VA Hospital-- Chicago-- Barhopping in Wisconsin-- Part 3

SUNDAY-- After listening to Bob Stroud, we headed north across the border to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. First stop was at Main Street Tap where we enjoyed their fantastic Bloody Marys. It's a regular salad and deli tray in a 16 ounce glass for $3. Great deal and love those little bitty beer mugs to chase it. They were getting a crowd in to watch the Packer game. Imagine folks in Wisconsin watching a Packer game.

DONOVAN'S REEF-- Next stop in Twin Lakes was favorite stomping ground Donovan's where we played NTN. Imagine us playing NTN. We had quite a few top twenties including double doubles. A double double is where we have a top twenty in both bar site and individual. These scores are on a national and even international level as places in Canada also play. Also enjoyed the free Chicago-style hot dogs.

MAR'S TRADING POST INN-- WILMOT-- Last stop in Cheesehead Land was Mar's where we participated in the Booze raffle which draws a lot of folks every Sunday. As usual, I didn't win anything. Liz won a small jar of pickled herring, which i like and she doesn't so guess I won after all.

Enjoyed their snacks, $1.75 Bloody Marys, and dollar pints.

It Was a Wisconsin Thing. --RoadDog

Tribune Picks to Click Christmas Songs

Louis R. Carlozo listed 25 tunes he thinks ought to burn into your whatever (what's an IPOD? I've heard of them, but never used one). I know some of them, but not others.

1. Monster's Holiday-- Bobby "Boris" Picket-- making some more bucks on an old theme.
2. Do You Hear What I hear?-- Keola Beamer-- Hawaiian Christmas music
3. Santa Claus Go Straight to the ghetto-- James Brown-- funky time

4. Happy XMAS (War is Over)-- John Lennon-- Must get played once an hour on those all-Christmas stations.
5. Father Christmas-- Kinks-- one of the best
6. Run Rudolph Run-- Chuck Berry-- Why does he keep saying "Run, Run Rudolph?"

7. Holly Jolly Christmas-- Burl Ives-- Wouldn't be Christmas without this one.
8. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch-- Thurl Ravenscroft-- So that's who talks and sings it.
9. Baby, It's Cold Outside-- Dean Martini-- But my martini is dry.

10. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy-- Bing Crosby and David Bowie-- What an arrangement and who'd have figured pairing these two up?
11. Christmas Wrapping-- Waitresses-- Don't know this one.
12. You Gotta get Up-- Rich Mullins-- Don't know it either.

13. Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)-- Ramones--Have a punky Xmas.
14. The Twelve Days of Christmas-- Bob and Doug McKenzie-- Hoser yuletide
15. Christmas is here Again-- Beatles-- Fab Four

16. Santa Claus is Coming to Town-- Bruce Springsteen-- Sounds like they had too much fun making this one.
17. The Man With All the Toys-- Beach Boys-- from my all-time favorite Christmas album.
18. Christmas Time is Here-- Vince Guaraldi-- Huh?

19. The Christmas Song-- Nat King Cole--Another top song
20. My Favorite Things-- Tony Bennett-- Didn't know this was a Christmas song.
21. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day-- Frank Sinatra-- It's got it all.

22. Boas Festival-- Two for Brazil-- Huh?
23. Sleigh Ride-- Herb Alpert and the Tijana Brass
24. Riu, Riu Chiu-- Sixpence None the Richer-- sung in Spanish
25. Do They Know Its Christmas?-- Band Aid-- Gets me.

Felice Navidad, This is Quite a Collection. I'd Burn 'Em If I Knew How. --RoadDog

VA Hospital-- Chicago-- Barhopping in Wisconsin-- Part 2

Continued from Dec. 15th.

SATURDAY-- Chicago--

Folks in Chicagoland are still angry about Macy's changing the name of the icon Marshall Field's. There is still even a boycott going on by the group Fields Fans Chicago. As a matter of fact, I was given a flyer while walking by them. They will be happy to know that I didn't buy anything, but did walk around that magnificent store will still retains all the Field's grandeur.

Went up seven escalators to the Walnut Room, a Chi-town tradition for a Christmas meal. All the shoppers and people I didn't see earlier at Sears and on State Street were here. There was even a line waiting to get pagers. Got a glimpse of the beautiful Christmas tree that is so much a part of the whole thing.

Went to the Christmas Village a block away and that was crowded and expensive as usual. This is also where Chicago's official Christmas Tree is located.

