Chain Crawl, Bands, Minnows and Bars on Sunday

AUGUST 28, SUNDAY

We met the Usual Suspects at Hidden Point on Fox Lake, with that great deck view of the lake and Kamikaze Alley (where Grasslake, Nippersink lake and Fox Lake come together).  Glenn and Barb, Pam and her friend, former McHenry High School teacher Barb.  Listened to the Joe powers Band.

This was also a stop for the Chain crawl boaters today so there was a huge crowd.

When they finished, we went over to the Aquarium on Nippersink Lake.  This is where you can join the Minnow Club by either swallowing or crunching one is you've a mind to do so.  This has been a Chain of Lakes tradition since the 1940s.

Then back to Hidden Point for a second band.

Last stop was at Sunnyside in Johnsburg where they had another band playing.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."  As in "Over Yonder."

Boating, Football, Civil War, Bands, Raffles and Bars This Past Weekend

As usual, you'd have a hard time not having fun around here during the summer, or what's left of it.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH

I went to the Fox Lake American Legion to help with the VA picnic and fishing derby and got involved with some serious landscaping projects.  Afterwards, Liz and I went boating around Stanton and Mineola bays on Fox Lake and then I went over to the Johnsburg-Plano football game at Johnsburg High School which ended up in a win for Johnsburg.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27TH

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group's meeting on women and wives during the Civil War.

In the afternoon/evening, we went to the Sons of the American Legion Gun Raffle at the Fox Lake American Legion and heard the band Empty Pockets and enjoyed the bbq.  I did well on the other, non-gun raffle, winning two dinners at local restaurants and a 32-inch HD TV.  This is FAR better than I usually do on raffles.

Still Sunday to Go.  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

My Five Favorite High School Football Teams in the Area

Like I said, if we have good weather on a fall Friday, the place I most like to be is out at the local high school gridiron.

The two teams I see the most are close by us.  Johnsburg High School Skyhawks, the game I saw Friday, is about two miles directly south of of our house.  And, they let seniors, like me, in for free.

Richmond-Burton Rockets (named for the two townships served) is about seven miles away.  This is where the kids in our subdivision go to school.  I send this high school a WHOLE LOT of money in my property taxes.  You'd think they'd let me in for free in thanks, but at least seniors do get $1 off.  I'll be seeing them play the next two games (as Johnsburg is on the road).  And, September 9th is the big Johnsburg-Richmon-Burton rivalry game.

Palatine High School Pirates in Palatine, Illinois.  This is where Liz and I both graduated from back in 1969.

Round Lake High School Panthers.  We lived in Round Lake Beach for 17 years and we both taught our entire careers there.

Grant High School Bulldogs.  We spend so much time in Fox Lake (school named for Fox Lake's township) that it is essentially a second home.

I also back the Wilmot High School Panthers just over the border in Wisconsin, where the Twin Lakes kids go to school.

--RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.

So It Begins: High School Football Begins Tonight

Friday Night Lights Are Back!

For the next nine weeks, if the weather is good, that's where I'll be.

Fortunately, I have two schools close by and several others not too far away that I back big-time.

Plus, a lot of my favorite and local schools are ranked by AP in the Illinois Football Top Ten Preseason Poll.

CLASS 8A:  #7 Palatine

CLASS 7A: #7 Jacobs and Lake Zurich received votes.

CLASS 6A:  #3 Cary-Grove tied with Prairie Ridge.  And DeKalb got votes.

CLASS 5A:  #7  Sycamore

CLASS 4A  #6  Marengo, #8  Johnsburg, #9 Richmond-Burton

Go Teams.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for August 26, 1966: "Wouldn't It Be Nice"

That's right.  Fifty Years Ago.

1.  SUNSHINE SUPERMAN--  Donovan
2.  SAY I AM--  Tommy James & Shondells
3.  BUS STOP--  Hollies

4.  SUMMER IN THE CITY--  Lovin' Spoonful
5.  SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER--  Happenings
6.  YELLOW SUBMARINE/ ELEANOR RIGBY--  Beatles
7.  LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD--  Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs

8.  WOULDN'T IT BE NICE--  Beach Boys
9.  SUNNY--  Bobby Hebb
10.  CHERISH--  Association (from #20)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Bye-Bye, So Long, Farewell,  Bye-Bye, So Long."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Southern women know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah!  If you're a Northern transplant, bless your little heart, fake it.  We know you got here as fast as you could.

"See You in September"

Ouch!! We Got Gas Gouged Again!!

For the third time in three weeks, we had gas prices make a big jump here in Fox Lake, Illinois, located in the northeast section of Illinois.

