JSS: A to Z Continues-- Snowblower Started-- Snow-- Didn't 'Woke' But Found My Gloves, Boots and Knit Hat

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  A TO Z CONTINUES

The Drive's Rock A to Z continues and is up to the letter "L" right now with Peter Frampton's "Lines On My Face: playing.  They are thinking it might end on Monday, Jan.5, at this time.  Great music done alphabetically.  It streams at www.wdrv.com.  Give it a listen.  "Listen to Her Heart" by Tom Petty right now.  "Listen to the Music"--  Doobie Brothers.  "Listen to What the Man Said"--  Paul McCartney & Wings.

2.  SNOWBLOWER STARTED

Always a scary thing this time of the year.  Will the snowblower start after sitting idle (and without gas/oil mixture with the two-stroke engine).  I found out the hard way about ten years ago that you HAD BETTER run the mixture out or getting it started the next season is not going to be easy.

Yesterday, it would not start.  Last night we got 3-4 inches of heavy snow.  Just a short time ago, it started on first pull.  Yea for me.

3.  SNOW

Like I said, the imminent arrival of forecast snow got me to moving on the snowblower project yesterday.  We've been fortunate so far this winter season and only had about an inch in one snowfall.  Last year we had two snowfalls of 5-6 inchers before December:  one on Halloween and one on Veterans Day.

We ended up with 3-4 inches of snow.

4.  DIDN'T "WOKE" BUT FOUND MY GLOVES, BOOTS AND KNIT HAT

Another tradition this time of the year is finding out where I put my knit hat, gloves and snow boots.   You tend to forget over the spring, summer and fall.  I have plenty of those hats and gloves because of many purchases in the past, but for some reason, they can still find a place to hide come search time.

But, this year I found one pair of gloves and one knit hat within a reasonable time.

--RoadDog

STUDENT TEST GUESSES:  The Pyramids are a range of mountains between France and Spain.

Music Deaths: Billy Joe Shaver, Country Singer/Songwriter "Wacko from Waco"

BILLY JOE SHAVER, 81

Died 28 October 2020

Country singer/songwriter

Real popular in Texas, like Jerry Jeff Walker.  Not well-known elsewhere, but give a listen to his music on You Tube.

"Wacko from Waco"

"Honky Tonk Heroes"  Waylon Jennings had a big hit with it.

"Blue Texas Waltz"

"Billy B. Damned"

Music Deaths: Jerry Jeff Walker, Wrote 'Mr. Bojangles'

JERRY JEFF WALKER, 78

Died 23 October 2020

Country singer/songwriter. Wrote the song "Mr. Bojangles."  

Leading figure in the Country Outlaw Movement.

He also wrote one of my favorite country songs "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother."  "He's 34 and drinking in a honky tonk."

Doesn't get much more country than that.  

And, by the way, how do you spell "Mother."  Jerry will tell you.

Past Movie Scratches: Minions-- Revenge-- Hope-- Strikes-- Return-- Trek

Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I Saw in 2019.

109.  MINIONS--  12-14--   How the Minions got to where they are now.  No laughing in the dungeon.  Bob, Kevin and Stuart save the Queen from Scarlett Overkill.

110.  STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH III--  12-16--  Aniken goes to the Dark Side and becomes Darth You-Know-Who.  Jedi wiped out except for Yoda and Obiwon Kenobe.

111.  STAR WARS:  A NEW HOPE IV--  12-17--  The original first episode.  "Help me, Obewon Kenobi, you're my only what?"  That really cool bar scene with all those derelicts and great music.  "I've got a what about this?"

112.  STAR WARS:  THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK V--  12-18--  "A long time ago in a galaxy what?"  The battle in the snow.  We meet Yoda.  "Your worship."   Han and Leia sitting in a tree.  "I am your father."

113.  STAR WARS:  RETURN OF THE JEDI VI--  12-19--  Jabba the big slug that laughs way too much.  It's all about your destiny.  Luke finds the good in his father after much effort.

