Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees for 2019 Induction

November 8, 2018

Tommy James
Lloyd Price
Cat Stevens

Mike Love (Beach Boys)
Jeff Lynn  (ELO)
Tommy Boyce and Booby Hart

L. Russell Brown & Irvin Fuller  Wrote most of the hits for Tony Orlando & Dawn
Jerry Fuller   Wrote most of Gary Puckett's hits)
Jack Tempchin  Wrote many Eagles hits.

F.F. Sloan & Steve Barri   "Wrote "Eve of Destruction" and many hits for the Grass Roots
Tom T. Hall  "Harper Valley PTA"
Roger Nichols    Hits for Paul Williams and Carpenters

Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham   "Cry Like A Baby" and "I'm Your Puppet"

Winners will be announced June 13, 2019, in New York City.

--RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "Food is an important part of a balanced diet."  Fran Lebowitz

WLS Top Ten for December 30, 1968: "Things I'd Like To Say"

The Top ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six
3.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Supremes / Temptations

4.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells
5.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
6.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
7.  STORMY--  Classics IV

8.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unltd
9.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
10.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

DEBUTS

33.  TOUCH ME--  Doors
39.  EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly & the Family Stone
40.  CALIFORNIA SOUL--  Fifth Dimension

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Now I Don't Hardly Know Her, But I Think I Could Love Her."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Crimson & Clover"

WDRV's A to Z The Letter "L" "Lido Shuffle"

The A to Z continues, now at the letter "L."

LET'S LIVE FOR TODAY--  Grass Rots
LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER--  Rolling Stones
LET'S STAY TOGETHER--  Al Green

LET'S WORK TOGETHER--  Canned Heat
THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker
LEVON--  Elton John

LIDO SHUFFLE--  Boz Scaggs
LIFE DURING WARTIME--  Talking Heads
LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN--  Dream Academy

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE--  Eagles
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY--  Tom Cochrane
LIFE IS A ROCK (BUT THE RADIO ROLLED ME)--

A LIFE OF ILLUSION--  Joe Walsh
LIFE'S BEEN GOOD--  Joe Walsh
LIGHT MY FIRE--  Doors

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Love's Like a Road You Travel On."  Answer below.  --RoadDog




"Life Is A Highway"

Past Movie Scratches: Klunks-- Phantom-- Clones-- Clones-- Sith-- Hope

Movies I watched on TV in 2017.

73.  CHRISTMAS WITH THE KLUNKS--  12-15--  There goes the Caribbean Christmas trip.

74.  STAR WARS:  PHANTOM  MENACE--  12-15--  We meet the cute little Annikin.  You know what he grows up to be, though.

75.  STAR WARS:  ATTACK OF THE CLONES--  12-15--  Annikin starts showing his "problems" which does not bode well for the Jedi.

76.  STAR WARS"  ATTACK OF THE CLONES--  12-16--  Probably the worst romantic effort ever.

77.  STAR WARS:  REVENGE OF THE SITH--  12-16--  Annikin goes "all the way" to the Dark Side and becomes evil Lord Darth Vader.

78.  STAR WARS:  A NEW HOPE--  12-17--  The original "Star Wars,"  now #4 with the prequels.  "Your worshipfulness."

Star War Me.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "I will not eat oysters.  I want my food dead -- not sick, not wounded -- dead."  --Woody Allen

WDRV's A to Z The Letter "I" "It Don't Come Easy"

It rolls on, A to Z on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

Listening to it while typing my two finders off on these dumb blogs.

Here are some recent songs:

ISLAND GIRL--  Elton John
ISN'T IT TIME--  Babys
ISN'T SHE LOVELY--  Stevie Wonder

IT CAN HAPPEN--  Yes
IT DON'T COME EASY--  Ringo Starr
IT KEEPS YOU RUNNIN'--  Doobie Brothers

IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP--  AC/DC
TOMMY OVERTURE / IT'S A BOY--  Who
IT'S ALL I CAN DO--  Cars

IT'S ALL OVER NOW--  Rolling Stones
IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY--  Bruce Springsteen
IT'S IN THE WAY THAT YOU USE IT--  Eric Clapton

IT'S MY LIFE--  Animals
IT'S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL (BUT I LIKE IT)--  Rolling Stones
IT'S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME--  Billy Joel

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What's The Matter With The Clothes I'm Wearing?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog



"It's Still Rock and Roll To Me"

A Dickens Christmas, Chili Cookoff and Top Christmas Movies

DECEMBER 13, THURSDAY--  Finished putting up Christmas decorations.  Movie "The Possession of Hannah Grace"  Subdivision decorations and "Miracle on 34th Street."

DECEMBER 14, FRIDAY--  Legion for 50-50.

DECEMBER 15, SATURDAY--  "It's a Wonderful Life" Antioch's Dickens Christmas with statues along the streets.    Stores and the Lodge.  Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

DECEMBER 16, Sunday--  Fox Lake American Legion for Bears game (Win). Also, chili cookoff.  I love chili cookoffs.

I now am missing just one of my top four Christmas movies and that is "A Christmas Story," but I know TNT and TBS will have their marathon Christmas Eve and Day so am not worried.

My Top 4 Christmas Movies:

#1 .  "A Christmas Story"
#2.   "Christmas Vacation"
#3.   "It's A Wonderful Life"
#4.   "Miracle On 34th Street"

--RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "I told my doctor I get very tired when I go on a diet, so he gave me some pep pills.   Know what happened?   I ate faster,"    Joe E. Lewis

I'd Celebrate That!!! Dec. 24 to 30: Fruitcake Day!!

DECEMBER 24, MONDAY--  Christmas Eve**  Eggnog Day**  We had ours Monday.

DECEMBER 25, TUESDAY--  Christmas Day**  Pumpkin Pie Day**

DECEMBER 26, WEDNESDAY--  Candy Cane Day   Not too crazy about candy canes.

DECEMBER 27, THURSDAY--  Fruitcake Day**  I don't care what they say.  I love fruitcake, especially with whipped cream on it.

DECEMBER 28, FRIDAY--  Card Playing Day**  But I always lose at solitaire.

DECEMBER 29, SATURDAY--  Tick Tock Day  I won't celebrate it because time goes way too fast these days.  Didn't 2018 just start?  Being retired, I want time to go REAL slow.  It doesn't.

DECEMBER 30, SUNDAY--  Bacon Day**  Crispy, crispy, crispy!!

--RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That, Dec. 17 to 23: Roast Pig Day

DECEMBER 17--  Maple Syrup Day**

DECEMBER  18--  Roast Pig Day**  Pig Pickin'!!!

DECEMBER 19--  Hard Candy Day**  Jolly Rancher!!

DECEMBER 20--  Go Caroling Day**  If it's not too cold.   Sangria Day**

DECEMBER 21--  Winter begins.  Yuck!!  Fried Shrimp Day**  That would help having winter begin.

DECEMBER 22--  Date Nut Bread Day**

DECEMBER 23--  Festivus**   For the Rest of Us.

--RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z-- Part 3: Letter "G" "Good Morning Good Morning"

The Drive, WDRV, 97.1 FM in Chicago is now to the letter "G."  It streams so give a listen.

So far this morning:

GOLD DUST WOMAN--  Fleetwood Mac
GOLDEN SLUMBERS MEDLEY--  Beatles
GOLDEN YEARS--  David Bowie

GONE GONE GONE--  Bad Company
GONE SHOOTIN'--AC/DC
GONNA GET YA--  Pete Townsend

GOOD DAY SUNSHINE--  Beatles
GOOD GIRLS DON'T--  Knack
GOOD LOVIN'--  Young Rascals

GOOD LOVIN' GONE BAD--  Bad Company
GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING--  Beatles
GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES--  Led Zeppelin

GOOD TIMES ROLL--  Cars
GOODBYE STRANGER--  Supertramp
GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD--  Elton John

GOT ME UNDER PRESSURE--  ZZ Top
GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU--  George Harrison
GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE--  Beatles
GRAND ILLUSION--  Styx

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Feeling So Bad, Asked My Family Doctor Just What I Had."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "I've been on a constant diet for the last two decades.  I've lost a total of 789 pounds.  By all accounts, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."   Erma Bombeck

"Good Lovin'"

I'd Celebrate That!! December 10 to 16: U.S. National Guard Day

DECEMBER 10--  Hannukah Ends  Human Rights Day**

DECEMBER 11--  Noodle Ring Day   What?

DECEMBER 12--  Ding-A-Ling Day**  Chuck berry would be so proud.  Poinsettia Day**  The plant of Christmas.  I have two that are at least 15 years old.

DECEMBER 13--  U.S. National Guard 382nd Birthday**  Our first and last line of defense.   Cocoa Day**

DECEMBER 14--  Bouillabaisse Day

DECEMBER 15--  Wear Pearls Day   Wreaths Across America Day**

DECEMBER 16--  Boston Tea Party Day**  Chocolate Covered Anything Day**

--RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That, December 3 to 9: Pearl Harbor Day

OK, sorry.  I've been forgetting these this month.

DECEMBER 3--  Roof Over Your Head Day

DECEMBER 4--  Santa's List Day   Cookie Day**  The Cookie Monster's Got nothin' on me!!

DECEMBER 5--  Ninja Day    Bathtub Party Day

DECEMBER 6--  Pawnbrokers Day

DECEMBER 7--  Pearl Harbor Day**  I did celebrate it.  Cotton Candy Day

DECEMBER 8--  Brownie Day**

DECEMBER 9--  Pastry Day**

--RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z, the Letter "D": "Draggin' the Line"

You can follow the songs by going to the site and clicking on Music/Concerts and then Music Logs.

The songs started this morning at 6 a.m., with "Do You Know What I Mean" by Lee Michaels.  They went through a whole lots of "Don'ts" songs.

