Music to Get Snowed in By Back in '67-- Part 3: "Snowin' Too Hard" or, "Pushin' Too Hard"

The nice things was that it had quit snowing by January 29, 1967.

TAX MAN--  Beatles
TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS--  Beatles
GOOD THING--  Paul Revere &  the Raiders

HOW DO YOU CATCH A GIRL--  Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH--  Buffalo Springfield  (You know, that group with Stephen and Neil.)
SIT DOWN I THINK I LOVE YOU--  Buffalo Springfield

RUBY TUESDAY--  Rolling Stones
I'VE PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE--  Jimmy Ruffin  (Probably one of the best-ever soul songs in my humble opinion.  When I listen to it, it tends to be for many times.)
I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW--  Tommy James & the Shondells

PUSHIN' TOO HARD--  Seeds
LOVIN' YOU--  Lovin' Spoonful  (This was oh the WLS charts by Bobby Darrin.)
HELLO HELLO--  Sopwith Camel

(WE AIN'T GOT) NOTHIN' YET--  Blues Magoos  (As good as psychedelic rock gets.)
TOBACCO ROAD--  Blues Magoos

SHE--  Monkees
LOOK OUT HERE COMES TOMORROW--  Monkees  (For some reason these guys were really HOT back then.)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Children Behave, That's What They Say When We're Together."  Answer Below)--  RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.

"I Think We're Alone Now"

Music to Get Snowed in By, the Blizzard of '67-- Part 2: "Snowing in the Street", or, "Dancing in the Street"

BREAK ON THROUGH--  Doors  (That snow drift!!)
LIGHT MY FIRE--  Doors

WORDS OF LOVE--  Mamas & Papas
DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas & Papas

LOVE IS HERE--  Supremes
NO FAIR AT ALL--  Association
HAPPY TOGETHER--  Turtles

LOVE YOU SO MICH--  New Colony Six
I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM LAST NIGHT--  Electric Prunes  (Was there ever a better name for a psychedelic group?)
SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen  (Was Snoopy flying a Sopwith Camel?)

LONELY TOO LONG--  Young Rascals
SEASON OF THE WITCH--  Donovan
PRETTY BALLERINA--  Left Banke

(I'M NOT YOUR) STEPPIN' STONE--  Monkees   (Some more Monkees?)
I'M A BELIEVER--  Monkees

Name That Tune (from above):  "Imagine me and You."  Answer Below.  --RoadDog



"Happy Together"

Music to Get Snowed In By Back in 1967-- Part 1: "The Snow Goes On" or, Well, "The Beat Goes On"

Yesterday, January 29, 2017, Bob Stroud went back to January 29, 1967, and played the music we'd be
listening to on WLS and WCFL during Chicago's Blizzard of 1967.  This was must-listen to  music for me.  It sure brought back memories of all those snow drifts (which, joy of joy, I didn't have to shovel because of my 'rasslin' injury back in December.

LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER--  Rolling Stones  (Obviously not played too much on the radio back then.
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE--  Four Tops
THE BEAT GOES ON--  Sonny & Cher

I'VE GOT TO HAVE A REASON--  Dave Clark Five
SCARBOROUGH FAIR/CANTICLE--  Simon & Garfunkel  (Or do you call it "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.")
TELL IT TO THE RAIN--  Four Seasons

GIMME GOOD LOVIN'--  Spencer Davis Group
I'M SO GLAD--  Cream  (Way before I had heard of them.  I can remember most of the words for some reason.)
YOU GOT TO ME--  Neil Diamond

TELL IT LIKE IT IS--  Aaron Neville
KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams
DAYTRIPPER--  Otis Redding   (Otis puts the soul spin on the Beatles.)

LET'S GET TOGETHER--  Jefferson Airplane
(THEME FROM) THE MONKEES--  Monkees  (Based on you-know-who.  How many of you think the title is "Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees"?)
PAPA JEAN'S BLUES--  Monkees

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Here We Come, Walking Down Your Street."  Answer below.--RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You're the employee of the month at the local coffee house and you don't even work there.  As I get ready for my second cup o' joe.

"(Theme From) The Monkees"

Last Weekend, January 20-22, 2017: 1050 Miles, Chili, and Packers

JANUARY 20, FRIDAY

A day spent on the road.  Left Goldsboro and encountered rain all the way through North Carolina.  Stopped in Mt. Airy (Mayberry) for my porkchop sandwich fix at Snappy Lunch and was smart enough not to try to eat the whole thing.  Then Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.  Unbelievably warm for January, with temps in the 60s the whole way.  Spent the night at the Motel 6 in Richmond, Indiana.

JANUARY 21,  SATURDAY

Drove 415 miles through Indiana and Illinois to home.  Temps in the 50s the whole way.  Then went to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion for the chili cookoff and there was an entertainer.  Later went to Sunnyside Tap.

JANUARY 22,  SUNDAY

Spent the afternoon at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg and saw the Green Bay Packers closely resemble Da Bears in their ineptness.  Was that Aaron Rodgers or Jay Cutler out there?  But, we had a great time with the crowd, which included quite a few Packer fans.

