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

Monday, February 22, 2016

Popular Songs That Never Went Past #2 on Billboard-- Part 2: "We Are Family"

13.  GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN--  Cyndi Lauper
12.  UNDER THE BRIDGE--  Red Hot Chili Peppers
11.  WE ARE FAMILY--  Sister Sledge

10.  BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY--  Queen
9.  HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME--  Sly & the Family Stone
8.  RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS--  Carpenters

7.  BORN TO BE WILD--  Steppenwolf
6.  PARTY ALL THE TIME--  Eddie Murphy
5.  DANCING IN THE DARK--  Bruce Springsteen  "Jessie's Girl" by oft confusing Rick Springfield was an even bigger hit.
4.  START ME UP--  Rolling Stones

3.  MATERIAL GIRL--  Madonna
2.  PROUD MARY--  Creedence Clearwater Revival    Who also had a lot of other #2s.
1.  Y.M.C.A.--  Village People

Name That Tune  "Head Out On the Highway."  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  You discover that asphalt has a liquid state.

"Born to Be Wild"

Friday, February 19, 2016

Movie Scratches: Brooklyn-- Room-- Choice-- Caesar

Movie Scratches--  A dog's-eye view to today's movies.

17.  BROOKLYN--  2-10--  Fox Lake, $5--  Coming to a new life in America from Ireland, finding one, and then finding one back in Ireland.  Best movie I've seen in a long time, and I've seen a lot of movies.  Thank goodness for Mrs. Kelly setting her straight.

18.  THE ROOM--  2-16--  Fox Lake, $5--  It was his whole world for his whole life of five years.  Getting out of "The Room" was only the beginning of their problems.  I have now seen all nine movies nominated for Best Picture, first time I've seen all of them.

19.  THE CHOICE--  2-16--  Fox Lake, $5--  "You bother me."  She didn't like him at first, but sure came around.  Sure enjoyed all those beautiful coastal scenes around Wilmington, North Carolina.

20.  HAIL CAESAR!--  2-18--  Fox Lake, $6--  "I struck an actor in anger."  Considering the nut jobs he had to deal with I'm surprised he didn't strike more.  More crazies than you can shake a stick at.

I Sure Want to Thank Classic Cinemas for bringing back "Brooklyn" and "The Room."  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for February 18, 1966: "Lightning Strikes"

1.  LIGHTNING STRIKES--  Lou Christie
2.  THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING--  Nancy Sinatra
3.  LISTEN PEOPLE--  Herman's Hermits

4.  CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'--  Mamas & Papas
5.  BALLAD OF THE GREEN BERETS--  Barry Sadler
6.  I FOUGHT THE LAW--  Bobby Fuller Four
7.  BARBARA ANN--  Beach Boys

8.  MY LOVE--  Petula Clark
9.  I CONFESS--  New Colony Six
10.  WE CAN WORK IT OUT/DAY TRIPPER--  Beatles

Name That Tune:  "Breaking Rocks In the Hot Sun."  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  Potatoes cook underground.  This is convenient because all you have to do is pull one out and add salt, pepper and butter.

"I Fought the Law"

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Popular Songs That Never Made It Past #2 on Billboard-- Part 1: "Tears In Heaven"

From the July 16, 2012, Rob O'Connor List of the Day "We're #2!  Popular Songs That Never Made It to #1."

Some of these did make it to #1 on other Billboard charts, but not the pop one.

25.  THEME FROM "GREATEST AMERICAN HERO (BELIEVE IT OR NOT)"--  Joey Scarbury
24.  TEARS IN HEAVEN--  Eric Clapton
23.  FERGALICIOUS--  Fergie

22.  YOU BELONG TO THE CITY--  Glenn Frey  Also #2 with "The Heat Is On"
21.  IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS--  Puff daddy
20.  THE SWEET ESCAPE--  Gwen Stefani

19.  OPEN ARMS--  Journey  Never had a #1.
18.  ELECTRIC AVENUE-- (5 weeks at #2 in 1983)
17.  WITH YOU--  Chris Brown

16.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues  (reached only #103 the first time out)
15.  COMPLICATED--  Avril Lavigne
14.  RAMBLIN' MAN--  Allman Brothers

Name That Tune:  "Now In the Streets There Is Violence."  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  You step outside at 7:30 a.m. and break into a sweat.

