Biggest Party Schools in United States-- Part 1: U of I Is #10

From the June 11, 2018, Champaign (Illinois) Patch "Here Are the Biggest Party Schools in Illinois" by Shannon Antinori.

Based on student reviews and nightlife.

1.  Tulane
2.  Georgia
3.  Miami of Ohio

4.  Iowa
5.  Florida State
6.  West Virginia
7.  Texas- Austin

8.  Penn State
9.  Indiana
10.  Illinois

For It's Not For Knowledge That I Come To College.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

OK, So It's Cold

Temp this morning on front porch was -16 and just recently at 1:30 p.m. was -6.  All hunkered down inside though and unless we lose electricity, should be alright.  Liz showed me a picture of Michigan Avenue in Chicago this morning with but one car to be seen.  Folks hunkering down.

But, of course it is cold, but our weather folk are making way too big of a thing of it.  Just part of today's do everything to the extreme age we're in.  Weather event equals more viewers equals more advertising money.  Or something like it.

And, our good folks at Big Oil are showing their empathy  Sunday gas in Fox Lake, Illinois, was $1.96 ($1.95.9) and yesterday it was $2.30.  Someone going to make a buck?

Listened to WVCO, the Surf, out of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., this morning, as I do most mornings, and they were at 30 degrees and all they could do was talk about Chicago's cold.

Well, Cold Over Hurricanes Any Old Day For Me.  --RoadCold

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  You should not confuse your career with your life.

I'd Celebrate That!!! Jan. 28 to 31: Backwards Day Thursday

**  I'd celebrate that.

JANUARY 28--  Daisy Day**  And, I've got a lot of 'em.  Rattlesnake Roundup Day   Reckon I'll take a pass on this one.   National Blueberry Pancake Day**     And the more the better.   Child Labor Day**  Childhood is too short.

JANUARY 29--  Curmudgeons Day**  I don;t care what they saw.  I ain't one!!!   National Carnation Day*8    National Corn Chip Day*8   Few things finer.   National Puzzle Day**  Until several months ago, I didn't do crossword puzzles.  I sure do them now.  Never figured I would.

JANUARY 30--  National Croissant Day**  Especially those Burger King breakfast sandwiches.   National Inane  Answering Message Day**   "I ain't home, I ain't home.  You got to leave a message 'cause I ain't home"  Sung to Jimmy Buffett's "This Hotel Room" song.   Yodel To Your Neighbors Day**  A great way to get them to leave you alone.

JANUARY 31--   Backwards Day**   Do as many things elbissop sdrawkcab.     Eat Brussels Sprouts Day.  Oh well.   National Hot Chocolate Day**   Just don't burn your tongue.  Few things worse than a hot chocolate burn.

--GoDdaoR


IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  If God created the universe and wanted to get a message to it, he would not hire a person on cable TV with a bad hairstyle to do it for him/her.

WLS Top Ten for January 27, 1969: "Crimson & Clover"

Top Ten songs in Chicago according to WLS 890 AM, fifty years ago.

1.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James / Shondells
2.  TOUCH ME--  Doors
3.  WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN--  Brooklyn Bridge

4.  EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly / Family Stone
5.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unltd
6.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas
7.  I STARTED A JOKE--  Bee Gees

8.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Supremes / Temptations
9.  IF I CAN DREAM--  Elvis Presley
10.  YOU SHOWED ME--   Turtles

DEBUTS

34.  PROUD MARY--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
36.  INDIAN GIVER--  1910 Fruitgum Company

37.  DADDY SANG BASS--  Johnny Cash
38.  TIME OF THE SEASON--  Zombies

39.  SOULSHAKE--  Peggy Scott / Jo Jo Benson
40.  HELLO, IT'S ME--  Nazz

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Can't You See That I Am Not Afraid."  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is to annoy people not in them.


"Touch Me"

Movie Scratches (2018): Mule-- Engines-- Aquaman-- Second

Movie Scratches--  Movie I saw in the theater in 2018.

49.  THE MULE--  12-19--  Fox Lake, $5--  A senior finding a new source of money.  If Clint Eastwood makes a movie, it's good.

50.  MORTAL ENGINES--  12-20--  Fox Lake, $6--  "Luke (Hester) I am your father,"  More gnashing gears than you could ever hope to see.

51.  AQUAMAN--  12-21--  Fox Lake, $6--  The reluctant king wisecracks his way through it.  Something's getting fishy around here.