114.   STAR TREK:  BEYOND--  12-20--  The crew's all together now.  Versus the Bee Swarm  "Let's make some noise!"

--RoadFlick

Past Movie Scratches: Elf-- Four-- Kranks-- Fred-- Kumar-- Despicable

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

102.  ELF--  12-10--  Who's coming to town?  Buddy goes looking for his real dad (not Elf Bob Newhart).  Encounters many new things like the revolving door.

104.  FOUR CHRISTMASES--  12-11--  And you thought you family was a bit dysfunctional?

105.  CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS--  12-12--  See where skipping Christmas will get you.  Find the true meaning of community when Blair comes home.

106.  FRED CLAUS--  12-12--  Brotherly love saves the day.  Baseball bats and hula hoops for all!!

107.  HAROLD & KUMAR'S 3D CHRISTMAS--  12-13--   A real stoner Christmas and the many ways to destroy a Christmas tree.  Meet the father-in-law and his perfect Christmas tree.

108.  DESPICABLE ME 3--  12-14--  Game over, Mullet Head.  Brad has been a very bad boy.  Gummer, man.  Gummer.

--RoadDog

The Drive's A to Z-- Part 3: 'Good Times Roll'

Over 2,000 songs for over a week.  That's Music.  That's Music.

GOOD TIMES ROLL--  Cars

GOODBYE BLUE SKY--  Pink Floyd

GOODBYE STRANGER--  Supertramp

GOODBYE TO YOU--  Scandal

GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD--  Elton John

GOODBYE TONIGHT--  Paul McCartney & Wings

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

GREEN EYED LADY--  Sugarloaf

GREEN GRASS & HIGH TIDE--  Outlaws

GREEN MANILISHI--  Judas Priest

GREEN RIVER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When Are You Gonna Come Down?  When Are You Gonna Land?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

The Drive's A to Z, 2020-- Part 2: 'Good Lovin' '

Continuing with the letter "G" in WDRV's A to Z.

GOLD--  John Stewart

GOLD DUST WOMAN--  Fleetwood Mac

GOLDEN SLUMBERS MEDLEY--  Beatles

GOLDEN YEARS--   David Bowie

GONE, GONE, GONE--  Bad Company

GONE SHOOTING--  AC/DC

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 MORNING STARSHINE--  Oliver

GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES--  Led Zeppelin

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Nights Are Warm And The Days Are Young (Come Get Up My Baby)."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Golden Years"

The Drive's A to Z Rock Countdown, Dec. 28, 2020, the Letter 'G'-- Part 1: 'Godzilla'

This is Day 5 of the countdown and we're in the letter "G."  Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  It streams.

I have done some of the letter 'G' on my RoadDog's RoadLog blog from today, so it you want to see them, go to My Blogs on the right of this and click on that blog.

GIVE IT TO ME--  J. Geils Band

GIVE ME LOVE--  George Harrison

GLAD--  Traffic

GLASS ONION--  Beatles

GLORIA--  Them

GLORY DAYS--  Bruce Springsteen

GO ALL THE WAY--  Raspberries

GO NOW--  Moody Blues

GO YOUR OWN WAY--  Fleetwood Mac

GODZILLA--  Blue Oyster Cult

GOING MOBILE--  Who

GOING TO CALIFORNIA--  Led Zeppelin

GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Like To Tell Ya About My Baby You Know She Comes Around."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Gloria"

WLS Top Ten for Week of December 28, 1970, the Last Survey of the Year: 'Knock Three Times'

These were the Top Ten Songs and Debuts in Chicago this week fifty years ago on WLS 890 AM.  Back when AM rules the waves.

1.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn  (Imagine Dawn knocking a Beatle out of the top spot like this week.)

