JSS: Crazy Weather-- Yellowstone, 1883-- the Drive's A to Z-- The Big Guy Up the Middle

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  CRAZY WEATHER--   We certainly have been having some crazy weather around here.  Yesterday we had thunder, lightning, rain and snow.  There was quite a bit of snow on the ground.  Then yesterday, we got 3-4 inches of very slippery snow.

2.  YELLOWSTONE, 1883--  This past Sunday I was able to watch some episodes of Yellowstone and 1883 on TV.  Both are very good, but all that good acting is kind of negated by the overuse of the f___ word.  Come on, get a thesaurus and expand your language base.

3.  THE DRIVE'S A TO Z--  The Drive, 97.1 FM, is now up to the letter "I" in their annual end-of-the-year A to Z.  They are playing 2,000+ songs.  They aren't sure when they'll end, but for sure sometime after the start of the new year.  It streams.

4.  THE BIG GUY UP THE MIDDLE--  Last night, O enjoyed watching the Minnesota-West Virginia bowl game, when the Gophers put in offensive lineman 380 pound, six foot 4 inch Daniel Faalele in  the backfield to run a play.  You never saw a team call a time out that fast as the Mountaineers did.  It didn't help as he crashed right through the line like there was nothing there.

The commentators mentioned when the Bears did that with our Refrigerator Perry back in the 80s.  It sure reminded me of him.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  Ahh ... I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.

Music Death: Jay Black of Jay & the Americans

JAY BLACK, 82

Died 22 October 2021

Lead singer with Jay & the Americans.  Group got their name from Leiber and Stoller.  Lead singer originally was Jay  Traynor.  When he left,  David Black took over lead vocals and agreed  to adopt the name Jay Black.

The group had a #5 song in 1962 with "She Cried" with Jay Traynor singing lead. 

Other great songs:

"Only in America"  (#25-1963)

"Come a Little Bit Closer"  (#3-1964)

"Let's Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key)"  (#11-1964)

"Cara Mia"  (#4-1965)

"Some Enchanted Evening"  (#13-1965)

"Crying"  (#25-1966)

"This Magic Moment"  (#6-1968)

"Hushabye"  (#62-1969)

Now, there is some great music.

Music Deaths: Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains and Ron Tutt, Long-Term Drummer with Neil Diamond

PADDY MALONEY, 83

Died 11 October 2021

Founder and leader of the instrumental folk group Chieftains.

How's that for an Irish Name?

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RON TUTT, 83

Drummer (session / traveling).  Long-term drummer with Neil Diamond.  Played with Elvis Presley also.

Music Deaths: Lonnie Smith (Worked with George Benson) and Everett Morton with The Beat

LONNIE SMITH, 79

Died 28 September 2021

Hammond organ player (jazz / soul).  Worked with George Benson.

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EVERETT MORTON, 71

Died 9 October 2021

Drummer.  Played with ska band The Beat, aka English Beat.

WLS Top Ten for Week of December 27, 1971: 'Have You Seen Her'

Finishing up the last week of 1971, these were the Top Ten songs and Debuts in Chicagoland according to WLS AM, 890.

1.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

2.  SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards

3.  RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers

4.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond

5.  AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

6.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

7.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Donnie Elbert

8.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

9.  SCORPIO--  Dennis Coffey

10.  DAY AFTER DAY--  Badfinger

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DEBUTS

23.  BLACK DOG--  Led Zeppelin

25.  WHITE LIES, BLUE EYES--  Bullet

28.  LOOKING FOR A LOVE--  J. Geils Band

29.  CLEAN UP WOMAN--  Betty Wright

DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE--  Joe Simon

Name  That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Long Time Ago I Can Still Remember  How That Music Used To Make Me Smile."  Answer below.  --RoadDoh

"American Pie"

Last Week: Stucky's, NIU Bowl Game, Stucky's, McHenry Legion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

Sunnyside was having their customer appreciation Christmas party, but we figured it would be too crowded and too difficult to watch the NIU-Coastal Carolina Cure Bowl on TV, so went to Stucky's and sat with friends Kevin and Kelly and watched the game.  

We figured Northern would get blown out as we have lost the last six bowl games and been blown out in them, but this one was different.  Our guys came to play and we actually led for almost the whole game until the end, but lost, sadly. 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

No McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group for me as it was on Zoom only and I don't do Zoom.