52.  SECOND ACT--  12-27--  Fox Lake, $6--  Best to always tell the truth right away, but succeeding despite of it.

Sticky Floors.  --RoadDog

IN 5O YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not and never will achieve its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

Movie Scratches (2018): Overlord-- Possession-- Spiderman-- Forgive

Movie Scratches--   Movies I Saw in the Theater.

45.  OVERLORD--  12-6--  Round Lake Beach, $6--  Having Nazi Zombies would definitely not be a good thing.  A real rough time on those planes coming over.

46.  THE POSSESSION OF HANNAH GRACE-- 12-13--  Fox Lake, $6   Sure cured me of ever wanting to work the night shift at a morgue.  My advice to you, do not be Shay's friend.

47.  SPIDERMAN:  INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE--  12-17--  Fox Lake, $6--  Meet Peter B. Parker This Universe and That Universe, also Spider-Woman (well, Girl), Peter Porker/ Spider Ham, Peni Parker and Spider Man Noir.  A first black Spidey.

48.  CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?--  12-17--   Finding a new way to make a literary buck.  This should get some Academy nods.

And What About Those Covered Seats In the Theater?  --RoadDog

Gone But Not Forgotten-- Part 4: Ventura Highway"

DRIVIN' WHEEL--  Fog Hat    Bassist Craig MacCregor, 68
MIRACLES--  Jefferson Starship    Marty Balin,  The song was a million-seller.
PLASTIC FANTASTIC LOVER--  Jefferson Airplane     Marty Balin  This song was about his TV set.

WENDY--  Association       Joe Osborn, 81.  The bassist of the studio group Wrecking Crew who played on many  hit songs.
VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America   Joe Osborn  Also sang with Ricky Nelson.  As a member of the Wrecking Crew one of the most recorded bassists in history.
MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS--  Grass Roots   Joe Osborn and Wrecking Crew

BARE TREES--  Fleetwood Mac    Danny Kirwin   Wrote and sang this song but couldn't take touring.
INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS--  Strawberry Alarm Clock    Ed King
SIMPLE KIND OF MAN--  Lynyrd Skynyrd    Ed King

NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--   Moody Blues    Ray Thomas   His flute solo on this song.
(YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE) A NATURAL WOMAN--  Aretha Franklin   The Queen of Soul

And if you would like to see a more complete list, click on Music Deaths 2018 below this.  When you get to the bottom of the list, click on Older Posts.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Never Reaching The End.  Letters I've Written Never Meaning To Send.."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  At least once a year some scientists will say something is bad for you to eat.  Also something they said last year was bad for you, isn't.


"Nights In White Satin"

Gone But Not Forgotten-- Part 3: "Grazing In the Grass"

Artists who left us in 2018.

SATURDAY NIGHT--  Bay City Rollers  Bassist Alan Longmuir, 70
REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE--  Marmalade   Dean Ford, 70   Their only U.S. hit  Co-wrote the song and lead vocal on it.
GRAZING IN THE GRASS--  Hugh Masakela    Jazz trumpeter.  Hit #1 in 1968.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK AND ROLLS STAR--  Byrds    Hugh Masakela played trumpet on this song.
I'LL TAKE YOU THERE--  Staple Singers     Yvonne Staples, 81   One of the sisters.  A #1 song
COVER OF THE ROLLING STONE--  Dr. Hook   Ray Sawyer, 81  Had the distinctive eye-patch and hat.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, We're Big Rock Singers We Got Golden Fingers."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  Nobody is normal.


"Cover Of the Rolling Stone"

NIU's New Football Coach: Thomas Hammock

The last coach left for greener pastures I guess, but that's ok as I don't think we were going any farther under him.  And then there was that horrible bowl record of his.  It was so bad I didn't want us going to any more bowls.

Thomas Hammock played football for Northern Illinois and had two 1000+ rushing seasons.  He was also an assistant coach at NIU and for the last five years running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens.

He professes to bleed Huskie red and black blood and says he even named his son after Douglas Hall.  He said its always been his hope to be head coach at Northern,  Hopefully we picked well and I have high hopes for him.

Now, lets continue our winning ways and win some bowl games and do something about the horrible attendance at the games.

Hopefully, he's the guy.

