Music Deaths: Buzzy Linhart

BUZZY LINHART, 76

Died 13 February 2020.

Singer, songwriter.

In 1963, moved to New York City where he became friends with John Sebastian.  He was decades ahead of everyone when he complained about smoke when he preformed.

Very skilled at the vibraphone and was a session player on it for Richie Havens, Carly Simon, Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys and Jimi Hendrix.

Was joint composer of the song "(You Got to Have) Friends" which became Bette Midler's de facto theme song.

He never achieved commercial success.

Okay, Had to Put This One On: The REAL STORY Behind This Year's Leap Year

2020 Is a Unique Leap Year

It Had 29 Days in February

300 Days in March

And Five Years in April.

I don't get it.

Maybe I'll Figure It Out.  --Roaddog

JSS: Them Dandies-- Lightning Strike-- Cole Kmet-- Rain

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  THEM DANDIES--  It's spring now.  I know because my crop of home grown dandelions are in full bloom.  I should learn how to make dandelion wine.  I could make a real lot of that stuff.

2.  LIGHTNING STRIKE--  Last night we had some bad storms come through.  At one point there was a flash of lightning and at the same moment a resounding boom.  That was close.  I'm sure I felt the shock waves downstairs in the basement where I was watching TV.  If I wasn't awake wen it hit, I was afterwards.

3.  COLE KMET--  The Bears second round pick this strange draft picking.  I just hope they give him more of a chance that they did for NIU players they picked or invited to camp.  Tight ends are the most underused players in the NFL.  They should always be the automatic go to guy when plays fall apart.  Put him in, coach.

4.  RAIN--  Okay, we had that storm last night with the lightning strike then rain off and on (mostly on) all night and now all day.  The drainage basin behind us is about one third full.  I'm sure they're looking into closing the Chain because of flooding.  (But, wait, we don't have a boat anymore so doesn't really matter.)

I really need a few dry and seasonably warm days to get yard work done.  Plus, today is cold enough and wet enough to be prime time for you-know-what.  So, I stayed inside all day, mostly hunkered over this here 'pute a-typing away with my two little fingers.

That was a Real Loud One.  --RoadBang

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "She's Looking Better Every Beer."

Living with the Corona: Hair and Birdies

To say that this virus has turned things upside down is an understatement.  I'm hoping our economy can recover and hoping that people don't get greedy, but that's people for you.

Anyway, in Illinois, they have closed down all the barbershops and beauty salons.  And, folks are complaining about getting more than a bit shaggy as we go to day 42 of the close down.

However, it has not been a problem for me as I haven't been to a barbershop in probably 35 years.  I have one of those home electric clippers you just drag through your hair and that's it.  It cost me $19 to buy back then.  How much have I saved since then?

It is not as good as a regular barber, especially around the ears and back of the neck, but I ain't a fancy guy, pretty basic.

*******************************************

Plus, some people are starting to watch birds.  We've been watching the lil' birdies for at least 25 years and they provide hours of entertainment, all for the cost of a little seed.  Sometimes it is mob city with flittering and arguing all over back there.  But we have probably ten types of birds who regularly use it, topped by cardinals, blue jays, yellow finches, purple finches and, of course, lots of sparrows.

The Chicago Audubon Society Face Book has grown 134% in the last month.

Birdie, Birdie in the Sky, Why'd You Do That....  --RoadDog

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "If the Phone Don't Ring, You'll Know It's Me."

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 27, 1970: "Woodstock"

That's right.fifty years ago.

These are taken from the Oldies Loon site.

1.  VEHICLE-  Ides of March
2.  ABC--  Jackson Five
3.  AMERICAN WOMAN/NO SUGAR TONIGHT--  Guess Who

4.  SOMETHING'S BURNING--  Kenny Rogers / First Edition
5.  REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE--  Marmalade
6.  UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF--  Supremes
7.  WOODSTOCK--  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

8.  CECILIA--  Simon & Farfunkel
9.  WHICH WAY YOU GOING, BILLY--  Poppy Family
10.  TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME--  Tyrone Davis

*****************************

DEBUTS

31.  THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker
35.  COME SATURDAY MORNING--  Sandpipers

37.  SOOLAMOIN--  Neil Diamond
38.  HUM A SONG--  Lulu

39.  PEOPLE AND ME--  New Colony Six
40.  REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEBODY'S HAND--  Diana Ross


Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Lonely Feeling Deep Inside.  Find a Corner Where I Can Hide."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"No Sugar Tonight"

Uncertainty for Chain of Lakes Boating This Year-- Part 1

From the April 22, 2020, Chicago Tribune "Uncertainty for Lake County boating season" by Karie Angell Luc.

For the Lake County boating community, COVID-19 is having a ripple effect.

"We're all in the same boat, no pun intended," said Joseph S. Keller, executive director of the Fox Waterway Agency (FWA).  "There is certainly a lot of anxiety out there."

May and especially Memorial Day Weekend typically launch the boating season.  "People are itching to get outside to enjoy the system."

But,he warns:  "The Fox Waterway Agency has kept the waterways open during the state's stay-at-home order.  But that could change quickly if users don't abide by safe social distancing rules.  The FWA and law enforcement are keeping a close eye on the waterway."