Gas prices yesterday were $2.30.  Today, they are $2.50.  Last Wednesday, they jumped from $2.20 to $2.40.

Twenty cents seems to be the number they like to go with when they gouge us.

And, the price of crude oil continues to drop, but we get increases and not just a few pennies.

Something Stinks in Denmark.  --RoadDog

Rock 'N' Roll's Most Revolutionary Year-- Part 1

From the August 14, 2016, Chicago Tribune by Randy Lewis.

Answering this question brings lots of responses.

Some might say 1954, the year Bill Haley & His Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock" and when Elvis Presley first stepped into Sam Phillips' Sun Studio.

Others might say it was 1964 when Beatlemania exploded onto the world and launched the British Invasion.

Some might say 1967 with the Summer of Love, the blossoming of Flower Power and psychedelic music.  Not to mention the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.

Still, others would say 1977 with the arrival of that "young, loud, snotty" music called punk rock.

Then there is the case of 1982 with Grand master Flash & the Furious Five's "The Message," putting rap music on the national map.

More recently, the year 2001 saw the birth of iTunes and redefined -- as well as broadened -- how we listen to music.

Of the ones listed here, I would have to say 1964.

What Say You?  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  And, for those of you who are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need to hang a sign to hang on y'all's front porch that reads, "I'm not from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."

Every Blooming THing: Late Summer 2016

As summer approaches its end, my main flower right now is the many, many black-eyed Susans I have blooming.  The purple coneflowers are still blooming as are the tall phlox and mums as starting the come in.

Meanwhile, my mountain ash is starting to lose limbs and my Austrian and Black Forest pines are not looking good.  The crabapple trees are also losing leaves very quickly.

The grass is starting to come back after the drought, but the weds and crabgrass are doing real well.  When I cut the grass, it is to mostly cut the weeds.

The U.S. flag flies from the garage door wooden sides.  I've always wanted to fly it, but with nothing but brick to attach it to, couldn't.  I saw a house flying a flag on that part and realized I could do that as well.

--RoadFlag

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southerness as a second language.

WLS Top Ten for August 19, 1966: "Little Red Riding Hood"

Yep, 50 years ago.

1.  SUMMER IN THE CITY--  Lovin' Spoonful
2.  BUS STOP--  Hollies
3.  SAY I AM--  Tommy James & the Shondells

4.  SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER--  Happenings
5.  RESPECTABLE--  Outsiders
6.  SUNSHINE SUPERMAN--  Donovan
7.  LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD--  Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs

8.  SUNNY--  Bobby Hebb
9.  I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE--  Petula Clark
10.  YELLOW SUBMARINE/ ELEANOR RIGBY--  Beatles (from #30)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Back Of My neck getting Dirt and Gritty."  --RoadDog



"Summer in the City"

Going Back to 1967-- Part 3: "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone"

A few songs from 49 years ago.

I CAN SEE FOR MILES--  Who
I'M WAITING FOR THE MAN--  Velvet Underground
THE LETTER--  Box Tops

IT TAKES TWO--  Marvin Gaye
ALONE AGAIN OR--  Love
(I'M NOT YOUR) STEPPIN' STONE--  Monkees

YOUR LOVE KEEPS LIFTING ME HIGHER--  Jackie Wilson
MERCY, MERCY, MERCY--  Cannonball Adderly
SEE EMILY PLAY--  Pink Floyd

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH--  Buffalo Springfield
BOOGALOO DOWN BROADWAY--  Fantastic Johnny C
I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW--  Tommy James & the Shondells

PUSHIN' TOO HARD--  Seeds
PAPER SUN--    Traffic
SWEET HOME CHICAGO--  Magic Sam

LITTLE BIT OF SOUL--  Music Explosion
COLD SWEAT--  James Brown
LONELY TOO LONG--  Young Rascals

KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams
TALES OF BRAVE ULYSSES--
BACK DOOR MAN--  Doors

TRAMP--  Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

Name That Tune (from the above songs): 'When Your Baby Don't Love You."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway.  You just say, "Bless her hearty," and go on your own way.

"Kind of a Drag"

11th Year of Retirement for Me

Today the teachers in the Round Lake (Illinois) School District went back to school.  It was just welcome and meetings, no students.  But, even so, they had to go.

This marks the beginning of my 11th year of retirement!!  They go back and I don't!!

I marked it with meeting Terri at the Iron Horse Grill in Round Lake for breakfast.  I worked with her for 25 years.

My only question, "Where did the time go."  Seems like I only retired a couple years ago.

O.K., another question, "How was I able to do all that stuff when I worked and how come I can't anymore?"