Then:

DOO DOO DOO HEARTBREAKER--  Rolling Stones
DOOLIN' DALTONS--  Eagles
DOUBLE VISION--  Foreigner

DOWN BY THE RIVER--  Neil Young
DOWN BY THE SEASIDE--   Led Zeppelin
DOWN ON THE CORNER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

DOWN TO THE WATERLINE--  Dire Straits
DRAGGIN; THE LINE--  Tommy James
DRAW THE LINE--  Aerosmith

DREAM ON--   Aerosmith
DREAM POLICE--  Cheap Trick
DREAM WEAVER--  Gary Wright

Name That Tune (from the above songs:  "Early In The Evenin' Just About Supper Time."    Answer Below.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "This recipe is certainly silly.  It says to separate two eggs, but it doesn't say how far to separate them."  Gracie Allen

"Down On the Corner"

Music Deaths: Scott English, Wrote "Bend Me Shape Me"

SCOTT ENGLISH, 81

Died November 16, 2018

Born in Brooklyn.  Composer.  Wrote "bend Me Shape Me" for the American Breed  (#5-1968),  "Mandy" for Barry Manilow  (#1-1975)  Original name was Brandy.

On his own, "high On a Hill"  (#77-1964) and his version of "Brandy"  (#91-1972).

Also wrote "Help Me Girl" in 1966 with Larry Weiss.  It was a hit for Eric Burdon and the Outsiders.  Wrote songs for Thin Lizzy.

WDRV's A to Z Is Back: The Letter "C" "Can't Buy Me Love"

Happy to report that the Drive's A to Z where they go through some of their music library alphabetically.  Even better, they dig down deep to what they call "Deep Tracks" and don't play just the usual playlist.

It started yesterday morning at 6:01 AM with Genesis' "Abacab" and is at the letter "C" right now.  They don't play the A to Z at night from midnight to 6 am, though, which is good because it gives you a chance to hear a lot of them.

Recently, they went through the "Can't" songs:

CAN'T BUY ME LOVE--  Beatles
CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING--  REO Speedwagon
CAN'T FIND MY WAY BACK HOME--  Blind Faith

CAN'T GET ENOUGH--  Bad Company
CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD--  ELO
CAN'T STAND LOSING YOU--  Police

CAN'T YOU HEAR ME KNOCKING--  Rolling Stones
CAN'T YOU SEE--  Marshall Tucker Band

Since then:

CANARY IN A COAL MINE--  Police
CANDLE IN THE RAIN--  Elton John
SHOO-BE-DOO CANDY-O--  Cars

CANDY'S ROOM--  Bruce Springsteen
CANNONBALL--  Supertramp
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY--  Elton John
CAPTAIN JACK--  Billy Joel

Hey, it streams at www.wdrv.com.  This goes on until after New Year's Day.

Listening to the Radio.  --RoadFM

Name That Tune (from the above songs):   "Gonna Take A Freight Train Down To The Station, Lord."  answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Winter Wonderland"  Parson Brown demanding they get married?    Forced partnership


"Can't You See"

Some Christmas Songs To Get You In the Mood

Yesterday, Bob Stroud had his annual Holiday Hootenanny on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

All three hours of  it were Christmas or seasonal songs.

Here are some of the songs he played:

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN--  Crystals
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY--  Bruce Springsteen
I'M GONNA LASSO SANTA CLAUS--  Brenda Lee

FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Kinks
2000 MILES--  Pretenders
SLEIGH RIDE--  Ventures

RING OUT (SOLSTICE BELLS)--  Jethro Tull
SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN-- Elvis Presley
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN--  Tom Petty

Ho Ho Ho.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Mitletoe and Holly"  Overeating, folks stealing a kiss or two?  Really?

Movie Scratches: Instant-- Creed-- Rhapsody-- Widows

Movies Seen At Theaters This Year.

The number refers to the number of movies I've seen.  The two numbers refer to the day.  $ is amount paid.

41.  INSTANT FAMILY--  11-20--  Fox Lake, $5--  All is not wonderful on the adoption front.  A rare movie that made me laugh out loud and tear up.  Very few "F" bombs for a change.

42.  CREED II--  11-29--  Fox Lake, Free--  Like fathers, like sons.  Sons hope to measure up.  And then there's Rocky.

43.  BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY--  11-29--  Fox Lake, $6--  The voice, the music, the showmanship.  Wow!!

44.  WIDOWS--  12-6--  Round Lake Beach, $6--  Ladies go quickly professional criminal.  A lesson in Chicago politics.  It's owe we are, so its off to crime we go.

Put That Seasoning Salt On!!  RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Jingle Bell Rock"  "Giddyup jingle horse, pick up your feet."  Animal abuse.

Music Deaths: Roy Clark, Country Music

ROY CLARK, 85

Died November 15, 2018

Had a Country crossover hit with "Yesterday When I Was Young"  (19-1969).

Co-host for the long-running TV show "Hee Haw."  (24 years)

Had 52 songs on the country charts between 1963 and 1989.

Buck Owens was his "Pickin' and Grinnin'"  partner.

And could he ever play that guitar.

WLS Top Ten for December 23, 1968: "Son Of A Preacher Man"

Fifty Years Ago.  That's a Half Century for Those of You Who Are Counting.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
3.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six

4.  STORMY--  Classics IV
5.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
6.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes
7.  CINNAMON--  Derek

8.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder
9.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
10.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells

DEBUTS

35.  MY FAVORITE THINGS--  Herb Alpert
39.  HEY JUDE--  Wilson Pickett
40.  I STARTED A JOKE--  Bee Gees

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  Make the Yuletide Gay?   Wow, just Wow!!  You're kidding me.


"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

MAC and NIU Stinking Up Bowl Games Again

It is getting to the point that I would just as soon that my school, Northern Illinois, didn't go to any more college bowl games.  It is embarrassing.  We have now reached six straight bowl losses and most of them have been by blowout scores.

And, the same goes for our whole football conference, the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Gone are the days when the MAC only got one bowl invitation.  Back in 2003, NIU had a 10-2 record and beat five Power Conference foes, two of whom were ranked when we played them.  But, we lost a game to Toledo (of course) and they went and we sat home.

This year, the MAC had six teams in minor bowl games.  So far the MAC record is 1-4, with just one game remaining, Buffalo vs. Troy in Mobile later tonight.

MAC teams shown in caps.

Georgia Southern 23  EASTERN MICHIGAN 21
University of Alabama-Birmingham 37  NIU 13
OHIO  27  San Diego State University
Florida International University 35  TOLEDO 32
Brigham Young University  49  WESTERN MICHIGAN  18

Please, Santa, No More MAC or NIU Bowl Games!!!  --RoadLoss

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Do You Hear What I Hear"  Blatant disregard for the hearing impaired.

Dec. 23:  Final score in the Buffalo-Troy game:  Troy 42  BUFFALO 32.  So, the MAC went 1-5 in bowl games.  Please, no more bowl games for the MAC!!

And, I see they are adding one more bowl game for the MAC in 2019 in Myrtle Beach.  Last thing we need.

Music Deaths: Freddie Hart, Country, "Easy Loving"

FREDDIE HART, 91

Died October 27, 2018

Had a country crossover hit with "Easy Loving"  )#17-1971)

Born Frederick Segrest in Alabama.  Entered the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II at age 15.

"Easy Loving" won the Country Music Academy Song of the Year award.

All told, on the country charts, he had 48 hits, including six #1s.

Music Deaths: Tony Joe White, "Polk Salad Annie"

TONY JOE WHITE, 75

Died October 24, 2018

From Oak Grove, Louisiana.  He only had one Top 40, but it was one of my favorites, "Polk Salad Annie" (#8-1969).

He also wrote Brook Benton's "Rainy Night in Georgia"  (#4-1970)

"Gators Got Your Granny."

A Busy Weekend-- Part 4: Sad Packer Inn, Donovan's, Sunnyside and Margaritaville

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Listened to the usual radio shows at home.

We then drove to Silver Lake, Wisconsin, just over the border and met a buddy there.  Liz and I cheer for the Packers if they are not playing Da Bears.  And today, the Packers were on at noon and the Bears at 7:30.  One problem nowadays when you are playing well is that you get switched to late night games.  This originally was supposed to also be a noon game for the Bears.  I hate night football.

We had been to the Packer Inn back in the late 1980s, but hadn't been back since then.  Back then, it was standing room only with lots of cheering, but not anymore.  It was dead.  We were practically the only ones in there watching the game.  Plus, there were no food or drink specials.  We left at half time and drove over to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and found a crowd of Packer fans and enjoyed the rest of the game.

Then, we drove to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg, Illinois, where Friend Steve was having his 80th birthday party.  Watched the Bears game against the Rams at home at our bar, Margaritaville, in the basement.

Kind of Doubt We'll Be Back at the Packer Inn.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Frosty the Snowman"  Sexist.  Not a snow woman.

Music Deaths: Dominick "Randy" Safuto, "Denise"

DOMINICK "RANDY" SAFUTO, 71

Died October 16, 2018

Lead singer of Randy &the Rainbows.  His group was originally a doo-wop ensemble named the Dialtones, but when Laurue Records picked them up, they renamed the group Randy and the Rainbows and Dominick became "Randy."

"Denise" (#10-1963) became their only Top 40 song.  But, what a song.

Dominick was reportedly asked to join the Four Seasons after Nick Massi left the group, but turned down the offer out of loyalty to the group and his brother who was also in the group.

A Busy Weekend-- Part 3: Army-Navy Football Game At the Legion

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

"Day of Infamy" Day.

We went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the annual Army-Navy game.  It is a big deal, obviously at the Legion.  We had a standing room only crowd with a lot of people pulling for Army and the same for Navy.  There is such a lot of tradition at this game.

I was pulling for my favorite team for a change, Navy.  Until two years ago Navy had beaten Army 14 straight times.  And I generally always pull for the underdog.  But Army won the last two games and now I can go Navy.

Sadly, Army won, but Navy made it a good game after Army's opening touchdown drive.

We then went to Sunnyside.

--Go NAVY.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Santa Baby"  A Gold Digger.  Blackmail.

Music Deaths: Bernadette Carroll, "My Boyfriend's Back"

BERNADETTE CARROLL, 74

Died October 5, 2018

Started her career with the Starletts (who later became the Angels).  She is the uncredited fourth voice on the Angels' #1 "My Boyfriend's Back" in 1963.

Had a solo hit with "Party Girl"  (#47-1964.

Was one of three backup singers on Lou Christie's "Lightning Strikes" (#1-1966).

Music Deaths: Geoff Emerick, Abbey Road Engineer

GEOFF EMERICK, 72

Died October 2, 2018

Engineer at Abbey Road studio on most of the Beatles recordings.  Received Grammys for "Sgt. Pepper's" and "Abbey Road" and Paul McCartney's "Band On the Run."

