Ode to the Bee Gees-- Part 1: Just One Brother Left Now

From the May 21, 2012, List of the Day by Rob O'Connor "Robin Gibb and remembering the Bee Gees.

The Bee Gees were not just a disco group.  Barry is now the only remaining one of the Gibb brothers.  Andy Gibb died in 1988, Maurice in 2003 and Robin in 2012.

After not recording for awhile, i see that Barry Gibb has a song "In the Now" that is #23 on the November 19, 2016 Beach Music Top 40 Chart.  The Bee Gee's "Massachusetts" was one of Liz and my "Special Songs" when we first started dating and going steady back in high school.

This is a career overview list with a few obscurities thrown in as well.  Mr. O'Connor gives some more information on each one, but I'm mostly just listing the songs.

25.  If I Can't Have You--  Barry did this one with a voice that reached sky-high.  Best known by Yvonne Elliman.

24.  Melody Fair--  From the red "Odessa" double album with the red velvet cover.

23.  Words

Little Old "Magnolia Breath" Me..  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Consuming fried okra north of the Mason-Dixon line is considered gastric perversion and may lead close friends to refer to you as "magnolia breath."

19 Famous Cubs Fans Flying the "W" For the World Series-- Part 2

11.  Jim Belushi
12.  Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation" TV show)
13.  Joe Mantegna (actor "Criminal Minds")
14.  Gary Sinise
15.  Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave)

16.  Hillary Clinton
17.  Jeff Garlin (actor)
18.  Bonnie Hunt (actress)
19.  Scottie Pippen

What, No Michael Jordan"  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Remember, boiled okra is so slippery, you may think you're swallowing little green oysters.

19 Famous Cub Fans Flying the "W" This World Series-- Part 1

From Celeb Chatter.

1.  John Cusack
2.  Bill Murray
3.  Eddie Veder (Pearl Jam)
4.  Vince Vaughn
5.  Jake Johnson (not sure who he is)

6.  Jack White (White Stripes)
7.  Brett Eldridge  (country singer)
8.  Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
9.  Bob Newhart
10.  Pete Wentz (guitarist Fall Out Boy)

Bill Murray, One Really Funny Guy.  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Okra can be boiled, fried, steamed or pickled.  But no matter how you do it, its still tastes exactly like okra.

Music Scratches: Seven-- Sully-- Storks-- School

Movie Scratches, a Dog's Eye View of Today's Movies.

57.  THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN--  10-19--  Fox Lake, $5--  "So far, so good."  Really unlikely group beats a really, really bad guy.

58.  SULLY--  10-20--  Fox Lake, $6--  "Brace for impact!!"    FAA tries to fry a hero.

59.  STORKS--  10-20--  Fox Lake, $6--  Wolf bridge, Wolf boat, Wolf plane.  Pretty smart group of wolves.

60.  MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE--  10-25--  Round Lake Beach, $6--  Battling the man (principal), bullies, rules and loss of brother.

Love Those Nathan's At Regal Cinemas in Round Lake Beach ($1).  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for November 25, 1966: "You Keep Me Hanging On"

1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
2.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
3.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes

4.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers
5.  LADY GODIVA--  Peter & Gordon
6.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
7.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan

8.  STOP STOP STOP--  Hollies
9.  I WANNA MEET YOU--  Cryan Shames   Good ol' WLS pushing our Chicago local bands again.
10.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--   Mitch Ryder

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Her Long Brown Hair, Hangin' Down Around Her Knees."  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  A pod of okra on a gold chain makes an excellent conversation piece.  You can tell everyone that it's an elk's tooth -- with plaque.

"Lady Godiva"

This Being the Day to Eat Bird, the Drive's Ten at Ten: Gone to the Birds

In just a little bit, I'm off to eat some bird, as in turkey.

On Tuesday, the Drive's (WDRV 97.1 FM) Ten at Ten was Gone to the Birds.  Every song has to do with birds, be it the title or group:

WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles
BLACKBIRD--  Beatles
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE--  Steve Miller Band

SONGBIRD--  Fleetwood Mac
TUFF ENUFF--  Fabulous Thunderbirds
MOCKINGBIRD--  James Taylor & Carly Simon
FOR YOUR LOVE--  Yardbirds

FREE BIRD--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
BLUEBIRD--  Buffalo Springfield
CANARY IN A COAL MINE--  Police

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Take These Broken Wings and learn to Fly."  --RoadDog




"Blackbird"

Thanksgiving Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Alice's Restaurant on Chicago's Drive

Today, Chicago's WDRV, the Drive, 97.1 FM, is playing the whole "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Githrie.  Hey, it's a Thanksgiving, draft song.  They played it already at 6 a.m. and will play it again at noon and at 4 p.m..

It streams at www.wdrv.com and times are CST.

Also, all weekend now, they will be playing songs about planes, trains and automobiles since it is a time to visit relatives and friends by these three modes of transportation.

In the last hour, they played:

TRAIN KEPT A ROLLIN'--  Aerosmith
HITTCHIN'A RIDE--  Vanity Fare
CRAZY TRAIN--  Ozzy Osbourne

DOWNTOWN TRAIN--  Rod Stewart
JENNY TAKE A RIDE--  Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels

You Can Get Anything That You Want.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "And We Decided That One Big Pile Was Better Than Two Small Piles."  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Even people who don't eat okra may find it useful -- for example, as a green plumb-bob for a vegetarian architect.

