WLS Top Ten for November 10, 1967: "Incense & Peppermints"

1.  TO SIR WITH LOVE--  Lulu
2.  INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS--  Strawberry Alarm Clock  (How's that for hippie-dippie?)
3.  RAIN, THE PARK & OTHER THINGS--  Cowsills

4.  LET IT OUT--  Hombres
5.  HUSH--  Billy Jo Royal
6.  IT MUST BE HIM--  Vicki Carr
7.  PURPLE HAZE--  Jimi Hendrix

8.  PLEASE LOVE ME FOREVER--  Bobby Vinton
9.  LOOK OF LOVE--  Dusty Springfield
10.  EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART--  Soul Survivors

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Lately Things Don't Seem the Same."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You have a conniption over spilled milk.

"Purple Haze"

Marine Corps Turns 242 Today!!

A big happy birthday to those men and women of the United States Marine Corps.  It was on this date November 10, 1775, that the Continental Congress authorized that two battalions of Marines be raised.

Thanks Marines for all your service.

Tom Grosvenor Memorial Marine Corps Birthday Breakfast for Toys for Tots-- Part 1

This past Saturday, Nov. 4, the Fox Lake American Legion was the site of the 34th annual Tom Grosvenor Memorial Marine Corps Birthday Breakfast for Toys for Tots.  The Marine Corps runs the Toys for Tots.

It cost $7 for breakfast consisting of really black and strong coffee, SOS and scrambled eggs.  You either made a donation or brought along a toy.

I sat with Ben Floyd, one of the original thirteen Marines who met on Saturday, November 10, 1983 at Hoff's Kitchen in Grayslake, Illinois, as a way to get together with other Marines, talk over old times, help Toys for Tots and enjoy the camaraderie.  This annual tradition continues on to today.

Seventy-five years ago, Nov. 4, Marines took the airfield on the island of Guadalcanal and though fighting would continue for another three months, this was a big turning point in the hard-fought battle.

Marine-Backer  --RoadDog

Will I Miss Tom Petty?-- Part 2: Albums and CDs

My Tom Petty albums:

Damn the Torpedoes
Hard Promises
Long After Dark
Pack Up the Plantation: Live!
Full Moon Fever
Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)
Southern Accents

My Tom Petty CDs

Wildflowers
The Last DJ
She's the One
Into the Great Wide Open
Echo
Greatest Hits  (On my Ultimate Jukebox)

Reckon He Was OK.  --RoadDog

Will I Miss Tom Petty? -- Part 1: Maybe

Caught by surprise in the midst of the horror that took place in Las Vegas, on Monday, we were at Blueberry Hill on Nippersink Lake after boating over to it and someone's "Idge" phone had word that Tom Petty had died.

I'll never forget when my friend Kip had seen him at the Super Bowl half time show and, since he is somewhat older, had never heard him before.  All he could say was, "Who was that guy."  To say the least, he was not impressed at all.

Let's face it, he had probably one of the worst voices ever in rock and roll, but it sounded right in his songs.  But, he could sure jangle those guitars.

Refugee    --RoadDog

Music Deaths: Tom Petty

TOM PETTY, 66  Died October 2, 2017

From Gainesville, Florida.  Had 23 Top 100 songs and  15 Top 40s and 3 Top Tens between 1978 and 1994.  His last big hit was 1994's "Mary Jane's Last Dance," one of my all-time favorite songs.

He formed the band Epics which became Mudcrutch and three members of that group formed the core of his band, the Heartbreakers.

In 1977, he charted with "Breakdown" which went to #40.

Then came hits "Don't Do me Like That" (#10-1980, "Refugee  (#15-1981),  "The Waiting"  (#19--1981) and then a duet with Stevie Nicks  "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around"  (#3-1981).

Later, he was in the supergroup Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne of ELO.

A Great One.

Colder Outside, But Good Times Inside-- Two Bands, Chili Cook-off and the Marines

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2

This was movie day.  I saw "American Made" starring Tom Cruise as a man who got involved in the Central American drug, guns and Contra business back in the late 70s early 80s.  I then saw "Geostorm" about our space station and satellites controlling the weather going wrong.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

We went to the American Legion and met friends for the 50-50.  As usual,we didn't win.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

In the morning I went to the USMC 242nd birthday breakfast and Toys for Tots at the Fox Lake American Legion.  Always good to get together with kindred spirits and support the Corps.  Lots of "Ooh-Rahing."