"Electric Avenue"

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

A Good Time Last Weekend

FRIDAY, FEB. 12--  Met friends at 'Cuda's in Antioch, Illinois and enjoyed their fish fry and $2 craft beer pints.  Then went to the Legion in Fox Lake.

SATURDAY, FEB. 13--  Went to the Legion to listen to the 18-piece Lakes Area Swing band playing all that Big Band music for their Valentine's Day Dance.

SUNDAY, FEB. 14--  We went to the Boy Scout Pig Roast at the Johnsburg, Illinois,  and then to Hickory Lodge in McCullom Lake.

MONDAY, FEB. 15--  Played NTN with friends at J's in Ingleside with four Top 20s, despite other places having seen the questions before.  Enjoyed their famous BLT pizza at half price.  Then went to the Legion in Fox Lake.

--RoadDog

Going Back to 1973-- Part 3: "Get Up Stand Up"

ON THE WAY DOWN--  Little Feat
GIVE ME THREE STEPS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
ALL THE WAY FROM MEMPHIS--  Mott the Hoople

CHINA GROVE--  Doobie Brothers
WATCH THAT MAN--  David Bowie
GENERATION LANDSLIDE--  Alice Cooper

GET UP STAND UP--  Bob Marley
OUTLAW MAN--  Eagles
GIVE ME LOVE--  George Harrison

ROSALITA--  Bruce Springsteen
I CAN'T STAND THE RAIN--  Ann Peebles
RIGHT PLACE WRONG TIME--  Dr. John

BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings
BROTHER LOUIE--  Stories

Name That Tune:  "I Was Cutting the Rug Down At a Place Called the Jug."  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  Farmers feed their chickens crushed ice to keep them from hard boiled eggs.

"Give Me Three Steps"

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Going Back to 1973-- Part 2: "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"

DRIFT AWAY--  Dobie Gray
WHO'S THAT LADY--  Isley Brothers
BRINGING HOME THE BACON--  Procul Harum

I KNOW WHAT I LIKE IN YOUR WARDROBE--
MY LOVE--  Bill Quateman
GYPSEY MAN--  War

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY--  Joe Walsh
5:15--  Who
KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR--  Bob Dylan

HIGHER GROUND--  Stevie Wonder
JESSICA--  Allman Brothers
LET'S GET IT ON--  Marvin Gaye

Name That Tune:  "Day After Day I'm More Confused."   --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  Shade determines the best parking space, not distance.

"Drift Away"

Monday, February 15, 2016

Going Back to 1973-- Part 1: "Sitting in Limbo"

From the Feb. 13, 2016, Saturday Morning Flashback to 1973 with Wendy Rice on WXRT, 93.1 FM, Chicago.

HEARTBREAKER--  Rolling Stones
BOHDHISITTVA--  Steely Dan
YOU'BE BEEN IN LOVE TOO LONG--  Bonnie Raitt

SPIRITS IN THE NIGHT--  Bruce Springsteen
SITTING IN LIMBO--  Jimmy Cliff
TAKE IT EASY--  Jackson Browne

SAIL ON SAILOR--  Beach Boys
HYPNOTIZED--  Fleetwood Mac
TIME--  Pink Floyd

DANCING DAYS--
ONE MAN'S CEILING IS ANOTHER MAN'S FLOOR--  Paul Simon
YOU CASH AIN'T NOTHING BUT TRASH--  Steve Miller Band

Name That Tune:  "Standing On the Corner in Winslow, Arizona."  --RoadDog



"Take It Easy"

Past Movie Scratches: Gladiator-- Gun-- Terminator-- Black-- Jaws-- Tremors

Movies seen on TV in 2015.

25.  GLADIATOR--  Comotus "The Really Naughty."  "Unleash Hell!!"

26.  TOP GUN--  "I Feel the Need...FOR SPEED!!"  Dr. Green as "The Goose."

27.  TERMINATOR: SALVATION--  The machines still after that John Connor guy.
28.  MEN IN BLACK--

29.  JAWS--  "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

30.  TREMORS--  Fishing for giant earthworms with real bad attitudes.

--RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  You can make instant sun tea.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Valentine's Day Murders on NIU Campus, Eight Years Ago Today

And we haven't forgotten it.  We were at K.C.'s Cabin in Spring Grove, Illinois, in the afternoon and had just ordered hamburgers when we looked at the TV screen and remarked to each other, "Man, that sure looks like the NIU campus."