Oh, Yes.  I'll Do It Tomorrow.  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk."  Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it --  we do  not like our tea unsweetened.  "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.  Well, I for one, don't like sweet tea.  Makes my teeth hurt.

Help, We Got Hit By a Gas Gouge Yesterday!

Yesterday, I went to the Walgreen's and Jewel here in Spring Grove, Illinois,and saw that our rip-off Marathon gas station had raised their gas from $2.20 to $2.40.  Sounded like a gas gouge to me, so I quickly drove into McHenry to see if it was true.  the Marathon station there was also at $2.40, but the Murphy USA station was still at $2.14, so I filled up the truck.

Later yesterday we drove to Fox Lake, Illinois, and the gas there was also $2.40 at all the stations.

This is the second gas gouge we've had since August 4th.  Gas then was $2.08 and jumped in a matter of seconds to $2.38.  It had taken the next two weeks for them to drop their prices to $2.19.

It always galls me to see gas go up in price so fast, but then take a real long time to drop back down.

I Hate Those Guys.  --RoadDog

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 10: Leaving the Beach and Beach Music

JULY 28, THURSDAY

Read the paper and had breakfast on the front porch and took a walk on the beach.

July 28th, Thursday.

The appraiser came over and looked at the condo and took a lot of pictures.  Before and after he came I worked on Mom's memoirs, making corrections.

Closed the place up (and only left my I-Pad charger and wash cloth and bath towel).  I went to the Topsail Beach Town Hall and had the water/garbage bill transferred to my name and then closed out the cable, telephone and wi-fi at Holly Ridge.

Stopped at Paul's Famous Hot Dogs (a family tradition) in Rocky Point, N.C..  Drove back to Goldsboro.

later that night, my brother Bob and I went to the Center Street Jam downtown and saw one of the hottest beach bands around these days, Jim Quick and Coastline, and ate at Torino's Mexican Restaurant.  One mighty good steak nachos.

--RoadDog

Going Back to 1967-- Part 2: "Strange Days"

SHE'S A RAINBOW--  Rolling Stones
HEROES AND VILLAINS--  Beach Boys
FRIDAY ON MY MIND--  Easybeats

PURPLE HAZE--  Jimi Hendrix
THERE IS A MOUNTAIN--  Donovan
SOUL FINGER--  Bar-Kays

SOMEBODY TO LOVE--  Jefferson Airplane
SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK AND ROLL STAR--  Byrds
CHAIN OF FOOLS--  Aretha Franklin

A DAY IN THE LIFE--  Beatless
I'M A MAN--  Spencer Davis Group
THE BEAT GOES ON--  Sonny and Cher

Name That Tune (from above songs): "Excuse Me While I Kiss the Sky."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  When i hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!

"Purple Haze"

Going Back to 1967-- Part 1: "I Am the Walrus"

This past Saturday, Wendy Rice went back to the year 1967 on her Saturday Morning Flashback show on Chicago's WXRT.  This was a great high school year for me as I was a sophomore and then junior at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  I started working at Burger King on Northwest Highway (US-14) in Palatine and I met Liz.

I have since had two 1967 vehicles.  The first was a 1967 Pontiac Tempest which I drove a lot to school and also to NIU for my Master's Degree.  The other one was a 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible.

These are the songs she played:

I AM THE WALRUS--  Beatles
SWEET SOUL MUSIC--  Arthur Conley
SWALBR--  Cream

SOUL MAN--  Sam and Dave
(WE AIN'T GOT) NOTHIN' YET--  Blues Magoos
HAPPY JACK--  Who

LET'S LIVE FOR TODAY--  Grass Roots
SUNNY AFTERNOON--  Kinks
EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART--  Soul Survivors

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "The Taxman's Taken All My Dough."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are NOT a breakfast food.

"Sunny Afternoon"

Get Your Radio Ears On: 1967 on WXRT :"I Am the Walrus"

Right now, Wendy Rice is back to one of my all-time favorite years, 1967, on her Saturday Morning Flashback Show on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM.  It streams at www.wxrt.com. and goes to noon here in CDST.

So far, some of the songs she has played"

I AM THE WALRUS--  Beatles
SWEET SOUL MUSIC--  Arthur Conley
SWALBR--  Cream

SOUL MAN--  Sam and Dave
(WE AIN'T GOT) NOTHIN'  YET--  Blues Magoos
HAPPY JACK--  Who

LET'S LIVE FOR TODAY--  Grass Roots
SUNNY AFTERNOON--  Kinks
EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART--  Soul Survivors

I am tuned in.

