A Storm, Civil War Round Table, Oak Park Lounge, Sunnyside and Beatles

SATURDAY, JULY 23

We had quite the storm last night with plenty of lightning, thunder and some of the worst hail we've ever seen.  Beware all the roofing companies who'll be about now.

Went to Panera Bread in Cryustal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group on Lee and His Generals.  Stopped at Wendy's in McHenry on the way home and had one of their Biggie Bags for $5, a good deal in these days of no deals.

Stopped at the Pink Harrison cabin which was plaqued earlier this month.  Liz did not know it was there.  We had wanted to see the afternoon band at the Lakehouse on Pistakee (Lake), but it was too crowded, so ended up at Oak Park Lounge for a couple beers.  That is real old-time Chain of Lakes.  Then stopped at Sunnyside in Johnsburg on the way home.

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SUNDAY, JULY 25

Bob Stroud Root Saluted the Beatles' "Something New" album which was released this date in 1964 during the force of Beatlemania.  I realize the later Beatles songs were much better efforts, but to me the early ones were the real "FUN" ones.  Recorded the show on cassette.  Songs on the album:

I'll Cry Instead

Things We Said Today

Any Time At All

When I Get Home

Slow Down

Matchbox

Tell Me Why

And I Love Her

I'm Happy Just to Dance With You

If I Fell

Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand

Went to the McHenry American Legion and Sunnyside in the afternoon.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  If you replace  the "W" with a "T" in "What, Where & When", you would have the answer to each one.

Thor, Corniciones, NTN and Stormy Monday

THURSDAY, JULY 21

I went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw "Thor:  Love and Thunder."  I never figured I'd like the Marvel Comics movies, but I sure do.

Liz and I went to Corniciones in Antioch, Illinois, to play NTN and have dinner.  We haven't played NTN much since the virus hit and had a hard time remembering our sign ins.  Not likely we'll be back with their $4 draft pints.

We had planned on going to It's Thursday to see the concert, but it was too crowded.  Then thought to stop at Anastasia's, but it too was crowded.  

Ended up driving to Stormy Monday on Fox Lake to see what was happening there.  It wasn't crowded so stayed for one that ended up a whole lot more when we got in a talk with the owner.  This place used to be our main hangout back when it was Costello's in the 80s and 90s.  Always a great view of Fox Lake and especially those sunsets.

Way Too Much for a Beer.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  100 years ago, everyone had a horse, only the rich had a car.  Today, everyone has a car and only the rich have horses.

Whoppers, Old Cars and Old Friends

MONDAY, JULY 18

We drove to McHenry, Illinois, and had Whopper dinners at Burger King.  Still one of my favorite burgers after all these years.  We then walked around the Green Street car show admiring the rides, especially ared '67 Firebird convertible, my favorite oldies car.

We saw the same band as yesterday, Aging Teen Idols, who were providing entertainment.

Afterwards went to Sunnyside and had a great time with the Stucky folks:  Angie, Wayne and Carrie.

TUESDAY, JULY 19

Met the Sunnyside folks at Granny's Diner on the Fox River River in Johnsburg and had that excellent chopped steak, two eggs over easy, gash browns and bread.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

National Hot Dog Day,  One of my favorite foods.  Didn't have one though.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and happy hour.

--RoadDog

WLS Ten for Week of September 18, 1972: 'Rock and Roll Part 2'

These were the Top Ten songs in Chicago back fifty years ago this week according to powerhouse radio station WLS, 890 AM.

1.  BLACK AND WHITE--  Three Dog Night

2.  BACK STABBERS--  O'Jays

3.  BABY DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME--  Mac Davis

4.  SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago

5.  ROCK AND ROLL PART 2--  Gary Glitter

6.  ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)--  Gilbert O'Sullivan

7,  LONG COOL WOMAN--  Hollies

8.  I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Al Green

9.  BRANDY--  Looking Glass

10.  GUITAR MAN--  Bread

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DEBUTS

25.  YOU WEAR IT WELL--  Rod Stewart

26.  BEN--  Michael Jackson

27.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--   Moody Blues

28.  USE ME--    Bill Withers

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Girl You're Getting That Look In Your Eyes."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

'Waiting for the Sun' & Aging Teen Idols

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Bob Stroud had a special treat on his Rock and Roots show today on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  Today was the 52nd anniversary of the release of the Doors album "Waiting for the Sun" and he played it in its entirety throughout his show and gave lots of interesting information about it in the process.