The sound was off, but eventually we saw the words saying there had been murders at NIU's campus in DeKalb.  A whole bunch of people in the bar started watching and one couple got very concerned, saying they had a child there.  They tried to call, but couldn't get through.

A heavily-armed outsider entered Cole Hall and opened fire on the class in session there, killing 5 and wounding another 21.  I know his name, but will not ever use it as I don't think mass murderers' names should ever be used.

At least he did do something right in his life and killed himself.

We wore Northern Illinois stuff when we went out earlier today.

Not Ever to be Forgotten.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Movie Scratches: Finest-- Boy-- Grandpa-- Pride

A dog's-eye view of today's movies.

13.  THE FINEST HOUR--  2-3--  Fox Lake, $5--  Almost unbelievable rescue battling a huge storm in Massachusetts.  Those waves wore me out.

14.  THE BOY--  2-4--  Fox Lake, $6--  The boy doll turns out to be the all-grown up mental case.

15.  DIRTY GRANDPA--  2-4--  Fox Lake, $6--  A different kind of "bro" trip.  Grandpa steers grandson away from a horrible wedding decision.  Way, Way, Way TOO much swearing.

16.  PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES--  2-10--  Fox Lake, $5--  Paul McCartney's twin has strange way of romancing a gal between fighting the brain eaters.

Some Real Funky Seats.  --RoadDog

Music Deaths: Maurice White, EWF

MAURICE WHITE, 74  Died Feb. 4, 2016.

Drummer, songwriter, producer and founding member of Earth Wind & Fire.  Born in Memphis, moved to Chicago as a teen and worked as a session drummer at Chess Records, recording for such acts as Etta James, Muddy Waters, the Impressions and the Dells.

Played on nine albums for Ramsey Lewis starting in 1966.  In 1969, he went to Los Angeles and formed the Salty Peppers which evolved into Earth Wind & Fire with his brother Verdine (and later brother Fred) and Philip Bailey.

Some of their big hits:

Mighty Mighty (#4 R&B, #22 Pop)
Shining Star (#1 R&B and Pop)  the song that really broke them into the public eye.
That's the Way of the World  (#5 R&B, #12 Pop)
Sing A Song  (#1 R&B, #5 Pop)
Got To get You Into My Life  (#1 R&B, #9 Pop)
September  (#1 R&B, #8 Pop)
Boogie Wonderland  (#2 R&B, #6 Pop)

Maurice retired in 1992 and produced for the Emotions, Deniece Williams, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond.

Earth Wind & Fire were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and Vocal group hall of Fame in 2004.  Maurice was inducted into the Songwriting Hall of Fame in 2010.

One of my all-time favorite groups.


The Ten Worst One-Hit Wonders of Summer: "Macarena"

From the June 18, 2012, List of the Day by Rob O'Connor.

Hear the songs and read more about his reasoning at the site.

10.  MACARENA--  Los del Rio  (1996)
9.  DAWN OF CORRECTION--  The Spokesmen  (1965)
8.  TELEPHONE MAN--  Meri Wilson  (1997)

7.  BITCH--  Meredith Brooks
6.  GENERAL HOSPI-TALE--  The Afternoon Delights  (1981)
5.  I WANNA  BE BAD--  Willa Ford  (2001)
4.  ON MY OWN--  Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald  (1986)

3.  WHO LET THE DOGS OUT--  Baha Men  (2000)
2.  ALMOST PARADISE--  Mike Reno and Ann Wilson  (1984)
1.  WHOOMP! (THERE IT IS)--  Tag Team  (1993)

Name That Tune:  "There's a Party Over here, A Party Over There."  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW THAT IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  The temperature drops below 95 degrees and you put on a sweater.

"Whoomp! There It Is"


Thursday, February 11, 2016

WLS Top Ten for February 11, 1966: "California Dreamin'"

1.  LIGHTNING STRIKES--  Lou Christie
2.  THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING--  Nancy Sinatra
3.  BARBARA ANN--  Beach Boys

4.  I FOUGHT THE LAW--  Bobby Fuller Four
5.  WE CAN WORK IT OUT/ DAY TRIPPER--  Beatles
6.  SOUND OF SILENCE--  Simon & Garfunkel
7.  CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'--  mamas and Papas

8.  I CONFESS--  New Colony Six
9.  NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE--  T-Bones
10.  MY LOVE--  Petula Clark