Welcome Back Coach Hammock.  --RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!! January 21-27: Library Shelfie Day Jan. 23

JANUARY 21--  Elementary School Teacher Day**  They get first shot at the kids.   Squirrel Appreciation Day**  They drive me nuts, but I love the lil' varmints.   National Hugging Day**   But no PDA, please.

JANUARY 22--   Come In From the Cold Day**  Warm is good.   National Polka Dot Day   National Hot Sauce Day   I don't think so.

JANUARY 23--  Library Shelfie Day**  Few things prettier than a shelf of books (unless a shelf of records or CDs.    National Pie Day**   I like pies better than cakes.

JANUARY 24--   Beer Can Appreciation Day**   Love "collecting" these.  Back in the 70s I had a pretty nice collection.   Clashing Clothes Day*8   Liz says I do this naturally.    National Peanut Butter Day**  Few things better.

JANUARY 25--A Room Of One's Own Day     I wouldn't know.  I've never had one.  National Fun At Work Day**    National Irish Coffee Day**  Warms you up right fine.

JANUARY 26--  National Peanut Brittle Day**  My brother's favorite.   Spouses' Day**  Ik, Liz.

JANUARY 27--  International Holocaust Remembrance Day**   Should be every day, though.   National Chocolate Cake Day**    Vietnam Peace Day**  I didn't think that war would EVER get Over!!

Yum Yum, Pie.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  People who want to share their religious views with ytou almost never want you to share yours with them.

WLS Top Ten for January 20, 1969: "Going Up the Country"

Fifty years ago in Chicago, these were the Top Ten and debuts in WLS, 890 AM.  Hey, 50 years = half a century.   Can You Dig It?   Man.

1.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James / Shondells
2.  TOUCH ME--  Doors
3.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unlimited

4.  WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN--  Brooklyn Bridge
5.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas
6.  GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat
7.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes

8.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
9.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
10.  HANG 'EM HIGH--  Booker T. & the MGs

DEBUTS

32.  RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN--  Bob Seeger
34.  I'VE GOTTA BE ME--  Sammy Davis, Jr.

35.  I'VE GOT A LINE ON YOU--  Spirit
39.  BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU--  First Edition
40.  GAMES PEOPLE PLAY--  Joe South

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

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."


"Crimson & Clover"

Gone But Not Forgotten-- Part 2: "Polk Salad Annie"

Continuing with Rock and Roll musicians dying in 2018.

PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations  Dennis Edwards  74.  Replacement for David Ruffin.
POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White, 75   "Gators Got You."
PEGGY SUE--  Buddy Holly   Peggy Sue Gerron, 78.  The Peggy Sue of the song.  Girlfriend and later wife of Holly's drummer.

HAVE I THE RIGHT--  Honeycombs  Honey Lantree, 75.  The group's drummer and namesake.
(I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION--  Rolling Stones  Glenn Snoddy, 96.  Engineer who invented the fuzz pedal.
HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--  Argent    Jim Rodford  bassist

CATCH ME NOW, I'M FALLING--    Kinks    Jim Rodford
YELLOW JACKET--  Ventures    Nokie Edwards, 82  Lead guitar.  This is the theme song of Bob Stroud's daily One 45 at 1:45 bit.
HEY BARTENDER--  Blues Brothers    Matt "Guitar" Murphy, 88.  How can you forget that classic scene in Aretha Franklin's Soul Kitchen when she implores him to "Think!!"

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Went Balling The Other Night."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  There  comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday.  That age is age 11.


"Hey Bartender"

Gone But Not Forgotten 2018-- Part 1: "Hound Dog"

On Sunday, January 13, 2018, Bob Stroud devoted his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive, to those musicians who died during this last year.  He says it is always a sad trip back, but at least we have all that great music to thank them for so that makes the trip a bit easier.

After the artist performing the song, I write the name of the person, their age and their connection.

LEGEND OF A MIND--  Moody Blues    Ray Thomas, 76.  He wrote this song and did vocals and the flute.
FUNKY BROADWAY--  Wilson Pickett    Rick Hall, 85, who started the studio at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where this song and so many others were made.
HOUND DOG--  Elvis Presley    D.J. Fontana, 87.  Drummer on this and over 450 songs of Elvis.

NO MATTER WHAT--   Badfinger     Geoff Emerick, 72,  producer of this song and so many of the Beatles and Badfinger.
UPTOWN--  Crystals    Barbara Alston, 74.  Sang lead.
LIVING THING--  Electric Light Orchestra    Hugh McDowell, 65.  Cellist for ELO

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Every Town I Go In."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  The one thing that unites all human beings regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is the fact that, deep down inside, we all believe we are above-average drivers and everyone else is a maniac.

