Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.

Sunday, January 31, 2021

The Story Behind 'Michelle' by the Beatles

From the Jan. 31, 2021, American Profile "Stories behind the songs" by Jim Farber.

"MICHELLE"

WRITERS:  Paul McCartney and John Lennon, 1967

Before the Beatles' "Michelle" took the prize, no rock band had ever won a Top Song Grammy.  In truth, "Michelle" couldn't have rocked less. -- it swayed to a lilting melody penned by McCartney to recall his days as a student taking in Parisian culture.

But, because McCartney didn't speak French, he reached out to a friend for an assist with the translated part.  He also got help from Lennon, who devised the "I love you, I love you, I love you" bridge of the song.

"Michelle" went on to become one of only two Top Song winners to feature non-English lyrics.  The other:  "Volare," the very first winner in the category in the Grammy's inaugural year, 1959.

--RoadDog



Saturday, January 30, 2021

Music Deaths 2021: Michael Fonfara and Sylvain Sylvain

MICHAEL FONFARA, 74

Died 8 January 2021

Pianist / keyboard player.  Long term collaborator with Lou Reed.

SYLVAIN SYLVAIN, 69

Died 13 January 2021

Guitarist with New York Dolls.



Friday, January 29, 2021

Music Deaths 2021: Gerry Marsden of Gerry & the Pacemakers, British Invasion

GERRY MARSDEN, 78

Died 3 January 2021

Singer / guitarist / leader of Mersey Beat band Gerry & the Pacemakers.

One of the big bands on the British Merseybeat scene.  In common with the Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein and were recorded by George Martin.

Their most famous song refers to the "Ferry Cross the Mersey" refers to the Mersey River which  flows past Liverpool.  His older brother, Fred, was also in the band.  They had three #1s in the UK before getting airplay in the U.S.

This was definitely one of the 1964 bands that made an impression on the very young me.  "Ferry Cross the Mersey" always reminds my of my MYF group at church.

Some of their hits, U.S. positions and year:

"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"  (#4-1964)

"How Do You Do It"  (#9-1964)

"I Like It"  (#17-1964)

"It's Gonna Be Alright"  (#23-1965)

"Ferry Cross the Mersey"  (#6-1965)

"I'll Be There"  (#14-1965)


Music Deaths 2021: Misty Morgan, 'Tennessee Bird Walk'

MISTY MORGAN, 75

Died 1 January 2021

Country singer.  Performed with husband Jack Blanchard.  Biggest hit was "Tennessee Bird Walk."

Their novelty song "Tennessee Bird Walk" went to #1 on the Country Charts in 1970 and hit #23 on the Pop Charts.  Their follow up novelty song that year, "Humphrey the Camel" went to #5 Country.


Tuesday, January 26, 2021

WLS Top Ten for the January 25, 1971: 'One Bad Apple'

These were the Top ten songs in Chicago and tunes making their debuts fifty years ago this week.  That's half a century for those of you counting.

1.  I HEAR YOU KNOCKING--  Dave Edmunds

2.  YOUR SONG--  Elton John

3.  LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH--  Stephen Stills

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

5.  BORN TO WANDER--  Rare Earth

6.  REMEMBER ME--  Diana Ross

7.  ONE BAD APPLE--  Osmond Brothers

8.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn

9.  IMMIGRANT SONG--  Led Zeppelin

10.  1900 YESTERDAY--  Liz Damon's Orient Express

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

DEBUTS

28.  HAVE YOU SEEN THE RAIN--   Creedence Clearwater Revival

29.  AMOS MOSES--  Jerry Reed

30.  SWEET MARY--  Wadsworth Mansion

HBD  SHE'S A LADY--  Tom Jones

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hey Girl, Whatcha Doin' Down There Dancing Alone Every Night While I Live Right Above You."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Knock Three Times"


Sunday, January 24, 2021

Music Deaths: Alto Reed, Played Sax for Bob Seger

ALTO REED, 72

Died 30 December 2020

Saxophonist, long-time member of Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band.

That's him on "Turn the Page" and "Old Time Rock and Roll."  Toured with Bob Seger for 42 years.

Also has played with Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Little Feat, Dave Mason and George Thorogood.