Played NTN at the Snuggery and Metro Deli in the magnificent Union Station and drank the $3.25 pint drafts. Talked with a guy passing through on Amtrack heading for the warmer climes of San Diego at the Snuggery. Don't miss the Great Room at the station.

Once home, I watched my third favorite Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." Just love those old town shots, Clarence, and that end always gets me.

To Be Continued. --RoadDog

Some Funny Stuff

ON BEING RETIRED: My wife Liz asked me what I was doing today. I said, "Nothing." She said, "You did that yesterday." I replied, "I wasn't finished." WHO SAYS THE BRITISH HAVE NO HUMOR? Signs seen in Britain. TRAIN STATION "Keep back from the platform edge or you might get sucked off." ZOO-- "Please be safe. Do not stand, sit, climb or lean on zoo fences. If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick." BATHROOM: "Our aim is to keep this bathroom clean. Gentlemen: Your aim will help. Stand closer. It's shorter than you think. Ladies: Please remain seated for the entire performance." Funny Stuff. --RoadDog

Where Were You December 7, 1974? --Part 2

Continuing.

I CAN HELP-- BILLY SWAN-- he produced a hit for Tony Joe White called "Polk Salad Annie" One hit wonder. (Love that part when it starts up again just when you think it's over)
BUNGLE IN THE JUNGLE-- JETHRO TULL-- Off album "War Child" (Still can't believe they got the first Grammy for Heavy Metal)
SHA-LA-LA (MAKE MR HAPPY)-- AL GREEN-- an incredible era of music for the Reverend.

WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT-- JOHN LENNON-- Elton John on background vocals.
ONLY YOU-- RINGO STARR-- Only Ringo doing a Platters song. Harry Nilsson doing all of the background vocals and the great Steve cropper on guitar. (I forgot that Ringo had done this one.)
TIN MAN-- AMERICA-- latest single. The band Beatles producer George Martin went on to produce afterwards.

BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN-- STEVIE WONDER-- (One of my first introductions to Reggae.)
CAT'S IN THE CRADLE-- HARRY CHAPIN-- the late great
PICK UP THE PIECES-- AVERAGE WHITE BAND-- brand new instrumental

KING FU FIGHTING-- CARL DOUGLAS-- the number one song 12-7-74.-- one hit wonder. (OK, stop your kicking!)


Intro songs: EVERLASTING LOVE-- CARL CARLTON-- this one a cover as well of 1967 Robert Knight song.
DO IT (TILL YOU"RE SATISFIED)-- BT EXPRESS--
WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN-- THREE DEGREES-- Philadelphia Sound and Motown

Bringing Back Those Memories. --RoadDog

Where Were You December 7, 1974? --Part 1

Eight days ago, Bob Stroud did another one of his Time Warps, this time back to Dec. 7th for both 1969 and 1974.

Music takes me back and then he has all this interesting bits of info on the songs. I was in my second year of teaching social studies to 7th, 8th and 9th graders at Magee Middle School in Round Lake and living in the Villas By the Lake apartments in Vernon Hills. Liz was still working at General Finance in Evanston, Illinois, but was soon to start teaching first grade at Beach School in Round Lake Beach (same district). I was driving a 1973 Ford Pinto.

These were the songs in our radio back 34 years ago. Bob's comments follow. Mine in parentheses ().

There were many cover tunes being played including these first two.

ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT-- CAT STEVENS-- (originally by Sam Cooke)
AFTER THE GOLDRUSH-- PRELUDE-- Canadian group covering a song by Canadian Neil Young.
LADY-- STYX-- The break Styx had been looking for

JAZZMAN-- CAROLE KING-- her current release (off the great Tapestry album)
LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS-- ELTON JOHN-- Another cover tune. Just a 45 release featuring guitarist Winston O'Boogie, none other than John Lennon.
I'VE GOT THE MUSIC IN ME-- KIKI DEE-- an Elton John protege.

JUNIOR'S FARM-- WINGS-- the "A" side of the new 45 by Wings (that'd be Sir Paul)
SALLY G-- WINGS-- one of the more charming "B" sides Paul released. There were other Beatles things in your radio as well.

More to Come. --RoadDog

VA Hospital-- Chicago-- Barhopping in Wisconsin

This past weekend was a good one.

THURSDAY-- Played NTN at Donovan's with several number one finishes. Came back home, loaded the equipment and drove to Mundelein, stopping along the way for White Castle sliders in Ivanhoe. Deejayed the junior high dance at Santa Maria. I've been doing this for at least 22 years.