If you click on the Music Deaths 2018 label below, you will see my list of the year's music deaths which is much longer.  When you get to the end of one page, hit "Older Posts."


"Funky Broadway"

Music Deaths: Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook

RAY SAWYER, 81

Died December 31, 2018

Fronted the New Jersey band Dr. Hook (also Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show).   Vocalist and guitarist.  He was dubbed Dr. Hook because of his distinctive eye patch.

Their first two big hits were written by Shel Silverstein:  "Sylvia's Mother"  (#5-1972) and "The Cover Of The Rolling Stone"  (#6-1973)

Also had hits with "Only Sixteen"  (#6-1976), "Sharing The Night Together"  (#6-1978), "When You're In Love With A beautiful Woman"  (#6-1979) and "Sexy Eyes"  (#5-1980)

Music Deaths: Dean Ford of Marmalade

DEAN FORD, 73

Died December 31, 2018

Lead vocalist of Scottish group Marmalade.  Real name Thomas McAleese.  Had big hit with "Reflections Of My Life"  (#10-1970).  Had two other Top 100s as well  "Rainbow"  (#51-1970) and "Falling Apart At the Seams"  (#49-1976).

I'd Celebrate That!!!! January 14-20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day On the 15th

JANUARY 14--  Dress Up Your Pet Day   And some wonder why their pets bite them.  Pastrami Sandwich Day**  I do like my pastrami.

JANUARY 15--   Martin Luther King, Jr. Day**  The actual day he was born, not necessarily when it is commemorated.  Elementary School Teacher Day**  They do so  much.    National Hat Day**  Said I with my 200 baseball caps.  Maybe more.

JANUARY 16--  International Hot and Spicy Food Day    Well, burn my mouth.    National Fig Newton Day**

JANUARY 17--   Hot Buttered Rum Day     Ditch New Years Resolutions Day**  If you haven't already.    National Bootleggers Day**  Alcohol or video?

JANUARY 18--   Winnie the Pooh Day.     Thesaurus Day**   Don't you wish those who use "F" bombs almost every other word would use one of these.

JANUARY 19--  Popcorn Day**  Not many more things I enjoy more than popcorn.

JANUARY 20--  National Cheeselovers Day**    National Disc Jockey Day**  Well, I was one for almost 30 years.  Camcorder Day**  I used camcorders a lot back in the day.

Winnie the What?   --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  The most powerful force in the universe is gossip.

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 7: "Son Of A Preacher Man"

The Top Ten in Chicago on this date fifty years ago.

10.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six    #16    WLS supporting a Chicago band again.
9.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas      #5    The B.J. stands for his real name Billy Joe.
8.  TOUCH ME--  Doors    #3

7.  HANG 'EM HIGH--  Booker T. & the MGs     #9
6.  GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat     #11
5.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unlimited     #3  
4.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield      #10

3.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye--     #1
2.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Dinana Ross / Supremes & the Temptations     #2   The Supremes were originally named the Primettes.
1.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells     #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'm Going Where The Water Tastes Like Wine."   Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Going Up the Country"

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 6: "Worst That Could Happen"

15.  CONDITION RED--  Goodees--     #46    Kind of a ripoff on the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack."  Aren't you glad you weren't with him?   Female vocal trio from Memphis.  Their only Top 100.

14.  IF I CAN DREAM--  Elvis Presley      #12   Part of his come-back effort.

13.  BELLA LINDA--  Grass Roots    #28    Follow up to "Midnight Confessions."  Formed in San Francisco in 1964.

12.  WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN--  Brooklyn Bridge     #3    Their first and biggest hit.  The other 6 didn't break the Top 40.   Just too sad.  From Long Island, New York.

11.  CLOUD NINE--  Temptations     #6   Things bad then, bad now.

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

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  They can hold all the peace talks they want, but there will never be peace in the Middle East.


"Cloud Nine"

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 5: "Too Weak To Fight"

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100.

20.  LO MUCHO QUE TE QUIERO--  Rene / Rene     #14    Very good song sung in both Spanish and English.  Slow.

19.  I STARTED A JOKE--   Bee Gees     #6      Robin's funny hairdo but what a voice.  A comment on the video said that Robin's voice gave the Bee gees their signature pre-disco sound.  I agree.