Music Deaths: Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters

PHYLLIS McGUIRE, 89

Died 29 December 2020

Singer with the vocal trio McGuire Sisters.

The last living member of the trio.  Grew up near Dayton, Ohio.

Two #1s:

"Sincerely" 1955

"Sugartime"  1957



Saturday, January 23, 2021

2020 Movie Scratches: Dolittle-- Prey

Movie Scratches--  A Dog's Eye View of movies I saw at the theater in 2020.

Little did I know at the time, but when I saw Birds of Prey at the Fox Lake Theater in Fox Lake, Illinois, on February 28, that that would be the last movie I saw for 2020.  And, here in January 2021, I still haven't been back to the theater and there is a good reason for it.  Something spelled virus.

Hopefully this year I will be able to go back into a theater.  I'm chomping at the bit so hard to see one, I will even buy that super expensive popcorn as well.

I'm just hoping the virus doesn't (or didn't) put the local chain, Classic Cinema, out of business.

For 2020, them, I saw a total of 14 movies.  I usually see at least 40 a year and often 50-60 movies a year.

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

13.  DOLITTLE--  2-18--  What an animal menagerie.  I especially liked the cowardly gorilla.  The dragon goes on an armor and bagpipe free diet.

14.  BIRDS OF PREY--  2-28--  Harley gets over her breakup with the Joker.  Dodges person wishing her ill health.  Does a lot of kicking.  Gotta love Harley.

So Much for 2020.  --RoadGottaSeeMoreMovies


Friday, January 22, 2021

Music Deaths: Leslie West of Mountain

LESLIE WEST, 75

Died 22 December 2020

Guitar player / vocalist with rock band Mountain.

One of the bands considered as the forerunners of Heavy metal.

The group performed on the second day of Woodstock with an 11-song set.

I'm listening to that great album "Mountain Climbing" as I type this.  More cowbell, please.  Give a listen to their "Sittin' on a Rainbow."  Too bad it is just 2:20 long.  More cowbell!!!

"Mississippi Queen"  (#21-1970)


Music Deaths: K.T. Oslin, Country Singer

K.T. OSLIN, 78

Died 21 December 2020

Country singer / songwriter

Had several years of commercial success in the late 1980s with four #1 Country hits:

"Hold Me"  1989

"Do Ya"  1987

"I'll Always Come Back"  1988

"Come Next Monday"  1990


Thursday, January 21, 2021

Past Movie Scratches: Story-- Story-- Oz-- Malificent-- Godfather-- Despicable-- Taken-- Trek

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I Saw in 2019.  Well since we are now in 2021 I figure this is as good of a time as any to finish 2019.

Let's see, it's Christmas time.  What possible movie could I be watching twice in a row?   No clue.

121.  A CHRISTMAS STORY--  12-25--  Mouth soap is a leading cause of blindness in kids.

122.  A CHRISTMAS STORY--  12-25--  The vaunted Triple Dog Dare.

123.  THE WIZARD OF OZ--  12-25--  How to kill a witch.  Drop a house on her or throw water at her.  Regardless, Dorothy is getting good at it.

124.  MALIFICENT--  12-25--  She was nicer than I thought.  People made her that way.  Mean old humans.

125.  THE GODFATHER II--  12-27--  We see Michael move the family and business to Nevada and attempt to go legit and how his dad became the Godfather.

126.  DESPICABLE ME 3--  12-27--  Gru meets his brother Bru as they battle Mullethead Brad, 80s child star gone bad.  Great 80s music and "The Dance Fight."

128.  STAR TREK--  12-28--   The prequel as we see how the gang got together.  "Are you out of your Vulcan mind?"

--RoadFlick


Need a Shot of 1969-- Part 3: 'Down On the Corner'

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE--  John Lennon

WHIPPING POST--  Allman Brothers Band

I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU--  Temptations

SPACE ODDITY--  David Bowie

RED HOUSE--  Jimi Hendrix

LAY LADY LAY--  Bob Dylan

A SALTY DOG--  Procul Harum

DOWN ON THE CORNER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

VENUS--  Shocking Blue

GIMME GIMME GOOD LOVIN'-- Crazy Elephant

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism."  Answer Below.  --RoadDog


"Give Peace A Chance"


Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Music Deaths: Chad Stuart of Chad & Jeremy

CHAD STUART, 79

Died 20 December 2020

Singer with folk/pop duo Chad & Jeremy.