In the afternoon, Liz and I met Kora and others at the Legion and enjoyed the 50s-70s music of the 3 Aces band from 3 to 6.  We then went over to Sunnyside for a couple, two, three.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

We went to the Squaw Bar at 3 and had a chili cookoff, listened to the Little Joe band play and enjoyed the $6 pitchers.  Later went to Sunnyside again.

JSS: Our Teams Out-- A Perfect Afternoon-- NFL Saying Sorry?

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  OUR TEAMS OUT--  Saturday was not only a rainy and cool day, but a real bad one for the teams Liz and I were backing in the Illinois State High School Football Playoffs.  All three of the teams we were backing:  Palatine, Johnsburg and Richmond-Burton were beaten and are out of it.  At least now, I don't have to think about sitting outside in miserable weather.

2.  A PERFECT AFTERNOON--  Yesterday we drove over to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, where they were having a chili cookoff.  Not only that, but they had a band playing in the afternoon, cheap beer ($6 a pitcher domestic) and the Squaw is a perfect dive bar.  Those four things come together to make for a real fun afternoon.

3.  NFL SAYING SORRY?  With the commercials the NFL was running yesterday during the games and the coaching garb on the sidelines, I'd say the NFL was making peace with the great dishonor they did to our veterans with all that sideline kneeling during the National Anthem.

Liz and I were ready to boycott the NFL next Sunday as our little way of saying here's what we think of you.  Now, we can watch the Bears-Packers game, something which we were sadly not going to watch because of all of this.  Now, we'll watch some of it, but if those players kneel during the anthem before the game, the boycott is on again.

--RoadDog

Who Are the Real Heroes? The NFL or Our Veterans

Today, when all those NFL players take a knee and indicate to our veterans what they think of them, let's think of the real heroes.

Yesterday I attended the 34th annual Tom Grosvenor Memorial Marine Corps Breakfast for Toys for Tots at the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion.  This coming Friday, November 10 is the 242nd birthday of our Corps.

Everyone stood during the presentation of the colors and National Anthem except one man.

He was at the Vietnam War veterans table...and he was in a wheel chair,  He was missing a leg.

Certainly a reason not to stand, but I know he would have if he could have.

Something to think about today when you see that offensive show of disrespect out on the sidelines before the game.

I wonder who paid the price so those football players could make their millions of dollars?

We Know.  --RoadDog

Movie Scratches: Pirates-- Despicable-- Spiderman-- House

37.  PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:  DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES--  June 14--  Fox Lake, $5--  That was one really mean Spanish captain.  All's well that ends well.

38.  DESPICABLE ME 3--  July 10--  Fox Lake, $6--  Looking for the unicorn and fighting the 80s child star.

39.  SPIDERMAN:  HOMECOMING--  July 10--  Fox Lake, $6--  What was that thing Roger Dangerfield always said?  Spidey just looking for a little respect.

40.  THE HOUSE--  July 11--  Woodstock, Free--  Beware the "Butcher!"  The house always wins.

Expensive Popcorn.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for November 3, 1967-- Part 7: "The Letter"

The Top Ten Songs this week, fifty years ago.

10.  EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART--  Soul Survivors   #4
9.  HUSH--  Billy Jo Royal   #52
8.  PURPLE HAZE--  Jimi Hendrix   #65

7.  IT MUST BE HIM--  Vicki Carr   #3
6.  HOW CAN I BE SURE--  Young Rascals   #4
5.  INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS--  Strawberry Alarm Clock   ##1
4.  RAIN, THE PARK & OTHER THINGS--  Cowsills   #2

3.  THE LETTER--  Box Tops    #1
2.  LET IT OUT--  Hombres   #12
1.  TO SIRE WITH LOVE--  Lulu   #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "A 'Preachment, Dear Friends, You Are About To Receive On John Barleycorn, Nicotine and the Temptations of Eve."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You can outlast the Energizer bunny.

"Let It Out"  ("Let It All Hang Out")

WLS Top 40 for November 3, 1967-- Part 6: ""Treat Her Groovy"

15.  HEY BABY, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG--  Buckinghams    #12

14.  NEVER MY LOVE--  Association   #2   Formed in Los Angeles in 1966.

13.  SOUL MAN--  Sam & Dave   #2  How do you get any better Soul Music?

12.  TREAT HER GROOVY--  New Colony Six    Did not rank.  WLS pushing local Chicago talent again.

11.  LOOK OF LOVE--    Dusty Springfield    #22   From the James Bond movie spoof "Casino Royale."

--Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Coming To You On a Dusty Road, Good Lovin' I Got a Truck Load."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  Your firsdt-aid kit contains two pints of coffee with an I-V hookup.

