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

Friday, April 29, 2022

The Gas Gouge Comes Back!: Donovan's, Sox, Bulls and a Movie

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

Went to Donovan's and watched the Sox get blown out.  The Coz Man was not a happy lad.  But, the Bulls actually beat the Bucks in their playoff game, and beat them good to even up the series at one apiece.  That will probably be the last Bull victory, though.  But, this was a fun year to watch them, the best since the 90s.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

Temps in the 60s.  Has spring finally arrived?  Drove to Fox Lake, Illinois, where gas has once again climbed to $4.40, the GRBs!!  

I saw then movie "Ambulance" which had a warning about the seemingly flashing lights of the way it was filmed and, I was pretty worn out by the time it was over.  That was some chase.

--RoadDog


Thursday, April 28, 2022

Past Movie Scratches: Scrooged-- Gremlins-- Transformers-- Wonderful-- Crazy-- Goonies

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

163.  SCROOGED--  12-7--  Those ghosts will hurt you.  Especially the gal.  "Go back to Jersey, you moron!"   The fun taxi ride.    That's why he is called Lumpy.  Bill Murray makes an excellent Scrooge.

164.  GREMLINS--  12-7--   So cute, but with ownership comes great responsibility  That hilarious bar scene.

165.  TRANSFORMERS:  THE LAST KNIGHT--  12-8--  Every Bit and Con have their own personality.  Loved John Goodman's "Sarge."  Lots of one-liners.

166.  IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE--  12-11--   Meet Clarence Odbody, AS2 (Angel Second Class).  Aiming to finally get his wings.  That bridge tender could sure pop his eyes.

167.  CRAZY RICH ASIANS--  12-14--  Every family has its  secrets, oddballs and outright nuts.  Folks with more money than they know what to do with.

168.  THE GOONIES--  12-15--  Good old One-Eyed Willie the pirate.  "Hey, you guys!!"  "Chunk"  The only thing we serve is tongue.  All the pirates, bats and treasure you could want.

--RoadDog


Tuesday, April 26, 2022

JSS: Ukraine Flag-- Come On Weather!! -- Inflation Gets Personal-- Sad Sox, Sad Hawks & Sad Bulls

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  UKRAINE FLAG

I saw a Ukraine flag in the Jewel parking lot earlier today.  Come on Ukraine.  It is amazing what they are accomplishing against such overwhelming odds.

2.  COME ON WEATHER!!

No breaks from the weather  After a wonderful weekend with temps in the lower 80s, we now have 44 degree weather with a strong wind blowing the cold on us.  Is there going to be a spring?  Freeze warnings for tonight!!  

3.  INFLATION GETS PERSONAL 

Today at our local breakfast spot, we were getting ready to order from the specials list when a waitress ran over and quickly gathered the specials pages and replaced them with another one.  We saw that the new one was $1 more for everything.  Ouch!!

4.  SAD SOX, SAD HAWKS & SAD BULLS

Rough time to be pulling for Chicago teams.  The Sox are in the middle of a seven game losing streak and the only thing happening more often is the loss of players to injury.  Seems like a new one every day.

The Blackhawks can't end the season soon enough.  And, I remember when they won their 3rd Stanley Cup in five years back in 2015 that they were talking about a Blackhawk Dynasty.  Little did we know we were seeing the end of it.

At least the Bulls showed the first improvement since those wonderful 1990s and made the playoffs this year, but will most likely be eliminated tomorrow.

--RoadDog


Monday, April 25, 2022

Music Deaths: Sandy Nelson, Drummer

 SABDY NELSON, 83

Died 14 February 2022

Drummer, (Rock and Roll, who had several solo instrumental hits in the late 50s to early 60s.

Hid biggest two hits were "Teen Beat" (#4-1959) and "Let There Be Drums" (#7-1961)  Also "Drums Are My Beat" #29-1962).

Session drummer on many hits as well.

Teddy Bears "To Know Him Is to Love Him" and  the Hollywood Argyles "Alley Oop."