"Alice's Restaurant"

About Last Weekend-- Part 3: Sad, Sad Bears, But Good Times With Jim Sieg

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

We went to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, and met up with the Usual Suspects: Pam, Sue, Paul, Glenn, Kelly, Kevin, Ed and Laura and watched another sad effort by the Bears, though they were in the lead at the end of the first half.  They are now 2-8 and best hope is to lose more for a better draft choice which must be spent on a quarterback.  Cutler is not the answer.

But, Liz did win a Walter Payton game jersey on the raffle draw, so all was not a loss.

We then drove over to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and certainly enjoyed Jim Sieg performing.  This afternoon, he also had his usual steel guitarist and another guy sat in with him on guitar.

The Bad and the Good.  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Most people can't even recall ever having said anything at all about okra.  Except possibly:  "Are those legless geckos sleeping near my mashed potatoes.

About Last Weekend-- Part 2: Big Wind Blows Down the Tree, Musical "A Christmas Story"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19:  That wind continued to howl all night.  I looked out the window from time to time during the night to see how the Bradford pear tree was doing.  It still stood, but looked smaller than before.  At daylight, I looked out and a good 50-70% of the tree was down, sadly the most colorful part.  Something I sure didn't want to happen.  Some of the bushes around it were somewhat crushed in spots.  Looks like I'll have some cutting to do, but, hey, firewood!  What do they say about when life gives you lemons?

We went to the matinee play at the Woodstock Opera House for the musical "A Christmas Story" put on by the Town Square Players, a local theater group.  "A Christmas Story" is my favorite Christmas movie and I wanted to see how it could be turned into a musical.  They did a great job and, with the exception of two songs, we really enjoyed the play.  How those young kids can remember all those lines is beyond me.  Well Done.

Ate at Wendy's and went to Sunnyside Tap on the way home.

--RoadTongueOnthePole

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Some say okra is a vegetable; others say it's a fruit.

About Last Weekend-- Part 1: Hello McRib, Windstorm & Craft Beer

FRIDAY, NOV. 18:  Rain off and on all day but temps remained unseasonably warm, but started dropping in the afternoon as winds picked up..  Took the '03 Malibu to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake, Illinois, to fix a radiator leak and get an oil change.  I had my first McRib of the season at McDonald's!!!  Oh Boy!!  I paid $5 for the McRib meal which also came with fries and drink.

The wind was really blowing by 4 p.m. and the Bradford pear tree by the deck was really doing some bending.   Bradford pear trees are notorious for weak wood and several years back ion a November windstorm I had lost another one.  These trees also are among the last to lose their leaves and have brilliant color.  All the weight and mass of the leaves don't help things either.

We went to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their $2 draft craft pints and then to the Legion with friends Kevin and Kelly.

--RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA  (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  Iy is a well-known fact that common garden insects will NOT eat okra.  Neither will uncommon garden insects.  That should tell you something.

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 6: "You Keep Me Hanging On"

10.  STOP STOP STOP--  Hollies
9.  RAIN ON THE ROOF--  Lovin' Spoonful
8.  HOORAY FOR HAZEL--  Tommy Roe

7.  I WANNA MEET YOU--  Cryan Shames   Went to #85 on Billboard.  WLS supporting yet another Chicago group.  This makes four Chicago groups on the WLS Top 40 this week:  Buckinghams #36, Shadows of Knight #34, Chicago Loop #30 and the Cryan Shames.

6.  REACH OUT--  Four Tops
5.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes
4.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers

3.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
2.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "How Can You tell Me How Much You Miss Me."  --RoadDog



"Poor Side of Town"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 5: "Devil With a Blue Dress On"

20.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan    Jumped from # 34 on the WLS chart
19.  SEE SEE RIDER--  Eric Burdon & the Animals
18.  HAIR ON MY CHINNY CHIN CHIN--  Sam the Sham   Went to #22 on Billboard.  Real name was Domingo "Sam" Samudio.

17.  IT'S ONLY LOVE--  Tommy James & Shondells
16.  IF I WERE A CARPENTER--  Bobby Darrin
15.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder  Went to #4 Billboard, his biggest hit.  Part of the title was also "Good Golly Miss Molly" an old Shorty Long song.
14.  DANDY--  Herman's Hermits

13.  LADY GODIVA--  Peter & Gordon
12.  96 TEARS--  Question Mark & the Mysterians  Went to #1 Billboard.  Their biggest hit.
11.  WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED--  Jimmy Ruffin   #7 Billboard.  The brother of Temptations'  David Ruffin.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Seventeen, a Beauty Queen."  --RoadDog

HOW TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT:  Question:  "Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident?"  ANSWER:  "I could have traveled by bus."


"Lady Godiva"

Busy Weekend Last Weekend

NOVEMBER 11, FRIDAY--  We missed the Veterans Day ceremony at the Fox Lake train depot because of dentist appointments.  In the afternoon, we had Greg's 65th birthday party at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, with entertainment by Jim Sieg.