Finished putting up Christmas decorations outside and inside. We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and enjoyed the  $1 draft beers and a great pizza burger.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Enjoyed Bob Stroud's annual Holiday Hootenanny on WDRV, where he played three hours of 60s-70s Christmas music.  Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Packers win a game.

Go Pack.  --RoadDog

Christmas Songs-- Part 2: 'Santa Claus Is Back in Town'

CHRISTMAS ALL OVER AGAIN--  Tom Petty

CELEBRATE ME HOME--  Kenny Loggins

2000 MILES--  Pretenders

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS--  Elton John

HAPPY X-MAS (WAR IS OVER)--  John and Yoko

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN--  Ronettes

WINTERTIME--  Steve Miller

GREENSLEEVES--  Jeff Beack

CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME TO SAY I LOVE YOU--  Billy Squier

SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN--    Elvis Presley

CHRISTMAS--  Who

RIVER--  Joni Mitchell

SLEIGH RIDE--  Ronettes

SANTA CLAUS AND HIS OLD LADY--  Cheech and Chong

SOMETIMES IN WINTER--  Blood, Sweat & Tears

CHRISTMAS MUST BE TONIGHT--  Band

CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME)--  Darlene Love

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Come On It's Lovely Weather."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sleigh Ride"

Christmas Songs: 'Someday At Christmas'

 

These songs were played on Bob Stroud's Holiday Hootenanny Show in Rock and Roll Roots on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM on December 19, 2021.

CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO--  Leon Russell

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS--  Paul McCartney

CHRISTMAS SONG--  Jethro Tull

WHITE CHRISTMAS--  Darlene Love

PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS--  Eagles

SOMEDAY AT CHRISTMAS--  Stevie Wonder

HAZY SHADE OF WINTER--  Simon & Garfunkel

SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS--  Royal Guardsmen

LINUS AND LUCY--  Vince Guardi Trio

I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Greg Lake

LITTLE SAINT NICK--  Beach Boys

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, Way Up North Where The Air Gets Cold."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Little Saint Nick"

Last Week: An Automotive Double Whammy, Pizza, Sunnyside and Trivia at Donovan's Reef

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 

Well, great news, the '11 Malibu is ready from Ray Chevrolet as we're down to just the '05 Dakota running at present, but it has been making strange noises.  Went in and paid my $1,743 for the repairs after I hit the raccoon.  As I pulled out of Ray Chevrolet in the truck, all of a sudden it started to jerk and shudder and I made it into the next BP station.  Then got it back to Ray Chevrolet.

Oh boy, an automotive double whammy.  They were nice enough t take me home in their courtesy vehicle.

Later had a great pizza at Half-Times in Johnsburg (for half-price and $1 14 ounce drafts, then went to Sunnyside.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

It will cost $1,050 to repair the truck.  Ouch!  That was on top of the $1,500 to repair the Malibu.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

This was one really windy day, by an equally windy night.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and had a real good time with Uncle Jeffy in trivia.

Ain't Owning Cars a Lot of Fun?  --RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  It sounds like English, but I can't hear a word you say.

Music Deaths: Barry Ryan (Sang 'Eloise') and Deon Estus (Bassist with Wham)

BARRY RYAN, 72

Died 28 September 2021

Singer who had 1968 hit song "Eloise."

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

DEON ESTUS, 65

Died 11 October 2021

Bassist. Played with pop group Wham and George Michael.

Music Death: Alan Lancaster, Member of Status Quo

ALAN LANCASTER, 72

Died 26 September 2021

Bass player / vocalist and founding member of Status Quo.  Huge in Britain, but only one Top 40 in U.S. with "Pictures of Matchstick Men" which went to #12 in 1968.  

Talk about psychedelic!!  One of my all-time favorite songs.  That intro!!  Wow!!

About Last Weekend: Wind, the Chevy Malibu, Army-Navy Game, Chili Cookoff, Bears-Packers Game

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

We sure had a very windy day today, but nothing compared to Kentucky and southern Illinois.  Those poor folks really got hit.  We actually had snow on the ground for a little bit this morning.