And here I was always thinking he was a she.

You will definitely recognize "Teen Beat" and "Let There Be Drums."


Sunday, April 24, 2022

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 24: 'The Family of Man'

These were the Top Ten songs and Debuts fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.

1.  THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE--  Roberta Flack

2.  ROCKIN' ROBIN--  Michael Jackson

3.  BABY BLUE--  Badfinger

4.  DOCTOR MY EYES--  Jackson Browne

5.  A HORSE WITH NO NAME--  America

6.  DAYDREAMING--  Aretha Franklin

7.  IN THE RAIN--  Dramatics

8.  A COWBOY'S WORK IS NEVER DONE--  Sonny & Cher

9.  THE FAMILY OF MAN--  Three Dog Night

10.  BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW--  Stylistics

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

DEBUTS

21.  RUN, RUN, RUN--  Jo Jo Gunne

23.  OH GIRL--  Chi-Lites

24.  SYLVIA'S MOTHER--  Dr, Hook

YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A LADY--  April Wine

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And The Slow Parade Of Fears."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Doctor My Eyes"


Music Deaths: Howard Grimes Recorded with Al Green

HOWARD GRIMES

Died 12 February 2022

Drummer who recorded with Al Green and Ann Peebles.  

Very important in Memphis music.  Played sessions for Satellite Records which later became Stax.  Was tutored by Al Jackson Jr. of Booker T. & the MGs.  When Jackson died in 1975, took over as the  main drummer for Sta's house band, the Hi Rhythm Section.

Besides Green and Peebles, played with Otis Clay.  

Played on such landmark songs as Green's "Let's Stay Together" and Peebles' "I Can't Stand the Rain.

Had the nickname "Bulldog" for his ferocious style of playing.  


Fun With Taxes: MCCWRT, Wendy's $1 Breakfast Sandwiches, Taxes, Jumbo Wings at Kelly's, Fox Lake Legion, Stucky's and McHenry Moose Lodge

FRIDAY,APRIL 15

Met Steve from the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at the Aldi parking lot in McHenry where he handed me the copies of the student entries for this year's $1000 college scholarship.  While there, went to Aldi's of course.  How they can sell groceries for those prices is amazing.  Then to Wendy's for their wonderful $1 breakfast sandwiches.

Later, I went to H&R Block and picked up the taxes.  A new record in how much we have to pay.

Gas prices today:  McHenry $3.94, Fox Lake $4.17 and Trevor, Wisconsin $4.00.  When I say McHenry was $3.94, that means it was $3.93.9.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Kelly's Bar and Grill in Trevor, Wisconsin, for their fish fry, only Liz and I split the ten chicken wings for $15.99.  Now, that might sound like a lot, but these are truly gargantuan wings and have both parts.  We could only finish five of them, that's how big they are.

Then went to the Fox Lake Legion for 50-50 and home to Margaritaville in our basement.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

How about 28 degrees for half way through April?   And here I was thinking it was spring.  Foolish me.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg where we had the $14.50 buffet, sang karaoke and, of course, enjoyed those $1 draft beers.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17

It was enjoyable seeing the family across the street having an Easter Egg Hunt with the grandkids this afternoon.  They raised five children who are now off and married and having children of their own.  There were about ten kids running around.  Went to the McHenry American Legion in the afternoon.

--RoadDog


Saturday, April 23, 2022

Fun With Taxes: Woodstock, 'Morbius' Three Brothers, MCCWRT Meeting, Trivia at Donovan's, 'Uncharted' and Taxes Done

TUESDAY, APRIL 12

Went to Woodstock and saw the movie "Morbius" at the Woodstock Theatre.  Then met a bunch of McHenry County Civil War Round Table members at Three Brothers for dinner and then to the Woodstock Library for the Round Table meeting and presentation.  Now, that's what I call a fun day.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

We definitely waited too long to get our taxes done this year, partly because of some late-arriving papers and also printing woes.  We normally have all our tax stiff completed in March.  Well, that's my story anyway.