Drivin' and Cryin'.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You spend every vacation visiting "Maxwell House."

The Chicago Blizzard of '67-- Part 2: No Shoveling for Me

This snowstorm really caught Chicago by surprise.  The days leading up to it were unseasonably warm, topping out at 65 degrees the Tuesday, January 24.  A whole lot of people got into a spring fever mode.

Then came Thursday, January 26.  Forecasts called for four inches of snow.  The first flakes came down at 5:02 a.m..  It soon got up to that four inches...but didn't stop.  It continued for 29 hours, ending at 10:10 a.m. Friday January 27.

Even though Chicago expects snow during the winter, this overwhelmed everything.  Chicago and surrounding suburbs, including where we lived in Palatine, snowed to a halt.  Schools were called off.  Kids rejoiced.

Not only was there fun to be had out in that snow, but a great possibility of earning some extra spending money shoveling.  Remember, this was in the days before snowblowers and parents weren't afraid to put their kids to work.

However, I was unable to go outside or earn extra money as I was laid up with a broken leg (a wrestling injury back in December).  All I could do was continue practicing with my hockey game (those with the spindles attached to players that you moved up and down the rink).

But, I sure did enjoy watching my brother Bob putting on his snow gear to do some shoveling.  I couldn't help but smile.  To this day, he swears that I broke my leg on purpose to get out of shoveling this snow.''

A Real Snow Job.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for January 27, 1967: "Kind of a Drag"

Fifty years ago, right in the middle of Chicago's Blizzard of '67, these were the hottest hits on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.

1.  I'M A BELIEVER / STEPPING' STONE--  Monkees   I'm a Believer That Too Much Snow Will Fall.
2.  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH--  New Colony Six  (Chicago band)
3.  GEORGY GIRL--  Seekers

4.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen
5.  PUSHIN' TOO HARD--  Seeds
6.  NOTHIN' YET--  Blues Magoos
7.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams  (Chicago group)

8.  WORDS OF LOVE / DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas and Papas
9.  I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM--  Electric Prunes  (How's that for a great psychedelic name?)
10.  98.6--  Keith

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "All I Want Is To Just Be Free, Live My Life The Way I Want To Be."  (answer below)--RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You lick the coffeepot clean.

"Pushin' Too Hard"

It REALLY Started Snowing 50 Years Ago Today, January 26, 1967-- Part 1: The Chicago Blizzard of '67

From the January 25, 2017, Chicago Tribune ""Blizzard of '67's record unbroken" by Nereida Moreno.

Thousands of people were stranded in offices, schools and factories as well as on the roads and streets.  About 50,000 vehicles and 800 CTA buses were abandoned.  It was the biggest disruption of commerce and transportation since the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.  Not only was there a real lot of snow, some 23 inches, but winds howled up some even bigger drifts of snow.

To kids, it was a more of a holiday with schools being called off.  There was fun to be had, including jumping off second floor roofs into massive piles of snow.

Sadly, in these days before snowblowers and parents who wouldn't send their kids out to shovel, our parents back then believed shoveling all that snow built stamina and good character.

Dig Me Out.  --RoadDog

Movie Scratches for 2017: Rogue-- Creed-- Sing-- Moana

This is a list of movies that I saw at the theater during the year.

A bit hard to see movies this January because of school being off and being on a trip to North Carolina.

The number of the movie, name, date seen, where I saw it, price and then a really short summary of it.

1.  ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY--  1-3-- Round Lake Beach, $6--  Or, Star Wars One, now #4, revisited.  telling the events leading up to the very first episode.  (I didn't know that.)

2.  ASSASSIN'S CREED--  1-5--  Fox Lake, $6--  Turns out that Christopher Columbus had the Eden Apple all along.  That Chris!!

3.  SING--  1-9--  Fox Lake, $6--  How to wreck a perfectly good heater.  Let the boy sing.  He's not cut out for a life of crime.

4.  MOANA--  1-9--  Fox Lake, $6--  Guess it was "Mo- ana" not "Mona-a."  What, no Haka?

Too Many Kids Seeing Movies on School Holidays.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using a timer.

Holy Replica! Life-size Lego Batmobile

From the January 18, 2015, USA Today by Detroit Free Press.

Chevy unveils vehicle inspired by upcoming movie.  I saw previews of the Batmobile Chevy commercial at the movie theater yesterday.  Talk about your ultimate tie-in between Chevrolet and the movie which is soon-to-be --released in a theater near you.  The movie is "The Lego Batman Movie."  It looks to be a hoot and I am thinking of seeing it.

Designed and assembled by Lego master builders in Enfield, Connecticut, it took 344,187 Lego bricks and 1,833 hours to build it.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Debbie Reynolds

DEBBIE REYNOLDS, 84.  Died December 28, 2011.

Died one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher died.  Was married to Carrie's father, pop star Eddie Fisher.  Carrie was also once wife of singer Paul Simon.

Had hits with songs "Tammy" (#1-1957) from the movie "Tammy and the Bachelor."

Other hits of hers:  "A Very Special Love" (#20-1958), "Am I That Easy to Forget" (#25-1961), also "Aba Daba Honeymoon" (#3-1951).