NOVEMBER 12, SATURDAY--  I went to the Marine Corps Birthday and Toys for Tots kickoff at the Fox Lake American Legion. Then I drove to DeKalb, Illinois, for the joint SCV camp meeting (Rock Island Prison and Camp Douglas) at Ellwood Steak House and heard a talk by Jim Barr on the Confederacy in Illinois.

Came home and watched Palatine High School win its quarter final game in the IHSA football playoffs.  Never thought I'd see Palatine on TV.

We then went to the American Legion in Fox Lake and enjoyed the music of the Lakes Area Swing Band playing all that Big Band music.

NOVEMBER 13, SUNDAY--  We went to Squaw Bar and met the Usual Suspects and saw the first half of the sorry Bears game.  We then went to Sunnyside for the second half and then to Oak Park Lounge for their chili cookoff and then back to Sunnyside.

Love That Marine SOS.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for November 17, 2016-- Part 4: "Louie Louie"

25.  TIME AFTER TIME--  Chris Montez     To #36 on Billboard.  Protege of Ritchie Valens.  Biggest hit "Let's Dance" (#4-1962).

24.  I CAN MAKE IT WITH YOU--  Pozo Seco Singers   Went to #32 on Billboard  The group had six Top 100s and featured country singer Don Williams.

23.  NINETEEN DAYS--  Dave Clark 5    To #48 Billboard

22.  HELP ME GIRL--  Outsiders    To #37 on Billboard.  Last of four Top 40s for the Cleveland rock group.

21.  LOUIE LOUIE--  Sandpipers   Went to #30 on Billboard.    L.A.-based trio and follow up to their biggest hit "Guantanamera" which went to #9.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Well, I Got That feeling."  --RoadDog



"Help Me Girl"

WLS Top 40 for November 17, 1966-- Part 3: "Talk, Talk"

30.  SHE COMES TO ME--  Chicago Loop    (When She Needs Good Lovin')  Went to #37 on Billboard.  Chicago rock band.  Another one pushed by WLS.  Quite the rocker and one I didn't remember ever hearing.

29.  I'M READY FOR LOVE--  Martha & the Vandellas    To #9 on Billboard.  From Detroit and recorded on Gordy Records, part of the Motown Sound.

28.  COMING ON STRONG--  Brenda Lee    Went to #11 on Billboard.  Her last really big hit.  recording career lasted from 1957 to 1973.

27.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra    To #5 Billboard.  The first child of Nancy and Frank Sinatra, born in 1940.

26.  TALK TALK--  Music Machine   Went to #15 on Billboard.  The biggest hit for the rock quintet from Los Angeles.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "I Got Some Troubles, But They Won't Last."  --RoadDog



"Sugar Town"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 2: " A Hazy Shade of Winter"

35.  WHO AM I--  Pet Clark     Petula Clark from Epsom, England.  Went to #21 on Billboard.

34.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU MINE--  Shadows of Knight    #90 on Billboard.  Again, here we have WLS pushing a local group.

33.  A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER--  Simon & Garfunkel    Went to #13 on Billboard.

32.  TINY BUBBLES--  Do Ho   Went to #57 on Billboard.  Born in Hawaii in 1930.  I always thought this was an older song.

31.  I GOT A FEELING--  Neil Diamond   Went to #16 on Billboard.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Make Me Happy, Make Me Feel Fine."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  A sign in front of a Macadamia Nut factory in Hawaii:  "Caution:  Nuts crossing road."


"Tiny Bubbles"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 1 "Mame"

40.  WHEEL OF HURT--  Margaret Whiting   Went to #26 on Billboard.  From 1946-1954, she was very popular, charting 40 times.

39.  PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE ME--  Cyrkle    Went to #59 on Billboard.     From Eaton, Pennsylvania.  A great little pop song clocking in at just two minutes.

38.  MAME--  Herb Alpert   #19    From Los Angeles and co-founder of A&M Records.  His band was Tiquana Brass.

37.  FREE AGAIN--  Barbra Streisand   #83 on Billboard.

36.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams    Debut.  It went to #1 on Billboard.  It was their first hit and a result of WLS constantly pushing local Chicago acts.

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

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  A sign in front of an advertising agency in south superhighway, Philippines:  "A business with no sign is a sign of no business."

"Kind of a Drag"

Music Deaths: Chess Records Co-Founder Phil Chess-- Part 2

Chess records' rise helped mark the migration north of such Southern-born blacks as Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf and the transition of blues from acoustic to electric with hard-hitting arrangements that the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and other white stars openly drew upon.''One of today's greatest bluesmen, Buddy Guy, credited the label with raising Chicago's status to "World Capital of the Blues."

"Phil and Leonard Vhess were cuttin' the type of music no one else was paying attention to and now you can walk down (Chicago's) State Street today and see a portrait of Muddy that's ten stories tall," Guy, who recorded at Chess, said on Wednesday.  "The Chess brothers had a lot to do with that.  I'll always be grateful for that."

Like other businessmen of blues and early rock, the brothers were Jewish kids with an affinity for black music.  Phil Chess was born Fiszel Czyz in Motol, Poland, and changed his name to Phil Chess after the family immigrated to the United States.

