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

Monday, December 31, 2018

Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees for 2019 Induction


November 8, 2018

Tommy James
Lloyd Price
Cat Stevens

Mike Love (Beach Boys)
Jeff Lynn  (ELO)
Tommy Boyce and Booby Hart

L. Russell Brown & Irvin Fuller  Wrote most of the hits for Tony Orlando & Dawn
Jerry Fuller   Wrote most of Gary Puckett's hits)
Jack Tempchin  Wrote many Eagles hits.

F.F. Sloan & Steve Barri   "Wrote "Eve of Destruction" and many hits for the Grass Roots
Tom T. Hall  "Harper Valley PTA"
Roger Nichols    Hits for Paul Williams and Carpenters

Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham   "Cry Like A Baby" and "I'm Your Puppet"

Winners will be announced June 13, 2019, in New York City.

--RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "Food is an important part of a balanced diet."  Fran Lebowitz


Sunday, December 30, 2018

WLS Top Ten for December 30, 1968: "Things I'd Like To Say"


The Top ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six
3.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Supremes / Temptations

4.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells
5.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
6.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
7.  STORMY--  Classics IV

8.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unltd
9.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
10.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

DEBUTS

33.  TOUCH ME--  Doors
39.  EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly & the Family Stone
40.  CALIFORNIA SOUL--  Fifth Dimension

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Now I Don't Hardly Know Her, But I Think I Could Love Her."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Crimson & Clover"


WDRV's A to Z The Letter "L" "Lido Shuffle"


The A to Z continues, now at the letter "L."

LET'S LIVE FOR TODAY--  Grass Rots
LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER--  Rolling Stones
LET'S STAY TOGETHER--  Al Green

LET'S WORK TOGETHER--  Canned Heat
THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker
LEVON--  Elton John

LIDO SHUFFLE--  Boz Scaggs
LIFE DURING WARTIME--  Talking Heads
LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN--  Dream Academy

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE--  Eagles
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY--  Tom Cochrane
LIFE IS A ROCK (BUT THE RADIO ROLLED ME)--

A LIFE OF ILLUSION--  Joe Walsh
LIFE'S BEEN GOOD--  Joe Walsh
LIGHT MY FIRE--  Doors

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Love's Like a Road You Travel On."  Answer below.  --RoadDog




"Life Is A Highway"




Past Movie Scratches: Klunks-- Phantom-- Clones-- Clones-- Sith-- Hope


Movies I watched on TV in 2017.

73.  CHRISTMAS WITH THE KLUNKS--  12-15--  There goes the Caribbean Christmas trip.

74.  STAR WARS:  PHANTOM  MENACE--  12-15--  We meet the cute little Annikin.  You know what he grows up to be, though.

75.  STAR WARS:  ATTACK OF THE CLONES--  12-15--  Annikin starts showing his "problems" which does not bode well for the Jedi.

76.  STAR WARS"  ATTACK OF THE CLONES--  12-16--  Probably the worst romantic effort ever.

77.  STAR WARS:  REVENGE OF THE SITH--  12-16--  Annikin goes "all the way" to the Dark Side and becomes evil Lord Darth Vader.

78.  STAR WARS:  A NEW HOPE--  12-17--  The original "Star Wars,"  now #4 with the prequels.  "Your worshipfulness."

Star War Me.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "I will not eat oysters.  I want my food dead -- not sick, not wounded -- dead."  --Woody Allen

Saturday, December 29, 2018

WDRV's A to Z The Letter "I" "It Don't Come Easy"


It rolls on, A to Z on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

Listening to it while typing my two finders off on these dumb blogs.

Here are some recent songs:

ISLAND GIRL--  Elton John
ISN'T IT TIME--  Babys
ISN'T SHE LOVELY--  Stevie Wonder

IT CAN HAPPEN--  Yes
IT DON'T COME EASY--  Ringo Starr
IT KEEPS YOU RUNNIN'--  Doobie Brothers

IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP--  AC/DC
TOMMY OVERTURE / IT'S A BOY--  Who
IT'S ALL I CAN DO--  Cars

IT'S ALL OVER NOW--  Rolling Stones
IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY--  Bruce Springsteen
IT'S IN THE WAY THAT YOU USE IT--  Eric Clapton

IT'S MY LIFE--  Animals
IT'S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL (BUT I LIKE IT)--  Rolling Stones
IT'S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME--  Billy Joel

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What's The Matter With The Clothes I'm Wearing?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog



"It's Still Rock and Roll To Me"

A Dickens Christmas, Chili Cookoff and Top Christmas Movies


DECEMBER 13, THURSDAY--  Finished putting up Christmas decorations.  Movie "The Possession of Hannah Grace"  Subdivision decorations and "Miracle on 34th Street."

DECEMBER 14, FRIDAY--  Legion for 50-50.

DECEMBER 15, SATURDAY--  "It's a Wonderful Life" Antioch's Dickens Christmas with statues along the streets.    Stores and the Lodge.  Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

DECEMBER 16, Sunday--  Fox Lake American Legion for Bears game (Win). Also, chili cookoff.  I love chili cookoffs.

I now am missing just one of my top four Christmas movies and that is "A Christmas Story," but I know TNT and TBS will have their marathon Christmas Eve and Day so am not worried.

My Top 4 Christmas Movies:

#1 .  "A Christmas Story"
#2.   "Christmas Vacation"
#3.   "It's A Wonderful Life"
#4.   "Miracle On 34th Street"

--RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "I told my doctor I get very tired when I go on a diet, so he gave me some pep pills.   Know what happened?   I ate faster,"    Joe E. Lewis

Friday, December 28, 2018

I'd Celebrate That!!! Dec. 24 to 30: Fruitcake Day!!