Tomorrow, Sunday, Bob Stroud goes back to the 60s and 70s on his Rock and Roll Roots from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. CDST.  Plus, next week, his Ten at Ten (at 10 a.m. and repeated at 10 p.m.) features these topics (ten songs each).  All shows stream at www.wdrv.com.

Monday--  Blue Monday
Tuesday--  Crazy
Wednesday--  Free Wheelin'  (I imagine about cars, so you Roadies might be especially interested.)

Also, Sunday, it's Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles on WXRT from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m..  Monday it is Tom Marker's Bluesbreakers show on WXRT from 9 to 10 p.m.

Give Them a Listen.

Name That Tune (from above)  "Coming To You On a Dusty Road, Good Lovin' I Got a Truckload."--RoadRadio

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.  Yes. shrimp and grits.

"Soul Man"

JSS: This Weekend-- Rain, Finally-- '85 Firebird At Mechanic-- Yesterday

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  THIS WEEKEND--  Busy weekend as always on the Chain.  Later tonight we go to Sunnyside and the Legion.  Saturday we go to Dueling Pianos at Cabana's on the Chain in the afternoon and then to the Spring Grove Fire Department Steak Fry.

Sunday, we will go to the Rally By the Lake old car show at the Fox Lake Lake Shore Park on Nippersink Lake, then we see New Odyssey playing music at the St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg and then the Keeping the Spirit of '45 Alive event honor our World War II G\"Greatest generation" at the McHenry, Illinois, Veterans Memorial Park.

2.  RAIN, FINALLY--  No boating or outside work today because of the much, much-needed rain we are having.  I am getting tired of watering.

3.  '85 FIREBIRD AT MECHANIC--  In July, I discovered that my '85 Firebird was leaking oil big time so today the mechanic came over and towed it to his place so they could find out what the problem was.  I am hoping it is not the end of it, but will see.

4.  YESTERDAY--  I did yardwork on the overgrown part of my west side of the house and then cut the weeds.  With this drought, the grass isn't growing, but the weeds and crab grass sure are.  IO then saw the new "Star Trek" movie.

I was planning to go out boating, but the skies were questionable so didn't.  We went to Grasslake Landing on Grasslake and had half price pizza and pitchers.  Sadly, they are closing this Sunday.  We also got our Chain Crawl passport book signed.

After that, we went to the final It's Thursday show in Antioch and saw an excellent country band named Hillbilly Rock Starz.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 Survey for August 12, 1966-- Part 6: "Hungry"

10.  WILD THING--  Troggs
9.  SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER--  Happenings
8.  I SAW HER AGAIN--  Mamas and Papas

7.  SUGAR & SPICE--  Cryan' Shames
6.  SAY I AM--  Tommy James & Shondells
5.  HUNGRY--  Paul Revere & Raiders
4.  LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD--  Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs

3.  I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE--  Petula Clark
2.  SUMMER IN THE CITY--  Lovin' Spoonful
1.  BUS STOP--   Hollies

Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Who's That I See Walking In these Woods."  --RoadDog



"Little Red Riding Hood"

WLS Top 40 Survey for August 12, 1966-- Part 5: "Over Under Sideways Down"

20.  MY HEART'S SYMPHONY--  Gary Lewis & the Playboys
19.  SUMMERTIME--  Billy Stewart
18.  SOMEWHERE MY LOVE--  Ray Coniff

17.  OVER UNDER SIDEWAYS DOWN--  Yardbirds
16.  BORN A WOMAN--  Sandy Posey
15.  WOULDN'T IT BE NICE--  Beach Boys
14.  SUNSHINE SUPERMAN--  Donovan

13.  SWEET DREAMS--  Tommy McLaine
12.  RESPECTABLE--  Outsiders
11.  SUNNY--  Bobby Hebb

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'll Tell You Right Now, Any Trick in the Book A-Now, Baby, All That I Can Find."  --RoadDog


"Sunshine Superman"

WLS Top 40 Survey for August 12, 1966-- Part 4: "You Can't Hurry Love"

25.  LAND OF 1000 DANCES--  Wilson Pickett   Went to #6 on Billboard, his biggest hit.  Former member of the Falcons  If this song "don't get ya ta movin'," nothing will.  "Mustang Sally" which I thought was his biggest hit, only went to #23.

24.  YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE--  Supremes

23.  SUNNY AFTERNOON--  Kinks

22.  ALFIE--  Cilla Black  Went to #95 on Billboard.  From the movie of the same name starring Michael Caine. From Liverpool and discovered by the Beatles.  Her biggest hit was in 1964 with "You're My World" which went to #26.

