornton's, but gas at Phillips 66 was up to $3.00.  Gas at BP was still $3.40 and, believe it or not, there were some people there getting gas.

We were going to go up to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, which is generally cheaper than Fox Lake, but when we got there both stations were at $3.00.  Liz had seen that gas at Rock Corner, Il-173 and Wilmot Road,  was at $2.70 so went by there and it still was.  I filled up as we were below 1/4 full.  As we pulled out, I saw gas was repriced to $3.40!!

We just made it!!!

That Was 70 Cents in Less Than a Minute!!  Thanks A lot BP!!!   --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for August 13, 1965

1.  I GOT YOU BABE--  Sonny and Cher
2.  SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones
3.  CALIFORNIA GIRLS--  Beach Boys

4.  WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT--  Tom Jones
5.  HELP--  Beatles
6.  I'M A FOOL--  Dino, Desi & Billy
7.  DON'T JUST STAND THERE--  Patty Duke

8.  NEW ORLEANS--  Eddie Hodges
9.  SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME--  Gary Lewis
10.  BABY I'M YOURS--  Barbara Lewis

11.  LITTLE MISS SAD--  Five Impressions
26.  YOU WERE ON MY MIND--  Wee Five
28.  I'M A HAPPY MAN--  Jive Five

Was this perhaps the greatest Top Ten of all time?  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  MAC--  Big Bob's favorite fast food.

Music Deaths: Two R&B Greats-- Billy and Percy

The R&B, Soul and Beach Music genres especially miss these two.

BILLY BUTLER, 69  Died March 31, 2015

The much-lesser-known younger brother of Chicago's Jerry Butler.  Formed his group Billy Butler & the Chanters and had one hit with go to #60 on the pop charts in 1965, "I Can't Work No Longer."  Co-wrote Jerry Butler's "I Stand Accused."

His music is still popular in Beach Music and Northern Soul.

PERCY SLEDGE, 74  Died April 14, 2015  He was a part-time singer and hospital orderly before hitting it big.  And, boy did he hit it big.  His first song, "When a Man Loves a Woman," went to #1 in 1966.  This was always a much requested wedding song although it really wasn't a good wedding song.  But it was always a good one to get people out on the floor dancing slow.

His next two songs cracked the Top Twenty "Warm and Tender Love (#17-1966) and "It Tears Me Up" (#20-1966).

He  did  not return to the Top Twenty again until 1968's "Take Time To Know Her" went to #11.

Music Deaths: Electric Prunes Drummer and John's Wife

PRESTON RITTER, 64  Died March 30, 2015

Drummer with the Electric Prunes on their first album and their two hits: "I Had to Much to Dream Last Night (#11-1967) and "Get Me to the World On Time" (#27-1967).

I always thought they were singing "I Had Too Much to Drink Last Night."

CYNTHIA LENNON, 75  Died April 1, 2015.

Wife of Beatle John Lennon during the early years of Beatlemania and mother of their son Julian who was at his mother's side.

I always liked her better than Yoko.

Music Deaths:"Apache" and "The Happy Wanderer"

JORGEN INGMANN, 89.  Died March 21, 2015.

Danish guitarist on the instrumental classic "Apache" (#2-1961).


DON ROBERTSON, 92.  Died March 16, 2013.

Songwriter.  Wrote the instrumental tune
The Happy Wanderer" (#6-1956.  Also wrote dozens pf pther hit songs (Elvis Presley recorded 14 of them).  Wrote "Ringo" (#1-1964) for Lorne Greene.  Also, "Please Help Me I'm Falling" (#8-1960) for Hank Locklin. and "I Love You More Every Day" (#9-1964).

Movie Scratches: Spy-- Jurassic-- Aloha-- Ted

Movie Scratches: A dog's Eye View of Today's Movies.

37.    SPY-- 6-15--  Fox Lake, Free--  Move over James Bond, there's a new gal in town and she's bad.

38.  JURASSIC WORLD--  6-16--  Round Lake Beach, $5--  Imagine Raptors and T. Rex helping us instead of eating us.  versus the common enemy, "The Escaped Asset."

39.  ALOHA--  6-16--  Round Lake Beach, $5--  Hawaiian traditions and a wash-out versus a really bad Bill Murray.

40.  TED 2--  6-29--  Fox Lake, $6--  Is he a real person or just a remarkable stuffed bear?

No Free Popcorn Seasoning at Regal Cinemas.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS: KEYBOARD--  Where you hang the keys to the John Deere.