Movies include "Singing in the Rain," "The Unsinkable Molly Brown, "How the West Was Won" and "The Singing Nun."

Music Deaths: Alexander "Al" Caiola, Legendary Studio Guitarist

ALEXANDER "AL" CAIOLA, 96.  Died November 9, 2016.

Legendary guitarist.  One of the top New York studio musicians of the 1950s and 1960s.

Played on:

 "Diana" and "Put Your Hand On My Shoulder" for Paul Anka
"Theme for 'A Summer Place'" for Percy Faith
"Mack the Knife" and "Dream Lover" for Bobby Darrin

"Calendar Girl" for Neil Sedaka
"Chances Are" for Johnny Mathis
"Mrs. Robinson" for Simon & Garfunkel

"It Doesn't Matter Anymore" for Buddy Holly

And these are just a fraction of the songs he played on.

Recording by himself, he charted with the TV Theme for "Bonanza (#19-1961) and the movie theme "Magnificent Seven" (#35-1966)

Recorded over 50 albums and on hundreds of commercial jingles.

Music Deaths: Leon Russell

LEON RUSSELL, 74.  Died November 13, 2016.

Real name Claude Brides.  Played in groups with David Gates of Bread and J.J. Cale.  Studio Musician in Los Angeles.  Co-wrote "Everybody Loves a Clown" and "She's Just My Style" as well as played on songs for Gary Lewis & the Playboys.

Also played on Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Herb Alpert, Frank Sinatra, Byrds and others.  Was a member of Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen and George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh.

Wrote "Delta Lady" for Joe Cocker, "Superstar" for the Carpenters and "This Masquerade" for George Benson.

Had eleven top 100s.  His biggest hit was "Tightrope" (#11-1972), "Back to the Island" (#53-1976). and "Lady Blue" (#14-1975).

I personally really liked his HankWilson album which was him doing country songs.

Beware of Mattrephobia and Mattrecide

One thing I can surely tell  you about dealing with used mattresses in the state of North Carolina.  DON'T!!!!

There is a severe case of Mattrephobia permeating the state.  That would be fear of all things pertaining to used mattresses.  That is illegal.  That is no organization like Goodwill or Salvation Army that will take them.

And, then there is the clear threat of Mattrecide, the perceived belief that even touching a used mattress could lead to a sudden and painful death.

Perhaps some people have over reacted to the bedbug crisis?

I Know I Don't Want The Critters, But Gee Whiz, Don't Go Overboard.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  The only time you're standing still is during an earthquake.

Just Got Back

I arrived back home yesterday, January 21st, after a ten day trip to North Carolina to clean out Mom's condo at Topsail Beach.  I tell you, at age 65, I am getting too old to do that much moving.

Picked up my nephew Andy at RDU Airport and drove to the beach where I met my brother Bob and later my sister Julie and Ed met us.  We spent Friday night and all day Saturday clearing the place out and took two loads of stuff to the consignment shop in Holly Ridge.

Monday and Tuesday I spent at Carolina Beach and enjoyed Fort Fisher for a good long while on Tuesday.  I then spent Wednesday and Thursday at Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for January 20, 1967: "I Love You So Much"

1.  I'M A BELIEVER / STEPPIN' STONE--  Monkees
2.  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH--  New Colony Six
3.  GEORGY GIRL--  Seekers

4.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen
5.  PUSHIN' TOO HARD--  seeds
6.  NOTHIN' YET--  Blues Magoos
7.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams

8.  WORDS OF LOVE / DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas & Papas
9.  I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM--  Electric Prunes
10.  98.6--   Keith

Name That Tune (from above):  "Calling Out Around the World."  --RoadDog


"Dancing In the Street"

WLS Top 40 Survey for January 13, 1967-- Part 6: "Mellow Yellow"

10.  EAST-WEST--  Herman's Hermits
9.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra
8.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan

7.  GEORGY GIRL--  Seekers
6.  LOVE YOU SO MUCH--  New Colony Six  A Chicago group.
5.  WORDS OF LOVE / DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas & Papas
4.  GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders

3.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams   Another Chicago group.
2.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen
1.  I'M A BELIEVER / STEPPIN' STONE--  Monkees

Name That Tune (from above):  "Oh, Oh, Listen To What I Gotta Say."  --RoadDog



"Kind of a Drag"

WLS Top 40 Survey for January 13, 1967-- Part 5: "Tell It Like It Is"

Number after group is highest Billboard position.

20.  KNIGHT IN RUSTY ARMOR--  Peter & Gordon  #15.  Follow up to "Lady Godiva."
19.  GRIZZLY BEAR--  Youngbloods  #52   Folk Rock group from New York City.
18.  NEW WINTER DAY--  Tommy Roe  #23  Actual title "It's Now Winters Day."  Follow up to "Hooray for Hazel."

17.  TELL IT LIKE IT IS--  Aaron Neville
16.  NOTHIN' YET--  Blues Magoos  (We Ain't Got)  #5  Biggest hit of 4 Top 100s. From Tampa, Florida.
15.  98.6--  Keith
14.  JUST ONE SMILE--  Gene Pitney   #66  From Hartford, Connecticut.