It has my all-time favorite Doors song "Hello, I Love You" which always reminds me of going out to Honey Hill Beach in Wauconda with my co-workers at the Palatine Burger King on Northwest Highway.  (Burger King was where Photo's is located now.)

In the afternoon, Liz and I drove over to Chopper's on Illinois Highway 173 in Antioch and sat out on their deck overlooking a channel to the Chain of Lakes and enjoyed our friend's band, Aging Teen Angels, playing all sorts of oldies and Beatles songs.  Also enjoyed the $2 draft and 65 cent wings.

Aging Teen Idols.  Isn't that a great name for an oldies band that also plays their own originals?

We were surprised when buddy Coz and girlfriend Eileen came by so enjoyed talking with them on an absolute prefect day to be outside.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Every time you clean, you make something else dirty.

WLS Top 26 for Week of September 11, 1972-- Part 4: The Top Ten Songs, 'Back Stabber'

That's right, fifty years ago.  If you remember thesesongs you are more than a half century old.

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

10.  *BLACK AND WHITE--  Three Dog Night      #1     Reminds me of driving the ol' Ramblin' Wreck ('63 Rambler station wagon) on the Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, Illinois.

9.  *SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago    #3    Pound that piano, bring in the horns.

8.  ROCK & ROLL PART 2--  Gary Glitter    #7

7.  BACK STABBERS--  O'Jays    #3   

6.  YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM--  Jim Croce     #8     Sure wish we'd had him around longer.

5.  LONG COOL WOMAN--  Hollies     #2    Just when you thought they were finished.

4.  *BABY DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME--  Mac Davis    #1 for three weeks.

3.  ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)--  Gilbert O'Sullivan    #1   It was #1 for six weeks.

2.  *I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Al Green   #3

1.  BRANDY--  Looking Glass.     #1    This is its third straight week in a row at #1 on the WLS survey.  It was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week.

I don't know about you, but this is one of the best Top Tens I've ever seen.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "People Dancing, People Laughing, A Man Selling Ice Cream."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Saturday in the Park"

WLS Top 26 for Week of September 11, 1972-- Part 3: 'Guitar Man'

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

15.  BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY--  Daniel Boone     #15     Reminds me of driving the old Ramblin' Wreck around Athens, Georgia during the summer.  A song to get you going on a Sunday morning.  I love it when he repeats the words.  Born Peter Lee Stirling in Birmingham, England.  His only Top 40 hit.

14.  *GO ALL THE WAY--  Raspberries      #5     That's Eric Carmen on lead vocal  Great guitar work.  What exactly were they talking about?  Their only Top Ten.

13.  GOODBYE TO LOVE--  Carpenters    #7    The fuzz guitar was by Tony Peluso.  Written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis.  From New Haven, Connecticut.

12.  GUITAR MAN--  Bread      #11     Still love that guitar intro.

11.  HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--  Argent      #5      Quite the jam on this one.  Leader Rod Argent was also a member of the Zombies.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Never Knew How Complete Love Could Be."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Go All the Way"

WLS Top 26 Songs for Week of September 11, 1972-- Part 2: 'Everybody Plays the Fool'

20.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient     #3     This songs takes me right back to driving the famed Ramblin' Wreck along Lincoln Highway in the fall of 1972, my senior year at NIU.  Vocal trio from the Bronx, New York.

19.  MOTORCYCLE MAMA--  Sailcat     #12     Just 2:12 long.  A very interesting album cover.  Pop duo from Alabama.  Their one and only-ever hit.

18.  RUN TO ME--  Bee Gees      #16     Such harmony.  Trio of brothers from Manchester, England.  Moved to Australia in 1958 and returned to England in 1967.  At first I thought they were the Beatles performing under a different name.