Music Deaths: Keyboardist with Left Banke and Srories, Write for Petula Clark

MICHAEL BROWN, 65.  Died March 19, 2015.  Keyboardist for Left Banke and Stories.  Wrote Left Banke's two hits "Walk Away Renee" (#5-1965) and "Pretty Ballerina" (#15-1967)

Played on  Stories' "Brother Louie" (#1-1973).

JACKIE TRENT, 76.  Died March 21, 2015.  Co-wrote with Tony Hatch for Petula Clark.  Songs included "Don't Sleep in the Subway" (#5-1967) and "Color My World" (#16-1967).

Music Deaths: Members of Hilltoppers and Free

JIMMY SACCA, 85  Died March 7, 2015.  Lead singer with Hilltoppers.  Played football for Western Kentucky University (nicknamed Hilltoppers).  Had hits with "Marianne: (#3-1957), "Only You" (#8-1955) and "P.S. I Love You" (#4-1953 and not the Beatles version).

ANDY FRASER, 62.   Died March 19, 2015.  Bassist with Free on "All Right Now" (#4-1970) and "Stealer" (#49-1971).  Co-wrote and co-produced both hits.  That "All Right Now" is one of my favorite songs ever.

JSIS: Krispy Kreme-- Nathan's Hot Dogs Champs-- Round Lake Schools Start-- Lobster Rolls

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  KRISPY KREME--  July 10th.  Krispy Kreme Doughnuts were selling for 78 Cents a dozen in honor of their 78th year in business..  At participating locations only, but you have to buy a dozen at regular price first.

2.  NATHAN'S HOT DOGS CHAMPS--  Mike Stonie defeated Joey Chestnut to win the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in front of the original Nathan's on Coney Island.  He ate 62 to Joey's 59 in ten minutes.

Miki Sudo, the defending women's division won her match by eating 38 in 10 minutes.

3.  Well, tomorrow, August 11th, marks the beginning of school for students in the Round Lake Area in Illinois.  This marks the beginning of my tenth year of retirement.

4.  LOBSTER ROLLS--  Some McDonald's in New England are now selling lobster rolls.

Where Does the Time Fly By To?  --RoadDog

Top Ten Songs From Summer 1969: "Mama Told Me Not to Come"

1.  (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU--  Carpenters
2.  MAKE IT WITH YOU--  Bread
3.  SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED (I'M YOURS)--  Stevie Wonder

4.  SPILL THE WINE--  Eric Burdon & War
5.  BAND OF GOLD--  Freda Payne
6.  MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME--  Three Dog Night
7.  THE LOVE YOU SAVE--  Jackson Five

8.  BALL OF CONFUSION--  Temptations
9.  O-O-H CHILD--  Five Stairsteps
10.  IN THE SUMMERTIME--  Mungo Jerry

"The Fact That Me. An Overfed, Long-Haired Leaping Gnome."  --RoadDog


"Spill the Wine"

Top Ten Songs from Summer 1959 "He'll Have to Go"

From the #1 in History Site.

1.  THEME FROM A 'SUMMER PLACE'--  Percy Faith
2.  PUPPY LOVE--  Paul Anka
3.  WILD ONE--  Bobby Rydell

4.  HE'LL HAVE TO GO--  Jim Reeves
5.  SWEET NOTHINGS--  Brenda Lee
6.  SINK THE BISMARCK--  Johnny Horton
7.  HANDY MAN--  Jimmy Jones

8.  BABY (YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES)--  Dinah Washington & Brooks Benton
9.  WHAT IN THE WORLD'S COME OVER YOU--  Jack Scott
10.  HARBOR LIGHTS--  Platters

"The Germans Had the Biggest Ship That Had the Biggest Guns."  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  INTERNET--  Where cafeteria workers put their hair.

"Sink the Bismarck"

Way Too Much Going On Around Here This Weekend

I really hate it when there are way more things to do than I can possibly attend.  that is the situation this weekend.

We plan to go to the Fox lake American legion picnic this afternoon and Sunday, Liz and I will go to the St. John Parish fest in Johnsburg, Illinois for the food and entertainment by the great New Odyssey Band.  I will leave early from that and go to the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alice ceremony in nearby McHenry, Illinois.

However, here is a partial list of other things going on withing twenty miles of us:

Captains Quarters has bands tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

LAKE VILLA DAYS  August 6-9, 82nd annual, Featured Modern day Romeos last night and Bella Cain tonight as well as the famed water fights.