13.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder
12.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
11.  STANDING IN THE SHADOWS--  Four Tops

Name That Tune (from above):  "One Day You're Up and the Next Day You're Down."  --RoadDog


"(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet"

WLS Top 40 Survey for January 13, 1967-- Part 4: "Where Will the Words Come From"

The number after the group name is the highest Billboard chart position.

25.  PUSHIN' TOO HARD--  Seeds   #36.  I would have thought it would be higher than this.

24.  WHERE WILL THE WORDS COME FROM--    Gary Lewis     #21   Had 15 Top 100 songs. His first seven songs all were Top Ten, including 1965's #1 "This Diamond Ring."  I didn't remember ever hearing this one.

23.  I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM--  Electric Prunes   #11.  Their biggest hit out of just two songs that charted on Billboard.  How many of you thought they said, "I Had Too Much to Drink Last  Night"?

22.  ALL--  James Darren   #35  From the movie "Run for Your Wife."    From Philadelphia.

21.  COMING HOME SOLDIER--  Bobby Vinton   #11.  Mr. Stanley Robert Vinton.  I'd never heard this one before.

Name That Tune (from above):  "Last Night Your Shadow Fell Upon My Lonely Room."  --RoadDog


"I Had Too Much to Dream"

WLS Top 40 Survey for January 13, 1967-- Part 3: "Tell It to the Rain"

The number after the group refers to the highest it got on the national Billboard charts.

30.  GIMME SOME LOVIN'-- Spencer Davis Group   #7.  Their biggest hit of five songs that charted.  from Birmingham, England.

29.  TELL IT TO THE RAIN--  4 Seasons  #10

28.  NASHVILLE CATS--  Lovin' Spoonful   #8.  Their last Top Ten.

27.  GIRL WATCHER'S THEME--  Bob Crewe Generation   #15.  Side project.  Bob Crewe wrote and produced most of the 4 Seasons hits.  Also wrote the song "Silhouettes."

26.  CAN'T YOU SEE--  Flock    Did not chart.  WLS backing another Chicago group.

Name That Tune (from above):  "Well there's Thirteen Hundred and Fifty Two Pickers."  --RoadDog



"Nashville Cats"

About New Year's-- Part 2: Bowls, Parades and Da Hawks

Sunday, January 1st.

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for the Bears game, but it was so sad watching them, we left at half time and went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and saw the rest of it. It didn't get any better with a 38-10 loss.  Bears ended up 3-13, one of the worst years ever.

We came home after that to drown our Bear Sorrows.

Monday, January 2

Strange having the Rose Bowl Parade and big bowl games on January 2nd instead of the 1st.

Watched the parade, then went to Sunnyside and watched Da Hawks play the NHL Winter Classic outside in St. Louis at Busch Stadium.  Sadly, the Blackhawks lost 4-1.

Also watched the Wisconsin-Western Michigan game at the Cotton Bowl.  Western Michigan gave them a good game, but lost.  Also sad for us MAC fans, I'm sure the Western Michigan coach, former NIU player P.J. Fleck, coached his last game for them.  He'll be out of there for sure.

Watched the Rose Bowl there for awhile and then at home in Margaritaville.  One of the best games I've ever seen, even if my team, Penn State, lost on a field goal in the final second.  Lots of action with a final 52-49 score.

--RoadDog

About New Year's-- Part 1: Managed to Stay Up To Midnight This Year!!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30  Went to the Route 12 Bar and Grill on US-12, Rand Road, in Spring Grove/Fox Lake for those delicious burgers, then met up with Kevin and Kelly at the Legion where Liz won the 50-50.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31

Another years comes and goes REAL FAST.  Went to the Legion for their New Year's Afternoon celebration, but it was already too crowded.  Met Kelly and Kevin and then drove over to Sunnyside and watched LSU defeat Louisville.  Then went to Hello Folks in Fox Lake, but it was too crowded also.

We then went to Kevin and Kelly's Place By the Lake and enjoyed some home brew.  We went back to the Legion in time for the 4:30 happy New year's toast.  Then went to Sunnyside to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Went home and even managed to stay up to midnight in our downstairs bar, Margaritaville, est. 1993.  Lots of fireworks in the subdivision.

And a Happy New One to You.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1967-- Part 2: "Look What You've Done"

The number behind the performer is the top Billbard ranking.

35.  LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE--  Pozo Seco Singers  #32  A Texas trio featuring country singer Don Williams.

34.  COLOR MY WORLD--  Petula Clark   #16  Sure enjoyed listening to it, especially the refrain.  Great video of her.

33.  I'VE GOT TO HAVE A REASON--  Dave Clark Five  #44   All 1:57 of it.  On Ed Sullivan Show back on March 1964.

32.  WACK WACK--  Young-Holt Trio  #40  Chicago instrumental soul group.

31.  WILD THING--  Senator Bobby K  #20   Also listed as Senator Bobby.  A comedy troupe does its impression of Senator Bobby Kennedy singing the Trogg's hit.

Name That Tune (from above):  "You'll Never See a Dark Cloud Hanging 'Round Me."  --RoadDog


"Color My World"

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 2017-- Part 1: "Green Green Grass of Home"

These songs were in Chicago's Top 40 on WLS 890 AM radio fifty years ago.