We met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's and had an Easter sort of trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

THURSDAY. APRIL 14

I went to see the movie "Uncharted" at the Fox Lake Theatre.  My kind of movie with history and adventure.  It was a lot like a mix of "Indiana Jones" and "National Treasure."  It is sure good to be back at the movies gain after a two year layoff for some reason.  This was my second movie of this week.

Good news, we got a call from Bill at H&R Block saying that our taxes were done so will pick them up and mail the checks tomorrow.  That's called waiting almost to the last minute.

Really, the Check's in the Mail.   --RoadDog


Friday, April 22, 2022

WLS Top 30 for Week of April 17, 1972-- Part 5: 'A Horse With No Name'

These were the Top Ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago according to WLS, 890 AM.  *  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number behind the artist is how high the song got on Billboard's Hot 100 national chart.

10.  *IN THE RAIN--  Dramatics   #5    One of only two Top 40 hits.  The other one was "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get"  (#9-1971)

9.  *DOCTOR MY EYES--  Jackson Browne       #8     His first big hit.

8.  MOTHER & CHILD REUNION--  Paul Simon     #1   His first solo hit.

7.  DAYDREAMING--  Aretha Franklin    #5

6.  *BABY BLUE--  Badfinger     #14

5.  ROCKIN' ROBIN--  Michael Jackson    #2

4.  A COWBOY'S WORK IS NEVER DONE--  Sonny & Cher     #8

3.  *I GOTCHA--  Joe Tex

2.  A HORSE WITH NO NAME--  America    #1

1.  THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE--  Aretha Franklin      #1   Six weeks at #1.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "No, I Would Not Give You False Hope."   Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Mother & Child Reunion"


Thursday, April 21, 2022

WLS Top 30 for Week of April 17, 1972-- Part 4: 'Betcha By Golly Wow'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.

15.  *BACK OFF BOOGALOO--  Ringo Starr       #9     That's George on the slide guitar.  This song was inspired by Ringo's friend Marc Bolan of T. Rex who actually used to say this.  George was also the producer.

14.  *BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW--  Stylistics     #3     One great belly rubbing song.  This would also make a great first dance at a wedding song.

13.  ROCK 'N' ROLL LULLABY--  B.J. Thomas      #15     Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.    Duane Eddy on guitar.

12.  ROUNDABOUT--  Yes     #13    So many ways to describe this song.   Their next Top 40 was in 1983 with "Owner of a Lonely Heart" which went to #1.

11.  *FAMILY OF MAN--  Three Dog Night       #12    A good song for these days.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Get Yourself Together Now And Give Me Something Tasty."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Back Off Boogaloo"


WLS Top 30 for Week of April 17, 1972-- Part 3: 'Jungle Fever'

Fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.

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

20.  DOWN BY THE LAZY RIVER--  Osmonds    #3    I got worn out just watching this video.  A real Rocker.   Moves like a Jackson, Sings like a Jackson, Not a Jackson.  Try to be in a bad mood after watching this.

19.  HEART OF GOLD--  Neil Young     #1      Boy, I sure needed a break after that last video and I sure got it.  Laid back, very laid back.  Surprising that this is one of three Top 40s he ever had.

18.  *TAURUS--  Dennis Coffey     #18     His follow up to "Scorpio"  Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

17.  JUNGLE FEVER--  Chakachas    #8      Kind of hard they would play this on AM radio  Got  to love the bongos.  What was she talking about anyway?  From Belgium.

16.  PUPPY LOVE--  Donny Osmond      #3     Very sappy.  Hard to believe the contrast between this song's video and #20 by the whole group.  No doubt about it, the Osmonds and Jacksons were hot 50 years ago.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Cry Each Night My Tears For You."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Puppy Love"


Tuesday, April 19, 2022

WLS Top 30 for Week of April 17, 1972-- Part 2: 'Suavecito'

25.  GLORY BOUND--  Grass Roots      #34    An underrated group in my book.   Pop rock group formed in San Francisco with Rob Grill on vocals.