LAKEMOOR FEST--  August 7-9  Started in 1993 and has grown into one of the area's biggest events.  Entertainment and what is regarded to be the county's biggest fireworks displays.  Draws some 30,000 people a year,.

FOX LAKE RALLY BY THE LAKE--  Sunday.  Several hundred classic cars and entertainment at Lake Park.

McHENRY COUNTY FAIR

CRYSTAL LAKE BEACH BASH--  Today, featuring food and entertainment headlined by local favorites Modern Day Romeos.

So Many places to Go, So Little Time.  --RoadDog

Every Blooming THing: Early August 2015

This is the time of my black-eyed Susans and purple cone flowers.    I have several hundred of them scattered all over the yard and they are just brilliant.  In addition, my daylillies are still blooming with a whole myriad of colors.

The mountain ash trees have their orange balls of berries on them and quite a few of my mums are in early bloom.

My continuous blast of color continues as it has since April.

It is quite dry now, so I don't have to cut the grass this week.  Earlier, with all the rain, I was having to cut some serious grass every 4-5 days.

I have been making it to the various Big Store nurseries in the area, including Home Depot, Menard's,  Wal-Marts and Meijer's as they begin putting plants on clearance, a time I buy a whole lot.

I will soon begin transplanting a myriad of perennials as well as the new, store-bought, plants.

And the mosquitoes are absolutely horrible these days, particularly when there is no breeze.  All that rain in June and July, you know.


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  HARDCOPY--  Pictures looked at when selecting tattoos.

Good Times Around Here Last Weekend

FRIDAY, JULY 31--  driving back from North Carolina.  Left Richmond, Indiana, and drove home.  After cutting the grass, we went to Sunnyside Tavern to enjoy my first Happy Hour in Illinois in a lot of years.  Then went to the Legion.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST--  We went to the Legion on Nippersink Lake in the afternoon and saw a duo play oldies music.  Then, we went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and saw one of the best bands we've seen recently, Midnight, who really played a lot old songs from the 1960s and 1970s that we've never heard other bands play.  We were just staying for one set, but ended up there for two.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND--  Recorded Bob Stroud's trip back to the Summer of 1975, playing songs from August 2, 1975.  We went to Sunnyside Tavern and Captain's Quarters where we saw the band Phidget for a set.  Then went to Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake and Lake View Place on Grasslake.

Summers Are great here on the Chain.  --RoadDog

Top Ten Songs Back 71 Years Ago in 1944 "Rum and Coca-Cola"

From the #1 in History Site.  I believe this site has something to do with Spotify which I fo\irst became aware of while dining at Big Daddy's in Kure Beach, N.C..  I have since heard about this music service several times.

Actually, I was unable to see song #10.

Mom would remember these as she was 14 years-old at the time and quite a music fan.

1.  RUM AND COCA COLA--  Andrews Sisters
2.  MY DREAMS ARE GETTING BETTER--  Doris Day with Les Brown Orchestra
3.  CANDY--  Johnny Mercer & the Pied Pipers

4.  AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE--  Johnny Mercer & the Pied Pipers
5.  DON'T FENCE ME IN--  Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters
6.  A LITTLE ON THE LONELY SIDE--  Frankie Carle

7.  DREAM--  Pied Pipers
8.  I'M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT--  Duke Ellington
9.  SLEIGH RIDE IN JULY--  Bing Crosby

Actually, I've heard all but #2, #3, #6 and #9.

"Eliminate the Negative, Latch On to the Positive."  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS: HACKER--  Uncle Leroy after thirty years of smoking.

WLS Top Ten for August 6, 1965: "California Girls"

1.   SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones
2.  I'VE GOT YOU BABE--  Sonny and Cher
3.  WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT--  Tom Jones

4.  BABY I'M YOURS--  Barbara Lewis
5.  CALIFORNIA GIRLS--  Beach Boys
6.  SAVE YOUR HEART--  Gary Lewis
7.  CARA MIA--  Jay & the Americans

8.  HELP--  Beatles (from #20)
9.  I'M A FOOL--  Dino, Desi & Billy
10.  DON'T JUST STAND THERE--  Patty Duke

20.. WHITTIER BOULEVARD--  Midnighters
22.  YOU TELL ME WHY--  Beau Brummels
26.  YOU'RE MY GIRL--  Roy orbison

"They Say We're Young and We Don't Know."  --RoadDog

I Got You Babe

Going Back to the Summer of 1975-- Part 8: August 2, 1975 "Tush"

SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT--  Elton John
WILDFIRE--  Michael Murphy
KILLER QUEEN--  Queen

HEY YOU--  BTO
FREEWAY JAM--  Jeff Beck
BAD TIME--  Grand Funk  (When did they drop the Railroad?)