After he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, the brothers started out with a liquor store, then ran the Macomba Lounge nightclub and music venue before getting into the music recording business.

Music Deaths: Chess Records Co-Founder Phil Chess-- Part 1

From the October 21, 2016, Chicago Tribune.

PHIL CHESS, 95.  Died October 19, 2016.

Chess Records co-founder Phil Chess, who with brother Leonard helped launch the careers of Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and others and amassed a catalog of rock and electric "Chicago" blues that profoundly influenced popular music in the 1950s and beyond has died.

His older brother Leonard died in 1969.

Started in Chicago in 1950, Chess Records was home to many of the major blues artists of the following two decades and also took on such musical pioneers as Berry, Etta James and Ike Turner, whose "Rocket 88" is considered one of the earliest rock songs.

Rod Is Knighted and Bob Gets Nobel Prize

October 11th--  Rod Stewart is knighted in Britain.

October 13th--  Bob Dylan is awarded a Nobel prize for Literature.

Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, Sir Rod?  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  On the freeway in Boston during a MAJOR transformation of streets, bridges, etc., "Rome wasn't built in a day.  If it was, we would have hired their contractor."  I think I drove through that city back when this was happening.  It was absolutely horrible.

Thanking Our Veterans Today

Say thanks to any U.S. veterans you meet today.

In honor of this day, Bob Stroud is doing his Ten at Ten on the Red, White and Blue.  It starts at 10 a.m. CDT and will be replayed at 10 p.m. tonight.  It streams on WDRV.com.

REV ON THE RED LINE--  Foreigner
RED HOUSE--  Jimi Hendrix
RED RAIN--  Peter Gabriel

A WHITER SHADE OF PALE--  Procul Harum
WHITE WEDDING--  Billy Idol
WHITE ROOM--  Cream
JACKIE BLUE--  Ozark Mountain Daredevils

FOR YOU BLUE--  Beatles
DEACON BLUES--  Steely Dan
BABY BLUE--   Badfinger

Thank a Vet.  --RoadDog

Living in Today's World: "Idge" Phones

From the September 11, 2016, Family Circus comic strip.

1.  One of their kids is holding a leash and says, "Mommy!  I think Barfy (their dog) could use a little exercise.  How 'bout I volunteer to take him for a walk around the park."

2.  He is walking out the door with Barfy on the leash.  the kid has his "Idge" phone out and says:  "Okay!  Let's go find 'em."  You see him thinking about the Pokeyman Go things.

--RoadDog

"Go Cubs Go," A 1984 Song, Hits Billboard Charts-- Part 2

The tune debuted a few months before Steve Goodman, a beloved Chicago singer-songwriter, died of leukemia in September 1984 at age 36.  He was probably best known for writing the song "City of New Orleans," but in Chicago was also really popular for his song "Lincoln Park Pirates," about an infamous towing company.

"Go Cubs Go" also tops the LyricFind U.S. chart for the week ending November 19, up from No. 8 the previous week.  The chart ranks the top trending lyric searches through LyricFind's syndication service.  The song was also No. 5 on Spotify's Viral 50 list Tuesday.

The Cubs anthem received even more exposure Saturday when Cub fan Bill Murray, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, center fielder Dexter Fowler and catcher David Ross sang the tune on "Saturday Night Live."

Like the Man Said, "Go Cubs Go."  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for November 11, 1966: "Hooray for Hazel"

I was a sophomore at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  I was on the wrestling team and doing lots and lots of running.

1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
2.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
3.  96 TEARS--  ? Mark & the Mysterians

4.  REACH OUT--  Four Tops
5.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
6.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers
7.  HOORAY FOR HAZEL--  Tommy Roe

8.  DANDY--  Herman's Hermits
9.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes
10.  RAIN ON THE ROOF--  Lovin' Spoonful

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Now If You Feel That You Can't Go On."  --RoadDog

Sure Been Enjoying This Warm Weather-- Part 2: Plain Joe and Just Jake

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6.

Hard to imagine sitting out OD (On Deck) and FP (Front Porch) comfortably in tee shirt and shorts on November 6th, but here I sat.  Enjoyed listening to Rock and Roll Roots.  And, with the end of Daylight Savings Time, it was light out much earlier.

I did some raking and burned some leaves, the smell of fall.

We went to Sunnyside for the soup cookoff (I especially love chili cookoffs) and saw the duo Plain Joe and Just Jake play.

--RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Seen in a restaurant:  "Open seven days a week and weekends."

"Go Cubs Go," a 1984 Song, Hits the Billboard Charts-- Part 1: (For Some Reason)

From the November 10, 2016, Chicago Tribune.

Not only are the Chicago Cubs making history, but music about them is as well.

Steve Goodman's 1884 song "Go Cubs Go," which is played and sung loudly after every Cubs win at Wrigley Field, debuts on the Billboard Pop Digital Song Sales chart at #21 and on the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart at 49 for the week ending November 19.

The song drew 15,000 downloads and 2.5 million U.S. streams (mostly from You Tube clicks in the week that ended Nov. 3), according to Billboard.  The Cubs won the World Series against the Cleveland Indians on Nov. 2.

