Three Days, Six Bars, Three Bands

Good Times in the Area even with all this weather we're getting.

Between the overcast and big storms, we still got in some good-timin' here in the northeastern part of Illinois, home of the $4+ gasoline.

FRIDAY, MAY 4TH

Dentist appointments in Round Lake Beach.  Rancho Nuevo restaurant in Roound Lake for lunch.  One thing about having all the people from Mexico living in the Round Lake area is that you can take a trip to Mexico withour leaving the state.  Just go to downtown Round Lake.  One of my favorite Mexican restaurants with huge portions.

Did some yardwork and later, met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday and then stopped at the Legionon the way home.


SATURDAY, MAY 5TH

Enjoyed WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1969, a primo year for us.  Then to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside to watch the Kentucky Derby and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with $1,50 Coronas.  Kicked off the boating season at Captain's Quarters with the high energy trio Paper Airplanes of Fire playing classic and newer rock.


SUNDAY, MAY 6TH

Bob Stroud went to May 6th 1969 and 1974 on his Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp in the morning.  Got some yard work in and burn piling before the storm hit.

Then it was Terry and Gregg Spizzirri playing at AJ's Horsin' Around in Round Lake Park and a solo guy playing a twelve-string guitar at the Route 12 Bar.

Who Says You Gotta Use a Lot of Gas to Have Fun?  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  I'm So Old That Whenever I Eat Out, They Ask for Money Up Front.

Give Me Some of That Old Time Music This Week: 1969

In less than an hour, Wendy Rice on WXRT 93.1 FM in Chicago begins her weekly Saturday Morning Flashback, this year to 1969, one of "my primo years (1964 to 1973, junior high through college).  I'll be tuned in.  She will be on from 8 to noon CSDT at http://www.wxrt.com/. And it streams.

Then Sunday, Bob Stroud takes his Rock and Roll Roots show on WDRV 97.1 FM in Chicago on a Time Warp back to May 6, 1969 and then jumped ahead five years to 1974.  He will play only those songs being played on the radio in Chicago (that would be two AM stations, WLS and WCFL) back then.  He will be on from 7 to 10 AM at http://www.wdrv.com/.

Both shows not only feature the music, but also news, movies and other items taking you back.

Then next week, Stroud does a Ten at Ten show at 10 AM and 10 PM where he features ten songs from a particular year and occasionally it is ten songs of a particular nature, like on Mondays show.

Mon.  Title Songs
Tues. 1972
Wed. 1976
Thurs.  1980
Fri.  1969

I'll Sure Be Getting My Fill of 1969 This Week.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  Florida:  God's Waiting Room.

We Lose "Moose" Skowron

From the April 29th Chiicago Tribune "Chicago favorite an 8-time All-Star" by Jim O'Donnell.

BILL "MOOSE" SKOWRON (1930-2012)

I will be writing more about his death in the Cooter's History Thing Blog, but since I am a real big White Sox fan, I am including mention of his death here.  "Moose" was one of my favorite Sox players when I became a fan back in the early 60s, even though he "DID" play for those New York Yankees!!  I'll never forget seeing him at Comiskey Park and hearing what I thought were boos from the fans when he was announced.  I soon found out they were yelling "Moose!"

He grew up in Chicago, played football and baseball for two years at Purdue and then with those "Yankees from 1954 to 1962 where he won four World Series.  In 1963, they traded him to the Dodgers and he helped them beat his old team to win another World Series.  He played for the Sox from 1964 to 1967 and was an eight-time All-Star first baseman. 

His final Major League stats were 211 home runs and .282 batting average.

I was greatly saddened to hear that he had lung cancer last year.

So Long, "M-O-O-o-O-o-O-E!!"  We'll Miss You.  --RoadDog

Every Blooming THing: Early May

I'm losing the Battle of the Dandelions and Clover, but yesterday called in reinforcements from Spectracide, the first time its been warm enough to use it since March.  The spray bottle was from last season so hope its still good.

The sunburst honeylocusts in the front are getting ready o leaf out and that is always a blast of yellow.  I've actually been able to sit out on the front porch the last two mornings and enjoy the azaleas which are covered in red blooms.  There are still some tulips hanging in, but not for long.

The white, red and purple phlox are blooming big-time.  There are also some sort of yellow flower perennial on color right now and it is especially pretty over on the east side of the house where it is interspersed with the purple phlox.

The burning bushes definitely need their spring trimming and yews are almost to that point as well.  Yesterday, I bought 12 wave petunias, 3 geraniums, 24 annuals (dianthus and tall snaps) and ten other perennials at Menard's so have some planting to do the next two days.