DECEMBER 24, MONDAY--  Christmas Eve**  Eggnog Day**  We had ours Monday.

DECEMBER 25, TUESDAY--  Christmas Day**  Pumpkin Pie Day**

DECEMBER 26, WEDNESDAY--  Candy Cane Day   Not too crazy about candy canes.

DECEMBER 27, THURSDAY--  Fruitcake Day**  I don't care what they say.  I love fruitcake, especially with whipped cream on it.

DECEMBER 28, FRIDAY--  Card Playing Day**  But I always lose at solitaire.

DECEMBER 29, SATURDAY--  Tick Tock Day  I won't celebrate it because time goes way too fast these days.  Didn't 2018 just start?  Being retired, I want time to go REAL slow.  It doesn't.

DECEMBER 30, SUNDAY--  Bacon Day**  Crispy, crispy, crispy!!

--RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That, Dec. 17 to 23: Roast Pig Day


DECEMBER 17--  Maple Syrup Day**

DECEMBER  18--  Roast Pig Day**  Pig Pickin'!!!

DECEMBER 19--  Hard Candy Day**  Jolly Rancher!!

DECEMBER 20--  Go Caroling Day**  If it's not too cold.   Sangria Day**

DECEMBER 21--  Winter begins.  Yuck!!  Fried Shrimp Day**  That would help having winter begin.

DECEMBER 22--  Date Nut Bread Day**

DECEMBER 23--  Festivus**   For the Rest of Us.

--RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z-- Part 3: Letter "G" "Good Morning Good Morning"


The Drive, WDRV, 97.1 FM in Chicago is now to the letter "G."  It streams so give a listen.

So far this morning:

GOLD DUST WOMAN--  Fleetwood Mac
GOLDEN SLUMBERS MEDLEY--  Beatles
GOLDEN YEARS--  David Bowie

GONE GONE GONE--  Bad Company
GONE SHOOTIN'--AC/DC
GONNA GET YA--  Pete Townsend

GOOD DAY SUNSHINE--  Beatles
GOOD GIRLS DON'T--  Knack
GOOD LOVIN'--  Young Rascals

GOOD LOVIN' GONE BAD--  Bad Company
GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING--  Beatles
GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES--  Led Zeppelin

GOOD TIMES ROLL--  Cars
GOODBYE STRANGER--  Supertramp
GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD--  Elton John

GOT ME UNDER PRESSURE--  ZZ Top
GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU--  George Harrison
GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE--  Beatles
GRAND ILLUSION--  Styx

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Feeling So Bad, Asked My Family Doctor Just What I Had."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "I've been on a constant diet for the last two decades.  I've lost a total of 789 pounds.  By all accounts, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."   Erma Bombeck

"Good Lovin'"


Thursday, December 27, 2018

I'd Celebrate That!! December 10 to 16: U.S. National Guard Day


DECEMBER 10--  Hannukah Ends  Human Rights Day**

DECEMBER 11--  Noodle Ring Day   What?

DECEMBER 12--  Ding-A-Ling Day**  Chuck berry would be so proud.  Poinsettia Day**  The plant of Christmas.  I have two that are at least 15 years old.

DECEMBER 13--  U.S. National Guard 382nd Birthday**  Our first and last line of defense.   Cocoa Day**

DECEMBER 14--  Bouillabaisse Day

DECEMBER 15--  Wear Pearls Day   Wreaths Across America Day**

DECEMBER 16--  Boston Tea Party Day**  Chocolate Covered Anything Day**

--RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That, December 3 to 9: Pearl Harbor Day


OK, sorry.  I've been forgetting these this month.

DECEMBER 3--  Roof Over Your Head Day

DECEMBER 4--  Santa's List Day   Cookie Day**  The Cookie Monster's Got nothin' on me!!

DECEMBER 5--  Ninja Day    Bathtub Party Day

DECEMBER 6--  Pawnbrokers Day

DECEMBER 7--  Pearl Harbor Day**  I did celebrate it.  Cotton Candy Day

DECEMBER 8--  Brownie Day**

DECEMBER 9--  Pastry Day**

--RoadDog

WDRV's A to Z, the Letter "D": "Draggin' the Line"


You can follow the songs by going to the site and clicking on Music/Concerts and then Music Logs.

The songs started this morning at 6 a.m., with "Do You Know What I Mean" by Lee Michaels.  They went through a whole lots of "Don'ts" songs.

Then:

DOO DOO DOO HEARTBREAKER--  Rolling Stones
DOOLIN' DALTONS--  Eagles
DOUBLE VISION--  Foreigner

DOWN BY THE RIVER--  Neil Young
DOWN BY THE SEASIDE--   Led Zeppelin
DOWN ON THE CORNER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

DOWN TO THE WATERLINE--  Dire Straits
DRAGGIN; THE LINE--  Tommy James
DRAW THE LINE--  Aerosmith

DREAM ON--   Aerosmith
DREAM POLICE--  Cheap Trick
DREAM WEAVER--  Gary Wright

Name That Tune (from the above songs:  "Early In The Evenin' Just About Supper Time."    Answer Below.  --RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS:  "This recipe is certainly silly.  It says to separate two eggs, but it doesn't say how far to separate them."  Gracie Allen

"Down On the Corner"



Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Music Deaths: Scott English, Wrote "Bend Me Shape Me"


SCOTT ENGLISH, 81

Died November 16, 2018

Born in Brooklyn.  Composer.  Wrote "bend Me Shape Me" for the American Breed  (#5-1968),  "Mandy" for Barry Manilow  (#1-1975)  Original name was Brandy.

On his own, "high On a Hill"  (#77-1964) and his version of "Brandy"  (#91-1972).