The number appearing after the performers' name is its top ranking on Billboard.  If you don't recognize the song title, you can find them on You Tube.  I had never heard of #40 and #39.

40.  THAT'S THE TUNE--  Vogues    #99.  The Pride and Joy of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.  Sure sounded a lot like the Four Tops' "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch."

39.  WISH ME A RAINBOW--  Gunter Kallman Chorus  #63  From Germany but sung in English.  Their only Top 100.  My parents would have loved this song.

38.  I'VE PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE--  Jimmy Ruffin   #17.  Brother of the Temptations' David Ruffin.  So good, I had to listen to it over and over again, many,many times.

37.  GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME--  Tom Jones  #11  Mr. Thomas Jones Woodward of Wales.

36.  THEN YOU CAN TELL ME GOODBYE--   Casinos  #6  Biggest of two hits for the Cincinnati group.

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "The Old Town Looks the Same."  --RoadDog



"Green Green Grass of Home"

Gone But Not Forgotten 2016-- Part 1: "Trying to Live My Life Without You"

These were songs that Bob Stroud played on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM yesterday on his annual Gone But Not Forgotten Show.

BEND ME SHAPE ME--  American Breed    Death of leader Gary Loizzo.
ALL THE WAY FROM MEMPHIS--  Mott the Hoople   Death of drummer Dale BuffinGriffin
HEARTBREAK HOTEL--  Elvis Presley    Death of Scottie Moore.

TRYING TO LIVE MY LIFE WITHOUT YOU--  Otis Clay
WHAT IS HIP--  Rower of Power   Death of Mick Gillette
RIDE THE TIGER--  Jefferson Starship    Deaths of Paul Kantner and Signe Anderson

--Name That Tune (from above):  "Well, Since My baby Left Me."  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.

"Heartbreak Hotel"

Pope Francis, Cubs Fan?

From the November 16, 2016, Chicago Tribune.

Pope Francis received a Cubs cap and an encased baseball, gifts from Chicago Archbishop (now Cardinal) Blase Cupich.

--RoadDog

Ten At Ten: Gone But Not Forgotten 2016

Yesterday, Bob Stroud had his Ten at Ten on a tribute to some of the musicians we lost last year.

LUCKY MAN--  Emerson, Lake & Palmer    Deaths of Greg Lake and Keith Emerson
COUNT ON ME--  Jefferson Starship    Deaths of Paul Kantner and original singer Signe Anderson.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA--  Eagles
SMUGGLER'S BLUES--  Glenn Frey

TIGHTROPE--  Leon Russell
SOMETHING IN THE AIR--  Andy "Thunderclap" Newman

SUFFRAGETTE CITY--  David Bowie
ZIGGY STARDUST--  David Bowie

SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND (REPRISE)--  Beatles
A DAY IN THE LIFE--  Beatles     Death of the Fifth Beatle, George Martin

PURPLE RAIN--  Prince

Tomorrow, Sunday January 8, Bob Stroud will devote his whole Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM from 7 to 10 a.m. CST to thosewho died last year.  Well worth a listen.

Gone But Not Forgotten.  --RoadDog

Music Deaths: Leonard Cohen

LEONARD COHEN, 82.  Died November 10, 2016.

Singer and songwriter.  Wrote novels and books of poetry.  Met Judy Collins in New York and had one of his poem's, "Suzanne" set to music in 1966

None of his singles ever charted and none of his albums ever got higher than #69.

But, he had a huge influence on singers and songwriters.  Elected Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

Actually, I wasn't too impressed with him and just look at some of the people who are not in that hall of fame.

WLS Top Ten for January 6, 1967: ""I'm a Believer"

1.  I'M A BELIEVER / STEPPIN' STONE--  Monkees
2.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen
3.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams    Chicago's own.

4.  GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders   Always wanted me one of those neat uniforms.
5.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
6.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan
7.  WORDS OF LOVE / DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas & Papas

8. SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra
9.  EAST-WEST--  Herman's Hermits  Still hanging around with that british Invasion 1964 thing.
10.  JUST ONE SMILE--  Gene Pitney

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Seems the World's Got You Down." (Answer below)  --RoadDog

From the October 2016 Wassup magazine.

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.


"Good Thing"

Gone But Not Forgotten: Those Musicians We Lost in 2016

All year I've been keeping track of the ever-increasing number of musicians who died.  It sure was a lot.  You can see the whole list by hitting on the Music Deaths 2016 label.

I am currently listing some 138 who died in my Cooter's History Thing Blog.  I wrote about many of them here already.

Plus, today, Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's Drive, 97.1 FM, was a preview of his three-hour-long Rock and Roll Roots show this Sunday from 7 to 10 a.m..  The Ten at Ten will be repeated at 10 p.m. tonight CST.

Both shows stream at www.wdrv.com.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Ralph Johnson and Jim Lowe

RALPH JOHNSON, 63.  Died December 4, 2016.