21.  DISTANT SHORES--  Chad & Jeremy   Went to #30 on Billboard.  From England and their last big hit.  Of course, I always got them and Peter & Gordon confused.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Put Your Hands On Your Hips, Yeah, Let Your Backbone Slip."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.

"Land of 1000 Dances"

Summer of 1976-- Part 9: "Summerside of Life"

Sings from August 7, 1976.

MONDAY MORNING--  Fleetwood Mac
EUROPA--  Santana
LOVE IS ALIVE--  Gary Wright

SUMMERSIDE OF LIFE--  Gordon Lightfoot
YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND--Queen
LET 'EM IN--  Wings Paul McCartney

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN--  Thin Lizzy
NOBODY'S FAULT BUT MINE--  Led Zeppelin
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART--  Kiki Dee and Elton John

HAND OF FATE--  Rolling Stones
ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC--  Beach Boys
SUMMER--  War

TVC15--  David Bowie
IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP IF YOU WANT TO ROCK AND ROLL--  AC/DC, the first we'd heard from them.

YEAR OF THE CAT--  Al Stewart
O'M DOWN--  Beatles   From the #1 album in Chicago, Beatles Rock and Roll.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Guess Who Just Got Back Today?"  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines,  ... and when we're "in-line," ... we talk to everybody!

"The Boys Are Back in Town"

WLS Top 40 Survey for August 12, 1966-- Part 3: "Yellow Submarine"

30.  YELLOW SUBMARINE / ELEANOR RIGBY--  Beatles

29.  WITH A GIRL LIKE YOU--  Troggs   Went to #29 on Billboard.  Their follow up to "Wild Thong" which was still on the WLS chart this date.  Some more great Garage Rock/ Frat Rat Rock.

28.  LOVE LETTERS--  Elvis Presley  I wrote about this song on my July 15, 1966, WLS Survey.

27.  INDICATION--  Zombies   Did not hit the Hot 100 on Billboard.  This group was most successful 1964-1965, but had no hits in 1966 or any until 1969 when they had "Time of the Season."  This is a real good 60s rock song,, but I could have done without the last 45 seconds.

26.  WADE IN THE WATER--  Ramsey Lewis   Went to #19 Billbiard  His biggest hit was 1965's ""The In Crowd."

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Ah, Look At All the Lonely People."  --RoadDog


"Eleanor Rigby"

WLS Top 40 Survey for August 12, 1966-- Part 2: "Guantanamera"

35.  THE DANGLING CONVERSATION--  Went to #25 on Billboard.

34.  SEARCHING FOR MY LOVE--  Bobby Moore   Went to #27 Billboard.  His backing group was the Amazing Rhythm Aces.  They hailed from Montgomery, Alabama.  This is also a huge Beach Music song.

33.  BILLY & SUE--  B.J. Thomas   I wrote about him and this song on my July 15, 1966, WLS Top 40.

32.  GUANTANAMERA--  Sandpipers   Went to #9 Billboard.  Los Angeles-based trio.  Met while they were members of the Mitchell Boys choir.  The song was  adopted by Pete Seeger from a Cuban poem.

31.  TIP OF MY FINGER--  Eddy Arnold    Went to #43 on Billboard.  Richard Edward Arnold, born near Henderson, Tennessee.  A country performer on the pop charts.  ranked the #1 country singer of all time.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "I Love You, I need You, I Need You By My Side."  --RoadDog



"Searching For My Love"

Summer of 1976-- Part 8: "Turn the Page"

Music from August 7, 1976.

Of course, this was the big Bicentennial celebration

RUN WITH THE PACK--  Bad Company
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC--  Wild Cherry
GREEN EARINGS--  Steely Dan

TURN THE PAGE--  Bob Seger
MOONLIGHT FEELS RIGHT--  Starbuck
BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN--  Aerosmith

GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE--  Beatles
RAIN--  Beatles  (These last two songs were of the Beatles Rock and Roll album issued that year.)
BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY--  Peter Frampton   When I think summer of 1976, this guy automatically pops into my mind.  That live album was EVERYWHERE!!

IT KEEPS YOU RUNNING--  Doobie Brothers
COWBOY SONG--  Thin Lizzy
SAY YOU LOVE ME--  Fleetwood Mac

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Dancin' and Singin' and Movin' to the Groovin'"  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb or adverb.

"Play That Funky Music"

Summer of 1976-- Part 7: "Crazy On You"

Bob Stroud did his third part of his annual trip back to the songs of 40 years ago this past Sunday on his Rock and Roll Roots Show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  He goes back the 40 years on the first Sundays of June, July, August and September and plays the songs you'd be hearing on the radio and on your albums back then.