18.  GOODNIGHT MY LOVE--  Paul Anka      #27     Sounds so much like a Frank Sinatra song.

17.  TOO WEAK TO FIGHT--  Clarence Carter       #13    Dr. CC.  A Soul classic, but at just 2:17 way, way too short.  Her hook is in too deep.  What he could do with his voice!!!

16.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton     #9   So slow, so pretty.  Good wedding song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Started To Cry, Which Started The  Whole World Laughing.  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  A penny saved is worthless.


"I Started A Joke"

Music Deaths: Christine McGuire of the McGuire Sisters

CHRISTINE McGUIRE, 92

Died December 29, 2018

One of three sisters in group from Middleton, Ohio.  They replaced the Chordettes on Arthur Godfrey and His Friends Show.  They had 29 Top 100 songs from 1955 to 1964.

Big hits with "Sincerely"  (#1-1955),  "He"  (#10-1955) and "Sugartime  (#1-1957)

An original Girl Group.

Music Deaths: Ann "Honey" Lantree of the Honeycombs

ANN "HONEY" LANTREE, 75

Died December 23, 2018

Drummer with London-based Honeycombs (who got their name from her).

The group included her brother John on bass.

Their biggest hit, and one of my all-time favorites, was "Have I the Right"  (#5-1964)    Their only other Top 100 hit was "I Can't Stop"  (#48-1965).

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 4: "Stormy"

25.  CALIFORNIA SOUL--  Fifth Dimension    #25   Now, there is some vocalizing and choreographed steps!!    Follow up to "Sweet Blindness."

24.  STORMY--   Classics IV     #5    Smooth.   Quintet from Jacksonville, Florida.

23.  HEY JUDE--  Wilson Pickett     #23    The Wicked makes a Beatles song soul.  That's Duane Allman doing the guitar solo.

22.  CAN I CHANGE MY MIND--  Tyrone Davis      #5   Mighty fine Soul.  Love those horns and that bass.  His first hit.

21.  EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly & the Family Stone     #1  Can't we just all get along?   San Francisco interracial group.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Sometimes I'm Right And Sometimes I Can Be Wrong."    Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVIN YOU LEARN:  You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests you think she's pregnant unless you actually see a baby emerging from her at the moment.


"Everyday People"

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 3: "Wichita Lineman"

30.  THIS MAGIC MOMENT--  Jay & the Americans     #6   Their last Top Ten.  Cover of an old Drifters song.  Jay was also known as "The Voice" and you can see why in this song.

29.  WICHITA LINEMAN--  Glen Campbell      #3   His first Top Ten.  Written by Jim Webb.  You can almost picture a guy out working on the lines.

28.  STAND BY YOUR MAN--  Tammy Wynette    #19     She actually had 12 songs that crossed over to pop, mostly in the #70s to 100.   How about that,two country songs in a row.  Even though he done you bad.  Loved the Blues Brothers version.

27.  BABY LET'S WAIT--   Royal Guardsmen     #35     What!!  No Snoopy?   Hard to imagine pleading with a gal to wait, though.   Novelty-pop sextet from Ocala, Florida.  Their last Top 100.

26.  CINNAMON--  Derek     #11     Sang "Mr. Bass Man"  (#16-1963)  as Johnny Cymball.  Real name John Hendry Blair, born in 1945.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You'll Have Bad Times, And He'll Have Good Times."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  The most valuable function performed by the federal government is entertainment.


"Stand By Your Man"

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 2: "For Once In My Life"

Seventeen of the Top 40 were music from black acts, including 7 Motown.  A big week for black music.

35.  BABY, BABY DON'T CRY--  Smokey Robinson / Miracles     #8   Oh, that voice.  Take us into it, Smokey.

34.  I'M LIVING IN SHAME--  Diana Ross / Supremes    (D)     #10   Another social issue song.

33.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder    #2     Three great Motown songs in a row at this point.

32.  THERE'S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN--  Archie Bell & the Drells     #21     This song gets played  a lot in Beach Music.   They're from Houston like he said in "Tighten Up."

31.  YOU SHOWED ME--  Turtles      #6   The vocals this group could do!!    Group formed at Winchester High School in Los Angeles in 1961.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Mama Was Cooking Bread.  She Wore A Dirty Raggedy Scarf Around Her Head."