Born David Stuart Chadwick.

Group consisted of him and Jeremy Clyde and formed in 1962.  Unlike the rock sound of others in the British Invasion, they had a more soft and folk-inflected style.  I loved their appearance on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" as the British band, "The Redcoats."

And, I have always gotten their songs confused with those of Peter & Gordon.

Some of their big songs:

"Yesterday's Gone" (#21-1963)

"A Summer Song"  (#7-1964)

"Willow Weep for Me"  (#15-1964)

"If I Loved You"  (#23-1965)



Music Deaths: Pelle Alsing of Roxette

PELLE ALSING, 60

Died 16 December 2020

Drummer with pop-rock band Roxtette.

Co-founder and one half of Swedish band (other member was singer Marie Fredriksson).

His death came almost exactly one year after her death.

"The Look"  (#1-1989)

"Listen to Your Heart"  (#1-1989)

"It Must Have Been Love"  (#1-1990)

"Joyride"   (#1-1990)

They had two other #2s.



Music Deaths: Carl Mann, Rockabilly

CARL MANN, 78

Rockabilly singer/piano player.  "Mona Lisa"

Born in Tennessee.  Signed with  Sam Phillips' Sun Records.

As a 16-year-old, had his first and only big hit, a cover of Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa" which peaked at #25 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart in 1959.


Monday, January 18, 2021

WLS Top Ten for Week of January 18, 1971: 'One Bad Apple'

That's right, 50 years a go.  That's half a century for those of you counting.

1.  I HEAR YOU KNOCKING--  Dave Edmunds

2.  LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH--  Stephen Stills

3.  IMMIGRANT SONG--   Led Zeppelin

4.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn

5.  YOUR SONG--  Elton John

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

7.  LONELY DAYS--  Bee Gees

8.  REMEMBER ME--  Diana Ross

9.  BORN TO WONDER--  Rare Earth

10.  ONE BAD APPLE--  Osmond Brothers

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

DEBUTS

27.  WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE--

28.  MAMA'S PEARL--

29.  IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND--

30.  GROOVE ME--

HITBOUND   HAVE YOU SEEN THE RAIN--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hey Girl Whatcha Doin' Down There?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Knock Three Times"


Sunday, January 17, 2021

WLS Top 30 for Week of January 11, 1971-- Part 5: 'Love the One You're With'

The Top Ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago.  

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

10.  STONED LOVE--  Supremes   #7Who needs Diana?

9.  MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison     #1

8. *IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN--  Gladys Knight & the Pips     #9

7.  *YOUR SONG--  Elton John    #8    His first big hit.

6.  DOMINO--  Van Morrison      #9

5.  *LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH--   Stephen Stills      #14

4.  *IMMIGRANT SONG--  Led Zeppelin     #16

3.  *I HEAR YOU KNOCKING--  Dave Edmunds     #4    His first and by far biggest hit.

2.  LONELY DAYS--  Bee Gees     #3

1.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--   Dawn      #1     With that Tony Orlando fella, you know.

Name That Tune (From the above songs):  "Don't Want To Discuss It, Think It's Time For A Change."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Domino"


Saturday, January 16, 2021

Music Deaths: Charley Pride

CHARLEY PRIDE, 82

Died 12 December 2020

Country singer had 1971 hit "Kiss an Angel Good Morning."  (#1)

His greatest musical success was in the early to mid-1970s.  One of just three Blacks in the Country Hall of Fame.  During peak years of his recording career (1966-1988) he had 53 Top Ten Hits on the Country Charts,  30 of which went to #1.

Some of his hits:

"Is Anybody Going to San Antone (#1-1970) Mentions Route 66 in it.

"Mountain of Love"  (#1-1982)

"I Ain't All Bad"  (#6-1975)

He has a greatest hits CD on my Ultimate Jukebox.  Enough said.

"And here I am walking down 66."