Also wrote "Help Me Girl" in 1966 with Larry Weiss.  It was a hit for Eric Burdon and the Outsiders.  Wrote songs for Thin Lizzy.


WDRV's A to Z Is Back: The Letter "C" "Can't Buy Me Love"


Happy to report that the Drive's A to Z where they go through some of their music library alphabetically.  Even better, they dig down deep to what they call "Deep Tracks" and don't play just the usual playlist.

It started yesterday morning at 6:01 AM with Genesis' "Abacab" and is at the letter "C" right now.  They don't play the A to Z at night from midnight to 6 am, though, which is good because it gives you a chance to hear a lot of them.

Recently, they went through the "Can't" songs:

CAN'T BUY ME LOVE--  Beatles
CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING--  REO Speedwagon
CAN'T FIND MY WAY BACK HOME--  Blind Faith

CAN'T GET ENOUGH--  Bad Company
CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD--  ELO
CAN'T STAND LOSING YOU--  Police

CAN'T YOU HEAR ME KNOCKING--  Rolling Stones
CAN'T YOU SEE--  Marshall Tucker Band

Since then:

CANARY IN A COAL MINE--  Police
CANDLE IN THE RAIN--  Elton John
SHOO-BE-DOO CANDY-O--  Cars

CANDY'S ROOM--  Bruce Springsteen
CANNONBALL--  Supertramp
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY--  Elton John
CAPTAIN JACK--  Billy Joel

Hey, it streams at www.wdrv.com.  This goes on until after New Year's Day.

Listening to the Radio.  --RoadFM

Name That Tune (from the above songs):   "Gonna Take A Freight Train Down To The Station, Lord."  answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Winter Wonderland"  Parson Brown demanding they get married?    Forced partnership


"Can't You See"


Monday, December 24, 2018

Some Christmas Songs To Get You In the Mood


Yesterday, Bob Stroud had his annual Holiday Hootenanny on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

All three hours of  it were Christmas or seasonal songs.

Here are some of the songs he played:

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN--  Crystals
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY--  Bruce Springsteen
I'M GONNA LASSO SANTA CLAUS--  Brenda Lee

FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Kinks
2000 MILES--  Pretenders
SLEIGH RIDE--  Ventures

RING OUT (SOLSTICE BELLS)--  Jethro Tull
SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN-- Elvis Presley
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN--  Tom Petty

Ho Ho Ho.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Mitletoe and Holly"  Overeating, folks stealing a kiss or two?  Really?

Movie Scratches: Instant-- Creed-- Rhapsody-- Widows


Movies Seen At Theaters This Year.

The number refers to the number of movies I've seen.  The two numbers refer to the day.  $ is amount paid.

41.  INSTANT FAMILY--  11-20--  Fox Lake, $5--  All is not wonderful on the adoption front.  A rare movie that made me laugh out loud and tear up.  Very few "F" bombs for a change.

42.  CREED II--  11-29--  Fox Lake, Free--  Like fathers, like sons.  Sons hope to measure up.  And then there's Rocky.

43.  BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY--  11-29--  Fox Lake, $6--  The voice, the music, the showmanship.  Wow!!

44.  WIDOWS--  12-6--  Round Lake Beach, $6--  Ladies go quickly professional criminal.  A lesson in Chicago politics.  It's owe we are, so its off to crime we go.

Put That Seasoning Salt On!!  RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Jingle Bell Rock"  "Giddyup jingle horse, pick up your feet."  Animal abuse.

Music Deaths: Roy Clark, Country Music


ROY CLARK, 85

Died November 15, 2018

Had a Country crossover hit with "Yesterday When I Was Young"  (19-1969).

Co-host for the long-running TV show "Hee Haw."  (24 years)

Had 52 songs on the country charts between 1963 and 1989.

Buck Owens was his "Pickin' and Grinnin'"  partner.

And could he ever play that guitar.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

WLS Top Ten for December 23, 1968: "Son Of A Preacher Man"


Fifty Years Ago.  That's a Half Century for Those of You Who Are Counting.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
3.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six

4.  STORMY--  Classics IV
5.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
6.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes
7.  CINNAMON--  Derek

8.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder
9.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
10.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells

DEBUTS

35.  MY FAVORITE THINGS--  Herb Alpert
39.  HEY JUDE--  Wilson Pickett
40.  I STARTED A JOKE--  Bee Gees

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  Make the Yuletide Gay?   Wow, just Wow!!  You're kidding me.


"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"



Saturday, December 22, 2018

MAC and NIU Stinking Up Bowl Games Again


It is getting to the point that I would just as soon that my school, Northern Illinois, didn't go to any more college bowl games.  It is embarrassing.  We have now reached six straight bowl losses and most of them have been by blowout scores.

And, the same goes for our whole football conference, the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Gone are the days when the MAC only got one bowl invitation.  Back in 2003, NIU had a 10-2 record and beat five Power Conference foes, two of whom were ranked when we played them.  But, we lost a game to Toledo (of course) and they went and we sat home.

This year, the MAC had six teams in minor bowl games.  So far the MAC record is 1-4, with just one game remaining, Buffalo vs. Troy in Mobile later tonight.

MAC teams shown in caps.

Georgia Southern 23  EASTERN MICHIGAN 21
University of Alabama-Birmingham 37  NIU 13
OHIO  27  San Diego State University
Florida International University 35  TOLEDO 32
Brigham Young University  49  WESTERN MICHIGAN  18

Please, Santa, No More MAC or NIU Bowl Games!!!  --RoadLoss

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Do You Hear What I Hear"  Blatant disregard for the hearing impaired.