Of course, April's weather so far has been a bust.  Way cold, overcast and lots of rain.  Not exactly prime boating weather.

--RoadDog

LAUGHTER TO DEAL WITH THE "V":  We have gone from Miles Per Gallon to Weeks Per Gallon.   But, sadly, now we also have the cheapest gas prices I've seen around here in a long time.  Most places are around $1.60.

Good Thing We Got Out of Boating Last Year

From the April 22, 2020, Chicago Tribune "Uncertainty for Lake County boating season" by Karie Angell Luc.

Looks like we times getting out of boating very well, having sold our third and last boat just this past June.  We were boating fanatics for many years, buying our first boat in 1985 because I was deejaying at Neptune's Cove and the Puppet Bar on the Chain of Lakes every weekend and those folks coming in off those boats were having just too much fun.  Thirty-three years of boating fun.

But, in the last eight years,it seemed like we were getting the boat our later and later each year and we weren't having as much fun as before.  Between fewer bars on the Chain of Lakes, bigger and faster boats and the water cop presence, the good times were waning.  And, of course we were getting older, so getting in and out of the boat and covering it up was becoming more of a problem.

And, then, the weather has been horrible the last several seasons.  The Chain was closed for much of 2017 and in 2018, we were late getting the boat out in July and then had one mechanical issue after another, so much in fact that we didn't get out at all.  That's when we decided the time for boating had passed us by.

Plus, it was funny to all watching me trying to back the boat up to launch it since I only did that once a year.  Once in the water, it stayed in the water.

So, we sold it.

Now this year, the weather has been absolutely horrible all spring with the exception of maybe there days.  Plus, now we have the "V" thing going on.  The few bars and restaurants left on the Chain can't open until the end of May, so the big Memorial Day weekend party is gone.  And, of course, boating is a social thing and this be the age of social you-know-whating.

So, Looking Like a less Than Fun Boating Season Coming.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  If you're having trouble with locating toilet paper, here's a life hack.  When you return a book to the library, they almost never count the pages.  (But, wait!!  libraries are all closed now, so where does that get you?)

Getting Some of Those Old Chicago Teams on TV

Yesterday, I posted that with the dearth of sporting events these days, that it would be nice if some of the stations would dig into their archives and start showing some videos of the past.  I had written this one early this month, but not gotten around to posting it.

But in the last week, I have found some sites that are playing those old shows.

This past Saturday (or was it Sunday, these days seem to blend into one another), NBC ran the 2015 Chicago Blackhawk game which clinched the 2015 Stanley Cup for us and started our "Dynasty" which lasted until the end of the next season.

Then, our NBC Sports Chicago (old Comcast Sports) has been showing 2005 White Sox regular season games (they won the World Series) and 1998 Chicago Bulls NBA Championship games.  Plus,ESPN has that "The Last Dance" series about the 1997-1998 season when the Bulls won their sixth NBA Championship in eight years.

So, actually, I am getting some (but could sure use more) Chicago greatest hits videos.

Though, I'm Still Not Satisfied.  --RoadSports

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":   Breaking News:  Charmin Bears pass Jeff Bezos as wealthiest beings on earth.

Music Deaths: David Olney Songwriter for Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris

DAVID OLNEY, 71

Died January 18, 2020

Americana singer.  Wrote songs recorded by Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.  Recorded over 20 albums over his five-decade career.  His songs have been covered by many artists including the above two and Steve Earle.  He died on stage while in the middle of a song.

Listening to him right now on You Tube.  Quite a talent.  I wish I'd known of him before he died.

I saw  one comment on one of his songs which called him "The Father of Americana Music.'

Missing Sports These Days and What To Do About It: Run Those Old Games

I sure do miss sports on TV.  To me, a mighty fine time is sitting at my downstairs bar (Margaritaville) with others or by myself, drinking beer or cocktails, eating snacks and watching a sporting event on the corner of the bar TV.  That, of course, with the tunes playing on my Ultimate Jukebox  (300 of my absolute favorite CDs).  The sound will be just so that the game can just be heard a little above the music.

I can still do all that, all, that is, except watch a sporting event.  Now, if I can figure out how to hook up the VHS VCR to that corner TV,  I could watch the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX game, or all the Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series games (which I have recorded on VHS).  But, alas, I can't figure out how to do that.

But, what I can recommend to the broadcast TV stations is rerunning great games of the past.  Personally, I'd like to see the entire 1985 Bears season, the Blackhawk Stanley Cup Champion series of 2010, 2013 and 2015.  Also the Cubs 2016 World Series Champions.  Of course, the 90s Bulls and you-know-who.

Oh yes, then, any game where NIU beats Toledo in football as well as our great 2003 season when we beat Maryland, Iowa State and Alabama (that's right ALABAMA).   Two notable players from that team were Michael Turner and P.J. Fleck.  And, of course, the man who made that year possible, Coach Joe Novak.

I'd also like to see some games of the 1967 and 1983 White Sox, 1969 Cubs (or any 1965-1969 Cubs game for that matter) and some of Walter Payton's greatest games.