To have been there and participated in all that.

Wow!!

My Picks for 2018 Inductees for the Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame

On December 14, I listed the nominated artists for the Class of 2018.

My five picks:

**  Todd Rundgren   Quite a talented and varied career. Of course, there is his "Bang On the Drum" song.

**  Zombies    One of the better 1960s groups.

**  Stevie Nicks    Just something about her fairy quality and that voice.

**  Def Leppard    Hit after hit.

**  John Prine   A personal favorite.  Part of that great Chicago folk scene.

--RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"  Forced gender specific gifts.

Music Deaths: Peggy Sue Gerron, Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue"

I get these deaths from the Oldies Music News site.

PEGGY SUE GERRON, 78

Died October 1, 2018

Hers was the name Buddy Holly used on his 1957 hit.  Crickets drummer asked Holly to change the name of his song "Cindy Lou" because he wanted to impress her.  He later married her, but they divorced in 1964.

(#3-1957)

Music Deaths: Charles Aznavour, Singer, Songwriter

CHARLES AZNAVOUR, 94

Died October 1, 2018

French singer/songwriter best known in the United States for the songs he wrote "Yesterday, When i Was Young"  (#19-1969) Roy Clark, "If You Go Away"  and "My Way" (#27-1969)  Frank Sinatra.

He recorded more than 1,200 songs in seven different languages.  He was involved in the French Resistance in World War II.

This man, though I have never heard of him before, led quite a varied life.  Check out Wikipedia.

A Busy Weekend-- Part 2: Old Friends, Vets and Ed Bearrs

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

This being Pearl Harbor Day, the 77th anniversary, I wrote about it in all my blogs.  My flags were already up for President Bush's funeral.

I drove to Bristol, Wisconsin, to have breakfast with former teachers from John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois.  We had our first get-together back in November and hope to get it to being a regular monthly thing.  It is always fun to get together with old friends, especially ones you don't often see.  A lot of retired teachers from Round Lake have moved to warmer climes, but enough of us stay here to have them.

Afterwards, I drove to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion Post 703 where we were putting on our annual Christmas dinner for the people at the VA Hospital in North Chicago.  I worked in the kitchen plating yams, mashed potatoes and gravy.  We served around 125.

Later I drove to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and visited the grave of Liz's parents in Memory Gardens and then, with some difficulty found the place where Ed Bearrs was going to speak for the Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table at the Arlington Hts. Museum.  Mr. Bearrs is one of the preeminent Civil War people, having written many books and led many battlefield tours.  It was worth the distance and confusion to hear him.  I will eventually get around to writing about him in my Civil War blog.

A Very Long Day.  --RoadDog

A Busy Weekend-- Part 1: President George H.W. Bush, Memories and Movies

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

Wrote about yesterday's funeral for our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, in all of my blogs.

Bob Stroud went to 1971 for his Ten at Ten.  A great year of music for me as I was at UGA for the first half and NIU the second half.  My high school and college years are still my favorite for music  That would be 1965 to 1973.    I always pick a favorite song of the ten, usually ones that bring back a memory.

However, today, I had to pick two.  "Reeling In the Years" by Steely Dan always reminds me of driving the famous "Ramblin' Wreck," my 1963 puke green Rambler station wagon back and forth between Palatine and Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois, during my student teaching.  The other song is Pure Prairie League's "Amy."  However, Bob  pointed out that it was released in 1972 but didn't get popular until 1975, when I really liked it.

Drove to Round Lake Beach and saw two movies at Regal Cinemas:  "Widows" and "Overlord."  I am trying to reach my yearly goal of 52 movies seen in theaters and have a bunch to go and running out of time.  Both great movies.  And, Regal Cinemas has $6 tickets, a free mall bag of popcorn ($2 for a large tub), $2 drinks and best of all, $2 Nathan's hot dogs all day Monday to Thursday..

Ate at Hardee's in RLB.  We don't have many Hardee's here in northern Illinois.  Try their double sliders.  Sorry White Castle.

--RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"    Bullying.

WLS Top Ten for December 16, 1968: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

Fifty years ago this week according to the WLS Hit Parade.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
3.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion

4.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six
5.  CINNAMON--  Derek
6.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder
7.  STORMY--  Classics IV

8.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross & the Supremes
9.  BOTH SIDES NOW--  Judy Collins
10.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--   Dusty Springfield

DEBUT SONGS

31.  BELLA LINDA--  Grassroots
34.  CONDITION RED--  Goodees
35.  PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG--  Otis Redding

37.  STAND BY YOUR MAN--  Tammy Wynette
39.  WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN--  Brooklyn Bridge
40.  GOODNIGHT MY LOVE--  Paul Anka

Hey, you Beach Music fans.  Go to You Tube and give a listen to the Goodees "Would You, Could You" and "Double Shot Of My Baby's Love."

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Someone I've Needed So Long."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Most Wonderful Time Of the Year"  Everyone telling you to be of good cheer?  Forced to hide your depression?


"For Once In My Life"

Nominees for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announced

Announced on October 9.

Todd Rundgren
Zombies
Stevie Nicks
Kraftwerk
Chaka Khan & Rufus
Def Leppard
Devo
Janet Jackson
LL Cool J
MC5
Radiohead
Rage Against the Machine
Roxy Music
Cure
John Prine

Winners announced in December  Induction March 29, 2019, in New York.  My five picks for inductees next week.

Some Long Overdue Ones Here.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"  Sees you when you're sleeping?  Knows when you're awake?  Peeping Tom?  Stalker?

Music Deaths: Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane and Starship

MARTY BALIN, 76

Died September 27, 2018

Vocalist, guitarist and co-founder of Jefferson Airplane.  Was also with Jefferson Starship on "Miracles"  (#3-1975).  Had a solo Top ten with "Hearts"  (#8-1981)

With the Airplane on "Somebody To Love"  (#5-1967), "White Rabbit"  (#8-1967)

Was also on "With Your Love"  (#12-1972) and "Count On Me"  (#8-1978).

With the KBC band with fellow Airplane alum Paul Kantner and Jack Cassidy.

Music Deaths: Don McGuire of the Hilltoppers

DON McGUIRE, 87

Died September 7, 2018

Last surviving member of the Hilltoppers which formed at Western Kentucky State College and named themselves after the team name.

They had hits with "Only  You (And You Alone)"  and (#8-1955), "Marianne"  (#3-1957).  Their "P.S. I Love You" (not the Beatles song) was also quite popular.

You want to see some clean cut guys, this would be your group.

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 7: The Top Ten

The number behind the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

10.  STORMY--  Classics IV    #5
9.  BOTH SIDES NOW--  Judy Collins     #8
8.  WICHITA LINEMAN--  Glen Campbell    #3

7.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes      #1
6.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six      #16
5.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton    #9
4.  CINNAMON--  Derek    #11

3.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion      #4
2.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder     #2
1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye     #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

PC INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "White Christmas"    Really, really racist


"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

JSS-- Sorry For the Patriots?-- Christmas Decs-- Snow in N.C.

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SORRY FOR THE PATRIOTS?--   We loved the end of that Patriots-Dolphins game Sunday.  Somehow no one around here feels sorry for New England. As a matter of fact there was much cheering.  Let's see that again.

2.  CHRISTMAS DECS--  Just now getting the outside Christmas decorations up as between the cold and snow, but especially the C-O-L-D I haven't had much opportunity.

3.  SNOW IN N.C.--  Sorry to hear about all that snow in North Carolina.  I know even a ten-inch snowfall fouls us up here in northern Illinois, but twenty inches there?  Good luck with that one.

Anybody But the Patriots!!!  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968: "Shame, Shame"

15.  GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS--  1910 Fruitgum Company     #37   We need MORE Bubble Gum Music.  Only 2:16 long.

14.  SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lanterns     #29   You rarely hear this one on the oldies stations.  You should hear it.  This is a really great song.  From Lancashire, England.

13.  TILL--  Vogues       #27   Slow.  Right out of the 1940s for this one.  These guys met in high school in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.

12.  SHAKE--  Shadows of Knight      #46   If you liked "Gloria" you'll like this one.  This song is considered Bubble Gum music.  I don't classify it as that.  From Chicago's Northwest Suburbs.

11.  WHO'S MAKIN' LOVE--  Johnny Taylor       #5   Born in 1938 in Crawfordsville, Arkansas.  His biggest hit was 1976's "Disco Lady" which went to #1.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All You Fellows Gather Around Me And Let me Give You Some Good Advice."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

PC INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Holly Jolly Christmas"  Kuss her once for me?  Something about an unwanted advance.  Dangerous in these Me Too days.


"Who's Makin' Love"

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 5: "Son of A Preacher Man"

20.  CAN'T TURN YOU LOSE--  Chambers Brothers       #37    "I Can't Turn You Lose."    Written by Otis Redding.  One of my all-time favorites.

19.  CHEWY CHEWY--  Ohio Express      #15     And, they're really from Ohio.  Mansfield, that is.  Ah yes.  I LOVE my Bubble Gum Music.  Anytime, Anywhere.

18.  LITTLE ARROWS--  Leapy Lee     #16     Born Lee Graham in 1942 in England.  A happy little song.  A true One Hit Wonder.

17.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield     #10    Born Mary O'Brien in London 4/16/39.  A white gal singing soil?  She pulled it off.

16.  SEE SAW--  Aretha Franklin      #14     From the last song to this one, how much soul can you handle?

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Sometimes You Love Me Like A Good Man Should."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


P.C. INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "The Christmas Song."  Open fire?  pollution.  "Folks dressed up like Eskimos?"  Cultural appropriation.


"See Saw"

Movie Scratches: Halloween-- Nutcracker-- Grinch-- Beasts

Movie Scratches--  Movies I have seen in the theater this year.

As I scramble to reach my annual goal of 52 movies a year.

37.  HALLOWEEN--  10-31--  Fox Lake, $5--  A real good day to see this movie.  He's B-A-C-K!!!  And still doesn't like anything, especially his sister.

38.  NUTCRACKER:  THE FOUR REALMS--  11-19--  Fox Lake, $6--  The story behind the famous ballet.  The real bad guy was a surprise.  Should we say the Wicked Sugar Plum Fairy and her army?