Dec. 23:  Final score in the Buffalo-Troy game:  Troy 42  BUFFALO 32.  So, the MAC went 1-5 in bowl games.  Please, no more bowl games for the MAC!!

And, I see they are adding one more bowl game for the MAC in 2019 in Myrtle Beach.  Last thing we need.




Music Deaths: Freddie Hart, Country, "Easy Loving"


FREDDIE HART, 91

Died October 27, 2018

Had a country crossover hit with "Easy Loving"  )#17-1971)

Born Frederick Segrest in Alabama.  Entered the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II at age 15.

"Easy Loving" won the Country Music Academy Song of the Year award.

All told, on the country charts, he had 48 hits, including six #1s.


Music Deaths: Tony Joe White, "Polk Salad Annie"


TONY JOE WHITE, 75

Died October 24, 2018

From Oak Grove, Louisiana.  He only had one Top 40, but it was one of my favorites, "Polk Salad Annie" (#8-1969).

He also wrote Brook Benton's "Rainy Night in Georgia"  (#4-1970)

"Gators Got Your Granny."

Friday, December 21, 2018

A Busy Weekend-- Part 4: Sad Packer Inn, Donovan's, Sunnyside and Margaritaville


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Listened to the usual radio shows at home.

We then drove to Silver Lake, Wisconsin, just over the border and met a buddy there.  Liz and I cheer for the Packers if they are not playing Da Bears.  And today, the Packers were on at noon and the Bears at 7:30.  One problem nowadays when you are playing well is that you get switched to late night games.  This originally was supposed to also be a noon game for the Bears.  I hate night football.

We had been to the Packer Inn back in the late 1980s, but hadn't been back since then.  Back then, it was standing room only with lots of cheering, but not anymore.  It was dead.  We were practically the only ones in there watching the game.  Plus, there were no food or drink specials.  We left at half time and drove over to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and found a crowd of Packer fans and enjoyed the rest of the game.

Then, we drove to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg, Illinois, where Friend Steve was having his 80th birthday party.  Watched the Bears game against the Rams at home at our bar, Margaritaville, in the basement.

Kind of Doubt We'll Be Back at the Packer Inn.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Frosty the Snowman"  Sexist.  Not a snow woman.


Music Deaths: Dominick "Randy" Safuto, "Denise"


DOMINICK "RANDY" SAFUTO, 71

Died October 16, 2018

Lead singer of Randy &the Rainbows.  His group was originally a doo-wop ensemble named the Dialtones, but when Laurue Records picked them up, they renamed the group Randy and the Rainbows and Dominick became "Randy."

"Denise" (#10-1963) became their only Top 40 song.  But, what a song.

Dominick was reportedly asked to join the Four Seasons after Nick Massi left the group, but turned down the offer out of loyalty to the group and his brother who was also in the group.


Thursday, December 20, 2018

A Busy Weekend-- Part 3: Army-Navy Football Game At the Legion


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

"Day of Infamy" Day.

We went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the annual Army-Navy game.  It is a big deal, obviously at the Legion.  We had a standing room only crowd with a lot of people pulling for Army and the same for Navy.  There is such a lot of tradition at this game.

I was pulling for my favorite team for a change, Navy.  Until two years ago Navy had beaten Army 14 straight times.  And I generally always pull for the underdog.  But Army won the last two games and now I can go Navy.

Sadly, Army won, but Navy made it a good game after Army's opening touchdown drive.

We then went to Sunnyside.

--Go NAVY.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Santa Baby"  A Gold Digger.  Blackmail.

Music Deaths: Bernadette Carroll, "My Boyfriend's Back"


BERNADETTE CARROLL, 74

Died October 5, 2018

Started her career with the Starletts (who later became the Angels).  She is the uncredited fourth voice on the Angels' #1 "My Boyfriend's Back" in 1963.

Had a solo hit with "Party Girl"  (#47-1964.

Was one of three backup singers on Lou Christie's "Lightning Strikes" (#1-1966).

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Music Deaths: Geoff Emerick, Abbey Road Engineer


GEOFF EMERICK, 72

Died October 2, 2018

Engineer at Abbey Road studio on most of the Beatles recordings.  Received Grammys for "Sgt. Pepper's" and "Abbey Road" and Paul McCartney's "Band On the Run."

To have been there and participated in all that.

Wow!!



Tuesday, December 18, 2018

My Picks for 2018 Inductees for the Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame


On December 14, I listed the nominated artists for the Class of 2018.

My five picks:

**  Todd Rundgren   Quite a talented and varied career. Of course, there is his "Bang On the Drum" song.

**  Zombies    One of the better 1960s groups.

**  Stevie Nicks    Just something about her fairy quality and that voice.

**  Def Leppard    Hit after hit.

**  John Prine   A personal favorite.  Part of that great Chicago folk scene.

--RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"  Forced gender specific gifts.

Music Deaths: Peggy Sue Gerron, Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue"


I get these deaths from the Oldies Music News site.

PEGGY SUE GERRON, 78

Died October 1, 2018

Hers was the name Buddy Holly used on his 1957 hit.  Crickets drummer asked Holly to change the name of his song "Cindy Lou" because he wanted to impress her.  He later married her, but they divorced in 1964.

(#3-1957)

Music Deaths: Charles Aznavour, Singer, Songwriter


CHARLES AZNAVOUR, 94

Died October 1, 2018

French singer/songwriter best known in the United States for the songs he wrote "Yesterday, When i Was Young"  (#19-1969) Roy Clark, "If You Go Away"  and "My Way" (#27-1969)  Frank Sinatra.

He recorded more than 1,200 songs in seven different languages.  He was involved in the French Resistance in World War II.

This man, though I have never heard of him before, led quite a varied life.  Check out Wikipedia.