That Would Get Me Through My Sports Negativity.  Think About It.  --Roadog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  If you truly believe God loved you, you would touch your face.

Going Back to 1969 (BCV-- Before CoronaVirus)-- Part 3: "Fortunate Son"

BCV--  Before CoronaVirus

BADGE--  Cream
WOODEN SHIPS--  Jefferson Airplane
SOMETHING IN THE AIR--  Thunderclap Newman

TRY--  Janis Joplin
BALLAD OF JOHN AND YOKO--  Beatles
PLEASE DON'T GO--  Muddy Waters

BOURIE--  Jethro Tull
WHITE BIRD--  It's a Beautiful Day
HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones

FORTUNATE SON--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
TOO BUSY THINKING ABOUT MY BABY--  Marvin Gaye
GET TOGETHER--  Youngbloods

PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE--  Rascals
COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING--  King Crimson

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Christ You Know It Ain't Easy, You Know How Hard It Can Be."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"The Ballad of John and Yoko"

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 20, 1970: "ABC"

That's right, fifty years ago.

1.  ABC--   Jackson Five
2.  VEHICLE--  Ides of March
3.  UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF--   Supremes

4.  AMERICAN WOMAM / NO SUGAR TONIGHT--  Guess Who
5.  SOMETHING'S BURNING--  Kenny Rogers / First Edition
6.  LET IT BE--  Beatles
7.  REFLECYIONS OF MY LIFE--  Marmalade

8.  COME & GET IT--  Badfinger
9.  LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY--  Michael Parks
10.  SPIRIT IN THE SKY--  Norman Greenbaum

*********************************

DEBUTS

34.  EVERYTHING'S BEAUTIFUL--  Ray Stevens
38.  VIVA TIRADE--  El Chicano

39.  PUPPET MAN--  Fifth Dimension
40.  DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS--  Tom Jones

By the way, Bob Stroud will be playing ten songs from 1973 on his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. today.  It streams.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hey Well, I'm A Friendly Stranger Won't You Hop Inside My Car?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Vehicle"

Going Back to 1969 (BCV)-- Part 2: "Soul Sacrifice"

Continued from April 7.

The years Before CoronaVirus (BCV).

Going from a senior to a freshman for me.  That August, I drove out to Woodstock, Illinois, looking for that Woodstock festival.  It wasn't there.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago Transit Authority
SUSPICIOUS MINDS--   Elvis Presley
IN THE BEGINNING/LOVELY TO SEE YOU--  Moody Blues

BABE I'M GONNA LEAVE YOU--  Led Zeppelin
PRE-ROAD DOWNS--  Crosby, Stills & Nash
MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME--  Randy Newman

SOUL SACRIFICE--  Santana
DREAMS--  Allman Brothers
HANDBAGS & GLADRAGS--  Rod Stewart

I WANNA BE YOUR DOG--  Stooges
NO TIME--  Guess Who
MY CHERIE AMOUR--  Stevie Wonder

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Will You Have Whiskey With Your Water Or Sugar With Your Tea?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Mama Told me Not to Come"

Who's Tired of "Uncertain," "Trying" and "Challenging" Times?

Watching TV and listening to the radio, I am getting just a bit tired of hearing these "times."

"Uncertain Times"

"Trying Times"

"Challenging Times"

A drinking game for those of you stuck at home these days.  Every time a commercial comes on using one of these terms are a similar "times" word, take a shot.  You'll soon forget.

Also getting tired of the dirge piano plinking away in so many commercials.

Plink the Times.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER TO DEAL WITH THE "V":  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover."

"This isn't Spring Beak, Jake
Stay home if you're sick, Dick
Just follow the rules, fools
And stay virus free!"

Good Things Coming Out of the "V"-- Part 2: Throwing Stuff Out, Movies and John Prine

Continued from March 30.

**  I will be able to find the top of the bar as I clear everything off it.

**  We are eating stuff in the freezer.  Sadly some has to be thrown out with 2015 and before dates on the items.  A lot of stuff is nothing more than a block of ice.

**  We are cleaning out the refrigerator.  There are things in there that I don't remember having.  Plus, some real icky items which have been thrown out.  I swear, one thing made a bolt for it.

**  Plus, all the pantries are being cleared out with some way old stuff, as old as 2003, being thrown out.

**  I've been listening to a lot of John Prine tunes on You Tube.  I liked him before, but not as much as now.  He was a great entertainer.  What a way with words.

**  Plus, lots and lots of movies and even marathons.  Just this past week, I watched the Harry Potter marathon on USA.

**  Liz and I have been making a date to watch MeTV's "MASH" from 6-7 p.m.  You forget how good that show was.

**  This has been a really crummy spring so far.  Since the middle of March, we've only had about six decent days.  The last three days, we've had snow flurries and a little accumulation.  Looking forward to getting some 60+ days.

**  Fortunately, we have a big house, so we don't get on each other's way.  She stays upstairs and I stay downstairs for a lot of the day.

--RoadDog

LAUGHTER TO DEAL WITH THE "V":  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to leave Your Lover."

