Don't Bring Me Down (Songs with Down in the Title)-- Part 2: 'Downtown'

11.  SUNDAY MORNIN' COMIN' DOWN--  Johnny Cash--  1970

12.  DOWN BY THE SEASIDE--  Led Zeppelin  1975

13.  ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD--  Paul Simon  1972

14.  DOWNTOWN--  Petula Clark  1964

15.  I'M DOWN--  Beatles  1965

16.  AIN'T GOIN' DOWN (TIL THE SUN COMES UP)--    Garth Brooks  1993

17.  GET DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS--  Disturbed  2000

18.  DOWN UNDER--  Men at Work  1981

19.  UPSIDE DOWN--  Diana Ross 1980

20.  DOWN BY THE RIVER--  Neil Young  1969

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Met a Strange Lady, She Made Me Nervous.  She Took Me In And Gave Me Breakfast."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Down Under"

Don't Bring Me Down-- Part 1: 'East Bound and Down'

See if you can figure out what these songs have in common.

1.  DON'T BRING ME DOWN--  ELO 1979

2.  DOWN ON THE CORNER--  CCR  1969

3.  DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME--  Elton John  1974

4.  RIGHT DOWN THE LINE--  Gerry Rafferty   1978

5.  DOWN IN A HOLE--  Alice in Chains  1992

6.  THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN--  Band  1969

7.  EAST BOUND AND DOWN--  Jerry Reed  1977

8.  I WON'T BACK DOWN--  Tom Petty  1989

9.  DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS--  Billy Joe Royal  1965

10.  GET DOWN TONIGHT--  KC & the Sunshine Band

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Virgil Kane Is The Name And I Served On The Danville Line."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"

WLS Top 10 for Week of June 29, 1974: 'Band on the Run'

That's right.  Fifty years ago, half a century if anyone's counting.

1. BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

2.  SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

3.  BILLY, DO'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & Heywoods

4.  LAGRANGE--  ZZ Top

5.  ROCK THE BOAT--  Hues Corporation

6.  HELP ME--  Joni Mitchell

7.  FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY--  O'Jays

8.  YOU WON'T SEE ME--  Anne Murray

9.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

10.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

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

DEBUTS

11.  IF YOU LOVE ME (LET ME KNOW)--  Olivia Newton-John

18.  WATERLOO--  Abba

20.  RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER--  Steely Dan

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "So I'd Like To Know Where You Got the Notion."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Rock the Boat"

Every Blooming THing: Late June: About That Monarch Butterfly and the Cicadas

Grass still growing fast as it has been fairly wet and cool around here.

Regular daisies are blooming.  I have been planting a lot of geraniums (bought on sale for 50 cents) as well as begonias (also on sale).  This is the time I start buying flowers when they put them on sale.  Begonias take care of themselves so I like them.

The landscapers have been over here twice in the last two weeks and have trimmed off branches in the two pine islands as well as the Back 40 and arboretum.  And, then there are all those weed trees they've cut down and yews they've trimmed.  

Sadly the burn pile that I worked so hard on this spring to burn it has gotten even bigger than it was this spring.  I'll be busy in the fall when I can burn again.

On Wednesday I had to delay going somewhere when I saw a monarch butterfly flitting about the thirty or so milkweed plants I have growing in my driveway culverts.  I hope it tells its buddies about it.  I miss those beautiful things.

I still come across a cicada every day, but fewer than before, plus the din off in the distance is lessening.

--RoadCada

WXRT Saturday Morning Flashback (1973)-- Part 3: 'Ramblin' Man'

BREATHE/ON THE RUN--  Pink Floyd

MIND GAMES--  John Lennon

GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE)--  George Harrison

OHH LA LA--  Faces

HYPNOTIZED--  Fleetwood Mac

DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO--  Rollng Stones

SUCH A NIGHT--  Dr. John

LAKE SHORE DRIVE--  Aliotta, Haynes & Jeremiah

KODACHROME--  Paul Simon

RAMBLIN' MAN--  Allman Brothers Band

PERSONAL CRISIS--  New York Dolls

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "There's A Road I'd Like To Tell You About, Lives In My Home Town."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Lake Shore Drive"

WXRT Saturday Morning Flashback-- Part 2: 'Sail On, Sailor'

THE OCEAN--  Led Zeppelin

SAIL ON, SAILOR--  Beach Boys

GROWIN' UP--  Bruce Springsteen

FEELIN' STRONGER EVERY DAY--  Chicago

THE HARDER THEY COME--  Jimmy Cliff

ELECTED--  Alice Cooper

ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN--  Electric Light Orchestra

LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays

PANIC IN DETROIT--  David Bowie

ALL THE GIRLS LOVE ALICE--  Elton John

DIRTY LOVE--  Frank Zappa

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "People All Over the World Join Hands."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Love Train"

WXRT Saturday Morning Flashback for 1973-- Part 1: 'Rocky Mountain Way'

From the June 15, 2024, show hosted by Annalisa.

THE REAL ME--  Who

BODYHISATTVA--  Steely Dan

KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE--  Queen

YOUR CASH AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT TRASH--  Steve Miller Band

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY--  Joe Walsh

ALL THE WAY TO MEMPHIS--  Mott the Hoople

DIXIE CHICKEN--  Little Feat

CAN'T GET NO GRINDIN'--  Muddy Waters

CHINA GROVE--  Doobie Brothers

WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES--  Billy Preston

JET--  Paul McCartney & Wings

I WANNA BE WITH YOU--  Raspberries--

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When the Sun Comes Up On  A Sleepy Texas Town."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"China Grove"

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of June 22, 1974: 'For the Love of Money'

1.  SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

2.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

3.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

4.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five--

5.  LA GRANGE--  ZZ Top

6.  FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY--  O'Jays

7.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

8.  HELP ME--  Joni Mitchell

10.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

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

DEBUTS

15.  YOU WON'T SEE ME--  Anne Murray

16.  I'M THE LEADER OF THE GANG--  Brownsville Station

18.  TRAIN OF THOUGHT--  Cher

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When I Get That Crazy Feelin', I know I'm In Trouble Again."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Help Me"

It's Officially Summer Today: Ten Songs from Bob Stroud to Mark the Occasion

Bob Stroud on his Ten at Ten show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM just finished playing ten songs about the you-know-what season that has just descended upon us.

1.  BLUE SKY--  Allman Brothers Band

2.  MAGIC--  Cars

3.  SCHOOL'S OUT--  Alice Cooper

4.  THE BOYS OF SUMMER--  Don Henley

5.  SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago

6.  SUMMER OF 69--  Bryan Adams

7.  SUMMERTIME BLUES--  Who

8.  HOT IN THE CITY--  Billy Idol

9.  DANCING DAYS--  Led Zeppelin

10.  SUMMER NIGHTS--  Van Halen

What, no Beach Boys or "In the Summertime?"

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Walk Along the River, Sweet Lullaby."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Blue Sky"

Songs from the Summer 1974-- Part 2: 'Sundown'

PRETZEL LOGIC--  Steely Dan

DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT A THING--  Stevie Wonder

SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE--  Aerosmith

BENNY AND THE JETS--  Elton John

A DREAM GOES ON FOREVER--  Todd Rundgren

REBEL REBEL--  David Bowie

I'LL HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG--  Jim Croce

WORKING MAN--  Rush

THE AIR THAT I BREATHE--  Hollies

MIGHT JUST TAKE YOUR LIFE--  Deep Purple

MOCKINGBIRD--  Carly Simon & James Taylor

SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

CALL ME THE BREEZE--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

WALL STREET SHUFFLE--  10CC

THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

COME MONDAY--  Jimmy Buffett

CAN'T GET ENOUGH--  Bad Company

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Heading Out To San Francisco For The Labor Day  Weekend Show."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

Songs from the Summer 1974-- Part 1: 'LaGrange'

These were the songs on the radio and in your record collections on June 2, 1974.  Fifty years ago.  From the June 2, 2024, Rock and Roll Roots show by Bob Stroud on Chicago's Classic Rock, WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive.