Monday, December 17, 2018

A Busy Weekend-- Part 2: Old Friends, Vets and Ed Bearrs


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

This being Pearl Harbor Day, the 77th anniversary, I wrote about it in all my blogs.  My flags were already up for President Bush's funeral.

I drove to Bristol, Wisconsin, to have breakfast with former teachers from John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois.  We had our first get-together back in November and hope to get it to being a regular monthly thing.  It is always fun to get together with old friends, especially ones you don't often see.  A lot of retired teachers from Round Lake have moved to warmer climes, but enough of us stay here to have them.

Afterwards, I drove to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion Post 703 where we were putting on our annual Christmas dinner for the people at the VA Hospital in North Chicago.  I worked in the kitchen plating yams, mashed potatoes and gravy.  We served around 125.

Later I drove to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and visited the grave of Liz's parents in Memory Gardens and then, with some difficulty found the place where Ed Bearrs was going to speak for the Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table at the Arlington Hts. Museum.  Mr. Bearrs is one of the preeminent Civil War people, having written many books and led many battlefield tours.  It was worth the distance and confusion to hear him.  I will eventually get around to writing about him in my Civil War blog.

A Very Long Day.  --RoadDog

A Busy Weekend-- Part 1: President George H.W. Bush, Memories and Movies


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

Wrote about yesterday's funeral for our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, in all of my blogs.

Bob Stroud went to 1971 for his Ten at Ten.  A great year of music for me as I was at UGA for the first half and NIU the second half.  My high school and college years are still my favorite for music  That would be 1965 to 1973.    I always pick a favorite song of the ten, usually ones that bring back a memory.

However, today, I had to pick two.  "Reeling In the Years" by Steely Dan always reminds me of driving the famous "Ramblin' Wreck," my 1963 puke green Rambler station wagon back and forth between Palatine and Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois, during my student teaching.  The other song is Pure Prairie League's "Amy."  However, Bob  pointed out that it was released in 1972 but didn't get popular until 1975, when I really liked it.

Drove to Round Lake Beach and saw two movies at Regal Cinemas:  "Widows" and "Overlord."  I am trying to reach my yearly goal of 52 movies seen in theaters and have a bunch to go and running out of time.  Both great movies.  And, Regal Cinemas has $6 tickets, a free mall bag of popcorn ($2 for a large tub), $2 drinks and best of all, $2 Nathan's hot dogs all day Monday to Thursday..

Ate at Hardee's in RLB.  We don't have many Hardee's here in northern Illinois.  Try their double sliders.  Sorry White Castle.

--RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"    Bullying.




Sunday, December 16, 2018

WLS Top Ten for December 16, 1968: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"


Fifty years ago this week according to the WLS Hit Parade.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
3.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion

4.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six
5.  CINNAMON--  Derek
6.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder
7.  STORMY--  Classics IV

8.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross & the Supremes
9.  BOTH SIDES NOW--  Judy Collins
10.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--   Dusty Springfield

DEBUT SONGS

31.  BELLA LINDA--  Grassroots
34.  CONDITION RED--  Goodees
35.  PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG--  Otis Redding

37.  STAND BY YOUR MAN--  Tammy Wynette
39.  WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN--  Brooklyn Bridge
40.  GOODNIGHT MY LOVE--  Paul Anka

Hey, you Beach Music fans.  Go to You Tube and give a listen to the Goodees "Would You, Could You" and "Double Shot Of My Baby's Love."

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Someone I've Needed So Long."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Most Wonderful Time Of the Year"  Everyone telling you to be of good cheer?  Forced to hide your depression?


"For Once In My Life"

Friday, December 14, 2018

Nominees for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announced


Announced on October 9.

Todd Rundgren
Zombies
Stevie Nicks
Kraftwerk
Chaka Khan & Rufus
Def Leppard
Devo
Janet Jackson
LL Cool J
MC5
Radiohead
Rage Against the Machine
Roxy Music
Cure
John Prine

Winners announced in December  Induction March 29, 2019, in New York.  My five picks for inductees next week.

Some Long Overdue Ones Here.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"  Sees you when you're sleeping?  Knows when you're awake?  Peeping Tom?  Stalker?

Music Deaths: Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane and Starship


MARTY BALIN, 76

Died September 27, 2018

Vocalist, guitarist and co-founder of Jefferson Airplane.  Was also with Jefferson Starship on "Miracles"  (#3-1975).  Had a solo Top ten with "Hearts"  (#8-1981)

With the Airplane on "Somebody To Love"  (#5-1967), "White Rabbit"  (#8-1967)

Was also on "With Your Love"  (#12-1972) and "Count On Me"  (#8-1978).

With the KBC band with fellow Airplane alum Paul Kantner and Jack Cassidy.

Music Deaths: Don McGuire of the Hilltoppers


DON McGUIRE, 87

Died September 7, 2018

Last surviving member of the Hilltoppers which formed at Western Kentucky State College and named themselves after the team name.

They had hits with "Only  You (And You Alone)"  and (#8-1955), "Marianne"  (#3-1957).  Their "P.S. I Love You" (not the Beatles song) was also quite popular.

You want to see some clean cut guys, this would be your group.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 7: The Top Ten


The number behind the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

10.  STORMY--  Classics IV    #5
9.  BOTH SIDES NOW--  Judy Collins     #8
8.  WICHITA LINEMAN--  Glen Campbell    #3

7.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes      #1
6.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six      #16
5.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton    #9
4.  CINNAMON--  Derek    #11

3.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion      #4
2.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder     #2
1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye     #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

PC INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "White Christmas"    Really, really racist


"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

JSS-- Sorry For the Patriots?-- Christmas Decs-- Snow in N.C.


JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SORRY FOR THE PATRIOTS?--   We loved the end of that Patriots-Dolphins game Sunday.  Somehow no one around here feels sorry for New England. As a matter of fact there was much cheering.  Let's see that again.

2.  CHRISTMAS DECS--  Just now getting the outside Christmas decorations up as between the cold and snow, but especially the C-O-L-D I haven't had much opportunity.

3.  SNOW IN N.C.--  Sorry to hear about all that snow in North Carolina.  I know even a ten-inch snowfall fouls us up here in northern Illinois, but twenty inches there?  Good luck with that one.

Anybody But the Patriots!!!  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968: "Shame, Shame"


15.  GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS--  1910 Fruitgum Company     #37   We need MORE Bubble Gum Music.  Only 2:16 long.

14.  SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lanterns     #29   You rarely hear this one on the oldies stations.  You should hear it.  This is a really great song.  From Lancashire, England.

13.  TILL--  Vogues       #27   Slow.  Right out of the 1940s for this one.  These guys met in high school in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.

12.  SHAKE--  Shadows of Knight      #46   If you liked "Gloria" you'll like this one.  This song is considered Bubble Gum music.  I don't classify it as that.  From Chicago's Northwest Suburbs.

11.  WHO'S MAKIN' LOVE--  Johnny Taylor       #5   Born in 1938 in Crawfordsville, Arkansas.  His biggest hit was 1976's "Disco Lady" which went to #1.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All You Fellows Gather Around Me And Let me Give You Some Good Advice."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

PC INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Holly Jolly Christmas"  Kuss her once for me?  Something about an unwanted advance.  Dangerous in these Me Too days.


"Who's Makin' Love"

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 5: "Son of A Preacher Man"


20.  CAN'T TURN YOU LOSE--  Chambers Brothers       #37    "I Can't Turn You Lose."    Written by Otis Redding.  One of my all-time favorites.

19.  CHEWY CHEWY--  Ohio Express      #15     And, they're really from Ohio.  Mansfield, that is.  Ah yes.  I LOVE my Bubble Gum Music.  Anytime, Anywhere.

18.  LITTLE ARROWS--  Leapy Lee     #16     Born Lee Graham in 1942 in England.  A happy little song.  A true One Hit Wonder.

17.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield     #10    Born Mary O'Brien in London 4/16/39.  A white gal singing soil?  She pulled it off.

16.  SEE SAW--  Aretha Franklin      #14     From the last song to this one, how much soul can you handle?

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Sometimes You Love Me Like A Good Man Should."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


P.C. INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "The Christmas Song."  Open fire?  pollution.  "Folks dressed up like Eskimos?"  Cultural appropriation.


"See Saw"


Monday, December 10, 2018

Movie Scratches: Halloween-- Nutcracker-- Grinch-- Beasts


Movie Scratches--  Movies I have seen in the theater this year.

As I scramble to reach my annual goal of 52 movies a year.

37.  HALLOWEEN--  10-31--  Fox Lake, $5--  A real good day to see this movie.  He's B-A-C-K!!!  And still doesn't like anything, especially his sister.

38.  NUTCRACKER:  THE FOUR REALMS--  11-19--  Fox Lake, $6--  The story behind the famous ballet.  The real bad guy was a surprise.  Should we say the Wicked Sugar Plum Fairy and her army?

39.  DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH--  11-19--  Fox Lake $6--  Gotta love that big old reindeer.  Cindy Lou Who grows the Grinch's heart how many sizes?

40.  FANTASTIC BEASTS:  THE CRIMES OF GRENDELWALD--  Fox Lake, $6--  Harry's prequel.  The young Dumbledor and an earlier attempt to purify the wizards and witches.  Mean old Johnny.

This time of the year, I scramble to meet my yearly quota, especially before schools get out and parents use the movies as babysitters.

--RoadDog



WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 4: "Promises, Promises"


25.  CLOUD NINE--  Temptations      #6    The Temps getting psychedelic with that hard life.  Originally the Primes then the Elgins.

24.  PROMISES, PROMISES--  Dionne Warwick      #19    Bacharach and David could sure write 'em.  Dionne could sure sing 'em.   From East Orange, New Jersey.

23.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes       #2    With the Temptations.   Now there's a combination for you.  Was this song by the Primettes and Primes?

22.  THOSE WERE THE DAYS--   Mary Hopkin      #2      By far her biggest hit.   Hard to believe that "Those Days" are over fifty years ago.

21.  HANG 'EM HIGH--  Booker T. & the MGs     #9   Another great instrumental.  Sounds western to me.  I can almost see that cowboy riding off into the sunset.   Title song of the Clint Eastwood movie.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Childhood Part Of My Life Wasn't Very Pretty."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

PC  INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"--  subjecting minors to soft porn.


"Cloud Nine"

Sunday, December 9, 2018

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 3: "Soulful Strut"


The number after the artist is how high the song got on the national Billboard Top 100 Chart.

30.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Trio     #3    The biggest of three hits by the Chicago group.   A soulful instrumental by a group also called Young Holt Unlimited.

29.  PICKIN' WILD MOUNTAIN BERRIES--  Peggy Scott / Jo Jo Benson      #27    Soul duo's biggest hit.     Try to hear it and not butt scoot, especially the beginning.

28.  KENTUCKY WOMAN--  Deep Purple    #38   Going heavy with a Neil song.  British pioneer heavy metal band.   Follow up to "Hush" which went to #4 in 1968.

27.  STRAIGHT LIFE--  Bobby Goldsboro     #36     Toured with Roy Orbison 1962-64 before going out on his own.   Probably couldn't make a song with this title anymore.  Might offend someone.