"Just use some Purell, Mel
Keep wipes near at hand, man
Don't Listen to John, Don
You don't need more TP."

Past Movie Scratches: Country-- Joyful-- Awakens-- Minions-- Mummy-- Jurassic

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I watched on TV in 2019.

37.  PURE COUNTRY--  2-16--  Great music, but George should definitely keep his day job.

38.  JOYFUL NOISE--  2-17--  Singing through the hard times.

39.  STAR WARS:  THE FORCE AWAKENS--  Sure gonna miss Han.  Imagine getting killed by your son.

40.  MINIONS-- 2-23--  How they began and how they found Gru.  "No laughing in the dungeon!!"

41.  THE MUMMY--  2-24--  "Bugs.  I hate BUGS."  Especially those little scarab flesh-eating ones.

42.  JURASSIC WORLD--  2-24--  Those pesky assets.  It's corporate greed vs. the dinosaurs.  The dinosaurs win.

But, At Least Jimmy Buffett Didn't Drop His Margarita During the Bird Attack.  --RoadDog


LAUGHTER'S A GOOD WAY TO DEAL WITH THE "V":  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover."

"Don't visit your Gran, Jan
Wipe down every toy, Roy
Don't horde all the food, dude
Please buy sensibly."

JSS: rn Sure Looks Like an "M"-- Relief Money Coming April 15-- Good Weather-- No Boating For Us This Year

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  rn SURE LOOKS LIKE AN "M"--  While typing (with my own two little fingers) the last post, I can't but notice that when you put the letters "rn" together, that sure looks like the letter "m."

2.  RELIEF MONEY COMING APRIL 15--  Listening to Myrtle Beach's Surf, 94.9 FM this morning, I heard Jim Morgan say that money from the government to tide us over (somewhat) through this "V" thing will be coming April 15.  For some reason that date used to mean something else.

3.  GOOD WEATHER--  Since March, we have only had three days I'd consider good with fairly warm temperatures (never over 70 degrees though) and little or no wind.  That is good because crummy weather keeps folks inside in this "V" time.  However, today (Tuesday, April 7) looks like a good day here in northeast Illinois, so we'll see how many stay inside or refrain from traveling off their property.

4.  NO BOATING FOR US THIS YEAR--  This will be the first year since 1985, that Liz and I won't have a boat.  Two of our friends have already been out on their boats.  But, with all this crummy weather and you-know-what, I doubt that we'll miss boating all that much.

--RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 7: "Instant Karma"

 For the Top Ten, when I do these Top 40s, I just list how high the song got on the Billboard's Hot 100.  You can find information about these songs in my earlier Top 40s.

10.  INSTANT KARMA--  John Lennon    #3
9.  LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY--  Michael Parks    #20
8.  SOMETHING'S BURNING--  Kenny Rogers / First Edition    #11

7.  SPIRIT IN THE SKY--  Norman Greenbaum    #3
6.  VEHICLE--  Ides of March    #2
5.  AMERICAN WOMAN / NO SUGAR TONIGHT--  Guess Who   #1
4.  UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF--  Supremes    #10

3.  COME & GET IT--  Badfinger   #7
2.  LET IT BE--  Beatles    #1
1.  ABC--  Jackson 5     #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When I Find Myself In Times Of Trouble, Mother Mary Comes To Me...And In My Hours Of Darkness She Is Standing Right In front Of Me."   Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Let It Be"    A good song for these days.

Music Deaths: Paul English, Willie's Longtime Drummer and Enforcer

PAUL ENGLISH, 87

Died February 12, 2020

Long term drummer for Willie Nelson.  Started playing with Willie in 1955, but became regular drummer in 1966.  In one of his earlier duties, he served as Willie's strong-arm to get club owners to pay up.

He cut an imposing figure, one you wouldn't want to mess with.  Both on and off stage, he adopted the persona of "The Devil."  Always dressed in black and had menacing facial hair.  I saw a picture of him and he looked also a bit like Waylon Jennings.

"I thought Nashville was tee roughest,
But I know I said the same about them all.
We received our education
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul."

Said Nelson about Paul"  "Wild, street-smart Paul who always had my back and got me out of more scraps than I care to recall."

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 6: "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)"

15.  REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE--  Marmalade    #10    Real pretty song.   Scottish group.  Their only Top 40.

14.  SHILO--  Neil Diamond      #24    Best girlfriend.  First issued in 1968.

13.  EASY COME, EASY GO--  Bobby Sherman     #9    View the Steve Bronson video.  Such pretty hair and tight, tight jeans.  A fun, bouncy pop song, though.  His third straight Top Ten song.

12.  TENNESSEE BIRDWALK--  Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan.    #23    Loved those organ sound effects.  A truly unique song.  I close my eyes and can see those little birdies walking down the road in their underwear.   Husband and wife country duo.

11.  LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES)--  Edison Lighthouse   #5   Their only Top 40 song.   British studio group.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  REAL HARD ONE  "The Changing Of Sunlight To Moonlight."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Reflections of My Life"

Music Death: Joseph Shabalala, Founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

I get these from the Hope I Die Before I Get Old site.