Music Deaths: Kenny Jeremiah of Soul Survivors

KENNY JEREMIAH, 77

Died 4 December 2020

Lead singer with the Soul Survivors who had big hit with "Expressway to Your Heart" (#4-1967).  It was #3 on the R&B charts.  Produced by Gamble and Huff, the Sound of Philadelphia.

Formed the group in New York in 1964.  Later went on to record with the disco group Shirley & Co which topped charts in 1975 with "Shame, Shame, Shame."

Who says white guys can't sing Soul?

Also another Top 40 with "Explosion in Your Soul"  (#33-1967), a takeoff on their big hit.


Friday, January 15, 2021

WLS Top 30 for Week of January 11, 1971-- Part 4: 'Black Magic Woman'

Yep, fifty years ago. That's half a century for those of you counting.

15.  BLACK MAGIC WIMAN--  Santana  Such a different sound.  What a guitar sound.  Would Fleetwood Mac even recognize this song?

14.  *BORN TO WONDER--  Rare Earth    A  white band with Motown?  Who'd have figured?  All that an a flute solo intro?

13.  ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER--  Fifth Dimension     BB & HD & FD.  What a combination.  See below.

12.  *REMEMBER ME--  Diana Ross   There's our solo gal.  I'd forgotten this song.  One of the comments on the video on You Tube was that this song would make a perfect burial song.  True.

11.  *STONEY END--  Barbra Streisand  a Laura Nyro song.  My favorite Streisand song.


BB Burt Bacharach  HD  Hal David and FD  Fifth Dimension

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Should Be Happy, But All I Do Is Cry."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"One Less Bell to Answer"


Thursday, January 14, 2021

WLS Top 30 for Week of January 11, 1971-- Part 3: 'River Deep, Mountain High'

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

20.  *LET YOUR LOVE GO--  Bread       #28    Almost sounded like CCR at the beginning.  I didn't remember it, but for those of you who think Bread was just a schmaltzy slow song band.  Maybe they weren't.  Great song.

19.  *GAMES-- Redeye     #27    Great harmonies.  Sounded a bit like CSNY.    I'd also forgotten this song.  From Los Angeles.

18.  *1900 YESTERDAY--   Liz Damon's Orient Express      #33    A real different song.  Never heard it before, but keep listening to it and it grows on you.

17.  PAY TO THE PIPER--  Chairmen of the Board     #13   Beach Music way back then.  That's general Johnson and his guys.

16.   RIVER DEEP - MOUNTAIN HIGH--   Supremes / Four Tops    #14    Hey, who needs Diana?      

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "If You Dance To the Music."     Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Pay To the Piper"

 

Music Deaths: Bruce Swedien-- Recording and Mixing Engineer and Record Producer

BRUCE SWEDIEN, 86

Died 16 November 2020

Worked on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album.  Audio engineer.

First received recognition as engineer on Four Seasons' 1962 single "Big Girls Don't Cry."  Won five Grammy awards for Best Engineered Album.

Worked on albums by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Chi-Lites, Tyrone Davis and Jackie Wilson.

Also on recordings by Patti Austin, Mick Jagger,  Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.


Wednesday, January 13, 2021

WLS Top 30 for Week of January 11, 1971-- Part 2: 'One Bad Apple'

25.  DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago     #7      That piano then those horns.  Great story on the Chicago Infinity You Tube site for this song by Pablo:  "True Story:  I worked in an office with a 20-something receptionist; the rest of us were  in our 40s and 50s.  All the clocks in the office were out of sync, and -quite unknowingly - the receptionist asked 'Does anybody  really know what time it is?'  Everybody else chimed in 'Does anybody really care?'  We instantly had to explain that we weren't being mean, just quoting  song lyrics."  Good one.  

The group was called Chicago Transit Authority at the time.

24.  *ROSE GARDEN--  Lynn Anderson      #3      Back when country ladies piled their hair.  Good words of advice.  I don't know, country with strings?    Her only Pop Top Ten

23.  *MOST OF ALL--  B.J. Thomas    I'd forgotten this song.

22.  FOR THE GOOD TIMES--  Ray Price     #11     Written by Kris Kristofferson.  Country music.   Born in Perryville, Texas.