26.  SCARBOROUGH FAIR--  Sergio Mendes / Brazil 66     #16     Follow  up to their versions of "The Look of Love" and "The Fool On the Hill."   A Latin jazz up of the Simon & Garfunkel hit.  Great song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Shines In her Own Kind Of Light."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


This Past Weekend-- Part 3: Da Bears, Da Party and Double D


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018

The problem with having the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party when we did was that it was opposite the Bears game.  I sure would have been watching it somewhere.  But, I did listen to it on the car radio on the way back home from Huntley and got home just in time to see the end and was that ever exciting as the Bears tied it up as time expired.  Sadly, they lost in overtime.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, where they were having a fundraiser for a musician.  Two of our favorite performers, Jim Sieg and Uncle Will, were performing and we had a great time.  We also met Double D, who is a big-time NIU fan, so we had a great time talking Huskie football.

We found out he was also a big DeKalb Footstomper fan and he was the one who hired them to play at his birthday party at After the Fox in McHenry which was their second-to-last performance as they have retired after playing together for 45 years.

Busy Day.  --RoadDog

This Past Weekend, December 2-- Part 2: "Rubber Soul," McHenry County Civil War Round Table and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

Bob Stroud saluted the 53rd anniversary of the Beatles' "Rubber Soul" album.    He played all the songs on both the British and American editions.  Over a century old.

Drove to Pine Crest Golf Club in Huntley, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party.  We had about 40 in attendance and I met some interesting people from the Northern Illinois History Association, an umbrella group for all history groups in the northern part of our state.  The problem with all history groups is how to get the younger people interested.

We had an excellent buffet followed by an evening with Mr. and Mrs Lincoln, Max and Donna Daniels, very fitting as we approach the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood tomorrow.  Mrs. Lincoln reminded us that this was also the 200th anniversary of her birthday (December 18, 1818).  If you ever get a chance to see one of this pair's shows, go see it.

--RoadDog

FOOD COMMENTS (from the July 1, 2017 Orange Peel Gazette):  "Artichokes ... are just plain annoying....  After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual 'food' out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking thirty or forty postage stamps.  Have the shrimp cocktail instead."  --Miss Piggy



Saturday, December 8, 2018

This Past Weekend: Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Movies, Bars, Band, and Two Sad Days


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Movie day for me.  I saw the movies "Creed II" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."  I always try to see at least 52 movies every year, one for every week.  Today's movies were #42 and #43.  The music in "Bohemian Rhapsody,"  Wow!!!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30

We had more snow  Went to Meijer and ate at Steak 'N Shake.  We met Kevin and Kelly at the Legion and watched the last few exciting minutes of the MAC Championship.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

Today was the anniversary of a very sad day in Chicago history, the Our Lady of the Angels fire which took the lives of 92 students and 3 nuns.  Liz knew some of the students.  Also sad to hear that former President George H.K. Bush died on Friday.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion and had a great time listening to Joe Kadlec in the afternoon.  Then we went to Sunnyside and watched the Northwestern and Georgia Big 10, 11,12,13,14 and SEC championship games.  Sadly, both lost.

--RoadDog



WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 2: "Crimson & Clover"


(D) means Debut.  The number after artist is how high it got on the national Billboard Top 100 charts.

35.  LO MUCH QUE TE QUIERA--  Rene / Rene     #14    Their biggest hit.   From Laredo, Texas.   A Spanish-English song in 1968.  Way before the huge Hispanic influx.

34.  TOO WEAK TO FIGHT--  Clarence Carter    (D)      #13    Blind since the age of one.  DR. CC.  Now, this is some real good soul, but way too short at 2:17.   We need More Clarence!!

33.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas    #5     That B.J. stands for Billy Joe.  Try to hear it and not tap your toes.

32.  CYCLES--  Frank Sinatra     #23      The Pride and Joy of Hoboken, New Jersey.   Ol' Blue Eyes looking at life as only he can.  Doing it his way.

31.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James / Shondells    (D)    #1    Their biggest hit.   Definitely not like their former songs.  Getting all peaceful and psychedelic on us.

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

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  An exercise guru's son named Jim.


"Hooked On A Feeling"




Friday, December 7, 2018

The Day of Infamy, Dec. 7, 1941: House Votes To Make Pearl Harbor A Stand Alone Memorial Site


From the November 15, 2018 Stars and Stripes.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to make Pearl Harbor a stand alone memorial site.

The Pearl Harbor National memorial is now a part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.  This also includes sites in California and Alaska.

Five sites of it are in Pearl Harbor:  the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, Battleship Row and Ford Island.

I am for it being a stand-alone Memorial.



Thursday, December 6, 2018

Death of President George H.W. Bush


Yesterday I watched the coffin of our 41st president taken from the U.S. Capitol building to the National cemetery for his funeral service.

It was a service befitting someone of his great stature and with much military formality.

It was interesting to see all the living presidents in attendance.  Bill Clinton seemed to be talking Michelle Obama's ear off.  That is, until Donald and Ivanna Trump came in.  The Clintons looked straight ahead and did not acknowledge the Trumps.  I thought that was more than a bit petty.  This is not the time to do that.

I was happy to see that the Obamas did greet the Trumps.

The eulogies were wonderful and son George Bush's especially hit home.  I don't know how he didn't break down before he did.

Yesterday afternoon we went to some of our favorite watering holes and I was trying to think what I could wear to honor President Bush.  I settled on my USA baseball cap.  But when we got to Sunnyside, my buddy Mark came in wearing a USS San Jacinto tee shirt and a USS George H.K. Bush hat.

His father served on the USS San Jacinto with George Bush during World War II and Mark had given me a USS San Jacinto hat.  I didn't think about it, but wore it today.