STAR BABY--  Guess Who

GET OUT OF DENVER--  Bob Seger

HELP ME--  Joni Mitchell

OUT ON THE BORDER--  Eagles

COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Red Bone

I'VE BEEN SEARCHING SO LONG--  Chicago

BRIDGE OF SIGHS--  Robin Trower

LAGRANGE--  ZZ Top

THAT'LL BE THE DAY--  Fog Hat

ANOTHER PARK, ANOTHER SUNDAY--  Doobie Brothers

DOOBIE WAH--  Peter Frampton

BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

1985--  Paul McCartney & Wings

Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Cruisin' Down the Center of a Two-Way Street."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Out On the Border"

2024 Indy 500-- Part 3: A Delayed Race, Newgarden Wins Again

The big question on everybody's mind was about the approaching rainstorms set to hit the Indy area at race time.  They wouldn't postpone the start until 11.  WE had to drive to the race track and waited at Tom's tent until we found it was postponed until after the storms so went back to the camp site and waited until we had some idea of when the race would be.

When the storm did hit it was quite the downpour with lots of

We drove back to the racetrack and then walked over to our seats between Turns One and Two. Those stairs were a real obstacle again for me.  They quickly cleared the track and went through all the traditional pre-race ceremonies.

And, we had quite a race with Josef Newgarden winning his second race in a row.

Leaving was no fun as we waited without moving for two hours.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of June 15, 1974: 'Dancing Machine'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.

1.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

2.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

3.  SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

4.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

5.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

6.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

7.  MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS--  Maria Muldaur

8  MY GIRL BILL--  Jim Stafford  (This one really had me wondering.)

9.  HELP ME--  Joni Mitchell

10.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

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

DEBUTS

16.  LAGRANGE--  ZZ Top

24.  ROCK THE BOAT--   Hughes Corporation

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Send Your Camel To Bed."  Answer Below.  --RoadDog

"Midnight At the Oasis"

2024 Indy 500-- Part 2: 'Emo'

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Drove back to the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and parked by Tom's.  Walked the short distance to the race track and paid $20 to get in for Legends Day.

Sue and Paul wanted to walk around so I just stayed by the Pagoda and talked with race fans.  Some had been coming for over thirty times.  Many had stood in line for a long time to get autographs and take pictures of the racers in tomorrow's running of the famous race.

A guy came by and was drawing lots of attention.  I asked another fan who he was and he said "Emo."  Emo didn't mean anything to me so looked the name up on the cell phone and found out he was Emerson Fittipaldi, who won the Indy race twice, once in 1989 and again in 1993.

His grandson is running in the Indy 500 this year.

Back to the campground and had a very pleasant evening sitting outside.

--RoadDog

2024 Indy 500-- Part 1: No Legion for Us This Year

This will be a short account of the days at the Speedway.  I will go into more detail later in my RoadDog's RoadLog blog.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

I met Sue and Paul in Ingleside and they drove their RV to Indianapolis, where we had a spot about 7 miles from the IMS at the Raceview Family Campground (located across from Indianapolis' "other" race track, the Lucas Oil Raceway.

For the past ten Indy 500s we had been at the Speedway American Legion Post 500 RV campground right across the street from the Indy 500 but were unable to get our spot this year because they were rebuilding the place.

Drove to the Legion and were not happy to find that no construction had been done and our usual spot was empty.  We  had a talk with the people there and evidently it was a big old case of misunderstanding.  Hopefully we will be back there next year.

But, a friend who camps by there had an extra parking ticket so we didn't have to purchase one of them.  Had a couple drinks at the Legion and back to the RV park.

--RoadDog

Playing With Cicadas

I sure can hear masses of cicadas off in the distance.  It is a regular roar.

Last Saturday I was doing yardwork around two trees in the front yard and came across one live cicada under the sunburst honey locust and two by the crabapple tree in the at the northwest corner of the house.

I'm afraid I wasn't the nicest host to my visitors.

They do not move fast and are easy to catch, especially since they don't try to fly away.  The one by the sunburst honeylocust did a lot of the clicking sound you hear and I would catch it by the wings and hold it up next to my ear and listen.

Sure glad they don't bite, but their legs are quite sticky.

I came across two of them by the crabapple tree.  One clicked and the other wouldn't.

Sure Gonna Miss the Little Critters When They're Gone.  Now, Who Am I Gonna Play With?

--RoadCada

WLS Top Ten LPs and Tapes for Week of June 8, 1974: 'Band on the Run'

These were the Top ten albums on both LP and 8-Track format in Chicago fifty years ago.  How many are in your collection?

1.  THE STING (6th Week No. 1)--  Soundtrack

2.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

3.  GREATEST HITS--  John Denver

4.  CHICAGO VII--  Chicago

5.  SHININ ON--  Grand Funk

6.  BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE II--  Bachman Turner Overdrive

7.  GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD--  Elton John

8.  BUDDHA AND THE CHOCOLATE BOX--  Cat Stevens

9.  COURT AND SPARK--  Joni Mitchell

10.  ROAD FOOD--  Guess Who

I personally have all but "Road Food" in my collection.

Must Have Really Been Enjoying My Music Back Then.  --RoadTooManyAlbums

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of June 8, 1974: 'The Entertainer: Music from The Sting'

These were the Top ten songs in Chicago according to WLS, 890 AM fifty years ago this week.

1.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

2. THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

3.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

4.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

5.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

6.  SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

7.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlisch

8.  MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS--  Maria Muldaur

9.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

10.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

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

DEBUTS

14.  MY GIRL BILL--  Jim Stafford

16.  FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY--  O'Jays

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Stuck Inside These Four Walls.  Sent Inside Forever."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Band On the Run"

Every Blooming THing-- Early June: The Cicadas Are Here

I was beginning to wonder where they were, but now I know.  They have arrived.  I found a whole lot of them in one of my crabapple trees and they were dropping down and molting.  I had earlier found one every so often while working in flower gardens.

I kind of enjoy nabbing them and their fluttering (now I know they don't bite).

My daisies (about 50 of them) are still blooming white and I have a couple perennials in yellow and gold blooming, but don't know what they are.  Also, my Missouri primrose.

I have been to my local Jewel grocery stores since they are now selling flowers for 50% off.  Now they're hitting my price.

Annuals are pretty expensive these days.  At Wal Mart they sell for $3.47 a four-pack.  I can remember buying six pack cells for 50 cents full price many years ago.

Lots of weeding and trimming to do.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here May 17 to 19: Two Legions, Fish Fry, TV, a Historical Society, Cicadas, Magic Moon, Book Sale and Mary's Hideaway

FRIDAY, MAY 17

Malcolm and Steve came over to work on the gutters, window seals and tuckpoint the chimney and several ledges.  Met Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Saylor Mick's for fish fry then went to the Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.  

Came home and watched the last episode of "Blue Bloods" for the spring.  Sadly, it ends after a few more episodes this fall.  This is my favorite TV drama. Love those family meals on Sundays.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Stopped at Thornton's in Fox Lake for my usual cappucino and then to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society at Grant Museum in Ingleside for a very timely presentation on cicadas.  Afterwards did bush trimming, went to Sunnyside and watched the Preakness Race and then to Magic Moon in Spring Grove and was happy to see that my buddy Frank was back to tending bar on Saturday night.

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Went to the Friends of McHenry Library semiannual book sale and then to my buddy Langer's visitation in McHenry.  We had some great times together and I sure will miss him. Stopped at the McHenry Legion.  Afterwards met J.C. and some other of his pals at Mary's Hideaway in Johnsburg to toast him.

--Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Good Times Around Here May 14 to 16: A Movie, the Civil War, Bars and Specials, Good Eatin' and 'Young Sheldon'

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Went to Woodstock and saw "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes", met members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner and then heard a presentation on the Queen of the West and USS Indianola at the Woodstock Public Library.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Played trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and had 75 cent wings at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove, Illinois.  Oh yes, then there were the $1 tall boys of Hamms.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Met with the funeral home to design grave stone for Liz and myself.  Then met Liana and Frank at the Fox Lake, Illinois, Senior Luncheon at the Lake Front Park and were entertained by a duo.  That "Young Sheldon" series finale was something else.  I am sure going to miss that show.

--RoadDog

20 Common Sayings 'Woke" Folks Don't Like-- Part 2:

Again, if you're wondering why the "wokers" don't like it, check out the site, they'll tell you.

11.  Bless you.

12.  Peanut gallery

13.  Blind leading the blind.

14.  Drink the Kool-Aid.  (Well, I kind of agree with this one.)

15.  Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.