Well, How About That!!  --Go CubDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Fitness Center sign:  "Self esteem is feeling good about yourself - regardless of the facts."

Congratulations Donald Trump, Now, Pay Your Taxes

That was some surprise.  I really thought Hillary Clinton was going to win easily.  Donald Trump scared far too many people, including us.

But, at least we have a president who is not the same-old, same-old brand of politician that we normally get.  he is not afraid to speak out.  But hopefully this campaign has taught him a few things about his mouth.

And, even better, now he just might pay some taxes.  The government can sure use it.  maybe he will even go back and back-pay them.

--RoadDog

The Cubs Were Big News in Chicago-- Part 2: Chief Wahoo Offensive?

**  Chief Wahoo source of pride -- and disgust.  I sure saw more Chief Wahoo logos on Cleveland fans than those ugly Cs.  But. American Indians say its degrading.  I agree with them.  If I was an Indian, I'd find it offensive.

**  Cubs fan born in 1908 hoping to see 2nd World Series win.  Vivian Baron was born a few months before the Cubs beat the Detroit Tigers in the 1908 Series.  Today, of course, she is 108.

**  Aldermen still want answers on Cubs postseason ticket ban.  They can no longer get tickets at face value.  Well, this is Chicago you know.

And This Wasn't Even the Sports Section.  --RoadDog

The Cubs Were Big News in Chicago-- Part 1: The Curse of the Billy Goat?

From the October 27, 2016, Chicago Tribune.  These are articles from the front section, not the sports.

Front page:  Huge color photo of Anthony Rizzo crossing home plate after Kyle Schwarber's RBI single in the third inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland as Cubs beat the Indians 5-1 to even the series at one game apiece.  Headline  "BATMEN RETURN:  Arrieta Starts Off Strong As Cubs Come Alive At the Plate to Tie the Series."

**Ex-Justice Stevens to come home for Series.  Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens was born on Chicago's South Side and in 1929, at age 9, his father took him to his first Cubs game.

**  What's the bleat?  Sianis' kin says goat curse lives.  Raging debate as to whether the curse of the billy goat has been lifted since the Cubs are in the World Series.  Or, do the Cubs have to win it to break it?

Bleat If You believe.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: "Don't Pull It Out!!"

From the September 6, 2016, Dustin comic strip.

Dustin's dad is standing in the checkout line at the grocery store.  The man at the front of the line has put his credit card (a new one with the chip) in the machine.

1.  Dad, thinking to himself:  "Ugh.  These chip readers are the worst.  The man at the front of the line is having problems and the cashier says to him: "Wait, don't pull it out."

2.  The Dad is still thinking:  "Makes me nostalgic for people holding up the line to balance their checkbooks.  The cashier is now yelling at the man with the card: "DON'T PULL IT OUT.!!"


I myself don't have a problem with pulling it out, but do have a real big problem remembering to insert the chip instead of swiping it.  I am so proud of myself when I remember to insert the chip instead of swipe, but that is sure a rare happening.

"Insert Chip."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  At an Applebee's restaurant:  NOTICE: AFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!  A new 6% tax will be charged for the cost of collecting taxes!"

Ten Songs To Get Out the Vote "Won't Get Fooled Again"

From today's Bob Stroud Ten At Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

STAR-SPANGLED BANNER--  Jimi Hendrix
CHICAGO (WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD)--  Graham Nash
CHANGES--  Yes

ROLL WITH THE CHANGES--  REO Speedwagon
SPLIT DECISION--  Steve Winwood
CHANGES--  David Bowie
COOL CHANGE--  Little River Band

I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD--  Ten Years After
CHANGE THE WORLD--  Eric Clapton
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN--  Who

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "So Your Brother's Bound and Gagged."  --RoadDog



"Chicago (We Can Change the World)"

Election Songs on Ten at Ten

In a short time, Bob Stroud will be devoting his Ten at Ten show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM show, 10 a.m. to the election.

It streams and can be heard again at 10 p.m..

Then you can cast your vote for the song you like the most.  At least that will be an enjoyable vote to cast, not like going to the real polling place.

www.wdrv.com

Sing me a Song, make Them Go Away.  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Seen while traveling in the Yucatan Peninsula:  "Broken English spoken perfectly."

And, We'll be Going Out to Vote in a Little While: Trump or Clinton?

Shortly, we will drive over to the polling station and cast our votes.  We are not happy with the choices.  Looks like the parties would be able to come up with better top candidates.

There are a few things I like about Donald Trump.  One of the biggest is that he is not a typical politician and prone to speak his mind.  Though, there are times he should have just kept his mouth shut and done the "political" thing.  One of the best things about him is that he can't be bought by the GRBs, Greedy Rich (Boys) and a big reason they don't like him.  The GRBs control far too many politicians.

But, Trump IS a GRB himself.  I also didn't like the fact that he hasn't paid taxes for all these years, even with making all those millions.  A real GRB thing if there ever is one.

Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is just more of the same-old, same-old that we have come to expect in the Obama and Bush administrations.

Hard Choice, You Know.  --RoadDog

It's the Rauner Republicans Vs. the Madigan Democrats in Illinois

Thankfully, we have reached the last day of this horrific, mudslinging, nasty, dirty political season.  I am so tired of seeing the political ads on TV.