We discovered fluid on the garage floor by the Malibu, but weren't sure about it until we drove to Walgreens and saw a new puddle  where we parked and knew we had a problem,  Came back home and got the truck and I followed Liz to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake and dropped off the car.  The leak reminded me of when we hit the limb blowing across the road in Johnsburg last November and spring a very expensive $3500 leak.

This would probably be from hitting the raccoon last night.

Drove to the McHenry American Legion for the Army-Navy game and a chili cookoff, two of my favorite things.  And, watching the game in a veterans place is great as you have lots of cheering.  And, of course, few things I like better than a chili cookoff.

And, even better, Navy won!!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

Worked on Christmas lights and went to Sunnyside where we watched the Tampa Bay game.  That Tom Brady sure is something else.  Sure wish the Bears had drafted him.

Came home an watched the Bears-Packers game which was a surprise in the first half with Da Bears even up by six points.  But, then, hey, it our Bears and those Packers.  They did not hold on.

RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  "I don't work here, I'm a consultant.

Music Deaths: George Frayne, You Might Know Him Better as Commander Cody

GEORGE FRAYNE, 77

Died 26 September 2021

Vocalist / keyboard player.  Performed under the name Commander Cody.  His group was the His Lost Planet Airmen.  Who says Western Swing is dead!!!

Of course, he had that huge remake hit "Hot Rod Lincoln," his only Top 40 hit.

Other great songs by him

"Lost in the Ozone"

"Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)"

"Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar"

"Seeds and Stems Again"

A real Stoner's Paradise.

Music Deaths: Don Maddox (Country) and Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown)

DON MADDOX, 98

Died 12 September 2021

Singer / fiddle player (Country) and member of the hillbilly group Maddox Brothers and Sister Rose.  Rose Maddox had 13 Top 40 songs between 1959 and 1963.

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

PEE WEE ELLIS, 80

Died 23 September 2021

Saxophonist (soul / jazz).  Worked with James Brown and Van Morrison.

WLS Top 10 Songs for Week of December 20, 1971: 'Have You Seen Her'

These were the Top Ten songs and debut songs in Chicago fifty years ago according to powerhouse WLS AM, 890 AM. 

1.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

2.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

3.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

4.  SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards

5.  RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers

6.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond

7. GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson

8.  AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

9.  OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--   Three Dog Night

10.  ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny & Cher

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

DEBUTS

27.  HEY BIG BROTHER--  Rare Earth

28.  LET'S STAY TOGETHER--  Al Green

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Rode My Bicycle Past Your Window Last Night."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Brand New Key"

Music Deaths: Bob Moore, Member of Nashville's A-Team

BOB MOORE, 88

Died 23 September 2021

Was bassist with Nashville's A-Team of session musicians who played on a whole lot of of great songs  Just some of them:

"Crazy"--  Patsy Cline

"I'm Sorry"  Brenda Lee

"Help Me Make It Through the Night" -- Sammi Smith

"The Gambler"--  Kenny Rogers

"Rockin'  Around the Christmas Tree"--  Brenda Lee

"El Paso"--  Marty Robbins

"Hello Darlin' "--  Conway Twitty

"Are You Lonesome Tonight"--  Elvis Presley

"I Fall to Pieces"--  Patsy Cline

Music Deaths: Sue Thompson 'Norman'

SUE THOMPSON, 98

Died 23 September 2021

Singer (pop / country) who had 1961 hit songs "Sad Movies  (Make Me Cry)" and "Norman."  

Born Eva Sue McKee in Nevada, Missouri.  Often sang with Don Gibson.

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 5: 'Old Fashioned Love Song'

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

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

I do not make comments by every song as I have done that on previous posts.

10.  FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone    #1  

9.  *STONES / CRUNCH GRANOLA SUITE--  Neil Diamond       #14     Always thought "Crunchy Granola Crunch was a strange name for a song,  Sounds like a cereal.

8.  *SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards      #4     One of the teachers we used to know used to date him.

7.  *RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers   #12

6.  *CHERISH--  David Cassidy     #9     Not just Keith Partridge you know.

5.  *ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny & Cher   #7

4.  GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson    #4

3.  *OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night   #4

2.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie   #1    Her only #1.