16.  Dumb

17.  Columbus Day

18.  Lowest on the Totem Pole.

19.  Not Quite 

Must Be a "Woke" Thing.  --RoadDog

First Ten Songs on Bob Stroud's Salute to Summer '74: 'Star Baby'

These are the first ten songs Bob Stroud played on his Rock and Roll Roots Salute to the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of 1974.  

1.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

2.  GET OUT OF DENVER--  Bob Seger

3.  HELP ME--  Joni Mitchell

4.  OUT ON THE BORDER--  Eagles

5.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Red Bone

6.  I'VE BEEN SEARCHING SO LONG--  Chicago

7.  BRIDGE OF SIGHS--  Robin Trower

8.  LAGRANGE--  ZZ TOP

9.  THAT'LL BE THE DAY--  FOG HAT

10.  ANOTHER PARK, ANOTHER SUNDAY--  Doobie Brothers

And the show still is on now at 10:56.  It also will replay tonight from 9 pm to midnight if you can stay up that long.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Rumor Spreadin' 'Round In That Texas Town."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"LaGrange"

If the Summer of 1974 Means Something to You: Bob Stroud's Annual Salute to the Summer of '74

Tune into Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, today from 9 to noon CDST as Bob Stroud takes a trip way back, fifty years ago to be exact, to play the songs on your radio and in your record collection from June 2, 1974.

This is the first part of his four-part trip back to the Summer of '74.  He will also visit that day the first Sunday in July, August and September.

The station will also air it again from 9 pm to midnight.  And it streams over the internet.

I sure will be listening.

Road'74

WLS Top Ten for Week of June 1, 1974: 'The Loco-Motion'

Fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS AM 890.

1.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

2.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

3.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

4.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

5.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

6.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlish

7.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

8.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

9.  MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS--  Maria Muldaur

10.  SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

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

DEBUTS

12.  YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW--  Stylistics

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well I've Never Been Much For Admitting Things."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Star Baby"

20 Common Sayings 'Woke' Folks Don't Like-- Part 1 "Exotic'

From Alot.com "20 common sayings liberals have decided are 'Un-Woke' by Sherrill Dean.

Well, I sure had a giggle about these.

Check out the site for the reasons.

1.  Hold down the fort.

2.  Ladies and gentlemen

3.  Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

4.  Pow-wow

5.  Tomboy

6.  Exotic

7.  Merry Christmas

8.  Boys will be boys.

9.  Normal

10.  I don't see color.

Giggling Down the Road.  Ten More to Go.  --RoadWhat?

John Fogerty's Birthday Today

And I didn't even know it until Bob Stroud devoted his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive to John Fogerty music, both with that band (my favorite all-time band) and solo.

Born May 28, 1945, making him four days and six years older than me.

These are the songs Stroud played:

TEN AT TEN

Proud May

Bad Moon Rising  (For many years the ringtone on my phone.)

Down on the Corner

Old Man Down the Road

Who'll Stop the Rain  (I remember waking up on race day at the Indy 500 at the opening at 6 am and they started with this song when rain was expected.)

Centerfield

Fortunate Son

Rock and Roll Girls

Have You Ever Seen the Rain

Change in the Weather

Love That Creedence Clearwater Revival.  --Roaderty

Good Times Around Here: May 8 to 12: Trivia, Retired Teachers, Two Legions, Fish Fry and a Band

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Donovan's Reef for trivia.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Breakfast with retired Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner.  Fox Lake Legion.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake for fish fry.  Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for the band Peter & the Versatiles.

SUNDAY,  MAY 12

McHenry Legion and Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here, May 1-5: Donovan's & Mick's, a $7 Breakfast, Patty Melt, Legion, Bart Alonzo Band and Steak & Eggs

We haven't even gotten to summer yet, but already lots to do around here.

So far this month:

MAY 1ST, WEDNESDAY

Donovan's for trivia and Saylor Mick's for $1 Hamms pints and 75 cent wings.

MAY 2ND, THURSDAY

Fox Lake Legion for $1.50 pints.

MAY 3RD, FRIDAY

Eggs over easy, hash browns and toast at Midwest Breakfast Company for $7.  A real good deal these days. K.C.'s Cabin for a patty melt and then Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

MAY 4TH, SATURDAY

Fox Lake Legion and the Bart Alonzo Band from 3 to 6 pm.  Magic Moon and glad to see buddy Frank is back.

MAY 5TH, SUNDAY

Steak and eggs at Pink House in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.

--RoadDog

2024 Movie Scratches: Dolls-- Panda-- Arthur-- Things

These are movies I saw in the theater this year.

17.  DRIVE AWAY DOLLS--  2-29--  Fox Lake--  $7--  Two gay women go on quite a road trip.  Best movie line ever?  "You're a day late and a dick short."

18.  KUNG FU PANDA 4--  3-12--  Woodstock--  $6--  The Dragon Warrior battles the Chameleon Lady and finds a successor.

19.  ARTHUR THE KING--  3-19--  Fox Lake--  $6--  An unexpected treat  One of those feel-good movies.  And you thought the triathalon was hard.

20.  POOR THINGS--  3-20--  Fox Lake--  $6--  Frankenstein meets nudity.  Lots of unique characters in this one.

--RoadMovie

Savannah Trip-- Part 5: Another Museum and Homeward Bound

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

Sadly, it was now time to go home.  I would be once again be taking two flights on Delta.  One from Savannah to Atlanta, then one from Atlanta to Milwaukee.  However, I didn't leave until late in the afternoon so Ed and I went over to the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force in Pooler, Georgia.

This was one of the major units to bomb Germany during World War II and quite a museum.  Just like the other museums I visited, I'll want to return next trip as there was just too much to see.  We had an excellent lunch at Miss Sophie's Restaurant located on the premises.

I am happy to say that both legs of my return trip home went just like clock work.

So, I will fly once again.

--RoadDog

Every Blooming THing-- Mid May

Trees are all leafed out now.  The two front sunburst honeylocusts are with their bright yellow leaves now which turn green later.  But. quite the striking picture right now.  My Japanese lilacs are getting ready to bloom.

The main dandelion assault is over.

My wild tall phlox are blooming (at least a hundred of them) and my daisies are blooming and/or getting ready to do so.  The irises are blooming as well and the azaleas have more red on then than I've ever seen.

Last night I think I might have heard the first cicadas.  Even though my house is now 32 years old, we haven't had but a few before.  

The lawn tractor has developed a slow leak on one of the rear wheels.

And, yesterday I started trimming the burning bushes which are growing all over the place.  Today, I started transplanting plants I overwintered in the house.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of May 18, 1974: 'Dancing Machine'

These songs were being played on Chicago's WLS 890 AM fifty years ago.

1.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

2.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

3.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlisch

4.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

5.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Redbone

6.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

7.  T S O P (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA)--  MFSB & The 3 Degrees

8.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

9.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

10.  BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME--    Gladys Knight & Pips

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

DEBUTS 

15.  (I'VE BEEN) SEARCHIN' SO LONG--  Chicago

16.  MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS--  Maria Muldaur

17.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What's The Matter With Your Head?  Yeah."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Come and Get Your Love"

2024 Movie Scratches: Dune-- Lisa-- Bad-- Marley

Movies I saw at the theater.

13.  DUNE--2-12--  Fox Lake--  $5--  Very confusing sci-fi movie, but I hadn't seen this when it came out and now part 2 is coming.

14.  LISA FRANKENSTEIN--  2-20--  Fox Lake--  $5--  A love story of a different sort.  A misfit girl falls for a dead beau from the 1800s and Bobbetized a guy.

15.  LAND OF BAD--  2-20--  Fox Lake--  $5--  All the action and high yech you could ever want.  Lots of folks got killed.

16.  BOB MARLEY:  ONE LOVE--  2-27--  Woodstock--  $6--  Great story, and of course, all that great reggae music.

--RoadMovie

2024 Movie Scratches: Anyone-- Fiction--- Godzilla-- Argyle

Movies I saw at the theater in 2024:

9.  ANYONE BUT YOU--  1-30--  Fox Lake--  $5--  And they both meant it, but not really.  Hilarious situations in this rom-com.

10.  AMERICAN FICTION--  2-1--  Fox Lake--  $7--  Here's to you "wokers.  I'd vote for this as Best Picture.

11.  GODZILLA MINUS ONE--  2-1--  Fox Lake--  In black and white.  A throw-back on those 1950s Japanese Godzilla movies.  In Japanese.