SISTER GOLDEN HAIR--  America
TUSH--  ZZ Top  (Looking for some what?)
HAIR OF THE DOG--  Nazareth

WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS--  War
GOOD LOVIN' GONE BAD--  Bad Company (Or is it Foreigner?)
WHEN WILL I BE LOVED--  Linda Ronstadt  (Still a favorite.)

HIGH TIDE AND GREEN GRASS--  Outlaws
KATMANDU--  Bob Seger

LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID--  Wings
TREAT HER GENTLY- LONELY OLD PEOPLE--  Wings

"I'be Been Cheated, Been Mistreated."  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  DISKETTE--  A female Disco dancer.

When Will I Be Loved

Going Back to the Summer of 1975-- Part 7, August 2, 1975 "I'm Not In Love"

This past Sunday, Bob Stroud went back 40 years to the songs playing on our radios and in our record collections on August 2, 1975.

Always a great three hour trip back to times gone by.

PINBALL WIZARD--  Elton John
TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS--  Doobie Brothers
I'M NOT IN LOVE--  10 CC

BAD SNEAKERS--  Steely Dan
OLD DAYS--  Chicago  (A song that really takes you back.)
MEXICO--  James Taylor  (Can't help but get in a Corona mood with this one.)

DOWN BY THE SEASIDE--  Led  Zeppelin  (Yet another Zep song i know, but never remember the name.)
MAGIC--  Pilot
FAME--  David Bowie

MIRACLES--  Jefferson Starship
VENUS & MARS/ROCK SHOW--  Wings  (Of course, these two songs played at 8 a.m. when Terri Hemmert began her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT.)
CALL ME BACK AGAIN--  Wings

ONE OF THESE NIGHTS--  Eagles
SHINING STAR--  EWF

OVER MY HEAD--  Fleetwood Mac
WALK THIS WAY--  Aerosmith

"Way Down Here You Need a Reason to Move."  --RoadDog


Mexico

Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studio Gets Marker, Nashville Songwriters HoF Inductees

The Pennsylvania Historical and museum Commission on March 5, 2015, approved 22 historical markers, including one on the site of the now defunct Sigma Sound Studio in Philadelphia where tunes like "When Will I See You Again," "Disco Inferno" and "Macho Man" were recorded.


The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced their 2015 inductees.  They include Roseanne Cash, Mack Jones, who wrote "Hooked on a Feeling" and "Eyes of a New York Woman" for B.J. Thomas and "Suspicious Minds" for Elvis.  Also inducted was Even Stevens who co-authored many Eddie Rabbitt hits including "Suspicions" and "I Love a Rainy Night."

--RoadDog

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 10: Home

JULY 31ST, fRIDAY

Left Richmond at 8 a.m. and drove a little ways before stopping at Hardee's off I-70 and had their new porkchop, egg and cheese biscuit.  Mighty good.

Drove right through Indianapolis with no delays as I was there at 9:14.  Then took I-465 to I-77 and then to Illinois.  Bought the cheapest gas of the trip at Crawfordsville, Indiana,  for $2.09.

Then, Il-47 north to Woodstock, stopping in Huntley at Wal-Mart to check out their nursery for clearance plants.  Also caught the Huntley  Main Street Strangler which took about 15 minutes to get through and led to another big back up north of town at the Il-176 stoplight.  Then, it took 15 minutes to go from US-14 to the first stop light in Woodstock (about 3/4 a mile).

Good to get home after a  2,053 mile trip.

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  DIGITAL--  The art of counting your fingers.

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 9: On the Road Home

July 29th, Thursday.

Left Goldsboro and got gas in Smithville on US-70.  No problem through the Raleigh-Durham Horror on I-40 as I was running behind rush hour at 9:15 a.m..  Stopped at J-R's in Burlington as I usually do and bought some beach souvenirs.

I-40 to US-421 to Us-52 to Mt. Airy, N.C. for a great porkchop sandwich at Snappy Lunch and bought a book and two Sgt. Rock comic books at Yesterday's, across the street.  Sgt. Rock and Easy Company was by far my favorite comic book when I was growing up.