24.  THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT--  Robert John     #3      A great cover.   From Brooklyn.  His next Top 40 hit was "Sad Eyes" which went to #1 in 1979.

23.  THE WAY OF LOVE--  Cher      #7    What a voice  This song just keeps building and gets a full orchestral treatment at the end.  Follow up to "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves which went to #1 in the fall of 1971.

22.  SUAVECITO--  Malo    #18     A bit of a Latin beat.  Their only Top 40.  The guitar player is Jorge Santana, the brother of Carlos Santana.

21.  *THE DAY I FOUND MYSELF--  Honey Cone      #23    I don't remember it, but it is really a good song with a talking intro.   That's the late Edna Wright singing lead.  She was also the sister of Darlene Love.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "In The Jungle, The Mighty Jungle."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"The Lion Sleeps Tonight"


Monday, April 18, 2022

How I Make These WLS Top 30s

Once a month I list all of the songs on the WLS Survey.  The rest of the month I just list the Top Ten songs and Debuts.

But, once a month I do the Top 30 songs in Chicago and go through an involved process to do the five posts for that week.  The first four are in groups of five and the last one is the Top Ten.

The first thing I do is go to the wlsyear - Oldiesloon site which has all the WLS surveys on it.  I go to the week's survey that I am going to do and then copy all the songs down on a sheet of paper.  I then go to You Tube and start playing them.  I listen to every single song on the list and make comments about the song and also read other people's comments to gather information about the song.

I also look to see if the song was climbing the charts or going down the charts.

Next, I go to my "Top Pop Singles 1955-1993" by Joel Whitburn.  This is where I find out how high the song went on the Billboard Hot 100 National chart.

Then, it's typing away with my two little fingers to make the post.  I do not write much about the Top ten songs since I have already written about it in the previous months.

It is a real trip back, especially listening to the songs.  I know there are some who enjoy trying to figure out the artist for the song I have in the title and then others enjoy trying to figure out what song has the words at the bottom of the post.  Name That Tune.

That's How I Do It.  --RoadMuch


Sunday, April 17, 2022

WLS Top 30 for the Week of April 17, 1972-- Part 1: 'Without You'

That's right, 50 years ago, half a century.  Can you dig it?

These were the top 30 songs in Chicago according to AM powerhouse WLS, 890.  (Call letters for World's Largest Store, and what was the World's Largest Store, but no more, sadly.  A hedge fund guy got ahold of it.)

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

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

DEBUTS

*OH GIRL-  Chi-Lites     #1    Classic slow Soul.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Takes me right back to my college days.  From Chicago as in Chi-.

*RUN, RUN, RUN--  Jo Jo Gunne     #27    One of my all-time favorites The group's name came from the Chuck Berry song "Jo Jo Gunne."  One of the members was vocalist Jay Ferguson who later had a big hit with "Thunder Island" also one of my favorites.

30.  *EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE--  Bobby Vinton      #24      Could have been a Frank Sinatra song  I don't remember it.

29.  *LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE--  Jackson Five     #13     A good cover of the old Thurston Harris song.

28.  *LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME--  Al Green      #4    That Al Green groove that he could do so well.  Summed up pretty well with the comment, "The production, instruments and sound" and I'd add that  voice.

27.  WITHOUT YOU--  Nilsson    #1    His only #1.     Much better than the Badfinger version.

26.  *CASTLES IN THE AIR--  Don McLean    #12      Flipside of "Vincent."    Background vocals by the Jordanaires.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'd Be In Trouble If You Left Me Now."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Oh Girl"


Bringing April Showers: More Wendy's, Even Snow, a Historical Society and Board Games, Vinyl Revolution, Larry and Stucky's

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

Dropped our taxes off at H&R Block and went onto Dollar Tree, former home of the everything $1, now everything $1.25.  Still cheap.  Then went to Aldi, another inexpensive place selling groceries.