12.  ARGYLE--  2-8--Fox Lake--  $7--  So, what's real and what's not.  One way to write a book.

--RoadDog

Savannah Trip-- Part 4: Trains and History and Kittens

MONDAY, APRIL 8

Trip to Savannah today.  We took a tour of the Savannah Railroad Museum which features a round house and had a nice talk with some people refurbishing an old engine.

Then we walked over to the nearby Savannah Historical Museum which has  a lot of stuff from all ages of the city's past.  Also on the grounds are some of the recreated American Revolution Battle of Savannah where the Polish officer/American General Pulaski was killed.

Today was also the much hyped Day of the Eclipse.  Ed and I didn't have the special glasses so didn't get too see it.  Julie was more fortunate and was with someone who had the glasses so she got to see it.

My sister Julie has established a cat rescue house and was involved with that most of the time I was there.  And, she did her best to get me to adopt one of those kittens and was sorely tempted, I must admit.  She brought two kittens home for me to play with:  Olaf and Daisy, but Daisy looked like one of those Star War Ewoks so that got to be her name.

Still Catless.  --RoadCat

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of May 11, 1974: 'Bennie and the Jets'

That's right, half a century ago.  If you remember these when they came out you're getting mighty old.

1.  THE STREAK-- Ray Stevens

2.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

3.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlisch

4.  COME AS YOU ARE--  Redbone

5.  T S O P (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA)--  MSFB & The 3 Degrees

6.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

7.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

8.  THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPPENED TO ME--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

9.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede

10.  THE LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Janet Mead

********************DEBUTS

14.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

21.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hello Everyone, This Is Your Action Reporter."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"The Streak"

Savannah Trip-- Part 3: A Confederate Fort, Low Country Boil, Church and a New House

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

Ed and I were off to Richmond Hill, Georgia, to the south of Savannah to visit Confederate For McAllister, site of several battles between the fort and Union ironclads as well as the destruction of the CSS Nashville.

We then went by Julie's old house in Richmond Hill.

We feasted in a low country boil which was bought from Wood's Seafood near their house.  We had more than enough for just $25.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

Went to church with them at a modernistic one near them, then had breakfast at Henry's.  Later took a ride north to Bluffton, South Carolina and did a walk-through of Julie's son's nearly-completed home which is quite a structure.

--RoadGa.

The Story Behind 'Hooked On a Feeling' by Blue Swede

Yep, one of my all time favorite songs with that "Ooga Chaka."  And, it was on the WLS Top Ten charts for a long time 50 years ago.  When I played it while deejaying, I had a special cut where the "Ooga Chaka" played three times over at the beginning.

From The American Songwriter  "The Story Behind the One-Hit Wonder "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede.

The song was a cover version of the 1968 hit by B.J. Thomas which was written by Mark James (who also wrote Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds").  That song peaked at number five in the Billboard Hot 100 that year.

The famous "ooga chaka ooga chaka" was the result of another cover of the song by English singer/songwriter Jonathan King who recorded it in 1971 and added it.  So, Blue Swede was doing the cover of a cover of the song.

King had been inspired to add it after listening to Johnny Preston's 1959 song "Running Bear."  Listen to it and you will see.

It was Blue Swede's first and only song to reach #1 in the U.S. where the song had the most success.  It remained on the Billboard charts for a remarkable 18 weeks.

Blue Swede only remained as a band from 1973 to 1975.

The song was featured on the movies ""Reservoir Dogs" in 1992 and 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Still Loving That Ooga Chaka.   --RoadChaka

Every Blooming THing, Early May

Flowers a'blooming right now.  All part of my beginning to end season color that I strive for.

Tulips still blooming, but fading, azaleas all red, candy tufts are white, a yellow flower perennial with gray stems, lavendar creeping phlox and lilacs in their purple.

After Saturday, my huge burn pile is way down.

Dandelions all over the place and grass growing fast.

A lot of my yews haven't been trimmed in years as well as a lot of weed trees which I will have cut down by a landscaping company.

Always something to do outside and it is a lot harder these days for some reason.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten Songs for Week of May 4, 1974: 'Tubular Bells'

1.   THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

2.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Redbone

3.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlisch

4.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens  (Was #21 previous week)

5.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

6.  THE LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Margaret Mead

7.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede

8.  I'LL HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG--  Jim Croce

9.  TUBULAR BELLS (THEME FROM THE EXORCIST)--  Mike Oldfield

10.  TSOP (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA)--  MFSB & the 3 Degrees

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

DEBUTS

16.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

17.  KEEP ON SINGING--  Helen Reddy

18.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Lips As Sweet As Candy It's Taste Is On My Mind."  Answer below.  --RoadChaka.

"Hooked On a Feeling"

Savannah Trip-- Part 2: All Sorts of History, Records and a Huc-A-Poo

My sister Julie's boyfriend, Ed, really could be my brother from another mother.  We are really a lot alike.  He is a history nut, overly zealous collector and was even a deejay.  I sure did a lot with him while there.

APRIL 4, THURSDAY

A really busy day.  We (that would be Ed and I) went to Parris Island, a huge USMC training base and visited the museum there, then to Fort Fremont, an 1898 battery and drove around Beaufort S.C. and saw the house where the movie "The Big Chill" was filmed then went to the Beaufort National Cemetery and paid our respects at the Confederate section.

Later, we went to a train club meeting at the Savannah Round House and then saw a concert by Ricky Skaggs and his band.

APRIL 5, FRIDAY

This was record store day for us.  We went to Rody's in Savannah where I bought a Delbert McClinton and James Hunter Six CD.  Next was Coastal Records in Wilmington, Ga. (near Tybee Island).  I found out we were close to Huc-A-Poos on Tybee and went there.  Ed had never even heard of it.  Talk about an experience.

Then it was to Julie's cat rescue house and Ed's Ranch where he has a huge model train layout.

--RoadDog

My Trip to Savannah in April

From Wednesday, April 3 to Tuesday, April 9, I flew from Milwaukee to Savannah by way of Atlanta and back for a seven day visit with my sister and her boyfriend.  I hadn't been on a plane for many years, but am thinking of flying more often now.

I am writing more extensively about the trip in my RoadDog's RoadLog blog.

April 3--  Wednesday

It was a rather eventful trip to Savannah and essentially involved all day after the flight out of Milwaukee on Delta was delayed three hours causing me to miss my connection in Atlanta and not getting to Savannah until after midnight.  Way past my bedtime.  This was a hard day of flying, but I will go on another flight.  If you want to know the fun details go to RoadDog's Blog.

--RoadFun

The 20 Funniest Country Songs-- Part 2: 'Thank God and Greyhound'

Continued from April 18.

11.  BUBBA SHOT THE JUKEBOX--  Mark Chesnutt

12.  IT'S ALL GOING TO POT--  Willlie Nelson & Merle Haggard

13.  SHE GOT THE GOLD MINE, I GOT THE SHAFT--  Jerry Reed

14.  PICKUP MAN--  Joe Diffie

15.  IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE--  Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett

16.  TEN ROUNDS WITH JOSE CUERVO--  Tracy Byrd

17.  MISSISSIPPI SQUIRREL REVIVAL--  Ray Stevens

18.  ONE PIECE AT A TIME--  Johnny Cash

19.  THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND--  Roy Clark

20.  I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME--  Alan Jackson

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Pour Me Somethin' Tall and Strong."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"It's Five O'clock Somewhere"

Every Blooming THing, Late April

 The daffodils and hyacinths are pretty well spent.  As are the Bradford pear trees.

But, the tulips, creeping phlox, a yellow perennial and the five crabapple trees are blooming.

I have another bumper crop of dandelions. No cicadas yet.  We're supposed to have both the 13-year and 17-year cicadas soon.

Grass is growing well.

I have the yard crew coming over Wednesday, weather permitting, to finish trimming trees and getting rid of weed trees.

--RoadFlower

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 27, 1974: 'T S O P'

1.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John  (Third week at Number 1.)