39.  DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH--  11-19--  Fox Lake $6--  Gotta love that big old reindeer.  Cindy Lou Who grows the Grinch's heart how many sizes?

40.  FANTASTIC BEASTS:  THE CRIMES OF GRENDELWALD--  Fox Lake, $6--  Harry's prequel.  The young Dumbledor and an earlier attempt to purify the wizards and witches.  Mean old Johnny.

This time of the year, I scramble to meet my yearly quota, especially before schools get out and parents use the movies as babysitters.

--RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 4: "Promises, Promises"

25.  CLOUD NINE--  Temptations      #6    The Temps getting psychedelic with that hard life.  Originally the Primes then the Elgins.

24.  PROMISES, PROMISES--  Dionne Warwick      #19    Bacharach and David could sure write 'em.  Dionne could sure sing 'em.   From East Orange, New Jersey.

23.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes       #2    With the Temptations.   Now there's a combination for you.  Was this song by the Primettes and Primes?

22.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--   Mary Hopkin      #2      By far her biggest hit.   Hard to believe that "Those Days" are over fifty years ago.

21.  HANG 'EM HIGH--  Booker T. & the MGs     #9   Another great instrumental.  Sounds western to me.  I can almost see that cowboy riding off into the sunset.   Title song of the Clint Eastwood movie.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Childhood Part Of My Life Wasn't Very Pretty."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

PC  INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"--  subjecting minors to soft porn.


"Cloud Nine"

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 3: "Soulful Strut"

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the national Billboard Top 100 Chart.

30.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Trio     #3    The biggest of three hits by the Chicago group.   A soulful instrumental by a group also called Young Holt Unlimited.

29.  PICKIN' WILD MOUNTAIN BERRIES--  Peggy Scott / Jo Jo Benson      #27    Soul duo's biggest hit.     Try to hear it and not butt scoot, especially the beginning.

28.  KENTUCKY WOMAN--  Deep Purple    #38   Going heavy with a Neil song.  British pioneer heavy metal band.   Follow up to "Hush" which went to #4 in 1968.

27.  STRAIGHT LIFE--  Bobby Goldsboro     #36     Toured with Roy Orbison 1962-64 before going out on his own.   Probably couldn't make a song with this title anymore.  Might offend someone.

26.  SCARBOROUGH FAIR--  Sergio Mendes / Brazil 66     #16     Follow  up to their versions of "The Look of Love" and "The Fool On the Hill."   A Latin jazz up of the Simon & Garfunkel hit.  Great song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Shines In her Own Kind Of Light."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

This Past Weekend-- Part 3: Da Bears, Da Party and Double D

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018

The problem with having the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party when we did was that it was opposite the Bears game.  I sure would have been watching it somewhere.  But, I did listen to it on the car radio on the way back home from Huntley and got home just in time to see the end and was that ever exciting as the Bears tied it up as time expired.  Sadly, they lost in overtime.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, where they were having a fundraiser for a musician.  Two of our favorite performers, Jim Sieg and Uncle Will, were performing and we had a great time.  We also met Double D, who is a big-time NIU fan, so we had a great time talking Huskie football.

We found out he was also a big DeKalb Footstomper fan and he was the one who hired them to play at his birthday party at After the Fox in McHenry which was their second-to-last performance as they have retired after playing together for 45 years.

Busy Day.  --RoadDog

This Past Weekend, December 2-- Part 2: "Rubber Soul," McHenry County Civil War Round Table and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

Bob Stroud saluted the 53rd anniversary of the Beatles' "Rubber Soul" album.    He played all the songs on both the British and American editions.  Over a century old.

Drove to Pine Crest Golf Club in Huntley, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party.  We had about 40 in attendance and I met some interesting people from the Northern Illinois History Association, an umbrella group for all history groups in the northern part of our state.  The problem with all history groups is how to get the younger people interested.

We had an excellent buffet followed by an evening with Mr. and Mrs Lincoln, Max and Donna Daniels, very fitting as we approach the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood tomorrow.  Mrs. Lincoln reminded us that this was also the 200th anniversary of her birthday (December 18, 1818).  If you ever get a chance to see one of this pair's shows, go see it.

--RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS (from the July 1, 2017 Orange Peel Gazette):  "Artichokes ... are just plain annoying....  After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual 'food' out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking thirty or forty postage stamps.  Have the shrimp cocktail instead."  --Miss Piggy

This Past Weekend: Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Movies, Bars, Band, and Two Sad Days

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Movie day for me.  I saw the movies "Creed II" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."  I always try to see at least 52 movies every year, one for every week.  Today's movies were #42 and #43.  The music in "Bohemian Rhapsody,"  Wow!!!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30

We had more snow  Went to Meijer and ate at Steak 'N Shake.  We met Kevin and Kelly at the Legion and watched the last few exciting minutes of the MAC Championship.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

Today was the anniversary of a very sad day in Chicago history, the Our Lady of the Angels fire which took the lives of 92 students and 3 nuns.  Liz knew some of the students.  Also sad to hear that former President George H.K. Bush died on Friday.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion and had a great time listening to Joe Kadlec in the afternoon.  Then we went to Sunnyside and watched the Northwestern and Georgia Big 10, 11,12,13,14 and SEC championship games.  Sadly, both lost.

--RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 2: "Crimson & Clover"

(D) means Debut.  The number after artist is how high it got on the national Billboard Top 100 charts.

35.  LO MUCH QUE TE QUIERA--  Rene / Rene     #14    Their biggest hit.   From Laredo, Texas.   A Spanish-English song in 1968.  Way before the huge Hispanic influx.

34.  TOO WEAK TO FIGHT--  Clarence Carter    (D)      #13    Blind since the age of one.  DR. CC.  Now, this is some real good soul, but way too short at 2:17.   We need More Clarence!!

33.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas    #5     That B.J. stands for Billy Joe.  Try to hear it and not tap your toes.

32.  CYCLES--  Frank Sinatra     #23      The Pride and Joy of Hoboken, New Jersey.   Ol' Blue Eyes looking at life as only he can.  Doing it his way.

31.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James / Shondells    (D)    #1    Their biggest hit.   Definitely not like their former songs.  Getting all peaceful and psychedelic on us.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Girl You Don't Realize What You Do To Me."  Answer below.   --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  An exercise guru's son named Jim.


"Hooked On A Feeling"

The Day of Infamy, Dec. 7, 1941: House Votes To Make Pearl Harbor A Stand Alone Memorial Site

From the November 15, 2018 Stars and Stripes.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to make Pearl Harbor a stand alone memorial site.

The Pearl Harbor National memorial is now a part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.  This also includes sites in California and Alaska.

Five sites of it are in Pearl Harbor:  the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, Battleship Row and Ford Island.

I am for it being a stand-alone Memorial.

Death of President George H.W. Bush

Yesterday I watched the coffin of our 41st president taken from the U.S. Capitol building to the National cemetery for his funeral service.

It was a service befitting someone of his great stature and with much military formality.

It was interesting to see all the living presidents in attendance.  Bill Clinton seemed to be talking Michelle Obama's ear off.  That is, until Donald and Ivanna Trump came in.  The Clintons looked straight ahead and did not acknowledge the Trumps.  I thought that was more than a bit petty.  This is not the time to do that.

I was happy to see that the Obamas did greet the Trumps.

The eulogies were wonderful and son George Bush's especially hit home.  I don't know how he didn't break down before he did.

Yesterday afternoon we went to some of our favorite watering holes and I was trying to think what I could wear to honor President Bush.  I settled on my USA baseball cap.  But when we got to Sunnyside, my buddy Mark came in wearing a USS San Jacinto tee shirt and a USS George H.K. Bush hat.

His father served on the USS San Jacinto with George Bush during World War II and Mark had given me a USS San Jacinto hat.  I didn't think about it, but wore it today.

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 1: "If I Can Dream"

These were the Top 40 songs on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM from fifty years ago, December 9, 1968.

(D) means it is a debut song.  The number after the performer is how high it got on the national Billboard charts.

40.  IF I CAN DREAM--  Elvis Presley   (D)     #12    His biggest hit since 1965.      It's the all-black Elvis.  Starts off soft and builds to a crescendo.  Very inspiring indeed.  This was his "Comeback."

39.  SOMEONE TO LOVE ME--  Bobby Vee   (D)    #98    Full title  "I'm Looking For Someone To Love Me."    Never heard this one before, but good song.   Near the end of his career.

38.  GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat    #11    Their biggest hit.   (D)   A great driving song.  Right up there with "On the Road Again."

37.  RAY OF HOPE--  Rascals     (D)     #24     Never heard it before.  They'd come a long way since 1964.  Brotherhood and peace.

36.  RIGHT RELATIONS--  Johnny Rivers    #61     Not what you'd expect from him.   A love song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All This Fussing And Fighting, Man, You Know I Sure Can't Stay."   Answer below.



"Going Up The Country"

Had Enough Illinois Quizzing? Here's Another One

From the November 12, 2017, Chicago Tribune by Phil Marty." Illinois Trivia:  Test Your Knowledge."

The first seven were flip questions.  I had the first five correct but couldn't answer the last two because they referred to pictures which weren't shown.

Then, there were ten map questions where you had to locate a historical site.  I got all of them except the location of the French Fort de Chartres.

Good Luck.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  A hot dog vendor's son named Frank.

Another Illinois Bicentennial Quiz

From the Illinois Chronicles Bicentennial mastermind Quiz.

An interesting one, but to find out how you did you have to send it to them and I chose not to do so.

I might have missed the question about who worked to allow women to vote for U.S. president.  I knew it wasn't the last two.

I also wasn't sure about architect Fazlur Rahman Khan, or when the current Illinois Constitution went into effect or the lab technician from Peoria of which Olympic games Jackie Joyner-Kersey won Gold.

I'll Have To Look Those Up.  --RoadDog

Take a Quiz on Illinois in Honor of Its Statehood Bicentennial

Go to December 3, 2018 Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette  "Bicentennial Celebration:  Take A Quiz" by Tom Kacich.

Here's your chance to show-off your Illinois knowledge.  But, I have to warn you, many of the questions are quite specific and probably easier to answer if you live around that area.  One was definitely a trick question.

I took the quiz and missed 1.2.7.9 and 12.