17.  POWER OF LOVE--  Joe Simon      #11     I'd forgotten this one.  Too bad.  Died in 2021.  This guy oozed soul.  Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Joe Simon.

16.  HONKY CAT--   Elton John        #8     A real honky tonk song for Elton.  Kind of gets your body moving.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're The Queen Of My Highway."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Motorcycle Mama"

WLS Top 26 Songs for Week of September 11, 1972-- Part 1: 'Pop That Thang'

These were the top songs in Chicago according to WLS fifty years ago this week.

*  means the song was climbing the charts.  The number behind the artist is how high the song got on the Billboad Hot 100 National Charts.

26.  *WHY--  Donny Osmond    #13       Frankie Avalon had a big hit with it at #1 in 1960.

25.  *SPEAK TO THE SKY--  Rick Springfield      #14      The song that put him on the map.  He had many more songs than the only one I could remember for a long time, which was "Jessie's Girl."

24.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley      #2      Probably my favorite Elvis tune  Get me that "Hunka Hunka Love."

23.  IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG--  Luther Ingram       #3        Love the start of this song and the instruments coming in and out throughout the song.  Talk about oozing Soul.

22.  *POP THAT THANG--  Isley Brothers      #24     Trio of brothers from Cincinnati.

21.  *PLAY ME--  Neil Diamond     #11   Born in 1941 in Brooklyn, New York.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Was Morning And I Was Night Time."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Play Me"

Past Movie Scratches: Lethal-- Weapon-- Anchorman-- Alien-- Aliens-- Happening

Paqst Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2021

43.  LETHAL WEAPON 3--  6-22--  Best not to mess with the gal police officer.  It was the burning of Atlanta all over again.  All sorts of wise-crackin' going on.

44.  LETHAL WEAPON 4--  6-22--  The original Iron Man.  What do you do with a loose shark in your boat?  How to really, really sink a boat.

45.  ANCHORMAN 2:  THE LEGEND CONTINUES--  7-11--  "Why do we have to tell people what they want to hear?"  Getting the gang back together and what a zany group are they.  The Battle of the News Crews.

46.  ALIEN--  7-21--  Where's that guy.  Not a stowaway you'd want on your spacecraft.  Creepy mouth with another mouth in it that could extend.

47.  ALIENS--  7-21--  Now there are more of them and they aren't any nicer.  The Marines did NOT kick ass and take names.  But the aliens sure did.

48.  THE HAPPENING--  7-22--  It's the wind or maybe the plants that make people go nuts.  Then there was that strange lady.

--RoadDog

9/11 Ceremony in Johnsburg, Illinois --Part 2

I was unable to post my annual 9/11 commemoration in my blogs yesterday, but am doing it today.  The first part is in today's RoadDog's RoadLog blog.

Johnsburg, Illinois, is about three miles from our house in Spring Grove along Johnsburg Road.  The ceremony was to start at 9.  It rained all morning, all the way there and by golly it rained even harder as they got the flags set up in a line along Johnsburg Road between the bank and Johnsburg Library.

They were still putting the flags out when I arrived.  Too bad the grass had not been cut in awhile as I got my feet quite wet walking over to them from the bank's parking place.  There were probably 12 people there busy putting in holders for the flags in the ground.

Despite being wet, the flags were fluttering and flapping in the strong wind.  It looked good.  

Once the 30 U.S. flags and several 9/11 flags were in place, we had a few words from a woman that really struck home about what happened that day and how America rebounded.  Then a wreath was placed and a prayer given.

Most of the people out there were members of the McHenry Moose Lodge's Legion Riders.

Upon conclusion, I drove around to where I would pass them and honked the horn.  I had heard some say that they were disappointed because in the past when they did this, people would honk their horns.  I got a lot of smiles and waves.

I Want to Thank those people for the commemoration.