IN FIFTY YEARS OF LIVING:   People who tell you they have an excellent sense of humor are telling you that they have no sense of humor.

"I'm Living In Shame."

Past Movie Scratches: Miracle-- Christmas-- Story-- Titans-- House-- Andreas-- Millers

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

85.  MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET--  12-23--  The post office believes.  That makes it official.

86.  A CHRISTMAS STORY--  12-24--  The Old Man's major award.   Must be from Italy.

87.  A CHRISTMAS STORY--  12-25--  "Oh Boy!!!  That's Mine."  "Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie."

88.  REMEMBER THE TITANS--  12-25--  A trip to Gettysburg unites a divisive high school football team.

89.  WHITE HOUSE DOWN--  12-28--  That was some little girl.

90.  SAN ANDREAS--  12-30--  A big earthquake and a big tsunami.  Can't win unless you're Dwayne.

91.  WE ARE THE MILLERS--  12-31--  A make-believe family becomes a real one.  Too bad about the language and perverse aspects.  Other than that a real good movie.

"But Wait!!  There's More!!"  --RoadDog

Well, Da Bears Is Over This Year, But What A Year!!!

We were at the Squaw Bar Sunday watching and cheering on Da Bears with a whole bunch of other Bear fans.  We did not leave overly happy.  It is always hard to lose a game like that in the final seconds.

Everyone is down on out field goal kicker, but he had already made three kicks earlier and made the first attempt at the end, but it didn't count because of time out.  And that second one, well, almost.  But no luck.

But, the Bears did not play a good game either.  The vaunted defense was there sometimes and not there at others.  It took an interception to stop two big Eagles drives and the Defense didn't keep Philadelphia from scoring at the end.

Yesterday we learned that an Eagles player had gotten a hand on the final field goal attempt, so that takes our kicker off the hot seat.

And, we sure have nothing to complain about with a 12-4 record in regular season.  The Bears have been the chipmunks the last five years.  They stunk in the Cutler-era, which thankfully is over.

THE FUTILITY OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE Records:

2017--  5-11
2016--  3-13
2015--  6-10
2014--  5-11
2013--  8-8

Sad.  But this year, Da Bears went from last to first in the division.  And, now, we don't have to make major preparations to see anymore NFL games like we would have had Da Bears still been in the run.

It was a good year.

Finally, the Cutler-Era Is Over!!!  --RoadDog

And, ABA, Anybody But Alabama.  Wasn't that some game last night!!

Past Movie Scratches: Empire-- Jedi-- Scrooged-- Ghostbusters-- Deck-- Feet

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

79.  STAR WARS:  THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK--  12-19--  Luke learns who his father is.  "Luke, I am your father."

80.  STAR WARS:  RETURN OF THE JEDI--  12-19--  There is SOME GOOD left in Darth Vader.  Luke finds it.

81.  SCROOGED--  12-19--  Lumpy learns the true meaning of Christmas and survived the three ghosts and that former boss.

82.  GHOSTBUSTERS--  12-20--  Was EPA Agent Peck Doug Niedermeier?

83.  DECK THE HALLS--  12-20--  Neighbor competition run amuck.

84.  HAPPY FEET--  12-21--  He's got THE BEAT in those feet.

Long, Long Commercial Breaks.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 1: "Abraham, Martin & John"

The Top 40 Songs in Chicago on January 13, 1969.

(D) is for debut.  The number behind the artist is the highest the song got on the Billboard Top 100.

40.  OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA--  Arthur Conley      #51   (D)  A reggae take on this Beatles song  Somebody says the lead guitarist on it was Duane Allman.  His last Top 100.  Discovered by Otis Redding in 1965.

39.  FEELIN' SO GOOD--  Archies    #53   (S.K.O.O.B.Y.-D.O.O.)    (D)  I guess this is not the TV cartoon dog.  Studio group formed by Don Kirshner.

38.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--   Dion      #4   His last  top 40.   "I just looked around and he's gone."  Brings back some memories of 1968.  At this point the song was falling out of the survey.

37.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes     #1  That great Motown sound tied to a social issue.

36.  BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP--  Foundations       #3   (D)   Gets the folks up dancing at Captain's Quarters in Antioch, Illinois.    Also, a great Beach Music song.   Their biggest hit.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And Then Worst Of All (Worst Of All) You Never Call, Baby."