Member of the Impressions 1973-1976 and 1983-2000.  Sang on "Finally Got Myself Together" (#17 Pop, #1 R&B-1974 and "Sooner or Later" (#65 Pop, #3 R&B-1975).

JIM LOWE, 93.  Died December 12, 2016.

New York disc jockey.  recorded "Green Door" (#1-1956) "Close the Door" (#27-1955) and "Four Walls (#15-1959).

Music Deaths: Greg Lake

GREG LAKE, 69.  Died December 7, 2016.

Guitarist with King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.  Helped form King Crimson whose biggest hit was their album Court of the Crimson King.  left after their second album.

Approached by Keith Emerson to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer along with Carl Palmer.  They were primarily album-oriented.  Two of their biggest were  Pictures on Exhibition and Brain Salad Surgery.

They charted four times with singles and two biggest, and one of my all-time favorites "Lucky Man" (#48 in 1971, #51-1972) and "From the Beginning" (#39-1972).

He produced most of their material and also had a solo hit with "I Believe in Father Christmas."

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 18: "Young Americans"

The A to Z ended sometime around 9:45 p.m.yesterday.  These are the last songs they played.   Do you have an idea what the last song might be?

YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND--  James Taylor
YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING--  Judas Priest
YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY--  Beatles

YOU'VE MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY--  Blood Sweat & Tears
YOUNG AMERICANS--  David Bowie
YOUNG TURKS--  Rod Stewart

YOUR GOLD TEETH--  Steely Dan
EMPTY SPACES /  YOUNG LUST--  Pink Floyd
YOUR LOVE--  Outfield

YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW--  Beatles
YOUR SONG--  Elton John
YOUR TIME IS GONNA COME--  Led Zeppelin

YOU'RE GONNA LOSE THAT GIRL--  Beatles
YOU'RE IN MY HEART--  Rod Stewart
YOURS IS NO DISGRACE--  Yes

ZIGGY STARDUST--  David Bowie  The Last Song.  Started almost 2,000 songs ago.

Name That Tune (from above):  "Here I Stand Head In Hand, Turn My Face to the Wall."  --RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  I am offended by repeat violent criminals being released back into society again.  How about have them live next door to the judge who let them out for at least a year first?

"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away."

Music Deaths: George Michael

GEORGE MICHAEL, 53.  Died December 25, 2016.

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.  With the duo Wham and on his own had 19 Top Tens between 1984 and 1992, including four #1s with Wham and six #1s solo.

A Big Surprise.

Music Deaths: Member of Status Quo

RICK PARFITT  Died December 24, 2016.

Guitarist with Status Quo who charted 22 Top Ten tunes in U.K. in the 1960s.

They had two Top 100s in the U.S. in 1968.  "Ice in the Sun" (#70) and their biggie, "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (#12).

I really liked "Pictures of Matchstick Men."  If that was Mr. Parfitt on the opening licks ... WOW!!

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 17: "We're An American Band"

Try to find a 15 song group of songs without a Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd song?  Sometimes even both.  The Drive sure plays a lot of Floyd and Zep.

WASTED TIME--  Eagles
WATCHING THE WHEELS--  John Lennon
THE WAY IT IS--  Bruce Hornsby

Guess the "We" performers.  Answers Below.

WE BELONG--
WE CAN WORK IT OUT--
WE GOTTA GET YOU A WOMAN--
WE JUST DISAGREE--
WE WILL ROCK YOU--

WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND--  Grand Funk
WE'RE GONNA GROOVE--  Led Zeppelin
WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT--  Who

WE'VE GOT TONIGHT--  Bob Seger & Silver Bullet Band
THE WEIGHT--  Band
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE--  Guns N' Roses

WELCOME TO THE MACHINE--  Pink Floyd
WEREWOLVES OF LONDON--  Warren Zevon

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "I Pulled Into Nazareth, I Was Feelin' About Half Past Dead."  RoadDog

"WE" songs:

Pat Benatar
Beatles
Todd Rundgren (Runt)
Dave Mason
Queen

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 16 "Waiting for a Friend"

January 4, 2016.

WDRV expects to possibly finish their semiannual music marathon today.  It started December 26, 2016 and is still going as I type this.

THE WAITING--  Tom Petty & Heartbreakers
WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU--  Foreigner
WAITiNG FOR A FRIEND--  Rolling Stones

WALK AWAY--  James Gang
WALK OF LIFE--  Dire Straits
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE--  Lou reed

WALK THIS WAY-- Aerosmith
WALKING ON THE MOON--  Police
THE WALL--  Kansas

WALL MEDLEY--  Pink Floyd
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE--  Bon Jovi
THE WANTON SONG--  Led Zeppelin

WAR--  Edwin Starr
THE WARRIOR--  Scandal
THE WASP (TEXAS RADIO)--  Doors
WASTED ON THE WAY--  Crosby, Stills & Nash

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oh No -- There's Got To be a Better Way."  --RoadDog



"War"

2016 a Rough Year for Music Folks

The year 2016 proved to be a rough one in the music community.  We sure lost a lot of people.  I have been covering these deaths throughout the year in this blog.

Yahoo! Music was keeping a list throughout the year and I will be listing these deaths starting today in my Cooter's History Thing Blog.