JOSEPH SHABALALA, 78

Died February 11, 2020

Singer, band leader and founder of the choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

From South Africa.  Was born in the town of Ladysmith.  I was introduced to his music on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album which really blew me away with their sound on several songs.

Of course, that "Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes"  and "Homeless."  Wow!!

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 5: "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

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

20.  HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN--  Frigid Pink     #7   Heavy and psychedelic at the same time.  From Detroit.

19.  FOR THE LOVE OF HIM--   Bobbi Martin     #13     Love Sweet Love.  All together now.  About 180 degrees from #20.   Born in Brooklyn, raised in Baltimore.

18.  BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER--  Simon & Garfunkel     #1   Now, if there is a song that brings back NIU back then, this is it.  That crazy Garfunkel do, but the voice of an angel.

17.  WOODSTOCK--  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young      #11    Great guitar intro.  helps to have a talented girlfriend, right Graham.  And as you know, they were there and "scared sh******."

16.  TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME--  Tyrone Davis     #3   Yep, reminds me of NIU's Tune Room at the University Center.   I sure wouldn't mind going back a year or two these days.  I'd do that even with all the attacks on Confederate monuments.  His biggest hit.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well I Came Upon A Child Of God, He Was Walking Along The Road."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Woodstock"

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 4: "Celebrate"

25.  HITCHING A RIDE--  Vanity Fare     #5   And all these years I thought they were Vanity Fair.    One great pop song.    Near the end of the hitching day.   Follow-up to #12  "Early in the Morning."

24.  CELEBRATE--  Three Dog Night     #15    One of the best-ever bands  That's harmony and blue-eyed soul.   We can sure use some of this in these days.  One of the songs that used to play a lot when I'd go over to the Barn in Grant Towers or New Orleans in Stevenson Towers at NIU.

23.  THE BELLS--  Originals      #12     A great belly rubbin' song. Written and produced by Marvin Gaye.  They also had a #14 with "Baby, I'm for Real."

22.  WHICH WAY YOU GOIN' BILLY--   Poppy Family      #2   Featuring Susan Jacks, the perfect 60s girl.  From Canada.

21.  LITTLE GREEN BAG--  George Baker Selection    #22     A unique, fun song.  They also did "Paloma Blanca."   Dutch group.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Thumb Goes Up, A Car Goes By."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Hitching A Ride"

Music Deaths: Lynn Evans Mann of the Chordettes

LYNN EVANS MANN, 95

Died 6 February 2020

Joined the Chordettes in 1952, right before they went big time.

Known for their catchy tunes like "Mr. Sandman", "Never on Sunday" (#13-1961) and "Lollipop" (#2-1958)  In 1954, "Mr. Sandman" spent 20 weeks on the charts as well as 7 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard.

They also had hits with:

"Eddie My Love"  (#14-1956)
"Born To be With You"   (#5-1956)
"Just Between You and Me"  (#8-1957)

Lin Brehmer's Shelter In Place Playlist

WXRT's Lin Brehmer  has come up with a list of songs to tide you over and lift your spirit with this "V" Thing.

He sure did a good job in his selections:

1.   BETTER THINGS--  Kinks

2.  THREE LITTLE BIRDS--  Bob Marley

3.  SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW/ WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD--  Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

4.  COUNT ON ME--  The Lone Bellow

5.  GET TOGETHER--  Youngbloods

6.  LET THE DAY BEGIN--  The Call

7.  HEROES--  David Bowie

8.  THIS IS THE DAY--   The The

9.  DEAR ABBY--  John Prine

10.  GOLDEN SLUMBERS MEDLEY--   Beatles

And, even better, you can go to the WXRT site and to this list where every one of these songs can be played.

And, remember, in just a little bit, WXRT, 93.1 FM begins its Saturday Morning Flashback to 1983.  It's three hours from 9 to noon of music from 1981 BC.  (Before You-Know-What).  It streams.

Job Well Done, Lin.  --RoadDog

Laughter Helps With the "V"  (To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover."):

"Don't Visit Your Gran, Jan.
Wipe Down Every Toy, Roy.
Don't Hoard All the Food, Dude.
Please Buy Sensibly."

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 3: "Hey Lawdy Mama"

30.  CECILIA--  Simon & Garfunkel      #4   Probably my favorite song by them.  Always brings a smile to me.  From the album "Bridge Over troubled Water."  Follow up to "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

29.  NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS--  Bill Deal & Rhondells      #62    Beach Music   Charted in Canada.  Reached #2 in Adelaide, Australia.  From New York City.  You don't usually think of Beach Music and New York City together.

28.  HEY LAWDY MAMA--  Steppenwolf      #35     Good cruisin' music, be it car or cycle.  One of their better lesser-known songs.  Formed in Los Angeles in 1967.

27.  RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA--  Brook Benton     #4   Is there a better belly-rubbin' song?  What a great start to the song.    Old School slow Soul.   Written by Tony Joe White.

26.  LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY--  Friends of Distinction--    #6    I had forgotten about this one.   But, it brings back pure college memories.  Their biggest hit was "Grazing in the Grass."

Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM will be going back to 1981 today for its Saturday Morning Flashback from 9 to noon CDST.  It streams.  Takes you back to BC (Before You-Know-What).   It streams.  I'll be listening.  One of my favorite years of a favorite decade.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're Shakin' My Confidence Daily."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Cecilia"

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 2: "You Need Love Like I Do"

35.  EVERYBODY'S OUT OF TOWN--  B.J. Thomas      #26      Love the trombone at the beginning.  Kind of a "V" song these days.Kind of an off-beat song like Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is."  A Bachrach/David song.

34.  YOU'RE THE ONE--  Little Sister    #23   Soul you can use.  I don't remember it, though.  Like a Sly & Family Stone song.  No wonder, there.  The trio was organized by Sly Stone for his record label.  Yep!  Probably explains it.

33.  WHAT IS TRUTH--  Johnny Cash      #19   (D)  #3 Billboard Country  This is the song he sang at the White House.

32.  CALL ME--  Aretha Franklin    #13   Born March 25, 1942.

31.  YOU NEED LOVE LIKE I DO--  Gladys Knight & Pips     #25     #3 R&B, not one of the better known songs.  Sounded a lot like the temptations' "Cloud 9."  Full title "You need Love Like I Do (Don't You)".

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "My Dearest, My Dearest Of All Darling (Ahoo)"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Call Me"

Music Deaths: John Prine

JOHN PRIDE, 73

Died 7 April 2020

One of those great Chicago folk singers who came out of the 60s and 70s.  He never had a Top 100 song, but that's okay.  His music was just too good for it.

Right now, I am sitting here and listening to the You Tube Mix of John Prine.    "Summer's End" is a good way to sum his life up.  He's "Come On Home."  Try to watch the video and not tear up.  It was about the loss of a young mother in the opiate crisis and her father and daughter.

My favorite songs by him are "Illegal Smile", "Donald & Lydia", "Sam Stone", "Angel From Montgomery", "In Spite of Ourselves", "Lake Marie" and "Dear Abby."  "Lake Marie" is especially of interest to me because it is about one of the two lakes that make up the name of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, where we used to spend a lot of time at Donovan's Reef.  It is about ten miles from our house.

I'll have a drink to you, John.

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970: "Come Running"

(D) means Debut.  The number after the artist refers to how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 songs.

40.  UP AROUND THE BEND--  Creedence Clearwater Revival--     #4     (D)   Just try not to speed when this come on the car radio.  Group formed in California high school.own one by him, but a good road cruisin' song also.

39.  DON'T STOP NOW--  Eddie Holman--     #48   (D)    Never heard it before.  Reminds me of his "Hey There Lonely Girl."   Follow up to "Hey There Lonely Girl."  Born in Norfolk, Virginia.

38.   COME RUNNING--  Van Morrison    #39   (D)   Not one of his better-known ones.  Good road-cruisin' sons as well.   Follow up to "Brown Eyed Girl."

37.  THE RAPPER--  Jaggerz      #2    From album  "We Went to Different Schools Together.  Not our current rappers.Donnie "Ah Leah" was a member.

36.  AIRPORT THEME--  Vincent Bell    #31    Don't remember it.  Interesting sound, though.  Studio artist born in Brooklyn  in 1935.

Name That Song (from the above tunes):  "There's A Place Up Ahead and I'm Goin' As Fast As My feet Can Fly."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Up Around the Bend"

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "Fifty Ways to Beat COVID-19" to the tune of Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover.'

"Keep Washing Your Hands, Stan"
"And Heed CDC."

Some Mighty Good TV Tonight

I'll be recording NBC on the old VHS VCR tonight.  Love those three Chicago dramas, you know, especially "Chicago Fire."

I'll be watching ABC as one of my favorite sitcoms has its series finale tonight, "Modern Family."  I didn't watch it for the first four years because of some of the people on it.  But, when I did finally see it, they were fantastic.

And, then, at 9, its "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" which will be returning to primetime.  When it was first out, that was a definite watch for me.  I love trivia games like "Jeopardy" and also used to play a lot of NTN/Buzztime at bars back in the day.

Pass the Popcorn.  --RoadDog

The Tribune's Final Four and National Champion in NCAA Basketball Tournament, My Final Four and Champion

From the April 5, 2020, Chicago Tribune.

Kansas beat Florida State to go to the National Championship Game.

Michigan State beat Seton Hall

and, the National Champion is...

KANSAS!!!

*********************************

My Final Four and National Champion.

Kansas beat Dayton

Michigan State beat Gonzaga

NATIONAL CHAMPION

MICHIGAN STATE!!!!!

Kelly would be so proud of me.

--RoadDog

Let's Face It, School Year Is Over

Time to realize that schools just aren't going to be open again this year.  Several states have already cancelled it for the rest of this school year.  It is time for all states to do that.  Let's face it, the school year has been ruined as it is.

I know all this e-Learning is  supposedly taking place, but I don't believe it is anything like actual classroom instruction.

What I would do, if I was still teaching with the kids not in school would be to have them write fifty words a school day on how the "V" is affecting their lives and that would at least take care of their social studies.  After all, this is going to be one of those events in our history as well as the history of the world, that will be (and already is) one of the turning points in history.