Oh, My Aching Back.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKER:  I'm Not Old.  I'm Chronologically Gifted.

Harnish Is "Mr. Irrelevant"

From the April 29th Chicago Tribune by Fred Mitchell.

Former Northern Illinois University quarterback Chandler Harnish expected to be drafted somewhere between the 5th and 7th rounds in this past week's NFL draft.  Little did he know that he would have the distinction of being the 253rd choice, meaning THE VERY LAST CHOICE TAKEN!!  Being drafted very last earns Harnish the dubious honor of being "Mr. Irrelevant."

He finished his collegiate career as the Mid-American Conferences MVP and set 30 NIU records for passing, total offense and rushing.  His 11,297 total yards ranks third all-time in the MAC behind Byron Leftwich of Marshall and Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan.  The Chicago Bears drafted LeFevour in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, but he never played a regular-season game for them.

To make matters worse, the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him had the very first draft choice and chose Stanford's quarterback Andrew Luck, heir-apparent of departed Peyton Manning.  It is highly unlikely that Harnish will get much of a chance to play unless there are injuries.

Well, at least the Bears didn't draft him as dear old Lovie has no intention of playing an ex-NIU player after seeing what he did with rusher Garrett Wolfe.

I Tell You, We Just Can't Get No Respect.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  The secret to Staying Young Is to Live Honestly...And Slowly and Lie About Your Age.

Number One Songs This Date: May 1st-- Part 2

** Also number one April 1st

1969 AQUARIUS/LET THE SUNSHINE IN--  Fifth Dimension  (Good Old "Hair" Music)
1968 HONEY--  Bobby Goldsboro--  (The world's greatest gag song.)
1967 SOMETHIN' STUPID--  Father Daughter song
1966 MONDAY, MONDAY--  Mamas and Papas
1965 MRS. BROWN YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAUGHTER--  Herman's Hermits

1964 CAN'T BUY ME LOVE--  Beatles (Who'd have figured a Beatle #1 song in '64?)
1963 I WILL FOLLOW HIM--  Little Peggy March
1962 SOLDIER BOY--  Shirelles
1961 RUNAWAY--  Del Shannon--  (ALRIGHT!! Stop singing the chorus!!)
1960 STUCK ON YOU--  Elvis

1969 COME SOFTLY TO ME--  Fleetwoods
1958 WITCH DOCTOR-- David Seville (and You-Know-Who)
1957 ALL SHOOK UP--  Elvis
1956 HEARTBREAK HOTEL--  Elvis
1955 CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE--  Perez Prado

1954 WANTED--  Perry Como
1953 THE DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW*--  Patti Page
1952 WHEEL OF FORTUNE*--  Kay Starr--  (Or was it Vanna White in a previous life?)
1951 HOW HIGH THE MOON-- Les Paul & Mary Ford 
1950 "THE THIRD MAN" THEME--  Anton Karas

1942 MOONLIGHT COCKTAIL*--  Glenn Miller
1932 PARADISE*--  Leo Reisman 
1922 ANGEL CHILD--  Al Jolson

1912 MOONLIGHT BAY*--  American Quintet
1902 ARKANSAW TRAVELER*-- Leo Spencer

Good Stuff Maynard.  --RoadDog

Number One Songs This Date: May 1st-- Part 1

It's the beginning of the month and once again, a trip back 110 years in history compliments of Josh Hosler's excellent site based on Billboard charts.

2012 Somebody That I Used to Know--  Gotye feat. Kimbra
2001 Foolish--  Ashanti
1992 Jump--  Kriss Kross  (Wonder if they ever figured out how to put their pants on?)

1989 Like a Prayer--  Madonna (Not to be confused with "Like a Virgin.")
1988  Wishing Well--  Terence Trent D'Arby--  (Wonder whatever happened to him.  Great song.)
1987 (I Just ) Died in Your Arms--  Cutting Crew
1986 Addicted to Love--  Robert Palmer (Loved his backup band.)
1985 WE ARE THE WORLD--  USA for Africa--  (Feeling good about ourselves.)