In Illinois, much of the contest has come down between attacks on what are called the Rauner Republicans, after Governor Bruce Rauner and his support for the Republican candidate for president.  That means every Republican he supports is also a Trump advocate.  The Republicans, on the other hand are attacking the Michael Madigan Democrats in an attempt to break his stranglehold on the Illinois House of Representatives.

I'm not a big fan of Rauner fan, not really trusting him because he is a GRB and generally against unions.  But Madigan has become very rich through his connections as Speaker of the House, essentially just as powerful as the governor.  He too, is a GRB.  Vote Madigan's big supporters out and hurt Madigan.  There is no way his district in Chicago would ever vote him out.

We tend to be more Democrat when voting, but we would never vote for a Madigan person.

But I Am really Getting Tired of M-D's and B-R's.  --RoadWeary

In case you're wondering, GRB stands for Greedy Rich (Boys).

Sure Been Enjoying This Warm Weather-- Part 1

Definitely something you wouldn't be expecting here in the Midwest along the Wisconsin-Illinois border.

The temperatures have been in the lower 70s with lots of sun.  We've got to really enjoy this because you-know-what is around the corner.

FRIDAY, we had a perfect day for the Cubs World Series parade and celebration in Chicago, but we didn't go and glad of it as that was some really big crowd as I had figured it would be with all the Cub fans around here.  We did watch it on TV in between trips outside to enjoy the sun.

I got a lot of yardwork accomplished and later we went to Bootleggers Bar for fish dinners, 'Cuda's for $2 craft beer and the Usual Suspects and later to the Legion.

SATURDAY, I sat out at the front porch, deck and gazebo.  Later, we went to Kevin and Kelly's and helped polish off Kelly's Oktoberfest, Strawberry Blonde and Port craft beers.  She is getting to be quite the brewer.  We sat outside at their place on Fox Lake and enjoyed the warm afternoon into evening.  Who'd have figured you'd get a chance to do this on November 5, wearing tee-shirts and shorts.  We then had a bonfire.

Enjoying It While We Can.  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  At a car dealership in Maryland to announce new seat belt legislation:  "Belt your family.  It's the law."

Music Deaths: Motown Songwriter Robert Bateman

ROBERT BATEMAN, 80  Died October 12, 2016.

Motown songwriter.  Sand with the Satintones, who were Motown's first group to release a single (just before the Miracles).

He discovered the Marvelettes and wrote "Plese Mr. Postman,"  "Playboy" and "Twistin' Mr. Postman."

Music Deaths: Founding Member of the Intruders "Big Sonny" Edwards

ROBERT "BIG SONNY" EDWARDS, 74.  Died October 15, 2016.

Founding member of the Intruders from Philadelphia.  The group originally formed in the 1960s as a doo-wop group.

Producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff signed them in 1965.  They had some R&B success but broke through with "Cowboys to Girls" (#8 Pop and #1 R&B-1968).  They then had "(Love Is Like A) Baseball Game" (#26 Pop, #4 R&B-1968).

"Big Sonny" left the group in 1975 to devote his life to religion.

WLS Top Ten for November 4, 1966: "Cherry Cherry"

1.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
2.  REACH OUT--  Four Tops
3.  96 TEARS--  ? and the Mysterians

4.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
5.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers
6.  HOORAY FOR HAZEL--  Tommy Roe
7.  DANDY--  Herman's Hermits

8.  CHERRY CHERRY--  Neil Diamond
9.  PSYCHOTIC REACTION--  Count Five
10.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band

WXRT will have its Saturday Morning Flashback to the year 1970 from 8 a.m. to noon CDST.  It streams at www.wxrt.com.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I, I Love the Colorful Clothes She Wears."  --RoadDog



"Good Vibrations"

Time To Set Your You-Know Whats Saturday Night (Well, Maybe Sunday Morning): Ten Songs to Remind You: "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is"

And, it also TIME to celebrate a Cubs World Series Championship with that parade.

A time of the year I don't like.  It is already getting dark too early, but wait until Sunday to see it get dark fast.  This is when we set out clocks back an hour.

Today, Bob Stroud did his Ten at Ten on WDRV, 97.1 FM on Time.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago
FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME--  Foreigner
ISN'T IT TIME--  Babys

GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES--  Led  Zeppelin
THE BEST OF TIMES--  Styx
TIME--  Pink Floyd
AIN'T WASTIN' TIME--  Allman Brothers

BAD TIME--  Grand Funk
ONLY TIME WILL TELL--  Asia
LOVE TAKES TIME--   Orleans

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'm In Love With a Girl That I'm Talking About."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Found written on the wall in front of a photocopier of a company going through hardships:  "Double Your Pleasure - Xerox Your Paychecks."

"Bad Time"

A Long Hard Road for the Cubs, But, 2016 World Series Champions

I must first say that I am a Cubs fan...unless they play the White Sox.  Buy, I have always liked the Cubs and have probably even seen them play more games than my Sox.

I wasn't writing about the playoffs, but believe me, I was closely following them. Liz and I went out to area bars for just about every game, both NLDS, NLCS and the World Series.  I was even wearing my Cubs hat (the only article of Cubs clothing I have as compared to a real lot of Sox stuff.  I mean, a REAL LOT!!)