FRIDAY-- I helped out at the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion Christmas dinner for the the residents of the North Chicago VA Hospital. We had about 65 and they filled up on a great turkey dinner as prepared by resident food expert John.

Afterwards, I played NTN at Hello Folks.

SATURDAY-- Took the train into Chicago for a little Christmas trip. Great deal, only $5 round trip and good for Sunday as well. Walked to Macy's (the old Marshall Fields) and noticed that there were no where near as many people walking the sidewalks as usual. Sears was about empty.

Macy's, as usual had big crowds in front of the windows which were not a unique as they once were since so many people now have their own moving Christmas objects.

To Be Continued. --RoadDog

'Tis the Season...For Christmas Music

The Chicago Tribune did an article on Chicago's WLIT FM station that changes over to an all-Christmas format every year about this time. And not because they think 'Tis the Season, but for huge ratings.

The Numbers:

7-- Years all-Christmas programming

Nov. 14th-- When they switched to all-Christmas programming this year. (A Milwaukee station switched Nov. 1st. What next, a pre-Halloween switch so you can hear Christmas music while dressed as a witch?)

1,600,000-- cumulative listeners in December 2007--tops in the market (And I've never met ONE person who admits to listening.)

?-- When WLIT returns to regular light rock programming. (Hey, what about year-long all-Christmas programming?)

Most-played Christmas Songs WLIT, Dec. 1-7

1. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas-- Johnny Mathis
2. Jingle Bell Rock-- Hall and Oates
3. O Holy Night-- Josh Graban
4. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas-- Burl Ives
5. The Christmas Song-- Nat King Cole
6. Winter Wonderland-- Amy Grant
7. Most Wonderful Time of the Year-- Andy Williams
8. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree-- Brenda Lee
9. All I Want for Christmas is You-- Mariah Carey
10. Sleigh Ride-- Leroy Anderson

Is it Christmas Already? --RoadDog

Top 25 Teen Idols of All Time-- Part 2

12. Jonas Brothers-- (Probably will rise in standings. These guys are hot with the Tween set.)
11. Taylor Swift-- (I'm impressed.)
10. Munudo
9. Donny and Marie Osmond
8. Lulu-- ("To Sir With Love" and especially liked her version of "Shout.")
7. Tanya Tucker ("Delta Dawn")
6. Michael Jackson-- (He was really good before he got weird.)
5. David Cassidy-- (Loved the Partridge family, but liked his sister better.)
4. Avril LaVigne
3. Miley Cyrus-- (I don't get it?)
2. Britney Spears-- (Good when she isn't being weird.)
1. Davy Jones-- (Looked young with the Monkees, but was he REALLY that young?) Must be a "Daydream Believer" because he's short.)

Many of the comments were that Rob left Bobby Sherman off. I agree.

Gets Ya To Thinking. --RoadDog

Top 25 Teen Idols of All Time

From Rob O'Connor's List of the Day, Dec. 1st. He admits that there is no real reason he ranked them as he did. Someone just needed to make a list. he gave some details on each one as well. I'll include my comments.

25. 98 Degrees
24. Tiffany (Hey I liked her remake of Tommy James' "I Think We're Alone.")
23. Brandy (I had a dog by that name.)
22. New Kids on the Block
21. Frankie Lymon--(You've just got to like "Why Do Fools Fall in Love.")
20. Shaun Cassidy
19. Debbie Gibson
18. Ricky Nelson (I'd say he should be higher there, Rob.)
17. 'N Sync (Boy Band or Not, they were good. Same with #22.)
16. LeAnn Rimes (What a voice on that "Blue!")
15. Silver Chair (Who?)
14. Hanson (Their "Mmm Bob" was one great song.)

More to Come. Top 13 That Is. --RoadDog

Where Were You December 7, 1969?-- Part 2

Continuing from Dec. 9th with Bob Stroud's Time Warp.

ELI'S COMING-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- This and the next song were both also written by Laura Nyro. From their second album, "Suitable for Framing."
WEDDING BELL BLUES-- FIFTH DIMENSION--

COME TOGETHER-- BEATLES-- Both from an album that had just been out a little over two months called "Abbey Road."
SOMETHING-- BEATLES-- "A" and "B" sides of current single.
BACKFIELD IN MOTION-- MEL AND TIM-- Out just in time for football season.