Like I said, this is a hard quiz.

I got one of the answers because I had seen a couple playing the roles of Abraham and Mary Lincoln yesterday at the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party.

Good Luck.  --RoadDuh

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  A sound stage technician's son who is named Mike.

53rd Anniversary of "Rubber Soul" Release: My Memories

Bob Stroud is doing a Root Salute to this album on his Rock an Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM as this album was released 53 years ago tomorrow.  This album and the one before it "Revolver," marked a major change  in Beatles music from their earlier work.

I remember back before Christmas 1965, I was about to buy my first album ever and was in the record store looking at albums and this was one I was looking at.  It ended up being a choice between this album or Herman's Hermits Greatest Hits.  I did a lot of thinking before going with Herman because this one had a whole lot of hits.  (I later bought "Rubber Soul.")

Albums back then cost $2.99 which was a huge amount for me to spend.  That was essentially six weeks of allowance or 150 pop bottles.  (Two cents a bottle going door-to-door.)  I had to get max bang for my buck.

Little did I know that those two albums would lead to a life-long obsession collecting albums, 45s, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes and CDs.

Earlier, Bob Stroud played "Rubber Soul's" "I'm Looking Through You."  A great song that whenever I write it down on paper, I always absolutely HAVE to put little dots for eyes in the "o'" in the word Look.

I'd sure like to do that right now.

Funny How Music Can Bring Back Memories.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for December 2, 1968: "Abraham, Martin & John"

The top songs in Chicago 50 years ago according to the  890 AM WLS Silver Dollar Survey.  It ain't top 'less LS says So.

1.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
2.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes
3.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

4.  CINNAMON--  Derek
5.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
6.  CHEWY, CHEWY--  Ohio Express
7.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton

8.  WHO'S MAKING LOVE--  Johnny Taylor
9.  WICHITA LINEMAN--  Glen Campbell
10.  SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lanterns

DEBUT SONGS:

34.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes & Temptations
37.  CLOUD NINE--  Temptations

38.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Trio
39.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas
40.  LO MUCH QUE TE QWIERO--  Rene / Rene

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Justice of the Peace's daughter named Mary.

"I Heard It Through The grapevine"

Past Movie Scratches: Frozen-- Wonderful-- Christmas-- Elf-- Express-- Cops

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I watched on TV in 2017.

67.  FROZEN--  12-10--  Queen Elsa learning to control her powers and the funny snowman.

68.  IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE--  12-11--  Clarence gets his wings.  ZuZu's rose.  My 3rd favorite Christmas movie.

69.  CHRISTMAS VACATION--  12-11--  Clark Griswald's perfect family Christmas and his poor neighbors.  My 2nd favorite Christmas movie.

70.  ELF--  12-12--  Poor Buddy, who thinks he's an elf, has problems fitting in at the North Pole and New York City.

71.  POLAR EXPRESS--  12-13--  All's Bell that ends Bell.  You've got to believe.  Amazing animation.

72.  LET'S BE COPS--  12-15--  It's always fun until it hits the fan.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Titanic-- Black-- Godfather-- Godfather-- Santa Clause-- Santa Clause 3

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2017.

61.  TITANIC--  11-22--  3rd Class-First Class romance.  That ending always gets me.

62.  MEN IN BLACK II--  11-22--  J's back and grumpier than ever.  Beat up that little dog.

63.  THE GODFATHER--  11-24--  "It's just business"  No hard feelings.  The Mob deals with treachery.

64.  THE GODFATHER II--  11-29--  Before and After.  Castro takes over in Cuba.

65.  THE SANTA CLAUSE--  12-9--  Yes, he really is and Charlie knows it for a fact.

66.  THE SANTA CLAUSE 3--  12-9--  Jack Frost makes his mood to the Big Time.

--RoadDog

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR:  Question:  What do you get if you divide the circumference of a jack-o-lantern by its diameter?

Answer:  Pumpkin Pi.

That Was Some Sneaky Storm On Sunday

Sunday, November 25

We'd been hearing warnings about this storm for several days, but didn't expect what we got.  We get snow in November here in Northeastern Illinois, but usually nothing too bad.  We've already had two snowfalls of two and three inches this month.  No problem at all.

But what we got Sunday was rather jawdropping.

All morning Sunday, they kept talking about it, but nothing came of it.  After listening to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots, I drove over to Jewel then came back and put the '85 Firebird out in the driveway as some buddies were coming by to look at it as I would like to have body and interior work done on it.  It is in bad need of it.

They came at 12:30.  As they were leaving, the storm hit, but nothing too bad at first, but with ice on the driveway, we decided not to go over to the PLAV or Sunnyside and we were sure glad we stayed home.

This was serious snowfall.  And the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen.  Some were fist size.  And, they were coming down fast.

McHenry County got hit the worst of all of the Chicagoland area.  Bull valley had 13.5 inches.  Woodstock 12 inches.  I am figuring we had 11-12 inches here.

That Is Sure A Lot For November.  --RoadDog

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR:  What does a Pilgrim call his friends?  Pal-grims.

I'd Celebrate That!!!! Nov. 26 to Dec. 2: Pies, Cakes & Cookies This Week

NOVEMBER 26, MONDAY--  Cake Day**    One with lots and lots of icing.   Cookie Day**  Move over Cookie Monster.

NOVEMBER  27, TUESDAY--   Bavarian Cream Pie Day**

NOVEMBER 28,  WEDNESDAY--  French Toast Day**  American Indian Day**  If anyone else believes they got a raw deal, take a look at these people.

NOVEMBER 29, THURSDAY--  E Greetings Day

NOVEMBER 30, FRIDAY--  Hurricane Season Ends**  We sure had enough here in the U.S. this year.   Mousse Day**  As in chocolate?

DECEMBER 1, SATURDAY--Earmuff Day**  When its cold, anything.   National Pie Day**   Yep.  Yup.

DECEMBER 2, SUNDAY--  Special Education Day**   Hannukah begins.**

Pies, Cakes & Cookies!!   Oh, Oh!  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for November 25, 1968: "Abraham, Martin & John"

Fifty years ago these were the Top Ten songs in Chicago according to the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.

1.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes
2.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--   Dion
3.  CHEWY, CHEWY--  Ohio Express

4.  CINNAMON--  Derek
5.  SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lanterns
6.  MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwoulf    Always brings back memories of that great juke box in the Senior Lounge at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  And, heaven help an underclassman who ventured in there.
7.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--  Mary Hopkin   Sad to thing that her "Days" are now our "Days" only to 1968.

8.  WHO'S MAKIN' LOVE--  Johnny Taylor
9.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder
10-.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton

DEBUTS

33.  SEE SAW--  Aretha Franklin
35.  LES BICYCLETTES BE BELSIZE--  Englebert Humperdink

37.  CAN'T TURN YOU LOOSE--  Chambers Brothers
39.  RIGHT RELATIONS--  Johnny Rivers
40.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Think That I Don't feel Love."  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR:  Question   Why did the Pilgrims' pants always fall down?  Answer--  Because they wore their belt buckle on their hat.

"Love Child"

Music of 1968-- Part 2: Jimi, Janis and CSNY

Continued from October 26, 2018.

While Jimi Hendrix was torching guitars and putting the polishing touches on "Electric Ladyland,"  Janis Joplin was shedding Big Brother and the Holding Company and starting a band of her own.

Out in Los Angeles's Laurel Canyon, Joni Mitchell's boyfriend casually walked into an impromptu jam session.  There he found two other like-minded musicians -- an encounter that led to Crosby,Stills, Nash and Young, probably the most famous supergroup ever.

--RoadDog

Anybody Else Besides Me Tired of Hearing "Black Friday?"

I have been watching TV and listening to the radio a bit these last two days.

Is there anyone else who is tired of hearing those two words "Black" and "Friday?"

Bring back the political ads.  I can't take it any more.

--RoadDog

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR:  What kind if music did the Pilgrims like?  Answer:  Plymouth Rock.

JSS: Boat's Up For Winter-- Black Friday-- Ed Bearss

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  BOAT'S UP FOR WINTER--  This past Friday I took the boat over to the barn in Hebron where we keep the boat during the winter, thus ending a year of no boating for us as it turned out.  Well, we did have 33 years of good boating before this.

2.  BLACK FRIDAY--  It seems like we just got rid of all those politicians saying all those bad things about their opponents.  Now, we have all this "Black Friday" stuff to listen to.  Have you "Black Fridayed?"

3.  ED BEARSS--  I understand ge will be giving a talk to the Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table in Arlington Heights on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7.  I hope to be able to see this World War II Marine veteran.  He is unique.

--RoadDog

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR:  Id April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring?   Answer:  Pilgrims.

I'd Celebrate That!! Nov. 19-25: "Tie One On Day" Wednesday

**  I'd Celebrate That!!!

NOVEMBER 19, MONDAY--  Have A Bad Day Day     National Blow Bagpipes Day**  I love the sound of bagpipes.  Don't care what anyone else says.

NOVEMBER 20, TUESDAY--  Absurdity Day**  Do Something absurd or stupid.  Peanut Butter Fudge Day**

NOVEMBER 21, WEDNESDAY--  Tie One On Day**  What does that have to do with the day before Thanksgiving?    Jukebox Day**  Love 'em but don't like a buck for a song like most songs are priced at these days.  Bring back the five for 50 cents juke boxes.

NOVEMBER 22,  THURSDAY--  Well, Thanksgiving**

NOVEMBER 23, FRIDAY--  Eat A Cranberry Day**  Sounds like a left over to me.  National Cashew Day**  Love them nuts.

NOVEMBER 24, SATURDAY--  Sardines Day   I don't much care for sardines, but do like herring.  Small Business Day**  Got to support those mom and pop places.

NOVEMBER 25, SUNDAY--  Parfait Day**

--RoadDog

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR:  What is a pumpkin's favorite sport?  Answer:  squash.

WLS Top Ten for November 18, 1968: "Abraham, Martin & John"

Fifty years ago today in Chicago according to the WLS 890 AM Silver Dollar Survey.