I was finishing the last of my summer enjoyment before starting my fourth year of teaching in Round Lake, Illinois, at Magee Middle School.  We had also been in our new house in Round Lake Beach where we had been living since 1975.  We bought it for $33,000 which was a real lot of music for us back then.

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN--  Steve Miller Band
ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN NEW YORK CITY--  Chicago
DON'T FEAR THE REAPER--  Blue Oyster Cult

WITH YOUR LOVE--  Jefferson Starship
WARM AND BEAUTIFUL--  Paul McCartney & Wings
CRAZY ON YOU--  Heart

Name That Tune (from the above):  "This Here's a Story About Billie Joe and Bobbie Sue."  --RoadDog


"Take the Money and Run"

WLS Top 40 Survey for August 12, 1966-- Part 1: "Satisfied With You"

Hard to believe, but this is am HALF CENTURY ago.

40.  LET'S CALL IT A DAY GIRL--  Razor's Edge   Reached #77 on Billboard.  A person commented on You Tube that it was in heavy rotation on WBBF in Rochester, NY.

39.  SATISFIED WITH YOU--  Dave Clark Five   It went to #50 on Billboard.  A slow song and not one I'd ever heard of before.  The band, however, did have 24 songs that hit the Top 100 and were especially hot from 1964-1965.  Back then I'd have to say I might just have liked the Dace Clark Five more than the Beatles as their music was generally faster and harder edged.

38.  THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU--  Chris Montez  #33 on Billboard.  It had been to #19 for bandleader Sammy Kaye in 1943.

37.  MISTY--  Groove Holmes   Went to #44.

36.  YOU, YOU, YOU--  Mel Carter   Went to #49 in Billboard.  Was a #1 for eight weeks for the Ames Brothers in 1953.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "I Could Be So True, True, True."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.



"You, You, You"

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 9: One More Day at the Beach

JULY 27, WEDNESDAY

The usual coffee, newspaper and breakfast on the front deck.

I called a real estate appraiser to come over and give me an idea what the condo was worth, but he was busy today and way too hot.  He'll come over tomorrow.

This was the hottest of a whole bunch of hot days as of yet.  It was brutal.  Even those nice breezes you get at the beach weren't there in the morning.

Eventually, it did get a breeze and I took a walk along the beach.

Later took a ride to Surf City and crossed the landmark old (1950s) swing bridge that will be replaced starting in the fall and saw a place with a whole lot of cars out front and decided to check it out.  After some difficulty find a parking spot, I went inside the Shuckin' Shack.  Fortunately, there was a seat at the bar.  They had $2.50 bottles of Red Stripe on Wednesdays, so ordered several.

Best of all, they had lobster rolls on the menu, something I've been wanting to try for a long time.  It is like a lobster hot dog with chunks of that delicacy.  It was as good as I thought.

The entertainer at the Trailer Bar had not yet started so went back to Mom's place and sat out on both front decks and watched another sunset.

--  RoadDog

About the Olympic Opening Ceremony

Friday night we watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Brazil at the Legion and then home at Margaritaville.  This by far is my favorite part of the whole Olympic thing with its Parade of Nations.  I especially enjoy seeing the uniforms and outfits the countries wear.  The more out there in design, the more I like it.

Plus, I enjoy seeing the flags and the ones being carried last night had to be light judging by how easily the holder twirled them.

I liked the United States uniforms, and, of course, there is always that sense of pride.  But I sure could have used with a whole lot less of the college antics in front of the camera after they were done marching.  That got old fast.

Then, there was the glistening flagbearer from Tonga.

It was late and I went to sleep before the lighting of the flame and other entertainment.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for August 5, 1966: "Sugar & Spice"

1.  SUMMER IN THE CITY--  Lovin' Spoonful
2.  WILD THING--  Troggs
3.  BUS STOP--  Hollies

4.  HUNGRY--  Paul Revere & the Raiders
5.  LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD--  Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs
6.  SUGAR & SPICE--  Cryan' Shames
7.  I SAW HER AGAIN--  Mamas and Papas

8.  I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE--  Petula Clark
9.  SWEET PEA--  Tommy Roe
10.  SAY I AM--  Tommy James & the Shondells

Name that Tune (from the Above):  "Who's That I See Walkin' In These Woods?"  --RoadDog


"Little Red Riding Hood"

Plans for This Weekend

I am writing about the Chain of Lakes in my Cooter's History Thing blog.  Yesterday, I went boating on Fox Lake, then saw two movies.  After that, Liz and I went out to get some passport stamps for this year's Chain Crawl at Famous Freddie's (at their tiki bar) and Moretti's, both in Fox Lake, Illinois.  We had hoped to go to the car show and band at Antioch's It's Thursday event, but it was too doggone HOT!!!  So went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

In a little bit, we will boat over to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake for their rib special, then the Legion to meet up with the Usual Suspects.