DOWN ON THE CORNER-- CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL-- flip side of "Fortunate Son" (Hard to beat a two-sided hit like this one and the Beatles one.)
JAM UP AND JELLY TIGHT-- TOMMY ROE-- part of a long list of hits from him (Many folks put him down, but this was some great stuff.)
SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER-- DIANA ROSS & SUPREMES-- Diana Ross' swan song with the Supremes.

NA NA HEY HEY (KISS HIM GOODBYE)-- STEAM-- The number One song this date. This was a studio concoction only meant to be a "B" side. The group of musicians who made this didn't think much of it, but when they presented it, the record company said, "Are you kidding?" (Hey, Nancy Faust made this the song of the Chicago White Sox during the time of the South Side Hitmen in 1977 and they've been playing it ever since and more than a few other teams use it, but we were first!!)

Bob Stroud also introduces each segment with a song and a few words about it. Here they are.

DADDY DON'T CRY-- ELVIS PRESLEY-- Follow up to "Suspicious Minds"
MIDNIGHT COWBOY-- popular movie at the time.
ELEANOR RIGBY-- ARETHA FRANKLIN-- recently voted by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best rock singer of all time. (And, I would have figured her for best soul singer.)

Still to come, Dec. 7, 1974.

Great Times to Have Been Listening to the Old Radio and Record Player. --RoadDog

Top Chicago Songs, Dec. 3, 1960

From WLS' Silver Dollar Survey. I was very happy when Chicago's True Oldies station changed its name to WLS-FM. WLS was one of the two stations kids listened to growing up in Chicagoland in the 60s and 70s. The other being WCFL, both AM stations.

Their website also has the Silver Dollar Survey, the list of the top songs in Chicago for the week.

The top songs for Dec. 3, 1960:

1. Are You Lonesome Tonight-- Elvis Presley
2. A Thousand Stars-- Kathy Young
3. Lonely Teenager-- Dion
4. Poetry in Motion-- Johnny Tillotson
5. New Orleans-- Gary "US" Bonds
6. Hucklebuck-- Chubby Checker
7. Exodus-- Ferrante and Teicher
8. Rat Race-- Richard Maltby
9. You're 16-- Johnny Burnette
10. Sailor-- Lolita

I'd never heard of numbers 8 and 10, but then again, I wasn't listening to pop music back then. It took a little old band from Liverpool in early '64 to get my attention.

The majority of the rest of the top 40 were also songs I am not familiar with.

However, I did like #15 "North to Alaska" by Johnny Horton and #27 "Last date" by Floyd Cramer.

Deejay Bob Hale had the "East of Midnight Show" Monday to Saturday from midnight to 5:30 AM. Well, you gotta start somewhere.

WLA, WLS, WLS!!! --RoadDog

All Hail the Gov

Time to get those old shoe boxes out. As they say, Illinois politics have hit a new low. You'd think that with the most recent governor behind bars, that the current one might have gotten the signal, BUT, NOOOO!!!

Dear old Rod got caught with his hand in the ol' cookie jar. Imagine trying to SELL the seat to the US Senate? And that was just some of the things he was up to. And there are still questions about his wife's real estate ventures.

I must admit, I never voted for the guy. His campaigns were just nothing short of dirty mud-slinging, His first election was so dirty, I couldn't vote for either him or his Republican opponent.

Then, there was his commuting to Springfield (and I believe at state expense) and refusal to live in the governor's mansion. I had my doubts about him right then. Anyone who would rather live in Chicago than Springfield?? Hhhmmmnnn.

And, I'm not even going to try to spell his last name.

A New Low. --RoadDog

#1 Songs This Date in the Seventies

1979-- Babe-- Styx
1978-- Le Freak-- Chic
1977-- You Light Up My Life-- Debby Boone (Oh Well)
1976-- Tonight's the Night-- Rod Stewart
1975-- Fly Robin Fly-- Silver Connection
1974-- Kung Fu Fighting-- Carl Douglas (I wonder how it ranked on Stroud's list from Sunday?)
1973-- The Most beautiful Girl-- Charlie Rich (The Silver Fox)
1972-- I Am Woman-- Helen Reddy
1971-- Family Affair-- Sly & the Family Stone
1970-- The Tears of a Clown-- Smokey Robinson & Miracles

Some Great Stuff and Not So Good-- RoadDog

Where Were You December 7, 1969?

Good Old Bob Stroud had a Time Warp this last Sunday, back to Dec. 7th, 1969 and 1974.