Stopped at Wendy's and had one of their great breakfast sausage sandwiches, now just $1.  I would put that up against any fast food breakfast sandwich, especially at that price (sadly temporarily).

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Wike up to...SNOW!!  Didn't stick though.

Drove to the McHenry Savings Bank on Il-31 where the McHenry Area Historical Society was having a meeting and presentation on board games.  The presenter had around fifty old games, including one from Germany during WW II.

On the way home, stopped at the Vinyl Frontier record store and bought five CDs.

In the afternoon, I went to Larry Verjinski's wake.  He was a former student and friend of ours as well as one-time commander of the Fox Lake American Legion.

That evening, met Kevin and Kelly at Stucky's for dinner and karaoke.  George and I are getting quite good at that classic old song "It's Hard to Be Humble."

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

Went to the McHenry American Legion in the afternoon.

--RoadDog


Saturday, April 16, 2022

Bringing April Showers: Breakfasts, Deals, Donovan's Reef and Taxes

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

Met the usual Sunnyside crew at Granny's Dinner in Johnsburg for breakfast.  Hard to beat the special:  8 ounces chopped steak, two eggs, sour dough bread and hash browns for $8.95.

Rain off and on all day.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

Rained all last night and part of today.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef  in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and that great happy hour.  All drinks half price plus 25 cents.

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Rain splatters all day.

Met the Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, and filled the tank on the '2005 Dodge Dakota for $3.80.  Gas in Illinois is still $4.10 and much higher.

I had called H&R Block to talk to Bill and when he called back he said they weren't taking any new taxes to be filled out.  But since we had used him the last four years or so, he did take us.

That was a bit frightening at this late of a tax date.

--RoadDog


Thursday, April 14, 2022

Biggest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s-- Part 2: 'Maniac'

11.  SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE--  Thomas Dolby  (1982)

12.  99 LUFTBALLOONS--  Nena  (1982)

13.  BREAK MY STRIDE--  Matthew Wilder  (1983)

14.  MANIAC--  Michael Sembello  (9183)

15.  TOO SHY--  Kajagoogoo  (1983)

16.  TURN UP THE RADIO--  Autograph  (1984)

17.  I WANNA BE A COWBOY--  Boys Don"t Cry  (1985)     (I don't remember this one, so listened to it.  Good song and a great video.  Check it out.)

18.  THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES--  Timbuk 3 (1986)     (Wisconsin-based group.  This was one great, unique song.)

19.  THE RAIN--  Oren "Juice" Jones  (1986)  I don't remember this one.

20.  THE PROMISE-- When in Rome  I don't remember this one either.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Study Nuclear Science.  I Love My Classes."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades"


Biggest One Hit Wonders of the 80s-- Part 1: 'Funkytown'

From the April 14, 2022, Yardbarker/MSN by Jeff Mezydlo.

I'm just listing them.  For more information, go to the site.

1.  FUNKYTOWN-- Lipps, Inc. (1980)

2.  TURNING JAPANESE--  Vapors  (1980)

3.  867-5309/ JENNY--  Tommy Tutone (1981)   One of my all-time favorite tunes.

4.  I MELT WITH YOU--  Modern English  (1981)

5.  COME ON EILEEN--  Dexy's Midnight Runners (1982)   Another great song and video.

6.  I KNOW WHAT BOYS LIKE--  The Waitresses  (1982)

7.  I WANT CANDY--  Bow Wow Wow  (1982)

8.  MICKEY--  Toni Basil    Loved that cheerleader video.

9.  PASS THE DUTCHIE--  Musical Youth  (1982)

10.  PITTIN' ON THE RITZ--  Taco (1982)

Without looking above, what's that phone number again.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're So Fine You Blow My Mind."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Mickey"


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

No Foolin': Johnny's Cafe, Fox Lake American Legion, 3 Aces, Old Friends, NCAA Tournament, Stucky's, McHenry American Legion

FRIDAY,   APRIL 1, 2022

We met Kevin and Kelly at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake and had a great egg plant parmesan with angel hair spaghetti.  e then went to the American Legion in Fox Lake for 50-50.  Kelly and Kevin won for the second week in a row.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of one of my favorite comic strips, Pickles."  I can sure relate to Earl.  I guess it has to do with an age thing.