21.  *ONE BAD APPLE--  Osmonds      #1     The white Jackson Five.  Even down to the moves.   Donny sounded just like a young Michael Jackson

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Does Anybody Really Care?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is"


Monday, January 11, 2021

Music Deaths: Des O'Connor, U.K. Entertainer and Mac Mac MacLeod, Played With Donovan

DES O'CONNOR, 88

Died 14 November 2020

U.K. entertainer.  Had a #1 song in 1968 with "I Pretend."  

Quite the entertainer.  He could do it all.  Check him out on You Tube doing the 1965 Royal Variety Performance.  Recorded 36 albums and had four U.K. Top Ten singles.

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

MAC MacLEOD, 79

Died 16 November 2020

Folk guitarist who played with Donovan.  Was the original singer of "Hurdy Gurdy Man."

What is a Hurdy Gurdy Man?


Music Deaths: Jim Tucker of the Turtles

JIM TUCKER, 74

Died 12 November 2020

Guitarist with the Turtles who topped the charts in 1967 with "Happy Together."

Founding rhythm guitarist.   Featured on many of the band's classic hits like "She'd Rather Be With Me" and "It Ain't Me Babe."  

Joined the band while in high school.  Left the band at age 21 and had a long career as an electrical contractor.


WLS Top 30 for Week of January 11, 1971-- Part 1: 'Montego Bay'

*  means it was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 national chart.

HIT PARADE BOUND:  

*WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE--  McGuinness Flint    #47     A real different sound.  Kazoos, but not accordions.   British rock group.  Both members, Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint were in the Manfred Mann Band.

30.  *WE GOTTA GET YOU A WOMAN--    Runt       #20     We really know it's Todd.  He wrote it and also produced it.  This song always reminds me of when Delta Sigma Phi fraternity brother Tom Smith and I went to Florida for Spring Break in his VW Beetle.  This was his first hit  after leaving Nazz and Utopia.

29.  MONTEGO BAY--  Bobby Bloom    #8     Still didn't think he was a white guy.  His only Top 40, so that makes him a real ___ ___ _______.

28. * I REALLY DON'T WANT TO KNOW--  Elvis Presley      #21     Smooth as silk, you know.   A number 11 hit for Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1954.

27.  *WATCHING SCOTTY GROW--  Bobby Goldsboro      #11    That's my boy, the King of Schmaltz.  Written by Mac Davis who died in 2020.

26.  AFTER MIDNIGHT--  Eric Clapton     #18       Always love the start of this song.  His first solo hit.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Leroy Boy, Is That You?  I Thought Your Post-Hangin' Days Were Through."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"We Gotta Get You A Woman"


Sunday, January 10, 2021

JSS: Gone But Not Forgotten-- Still Choppin'-- If We Could Just Get Snow To...

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN--  At 9 am today, CST, Bob Stroud is going to have his annual Gone But Not Forgotten Salute on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive.  It streams and goes to noon.  Of course, I have written about most if not all of these artists in this blog, but Bob always has interesting things to say about them and, of course, plays a song or two by them.

I don't know, but this year, two shows might be needed.  Quite a few deaths.

Worth a listen.

2.  STILL CHOPPIN'--  And are my arms, shoulders and especially my wrists really sore.  That snow we got last week was really heavy and between just the regular amount of it on the driveway and especially that huge amount deposited at the foot of it by the street, my poor little snow blower was completely outgunned.  

As a result, I have been out chopping ice most every day so far this week.

3.  IF WE COULD JUST GET SNOW TO...    If we could just get snow to stop falling on driveways, sidewalks, streets and roads, I would be a big fan of it.  But never when I have to deal with it.  It's really pretty on the yards and bushes this time of the year.  And, of course there are those times where the snow attaches itself to trees and bushes that are unbelievably pretty.  I call it "Nature's Done Been Painting."

Or, I wouldn't mind it if those folks who really love winter would come over and clear my driveway and sidewalks before they go out and have fun in it, I'd definitely be okay with that.  But, whenever I ask a skier or snowmobiler to do that, I just get a blank stare and sometimes a "kind" word or two.

Snowy, Snowy.  Stay Off My Stuff!!  --RoadDog

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  The people of India are divided into casts and outcasts.