I didn't write about it in any blog because of superstition.  Whenever I write about one of my teams before the end of the season or game, they lose and I wasn't taking any chances.

Yesterday, I took the Cubs "W" (Win) car flag off before the game as bad luck, you know.  We left the Cubs car flag up, though.  We drove to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg for the game.  We have gone here for many of the playoff games.  A good-sized crowd, but not too crowded and most were into the game.  Lots of cheering as we went on an emotional roller coaster.  This just HAD to be THE YEAR.

When the Indians tied it in the 8th, we left.  It was getting late, 10 p.m.

Saw the rest of the game at home in the downstairs Margaritaville bar and enjoyed the Ultimate Jukebox.  Then, in the 10th, with the final out I started really playing winning kind of songs and even a couple from Ohio's Pat Dailey in honor of that great Cleveland Indians team that gave us all we could handle.  "Put-In-Bay" and "Get Your Ass to Cleveland."

That went on until 2:30 this morning.

"If You Like Irish Whiskey and Drinking Ice Cold Beer."  --RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z Halloween Spooktacular-- Part 6: "Superstition"

STRANGE MAGIC--  Electric Light Orchestra
SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY--  U2
SUPERSTITION--  Stevie Wonder

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL--  Rolling Stones
THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED--  Alice Cooper
TIME OF THE SEASON--  Zombies

TWILIGHT ZONE--  Golden Earring
UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT--  Rolling Stones
VOODOO CHILE (SLIGHT RETURN)--  Jimi Hendrix

WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE--  Alice Cooper
WEREWOLVES OF LONDON--  Warren Zevon
WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles

XANADU--  Rush
YOUNGBLOOD--  Bad Company
ZIGGY STARDUST--  David Bowie

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself, I'm a Man of Wealth and Taste."  --RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z Halloween Spooktaculat-- Part 5: "Psycho Killer"

Go Ahead, Scare Me.  I Sure Had a Lot of Scare Last Night.  That Game Drained Me.  Not to Mention Keeping Me Way Up Past My Bedtime.

PAINT IT BLACK--  Rolling Stones
PARANOID--  Black Sabbath
PEOPLE ARE STRANGE--  Doors

PSYCHO KILLER--  Talking Heads
RHIANNON--  Fleetwood Mac  (I must admit that I am not sure why this song is here, but I never really listened to the words.)
RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors

RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL--  Van Halen
SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT--  Bruce Springsteen
SPIRIT IN THE SKY--  Norman Greenbaum

THE SPIRIT OF RADIO--  Rush
SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD--  Police
STRANGE BREW--  Cream


Name That Tune (from the above):  "She Is Like a Cat in the Dark and Then She Is the Darkness."  RoadDog


"Rhiannon"

WDRV's A to Z Halloween Spooktacular-- Part 4: Madman Across the Water"

This past Monday, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM played Halloween-related songs from noon to about 7:30.

IN THE AIR TONIGHT--  Phil Collins (I don't know, but that video was a bit scary.)
IN THE DARK--  Billy Squire
KARN EVIL--  Emerson, Lake & Palmer

LET IT BLEED--  Rolling Stones
LUCIFER--  Bob Seger
MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER--  Elton John

MAGIC BUS--  Who
MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf
MAGIC MAN--  Heart

MAGIC POWER--  Triumph
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR--  Beatles
MONSTER MASH--  Bobby "Boris" Pickett

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When My Eyes Beheld An Eerie Sight."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  I went to a little hole-in-the-wall diner.  the sign read:  "Women are not served here.  You have to bring your own."

"Monster Mash"

Somewhere Ron, Ernie, Jack, Harry and Steve Are Smilin'

Here's to you Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray and Steve Goodman who are somewhere and are smilin'.

Cubs WIN the WORLD SERIES!!

Gonna Be a Long Night Here.

Fireworks going up all over the neighborhood and the "W" flags coming off.  Ultimate jukebox primed for some fun.  Margaritaville at Key North in business.

Cub Fan for Tonight!!  "Go Cubs Go."  --RoadDog

Sittin' FP and Enjoying It

This morning I enjoyed my coffee sittin' FP, front porch.  And, i was comfortable with temps in the 60s.  Who'd have thought we'd have three straight days of unseasonably warm temperatures this late in the year.

I enjoyed the fall colors.  Some of the trees are bare, but my weeping cherry and sunburst honeylocust are both covered in brilliant gold.  The dying hostas also are a deep yellow.  I have several different colors of mums blooming (mostly yellow) and the burning bushes are turning a bright red.

By the way, Bob Stroud will be doing 1980 on his Ten at Ten rebroadcast at 10 p.m. tonight.  Tomorrow, he does the year 1968 and Friday he does "Time" because of the fall back of daylight savings time this weekend.  Both will be broadcast at 10 a.m. and then again at 10 p.m..

Got to Enjoy the Front Porch Now As It Won't be Long Until You-Know-What.  --RoadDog

Annual Trip Out for Cheap Halloween Candy and Decs

Yesterday, I drove around the area, looking for cheap Halloween stuff, something I always like to do the day-after as most places drop  prices on decorations and candy 50%, some even more.