1.  *HAVE YOU SEEN HER--   Chi-Lites    #3       I don't know of any other song that takes me back fifty years more than this one.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well How Much Does It Cost? I'll Buy It.  The Time Is All We Lost, I'll Try It."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sunshine"

About Last Weekend: Fort Fisher and Me, Donovan's Reef, Michael Nesmith, Lake View Place, Cuda's and the Raccoon

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

I will be sending the Friends of Fort Fisher a donation for rebuilding some of the mounds at the fort which were torn down to built a landing strip during World War II when the old fort served as a base for training anti-aircraft gunners.  Planes flown by the WASPs towed targets.  Fort Fisher was a famous Civil War fort in North Carolina and the biggest reason I'm such a history nut and ended up as a teacher.  You might say it had an impact on me.

Met Kevin and Kelly and some others at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and those half price happy hour drinks.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

Sure can't complain about temperatures this fall season as it is usually 40 to 50 degrees.   So sorry to hear Michael Nesmith of the Monkees and a solo artist died today.  I was a big Monkee fan.  

Met Kevin and Kelly at Lake View Place on Grasslake for their $1 draft pint special. They have a great view of the lake from there.  Then went to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their excellent fish fry.  On the way home, hit a big raccoon.  I didn't have a chance to avoid it.

--RoadDog

Maria Mendiola of Buccara 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' and Sara Dash (LaBelle) 'Lady Marmalade'

MARIA MENDIOLA, 69

Died 11 September 2021

Singer with disco vocal duo Buccara which had a hit in 1977 with "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie."

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

SARA DASH, 76

Died 20 September 2021

Singer (Soul) and member of LaBelle who had that big hit "Lady Marmalade."

Music Deaths: Larry Goshorn of Pure Prairie League

LARRY GOSHORN

Died September 14, 2021

He and his brother Tim were the heart of Pure Prairie League

Wrote one of my all-time favorite songs, "Two Lane Highway."

"Two lane highway is goin' my way moving fast.

Two lane highway is takin' me home at last."

Listening to it right now as I post this.  I strongly recommend you go to You Tube and listen to it as well.  You'll know what I mean.

Music Deaths: Ron Bushy, Drummer with Iron Butterfly

RON BUSHY, 79

Died August 29, 2021

Drummer with rock band Iron Butterfly.

Only member to appear on all six Iron Butterfly albums and, of course, there was that drum solo on "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida."  You remember, that 17-minute long opus and that 2-3 minute drum solo.

Bangin' on the Drum All Day.

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 4: 'Baby, I'm-A Want You'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.

15.  BABY, I'M-A WANT YOU--  Bread    #3    Soft rock group formed in Los Angeles with David Gates on vocals and keyboards.

14.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes       #1   How much soul can one song have?  It just built and built.   From the movie of the same name.

13.  *SUPERSTAR--  Temptations     #18      Full title:  "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are').This one should have gone higher in the charts.  Wow!  What a song!

12.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond    #9   His first five songs were all Top Ten.  Not bad.

11.  *NOTHING TO HIDE--  Tommy James      #41     I don't remember this song, but a good one.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Who Is This Man That Would Risk His Neck For His Brother, Man?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Shaft"

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 3: 'American Pie'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.  *  Means the song was rising on the charts.  The number after the artists is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

20.  *THEME FROM THE SUMMER OF '42--  Peter Nero     #21   Theme from the movie "The Summer Knows."  That's Peter on the keyboard.  Born Bernard Nierow.  His one and only appearance in the Top 40 which makes him a ___ ___ ______.

19.  *SCORPIO--  Dennis Coffey    #6    A song like you didn't hear anywhere else.  That great bass played by Bob Babbitt who also played on Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours."  That was Dennis on guitar.

18.  *AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean   #1    All  that music history if you could figure it out.

17.  *LET IT BE--  Joan Baez    #49     What a pure voice.   A new take on the Beatles' song.

16.  A NATURAL MAN--  Lou Rawls    #17     Not one of his better-known songs, bit a good one.  His next Top 40 didn't come until 1976 and went to #2.  Born in Chicago.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When I Find Myself In Times Of Trouble Mother Mary Comes To Me."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Let It Be"

Past Movie Scratches: Goonies-- Jungle-- Iron-- Iron-- Ark-- Game-- Accountant-- Suicide

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2020

85.  GOONIES--  4-25--  Bad guys, adventure, pirate treasure and a bunch of guys and two gals.  What more fun can you have?