2.  THE LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Janet Mead    (Imagine this song on a Top Ten today.)

3.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Redbone

4.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

5.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede

6.  TUBULAR BELLS--  Mike Oldfield

7.  ERES TU--  Mocedades

8.  SPIDERS AND SNAKES--  Jim Stafford

9.  T S O P (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA)--  MFSB & The 3 Degrees

10.  I'D HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG--  Jim Croce

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

DEBUTS

13.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--   Marvin Hamlisch

16.  LOOKING FOR A LOVE--  Bobby Womack

17.  OH MY MY--  Ringo Starr

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, I Know It's Kind Of Late.  I Hope I Didn't Wake You."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I'd Have To Say I Love You In A Song"

Record Store Day Booty

This past Saturday was Record Store Day across the nation.  Mom and Pop Record Stores are one of the few places I feel like I'm home anymore.  In other words, I understand most anything in it.

As such, I visited my favorite Mom and Pop Record Store, The Vinyl Frontier, in McHenry, Illinois.  There were quite a few others also paying respects and buying albums and CDs.

I bought ten CDs and three albums.

ALBUMS:

The Best of Herman's Hermits Volume 2

The Box Tops: The Letter / Neon Rainbow

Beau Brummels:  You Tell Me Why / Don't Talk to Strangers

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

CDs: 

These next six all had 22 songs apiece.

AM Gold 1966

AM Gold 1967

AM Gold 1968

AM Gold 1969

AM Gold: The 60s Generation

AM Gold: The Mid-60s

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

Retro 70s  (two discs with 15 tracks each)

The Vogues Greatest Hits

Swing Time--  Wayne Hancock

House of Blues Swings!

--Love Those Mom and Pops.  --RoadRecord

2024 Movie Scratches: Aquaman-- Mean-- I.S.S.-- Wonka

Movies I saw at the theater in 2024.

5.  AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM--  1-18--  Fox Lake-- $7--  Brotherly love knows no bounds and all the colors you could ever want.

6.  MEAN GIRLS--  1-23--  Fox Lake--  $5--  Grease updated to today.  The Queen Bee gets hers.

7.  I.S.S.--  1-23--  Fox Lake--  $5--  International Space Station in case you're wondering.  With a Russian/American crew.  What would happen if the two countries went to war.

8.  WONKA--  1-25--  Fox Lake-- $7--  For some reason I was hungry when  left the theater.  One cool Oompah Lumpa but sure would have loved to have seen more of them.

--RoadDog

Earth Day 2024: 'Nature's Way'

From Bob Stroud's April 22, 2024, Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  If you missed it at 10 a.m., it will be rebroadcast at 10 p.m..  It streams

GET TOGETHER--  Youngbloods

MY CITY WAS GONE--  Pretenders

THE TREES--  Rush

AFTER THE GOLD RUSH--  Neil Young

MERCY MERCY ME--  Marvin Gaye

INVISIBLE SUN--  Police

I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD--  Ten 

ROCK ME ON THE WATER--  Jackson Browne

NATURE'S WAY--  Spirit

BIG YELLOW TAXI--  Joni Mitchell

Name That Tune (from the above songs:  "Love Is But A Song We Sing Fears The Way We Die."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Get Together"

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 20, 1974: 'Spiders and Snakes'

Just a mere fifty years ago.  WLS was that big AM wattage station out of Chicago.

1.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

2.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede

3.  THE  LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Margaret Mead (Imagine this song on a young people's playlist today.)

4.  SPIDERS AND SNAKES--  Jim Stafford

5.  TUBULAR BELLS (THEME FROM THE 'EXORCIST')--    Mike Oldfield

6.  ERES TU--  Mocedades

7.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

8.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

9.  MOCKINGBIRD--  Carly Simon & James Taylor

10.  JET--  Paul McCartney & Wings

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

DEBUTS

14.  BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

15.  JUST DON'T WANT TO BE LONELY--  Main Ingredient

Name That Tune (from the above list):  "Everybody's Doing a Brand New Dance."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Loco-Motion"

Record Store Day Today

Today marks the 17th anniversary of Record Store Day in the United States and in several other world countries.

This is a day to show our appreciation for independently-owned record stores, those great Mom and Pop stores.  

And, I am fortunate to have a lot of record stores in the area, starting with my favorite one and another one in McHenry, Illinois.  My favorite one also has one great name for this kind of place, The Vinyl Frontier at 4720 W. Elm Street (Illinois Highway 120).  Kind of tells it all.  Especially with the near extinction of vinyl records, you know, vinyl.

The other record store is Siren Records at 3902 Main Street in McHenry.  Then we have two more places called Reef Records in Antioch and Lakemoor.

I'm sure going to The Vinyl Frontier and plan on buying at least one LP and several CDs.  I actually like CDs better than LPs now.

I Good Day for the Cause.  --RoadRecord

The 20 Funniest Country Songs: 'Boy Named Sue'

 From Yardbarker by Amy McCarthy.

Who says country music has no sense of humor?

1.  DID I SHAVE MY LEGS FOR THIS--  Deana Carter

2.  YOU'RE THE REASON OUR KIDS ARE UGLY--  Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty

3.  I'M GONNA MISS HER--  Brad Paisley

4.  SHUT UP AND FISH--  Maddie & Tae

5.  TEQUILA MAKES HER CLOTHES FALL OFF--  Joe Nichols

6.  I'M GONNA HIRE A WINO TO DECORATE OUR HOME--  David Frizzel and Shelly West

7.  BOY NAMED SUE--  Johnny Cash

8.  SOME BEACH--  Blake Shelton

9.  WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS--  Luke COMBS

10.  GOODBYE EARL--  Dixie Chicks

And, There Are Ten More to Go.  --RoadHaHA  Continued on April 30.

Name That Tune (from the above tunes):  "Well, My Daddy Left Home When I Was Only Three."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Boy Named Sue"

Every Blooming THing-- Mid April

April showers (well, and snow on the 3rd) and flowers are blooming.  Especially the dear old dandelions.  What would spring be without the dandies.  Since I haven't used fertilizer or weedkiller in twenty years, I have a bumper crop.

In addition, I must have several hundred daffodills blooming and a hundred hyacinths.  The Bradford pear trees are in their brilliant white bloom as well.  The creeping phlox are in several hues around the yard.  I always try to have something blooming year round.  Here we go again.

Right now I am busy raking leaves out of flower beds and cutting down dead plants.

But, by far, my biggest challenge is the huge burn pile on the southwest corner of the lot.  I hired people to come over and cut down weed trees and clear overgrowth out last summer and that pile is huge.  Way too big to attempt a straight pile burn for fear it will get away from me.

So, I pull things off the pile and burn smaller fires.  This is a very tiring work.  And believe me at age 72 these first days of working out in the yard are getting rougher and rougher.  I am one sore lad indeed.

I Didn't Know You Could Hurt So Many Ways.  --RoadPain

NCAA Tournaments Are Over

By far, my favorite part of the sporting year.  And this year's edition did not disappoint. We had some upsets and a lot of close games.  As usual, I pulled mostly for the Little Guys even if they were playing favorite Big Guys teams of mine.

And, this year, I was even paying attention to the women's games more because, of course, of the Kaitlyn Clark hoopla.  Sure enjoyed the University of Iowa women's games.  Hopefully all this will carry over to the future college womens games and the WNBA.

I do think CBS made a major mistake in only offering the Final Four mens games on cable stations TBS and TNT.  They should have been on CBS.  And, even worse, the championship game last Monday came on at 9:15 pm in the Eastern Time Zone.  Another mistake.

I was pulling for Iowa to win in the womens tournament and Purdue in the mens.  However, it was not to be.  Both Iowa and Purdue gave good games in the first half, but were destroyed in the second half.  UConn and South Carolina were just too good.

Congratulations to UConn and South Carolina.

--RoadDog

WLS Top 10 for Week of April 13, 1974: 'Hooked On a Feeling'

Hard to believe, half a century ago.

1.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede

2.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

3.  THE LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Janet Mead

4.  SPIDERS AND SNAKES--  Jim Stafford

5.  ERES TU--  Mocedades

6.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

7.  LAST KISS--  Wednesday

8.  TUBULAR BELLS (THEME FROM THE EXORCIST)--  Mike Oldfield

9.  MOCKINGBIRD--  Carly Simon & James Taylor

10.  SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS--  John Denver

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

DEBUTS

15.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Redbone

16.  OH MY MY--  Ringo Starr

17.  TSOP (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA)--  MFSB & the 3 Degrees

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And I Shook It At Her."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Spiders and Snakes"

Tournament Time: CB&C and B-Ball

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

I should mention that I got my third corned beef and cabbage dinner at the Fox Lake (Illinois) seniors luncheon earlier and were entertained by an Irish performer.  Good Irish food and entertainment.  