1984 AGAINST ALL ODDS (TAKE A LOOK AT ME)--  Phil Collins
1983 BEAT IT--  Michael Jackson--  (About all you heard on the radio back then.)
1982 I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL--  Joan Jett & the Blackhearts--  (Also #1 April 1st.)
1981 MORNING TRAIN (9 TO 5)--  Sheena Easton
1980 CALL ME--  Blondie

1979 REUNITED--  Peaches and Herb
1978 NIGHT FEVER--  Bee Gees--  (Disco fever Rampant.  Also #1 April 1st.)
1977 HOTEL CALIFORNIA--  Eagles
1976 LET YOUR LOVE FLOW--  Bellamy Brothers--  (A little country comes to town.)
1975 HE DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I LOVE YOU)--  Tony Orlando & Dawn

1974 THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk--  (What happened to RAILROAD?) 
1973 TIE A YELLOW RIBBON AROUND THE OLD OAK TREE--  Tony Orlando & Dawn--  Did Tony ever have a song with a short title?)
1972 THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE--  Roberta Flack
1971 JOY TO THE WORLD--  Three Dog Night  (happy 70th birthday this year to all three lead singers.)
1970 ABC-- Jackson 5  (Back when Michael wasn't so strange.)

Remember Anything?  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  Senior Campbell's: New, large-Type Alphabet Soup.

A Roots Salute to Levon Helm

Sadly, Band drummer Levon Helm died ten days ago and Bob Stroud did his Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV in Chicago on him yesterday.

He played songs that Helms sang lead on.  Of course, three of them were among my all time favorites.  I like both "Up On Cripple Creek" and "The Weight," even singing the latter on occasion at karaoke.  But, my favorite is "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."  As a Southerner by birth and member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, this one always gets to me.  That voice, those words...too much.

The Band was also one of my favorite groups from the era with their country-style rock sound.  Plus, Helm was very involved with the newer Americana genre of music. After listening to the songs Stroud played, I'd have to say that the Band were among the first to play that music.  If you'd like to hear some American music, go to Cashbox Magazine and click on the Americana Weekly Countdown.

Here Are the Helm songs:

Up on Cripple Creek
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Rag Mama Rag
Strawberry Wine
Daniel and the Sacred Harp

Life Is a Carnival
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Don't Break My heart
Ain't Got No Home
Mystery Train

Ophelia
I Don't Want to Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes
The Weight

Also, Stroud played "Levon" by Elton John,"Listen to the Band" by the Monkees, and in honor of Spirit's drummer having a birthday "Mr. Skin."  Of course, two songs by Ringo Starr.  See if you can guess the significance of these songs.

We'll Miss Him.  --RoadDog

Three Days, Five Bars and Two Bands

As usual, another great weekend here in the Chain of Lakes, despite some crummy weather.

FRIDAY, APRIL27TH

Went to McHenry, Illinois, for Liz's eye doctor appointment.  I did some banking business and then we ate at IHOP.  That Colorado omelet is really something.  Did some shopping at Meijer's.  Cut the grass, which was badly in need of it.

Met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday on Fox Lake and had a good run at the juke box again.


SATURDAY, APRIL 28TH

Miserable morning and afternoon.  Just stayed in.  Went to Route 12 Bar and Grill and met some of the Suspects.  Had their really good duck strips, something you don't often to get.

Terry Spizzirri and Gregg put on a great show, their first here and made a lot of new fans and will be back.


SUNDAY, APRIL 29TH

Bob Stroud saluted Levon Helm of the Band who died ten days ago.  A great loss to the music world with that striking voice of his.  He played songs featuring Helm on lead vocal.  I'll list them next post.

Went over to Long John Silver's for a great fish meal and then to Route 12 Bar to watch the Blues Daddeez, but the place was so crowded, we left.  They had had a motorcycle blessing and run earlier.

We went to J's Bar in Ingleside for awhile and played NTN, then back to Route 12 and were shocked to actually find seats at the bar.  The place was still packed. The Blues Daddeez were a three piece group, two acoustic guitars and a bass and extremely tight on playing and vocals although a bit more jamming than I like.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  Sometimes I Wake Up Grumpy...And, Some Days I Let Him Sleep.

Back to the 80s on WXRT

Chicago's Finest Rock, WXRT 93.1 FM is celebrating their fourth decade in business with an all-80s weekend.  Nothing but 80s music the whole time except midnight to 10 AM.

I'm sure enjoying the music.  The 80s are the last decade where I really liked most all of the music.  Since 1990 I'd have to say that I only like about 50% of the music.  My top decades are the 60s, 70s and 80s.  I was alive in the 50s, but not listening to music that much.

Play On WXRT.

By the way, tomorrow, rival station WDRV's Bob Stroud is featuring the Band from 7 AM to 10AM because of Levon Helms dying.  Should be a good one.

Singing Along With the 80s.  --RoadDog

These Music Folks Didn't Make It to 70

From Rob O'Connor's April 12th List of the Day "The Unlucky 13--Musicians Who Would Have Been 70 This Year."

In keeping with the previous two posts.