I hit Walgreen's first, but they hadn't dropped anything, so, out-of-there.  Jewel had dropped their decorations already, well over 50% so I got some stuff there.  They hadn't dropped the candy yet.

Later, i went to Wal-Mart and bought two decorations and then Meijer where I bought some 50% off candy and some employees told me to feel free to take any candy in their carts as they were running out of places to put it.  (I also bought my usual 5-cassette brick of Maxell tapes for $4.67, one of only two places I know of that sell cassettes.)

Foot-long hot dog at Steak 'N Shake and home.

Little Old Cheapo Me.  --RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z Halloween Spooktacular-- Part 3: "Godzilla"

In case you're tired of the same old, same old Halloween songs.

HALLOWEEN THEME--  John Carpenter
GALLOWS POLE--  Led Zeppelin
GHOST OF A CHANCE--  Rush

GODZILLA--  Blue Oyster Cult
GYPSEY--  Fleetwood Mac
HELL IS FOR CHILDREN--  Pat Benatar

HELLS BELLS--  AC/DC
HELTER SKELTER--  Beatles
HOCUS POCUS--  Focus

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
IF YOU WANT BLOOD (YOU GOT IT)--  AC/DC
IN MY TIME OF DYING--  Led Zeppelin

Name That Tune )from the above):  "You Better Stop the Things You Do."  --RoadDog


"I Put a Spell On You"

WDRV's A to Z Halloween Spooktacular-- Part 2: "Devil Woman"

CRAZY TRAIN--  Ozzie Osbourne
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON--  Dave Edmunds
CUTS LIKE A KNIFE--  Bryan Adams

DANCING IN THE DARK--  Bruce Springsteen
DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN--  Bruce Springsteen
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA--  Charlie Daniels Band

DEVIL WOMAN--  Cliff Richard
THE DEVIL'S GOT A NEW DISGUISE--  Aerosmith
DON'T FEAR THE REAPER--  Blue Oyster Cult

EVIL WAYS--  Santana
EVIL WOMAN--  Electric Light Orchestra
THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST--  Rod Stewart

FRANKENSTEIN--  Edgar Winter Group
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL--  Grateful Dead
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND--  Elton John

Name That Tune (from the above):  "He Was Lookin' For a Soul to Steal."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  "Children left unattended will be towed at parents expense."

"The Devil Went Down to Georgia"

Music Deaths: Member of the Critters and Later the Four Seasons

DON CICCONE, 71.  Died October 8, 2016.

Original member of the Critters and later a member of the Four Seasons.  Born Plainfield, New Jersey.  Joined local group called Vibratones who later changed their name to the Critters.  Had a hit with "Younger Girl" (#42-1966) written by John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful.

Their biggest hit, "Mr. Dieingly Sad," came the same year, going to #17.  Also had hits with "Bad Misunderstanding" (#55-1966) and "Don't Let the Rain Fall Down on Me" (#38-1967).

The band broke up in 1967 and he enlisted in the Air Force.  Two years later he was invited to join the Four Seasons where he played guitar and sang on "Who Loves You" (#3-1975 and "December, 1963" (#!-1976).  he left them in 1981 and became a successful jingle writer.

WDRV's A to Z Halloween Spooktacular-- Part 1: "Bad Moon Rising"

Chicago's WDRV yesterday played solid Halloween-related tunes from noon to 7:30.  Now, that all my Halloween lights and stuff are down and I have some sort of game to watch in a short time, I'll scare you, too.

All sorts of creepy things to frighten the weak of heart.

ABRACADABRA--  Steve Miller Band
BACK IN BLACK--  AC/DC
BAD MOON RISING--  CCR

BATTLE OF EVERMORE--  Led Zeppelin
BEAST OF BURDEN--  Rolling Stones
BLACK DOG--  Led Zeppelin

BLACK FRIDAY--  Steely Dan
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN/GYPSEY QUEEN--  Santana
BLOODY WELL RIGHT--  Supertramp

BORIS THE SPIDER--  Who
CAT SCRATCH FEVER--  Ted Nugent
CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN--  Guess Who

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Got Me So Blind I Can't See."  RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Seen in a health food store:  "Shoplifters will be beaten over the head with an organic carrot.

"Black Magic Woman"

Music Deaths: Member of the Dixie Cups

JOAN MARIE JOHNSON (FAUST), 72  Died October 7, 2016.

With her cousins Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins, formed the trio Dixie Cups.  They formed to compete in their high school talent contest in 1863, as the Mel-Tones.

Their biggest hit was "Chapel of Love" (#1-1964).  Also had hits with "People Say" (#12-1964) and "Iko Iko" (#20-1965).

Music Deaths: Songwriter and Keyboardist for Heatwave

ROD TEMPLETON, 68.  Died October 5, 2016.

Songwriter and keyboardist for Heatwave.  Wrote their hits "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever."  he also wrote Michael Jackson's hit "Thriller".

Other Jackson hits written by him were "Off the Wall" and "Rock With You."

Other songs he wrote:

Give Me the Night for George Benson
Sweet Freedom for Michael McDonald
Baby Come to Me for Patti Austin and James Ingram