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 1: "If I Can Dream"


These were the Top 40 songs on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM from fifty years ago, December 9, 1968.

(D) means it is a debut song.  The number after the performer is how high it got on the national Billboard charts.

40.  IF I CAN DREAM--  Elvis Presley   (D)     #12    His biggest hit since 1965.      It's the all-black Elvis.  Starts off soft and builds to a crescendo.  Very inspiring indeed.  This was his "Comeback."

39.  SOMEONE TO LOVE ME--  Bobby Vee   (D)    #98    Full title  "I'm Looking For Someone To Love Me."    Never heard this one before, but good song.   Near the end of his career.

38.  GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat    #11    Their biggest hit.   (D)   A great driving song.  Right up there with "On the Road Again."

37.  RAY OF HOPE--  Rascals     (D)     #24     Never heard it before.  They'd come a long way since 1964.  Brotherhood and peace.

36.  RIGHT RELATIONS--  Johnny Rivers    #61     Not what you'd expect from him.   A love song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All This Fussing And Fighting, Man, You Know I Sure Can't Stay."   Answer below.



"Going Up The Country"

Had Enough Illinois Quizzing? Here's Another One


From the November 12, 2017, Chicago Tribune by Phil Marty." Illinois Trivia:  Test Your Knowledge."

The first seven were flip questions.  I had the first five correct but couldn't answer the last two because they referred to pictures which weren't shown.

Then, there were ten map questions where you had to locate a historical site.  I got all of them except the location of the French Fort de Chartres.

Good Luck.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  A hot dog vendor's son named Frank.


Monday, December 3, 2018

Another Illinois Bicentennial Quiz


From the Illinois Chronicles Bicentennial mastermind Quiz.

An interesting one, but to find out how you did you have to send it to them and I chose not to do so.

I might have missed the question about who worked to allow women to vote for U.S. president.  I knew it wasn't the last two.

I also wasn't sure about architect Fazlur Rahman Khan, or when the current Illinois Constitution went into effect or the lab technician from Peoria of which Olympic games Jackie Joyner-Kersey won Gold.

I'll Have To Look Those Up.  --RoadDog

Take a Quiz on Illinois in Honor of Its Statehood Bicentennial


Go to December 3, 2018 Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette  "Bicentennial Celebration:  Take A Quiz" by Tom Kacich.

Here's your chance to show-off your Illinois knowledge.  But, I have to warn you, many of the questions are quite specific and probably easier to answer if you live around that area.  One was definitely a trick question.

I took the quiz and missed 1.2.7.9 and 12.

Like I said, this is a hard quiz.

I got one of the answers because I had seen a couple playing the roles of Abraham and Mary Lincoln yesterday at the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party.

Good Luck.  --RoadDuh

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME:  A sound stage technician's son who is named Mike.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

53rd Anniversary of "Rubber Soul" Release: My Memories


Bob Stroud is doing a Root Salute to this album on his Rock an Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM as this album was released 53 years ago tomorrow.  This album and the one before it "Revolver," marked a major change  in Beatles music from their earlier work.

I remember back before Christmas 1965, I was about to buy my first album ever and was in the record store looking at albums and this was one I was looking at.  It ended up being a choice between this album or Herman's Hermits Greatest Hits.  I did a lot of thinking before going with Herman because this one had a whole lot of hits.  (I later bought "Rubber Soul.")

Albums back then cost $2.99 which was a huge amount for me to spend.  That was essentially six weeks of allowance or 150 pop bottles.  (Two cents a bottle going door-to-door.)  I had to get max bang for my buck.

Little did I know that those two albums would lead to a life-long obsession collecting albums, 45s, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes and CDs.

Earlier, Bob Stroud played "Rubber Soul's" "I'm Looking Through You."  A great song that whenever I write it down on paper, I always absolutely HAVE to put little dots for eyes in the "o'" in the word Look.

I'd sure like to do that right now.

Funny How Music Can Bring Back Memories.  --RoadDog


WLS Top Ten for December 2, 1968: "Abraham, Martin & John"


The top songs in Chicago 50 years ago according to the  890 AM WLS Silver Dollar Survey.  It ain't top 'less LS says So.

1.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
2.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes
3.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

4.  CINNAMON--  Derek
5.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
6.  CHEWY, CHEWY--  Ohio Express
7.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton

8.  WHO'S MAKING LOVE--  Johnny Taylor
9.  WICHITA LINEMAN--  Glen Campbell
10.  SHAME, SHAME--  Magic Lanterns

DEBUT SONGS:

34.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes & Temptations
37.  CLOUD NINE--  Temptations

38.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Trio
39.  HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas
40.  LO MUCH QUE TE QWIERO--  Rene / Rene

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Justice of the Peace's daughter named Mary.

"I Heard It Through The grapevine"

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Past Movie Scratches: Frozen-- Wonderful-- Christmas-- Elf-- Express-- Cops


Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I watched on TV in 2017.

67.  FROZEN--  12-10--  Queen Elsa learning to control her powers and the funny snowman.

68.  IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE--  12-11--  Clarence gets his wings.  ZuZu's rose.  My 3rd favorite Christmas movie.

69.  CHRISTMAS VACATION--  12-11--  Clark Griswald's perfect family Christmas and his poor neighbors.  My 2nd favorite Christmas movie.

70.  ELF--  12-12--  Poor Buddy, who thinks he's an elf, has problems fitting in at the North Pole and New York City.

71.  POLAR EXPRESS--  12-13--  All's Bell that ends Bell.  You've got to believe.  Amazing animation.

72.  LET'S BE COPS--  12-15--  It's always fun until it hits the fan.

--RoadDog