Tomorrow, plans call for a trip to McDonald's in Fox Lake by boat for breakfast.  Later we will be going to Oak Park Lounge on Pistakee Lake to celebrate owner Tom's 40th year of owning the place, which dates back to the 1890s.  After that, it's a band at the Legion from 3 to 6 p.m. and then a band at Captain's at 7.

Then, home for either FP or Gazebo time.

--RoadDog

North Carolina Summer of 2016-- Part 8: Half Price Drinks, Wings and Live Trivia

JULY 26, TUESDAY

Godwin's (been there since the early 1950s) for the newspaper and out on FP (front porch for coffee and breakfast.  Walked the beach twice today.

Back on the FP, both second and third levels.

I went to the Home Port Bar and Restaurant in Topsail Beach as this is thee day of the deals.  Enjoyed $2 domestic drafts and $2.50 craft beer as well as the chicken wing special (ten for $3.25)  All these items were half the usual price.  Also played live trivia with a couple from Boca Raton, Florida.

Enjoyed talking with the next door neighbors and then saw a real pretty susset from the ipstaors balcony.

--RoadDog

Some Good Radio This Weekend

On Saturday, Wendy Rice will spend four hours in the year 1978 on her Saturday Morning Flashback show on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM.  It will run 8 a.m. to noon CDST.

Then Sunday, Terro Hemmert will do her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT, 93.1 FM from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. CDST.

Both stream at www.wxrt.com.

Then, also Sunday, Bob Stroud will do his third installment of the Summer of 1976   These will be songs that were on the radio or stereo for August 6, 1976, 40 years ago.  His show runs 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. CDST.  His streams at www.wdrv.com.

--RoadDog

SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece."  They also know that "just down the road" can be a mile or 20 miles.

Music Deaths: Lincoln "Chips" Moman

LINCOLN "CHIPS" MOMAN, 79

Died June 13, 2016.

Producer and recording studio owner.  Born in Georgia but made his name in Memphis.

Played guitar with Johnny Burnette and Gene Vincent.

Joined STAX Records in Memphis and produced Carla Thomas' "Gee Whiz" and Booker T's "Green Onions."  The story has it that Booker T's group was named the "M.G.'s" after Chip's car, but it could also mean Memphis Group.

He opened American Sound Studios and worked with the Gentrys on their "Keep On Dancing," The Box Tops on "The Letter," Marilee Rush's "Angel of the Morning," Sandy Posey's "Born a Woman" and Joe Tex's "I Gotcha."

His biggest triumph was producing Elvis Presley's "Memphis Sessions" which produced his comeback hits "Suspicious Minds," "In the Ghetto" and "Kentucky Rain."

He also produced Neil Diamond's "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" and "Sweet Caroline.  He cowrote B.J. Thomas' "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" and Waylon Jennings' "Luchenback Texas."

This Man Had a Lot to Do With Many of My Favorite Songs.

Music Deaths: Guy Clark and Bobby Curtola

GUY CLARK, 74

Died May 17, 2016.  Country/Americana performer.  Wrote "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train."

BOBBY CURTOLA, 73

Died June 5, 2016.  Had a hit with "Fortuneteller (#41-1962)  Teen idol in Canada, born in Thunder Bay.

Had 30 top 40s in Canada between 1960 and 1970.

A Case of the "Idge" Phones in Rhymes With Orange

From the July 16, 2016, Rhymes With Orange comic strip.

The New Era.

An older couple are walking down the street, holding hands and see two young girls facing each other and holding up their "Idge" (smart) phones.  They are staring at each others' "Idge" phones.

The man remarks to his wife, "Is this what socializing looks like now?"

Does to Me.  --RoadDog

Cases of Teen "Idge-Itis" (Text Neck) on the Rise

It seems that those folks who make the comic strips have already figured out there is something mighty wrong with "Idge" phones.  Others call them "Smart" phones, but perhaps they are more likely "Idiot" phones (or "Idge" for short) for the people using them becoming so addicted to them you rarely see them off it.

Quick, tell me the last time you did not see a teen girl walking around without one in their hand.  They can't even put them away in a pocket or purse as they need to see what their BFF just texted.

Now, I see an article in the August 3, 2016, Chicago Tribune" "Therapists says teens hunched over cellphones get 'text neck' by Vikki Ortiz Healy.  They say teens are experiencing the same neck and back pain usually attributed to people 30 years older.