2.  MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison

3.  STONED LOVE--  Supremes

4.  BLACK MAGIC WOMAN--  Santana

5.  DOMINO--  Van Morrison

6.  LONELY DAYS--  Bee Gees

7.  ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER--  Fifth Dimension

8.  IMMIGRANT SONG--  Led Zeppelin

9.  DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago

10.  LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH--  Steven Stills

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

DEBUTS

24.  YOUR SONG--  Elton John

28.  REMEMBER ME--  Diana Ross

29.  BORN TO WANDER--  Rare Earth

30.  LET YOUR LOVE GO--  Bread

HITBOUND:  MOST OF ALL--  B.J. Thomas

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Don't Wanna Discuss It.  Think It's Time for a Change." Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Domino"

Clark Weber, Big Voice on Chicago Radio (WLS and WCFL and Others)

CLARK WEBER, 89

Died March 8, 2020

This was not on the Hope I Die Before I Get Old site.  I didn't know about it until this week.

A pioneer rock and roll disc jockey in the 1960s and for decades later.  Known as "Mother Weber's Oldest Son."

First rose to fame on Chicago's Powerhouse station, WLS, 890 AM.  In 1965, he introduced the Beatles on stage at Comiskey Park.  Born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (outside of Milwaukee).  In 2008, wrote "Clark Weber's  Rock and Roll Radio: 1955-1975."

In 1968, jumped to rival WCFLAM and in 1971 to WMAQ AM.

At age 43, feeling he might be too old to keep spinning 45s, he segued to Talk Radio.

One of my favorites from back then.  Clark Weber ad the other Ls and CFL jocks back then made growing up in the Chicago area a lot more fun.  Our music.

Music Deaths: Spencer Davis

SPENCER DAVIS, 81

Died 19 October 2020

Vocalist and founding member of the Spencer Davis Group.

Welsh singer and musician.  Part of the British Invasion of the 60s when he had several big hits:

"Keep On Running"

"Gimme Some Lovin' "

"I'm a Man"

"Somebody Help Me"

All these sung by the very young Steve Winwood.

One of my favorite bands back then, many, many years ago as you know.

Between 'A Christmas Story' and All That Christmas Music, Are You Ready for A to Z Rock?

I have been listening to my many, many Christmas albums, cassette tapes and CDs the last three weeks.  I love them, but am a bit to the Had Enough Stage. I put them away tomorrow until December next year.

Plus, since 7 pm last night I've been watching may favorite seasonal movie of all time, "A Christmas Story."  This sure takes you back to another time.  Imagine parents leaving their young kids in a line to see Santa these days and then going elsewhere in the huge store.  They'd be arrested in this day and age.

Anyway, I've seen the movie two full times and watched parts several more times.  I've almost got the dialogue down by now.

Yesterday, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM started their annual end-of-the-year Rock and Roll A to Z Countdown.  It will go until sometime after the new year starts, they don't at this time know exactly what.  They add lots of songs every year, so its not the same old, same-old.  Lots of deep cuts as well.

They are up to the letter C  "Chicago, We Can Change the World" by Graham Nash right now.

I'll be listening to this a lot starting tomorrow.  It streams, of course.

TRIVIA TEASER:  What Everly Brothers song includes the lyrics:  "When I Want You In My Arms, When I Want You And All Your Charms."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"All I Have To Do is Dream"

JSIS: Stupid-Looking Hair Coming Out of Helmets-- Conference Championship Games-- NIU Football

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  STUPID-LOOKING HAIR COMING OUT OF HELMETS--  A couple weeks ago Liz and I saw the annual Army-Navy football game at the American Legion.  Sure was nice to see that no member of either team had hair coming out below their helmets.  I'm sorry, but that just looks stupid.  

Anytime you watch a college or NFL game it seems you see more and more of that long, funny-looking hair on both Blacks and whites.  I don't like it on any person.  Then, there is the guy on the Titans we all call Old Turd Hair.

2.  CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES--  Well, one thing nice about all the college conference championship games this year is the size of the crowds.  NIU is in the MAC and our championship games draw maybe 5,000 to 8,000 fans (but then again, who wants to go to Detroit).  Then the Power 5 games are standing room only.  This year, they are all essentially empty.  Wonder why?