I am also glad now that we have complete choice as to what games we see since they are all shown from beginning to end on four different channels:  CBS, TBS, TNT and True TV.  That used to drive me crazy when we had to watch Duke blowing out some #15 or #16 team when we could see that there was a close one or upset in the offing on another channel.

With me, it is all about close games and upsets.

And, I still remember when they experimented with the triple screen (they showed three games at once).  That made it impossible to figure out what was going on.

Highlight of the day was Kentucky getting upset by  Oakland. Oakland?  Had to look it up.  It  is in Michigan.  I am not a fan of Kentucky in any way.  It was one of the original one-and-doner schools.  Then, I ended up staying awake until nearly midnight when Samford took Kansas down to the wire in what would also have been a major upset.  They lost by four.  I am a Kansas fan, but Samford is a major Little Guy school.

By the way, Samford is in Alabama.

--RoadB-Ball

WLS Top Ten for Week of March 30, 1974: 'Mockingbird'

 1.  HOOKED ON A FEELING-  Blue Swede

2.  LAST KISS--  Wednesday

3.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

4.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

5.  THE LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Janet Mead

6.  ROCK ON--  David Essex

7.  MOCKINGBIRD--  Carly Simon & James Taylor

8.  SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS--  John Denver

9.  LOVE SONG--  Anne Murray

10.  SPIDERS AND SNAKES--  Jim Stafford

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

DEBUTS

11.  JET--  Paul McCartney & Wings

15.  TUBULAR BELLS--  Mike Oldfield

YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr

OH MY MY--  Ringo Starr

Name That Tune (from the above songs):   "If I Had A Day That I Could Give You."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sunshine on My Shoulders"

Tournament Time Is Here!! Whoopee!!

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

Well, we are upon my favorite sporting event of the year, the NCAA Road to the Final Four and National Basketball Championship.  And it arrived today (well, other than the four play-in games).  

This is a time I pull for the Little Guys vs. the Big Guys, even if the Big Guy is one of my favorites like Duke, UNC or Kansas.  For me, it's all about the upsets and especially Cinderella stories.  I remember when Gonzaga made that deep run which sent everyone to maps looking to find the location of Gonzaga.

I also like to see a high seed upset a low seed.

And, every year we get a lot of upsets and close games.  I am no fan of blowouts, even when it is one of my teams doing it to someone.  I especially liked it the last years when a #16 beat a #1.  Now that is just plain fun.

And, it is here.

I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and watched the game with my buddy Rich who knows aa while lot about college basketball.  I then came home and continued watching games in Margaritaville while enjoying my Ultimate 300-disc Juke Box.

--RoadB-Ball

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Two CB&C Dinners, St. Baldrick's and Two Performers

MARCH 16, SATURDAY

Okay, so no cb&c at the VFW, but I remembered seeing a flyer at Sunnyside in Johnsburg offering a cb&c dinner (corned beef & cabbage) so went there.  But, upon closer inspection of the sheet, I saw that this dinner was offered at Cullom Knoll, about seven miles away so decided to be disappointed.

So, came home and went online for awhile before driving over to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove which had cb&c dinners so FINALLY got one after two false starts.  They also had a solo artist performing playing so got to enjoy that.

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

MARCH 17TH--  SUNDAY
Bob Stroud featured the music of Van Morrison on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  After all, the Van is Irish.

I drove over to the Fox Lake American Legion where they were having a St. Baldrick's head shaving event to raise money for diseases.  I didn't have my head shaved but did donate.  And, they had cb&c.  Two in a row!!  Plus, Matthew Holmes performed from 3 to 6 pm.  

Sadly, I left my to-go box when I left.

Oh well, I had my fill of corned beef & cabbage finally.

--RoadCabbage

WLS Top LPs and Tapes for Week of March 23, 1974: 'Court and Spark'

Maybe you still have one of these albums in either record or tape form?  Was it an 8-track or cassette tape?  Probably 8-track.

1.  GREATEST HITS (5th week at #1)--  John Denver

2.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand

3.  HOTCAKES--  Carly Simon

4.  TUBULAR BELLS--  Mike Oldfield

5.  COURT AND SPARK--  Joni Mitchell

6.  SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH--  Black Sabbath

7.  UNBORN CHILD--  Seals & Crofts

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

9.  BRAIN SALAD SURGERY--  Emerson, Lake & Palmer

10.  BURN--  Deep Purple

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten and Debuts for Week of March 23, 1974: 'Last Kiss'

That's right, a cool half century ago.

1.  LAST KISS--  Wednesday

2.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--   Blue Swede

3.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

4.  ROCK ON--  David Essex

5.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

6.  SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDER--  John Denver

7.  LOVE SONG--  Anne Murray

8.  MOCKINGBIRD--  James Taylor & Carly Simon

9.  THE LORD'S PRAYER--  Sister Janet Maad

10.  BOOGIE DOWN--  Eddie Kendricks

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

DEBUTS

13.  SPIDERS AND SNAKES--  Jim Stafford

ERES TU--  Mocedades

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hey Kids, Shake It Loose Together."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Bennie and the Jets"

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: No Dyed River, Parades or CB&C, But Old-Time Radio, A Beer and a Band

MARCH 16, SATURDAY

This was to be the big day of partying everywhere.  I had lots of options, but many I canceled if they involved spending time outside.  It was kind of cold and very windy.  Plus there would be crowds.  The older I get, the less I like any one of those things.

That meant a no go to McHenry to see the Fox River dyed green or the parade.  That also ruled out the parade in Lake Villa.  Sad, because I surely love parades.  I decided instead to go to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society's meeting and see the Lake County Old Time Radio Players put on an old time radio show.  They did "The Shadow."  Quite a neat and enjoyable job.

I then  went to Lake Villa and found myself in a long detour, but eventually got to the Lake Villa VFW which was having a corned beef and cabbage dinner.  I was sad to find they had already given out of it by the time I arrived.  Bummer.

However, I did luck into a seat at the very crowded bar and had a beer while enjoying the 50s-60s band, Accents.  However, the power went out and I left.

Not Finished With the Day Yet.  --RoadDog

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Teachers, Pi, a Cemetery and Some Bars

MARCH 14, THURSDAY

I met seven other teachers I used to work with at Magee Middle School in Round Lake at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, for breakfast.  It is always good to get together with old friends.  Stopped at my State Farm agent to see if I could get an adjustment on my vehicle insurance on the '05 Dodge Dakota and '85 Firebird since I don't drive either very much, but already was getting the lowest amount I could.

Bought an apple pie at Jewel for $3.14.  I wonder why that price?

MARCH 15, FRIDAY

Drove to Arlington Heights, Illinois, to replace the flowers on my mother and father-in-laws' graves, stopping along the way in Lake Zurich to get the tax information on my Charles Schwab account.  On the way back stopped at Sunnyside in Johnsburg and the Fox Lake American Legion.

Pi Is 3.14.  --RoadO'Green

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Pizza, Beer, a Movie, a Presentation and Trivia

And, it was unseasonably warm around here until Saturday.

MARCH 11--  MONDAY

Went to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for half price pizza and Bricks 'N Ivy for the $8 pitcher of Blue Moon.

MARCH 12-- TUESDAY

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, for the movie "King Fu Panda: 4" at the theater, then spent some time in the library before meeting members of the Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner.  Then we adjourned back to the library where the McHenry County Civil War Round Table has a presentation on Confederate Railroads during the war.

MARCH 13--  WEDNESDAY

Put up the spring flowers at Liz's grave and talked with the funeral director at the Spring Grover Funeral Home about a grave stone.  Then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for snack day/trivia at Donovan's Reef.  We sure ate well.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of March 16, 1974: 'Boogie Down'

That's right, fifty years ago, half a century.  Really.