I was in college in 1969 at Northern Illinois University and finishing up my first semester freshman year. I was having a great time with my dorm floor an Lincoln 3A, that's be third floor A wing. My roommate was Chuck Hartsell from Peoria and we had our own group called the Keggers. Later, it became an independent organization like a fraternity and even had their own house.

I was buying lots of 39 cent 45s at various places around Dekalb and back home in Palatine. These were 45s that had been on jukeboxes and you had to check for wear and scratches. A brand new 45 cost 99 cents. That was a lot of money for me back in those days.

Unfortunately, I slept through the first six songs since he starts at 7 AM CST. His comments follow. Mine are in parentheses.

EVIL WOMAN-- CROW-- (Definitely a heavy song)
HEAVEN KNOWS-- GRASS ROOTS-- (a much underrated group)
EARLY IN THE MORNING-- VANITY FAIR--
AND WHEN I DIE-- BS&T-- By Laura Nyro, one of three tunes she penned that were in the charts--(This and Lucretia MacEvil are my favorite Sweat songs)

BABY IT'S YOU-- SMITH--
UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK-- BAND-- From their second, self-titled album-- (bought all their albums as they released them, as I also did for Creedence)
FORTUNATE SON-- CCR-- one half of a two-sided hit-- (If I had to chose just one all-time favorite group, this would be it.)
HOLLY HOLY-- NEIL DIAMOND--

SUITE; JUDY BLUE EYES-- CSN-- the second single off their Crosby Stills and Nash album-- ( a third group I'd buy every album as released.

More to Come. --RoadDog

JSS: John Lennon-- Bears Party-- Bye Bye Boston Legal-- Cold and Snow, Rain Snow and Cold

JSS-- Just Some Stuff

1. JOHN LENNON-- Sorry to say that Beatle John Lennon was murdered this date in 1980. Was it THAT long ago? The Beatles sure had an impact on me. They were the ones that got me interested in music. Without that, I never would have been a deejay.

2. BEARS PARTY-- Sunday, we had about 15 friends over for the Bears party. The earlier one last month against the Packers was rather dismal. At least Da Bears won this one against the Jaguars.

3. BYE BYE BOSTON LEGAL-- Sad to see that tonight will be the last episode of Boston Legal. I sure will miss it and always look forward to seeing what Denny Crane will do. I'll also miss Alan Shore's escapades in the courtroom.

4. COLD AND SNOW AND THEN RAIN-- Come on and give us a break. This is all we get these days. If it's not snowing, it's very cold. Today, I had to work on some strands of lights at the gazebo and what started as a perfect day for it, started raining by the time I got back home. Not much fun playing with electricity in the rain, but fortunately it had slowed down by the time I got out to it.

No More Denny and Alan. Sigh!! --RoadDog

Pearl Harbor Anniversary Today

It was 67 years ago today. Also on a Sunday.

The Nov. 11th Joplin Globe had an article that pretty-well explains why we need to recognize and teach the date to our younger generations.

For years, Richard Ferguson went around to the schools of southwest Missouri talking about his experiences at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. He died last month.

Associated Press estimates that around 1,000 World War II veterans are dying every day. A force that once stood proudly 16 million-strong is now estimated at 2.5 million.

Mr. Ferguson was 88 and a member of Battery "E" 64th Coast Artillery at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, during the attack. He was also the last survivor of a local breakfast club of Pearl Harbor survivors.

The Greatest Generation.

Tomorrow, December 7th, the Day That Will Live in Infamy

Tomorrow is the "Day of Infamy." US forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, were suddenly attacked by planes from Japan and the country entered World War II.

An article in the December 4th Market Watch.

"You can count on one hand the number of events that changed everyone's life--everywhere, forever," says National World War II Museum President Dr. Gordon Mueller. "December 7th, 1941 was certainly one such event."

Quote from the article. "Though World War II was the most pivotal event of modern times, the memory of the valor and sacrifice of America's Greatest Generation grows harder to summon as the men and women who fought its battles both around the globe and on the Home Front are passing away. Veterans are dying at the rate of 900 a day, and vanishing with them, the personal stories of epic battles and deeds of sacrifice and heroism that museums and historians must keep alive."

The National World War II Museum has more than 2,500 personal accounts of veterans as well as more than 500 videos.

Anyone who has relatives who lived through this event should record their thoughts and recollections before it is too late.

Enough Said.