Events like Pearl Harbor, the JFK assassination and 9/11 are in that realm.  However, these events did not directly happen to everyone like this "V" is.  This "V" may or not be right at your door.

Even if all schools end up being closed for the rest of the school year, parents should have their kids writing about this regardless.  Maybe having 7th to 12th graders writing 200 words a day.

The Kids Are Living Through Big-Time History Right Now.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V"--  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover":

"Stop Touching Your Face, Grace"
"Stay back to Six Feet, Pete."

Going Back to 1969 (BCV)-- Part 1: "In the Year 2525"

In case you're wondering about the (BCV) after 1969 in the headline, it means Before CoronaVirus.

This past Saturday, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM did their Saturday Morning Flashback to 1969, a really great year for me as it marked senior year at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, and freshman year at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

That means of course, those songs are some of the best ever made.  Of all the music I like, those tunes from 1964 to 1973, my junior high to end of college years the best.

This took me back, other than most of the commercials which were about you-know-what.

Richard Milne was the host.

SING A SIMPLE SONG--   Sly & the Family Stone
TIME OF THE SEASON--  Zombies
PRESENCE OF THE LORD--  Blind Faith

I'M FREE--  Who
IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans
POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White

We Are Great, We Are Fine, We're the Class of __.  --RoadDog

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What's Your Name?  Who's Your Daddy?  Is He Rich Like Me?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Time of the Season"

NCAA Final Four, 2020 Tournament (And You Thought You Weren't Going to Get It This Year

Two weekends, they would have played the 4 games to break the Elite 8 down to the Final Four.

The Tribune's picks:

MIDWEST WINNER

#1  Kansas

EAST  WINNER

#2  Florida State

*************************

WEST WINNER

#3  Seton Hall

SOUTH WINNER

#3  Michigan State

**************************************

These are particularly hard as I like all four teams.  If I go with Little Guys, I'd pull for Dayton and Gonzaga.  If I go with the Big Guys, it would be Kansas and Michigan State.

Decisions, decisions.

MY FINAL FOUR

*************************

MIDWEST WINNER

#1  Kansas

EAST WINNER

#1  Dayton

***********************

WEST WINNER

#1  Gonzaga

SOUTH WINNER

#3  Michigan State

I'll split the difference.

At least Kentucky is not in there.  I have never liked Kentucky.  And now, I also would have been pulling against UNC and Duke, two teams I've always liked in the Big Guys.  But Duke now is one of those one-and-done schools (like Kentucky) where they get all new starters every year.  I don't like UNC because of what they did to the Silent Sam statue.

So, who would your Final Four be?

--B-BallDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  To the tune of Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways to
Leave Your Lover":

"Sneeze Into Your Sleeve, Steve
To Keep Virus Free."

Tonight Would Have Been the NCAA Basketball Championship Game. So, Who Woulda Won?

From the April 5, 2020, Chicago Tribune.

The newspaper had what most likely would have been the 64 teams who made the tournament earlier, based on an expert's picks.  And, then they had the Sweet Sixteen and Elite 8.

As far as my brackets, I am glad to say that I haven't missed a single pick yet.  But, by the same token, I haven't picked any correct either.  About as good as I usually do, anyway.

But, here are their Elite 8 picks:

MIDWEST

#1  Kansas
#2  Kentucky

EAST

#1  Dayton
#2  Florida State

******************************

WEST

#1  Gonzaga
#3  Seton Hall

SOUTH

#1  Baylor
#3  Michigan State

So, What Are Your Final Four Picks?

*******************************

Mine are Kansas vs Dayton and Gonzaga vs. Michigan State.

*******************************

Who needs No Stinkin' Tournament?  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V."   My wife came across this on FaceBook.  Somebody did a great job on these.  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon.

"Don't Hop On the Bus, Gus."
"Stay Away From the Pack, Jack."

And, there are more.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for the Week of April 6, 1970: "Let It Be"

That's right, fifty, yes FIFTY years ago.

1.  LET IT BE--   Beatles
2.  ABC--  Jackson 5
3.  COME AND GET IT--  Badfinger

4.  UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF--  Supremes
5.  SPIRIT IN THE SKY--  Norman Greenbaum
6.  LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GROWS)--  Edison Lighthouse
7.  INSTANT KARMA--  John Lennon

8.  EASY COME, EASY GO--  Bobby Sherman
9.  AMERICAN WOMAN--  Guess Who
10.  LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY--  Michael Parks

************************************

DEBUTS

33.  LIVE OR LET ME BE LONELY--  Friends of Distinction
36.  YOU NEED LOVE LIKE I DO--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

38.  EVERYBODY'S OUT OF TOWN--  B.J. Thomas
39.  NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS--  Bill Deal & the Rhondells

40.  AIRPORT THEME--  Vincent Bell

Starting later this week, I will have the WLS Top 40 for the week of April 13, 1970.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Don't Come Hangin' Round My Door, I Don't Want To See Your Face No More."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"American Woman"

How 'Bout Them "V" Figures? Something's Not Right

These are the coronavirus figures for April 5, 2020, for select countries with both cases and deaths.