They are spending too much time staring down at their "Idge" phones.

Is There Something Wrong Here?  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin'!

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 7: A Day at the Beach

JULY 25, MONDAY

I went to the Jolly Roger Pier in Topsail Beach and bought the Wilmington Star-News and read it on the front porch of the condo and had my coffee.  Walked the beach and had dinner at Highway 55, used to be called Andy's, and had their great Philly cheesesteak sandwich.  The performer had not started at the Trailer Bar so went to Gallagher's for a drink.

Back to the condo and enjoyed the ocean view from the upper floor (3rd) and then a real pretty sunset over the sound.

We have a nice view of both the ocean and the sound from the upper floor of the condo.

Relaxing and Eating.  --RoadDog

A CASE OF BLACK DEATH:  An elderly priest was tending his beloved roses when a passerby stopped to ask how the roses were doing.  He said not bad, but they suffered from "a disease peculiar to this area known as the the 'black death'."  The passerby asked what that was and the priest replied, "Nuns with scissors."

Music Deaths: "Mustang Sally" Composer Mack Rice-- Part 3

Laura Rice had this to say about the song "Mustang Sally":  "Pickett called (Rice) and said, "You gotta let me do 'Mustang Sally.'  Mack said, 'You wanna do it? You got that.'  It wasn't a hit (for) for Mack but Pickett, wow, he just blew it out of the park."

She also referred to her husband as a "gentle soul" who was loved by all--  including ex-bandmates.  She said he remained friends with Pickett, who died in 2006, and the other members of the Falcons, even though  for a lot of groups, "when they fall out, they fall out."

I Sure Loved Both Those Songs Mack Rice Wrote.

Music Death: "Mustang Sally" Composer Mack Rice-- Part 2: Also Co-wrote "Respect Yourself"

Mack Rice was a songwriter for the Memphis, Tennessee-based Stax Records and split his time between there and Detroit, where he moved from Mississippi as a teen.

He wrote "Respect Yourself" with the late R&B singer-songwriter Luther Ingram for the Staple Singers, which became Stax's biggest hit.  His wife said he wrote it in about fifteen minutes after talking with other musicians in the studio about the need for people to respect themselves in order to be respected by others.

Music Death: "Mustang Sally" Composer Mack Rice-- Part 1

From the June 29, 2016, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus by AP.

'MUSTANG SALLY' COMPOSER MACK RICE DIES

One of my all-time favorite songs.  A sixties classic by the Wicked Pickett.

MACK RICE, 82.  Died June 27, 2016.

Mack Rice, the composer of the '60s hit "Mustang Sallly" and co-writer of the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" has died in Detroit.

"Sir" Mack Rice was best known for writing "Mustang Sally," which he initially recorded but it was Wilson Pickett who really made it popular.  The two of them had been in a group called the Falcons.

His wife, Laura Rice, said, "When he wrote 'Mustang Sally' and he saw that royalty check, he really started writing.  He never thought 'Mustang Sally' would ever be as big as it became.  ...He used to tell me, 'Honey that Mustang has rolled a long time.'"

"You Better Slow That..."

Blondie and the "Idge" Phones

From the July 26, 2016, Blondie comic strip.

Blondie, Dagwood and their son and daughter are sitting in the living room.  The son and daughter, of course are holding their cell phones in their hands.  You rarely see a teenager or sub-teenager these days when they aren't holding a cell phone.

Frame 1:  Son says. "So, if your buddy was at the mall, how did you communicate without a cell phone?"
Blondie,  "We had to use our home phones."
Dagwood,  "And in the mall you had to use the payphone.
Daughter, "A Payphone?"

Frame 2:  Son and daughter are leaving the house and text each other.
Brother texts to his sister, "I have renewed respect for Mom and Dad!"
Sister texts back, "Really?!"
Blondie and Dagwood are looking out their window at their children.
Blondie, "I didn't mean to shock them, but it's time they knew."
Dagwood, "Hey, these kids today need to know how tough we had it."

Seems That the Comic Strip Writers Have Figured Out the Problem With "Idge" Phones.  --RoadDog

Interesting Presidents in the Last 36 Years.

First we had the second-ever Father-Son presidents with the George Bushes.  (The first were John Adams and John Quincy Adams.)

Then, we had the first black president with Barrack Obama (although he is half white).  Now, we have the first-ever woman nominated by a major political party and possibly the first-ever Husband-Wife presidents.

Maybe even the first-ever First Man (or would that be First-Husband?)

--RiadDig