Thursday, January 7, 2021

JSS: Ice Chopping-- How Come?-- A Disgrace Yesterday

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  ICE CHOPPING--  We were hit with 4 inches of snow the other day which would gave been more, except that it turned to sleet near the end.  However, that made the snow really heavy and overpowered my poor snow blower so I couldn't get the driveway cleared off.  And, driving on it has now caused it to turn to ice.

I have been out chopping it and are my wrists sore.

2.  HOW COME?  How come I get 2/3 of the snow on my side of the street when the snowplow comes by and the people on the other side get just 1.3.  Not fair.  They should get more.

3.  A DISGRACE YESTERDAY--  What happened in Washington, D.C. yesterday was a disgrace.  To think a group of people could get that far when our elected officials are conducting business is scary.

However, it was interesting to note how the liberal press was calling it as a riot when they would not call BLM's days of rampage, rioting, burning and looting anything other than civil unrest.

Come on Guys!  A Riot is a riot is a riot!!  

--RoadDog


Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Winners of the 4th WLS Hit Parade Awards for 1970

From the January 4, 1971,WLS Music Survey.

BEST MALE VOCALIST

Neil Diamond

BEST FEMALE VOCALIST

Diana Ross

BEST GROUP

Beatles

BEST DUO

Carpenters

BEST NEW MALE VOCALIST

Joe Cocker

BEST NEW FEMALE VOCALIST

Freda Payne

BEST NEW GROUP

Partridge Family

BEST INSTRUMENTAL

Assembled Multitude

BEST LOCAL GROUP

Ides of March

--RoadDog

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  An Indian reservation consists of a mile of land for every five square Indians.


Monday, January 4, 2021

WLS Top Ten for Week of January 4, 1971: 'My Sweet Lord'

The Top Ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago on Superstation WLS (World's Largest Store) 890 AM.  Back in those wonderful AM days.

1.  KNOCK THREE TIMES--  Dawn

2.  LONELY DAYS--  Bee Gees    The Pre-Disco Bee Gees

3.  DOMINO--  Van Morrison

4.  I HEAR YOU KNOCKING--  Dave Edmunds

5.  IMMIGRANT SONG--  Led Zeppelin

6.  MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison  He didn't copy.

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

8.  STONED LOVE-- Supremes

9.  BLACK MAGIC WOMAN--  Santana

10.  ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER--  Fifth Dimension

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

DEBUTS

26.  ROSE GARDEN--  Lynne Anderson

27.  GAMES--  Red Eye

28.  1900--  Yesterday Liz Damon's Orient Express

29.  MOST OF ALL--  B.J. Thomas

HIT PARADE BOUND:  SOMEBODY'S WATCHING YOU--  Little Sister

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "We Come From The Land Of Ice And Snow."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Immigrant Song"


Past Movie Scratches: Hunter-- Phantom-- Clones-- Resident-- Guardians-- Story

See if you can guess the movies in the title above.

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

115.  THE LAST WITCH HUNTER--  12-20--   Been hunting witches for a real long, long time.

116.  STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE--  12-20--  We meet the future Darth Vader, the son of a slave and real nice kid.  That real ugly Sith guy gets his.  So does Liam.

117.  STAR WARS:  ATTACK OF THE CLONES--  12-21--  Aniken grows up, falls in love and starts drifting over to the Dark Side.  It's da Clones vs. Da Droids.

118.  RESIDENT EVIL:  AFTERLIFE--  12-23-- Running from the umbrellas and zombies.

119.  GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY--  12-24--  My favorite group of Superhero oddballs.

120.  A CHRISTMAS STORY--  12-24--  The famed Furnace Fighter, Christmas Tree Trader, Tire Changer and Bumpkus Dog Hater.

Waiting for Commercial Break.  --RoadDog


Music Deaths: Bones Hillman of Australia's Midnight Oil and Dominic Grant of Guys 'n' Dolls

BONES HILLMAN, 62

Died  7 November 2020

Real name Wayne Stevens.  Joined Midnight Oil in 1987 and played bass guitar for them on their big hits.

"Bed Are Burning"

"Blue Sky Mine"

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

DOMINIC GRANT, 71

Died  18 November 2020

Three guys and three gals.  Big group in England.  Had two Top Tens.