1.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross /  Supremes
2.  MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf
3.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--  Mary Hopkins

4.  CHEWY, CHEWY--  Ohio Express
5.  HOLD ME TIGHT--  Johnny Nash
6.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
7.  SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lanterns

8.  FIRE--  Five By Five
9.  CINNAMON--  Derek
10.  WHO'S MAKING LOVE--  Johnny Taylor

Songs debuting:

30.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
33.  SHAKE--  Shadows of Knight
37.  SCARBOROUGH FAIR--  Sergio Mendes / Brazil '66

38.  KENTUCKY WOMAN--  Deep Purple
39.  HANG 'EM HIGH--  Booker T. & the MGs
40.  PICKIN' WILD MOUNTAIN BERRIES--  Peggy Scott / JoJo Benson

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Don't Know What We Can See, Why Don't You Tell Your Dreams To Me."  Answers below.  --RoadDog


"Magic Carpet Ride"

Past Movie Scratches: Leprechaun-- Towers-- Leprechaun-- Oz-- Wizard-- Mayberry--

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2017.

55.  LEPRECHAUN 2--  11-5--  St. Patrick's Day with the lil' green guy.  Why expresso coffee guys should keep their comments to themselves.

56.  LORD OF THE RINGS:  TWIN TOWERS--  11-5--  Defending Helmskeep and the attack of the trees.

57.  LEPRECHAUN--  11-11--  How many ways can a lil' green guy get around?  Let's count the ways.

58.  WIZARD OF OZ--  11-18--  Those flying monkeys still give me the willies.

59.  WIZARD OF OZ--  11-18--  Don't pick the apples.

60.  RETURN TO MAYBERRY--  11-21--  The gang's all back.

--RoadDog

TOO LATE FOR HALLOWEEN, BUT:  What do skeletons say before eating?  Bone appetit.

JSS: Boat's Back-- More Snow

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  BOAT'S BACK--  Wednesday, our mechanic brought the boat back to us.  He had it since late July.  We had some major mechanical problems and trailer problems and we did not go out boating a single time this season.  That would be the first summer of no-boating since 1985.

Sadly, however, we have determined that we do not want to own the boat anymore, so if anyone of you knows somebody interested in getting into boating, let me know.

2.  MORE SNOW--  We had about two inches of it this past Thursday and it is snowing again today, Thursday.  So far I'm guessing we've gotten about two inches.

I even had to cancel taking the boat out to Hebron, Illinois, where we keep it during the winter.  I don't know, snowing and boating (even pulling one) just doesn't go together.

--RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Homeopathic doctor's son named Herb.

Music Deaths: Don McGuire, Last Surviving Member of the Hilltoppers

DON McGUIRE, 87

Died September 7, 2018

Last surviving member of the Hilltoppers.  The group formed at Western Kentucky State College and took their name from the school nickname.

Had hits with "Only You (And You Alone)"  (#8-1855), Marianne"  (#3-1957)  and "P.S. I Love You"   The last one was not the song by the Beatles.

Music Deaths: Don Gardner: 1/2 of Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford

DON GARDNER, 87

Died September 4, 2018

One half of the Philadelphia duo Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford.  Their big hit, and only Top 40, was "O Need Your Lovin' "  (#20-1963)

They also had "Glory of Love" (#75-1962) and "Don't You Worry" (#66-1962.  The duo split up in the mid-1960s.

"I Need Your Love" was a two-part song on two sides of the 45.  Part two was the side that got the airplay.  Give the whole song a listen.  But what hooked me was how he started with that "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa" at the start of side two of the 45.

Dee Dee Ford was born Wrechia Holloway in Louisiana in 1936 and died in 1972.  I couldn't ding much about her.

Id you go to You Tube, click on Don Garner Mix.  It has four of his songs, including "I Need Your Lovin" " right away, but listen beyond that as there is some real good Soul and R&B songs I'd never heard before.

Music Deaths: Ed King, Co-Founder of Strawberry Alarm Clock and Member of Lynyrd Skynyrd

ED KING, 68

Died August 29, 2018

Is it possible to get more hippie and psychedelic than Strawberry Alarm Clock?

Co-founder of Strawberry Alarm Clock  "Incense & Peppermints"  (#1-1967) and guitarist and bassist with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Co-write "Sweet Home Alabama"  (#8-1974)

With Lynyrd Skynyrd 1972 to 1975 and 1987 to 1996 when he left the band with heart trouble.  Became member of Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2006.

Movie Scratches: Crazy-- Nun-- Predator-- Star

Movie Scratches:  A Dog's-Eye view of the movies at theaters.

33.  CRAZY, RICH ASIANS--  9-18--  Fox Lake, $5.  Will true love or family win?  A real tour de force of the beauty of Singapore.

34.  THE NUN--  9-20--  Fox Lake, $6--  Who let the demon out?  Who will put it back?

35.  THE PREDATOR--  10-2--  Fox Lake, $5--  Pet the nice doggie, but beware the really big dude. and don't say the "F" Bomb so much.  At least the aliens didn't swear.

36.  A STAR IS BORN--  10-19--  Fox Lake, $5--  The ups and downs, ups and downs of the music biz with the Nose and her Beau.  Plenty enough "F" Bombs.  Why are there so many "F" Bombs in today's movies?

Getting Really Weary of All These "F" Words in Today's Movie.  Most People Do Not talk That Way.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  A hairstylist's son named Bob.

WLS Top 10 for November 11, 1968: "Chewy, Chewy"

These were the top ten songs in Chicago according to the Silver Dollar Survey of WLS 890 AM radio fifty years ago.

1.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes
2.  MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf
3.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--  Mary Hopkins

4. WHITE ROOM--  Cream
5.  FIRE--  Five By Five
6.  HOLD ME TIGHT--  Johnny Nash
7.  CHEWY, CHEWY--  Ohio Express

8.  RUN TO ME--  Montanas
9.  ELENORE--  Turtles
10. SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lantern

Debut Songs

29.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
33.  TILL--  Vogues
35.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six

36.  PROMISES, PROMISES--  Dionne Warwick
38.  WICHITA LINEMAN--  Glen Campbell
39.  THE STRAIGHT LIFE--  Bobby Goldsboro
40.  NOBODY--  Three Dog Night

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Like To Dream, Yes, Right Between My Sound Machine."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Magic Carpet Ride"

I'd Celebrate That!!! Nov. 12-18: Thursday Is Clean Out the Fridge Day

**  I'd celebrate that.

NOVEMBER 12,  MONDAY--  Pizza With the Works Day**   Garbage pizza, that's for me.  I have to wonder about people who just like pizza with cheese and maybe one topping.

NOVEMBER 13, TUESDAY--  World Kindness Day**  I wonder if Bill Murray would drink to that even if it is not "World Peace?"  Hey, kindness leads to peace.

NOVEMBER 14, WEDNESDAY--  Pickle Day**  And, as we all know, Mt. Olive Pickles are the best.   Guacamole Day**  Mighty good dippin' stuff.

NOVEMBER 15, THURSDAY--  Clean Out the Fridge Day**  We've got things back there that frighten me.   Smoke Out Day**  Think of how much money you could save.

NOVEMBER 16, FRIDAY--  Fast Food Day**  Me, eat fast food?  Yep!!

NOVEMBER 17, SATURDAY--  Baklava Day**  Take A Hike Day*8  Figuratively or Really?   Adoption Day**  Be it a kid or pet.

NOVEMBER 18, SUNDAY--    Mickey Mouse's Birthday    How old is he?  M-I-C-K-E-Y MOUSE.

Donald Duck.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Steam shovel operator's name:  Doug

Armistice Day Today, Also Veterans Day

Quite a day in the history of the world today.  One hundred years ago, World War I or, the First World War as the British later called it, ended four years of fighting.

It is still commemorated in the United States, but now called Veterans Day, a day to honor and thank our military veterans.

From Wikipedia.

ARMISTICE DAY

Commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the Armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiegne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I.

It went into effect at eleven o'clock in the morning --  "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

"Thank God For The United States Marine Corps"

I put up my U.S. flags today in honor of two things.  The first was the 243rd birthday of the USMC.  The second was the end of World War I one hundred years ago and Veterans Day tomorrow.

This quote is from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1945.

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen.  Thank God for the United States Marie Corps."

I'll Second That.  --MarDog

WLS Top 40 for November 4, 1968-- Part 7: "Love Child"

These were the top ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago according to the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.

The number behind the artist refers to the top position it reached on Billboard's National Top 100 songs.

10.  RUN TO ME--  Montanas   Did not rank.
9.  HOLD ME TIGHT--  Johnny Nash    #5
8.  LITTLE GREEN APPLES--  O.C. Smith   #2

7.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes     #1
6.  OVER YOU--  Union Gap    #7
5.  FIRE--  Five By Five     #52
4.  WHITE ROOM--  Cream    #6

3.  MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf    #3
2.  ELENORE--  Turtles    #6
1.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--  Mary Hopkin     #2

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Once Upon A Time There Was A Tavern Where We Used To Raise A Glass Or Two."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Those Were The Days"

JSS: Snow-- One-And-Done Duke Wins-- No WW I Magazine

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SNOW--  We had our first accumulating snow of the season Thursday night, about two inches.  But, it was good snow as none stuck to driveways, sidewalks or roads.  I could live with snow if it didn't fall on anything I had to move or drive on.

Ans, it stuck to the trees and a snow covered tree is one of the great things to see in nature.

2.  ONE-AND-DONE DUKE WINS--  I used to be a big Duke fan, but not anymore.  I will not support any school that relies on those one-and-done players.  I would have expected Coach K to be a better man than this.

3.  NO WW I MAGAZINES--  I am surprised that I did not see any of those 100-page magazines you see these days at most places that still sell magazines on the end of World War I, which ended tomorrow, November 11, 1918.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  A meteorologists daughter named Haley.

WLS Top 40 for November 4, 1968-- Part 6: "I Gotta Get A Message To You"

Fifty years ago in Chicago.  WLS 890 AM Radio.

15.  SHAME SHAME--  Magic Lanterns     #29    Shame on you if you forgot this song  (like I did).  From Lancashire, England.  Their only Top 40.

14.  BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC--  Andy Williams     #33    Who'd have figured this song on a pop station?  Sang it at the memorial service for Robert Kennedy at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

13.  CHEWY CHEWY--  Ohio Express     #15   Yet another Bubble Gum song!!  We NEED more Bubble Gum Music, not cow bells.  Pride and joy of Mansfield, Ohio.