Met Glen and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion at 3 in the afternoon and we enjoyed one of our favorite bands, 3 Aces.  Because of the you-know-what, we hadn't seen them in over two years.  They play great oldies music.  Where else you going to get a band on an April Saturday afternoon with $2 drafts?

We also hadn't seen Barb and Glen since November as they live in Chicago, but have a place on the Chain o' Lakes.

An old buddy, Rick, came in and we had a nice talk about the old days.  I hadn't seen him since before the you-know-what hit as well.

Afterwards, we went to Stucky's and had the $1 draft special and watched the NCAA Elite 8 games.  Both, sadly, were blowouts.  Boring.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

We went to the McHenry American Legion and then to Stucky's on the way home.

--RoadDog


Monday, April 11, 2022

No Foolin': Snow on Ground on April 1st? 'Everybody Plays the Fool'

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

Woke up this morning to find about an inch of SNOW on the ground (but not on the driveway, sidewalk or street).  It was all gone by noon, but, come on snow.  Is this nature's idea of an April Fool's joke?

In keeping with the tomfoolery, Bob Stroud dedicated his Ten at Ten on WDRV, 97.1 FM, Chicago "The Drive" to "Fool Around."  Ten songs foolin' around.

FOOL FOR THE CITY--  Fog Hat

EVERYBODYPLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient

FOOL IN THE RAIN--  Led Zeppelin

FOOLIN'--  Def Leppard

FOOL ON THE HILL--  Beatles

FOOLIN' YOURSELF--  Styx

FOOL TO CRY--  Rolling Stones

A FOOL FOR YOUR STOCKINGS--  ZZ Top

SHIP OF FOOLS--  Robert Plant

WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN--  Who

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Okay, So You're Heart Broken. You Sit Around Mopin' Crying And Crying."  Answer below.  --RoadFool


"Everybody Plays the Fool"


Sunday, April 10, 2022

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 10, 1972: 'A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done'

Where does the time go?

1.  THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW YOUR FACE--  Roberta Flack

2.  A HORSE WITH NO NAME--  America

3.  I GOTCHA--  Joe Tex

4.  A COWBOY'S WORK IS NEVER DONE--  Sonny & Cher

5.  MOTHER & CHILD REUNION--  Paul Simon

6.  ROCKIN' ROBIN--  Michael Jackson

7.  ROUNDABOUT--  Yes

8.  BABY BLUE--  Badfinger

9.  ROCK 'N' ROLL LULLABY--

10.  PUPPY LOVE--  Donny Osmond

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

DEBUTS

14.  DOCTOR MY EYES--  Jackson Browne

22.  BACK OFF BOOGALOO--  Ringo Starr

28. SUAVECITO--Malo

30.  CASTLES IN THE AIR--  Don McLean

LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME--  Al Green

LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE--  Jackson Five

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Guess I Got What I Deserved, Kept You Waiting There Too Long."  Answer below.  RoadDog


"Baby Blue"


Friday, April 8, 2022

Music Deaths: Ian McDonald of King Crimson & Foreigner

IAN McDONALD, 75

Died 8 February 2022

Saxophonist and keyboardist, played with King Crimson and Foreigner.

Formed King Crimson with Greg Lake and Robert Fripp.  Played multiple instruments on their debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King."  The album is now considered a landmark album.

In 1976, formed Foreigner and played on their first three albums.

Also a prolific session musician and played on  "Get It On" by T. Rex.