Music Deaths: Len Barry '1- 2- 3'

LEN BARRY, 78

Died 5 November 2020

Lead singer of the Doo-Wop group Dovells.  As a solo performer had big hit with "1- 2- 3."

Real name Leonard  Borisoff.  Born and raised in Philadelphia.  Formed and was lead singer of the Dovells.  They charted two Top Tens:

"Bristol Stomp"  (#2-1960)

"You Can't Sit Down"  (#3-1963)

Then as a solo act:

"1- 2- 3"  (#2-1965)


Sunday, January 3, 2021

Need a Shot of 1969-- Part 2: 'I Want You Back'

Continued from November 28, 2020.

Over 50 Years Ago.  

These songs are from WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback.

UNDUN--  Guess Who

LONG TIME GONE--  Crosby, Nash & Stills

SOMETHING--  Beatles

MONKEY MAN--  Rolling Stones

THAT'S THE WAY LOVE IS--  Marvin Gaye

SOMETHING IN THE AIR--  Thunderclap Newman

VOLUNTEERS--  Jefferson Airplane

FEELING ALRIGHT--  Joe Cocker

SEA OF JOY--  Blind Faith

EVIL WAYS (WOODSTOCK)--  Santana

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN--  Led Zeppelin

I WANT YOU BACK--  Jackson Five

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hey Girl Stop What You're Doin'.  Hey Girl, You'll Drive Me To Ruin."  Answer below.   --RoadDog


"Communication Breakdown"


Saturday, January 2, 2021

Good Listening Music This Morning, Saturday Jan. 2

A good time to turn on the old radio or internet if you're a fan of old music (and some new).

Right now:

WDRV, 97. 1 FM, the Drive (Chicago)

The Drive's A to Z where they are counting down over 2,000 songs alphabetically.  It started Christmas Eve and is still going and in the letter "S".  They just played Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer."  It will continue to at least this coming Monday.

WDRV, 93.1 FM (Chicago)

Right now, Saturday Morning Flashback to the year 1970.  Johnny Mars just played "Bridge Over Troubled Water."  It goes to noon, CST.

WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf

Beach Music Top 25 Songs until noon EST.

Of course, tomorrow it is WDRV's Breakfast With the Beatles with Terri Hemmert from 8-10 am and Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show from 9 to noon on WDRV.

All shows stream.

Love That Music.  --RoadDog

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  A mountain range is a cooking stove used at high altitudes.


Friday, January 1, 2021

The Drive's A to Z Now at Letter "R": 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'

Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM is now up to the letter "R" on its annual year end A to Z countdown.

RAINY WOMEN NOS. 12 AND 35--  Bob Dylan

RAMBLE ON--  Led Zeppelin

RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN--  Bob Seger     (Did he say "Funkin' World/")

RAMBLIN' MAN--  Allman Brothers

READY FOR LOVE--  Bad Company

REAL LOVE--  Doobie Brothers

REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart

REBEL REBEL--  David Bowie

RED BARCHETTA--  Rush

RED HOUSE--  Jimi Hendrix

RED RAIN--  Peter Gabriel

RED RED WINE-- UB40     (Reggae, Mon!)

REELING IN THE YEARS--  Steely Dan   (Always reminds me of driving the Ramblin; Wreck back and forth between Palatine and Des Plaines when I was doing my student teaching in 1973.)

REFUGEE--  Tom Petty

It streams.  Give it a listen.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Born In The Back Seat Of A Greyhound Bus Rolling Down Highway 41."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Ramblin' Man"


Music Deaths: Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep (Two Members of the Group Died in 2020)

KEN HENSLEY, 75

Died 4 November 2020

Keyboardist/guitar player with Uriah Heep 1969-1980

"Gypsy"

"The Wizard"

"Easy Livin' "

"Sweet Lorraine"

"Stealin' "

"Bird of Prey"

I bought a copy of their first album, 1970s'   "...Very 'Eavy ... Very 'Umble" and about wore the groves out.  You know, that one with the really ugly cover.

The band also lost another original member, drummer Lee Kerslake on 16 September 2020.

If you want to destroy your eardrums, put on the ol' headphones or some of those old speakers, put on "Gypsy" or "Easy Livin' " and bang away.

Who invented Heavy Metal?