"Soul Man"

WLS Top 40 for November 3, 196-- Part 5: "Love Me Forever"

20. FACE THE AUTUMN--  Family    No ranking.  WLS backing another Chicago area band.

19.  KENTUCKY WOMAN--  Neil Diamond   #22  I'm a bit surprised this song didn't go higher.  Born Noah Kaminsky in 1941.

18.  THE LAST WALTZ--  Engelbert Humperdink   #24  Born in Madras, India.  His first hit was "Please Release me" in 1967.

17.  CHILD OF CLAY--  Jimmy Rodgers   #31

16.  LOVE ME FOREVER--   Bobby Vinton   #6  "Please Love me Forever"  Born in Pennsylvania

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Shines With Her Own Kind of Light."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Kentucky Woman"

Music Deaths: Frank Slay-- Singer, Writer and Producer

FRANK SLAY, 87  Died September 30, 2017

Sang "The Flying Circle  (#45-1961)  Had a version of "Hava Nagila."

Cowrote "Silhouettes" which was a big hit for several artists.  Also cowrote "La Dee Dah" and "Tallahassee Lassie."

Was A&R director for Swan records and produced "Incense and Peppermints."  Owned Claridge Records whose biggest hit was "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You."

Music Deaths: Guy Villari, Lead Singer of Regents

GUY VILLARI, 74  Died September 22, 2017

Lead singer of the Regents  "Barbara Ann"  (#13-1961) and "Runaround"  (#28-1961)

He got the name Regents from their recording studio and his brand of cigarettes.

He recorded "Barbara Ann" in 1958 but couldn't find a record company to release it.

WLS Top 40 for November 3, 1967-- Part 4: "Your Precious Love"

25.  WATCH THE FLOWERS GROW--  Four Seasons    #30   Produced by Bob Crewe.

24.  EVERLASTING LOVE--  Robert Knight    #13  His biggest hit.  Born in Franklin, Tennessee, in 1943.

23.  NATURAL WOMAN--  Aretha Franklin   #8   Full title "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."  Of course, Murphy Brown's favorite song.

22.  YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE--  Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell   #5

21.  LOVE IS STRANGE--  Peaches & Herb   #13   Francine Barker and Herb Fame.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Looking Out On the Morning Rain I Used To Feel So Uninspired."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Natural Woman"

WLS Top 40 for November 3, 1967-- Part 3: "Out of the Blue"

30.  IT'S YOU THAT I NEED--  Temptations   #14   Full title "(Loneliness Made Me Realize That) It's You That I Need."

29.  SHE'S STILL A MYSTERY TO ME--  Lovin' Spoonful   #27   Not one of their better-known songs, but a classic in my book.

28.  I'M WONDERING--  Stevie Wonder   #12.  I didn't remember this one. Born in Saginaw, Michigan.  Blind since birth.

27.  STAG-O-LEE--  Wilson Pickett   #22   "The Wicked Pickett."  Adopted from the traditional folk song "Stack-'O-Lee."

26.  OUT OF THE BLUE--  Tommy James & the Shondells   #43  

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Smiles Your Way Through a Window."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You introduce your spouse as your "Coffee Mate."  --

"She's Still a Mystery"

WLS Top 40 for November 3, 1967-- Part 2: "An Open Letter to My Teenage Son"

35.  EVEN THE BAD TIMES ARE GOOD--  Tremeloes    #36   British pop rock quintet, but foursome on this song.  2:31 of great pop rock.

34.  PAPER CUP--  Fifth Dimension   #34    L.A.-based R&B group.  Not one of their better-known songs, but a great one nonetheless.  They sure could sing.

33.  AN OPEN LETTER TO MY TEENAGE SON--  Victor Lundberg   #10   (D)   Ex-dj and newsman.  Spoken word with patriotic music in the background.  His only Top 100.  That war in Asia was tearing the country apart.

32.  GLAD TO BE UNHAPPY--  Mamas and Papas    #28   A really, really short one at just 1:42.

31.  WILD HONEY--  Beach Boys    #31  Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961.  One of their many good songs after their amazing run from 1962-1966.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Fools Rush In So here I Am."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You soak your dentures in coffee overnight.


"Glad To be Unhappy"