Check It Out.  --RoadDog

JSS: Sad Bears Over-- Cotton Bowl-- Rose Bowl

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  SAD BEARS OVER--  The 2016 Chicago Bears season mercifully came to an end Saturday with a 38-10 blowout by Minnesota.  Season record 3-13.  But, at least we get the third round draft choice which hopefully is a quarterback.

Now the problem is whether or not the Bears can pick a good one.  And that is highly questionable.

As Ralphie's Old Man said, "More like the Chipmunks of the Midway."

2.  COTTON BOWL--  Yesterday we watched the Hawks hockey game and this game at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg, Illinois.  Normally, I would have been pulling for Wisconsin, one of my favorite college teams.  But, not when they were playing MAC school, Western Michigan.

Unfortunately, despite playing a great game, the Mustangs lost by a touchdown.  Even sadder, I imagine it won't be long before WMU is looking for a new coach.  Whenever I coach has success in the MAC, the next thing you know, one of the Power 5 conferences gets him.

NIU's last two coaches, Jerry Kill and Dave Doreen, went to Minnesota and North Carolina State respectively after winning seasons.  And, the coach of WMU, P.J. Fleck, was a stand-out receiver at NIU.

3.  ROSE BOWL--  Anyone think this was not one of the greatest games ever?  I was pulling for Penn State, but, WOW!!  Losses aren't easy, but, again, what a game with USC winning 52-49.

JSS.  --RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  I am offended by anyone who messes with the American Flag.  Symbol or not.  You don't like it -- there's the border.

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 15: "Stone Free"

January 3, 2017.

STAY UP LATE--  Talking Heads
STAY WITH ME--  Rod Stewart
STEALIN'--  Uriah Heep
STEPPIN' OUT--  Joe Jackson

Name the performers of the "Still" songs.

STILL THE ONE--
STILL THE SAME--
STILL THEY RIDE--
STILL YOU TURN ME ON--

STONE FREE--  Jimi Hendrix
STONE IN LOVE--  Journey
STOP DRAGGING MY HEART AROUND--  Stevie Nicks
THE STORY IN YOUR EYES--  Moody Blues

STRAIGHT ON--  Heart
STRANGE BREW--  Cream
STRANGE DAYS--  Doors

Name That Tune (from the above):  " Baby You'll Come Knockin' At My Front Door."  RoadDog



"Stop Dragging My Heart Around"

Answers to the "Still" songs

Orleans
Bob Seger
Journey
Emerson Lake & Palmer

WDRV's End Year A to Z-- Part 14: "Stairway to Heaven"

From January 3, 2017.

Now in the letter "S".

THE SPIRIT OF RADIO--  Rush
SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD--  Police
SPLIT DECISION--  Steve Winwood

SPOOKY--  Atlanta Rhythm Section
SQUEEZE BOX--  Who
SQUONK--  Genesis

ST. ELMO'S FIRE--  John Parr
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN--  Led Zeppelin
THE STAKE--  Steve Miller Band

STAND BACK--  Stevie Nicks
STARRIDER--  Foreigner
STARSHIP TROOPER--  Yes

START ME UP--  Rolling Stones
STATESBORO BLUES--  Allman Brothers
STAY IN TIME--  Off Broadway

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Daddy Never Sleeps At Night."  --RoadDog

It's a History Thing, You Wouldn't Understand

From the December 29, 2016, Shoe comic strip.

Skyler is seen taking a test.

1.  At desk, looking at the test paper which reads:  "Who said, 'Let them eat cake?'"

2.  Skyler is thinking.

3.  Now writing his answer:  "Betty Crocker."

--RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  I am offended by television commercials for medications.  They make people look like complete idiots for wanting to take an anti-depressant that may cause suicidal thoughts.  How about we ban them just like cigarette commercials.

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016: "Rock and Roll All Night"

January 2, 2017.

And, here's a chance for you to guess who performed it.

ROADHOUSE BLUES--  Doors
ROCK AND A HARD PLACE--  Rolling Stones
ROCK AND ROLL--  Led Zeppelin
ROCK & ROLL--  Velvet Underground

Guess who sang these songs:

ROCK AND ROLL AIN'T NOISE POLLUTION--
ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT--
ROCK AND ROLL BAND--

ROCK AND ROLL GIRLS--
ROCK AND ROLL, HOOCHIE COO--
ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC--

ROCK AND ROLL NEVER FORGETS--
ROCK AND ROLL SHOW--
ROCK AND ROLL WOMAN--

ROCK CANDY--  Montross
R.O.C.K. IN THE U.S.A.--  John Mellancamp

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Any Old Way You Choose It."  --RoadDog


"Rock and Roll Music"

Answers:

AC/Dc
Kiss
Boston

John Fogerty
Rick Derringer
Beatles

Bob Seger
Traffic
Buffalo Springfield

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 13: "Revolution"

From January 2, 2017.