Answer Below.  --RoadDog



"Build Me Up Buttercup"

I'd Celebrate That!! January 7 to 13: Today Is Bobblehead Day

JANUARY 7--  Bobblehead Day**  Hit it and it bounces.  Try to follow the bounce with your own head.

JANUARY 8--  Bubble Bath Day   Don't Think I've Ever Had One.  How do you get all those bubbles off?  Shower I reckon.

JANUARY 9--  Law Enforcement Appreciation**  Without them, we'd be in deep trouble.

JANUARY 10--  Save the Eagles Day**  Magnificent creatures.  We enjoy watching the eaglets on the internet.

JANUARY 11--  Milk Day**  Got it?

JANUARY 12--  Pharmacist Day**  need those pills.

JANUARY 13--  Rubber Ducky Day**  You're so fine, you make the bathtub so much fun.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for January 6, 1969 "Son of a Preacher Man"

Happy New Year, 1969.  Only fifty years ago.  How could that be?

I do these with top ten and debuts every week.  Once a month I also do the Top 40.  These come from WLS Year Oldies Loon.

1.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes
2.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
3.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James / Shondells

4.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six
5.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
6.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unlimited
7.  GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat

8.  HANG 'EM HIGH--  Booker T. & the MGs
9.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
10.  STORMY--  Classics IV

DEBUTS

28.  CAN I CHANGE MY MIND--  Tyrone Davis
34.  BABY LET'S WAIT--  Royal Guardsmen
37.  THERE'S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN--  Archie Bell & the Drells

38.  BABY BABY DON'T CRY--  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
39.  THIS MAGIC MOMENT--  Jay & the Americans
40.  YOU SHOWED ME--  Turtles

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'm Going Where The Water Tastes Like Wine."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

WHAT YOU LEARN IN FIFTY YEARS:  "You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe Daylight Saving Time.    (I can tell you why.)

"Going Up the Country"

Music Deaths: Nancy Wilson "Face It Girl, It's Over"

NANCY WILSON, 81

Died December 13, 2018

Jazz singer (bot to be confused with Nancy Wilson of Heart).  Raised in Columbus, Ohio.  Charted nine times  "You Don't Know) How Glad I Am"  (#11-1964) and "Face It Girl, It's Over"  (#29-1968).

Played Bill Cosby's mother-in-law on the "Cosby  Show."

I am listening to her on You Tube right now.  Well worth your listen.

Music Deaths: Johnny "Ace" Cannon, Saxophonist

JOHNNY "ACE" CANNON, 84

Died December 6, 2018

Tenor and alto saxophonist from Calhoun City, Mississippi.  Played sax at Sun Records in Memphis and became part of Bill Black's Combo and played on "Smokie" #17, "White Silver Sands"  #19 all in 1960.  And "Don't Be Cruel"  #11.

Went solo in 1961 and had hit with "Tuff" and "Blues Stay Away From Me (#36-1962).

I love a sax on any song.

JSS: CCR-- Gone But Not Forgotten-- Beach Music-- A to Z Over

JSS:  Just Some Stuff

1.  CCR--  WXRT, 93.1 FM is spotlighting CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival) all day today (along with Beck).  It streams.

2.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN--  I imagine Bob Stroud will have his annual Gone But Not Forgotten show on his Rock and Roll Roots show from 7 to 10 am Sunday, CST an WDRV, 97.1 FM in Chicago.   It streams as well.  This will honor musicians who died in 2018.

3.  BEACH MUSIC--  Listen to the current top Beach Music songs on WVCO, 94.9 FM in North Myrtle Beach Saturday at 10 am.  It streams.

4.  A TO Z GONE--  The Drive's A to Z started Christmas Day and ended earlier this morning at 3:05 am with "Ziggy Stardust" by David Bowie.  Sure enjoyed it.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU LEARN IN 50 YEARS:  1.  The badness of a movie is directly proportional to the number of helicopters in it.

Music Death: Johnny Maddox, Honky Tonk Pianist

JOHNNY MADDOX, 91

Died November 27, 2018

His "Crazy Otto" went to #2 in 1955.  Also hit with "Dipsey Doodle"  (#15-1953).

After hearing him play in 1952, the Father of the Blues,  W.C. Handy, said he was "the white boy with the colored fingers."

Declared the #1 Jukebox Artist in America in 1954.

Worth A Listen on You Tube.

JSIS: The Snake At Sears-- Flip This-- Car Commercials

JSIS:  Just Some Interesting Stuff.