86. JUMANJI:  BACK TO THE JUNGLE--  4-29--    Watch out for hippos, snakes and white rhinos.

87.  IRON MAN 2--  5-1--  Tony the party guy meets his Russian match.  Whip me, man!!

88.  IRON MAN 3--  5-2--  Beware the red-glowing guys.  And, they aren't Republicans either.

89.  INDIANA JONES:  SEARCH FOR THE LOST ARK--  5-3--  He sure hates snakes and Nazis.

80.  GAME NIGHT--  5-4--  Whose game is it anyway?

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Peter-- Mike-- Millers-- Jurassic-- Rings-- Goblet

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I watched on TV in 2020.

79.  PETER RABBIT--  4-17--  Some of the best animation ever!!

80.  MIKE AND PAT--  4-18--  He's falling for her.

81.  WE ARE THE MILLERS--  4-18--  A druggie road trip with a fake family.

82.  JURASSIC WORLD--  4-20--  Never thought I'd be pulling for a T Rex.    Go Blue!!  And, not Michigan either.

83.  LORD OF THE RINGS:  RETURN OF THE KING--  4-21-- Saved by the Dead and the Lil' guys.

84.  HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE--  4-24--  My how out little Hermoine has grown.  We finally get to really meet old No-Nose.  

--RoadDog

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 2: 'Imagine'

These were the top 30 songs in Chicagoland fifty years ago.  Half a century.

25  IMAGINE--  John Lennon     #3     What a great world it might be if this song and the one at #26, "Peace Train" both came true.

24.  *I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING--  New Seekers      #7    British-Australian group  Anybody feel the need for a Coke?  Their biggest hit.

23.  *YOU ARE EVERYTHING--   Stylistics       #9      I'd forgotten this one, but wow, what a slow dance groove.  It would also be a great wedding song.

22.  *WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Donnie Elbert      #15     And, I didn't think you could do better than the Supremes.  A great Beach Beat.  By that Holland-Dozier-Holland group of guys.

21.  WILD NIGHT--  Van Morrison      #28       It would be impossible to listen to this song and not have some part of your body start moving.  Infectious.  

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  " "As You Brush Your Shoes, Stand before The Mirror."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Wild Night"

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 1: 'Brand New Key'

That's right, fifty years ago.  Half a century.  Five decades.

* before a song indicates that it was rising on the charts.  The number after the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

*HEY BIG BROTHER--  Rare Earth      #19     Everything you could want from a rock song.  Love the organ.  That's the drummer doing the singing.   Their first five songs all went to #19 or higher.

30.  *SUGAR DADDY--  Jackson Five     #10     I don't remember this one, but it's a good song.  That's Michael and Jermaine trading vocals.  Always loved the Jackson Five choreography.

29.  *DAY AFTER DAY--  Badfinger      #4     Love the start of it.  Did George Harrison play the slide guitar on it?  Takes me right back to Christmas 1971.   Welsh rock  quartet.  This song produced by George Harrison.

28.  *IT'S ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS--  Partridge Family    #20      I never heard this one either.  Okay girls, ow many of you had crushes on Keith (or was that David?)  Their first five songs all went #20 ir higher.

27.  *ONE MONKEY DON'T STOP NO SHOW--  Honey Cone      #15      Another song that did not get enough air play.  Great line:  "I love you, but I can do without you."

26.  PEACE TRAIN--  Cat Stevens      #7     Make sure you go to You Tube and watch the video "Peace Train" featuring  Yusuf/Cat Stevens Playing for Change Songs from Around the World.  It will blow you away.  Seriously.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I've Been Happy Lately, Thinking About The Good Things To Come."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Peace Train"

Last Week: NIU Wins MAC Championship, Sat. Afternoon Band, Stucky's, Karaoke, Bears Lose...Again, Another Legion

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Watched NIU defeat Kent State for the MAC Championship game, one of the rare times Northern actually dominated an opponent.  (And earlier this season Kent State had just barely beaten us.)  Sadly, I couldn't get it on the radio as I enjoy listening to Bill Baker call the Huskies as he's been doing it since the 1980s.  He IS the "Voice" of the Huskies.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion for their monthly first Saturday afternoon band and saw an excellent two-piece group but can't remember their name.