1.  ROCK ON-- David Essex

2.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

3.  LAST KISS--  Wednesday

4.  SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS--  John Denver

5.  LOVE SONG--  Anne Murray

6.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede

7.  BOOGIE DOWN--  Eddie Kendricks

8.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand

9.  DARK LADY--  Cher

10.  MOCKINGBIRD--  James Taylor & Carly Simon

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

DEBUTS

12.  BENNY AND THE JETS--  Elton John

14.  JUNGLE BOOGIE--  Kool & the Gang

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Girl You Just Don't Realize What You Do To Me."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Hooked On a Feeling"

Bob Stroud Salutes St. Patrick's Day: 'Give Ireland Back to the Irish'

Well, Sunday is that greenish day and Bob Stroud is saluting it with a special Ten at Ten today with songs that have to do with it.

GREEN RIVER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER--  Al Green   (Get it?)

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN--  Thin Lizzie  (Irish band)

GREEN ONIONS--  Booker T. & the M.G.'s

BEAUTIFUL DAY--  U2  (Irish band)

GREEN TAMBOURINE--  Lemon Pipers

GLORIA--  Them  (Irish band)  And you thought the Shadows of Knight originally did it.  By the way, that's Van Morrison singing lead.

GREEN EARRINGS--  Steely Dan  (Never heard this one before.)

GREEN EYED LADY--  Sugarloaf

GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH--  Paul McCartney & Wings

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

The show will repeat at 10 pm tonight at WDRV, 97.1 FM, Chicago.  CDST.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Makes Me Feel So Good.  She Makes Me Feel Right."  Answer below.  --Road O'Dog

"Gloria"

2024 Movie Scratches: Boat-- Migration-- Swim-- Beekeeper

These are movies I saw in the theater this year.

1.  THE BOYS ON THE BOAT--  1-8--  $7--  Fox Lake--  Against all odds, the Davids beat the Goliaths and go on to win Gold in the 1936 Olympics.  Adolph was not happy.

2.  MIGRATION--  1-8--  $7--  Fox Lake--  Fox Lake--  Overcoming huge obstacles to get to Jamaica for a family of mallard ducks.

3.  NIGHT SWIM--  1-11--  FREE--  There is something wrong with our swimming pool.  A life for a life.  Beware flickering lights and the toy boat.

4.  THE BEEKEEPER--  1-11--   $7--  A guy you'd best not get on the wrong side of.  Rambo would be proud of this guy.  Protecting the hive and killing with politeness.

I am aiming to see 52 movies at the theater.

--RoadDog

Very Confusing Newspaper

I sometimes get behind in my newspaper reading.  A couple days ago I came across an old paper and started reading it.  One part I always like is a section called "Today's Birthdays."

This particular paper had some folks I was unfamiliar with.

Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. is 13  (52) (born 1972)

Rapper Ja Rule is 12  (48)  (born 1976)

Singer Mark Foster (Foster the People) is 10  (40)  (born 1984)

So what gives with these weird birthdays and ages?

I looked at the newspapers date. which was Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Ohhhh!  --RoadDuh

WLS Top Ten for Week of March 9, 1974: 'Boogie Down'

From the oldiesloon site.

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

1.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks  (fifth week at #1)

2.  ROCK ON--  David Essex

3.  DARK LADY--  Cher

4.  SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS--  John Denver

5.  LAST KISS--  Wednesday

6.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand

7.  BOOGIE DOWN--  Eddie Kendricks

8.  LOVE SONG--  Anne Murray

9.  JIM DANDY--  Black Oak Arkansas

10.  HOOKED IN A FEELING--  Blue Swede

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

DEBUTS

12.  ENERGY CRISIS  '74--  Dickie Goodman

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Ooga-Chaka, ooga-ooga, Ooga-Chaka, ooga-ooga."  Answer below.  --RoadSwede

"Hooked on a Feeling"

Last Weekend at the Legion: Cheap Beer, Fish Fry and an Afternoon Entertainment

Last week I ended up at the American Legion in Fox Lake for three straight days.

FEBRUARY 29, Thursday (As in Leap Year)

After a movie in Fox Lake I stopped by the Legion to enjoy those $1.50 pints of Lite.  This is the special every Monday and Thursday.  My buddy Frank joined me.  I left when the bingo folks started coming in.

MARCH 1, Friday

Saw the last episode of "Band of Brothers" at Frank's.  This was a great series which unfortunately I didn't get to see when it was on as I didn't subscribe to HBO.  Glad I finally got to see it.

Then I went to the American Legion in Fox Lake again and met friends Glenn and Barb at the bar and enjoyed the Grant Township annual fish fry.  It was AUCE for $12 and, as always tasty.  And, as always the place was jammed tight with folks.

MARCH 2,   Saturday

Met Glenn and Barb again at the Legion and thoroughly enjoyed the show that New Odyssey Guy put on from 3 to 6 pm.  Where else you gonna get entertainment in the afternoon in March?

--RoadLegion

Fifty Famous Movie Quotes: 'It's Only a Flesh Wound'

From the April 24, 2022, Stacker "50 famous movie lines you've probably quoted at least once" by Andrew Lisa.

Can you guess the movie?  Answers below.

1.  "Help you, I will."  "Late, I will be."

2.  "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

3.  You're killing me, Smalls!"   

4.  "How do you like them apples?"  

5.  "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out."  

6.  "I'm your Huckleberry."    

7.  "Wilsonnnnn!" 

8.  It's only a flesh wound."

9.  "You gotta ask yourself one question:  Do I feel lucky?  Well do ya, punk?"  

10.  "Run, Forrest, Run!"

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

1.  Yoda in "Star Wars"

2.  "Gone with the Wind"

3.  "The Sandlot"

4.  "Good Will Hunting"

5.  "A Christmas Story"

6.  "Tombstone"

7.  "Castaway"

8.  "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

9.  "Dirty Harry"

10.   "Forrest Gump"

--RoadDog

WLS Top 20 for Week of March 2, 1974-- Part 3: 'Rock On'

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

10.  LOVE'S THEME--  Love Unlimited Orchestra     #1    Written by Barry White.  Considered the first Disco song to hit #1.

9.  *ABRA-CA-DABRA--  De Franco Family    #3    Family group from Canada. The new Jackson Five/ Osmonds.

8.  YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr     #1    People worried about Ringo after the Beatles broke up.  Seven straight Top tens and two #1s out of the gate.

7.  *BOOGIE DOWN--  Eddie Kendricks     #2    Lead singer of the Temptations 1960-1971.

6.  *LAST KISS--  Wednesday    #34    From Canada.   Their only Top 40J. Frank Wilson had taken it to #2 in 1964.

5.  *SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS--  Henry John Deutschdorf     #1     You might know him better as John Denver.  This is why a big song played at Oktoberfest in Munich is "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."

4.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand       #1 for three weeks.  Born in 1942 in Brooklyn.

3.  *DARK LADY--  Cherilyn Sarkisia      #1    You probably know her as Cher.

2.  *ROCK ON--  David Essex    #5     Real name is David Cook.  His only hit.

1.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks      #1    Three straight weeks at #1 in Chicago.  Sang with the Poppy Family "Which Way You Going Billy."

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oh Where Oh Where Can My Baby Be."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Last Kiss"

WLS Top 20 for Week of March 2, 1974-- Part 2: "Jim Dandy"

Fifty years ago on WLS, 890 AM Radio.

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

17.  THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL--  Charlie Rich    #1   Want some good old country belly rubbing music along with your soul and rock?

16.  I'VE GOT TO USE MY IMAGINATION--  Gladys Knight & the Pips    #4    From their "Imagination" album.  This is their first album after leaving Motown.

15.  *UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME--  Aretha Franklin     #3    The Queen of Soul.  Cowritten by Stevie Wonder.

14.  DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO (HERATBREAKER)--  Rolling Stones    #15     About the deaths of two kids.  Ten years after starting, they're still cranking out hits.  Beatles?

13.  *LOVE SONG--  Anne Murray      #12      "The National Canadian Songbird."

12.  *JIM DANDY--  Black Oak Arkansas      #24     Check out the video if you want to see a hairy band not afraid to shake it.

11.  ONE TIN SOLDIER--  Coven    #26  Full name "One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)"From Chicago and the bands only hit.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Hey Did You Happen To See."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"The Most Beautiful Girl"

WLS Top 20 for Week of March 2, 1974: 'Mockingbird'

That's right, 50 years ago this week.  Who's getting old?

WLS went from the Top 30 to the Top 20.

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

BUBBLING UNDER

*JET--  Paul McCartney & Wings  #7    

*SPIDERS AND SNAKES--  Jim Stafford  #3  Another strange one from Jim.  "My Girl, Bill."