13.  Clarence Clemmons of Bruce Springsteen's E. Street Band-- Born Jan. 11, died June 18, 2011.
12.  Edwin Starr-- Born Jan. 21st, died April 2, 2003.
11.  Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones--  Born Feb. 28th, died July 3, 1969.

10.  Nicholas Ashford--  Born May 4, Died Aug. 22, 2011.
9.  Tammy Wynette--  Born May 5th, Died April 6, 1998.
8.  Ian Drury of the Blockheads--  Born May 12th.  Died March 26, 1999.
7.  Curtis Mayfield--  Born June 3rd.  Died Dec. 26, 1999.
6.  Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath--  Born July 10th.  Died May 16, 2010.

5.  Isaac Hayes--  Born August 20th.  Died Aug. 10, 2008.
4.  Frankie Lymon--  Born Sept. 30th.  Died Feb. 28, 1968.
3.  Harry Chapin--  Born Dec. 7th.  Died July 16, 1981.
2.  Paul Butterfield--  Born Dec.17th.  Died May 4, 1987.
1.  Robert Quine, noted guitarist--  Born Dec. 30th.  Died May 31, 2004.

We're ALL Getting Older.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  The Snap, Crackle and Pop in the Morning Ain't My freakin' Rice Krispies.

In Music, 70 Is the New 60-- Part 2

13.  Brian Wilson, June 20
12.  Roger McGuinn, July 13 Byrds
11.  B.J. Thomas Aug.7

10.  Caetono Veloso, Aug. 7 Brazilian folk singer
9.  Al Jardine, Sept. 3 Beach Boys
8.  Danny Hutton, Three Dog Night (all three singers turn 70 this year)
7.  Gary Puckett, Oct. 17
6.  Elvin Bishop,  Oct. 21


5.  Johnny Rivers, Nov. 7
4.  Bob Lind, Nov. 25 "Elusive Butterfly"
3.  Dave Clark, Dec. 15
2.  Mike Nesmith, Dec. 30  Monkees
1.  Andy Summers, Dec. 31 Police

We SEEM to be GETTING OLDER.  --RoadDog

In Music, 70 is the New 60-- Part 1

From Rob O'Connor's April 9th List of the Day "70--the New 65?: Musical Artists turning 70 This Year."

Rob started off talking about three actors from my all-time favorite sitcom, "WKRP in Cincinnati."  Hey, it was radio and music, how could I not like that?

Anyway, Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek) just turned 70.  Last year, two others, Howard Hesseman (Johnny fever) and Richard Sanders (Les Nessman) did the same.

These 25 have or will turn 70 this year.  I know who most are::

25.  Country Joe McDonald, Jan. 1
24.  Marty Balin, Jan. 30 Jefferson Airplane
23.  Graham Nash, Feb. 2
22.  Cory Wells, Feb. 5 Three Dog Night
21.  Carole King, Feb. 9

20.  Peter Tork, Feb. 13 The oldest Monkee
19.  Lou Reed, Mar. 2
18.  John Cale, Mar. 9
17.  Aretha Franklin, March 25
16.  Leon Russell, April 2

15.  Chuck Negron, June 8 Three Dog Night
14.  Paul McCartney, June 18

More to Come.  --RoadDog


SOMEHOW, THESE OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS SEEM REALLY APPROPRIATE HERE:  I'm So Old I Don't Buy Green Bananas.

JSS: Arboretum Work-- Fox 25th

JSS--  Just Some Stuff


1.  ARBORETUM WORK--  This past week, when weather cooperates, I've been working on the raised flower bed on the west end of the arboretum.  Moved two really heavy railroad ties to make one side and stackable concrete stones for the others.  Also, I've been weeding, trimming and thinning out plants.

Been meaning to do this for the last ten or more years, but a neighbor called me on creeping into his yard with my burn pile, so gave me the incentive to get hopping on it.


2.  FOX 25TH--  Watched part of the Fox TV special on their 25th anniversary.  I always thought it was going to be a kids/Entertainment Tonight kind of station when it started and wouldn't watch it.  It sort of was, but sort of grew much beyond it.  Sorry I didn't watch "Married With Children" and "The Simpsons" at first.

I now watch "The Simpsons" every week along with the rest of their great Animation Domination lineup.  "Simpsons" just keeps getting better, even after all these years.

Then, there was the great "That 70s Show, " "24," and "Boston Public."

Their sports has certainly revolutionized the way we watch them.  Very thankful for the first down line.

Thanks Fox.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  I Asked My Wife If Old Men Wore Boxers or Briefs.  She said, "Depends."

So, It Was a Perfect Game...In My Defense

Saturday, Liz and I went over to Stormy Mondays in the late afternoon to see a band playing there in a Chain of Lakes Kick-Off Summer 2012 party.