Name That Tune:  "You Keep Saying You Got Something For Me."   --RoadDog


"These Boots Are Made for Walking"

The Best of Louisiana Music-- Part 2: "Mardi Gras in New Orleans"

6.  LES FLAMMES D'ENFER (THE FLAMES OF HELL)--  Eddie LeJeunne,  D.L. Menard and Ken Smith
7.  BIG CHIEF, PT. 1--  Professor Longhair
8.  MOJO HANNAH--  Aaron Neville

9.  J'AURAID DU T'AIMER (I SHOULD HAVE LOVED YOU)--  Jimmy C. Newman and Cajun Country
10.  CARNIVAL TIME--  Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias
11.  IMITATION OF LOVE--  Johnny Adams

12.  OPELOUSAS SOSTAN--  Mamou
13.  BLACK DRAWERS--  Chuck Carbo
14.  HOT TAMALE BABY--  Buckwheat Zydeco

15.  MARDI GRAS IN NEWORLEANS--  Dirty Dozen Brass Band
16.  SO SWELL WHEN YOU'RE WELL--  James Booker

17.  STREET TALK--  Bo Dollis and Willie Tee with Dr. John
18.  BLUES DU SAOULARD (DRUNKARD'S BLUES)--  Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
19.  WATCH THAT DOG--  John Delafose and the Eurnice Playboys

Name That Tune:  "I Can Hear the Jukebox Play."  --RoadDog


YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  You burn your hand opening the car door.


"Opelousas Sostan"


Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The Best of Louisiana Music-- Part 1: "Your Mama Don't Know"

From the second-line beat of New Orleans rhythm and blues, to the exuberant street music of the brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians, to the bayou dancehall sounds of Cajun and zydeco, there's no place like Louisiana for good time music.  Here are 19 of the best Mardi Gras  party tracks ever, performed by many of Louisiana's best-known artists."

If you're only going to get one CD of this kind of music, this is the one I would recommend.  It is put out by Rounder records "The Best of Louisiana Music"  CD AN 08.  Copyright 1993.

1.  BON TEMPS ROULER--  Beausoleil
2.  I NEVER FOOL NOBODY BUT ME--  Ira Thomas

3.  LOOK-KA PY PY--  Meters
4.  YOUR MAMA DON'T KNOW--  Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas
5.  IF YOU'S A VIPER--  Rebirth Brass Band featuring Kermit Ruffins

Name That Tune:  "You See me There, Well I Ain't No Fool."  --RoadDog


"Bon Temps Rouler"

Mardi Gras.. Again: All that King Cake

Well, we got our fair share of King Cake yesterday and got our beads.

We drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and bought a huge and delicious King Cake at Bodi's bakery downtown.

They make an excellent cake for $23.  And, it is huge.

Sadly, Sal didn't have any Louisiana/Mardi Gras food, nor were there any Hurricane or Grenade specials at Donovan's Reef.

A whole lot of folks got their first taste of King Cake, though.

Seven Second Jerry got the baby.

Bad For You, But, Oh, So Good.  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  The birds need potholders to pull worms out of the ground.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Last Night, We had Our Annual Lundi Gras Celebration: "Party Town"

In other wirds, Fat Monday, the Day Before the Big Day.

Tom marker, on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM devoted his whole hour-long Bluesbreakers show to the music of Louisiana.  Always a must-listen show for me.

Here's what he played:

We will be driving to Twin lakes, Wisconsin in a short time and picking up our King Cake and going over to Donovan's Reef for own lil' Mardi Gras.

PARTY TOWN--  Marcia Ball
RED BEANS--  Snooks Eaglin
BONEYARD--  John Cleary

These next three songs written by Allen Toussaint:

A CERTAIN GIRL--  Ernie K. Doe
HOLY COW--  Lee Dorsey
RULER OF MY HEART-- Irma Thomas

These next two performed y Allen Toussaint:

YES WE CAN CAN--  Allen Toussaint
WHIRLAWAY--  Allen Toussaint

MEET DEM BOYS ON THE BATTLEFRONT--  Anders Osbourne and Big Chief Monk Bourdreaux
CAN'T STOP THE FUNK--  Neville Brothers
MARDI GRAS DAY--  Kermit Ruffin and Rebirth Brass Band

BASIN STREET BLUES--  Henry Butler

Name That Tune: "Driver of My Soul, Where Can You Be."  --RoadiGrasDog


"Ruler of My heart"