Past Movie Scratches: Homecoming-- Bee-- Hell-- Jungle-- Tombstone-- Bohemian

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2021

37.  SPIDER MAN:  HOMECOMING--  6-14--  Wait till you meet your girlfriend's dad.

38.  BUMBLE BEE--  6-15--  "There's a door in my way."  Are all Decepticons that bad?  Bumble Bee holding the fort and taking a beating for the Autobats.

39.  HELL BOY--  6-15--  The Blood Queen.  Reuniting her with the rest of her body.  Fighting giants.  Hell Boy takes a licking, but keeps on ticking.  Moral:  Quit when your're a head.

40.  JUMANJI:  WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE--  6-16--  It all started in detention.  "I think we're in the game."  Teamwork wins the day.  Beware the drums.  Don't lose your stripes.

41.  TOMBSTONE--  6-17--  Cool, cool Doc.  The Earp Boys and Doc take care of of businessatthe O.K. Corral and elsewhere.  "We did our good deed for today."

42.  BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY--  6-21--  What does that particular style of mustache say about a person..  The struggles of a band and Freddie.  Great, great music.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Do twins ever realize that one of them is unplanned for?

Summer of 1972 Again-- Part 12: 'Long Cool Woman'

Sure enjoyed this trip back to the Summer of 1972 compliments of WDRV's Bob Stroud.  That's fifty years ago, HALF a CENTURY.

LONG COOL WOMAN IN A BLACK DRESS--  Hollies

I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU--  Foghat

SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago

YOU'RE STILL A YOUNG MAN--  Tower of Power

ROCKS OFF--  Rolling Stones

LIVING IN THE PAST--  Jethro Tull

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers

RUNNING BACK TO SASKATOON--  Guess Who

SMOKE ON THE WATER--  Deep Purple

BRANDY (YOU'RE A FINE GIRL)--  Looking Glass    The Number 1 song in Chicago on September 4, 1972.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What A Good Wife You Would Be."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

""Brandy"

Summer of 1972 Again-- Part 11: 'Join Together'

Songs on your radio and in your record cllection on September 4, 1972.

HOT N' NASTY--  Humble Pie

YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM--  Jim Croce

JOIN TOGETHER--  Who

IF I WERE A CARPENTER--  Bob Seger

HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--  Argent

AMERICA--  Yes

PEACEFUL EASY FEELING--  Eagles

COCONUT--  Nilsson

CONQUISTADOR--  ProculHarum

CELLULOID HERO--  Kinks

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Like The Way Your Sparkling Earrings Lay Against Your Skin So Brown."  Answer below.  --   RoadDog

"Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Summer of 1972 Again-- Part 10: 'Guitar Man'

This past Sunday, Bob Stroud had his fourth and final installment of his annual "Summer of" series on summers of fifty years ago.  That would make it the songs on our radios and in our record collections on September 4, 1972.

I was back in DeKalb, Illinois, getting ready to finish up my senior year at Northern Illinois University.  As much as I was having a really good time in college, I knew it was time to move on with my life.

HONKY CAT--  Elton John

LIFE IS A CARNIVAL (LIVE)--  Band

HAPPY--  Rolling Stones

BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley

TWISTIN' THE NIGHT AWAY--  Rod Stewart

BLACK AND WHITE--  Three Dog Night

STAR MAN-- David Bowie

GUITAR MAN--  Bread

DIALOGUE PARTS 1 & 2--  Chicago

GO ALL THE WAY--  Raspberries

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Ink Is Black, The Page Is White."  Answerbelow.  --RoadDog

"Black and White"

McHenry Fiesta Days and Christmas in July

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Between the Pink Harrison cabin and Oak Park Lounge, we paid our respects to the old Chain O' Lakes before it upscaled.  

Came home and then Liz and I drove over to McHenry for the annual Fiesta Day festival.  In the past they had Art in the Park where crafters had stands in Veterans Park and streets were closed off for bands, crafts and lots of partying.  

This was one of our favorite days of the year.  We used to call it "Drunk in the Park."  And it was quite the party.  There would be several bands playing in the street and every bar (and there are a lot of bars in McHenry) would be selling beer which you could drink in the street.