12.  I GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU--  Bee Gees    #8   Or, are they another name for the Beatles.

11.  MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS--  Grass Roots    #5   Their biggest hit.   From San Francisco.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "My Eyes Have Seen the Glory."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Doctor's son named Bill.


"Battle Hymn of the Republic"

WLS Top 40 for November 4, 1968-- Part 5: "Piece of My Heart"

20.  HI HEEL SNEAKERS--  Feliciano     #25   Jazz it up, Jose.  His follow up to his biggest hit, "Light My Fire."

19.  BANG-SHANG-A-LANG--  Archies      #22      Their first hit.  More great Bubble Gum Music (one of four Bubble Gum songs in the top 40).  Try not to tap your feet to this one.    Studio group.  Their biggest hit was "Sugar, Sugar."

18.  HEY, WESTERN UNION ME--  Jerry Butler    #16    Went to #1 on R&B chart.  Pure Ice from the Man.  Chicago's Ice Man Cometh.  What's a telegram?

17.  QUICK JOEY SMALL--  Kastentz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus     #25    One-Hit Wonder.  Another Bubble Gum song.  Check out the funny video.  Is that Charlie Chaplin?  Just 2:24.  They consisted of members of 1910 Fruitgum Co., Ohio Express and Music Explosion.

16.  PIECE OF MY HEART--  Big Brother & the Holding Company     #12    Their biggest hit.    Who's doing the singing?

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "That Is What I Want You To Say."   Answer below.  --RoadDog


IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  A lawyer's son named Will.

"Hey Western Union Man"

WLS Top 40 for November 4, 1968-- Part 4: "Suzie Q"

25.  HEY JUDE--  Beatles    #1 for 9 weeks     The end of it is quite possibly the greatest audience sing-along song ever.  Check out the video of them playing together.  Poor Ringo was almost overrun.

24.  FIRE--  The Crazy World of Arthur Brown    #2   Probably one of RnR's skinniest singers.  Again, check out the video of him with those burning horns and make up.  Alice and Kiss don't have anything on this guy.

23.  DO SOMETHING GOOD TO ME--  Tommy James & the Shondells      #38    I don't remember this one, but a great T.J. song.  Only 2:26, wish it was longer.

22.  SUZIE Q--  Creedence Clearwater Revival     #11    Whenever I hear this song, I am always taken back to that scene of the show in "Apocalypse Now."

21.  WHO'S MAKING LOVE--  Johnny Taylor     #5    If this don't get your body to moving, nothing will.  His biggest hit "Disco Lady"  (#1-1976)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Take A Sad Song And Make It Better."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Hey Jude"

I'd Celebrate That!! November 5 to 11: Saturday Is the 243rd Birthday of the USMC!!!

**  I'd celebrate that.

NOVEMBER 5, MONDAY--  American Football Day**  Doughnut Day**  Especially those Britt Donuts at Carolina Beach, N.C.

NOVEMBER 6,  TUESDAY--  Election Day**  I'll sure be celebrating the end of it.  It's been a long year and a half.   Nachos Day**

NOVEMBER 7, WEDNESDAY--  Job Action Day   Not sure what this is.   Hug A Bear Day**  Well, not the ones out in the wild, but those lil' cuddly teddy bears.

NOVEMBER 8, THURSDAY--  Cappuccino Day**  Especially pumpkin spice cappuccino,  99 cents for a large at Thornton's.  (I'll probably never know how to spell it without looking it up.    Parents As Teachers Day**   Let's hope parents are doing some teaching.

NOVEMBER 9, FRIDAY--  Scrapple Day**  Never had any, but I hear it is really good.

NOVEMBER 10, SATURDAY--   U.S. Marine Corps 243rd Birthday**  The best.  

NOVEMBER 11, SUNDAY--   Veterans Day**  Fly Those Flags.

Happy 243rd, Marines!!   --RoadDog

The Battle on One-And-Dones Tonight: Duke vs. Kentucky

And, I'm not going to watch it, even though Duke USED to be one of my favorite of the big guy schools.

I have no respect for any basketball programs who depend on players who are only going to be three for one year before going to the NBA.

Kentucky started it and now Duke follows along puppylike.  I thought Coach K had more class than that.

The only good thing about these one-and-doners is that come tournament time, it greatly increases the chances of a little guy knocking off a big guy.

Guess Not.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  A thief's son named Rob.

Won't Life Be So Much Finer After Tomorrow

Tired.  I am so tired of all this election mess.  I'm so tired.  And, it has been going on for two years.  That is much of what passes for TV and radio commercials today here in Illinois.  And, there are more signs by the roads than I ever saw.  Talk about your sign clutter.

Much money has been spent by both Democrats and Republicans.

If we are to believe these commercials, pretty much everybody running for office should be arrested immediately and thrown into jail.  We have reached a new low in mudslinging.  To hell with what a candidate believes, let's slam something their opponent did.

Democrats are saying their opponents have Trump connections and Republicans are tying Democrats to the much-hated Illinois Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan.

We have a major contest for Illinois governor going on.  Both men are extremely rich.  Bruce rauner, current governor is very anti-Union which we don't like.  J.B. Pritzer is Madigan's man.  Picking the lesser of the two evils, I'd have to say we'll vote for Brauner.

That Madigan Is Bad Medicine.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A  NAME:  From the July 1, 2017, Orange Peel Gazette.  Profession / Name:   Lawyer's daughter:  Sue

WLS Top 40 For November 4, 1968-- Part 3: "Cinnamon"

The number behind the artist is the highest it got on the Billboard Top 100 National charts.

30.  CINNAMON--  Derek    #11   Group formed by Johnny Cymbal  who had a 1963 hit with "Mr. Bass Man".  After that song, he did not have much success  Reformed with the name of his brother, but Johnny did the singing.

29.  I'M IN A DIFFERENT WORLD--  Four Tops   #51   Never heard it, but a REAL GOOD song.  Classic Motown.  It's all there.

28.  CYCLES--  Frank Sinatra    #23   He's lived through many phases and right now  one a real downer, but he'll get through.

27.  COURT OF LOVE--  Unifics     #25    Formed at Howard University in Washington, D.C..  Never heard of it.  Great choreography and dig those over-sized white gloves.   I'll sure be listening to some more of this group on You Tube.

26.  SWEET BLINDNESS--  Fifth Dimension     #13   Check out the neat parade video.  One person says the parade was in Cannes, France.  And that outfit that Marilyn McCoo was wearing!!!  Must have been poured into it.  As one person said, "'LAWD HAVE MERCY!!!!"

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Let's Go Down By The Grape Vine  Drink My Daddy's Wine, Get Happy."  Answer below.  --RoadDog



"Sweet Blindness"

WLS Top 40 for November 4, 1968-- Part 2: "Both Sides Now"

35.  BOTH SIDES NOW--  Judy Collins    (D)    #8    Her biggest hit.   What a voice.  A touchy-feely song.

34.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion  (D)     #4   A very timely song for this era.  A come-back for Dion.  His last Top 100 was in 1964.

33.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder    #2   As good of Stevie as it gets.

32.  GOODY, GOODY GUMDROPS--  1910 Fruitgum Co.      #37   Great Bubble Gum Music.  Check out the guy with the tambourine in the video.  He sure played  it.  2:16 on pure toe-tapping pop music.

31.  BRING IT ON HOME TO ME--   Eddie Floyd     #17     Hey, this is some great soul music and what about that  bass?  Every bit as good as his better-known "Knock On Wood"  (#28-1966).

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Can You Tell Me Where's He Gone?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

SAYINGS:  "Nice Guys Finish Last."   Sorry Leo Durocher, but not true.   Studies have shown that, on average, nice guys finish third in a field of six.  In Medieval Times, it was believed nice guys finished 26th.

"Abraham, Martin & John"

JSS: Busy Day-- Goodbye To the '03 Malibu

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  BUSY DAY--  Today, I will be leaving in just a little bit and going to the Fox Lake American Legion for the Tom Grosvenor Marine Corps / Toys for Tots birthday breakfast.  Afterwards I plan on burning leaves and limbs in the yard.

Then, if the weather holds good, there are two Illinois High School Association playoff football games nearby and I plan to go to one.  After that, the Legion is having a band.

2.  GOODBYE TO THE '03 MALIBU--  We were sad yesterday when friends came over to pay for and take title of our '03 Chevy Malibu.  We bought it new and this was the first car where we ever got over 100,000 miles.  The odometer read 145,265 miles.

It is in really good shape, but we figure it is time to buy a new car as the newest one we have is a '11 Chevy Malibu.  (We also still have a 2005 Dodge Dakota and an '85 Firebird.)

We drove the '03 Malibu from Chicago all the way out to Santa Monica, California, from one end to the other of Route 66.

It was a really good car.

We'll Sure Miss It.  --RoadDog

SAYINGS:  "You learn something new every day."  Actually, you learn something old every day.  Just because you've just learned it, doesn't mean it's new.  Other people already knew it.  Columbus is a good example of this.

WLS Top 40 Songs for November 4, 1968-- Part 1: "Little Arrows"

These songs were in the Top 40 in Chicago back 50 years ago according to the WLS 890 AM's Silver Dollar Survey.

(D) means it is a debut.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Top 100.

40.  STORMY--  Classics IV   (D)    #5   "Stormy" and "Spooky"  Good songs for this season of the year.  Quintet from Jacksonville, Florida.  One of three Top 5s.

39.  LITTLE ARROWS--  Leapy Lee    (D)   #16   A true One-Hit Wonder.  From Eastbourne, England.  How can you not like this catchy little tune?  Give it a listen if you've never heard it before or haven't heard it in a long time (like me).

38.  TAKE ME FOR A LITTLE WHILE--  Vanilla Fudge    (D)    #38   Psychedelic Rock band from New York formed in 1966.    How to psychedelicize a great old soul song.

37.  ALWAYS TOGETHER--  Dells   (D)    #18       From Harvey, Illinois.  I'd never heard this song before. Good belly-rubbin' song.  Smooth Soul.

36.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton    (D)      #9     A great slow-dancing song.  How romantic can you get?  This would make a great first dance wedding song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Were The Sunshine, Baby, Whenever You Smiled"  Answer below.  --RoadDog



"Stormy"

Ten Halloween Songs to Scare You: "Spirits In the Material World"

From Bob Stroud's Ten At Ten, October 31, 2018, Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM, the Drive.