Thursday, April 7, 2022

Songs for Opening Day: 'Centerfield'

The Chicago Cubs opened their 2022 season today at home in Wrigley Field.  Definitely a pretty crummy day for it.  Out here in the burbs we have 41 degrees and a light rain.  And, the only way to see the game on TV is to pay their crummy Marque cable station.  So, I will pull for the Cubs, but won't see many games.

Anyway, good ol' Bob Stroud had his Ten at Ten on baseball for some reason.

1.  CENTERFIELD--  John Fogerty

2.  GLORY DAYS--  Bruce Springsteen

3.  PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT--  Meatloaf

4.  MRS.  ROBINSON--  Simon & Garfunkel

5.  WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE--  Billy Joel

6.  THE BOYS OF SUMMER--  Don Henley

7.  NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE--  Steam  White Sox organist Nancy Faust started this.

8.  BACK WHEN MY HAIR WAS SHORT--  Gunhill Road

9.  YOUR LOVE--  The Outfield

10.  GO CUBS GO--  Steve Goodman

It will repeat tonight at 10 PM, CDST.

Thanks, Bob.  Pretty good lineup.  I'm In the Mood for Some Baseball Been Very Good to Me.  --RoadBall

Name That Tune(from the above songs):  "Baseball Season's On the Way.  Well You Better Get Ready For A Brand New Day."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Go Cubs Go"


Past Movie Scratches: Vacation-- Aquaman-- Maleficent-- Revenge-- Grinch-- Venom

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

157.  CHRISTMAS VACATION--  11-24--  Pity the poor Griswold neighbors even if they are a bit snooty.

158.  AQUAMAN--  11-26--  Trust me.  I am no king.  If I had known what a dick you'd turn out to be.  The Golden Trident and long-lost mother.  Very colorful.

159.  MALEFICENT--  12-2--  Hates children.  No revoking the curse but a surprise kiss.  You've got to love Beastie. I hated those pointy things on the top of her wings.  They bothered my eyes.

160.   THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN--  12-5--  There's always a reason why.  He burned his own body.  You can call me  Stein or you can call me Frank, but don't call me Frankenstein.

161.  DR. SEUSS:  THE GRINCH--  12-6--  That Christmas tree has got to go.  All Christmas trappings have got to go.   I plan to steal Christmas.  Got to love Fred and Max the Dog.

162.  VENOM--  12-6--  The start of an unusual friendship.  The conversations between the two of them were hilarious  Just don't eat good people.  Did I just bite off someone's head?  It's all symbiotic.

Funny Insurance Commercials.  --RoadDog


Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Music Deaths: Donny Gerrard, Lead Singer of Skylark

DONNY GERRARD, 75

Died 3 February 2022

That was him singing Skylark's 1972 hit "Wildflower."  From Canada.   The song spent 21 weeks on the Billboard charts.  Skylark disbanded after their second album.

Signed with Elton John's Rocket Record Company and sang background on John's 1975 album "Captain Fantastic  and the Brown Dirt Cowboy."


Monday, April 4, 2022

Music Deaths: Norma Waterson, Folk Singer and Betty Davis, Soul Singer

NORMA WATERSON, 82

Died 30 January 2022

Folk singer.

English singer and songwriter better known as a member of the folk group Watersons.

This woman could sing.  Check out "Black Muddy River," "God Loves a Drunk" and "Movin' On Song." 

BETTY DAVIS, 77

Died 9 February 2022

Known for her controversial performance style and lyrics.    Described as combining "the gritty emotional  realism of Tine Turner, the futuristic fashion sense of David Bowie."

You've got to listen to her 1974 album "They Say I'm Different."  She sure was.  Soul and this gal get really get down.

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I'd never heard of these two ladies, but sure wish I had.


Sunday, April 3, 2022

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 3, 1972: 'Mother & Child Reunion'

Fifty years ago on radio station WLS, 890 AM in Chicago.  