Then to Stucky's in Johnsburg for dinner, $1 draft pints and karaoke.  A whole bunch of Sunnysiders came in.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Watched and listened to the Bears lose another game at home (now 4-8).  I always enjoy listening to the Bear announcers on the radio as they are real fans.

Then to the McHenry American Legion for the $2.50 Adequate Bloody Marys and $1 off Happy Hour prices.

--RoadDog

Last Week: Donovan's Reef, Bristol 45 Diner, Wilmot Riverside and the Legion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, but didn't play trivia.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 

Met the former Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  Always great reliving those old memories and having that great Mediterranean omelet.  Lots of 50s stuff all over the walls.

For dinner, met Kevin and Kelly at the Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, but didn't have the famed fish fry as we have found they also have a real good shrimp fry.  Then, we went to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion for Jeopardy and 50-50.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Reggae

LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY, 85

Died 29 August 2021

Producer / vocalist / songwriter / reggae. 

Noted for innovative studio techniques and production style.

Worked with Bob Marley & the Wailers, Beastie Boys and the Clash.

"People Funny Boy"

"Run for Cover"

"You Funny Boy"

Music Deaths: John Drake of Amboy Dukes

JOHN DRAKE, 74

Died 29 August 2021

Lead singer with the rock band Amboy Dukes 1967-1968.

Bandmate of Ted Nugent and with the band when they had their #16 hit "Journey to the Center of the Mind" in 1967.

I didn't know the band formed in Chicago but was later based out of Detroit.

 

Thanksgiving Weekend: Granny's Diner and Lots of High School Championship Football

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Web went to a new place that just opened Tuesday in Johnsburg called Granny's Diner.  The owner had come in to Sunnyside and we had a nice talk a couple weeks ago.

This is where the old Epic Deli was until it moved to a bigger place on Route 31 in McHenry.  We didn't expect a lot of people there, since it was new, but they had a crowd even when we got there just before they closed at 2 pm.

We both ordered lunch meals and there were huge and very good.  I think this place will do well.

During the course of the day, I watched a lot of the Illinois High School playoffs in Margaritaville (in our basement).  Wilmington, on Route 66, won in Class 2A, Byron (out by DeKalb, won in 3A and, no big surprise, but Joliet Catholic walked all over Springfield's Sacred Heart-Griffin to win a 4A.  Joliet Catholic beat our local high school, Richmond-Burton, last week.

Enjoyed cocktail at the bar and the Ultimate Juke Box.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

I had planned on going to Crystal Lake for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group and then to Algonquin for Half Price Books and White Castle, but kind of felt like I had a cold coming on, so decided to stay in.  

Today was the Class 5A to Class 6A high school playoffs.  In Class 6A, East St. Louis High School was heavily favored to beat Cary-Grove, in nearby Cary, Illinois, but this has to go down as one of the biggest David vs. Goliath games in the history of high school football as Cary Grove won 37-36n in frigid DeKalb at Huskie Stadium where the championship games were played.

Watched two great movies:  "Christmas Vacation" and  "Joker."

--RoadBall

80 Years After He Died at Pearl Harbor, Braga Bridge's Namesake Remembered

From the December 6, 2021, WPRI Providence by Ted Nesi.

Tens of thousands of southern  New Englanders drive across the Braga Bridge each day, but do not know where the bridge got its name.

It was named after Navy Yeoman 2nd Class Charles M. Braga, Jr., a 22-year-old Fall River, Massachusetts, native who died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Braga, called "Charlie" by his friends, died when a 500-pound bomb hit his ship, the USS Pennsylvania while he was carrying messages.

The Braga Bridge was completed in 1966 after construction began in 1959, and was named after Charles M. Braga of Fall River, Massachusetts, who was killed at Pearl Harbor.

It is just over a mile long and carried I-195 over the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset.

WLS Top 10 Songs for Week of December 6, 1971: 'Respect Yourself'

Fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM, these were the Top Ten songs and debuts.