REVOLUTION--  Beatles
REVOLUTION #9--  Beatles
RICH GIRL--  Hall & Oates

RIDE CAPTAIN RIDE--  Blues Image
RIDE LIKE THE WIND--  Christopher Cross
RIDE MY SEE-SAW--  Moody Blues

RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors
RIDIN' THE STORM OUT (LIVE)--  REO Speedwagon
RIGHT DOWN THE LINE--  Gerry Rafferty

RIGHT NOW--  Van Halen
RIGHT PLACE, WRONG TIME--  Dr. John
RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER--  Steely Dan

RIP THIS JOINT--  Rolling Stones
RIVER--  Joni Mitchell
ROAD TO NOWHERE-- Talking Heads

Name That Tune (from above):  "Into This House We're Born.  Into This World We're Thrown."  --RoadDog


"Riders On the Storm"

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 12: "Please Come to Boston"

January 1, 2017.

PIGS (THREE DIFFERENT ONES)--  Pink Floyd
PINBALL WIZARD--  Who
PINK CADILLAC--  Bruce Springsteen

PINK HOUSES--  John Mellancamp
PLAY GUITAR--  John Mellancamp
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC--  Wild Cherry

PLEASE COME TO BOSTON--  Dave Loggins
PLEASE PLEASE ME--  Beatles
PLUSH--  Stone Temple Pilots

POINT BLANK--  Bruce Springsteen
POINT OF KNOW RETURN--  Kansas
POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Last Night I Said These Words to My Girl."  --RoadDog



"Please Please Me"

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 11: "Penny Lane"

January 1, 2017.

PEACEFUL EASY FEELING--  Eagles
PEARL NECKLACE--  ZZ Top
PEARL OF THE QUARTER--  Steely Dan

PEG--  Steely Dan
PENNY LANE--  Beatles
PEOPLE ARE STRANGE--  Doors

PEOPLE GET READY-- Rod Stewart
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM--  Elton John
PHOTOGRAPH--  Def Leppard

PIANO MAN--  Billy Joel
PICK UP THE PIECES--  Average White Band
PIECE OF MY HEART--  Janis Joplin

Name That Tune (From the Above):  "It's Nine O'clock On a Saturday."  --RoadDog



"Piano Man"

WDRV's End Year A to Z 2016-- Part 10: "My Cherie Amour"

December 31, 2016.

MRS. ROBINSON--  Simon & Garfunkel
MURDER BY NUMBERS--  Police
MUST HAVE GOT LOST (LIVE)--  J. Geils Band

MUSTANG SALLY--  Wilson Pickett
MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL--  Cars
MY CHERIE AMOUR--  Stevie Wonder

MY CITY WAS GONE--  Pretenders
MY GENERATION--  Who
MY HOMETOWN--  Bruce Springsteen

MY KINDA LOVER--  Billy Squier
MY LIFE--  Billy Joel

Name That Tune (from the above):  "You Been Runnin' All Over Town Now."  --RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  By participation trophies.  Give them a reason to strive to do better.

"Mustang Sally"

WDRV's End Year 2016 A to Z-- Part 9: Mr. Tambourine Man"

December 31, 2016.

MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER--  Rolling Stones
MOVE IT ON OVER--  George Thorogood
MOVE OVER--  Janis Joplin

MOVIN' ON--  Bad Company
MOVING OUT (ANTHONY'S SONG)--  Billy Joel
MOVING IN STEREO--  Cars

Guess the group/singer of these "Mr." songs.  Answers below.

MR.  BLUE SKY--
MR. BOJANGLES--
MR. ROBOTO--

MR. SOUL--
MR. TAMBOURINE MAN--

Name That Tune (from the above):  "What a Drag It Is Gettin' Old."  --RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  I am offended by every parent who refuses to punish a child for bad behavior.

ELO
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Styx

Buffalo Springfield
Byrds

My Picks for the Next Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class

Personally, I would only rarely ever pick a first time group or individual.  There are too many that deserve to be there and haven't yet gotten there.  I have never even heard of Bad Brain.

My Five:

ZOMBIES--  As fine of 60s rock as you can get.

JOAN BAEZ--  highly influential folkie.

STEPPENWOLF--  Just "Born to Be Wild" should be enough to get them in, not to mention all those others.

JOURNEY--  You forget how many hits they had.  What is left of Journey, one guy, played at Carb Daythis past Indy 500 and it was amazing how many people were just singing along.

CARS--  Another group with so many hits.

Well, My picks Anyway.  --RoadDog

Nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Released October 16, 2016.

Zombies
Joe Tex
Joan Baez
Steppenwolf
J. Geils Band
Kraftwerk
Electric Light Orchestra
Journey
Chaka Khan
Chic
Yes Cars

First-Time Nominees:

Pearl Jam
Tupac Shakur
Bad Brain
Jane's Addiction
Janet Jackson
MC5

Next Post, I Will Pick the Five I Think Need to Go In.  --RoadDog

It Was 2007 When I Started This Blog

This post marks the 5365th as I begin year number eleven of this blog.

It started back in 2007 as a result of me not being able to get back on my RoadDog's RoadLog blog which I had started a month earlier.  I eventually did get back on it, but decided to make this blog so I could go into other things I am interested in besides old roads, Route 66 and so forth.

And, that would be music and things that I am doing in these days of retirement (since 2006).

Keep the Music Playing.  --RoadDog