1.  THE SNAKE AT SEARS--  The situation at Sears just keeps getting deeper.  Something is mighty wrong there.  That owner is worthy of a Trump.  Wonder how many billions he's going to walk away with?

2.  FLIP THIS--  Listening to the Drive's A to Z, I am constantly insulted with the commercials to flip those houses and how rich you can get.  Truly another Sears person here as well.  I could tell them what to flip.

3.  CAR COMMERCIALS--  And speaking of commercials, I don't remember ever seeing so many cars with big ribbons on them as I have seen this holiday season.  But the one with Santa and his puppy is a fun one to watch.

--RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z the Letter "T" "Treat Me Right"

It started Christmas Day and is still going on today.  I expect it will end today or tomorrow.  It streams at www.wdrv.com.

TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT--  Led Zeppelin
TRAVELIN' BAND--  CCR
TRAVELIN' MAN / BEAUTIFUL LOSER--  Bob Seger

TRAVELLING RIVERSIDE BLUES--  Led Zeppelin
TREAT ME RIGHT--  Pat Benatar
A TRICK OF THE TAIL--  Genesis

TRUCKIN'--  Grateful Dead
TRYIN' TO LIVE MY LIFE WITHOUT YOU / LIVE--  Bob Seger
TUBE SNAKE BOOGIE--  ZZ Top

TUESDAY AFTERNOON--  Moody Blues
TUESDAY'S GONE--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
TUFF ENUFF--  Fabulous Thunderbirds

TUMBLING DICE--  Rolling Stones
TUNNEL OF LOVE--  Bruce Springsteen

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Seven-Thirty-Seven Coming Out Of The Sky."  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "Watermelon --  it's a good fruit.  You eat, you drink, you wash your face."  --Enrico Caruso

"Travelin' Band"

Speaking English in the Steel Plants in 1918

From the October 10, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

This would normally be in my Cooter's History Thing blog, but I accidentally put it in this blog and am too lazy to go back and rewrite it, so I will post it here.

During World War I there was a major shortage of labor in the American war industries and agriculture, resulting in people from a lot of other countries working in them.  One problem was their inability ro speak English.

"Speak English, write English and tell your family to speak and write English, is the slogan now among the steel plants here, and is but another  follow-up plan of the recent Americanization meeting held here some time ago.

"On the occasion of the last payday at the American Steel & Wire  company, every check going to a worker of a foreign nationality, was stamped, 'Speak English.'"

Today This Might Be Considered Politically Incorrect.  --RoadEnglish

Changes Coming To This Blog This Year

I spend too much time researching and writing these blogs.  Most people find it hard to do one blog, but I have seven.

My choices are to drop most of the blogs or cut back on how many entries I make.

Before this, I always tried for a minimum of 365 posts a year, one for every day, but now I will shoot for a minimum of 20 posts per month, or 240 posts a year.

This blog, though, will probably continue with 30-40 entries.

Almost All Blogged Out.  --RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z The Letter "S" "Spill the Wine"

The Drive's Christmas A to Z is still underway.  Now in the letter "S."

SPACE TRUCKIN'--  Deep Purple
SPILL THE WINE--  Eric Burdon & War
SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT--  Bruce Springsteen

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

SPOOKY--  Classics IV
SQUEEZE BOX--  Who
SQUONK--  Genesis

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

STAND BACK--  Stevie Nicks
STAR RIDER--  Foreigner
STARSHIP TROOPER--  Yes

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

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And When Daddy Comes Home He Never Gets No Rest."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Squeeze Box"

I'd Celebrate That!! Jan. 1 to Jan. 6: Buffet Day Today

JANUARY 1--  Make Those Resolutions If You Haven't Already.   Bloody Mary Day**  A Little Hair of the Dog.   National Hangover Day**

JANUARY 2--  Buffet Day**  I Love buffets!!!

JANUARY 3--  National Write to Congress Day**  Women Rock Day**

JANUARY 4--  Spaghetti Day**   National Trivia Day**  Did somebody say trivia?   Pop Music Chart Day**

JANUARY 5--  Chocolate Covered Cherry Day**  National Bird Day**  We love watching our Lil birdies at the feeders.  Whipped Cream Day**

JANUARY 6--  Bean Day**   Fruitcake Toss Day   Toss 'em this way.  I love fruitcakes.

It Is Time To Stop Making Fun of Fruitcakes!!  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "Health food makes me sick."  Calvin Trillin