Then to I-77, gas at Wytheville and then into West Virginia and the turnpike, through Charleston and up to Ripley where I got on US-33 to Columbus, then I-270 and IA-70 to Richmond, Indiana, right on the Ohio line.  Spent the night at Motel 6.

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  CRASH--  When you go to Junior's party uninvited.

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 8: Coming Home

JULY 29, 2015

Spent this day getting ready to go back to Goldsboro.  Took a last walk along the beach collecting shells and "lima beans."  Checked out the cemeteries where Dad and my grandparents are buried once we got back into Wayne County, where Goldsboro is located.

Went to Cook-Out in Goldsboro for dinner,  They have probably the best Carolina BBQ deal around.  For $3.99 you get a big helping of pulled pork, cole slaw, hush puppies and fries.  And their BBQ is as good as any you can get elsewhere.

Bob and Chia came over.  Chia made some of her absolutely famous dessert and also a big bag of jerky for me.

In Jerky Heaven.  --RoadJerk

Music Deaths: Brian Carman (Chantays) and Jimmy Greenspoon (Three Dog Night)

BRIAN CARMAN, 69.  Died March 1, 2015.  Rhythm guitarist with the Chantays and co-writer of instrumental hit "Pipeline."  This song was originally called "Liberty's Whip" after the Lee Marvin character in the movie "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence."  But it was renamed because of the surfing wave.  Was #4 in 1963.

JIMMY GREENSPOON, 67 Died March 11, 2015.  Keyboardist with Three Dog Night  Played on 11 Top Ten records, including "Mama Told me Not to Come," "Joy to the World" and "Black & White."

Music Deaths: "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight" and Blood, Sweat & Tears

WILLIE C. JACKSON, 79.  Died Feb. 18, 2015.

Native of Gary, Indiana and member of the Sparrows who formed at Roosevelt High School there.  Best-known for their hit "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight" which went to #5 R&B in 1954.  I played this song many times when i was a deejay.  Guess when I played it.

LEW SOLOFF, 71.  Died March 8, 2015.

Trumpeter with the group Blood, Sweat & Tears who played on five of their albums.  Played on such hits as "You've Made Me So very Happy" (#2-1969), "Spinning Wheel" (#2-1969) and "When I Die" (#2-1969).

Music Deaths: Motown Backup Singer Marlene Judy Barrow-Tate

MARLENE JUDY BARROW-TATE, 73.  Died Feb. 23, 2015.

Member of Motown's backup singers group Andantes which also included Louvain Demps and Jacqueline Hicks.  They, and not the Supremes, sang backup on Diana Ross' "Someday We'll Be Together."  Also sang on Mary Wells' "My Guy" and Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Reach Out I'll Be There" for the Four Tops.

They al;so sang on some non-Motown hits like Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher" and the Dells' "Stay With Me."

Bob Stroud Goes Back to August 2, 1975 on His Rock and Roll Roots Show

Tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Bob Stroud will go back 40 years to August 2, 1975,  and play the songs on your radio and on  your stereo back then.

He plays it on Chicago's Drive, WDRV, 97.1 FM and it streams on www.wdrv.com.

The times are Central Daylight Savings Time.

Well Worth a Listen.  --RoadDog

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 7: Hanging Out at the Beach

JULY 26-28, 2015

Sunday to Tuesday, we just stayed at the beach.  I tell you, walking the beach, sitting out on the beach and wading (not too deep, sharks you know) is a mighty tough job, but I was just the guy to do it.

The folks who rented the big place across the street on the ocean were from the Quad Cities in Illinois and have been coming to Topsail Beach for 30 years.  This time they have all their grandkids, but they plan to come back in September, just the two of them.

A group of gals was at another cottage to the south of us.  Their kids were all off at camp and the girls were all off at the beach.

But, Wednesday we drove back to Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Lynne Anderson

Singer, songwriter whose 1970 "Rose Garden" was a country and pop hit.  Died July 30, 2015.  Born September 26, 1947, in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

She penned Merle Haggard's "I Am a Lonesome Fugitive" and "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers."  In 1967 she began appearing on ABC's Lawrence Welk Show.  She won a Grammy in 1971 for "(I Never Promised You) A Rose Garden."

I listened to both "Rose Garden" and "Stranger" returning from North Carolina on Thursday. These songs were on a 100-song group of CDs called Country Party.  That was the day she died.