The White Sox-Mariner game was on when we arrived, but the sound was down.  It was the 7th inning and I noticed that the Sox were leading 4-0.  Good news!

Then, Donna, the bartender, was given the local Wassup Magazine's May Bartender of the Month Award and we had that.  The guy sitting next to me had never heard of the magazine, so I showed him a copy.  He lives in Lake Villa and saw that his daughter was on the front of the magazine.  Busted!!  She is a few months shy of her 21st birthday and there she was in front of Bootlegger's.

Phil Humber was pitching for the Sox and I was pretty sure he was a starter, so in the 8th inning that meant he was pitching a good game.  I'd see the scorelines at the end of every half inning, but only paid attention to the runs.

When that sort of weird last out took place, some guys in the bar started cheering.  Unfortunately, this is Cub Country and you don't hear much cheering for the Sox.  What's going on?

Then I see the whole Sox team run out of the dugout and "attack" Humber, knocking him to the ground and piling on. That is a lot more than the usual high-fiving after a win.  This must be some sort of a special game.

Then, they flashed the words "PERFECT GAME" on TV!!!  Holy Cow, I had been watching a perfect game and didn't even know it.  And, I A< A BIG WHITE SOX FAN!!!

In My defense, Had the Sound Been On, I Would Have Known.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  I was always taught to respect my elders.  Now, I don't have anyone to respect.

Three Days-- Four Bars-- Three Bands

OK, Good Times Around Here Again.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20TH

Met the Usual Suspects at Stormy Monday for drinks, a great sunset on Fox Lake and some intense-playing of the old jukebox.


SATURDAY, APRIL 21ST

Record Store Day at The Vinyl Frontier in McHenry, Illinois.  Back to Stormy Monday for the band Me and a Guy Named Moe (Moe is whoever at the time is wearing the dumb wig on their bald head).  Two bald guys, a guitar and bongos.  Kind of a early summer Chain of Lakes party.

 Bartender Donna got the May Wassup Magazine Bartender of the Month and then there was that Sox game (I'll write about that next).  Even better, the band played 5 to 9 PM.  My kind of party times.  Two buck pints and free food!! 

SUNDAY, APRIL 22ND

Went to After the Fox on the Fox River in McHenry for two afternoon bands.  So crowded, we had to sit out on the deck overlooking the river for the first band, Blind Spot, who played rock and blues and even did a Stones song I had never heard.

Then, Practice in Public played.  Some more great rock and blues.

Afterwards, we went to Twisted Moose for a fish fry and $10 buckets of domestics.

The Way to Properly Spend a Weekend.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  We Got Married for Better or Worse.  He Couldn't Do Any better and I Couldn't Do Any Worse.     Hey, I Resemble That Remark.

It's Them, Not Me: Hey! What Gives!! Gas Goes Up 18 Cents in One Minute!!!

I was so proud of the GRBs last week as gas prices around here finally dropped below $4.  Those son-of-a-guns were actually having pity on their victims. 

Then, Saturday, I was in for a shock.  They didn't shed their skin that much.  Saturday driving over to the Vinyl Frontier in McHenry, Illinois, I noticed some stations around $4.10.  But McHenry is always more expensive than Fox Lake, so didn't think about it much.

Then, driving over to Stormy Monday for the band, I saw that gas stations in Fox Lake were up to $4.17.  Friday night, coming home from Stormy's it was $3.99!!  What in the world happened between Friday night and Saturday afternoon to "enable" them to raise the price like that?

Now, it will take a month to drop back to that $3.99 price.

Up in a Minute, Down in a Month.  It Must Be Great to Be a GRB.  --RoadDog

Appears to Be a Record Store Day for Me

Liz and I had been thinking about going out to Dekalb, Illinois, for the annual NIU Spring Football game.  But, it is just too cool to do it.

Besides, I have to go to McHenry, Illinois, and visit one of my favorite places, The Vinyl Frontier, one of those fast-disappearing mom and pop record stores.  Ya Gotta Love the Name as well.  They sell used CDs and, of course, LPs.
There still are few joys better than flipping those albums in the bins and looking for the "buried" treasures.  Flipping CDs is just not as much fun.  Besides never having downloaded anything, I'd be hard-pressed to "figger" out how to flip through downloads.

Lots of announcements about Record Store Day on WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback which was to 1970 today.  I recorded it on audio cassettes (it took two 90-minute Maxells) and will pop the show into the tape deck on my '85 Firebird when I go over to the Frontier in a little while.

Support Your Local Record Store.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  I'm in the Initial Stages of My Golden Years:  CDs, IRAs, AARP...