1.  HORSE WITH NO NAME--  America

2.  MOTHER & CHILD REUNION--  Paul Simon

3.  THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW YOUR FACE--  Roberta Flack  (Climbed from #13)

4.  I GOTCHA--  Joe Tex

5.  ROCK 'N' ROLL LULLABY--  B.J. Thomas

6.  A COWBOY'S WORK IS NEVER DONE--  Sonny & Cher

7.  ROCKIN' ROBIN--  Michael Jackson

8.  ROUNDABOUT--  Yes

9.  PUPPY LOVE--  Donny Osmond

10  JUNGLE FEVER--  Chakahas     Kind of interesting to have this song behind #9.

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DEBUTS

16.  BABY BLUE--  Badfinger

25.  THE FAMILY OF MAN--  Three Dog Night

26.  BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW--  Stylistics

27.  THE DAY I FOUND MYSELF--  Honey Cone

DOCTOR MY EYES--  Jackson Browne

CASTLES IN THE AIR--  Don McLean

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "There Was Sand And Hills And Rings.  The First Thing I Met Was A Fly With A Buzz."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Horse With No Name"


Saturday, April 2, 2022

Ending March: No Sliders for Me, Boring Elite 8, Stucky's, Cullom Knoll and Legion

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

I then drove over to White Castle to buy some Sliders, but there must have been 12 cars in line at the drive-thru.  I tried the front door, but it was still locked.  Come on guys, you can open up now.  So, no Sliders for me.

Disappointed, I got back in the car and drove home, stopping along the way at the new Popeye's in McHenry and bought the shrimp box which was quite good (but not Sliders).

We went to Stucky's and enjoyed the $1 pints and watched two very boring games in the Elite 8.  I guess we got spoiled in the NCAA Tournament up to now with all those upsets and close games.  Those Sweet Sixteen ones Thursday and Friday were eight of the best-ever Tournament games.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 27

We went to Cullom Knoll in McCullom Lake near McHenry for their $6 pizza special and $6 pitchers.  Then checked out the newly redone inside of the McHenry American Legion before going to Stucky's on the way home for the NASCAR party.  I actually was watching the NASCAR race more than the NCAA Tournament games as they were again blowouts.

Here's hoping that the Final Four will be better than the Elite 8.

--RoadDog


Friday, April 1, 2022

Ending March: Crystal Lake, MCCWRT, Half-Price Books, CDs

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting with today's topic being Civil War Artillery.  We were occasionally on topic.  Then drove to Algonquin and bought eight CDs at Half-Price Books.  All were $2 except one:

STICKY FINGERS--  Rolling Stones

OKTOBERFEST IN CHICAGO--  Die Musikmeisters

BUBBLEGUM, GARAGE AND POP NUGGETS--  22 songs

ACTUAL MILES GREATEST HITS--  Don Henley

GREATEST HITS--  Little River Band

ONLY THE BEGINNING THE VERY BEST OF--  Chicago

COUNTRY LEGENDS--  36 Hits   3 CDs

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION SEVENTIES 100 HITS  This one was $10 for four CD set.

And, I Still Play CDs and Record on Cassette Tape  --RoadCD


Ending March: NCAA Tournament, Fish Fry, Legion, St. Peter's Wins

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

How could the Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament games be any better.  Of the four games yesterday and four today, I counted seven close games and three major upsets, including two #1s knocked off!!  Looking forward to the Elite 8 games now.

Met Kevin and Kelly at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their AUCE fish fry ($10.99) and then went to the Fox Lake American Legion.  Watched the NCAA games at both places.  Big crowd at the Legion watching and pulling for St. Peter's (#15) in their game against Purdue (#3).  Even though I am a Big 10, 11,12, 13, 14 fan (except Michigan and Ohio State and the two newest teams Maryland and Rutgers) I was pulling for St. Peter's.  I always pull for underdogs against any team.

And, St. Peters won a close one 67-64.

Attendance at the Friday 50-50 is climbing again after a big drop off back before the virus hit.

--RoadDog