3.  NIU FOOTBALL--  A sad year for Northern Illinois University football with an 0-6 record.  But, this really wasn't a real year anyway.  Too weird and strange with you-know-what.  But, the second year Joe Novak was our coach, we were 0-12 and then by the fourth year, it was all up from there as we were able to somehow keep him despite his success and the Big 10, 11,12,13,14 grabbing MAC coaches all the time.

Maybe This Is a Sign of Good Times to Come?  --RoadWin

In case you're wondering what the name of the group was that beat out the Beatles in their audition, scroll down to this months Music Deaths for David Munden.

WLS Top Ten for December 21, 1970: 'My Sweet Lord'

The Top Ten songs in Chicago according to the WLS 890 AM Survey.

1.  MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison    Did he copy this song?

2.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn  Or do you say Tony Orlando and Dawn.

3.  ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER--  Fifth Dimension

4.  STONED LOVE--  Supremes   Who needs Diana?

5.  DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago  Or is this Chicago Transit Authority?

6.  NO MATTER WHAT--  Badfinger

7.  BLACK MAGIC WOMAN--  Santana

8.  AFTER MIDNIGHT--  EricClapton

9.  DOMINO--  Van Morrison

10.  BE MY BABY--  Andy Kim 

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

DEBUTS

25.  I HEAR YOU KNOCKING--  Dave Edmund

28.  FOR THE GOOD TIMES--  Ray Price

29.  IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

30.  STONEY END--  Barbra Streisand

Name That Tune(from the above songs):  "As I Was Walking Down The Street One Day A Man Came Up To Me."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is"

Music Deaths: Tony Lewis of the Outfield

TONY LEWIS,  62

Died 19 October 2020

Singer and bassist with the Outfield, nest-known for their 1986 hit "Your Love."

English rock band.  Group formed in 1984 and remained active for three decades.  They had more commercial success in the U.S. than their native U.K.

Their hits included "Your Love" which peaked at #6 in 1986.

Also:

"All the World in the World"  (#19-1986)

"Since You've Been Gone"  (#31-1987)

"For You"   (#21-1990)

I always thought they were an American band.

How I Do These Music Deaths Posts

I get the names and dates from the Hope I Die Before I Get Old site.  The first thing about the person you read also comes from that site.  

Then I go to obituaries and/or Wikipedia for the rest of the information as well as Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1993."

Then, I go to You Tube and listen to their music, especially if it is an artist I don't know very well.  I have found a lot of artists that I wish I had known about earlier.  Outstanding music.

--RoadDog

TRIVIA:  With the aid of three servicemen, what actress and pin-up girl left an imprint of one of her million dollar legs at Grauman's Chinese Theatre?

Betty Grable

Music Deaths: Johnny Bush, Co-Wrote 'Whiskey River' for Willie Nelson

JOHNNY BUSH, 85

Died 16 October 2020

Country singer/songwriter.  Co-wrote "Whiskey River."

Nicknamed the "Country Caruso" for his distinctive voice.  Especially popular in his native Texas.  Joined  Ray Price's band, the Cherokee Cowboys in 1963, along with Willie Nelson.

Had twelve Top 40s and two Top Tens.

"Undo the Right" (#10-1968)

"You Gave Me a Mountain"  (#7-1969)

"Whiskey River"  (#14-1972)

"There Stands the Glass"  (#34-1973)

Music Deaths: David Munden of the Tremeloes (Better Than the Beatles?)

DAVID MUNDEN. 76

Died 15 October 2020

Drummer and vocalist with the Tremeloes.

Original drummer and frequent lead singer of the Tremeloes.  Best-known for their covers of "Do You Love Me,' "Here Comes My baby" and "Silence Is Golden."

In 1963, their cover of "Do You Love Me" topped the British charts, replacing the Beatles' "She Loves You."

Quite popular in the UK with 21 Top 40s, 11 Top tens and two #1s.  Their biggest year in the U.S. was 1967:

"Here Comes My Baby"  #13 written by Cat Stevens

"Silence is Golden"   #11  written by Bob Crew & Bob Gaudio (writers of the Four Seasons)

"Even the Bad Times Are Good"  #36

Remember, Decca auditioned the Beatles on Jan. 1, 1962, but decided to go with the Tremeloes.  Oops.