MONSTER MASH--  Bobby "Boris" Pickett
SPOOKY--  Classics IV
SCARY MONSTERS--  David Bowie

DEVIL INSIDE--  INXS
SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD--  Police
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU--  Screamin' Jay Hawkins
DANCING WITH MR. D--  Rolling Stones

WEREWOLVES OF LONDON--  Warren Zevon
PSYCHO KILLER--  Talking Heads
SEASON OF THE WITCH--  Donovan

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Working In The Lab Late One Night."  Answer Below.  --RoadHowl

SAYINGS:  "You Can't Take It With You"  When you die.  Well, that depends upon what it is.  If it's your dark blue suit, you can certainly take it with you.  In fact, not only can you take it with you, you can probably put some things in your pockets.

"Monster Mash"

JSS: Halloween A to Z-- Ten Halloween Songs-- The Nov. 1 Holiday

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  HALLOWEEN A TO Z--  At noon (CDST) today, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM will begin their Halloween A to Z where they will play spooky and weird songs based title alphabetically for around six hours.  Well worth a listen and it streams at www.wdrv.com.

2.  TEN HALLOWEEN SONGS--  And, today at 10 a.m. and again at 10 p.m. (CDST), Bob Stroud (well his relative Count Frankenstroud) will play Halloween songs on his Ten at Ten show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  And, it streams.

3.  THE NOV. 1 HOLIDAY--  I don't know about you, but November 1, tomorrow, I will be hitting the stores in search of that scary half-price Halloween candy and stuff.

Good Listening and Eating in the Neighborhood.  --RoadDog

As Ever: Halloween Songs to "Skeer" the Daylights Out Of You "Witchy Woman"

This past Sunday, Bob Stroud did his yearly creepy crawly show on Halloween songs to scare you on his Rock and Roll Roots show from 7 to 9 a.m. on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.

I WANT CANDY--  Strangeloves
FRANKENSTEIN--  Edgar Winter Group
BAD MOON RISING--  CCR   Also, my ringtone.

WITCHY QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS--  Redbone
WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles
WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE--  Alice Cooper

EVIL WAYS--  Santana
DEVIL  IN HER HEART--  Beatles
EVIL WOMAN--  ELO

SUPERSTITION--  Stevie Wonder
STRANGE BREW--  Cream
BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN--  Albert King

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Thirteen Month Old Baby, Broke the Lookin' Glass."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

SAYINGS:  "Everything Comes in Threes": continued.  By the way, in Medieval times, it was widely believed that everything came in twenty-sixes.  They were wrong, too.  It just took them longer to recognize the pattern.

"Superstition"

Five True Facts About Northern Illinois Football

This appeared in the Brigham Young, Utah, student newspaper as they prepared to play NIU this past Saturday.

1.  Northern's home is Brigham Field in Huskie Stadium, renamed in 2003 for Robert J. Brigham, former player, coach and athletic director.  (Brigham Young fans would find this of interest.)

2.  NIU has won four MAC championships )1983, 2011, 2012 and 2014) and has played in ten post-season bowls since 2004, most notably the 2013 Orange Bowl against Florida State.

3.  After a 17-6 victory over Eastern Michigan in 1998, the student body tore down the goal posts at Huskie Stadium, carried them down Lincoln Highway and planted them in the campus lagoon.  University President John La Tourrette personally paid to have new goal posts  installed.  (There was a good reason for this which I will tell you in a few days.)

4.  Next year, Northern is scheduled to play Utah, Nebraska and Vanderbilt.  (This year we played Iowa, Utah, Florida State and Brigham Young.  All are Power 5 Conference members.

5.  Former quarterback Jordan Lynch, a finalist in the 2013 Heisman Trophy, is a n assistant coach for the Huskies, handling the running backs.  (Well, now he is head coach at Chicago's Mount Carmel High School, a state perennial power.

NIU Huskies.  --RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!! Deviled Eggs Day Friday

Those "holidays" you probably didn't know about.

OCTOBER 29, MONDAY--  Hermit Day**  Here's to you Fort Fisher Hermit.    Cat Day**   My sister Julie's day.  Cats have no better friend than her.

OCTOBER 30, TUESDAY--  Candy Corn Day**  Eat in three bites: top, middle and bottom.   Publicist Day

OCTOBER 31, WEDNESDAY--  Trick or Treat.**    Knock-Knock Joke Day**  Never could figure these out.

NOVEMBER 1, THURSDAY--  All Saints Day**  Calzone Day**  Cook For Your Pets Day**

NOVEMBER 2, FRIDAY--  Deviled Egg  Day**  Notice how these are always first to go at a party?  

NOVEMBER 3, SATURDAY--  Housewives Day**  Much Too Much Work.  Bison Day**   Sandwich Day**

NOVEMBER 4, SUNDAY--  Daylight Savings Time Ends   And  does it ever get dark early.  Stress Awareness Day**  Yeah, like these blogs.

--RoadDog

SAYINGS:  (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  "EVERYTHING COMES IN THREES."  Not true.  In reality, everything comes in ones.  Sometimes, when three "ones" comes in a row, it seems like everything comes in threes.

WLS Top Ten for October 28, 1968: "Little Green Apples"

1.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--  Mary Hopkin
2.  OVER YOU--  Union Gap
3.  ELENORE--  Turtles

4.  WHITE ROOM--  Cream
5.  MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS--  Grassroots
6.  LITTLE GREEN APPLES--  O.C. Smith
7.  FIRE--  Five By Five

8.  I GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU--  Bee Gees
9.  MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf
10.  FIRE--  Crazy World of Arthur Brown

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Black Roof Country, No Gold Pavements, Tired Starlings."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

HOW TO LIE TO THE BATHROOM SCALE:  Exhale with all your might BEFORE stepping onto the scale (air has to weigh something, right?).

"White Room"

Music of 1968-- Part 1: "Rock and Roll's Greatest Year"

From the Time Life magazine.

It was a great year, but I am not sure about Rock and Roll's Greatest Year.  This was sold at newstands where they almost unbelievably still sell magazines  in this digital age.  Personally, I'm sure glad they do.  Picture of the Beatles on the front cover.

"1968  A YEAR TO REMEMBER:  Mich Jagger summed it up best: "But what can a poor boy do, except to sing for a rock 'n' roll band?"

For the rock 'n' roll lovers, 1968 hit the mother lode.  Psychedelia ruled and so did protest, Motown and Johnny Cash's twang.  The Rolling Stones blasted back onto the airwaves with "Beggars Banquet.  Heavy metal was ascendant.  The Beatles, in spite of personal resentments and professional differences, followed "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" with an LP that since has been embraced as the even more iconic:  "The Beatles,"  a.k.a. the White Album.

It Was a Great Year (When I Was 17, and I really was).  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Manos-- Leprechaun-- Leprechaun-- Leprechaun-- Leprechaun-- Leprechaun--

Movies I saw on TV in 2017.

49.  MANOS: HAND OF FATE--  10-26--  As stupid as it gets.

50.  LEPRECHAUN 2--  10-27--  Lil' Green Guy with all the wise cracks and horrible ways of killing people.  "Careful what you wish for."

51.  LEPRECHAUN 3--  10-27--  Lil' Green Guy living it up and dying in Las Vegas.

52.  LEPRECHAUN 4:  IN SPACE--  10-27--  On a space ship  This time with the corniest characters ever created.  Alien ain't got nothin' on the Lil' Green Guy.

53.  LEPRECHAUN: IN THE HOOD--  Lil' Green Guy gets hooked on reefer and rap.

54.  LEPRECHAUN:  BACK TO THE HOOD--  Little Green Racist Guy back to killing Blacks, but this time gets burned, shot with 4-leaf clovers and swallowed in cement.  Little guy takes a beating but keeps on ticking.

Something About Being Near Halloween, You Know.  --RoadDog

HOW TO LIE TO THE BATHROOM SCALE:  Weigh yourself after a haircut, this is good for at least half a pound of hair (hopefully_.

So, It's World Series Time

Well, the two teams I was pulling for in the NL and AL Championship Series both lost.  I definitely was hoping the Brewers would go to the World Series.  I have been a fan of theirs for most of the time they've been a team and liked them better in the American League.

Their 1982 team is one of my all-time favorites and they would have beaten the Cardinals in that World Series had Rollie Fingers not gotten hurt.

But, anyway,  who to pull for now.

Since I am a White Sox fan and primarily an American League fan (unless the Yankees go to the World Series), I reckon I'll pull for the Red Sox and especially since they will be starting Chris Sale, who used to be with the White Sox, tonight.

I've never been a big Dodger fan either.

My buddy Kevin is also torn.  Being from Brooklyn and New York City, he hates the Red Sox.  BUT, he really hates the Dodgers more for leaving Brooklyn to move out west.  That broke their hearts.

Go Red Sox.  --RoadDog

HOW TO LIE TO THE BATHROOM SCALE:  Don't eat or drink anything in the morning until AFTER you've weighed in, completely naked, of course.

I'd Celebrate That!! October 33-October 28: American Beer Day This Saturday

OCTOBER 22, MONDAY--  Nut Day**  Love my nuts.  Sure glad I don't have one of those peanut allergies.

OCTOBER 23, TUESDAY--  IPod Day**  Whatever that is.  Boston Cream Pie Day**

OCTOBER 24, WEDNESDAY--  National Bologna Day**  My Bologna has a First name, It is O-s-c-a-r."  What;s the last name?    National Good & Plenty Day   "Charlie Says."

OCTOBER 25, THURSDAY--  National Greasy Foods Day**  The greasier the Better.  Sourest Day.  The more sour, the better.

OCTOBER 26, FRIDAY--  Pumpkin Day**  No Chunkin' allowed.  Chicken Fried Steak Day**  One of  my favorites.

OCTOBER 27, SATURDAY--  Navy Day**  Anchors Away me Boys.  American Beer Day**  Will definitely drink to that.

OCTOBER 28, SUNDAY--  Mother-In-Law Day**   I certainly got along with my mother-in-law, Frances.

Hoist One for Beer Day!!  --RoadDog

HOW TO LIE TO THE BATHROOM SCALE:  Stand with arms raised, making pressure on thescale lighter.