1.  FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone

2.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

3.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

4.  GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson

5.  OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night

6.  ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny and Cher

7.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

8.  SHAFT--   Isaac Hayes

9.  RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers

10.  BABY, I'M-A WANTYOU--  Bread

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

DEBUTS

19.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond

22.  AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

27.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Donnie Elbert

28.  YOU ARE EVERYTHING--  Stylistics

30.  I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING--  New Seekers

ONE MONKEY DON'T STOP NO SHOW--  Honey Cone

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Playin' On The Radio And Wrapped Around The Music."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Old Fashioned Love Song"

Thanksgiving Weekend: Sunnyside, NIU, Donovan's Reef, T-Giving, McTurkey, Da Bears, Da 'Vacation'

**  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

We went to Sunnyside to watch the last NIU regular season football game since we don't get ESPNU.  Northern was blown out.  

**  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes to have the pre-T party.

**  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25   THANKSGIVING

We had thoughts of eating at the Grand Buffet Chinese place in McHenry, but they were closed so ended up having the McTurkey at McDonald's.  (Well, actually the McDouble Bundle of fries and sandwich for $3.)

Watched the Bears "beat up" on the winless Detroit Lions 16-14 to run up the record for the season to 4-7.  Well,, at least it was a win and snapped a 5 game losing streak.

Came home and enjoyed three of the "Vacation" movies, some of my favorites.  The only one I didn't see  was Christmas Vacation."

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  I'll try to be nicer if you try to be smarter.

Last Week: Fox Lake Yesterday and Today, McHenry Christmas Walk, Bears Lose

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20

I went to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society's meeting at the Grant Hall Museum in Ingleside, Illinois, after my mandatory stop at Thornton's for a large cappucinno coffee.  The museum has acquired the 24 historical signs that were up in Fox Lake in 2020 showing yesterday and today pictures of places around the community. Each one had an interesting story behind it.

In the afternoon, we went to the McHenry American Legion as our first stop on the McHenry annual Christmas Walk, where many stores, restaurants and bars have specials and Christmas-themed activities going on.

Later, we went to Grinder's, Old Bridge and ended up back at the Legion.

We were sorry to find out that Richmond-Burton had lost their game to Joliet Catholic, but no one was surprised.  That team should not have been in Class 4A.

Came home and watched "Ghostbusters" and "Ghostbusters II."

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Bears lose another game.  They have now lost six in a row.  People are calling to have Coach Nagy fired.

Stopped at Sunnyside on the way home.

--RoadDog

Last Week: Trivia at Donovan's Reef, Backing Our Richmond-Burton Rockets in the High School Football 4A Semi Final Playoff Game and a Fish Fry at the Rusty Nail

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 

First time with sun in a long time.  Sure peps everyone up.

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for live trivia with Uncle Jeffie and that great half-price Happy Hour.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19

I went to our local Walgreens in Spring Grove, Illinois, and bought my Richmond-Burton High School gear for Liz and myself. I bought a hat and hooded sweatshirt for myself and a tee shirt for Liz.  Tomorrow, we play probably one of the best schools in the state in the IHSA football playoffs, Joliet Catholic, ranked #4 in the state, despite having only 600 students.  But, they draft their players.

Figured we'd support our boys even if we're not going out to the game.  It is way too cold to sit outside at our age.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Rusty Nail in Ringwood, Illinois, for their fish fry which is considered one of the best in the area.  We can see why with the quality and amount of food you get AUCE for $14.  Neither one of us came anywhere close to finishing our first round.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Phoenix-- Prince-- Hallows-- Hallows-- Guardians-- Oz

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2020.

73.  HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THEM PHOENIX--  4-11--   Not much fin at Old Hogwarts with cat-plate lover and edict-maker Miss Umbrage.  But, they get her.

74.  HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE--  4-12--  Professor Snape is the Half Blood Prince and kills Dumbledore.

75.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT. 1--   Looking for Old No-Nose's horcruxes.

76.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS--  PT. 2--  4-12--  We find out the truth about Professor Snape, the Battle of Hogwarts and death of Old No-Nose and his snake.  And, how about that Neville!!!!

77.  GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY  PART 2--  4-13--  Daddy Dearest.  And, not your old Indians either.  (Cleveland)

78.  THE WIZARD OF OZ--  4-14--  A horse of a different color if you know what I mean.

Sure Made a Mess Out of the Old School.  --RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  I'm real easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.