In Case You're Wondering Why So Many Deaths in This Blog

I have been writing a lot of entries lately on musicians who have died in 2020.  There have been quite a few this year.  Some to the virus, but many just because they are getting old.  Shoot, we're all getting old and older and oldest these days.

Anyway, as you can see from their dates of death, I am running behind and would like to catch up with the 2020 deaths before the end of 2020.  I have at least 15 more to go to catch up.

Next year I am going to try to keep the music deaths a little more current.

--Old RoadDog

Music Deaths: Brian Locking, Played With England's Shadows, Back-Up Band of Cliff Richard

BRIAN LOCKING, 81

Died 8 October 2020

Bass player with the Shadows (from England) from 1961-1963.

Played on some of their biggest hits.  The Shadows are the backing band of England's megastar Cliff Richard., who has sold 250 million records worldwide, but never done too well here in the United States.

His solid "less is more" approach to the bass changed the sound of the Shadows.

Give You Tube a listen for "Foot Tapper" and "Dance On."

Music Deaths: Ray Pennington, Wrote 'I'm a Ramblin' Man' for Waylon Jennings

RAY PENNINGTON, 86

Died 7 October 2020

Country/ Western Swing singer/songwriter.  Wrote hit country song "I'm a Ramblin' Man" which Waylon Jennings took to #1.  He also released his own version of the song which went to #29 on the country charts in 1967.  Definitely fo back and listen to Waylon Jennings' version.

Also wrote a great country drinking song "Bubbles in My Beer."

"This Song Don't Cares Who Sings It"

(Turn Me Loose and) Let Me Swing" with Swing Shift Band.  Willie Nelson also sang it and did a job that would have made Bob Wills smile.

I'd never heard of him.

Give him a listen on You Tube. Kind of neat to hear his version of "I'm a Ramblin' Man" and then Waylon's.

The Story Behind Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne'

This morning I was listening to Jim Morgan who is a disk jockey at Myrtle Beach's WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf, which plays Carolina Beach Music as I often do on internet radio.

Every Monday to Friday, he has a segment I especially like called Music Spotlight where he takes a song and tells you the story behind it.  Usually the song has something to do about the date of its release, recording or the artist's date of birth or death.

Today is the anniversary of Dan Fogelberg's death in 2007.  The song Jim Morgan chose of Dan Fogelberg was "Same Old Lang Syne."  There is quite a story behind this song that Dan wrote.  It is based on an actual event in his life from 1975.

He was back in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois, visiting family for the holidays and on Christmas Eve, they needed something for dinner and he drove over to a local convenience store to get it since all the stores were closed.  While there, he met his old high school girlfriend.

You can go to You Tube and view  Bob Natale's video "The Story Behind Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne' " to hear what Jim said.  After that, go to the Track X Track video "On Location: The True Story of Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne' " and view that which takes you to the places mentioned in the story.

After that, go to the video Dan Fogelberg- Same Old Lang Syne (Lyrics).  The lyrics are shown as the song is sung.

This Is Quite the Story.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of December 14, 1970: 'Knock Three Times'

The Top ten in Chicago fifty years ago this week according to WLS, 890 AM.

1.  MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison   One nice thing about the group breaking up was that we got even more Beatles music.

2.  ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER--  Fifth Dimension

3.  DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago

4.  AFTER MIDNIGHT--  Eric Clapton

5.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn

6.  MONTEGO BAY--  Bobby Bloom

7.  BE MY BABY--  Andy Kim

8.  TEARS OF A CLOWN--  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

9.  STONED LOVE--  Supremes   Who needs Diana?

10.  NO MATTER WHAT--  Badfinger 

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "We're Gonna Stimulate Some Action, We're Gonna Get Some Satisfaction."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"After Midnight"

Music Deaths: Eddie Van Halen

EDDIE VAN HALEN, 65

Died 6 October 2020

Guitarist/songwriter with rock band Van Halen.