We usually hung out at the Tables for Ladies bar on the corner where they would have a portable bar set up outside, cooked brats and had a band as well.   

On the way home we stopped at Sunnyside where they were having the annual Christmas in July party.  They had already had a decorated golf cart parade and had tables and a bar set up outside and a band called The American Psychos playing some great tunes from the 1980s.

Sure Miss That "Drunk in the Park."  RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  What if oxygen was actually killing you and it takes  75 to 100 years to do it

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of September 4, 1972: 'Rock & Roll Pt. 2'

These were the Top Ten songs in Chicago back fifty years ago.

1.  BRANDY--  Looking Glass

2.  LONG COOL WOMAN--  Hollies

3.  ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)--  Gilbert O'Sullivan

4.  HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--   Argent

5.  I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Al  Green

6.  YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM--  Jim Croce

7.  BACK STABBERS--  O'Jays

8.  ROCK & ROLL PT. 2--   Gary Glitter

9.  GOODBYE TO LOVE--  Carpenters

10.  BABY DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME--  Mac Davis

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DEBUTS

24.  HONKY CAT--  Elton John

25.  PLAY ME--  Neil Diamond

27.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient

28.  POP THAT THANG--  Isley Brothers

By the way, Bob Stroud's Summer of 1972 Roots Salute will be replayed tonight from 9 pm to midnight CDST on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  It streams and he'll be playing some of these songs.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What They Do?  They Smile In Your Face."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Back Stabbers"

Johnny's Cafe, Legion, Ray Chevrolet, USO, BBQ, Plaquing a Cabin

JULY 15,  Friday

Met the usual suspects at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake, Illinois, and afterwards, adjourned to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

JULY 16, SATURDAY

Went over to Ray Chevrolet (where we bought our last two Malibus) in Fox Lake for their cookout to raise money for the USO and met Glen and Barb.  Outstanding brats for just $2 as well as a classic car show.  

We then went over to where Pink Harrison's used to be on Pistakee Lake.  The McHenry County Historical Association was plaquing one of the original vacation cabins and there was a huge crowd in attendance.  Makes you think that History might just have a chance.

Oak Park Lounge is right next to it and is an original Chain  O' Lakes bar and resort.  Pictures of it on display show that it still looks much like it did in the 1930s.  Had a couple brews there.  It opened in the 1890s.

--RoadOld

Movies, the Civil War and Sliders

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and saw the movie "Elvis," met the folks from the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers for a pre-meeting meal and then went to the Woodstock Public Library for the meeting and had a presentation by Bruce Allardice on "The Mysteries of the Hunley."  

That really made my night as we rarely have presentations on anything naval.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

We joined Kevin and Kelly and we had Sliders that Jeff had picked up at White Castle in Kenosha for "snack day."  Cindy and Jerry usually bring in the heavy snacks.  We bring in butter pretzels.

THURSDAY, JULY 14

Went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) Theatre and saw "Jurassic World Dominion."  I sure enjoyed the six "Jurassic" movies.  Later we went to Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

A Celebration of Life, Summer of '72 and a Legion

SATURDAY, JULY 9

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the Celebration of Mike Barnhorst's Life.  A very appropriate place to hold it since he spent most all of his most recent years there living in a room in the motel.

He was well-known and well-liked by all and always personally greeted everyone who came in.  He was just called "Mikey."

His family has all sorts of quirky people in it.

SUNDAY, JULY 10

Did some planting and yardwork.  Recorded Bob Stroud's second Roots Salute to Summer 1972, fifty years ago.  He has four parts to summers fifty years ago where he plays the songs on our radios and in our record collections from that date.  I was going to summer school at the University of Georgia to get some classes I needed before transferring back to Northern Illinois University to finish my college career.

The first three songs he played were "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies, "Hello Mary Lou" by CCR and "Brandy" by Looking Glass.  I listed all the songs he played in my Down Da Road I Go July blog.

We went to the American Legion in McHenry and I enjoyed their $2 every day rail drink special and Liz had the Hamm's beer Tall Boys for $2.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why is W pronounced "double U" instead of "double V?"