*MOCKINGBIRD--  James Taylor & Carly Simon  #5   Originally done by Inezz and Charlie Foxx in 1963 when it got to #7.

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

*20.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  Blue Swede  #1  Pop group from Sweden.  I love that "Oooga-Chacka" and when I deejayed would play that part several times before getting to the rest of the song.  Also liked in on the :Guardians."

19.  TEENAGE LAMENT '74--  Vincent Furnier  (but you might know him better as Alice Cooper).  #48   A good song but I never heard it before.  

18.  NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP--  Barry White  #7   As sexy as anyone can sing.  Move over Marvin.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oooga Chacka, Oooga Chacka."  Answer below.  --RoadChacka

"Hooked On a Feeling"

This Was a Week for the Weather

As they like to say:  "Don't like the weather?  Wait a day."

FEBRUARY 22, THURSDAY

It was so warm (58 degrees and sunny) and nice that my buddy Frank and I ate out on his deck overlooking a channel of the Chain o' Lakes.

FEBRUARY 23, FRIDAY

Still sunny but temps dropping to 40s and lower.  Down later to 30s and we had snow.  I figure about at least an inch on the ground by Saturday morning.  Cold and blustery.

Over the weekend it started warming up until we had temps to upper 60s by Tuesday, Feb, 27.

FEBRUARY 28, WEDNESDAY,

Like, Brrrrrrr!  We got another inch of snow on ground (probably more because a lot of it melted.  Plus, we had thunder and lightning as a cold front moved in.  Eleven tornadoes reported to the south of us.

FEBRUARY 29, LEAP YEAR THURSDAY

Temp at 22 degrees this morning, but warmed up to 30s.

It is supposed to get back to the 60s by next week.

One Strange February.  --RoadWeather

Still More New Names for Chicago Snowplows

Sister Jean's Machine

Skilling It

Snower Wacker Drive

Snowprah Windfrey

Super Bowl Shovel

Taylor Drift

Thawsome Sauce

The Magnificent Pile

The Salt Shedder

The Unslushabls

These were just too good.  --RoadPlow

Naming Chicago's New Snowplows-- Part 4: Salternate Reality

Just idea after idea. All good and most really having a Chicago angle.

Nat King Cold

Oh Snow You Didn't

Pablo Picassnow

Plowdineira

Plowed Gate

Salternate Reality

Scoop Dogg

Saltsa N Chips

And, It Was 69 Degrees On My Deck Just a Few Minutes Ago.  Oh, Well.  Just Something I'll Have to Learn to Live With.  --RoadNoSnow

WLS Top Ten and Debuts for Week of February 23, 1974: 'Dark Lady'

Fifty years ago on the mighty LS.

1.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

2.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand

3.  ROCK ON--  David Essex

4.  LOVE'S THEME--  Love Unlimited Orchestra

5.  DARK LADY--  Cher

6.  YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr

7.  ABRA-CA-DABRA--  DeFranco Family

8.  ONE TIN SOLDIER--  Coven

9.  BOOGIE DOWN--  Eddie Kendricks

10.  THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL--  Charlie Rich

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

DEBUTS

14.  LAST KISS--  Wednesday

22.  LOVE SONG--  Anne Murray

Name That Tune (from the above songs:  "Listen Children To A Story That Was Written Long Ago."  --RoadDog

"One Tin Soldier"

Naming Chicago's New Snowplows-- Part 3: Ferris Buehler's Scrape Off

Ferris Buehler's Scrape Off

Jesse Whiteout

Kevin McPlowster

Little Dibbie

Looper Scooper

Lost Shaker of Salt

Maxwell Street Plowish Sausage

Micicle Jordan

Mies van der Snow

Minnie MiNosnow

Here's to Jimmy B.  Miss You.  --RoadDog

Naming Chicago's New Snowplows-- Part 2: Deep Dish Plowza

Buddy Guy-cicle

Casimir Plowaski

Celery Salter

Chance the Scraper

Chicago My Home Plow

Chicago Plowhawks

ChiPlowgo

City of Big Shovels

CTRL-SALT-DELETE

Deep Dish Plowza

Earth, Wind and Plower

Ernie Snowbanks

Too Funny.  --RoadDog

Naming the New Snowplows in Chicago-- Part 1 Say What? 'Chillinois'

From the January 26, 2024, Chicago Tribune "Chillinois,' 'Taylor Drift,' 'Skilling It.'  by Kate Armanini.

These are a few of the creative offerings folks around here have offered in Chicago's second annual "You Name A Snowplow" contest. For some reason, it has been known to snow around here and we need these things to clear the white stuff off.  Why not have some fun while doing it?

Of course, Swifties will get the "Taylor Drift."  And, longtime weatherman, and town favorite Tom Skilling is retiring from WGN soon.  So, he's "Skilling It."

Here are some other good ones:

Above the Thaw

Arctic Institute of Chicago

Bad, Bad Leroy Plow

Better Call Salt

Bill Flurry

Buckingham Plowtain

Some More in the Next Post.  Great Sense of Humor Those Chicago Folks.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of February 16, 1974: 'Dark Lady'

From the oldies loon site.

1.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

2.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand

3.  YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr

4.  LOVE'S THEME--  Love Unlimited Orchestra

5.  ABRA-CA-DABRA--  DeFranco Family

6.  ONE TIM SOLDIER--  Coven

7.  DARK LADY--  Cher

8.  ROCK ON--  David Essex  (climbed from #26)

9.  THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL--  Charlie Rich

10.  NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP--  Barry White

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

DEBUTS

24.  SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS--  John Denver

25.  UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME--   Aretha Franklin

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Come On Like a Dream.  Peaches and Cream.)  Answer below.

--  RoadDog

"You're Sixteen"

St. Valentine's Day Murders at NIU

Not forgetting that horrible day, 16 years ago yesterday, February 14, 2008, when a gunman (whose name won't be mentioned) stormed into a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and killed five students and wounded many others before doing the right thing finally and killing himself.

This hit Liz and me especially hard since we are both graduates of that school.

Not Forgetting.

WLS Top 10 for Week of February 9, 1974: 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World'

That's right, fifty years ago.

1.  SEASONS IN THE SUN--  Terry Jacks

2.  YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr

3.  THE WAY WE WERE--  Barbra Streisand

4.  ONE TIN SOLDIER--  Coven

5.  THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD--  Charlie Rich

6.  LOVE'S THEME--  Love Unlimited Orchestra

7.  AMERICANS--  Byron MacGregor

8.  ROCKIN' ROLL BABY--  Stylistics

9.  ABRA-CA-DABRA--  DeFranco Family

10.  LET ME BE THERE--  Olivia Newton-John

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

DEBUTS

26.  ROCK ON--  David Essex

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Goodbye to you my trusted friend."  Answer below.

"Seasons in the Sun"

Interesting Winter So Far and Adios Toby!!

January started off fine, then we had several 5 inch snowfalls and then a big 13-incher.  Unfortunately, I had problems getting the old snowblower (it's about 22 years old) started until the 13-incher, then it really had a hard time coping with all of it.  I did get some of the driveway finished before a really nice neighbor came over and finished it.  Of course, there was also those three days below zero the entire day.

Now, February has been a beaut so far.  Finally, all that snow has melted and the last several days its been 40s and even 50s today.  I was able to open up the house and get some fresh air in it.  Plus, I even had peanuts in the shell our OD (On Deck).  Not too many things finer that peanuts in the shell.

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

So sorry to lose one of my all-time favorite country music stars, Toby Keith.  I have most of his CDs and even one on my Ultimate Jukebox.  Who cannot help but sing along with him on "I Love This Bar" and "Red Solo Cup."  And, of course that "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" pretty well sums up my feeling about 9/11.

I didn't find out about his death until Tuesday afternoon at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.  Someone put on a bunch of his songs and we gave him a rousing sendoff.

Sorry 'Bout That Dixie Chicks or Dixies or Whatever You're Calling Yourselves Now.  --RoadDog

How Long This Time?

Fun and computer games continue.  Thanks to a buddy, I got back on the internet in December, then went off it again.  I bought a new pc and somehow managed to get it hooked up and, well here I am again.

For how long who knows?

Plus, I now have to figure out how to get to my other three blogs on this site.  I haven't posted on them since May of 2023.

Love It But Hate It.  --RoadDog