Band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1974 with the Van Halen brothers (Eddie and Alex), bassist Michael Anthony and front man David Lee Roth.  Eddie was noted for his guitar ability and histronics.

Lots of big hits for these guys:

"Dance the Night Away"  (#15-1979)

"Jump"   (#1-1984)

"Panama"  (#13-1984)

"Why Can't This Be Love"  (#3-1986)

"When It's Love"  (#5-1988)

Their greatest hits CD is on my 300-disc Ultimate Jukebox.

Music Deaths: Johnny Nash. 'I Can See Clearly Now'

JOHNNY NASH, 80

Died 6 October 2020

Traditional and reggae singer.  Had hit in 1972 with "I Can See Clearly Now."

Born in Houston, but one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae in Kingston.

Had some minor hits in 50s and 60s, but two huge hits.

"I Can See Clearly Now" (#1-1972)

"Stir It Up"  (#12-1973)

To show you how much I knew about music at one time, Mt dad had gotten two tickets from work to  a Johnny Cash/Sonny James show in Chicago.  At the time, I thought he said Johnny Nash.  At the show, however, Johnny Cash signed my Sonny James album after making a comment.

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 7, 1970-- Part 5: 'One Less Bell to Answer'

*  Means the song is climbing the charts.  The number after the artist refers to how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

10.   *BE MY BABY--  Andy Kim    #17    Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwall and Phil Spector.

9.  *KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn      #1     As in Tony Orlando & Dawn.  How many times do you knock on the pipe?

8.  GYPSY WOMAN--  Brian Hyland   #3   His last big hit.

7.  *ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER--  Fifth Dimension    #2   

6.  *DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IT--  Chicago        #7    That really fine horn band.

5.  *AFTER MIDNIGHT--  Eric Clapton     #18

4.  TEARS OF A CLOWN--  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles    #1

3.  SHARE THE LAND--  Guess Who      #10    Their last Top Ten.

2.  MONTEGO BAY--  Bobby Bloom     #8        Still thought he was a black guy.

1.  *MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison      #1   No plagiarism here.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Now If There's A Smile On My Face, It's Only There Tryin' To Fool The Public."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Tears of a Clown"

Music Deaths: Mac Davis 'It's Hard to Be Humble'

MAC DAVIS, 78

Died 29 September 2020

Country singer/songwriter/actor

Native of Lubbock, Texas, and successful crossover artist.  Also, early in his career, wrote songs "In the Ghetto,"  and "A Little Less Conversation" for Elvis Presley.

Also wrote songs for many other artists.

Primarily a country singer, but crossed over to pop charts with:

"Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me"  (#1-1972)

"One Hell of a Woman"  (#11-1974)

"Stop and Smell the Roses"  (#9-1974)

"Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)"  (#15-1975)

And, then there was one of my all-time good time songs that he did, "Oh Lord, It's Hard to be Humble."

When You're Perfect in Every Way.

Music Deaths: Helen Reddy

HELEN REDDY, 78

Died 29 September 2020

Singer, pop and easy listening.

From Australia.  Made it big in U.S.  In the 1970s had 15 singles in the American Top 40.  Six made Top ten and three went to #1.  Her signature song was "I Am Woman."

Had 25 songs on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Her three Number 1's:

"I Am Woman" (1972)

"Delta Dawn"  (1973)

"Angie Baby"  (1974)  Quite a strange song.  Worthy of a scary movie.

I really liked the "Coach" episode when the women's basketball coach dumped the load of manure in his office with the words "I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo."

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 7, 2020-- Part 4: 'Domino'

*  Means the song was climbing the charts. The number after the artiste refers to how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 national chart.

15.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME--  Elvis Presley        #11    Onto his gaudy jumpsuit days  Great voice.

14.  *DOMINO--  Van Morrison     #9    Van the Man and those horns.

13.   I THINK I LOVE YOU--  Partridge Family      #1    So what, made for TV band or not, this is great music.  I see some of you humming and grooving to it right now.