UNITED STATES:  311,658 (the most in the world),  8,492 deaths

SPAIN:   130,759, 12,418 deaths

ITALY:  124,632,  15,362

CHINA:    81,669,  3,329 deaths

RUSSIA:   5,389,  45 deaths

INDIA:   3,374,  77 deaths

I'm telling you, something isn't right.

Did Somebody Start This?  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V".  Who'd a thought:  A Chinese disease with a Mexican name stopping an Irish holiday.

Music Deaths: Buddy Cage of the New Riders of the Purple Sage

BUDDY CAGE, 73

Died 5 February 2020

Pedal-steel guitarist who played with the country-rock psychedelic band New Riders of the Purple Sage.  Also session player.  Played with Anne Murray, Bob Dylan and Brewer & Shipley.

So, if you're into the NRPS and hear a steel guitar, you know who was playing it.

Music Deaths: Harold Beane, Member of Funkadelic-Parliament

HAROLD BEANE, 73

Died 1 February 2020

Funk/Soul guitarist with Parliament-Funkadelic and singer Isaac Hayes.

"Prop Me Up By the Jukebox" We'll Sure Be Missing You Joe!! Death of Joe Diffie

Well, this song pretty well says it all.  If our local bar(s) was/were open, we'd sure do that for you, Buddy.  Prop you up by the jukebox and put a stiff one in your hand.

One of my all-time favorite country singers has gone on to that big old John Deere water tower.  Thanks to the "V".

I must have eight CDs by him, including a Greatest Hits one that is on my Ultimate Jukebox.  If you make it to that, you know I must really enjoy your music.

Right now, I am listening to "John Deere Green" over and over.  One of my all-time favorites.

"Third Rock From the Sun"

"Better Than the Beatles"

"Honky Tonk Attitude"

"Pickup Man"

"If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)"

So Long Old Mullet Head.  What Would Charlene Say?  --RoadFan

JSS: John Deere Green Tractor in Driveway-- First Chipmunk-- First Day OD-- Goodbye "Hawaii Five-O"

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  JOHN DEERE GREEN IN DRIVEWAY--  Today, I got a sure sign of spring in that my 1994 lawn tractor was delivered by Buck Brothers in Wauconda.  All washed up, tuned up and ready to go.

2.  FIRST CHIPMUNK--  Yesterday, I saw my first chipmunk scampering across the deck.  Since they hibernate in the winter, does this mean spring?  However, they are going to be greatly disappointed as I am about out of safflower seed (their favorite) and don't intend to restock till all this stuff is over.  Sorry Chippers!

3.  FIRST DAY OD--  And, we had a mighty fine day today with sun and temps in the mid 60s.  So, I went out an sat OD (On Deck), read the Chicago Tribune, ate peanuts and had a coupla beers.  Now, that is a way to enjoy yourself anytime, but especially in these days.

4.  GOODBYE "HAWAII FIVE-O"--  Tonight is the series finale of one of my favorite shows.    Loved the cast, but not so much Dan-O's current haircut.  And that beautiful scenery.  Have some shrimp for me guys.

All this reminds you that there is another world.

Now, Once We get Rid of the "V" Ain't Things Gonna Be Better!  --RoadSpring

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "For me to stop touching my face, I'm gonna need one of those dog cones."

Movie Scratches: Women-- Mercy-- Measure-- Downhill

Movie Scratches--  A Dogs-Eye view of the movies at the theaters.

9.  LITTLE WOMEN--  1-30--  Round Lake Beach, $7--  Growing up with four sisters during the Civil War, each with their own talents, including the one who wrote the story.

10.  JUST MERCY--  2-5--  Fox Lake, $5--  Something mighty wrong with Southern justice when something like this happens.  Should have been nominated for Best Picture at least.

11.  THE LAST FULL MEASURE--  2-12--  Fox Lake, Free--  All the horrors and blunders of the Vietnam War.  A well-deserved Medal of Honor.

12.  DOWNHILL--  2-18--  Fox Lake, $5--  That avalanche forced everyone to re-evaluate each other and in the case of the parents, each other.  One of those black comedies.

Love Those New Classic Cinema Seats in Fox Lake.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "Shaking hands is just nature's way of spreading germs and killing off friendly people."

Music Deaths: Bob Shane, Founding Member of Kingston Trio

BOB SHANE, 85

Died 26 January 2020

Singer, songwriter of folk and pop music.  Founding member of the Kingston Trio.

Real name Robert Castle Shoen.  They had four albums in the the Top Ten in 1959.  Peak years for them were 1957 to 1967.

Biggest hit "Tom Dooley"  (#1-1958)

Also had hits with "Tijuana Jail"  (#12-1959 and "M.T.A."  (#15-1959)

Music Deaths: Robert Parker "Barefootin' "

ROBERT PARKER, 89

Died 19 January 2020

American R&B singer best known for 1966 hit "Barefootin' "   From New Orleans.  Started career as a saxophonist.  In Professor Longhair's Band.

Did a whole lot of session work.

"Barefootin' " (#7-1966)   sold over a million copies.

"I Caught You in a Lie"
"Tip Toe"
"All Nite Long"
"Happy Feet"