12.  *STONED LOVE--  Supremes     #7    Who needs Diana?  Evidently not these ladies who had two songs in the Top 30 this week.  Diana didn't have any.  Leave Us.  Hah!     Another appropriate song for these troubled days.  That's Jean Terrrell out front singing.

11.  SEE ME, FEEL ME--  Who      #12     Loved the Woodstock performance of this song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Love For Each Other Will Bring Fighting To An End."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Stoned Love"

Pearl Harbor, 79 Years Later: Identifying the USS Oklahoma's Unknowns

From the December7, Tulsa (Oklahoma) World  "Tim Stanley:  79  years after Pearl Harbor sinking, project to identify USS Oklahoma's dead nearing its end" by Tim Stanley.

The name Pearl Harbor didn't mean much to most Americans as day broke on December 7, 1941, but by the end of the day, they sure had heard of it.

But, to Oklahomans, one name did strike a bell right up front, and that was what had happened to the ship named after the state.  The USS Oklahoma (BB-37).  Just last year, the Oklahoma  Military Hall of Fame recognized the importance of the vessel by making it the first ship to be inducted into it.

Tim Stanley says the USS Oklahoma started becoming more real for him about four years ago.  That's when he started seeing occasional press releases about Sailors from that stricken ship being identified using DNA.  Almost 400 had died on that ship and not been identified.

Since then, he has been on hand at Tulsa International Airport for some emotional scenes involving families of the fallen.

--Pearl Harbor

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 7, 1970-- Part 3: 'Black Magic Woman'

*  Means the song is climbing the charts.  The number after the artists is how high the song got on Billboard's Hot 100 charts.

20.  *BLACK MAGIC WOMAN--  Santana     #4   Carlos putting his mark on Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac song.  One of those great intros.  One of the comments called Carlos the Mexican Jimi Hendrix.  Their biggest hit.

19.  *HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER--  Hollies     #7    Allan Clarke taking lead vocals.  Brotherly love I reckon.

18.  5-10-15-290 (25-30 YEARS OF LOVE)--  Presidents       #11      What they call Old School.  A great way to learn you table five  multiplication.  I can hear Chicago's Herb Kent introducing this one right now.  Their only Top 40.

17.  LET'S WORK TOGETHER--  Canned Heat     #26     Another good song for these troubled times.  Hey, I said ________ times.  That means you take a drink.

16.  *NO MATTER WHAT--  Badfinger     #8     Welsh/English band.  First group signed by the Beatles' Apple label.  Their first hit single, "Come and Get It" was written and produced by Paul McCartney in 1969.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Road Is Long With Many A Winding Turn."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"No Matter What"

Music Deaths: Rocco Prestia of Tower of Power

ROCCO PRESTIA, 69

Died 29 September 2020

Bass player with funk band Tower of Power.  Real name Francis Prestia. 

Master of finger-style funk playing.  A good example of this style can be heard on Tower of Power's "What Is Hip."

Music Deaths: Jimmy Winston, Small Faces' Original Keyboardist

JIMMY WINSTON, 75

Died 26 September 2020

Original keyboardist with Small Faces.  Full name James Edward Winston Langwith.    Formed Small Faces in 1965 along with Steve Marriott (Humble Pie), Ronnie Lane (Faces) and Kenney Jones (replaced Keith Moon in the Who).  They called themselves Small Faces partly because all were under 5'5".

Small Faces had one of my favorite-ever songs "Itchycoo Park."

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 7, 1970-- Part 2: 'We've Only Just Begun'

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.

25.  WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN--  Carpenters     #2   You have to wonder how many weddings this song has been played for the first dance?  Follow up to "Close to You."

24.  CRY ME A RIVER--  Joe Cocker     #11   A real Mad man up there on stage.  Born John Robert Cocker.

23.  *CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU--  Tom Jones     #25    Stop throwing that stuff up on stage, Ladies!!  I was unfamiliar with this song, but it is a good one.    The Pride of Wales.

22.  *ONE MAN BAND--  Three Dog Night     #19   Chuck, Canny & Corey on vocals, and then that great organ.  Blue-Eyed Soul with the Sound of the Seventies.

21.  HEAVEN HELP US ALL--  Stevie Wonder      #9   Still a good song for these troubled days.

Mane That Tune (from the above songs):  "Ain't No Two Ways About It I Just Can't Live Without Ya."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"One Man Band"

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 7, 1970-- Part 1: 'River Deep, Mountain High'

These were the Top 30 Songs in Chicago back 50 years ago according to WLS, 890 AM.

* Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist was how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

HBD  GAMES--  Redeye    #27   From Los Angeles  Great song which I haven't heard in a long time.  Reminds me a bit of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

30.  *RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH--  Supremes / Four Tops    #14   The whole Motown production here.  That's Jean Terrell replacing Diana Ross.  She was the sister of former WBA Heavyweight boxing champ Ernie Terrell. Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong rounding out the trio.

29.  *IMMIGRANT SONG--  Led Zeppelin    This one will jolt you.  Hammer of the gods, indeed.  Robert could sure bounce his hair  Watch the video of the band.

28.  *THE STEALER--  Free    Follow up to "All Right Now.'  Paul Rodgers singing.

27.  GREENEYED LADY--  Sugarloaf      Do you like the 6:52 or 3:40 version?

26.  I'LL BE THERE--  Jackson Five   Last of five straight #1s.  Not a bad way to start your career.  No One-Hit Wonders here.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "We Come From The Land Of Ice And Sun.  From The Midnight Sun, Where The Hot Springs Flow."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Immigrant Song"

Music Deaths: Max Merritt, Had Hits in Australia and New Zealand

MAX MERRITT, 79

Died 24 September 2020

Singer and guitarist with Max Merritt and the Meteors.  Nest known for hit "Slippin' Away" (#2-1975)  in Australia and "Hey, Western Union Man"  #13.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Music Deaths: W.S. Holland, drummer with Carl Perkins and Long-time Drummer with Backing Band of Johnny Cash

W.S. HOLLAND, 85

Died 23 September 2020

Drummer.  Played with Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

Nicknamed "Fluke."    Never trained as a drummer.  Was an air conditioner repairman who enjoyed concerts.  Started playing upright bass for Carl Perkins.

He was on drums when the "Million Dollar Quartet" recorded in 1956 with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.  In 1960, joined Johnny Cash for a two-week stint that ended up 37 years.

Member of Johnny Cash's backing band, the Tennessee Three.  Last surviving member of the original Tennessee Three.

Also recorded with Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.

Music Deaths: Roy Head, 'Treat Her Right'

ROY HEAD, 79

Dies 21 September 2020

With the group Roy Head & the Traits.  

Had a big hit in 1965 with "Treat Her Right"  which went to #2.  This song is estimated to have sold 4 million copies worldwide.  He never attained much success after this hit, but follow ups did peak at  #39 "Just a Little Bit" and #32 "Apple of My Eye."

From Texas.

Watch the video of him on American Bandstand on You Tube.  Talk about moves.  Move over James.

Music Deaths: Roy C, Southern Soul Legend

ROY C, 81

Died 16 September 2020

Roy Campbell Hammond.  Soul singer.  Biggest hit was in 1965 with "Shotgun Wedding."

If you like Southern Soul, you should go to You Tube and give him a listen.  Lots of his songs on it.

Unfortunately, not very well-known.

Music Deaths: Toots Hibbert, Reggae

TOOTS HIBBERT, 77

Died 11 September 2020

Singer and guitar player with reggae band Toots & the Maytals.  Jamaican who performed for six decades and helped establish some of the fundamentals of reggae music.  Multi instrumentalist. 

First big hit was "Funky Kingston."  Also did "Pressure Drop."

Also appeared on Jimmy Cliff's groundbreaking Jamaican film "The Harder They Come."

Maytals is a reference to the Rastafari term "Do the Right Thing."