WLS Top 40 for August 4, 1969-- Part 2: "Did You See Her Eyes"wls

35.  YOUR GOOD THING--  Lou Rawls      #18   (Is About To End)   A real slow one.  Born in Chicago.

34.  CLEAN UP YOUR OWN BACKYARD--  Elvis Presley    #35    Elvis goes country / gospel.  From the Elvis movie "The Trouble With Girls."

33.  I'D WAIT A MILLION YEARS--  Grassroots    #15   A great pop song.  Catchy hooks and how they;d get that dot, dot, dot sound at the beginning?

32.  DID YOU SEE HER EYES--  Illusion   (D)      #32     Now, this song is just really cool.  Great Frat Rock.

31.  NITTY GRITTY--    Gladys Knight / Pips   #19    Getting down with it.   R&B family group from Atlanta, formed in 1952, when Gladys was eight.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All Of The Lonely Nights Waiting For You To Come."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"I'd Wait A Million Years"

WLS Top 40 for August 4, 1969-- Part 1: "Pledge of Love"

Theses are the rankings from the WLS music survey of this date.  (D) means a debit.  The number after artist is how high the song got on the national Billboard Hot 100 charts.

40.  SUGAR, SUGAR--  Archies    (D)    #1   People may smirk when they hear this, BUT watch them start singing and bobbing along to it.   Studio group created by Don Kirshner.

39.  KEEM-O-SABE--  Electric Indian     (D)     #16     An instrumental by studio musicians.  Kind of starts like Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk."

38.  TILL YOU GET ENOUGH--  Watts 103rd Street Band      #67   (D) Funky, Funky, Funky.   Charles Wright's group.

37.  OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND--  Little Anthony / Imperials     #52    This one doesn't do it for me.  Some late 60s Doo Wop.

36.  PLEDGE OF LOVE--  Joe Jeffrey Group     #14    He's pledging it big time.   Their only Top 100 song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Are My Candy Girl."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Sugar, Sugar"

Every Blooming THing, Late July 2019

Our yard is at its most colorful and beautiful right now and this will continue well into August.

Right now, the daylillies and tall phlox are blooming, along with the hosta, some of the mums, wild daisies, bee balm and some kind of a pink perennial.  By far, the most striking are the black-eyes Susans and purple coneflowers.  Also, there is some kind of a tall, small flowered yellow sunflower plant in bloom as well.

And, we're talking about hundreds of these plants.

We've finally reached the dry season and I gave to be watering lots of flowers in pots and hanging baskets.

And, then there are those pesky Japanese beetles who continue to eat my plants but pay the price.

--RoadDog


"BABY" TRIVIA TEASER:  Which term is used for a baby otter?   Answer below.


"pup"

WLS Top Ten for July 28, 1969: "Crystal Blue Persuasion"

That's right.  FIFTY years ago.

1.  HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones
2.  IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans
3.  QUENTIN'S THEME--  Charles Randolph Greene Sound

4.  BABY, I LOVE--  Andy Kim
5.  CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION--  Tommy James / Shondells
6.  MY CHERIE AMOUR--  Stevie Wonder
7.  POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White

8.  PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART--  Jackie DeShannon
9.  SWEET CAROLINE--  Neil Diamond
10.  BIRTHDAY--  Underground Sunshine

**********************

DEBUTS

35.  GREEN RIVER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
37.  I'D WAIT A MILLION YEARS--  Grassroots

38.  GET TOGETHER--  Youngbloods
39.  YOUR GOOD THING--  Lou Rawls

40.  OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND--  Little Anthony  / Imperials

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Where It Began, I Can't Begin To Knowin'."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Sweet Caroline"

No More Boating for Us-- Part 1: Woe Is My Boat

This past week, Liz and I entered a new era.  We no longer have a boat.  That is after 33 years and three boats, two of which we bought new.

There were several reasons for this.  One is that we are just getting kinda old.  Climbing in and out of the boat (an open bow 19-footer) seems to be getting a bit harder.  Plus, bad boating weather with cold springs, flooding and way too hot on occasions has eaten into boating time in a big way.  Also, we didn't get the boat into the water until July the past seven years.

We found out about a local boat/car detailing place which sells boats on commission and take car of the whole selling of the boat, including making sure it is in good shape and going out on test runs.  This made the whole selling of the boat much easier.

We sold the 2003 Bayliner which we bought for $13,000 back then.  We had 15 years of great times on it.  We don't count last year as we never had it in the water, between a late start as usual and repairs.

A-Boating We Won't Be Doing Anymore.  --RoadShipless

TRIVIA TEASER:  What kind of an animal was Baby in the 1938 screwball comedy film "Bringing Up baby"?   Answer below.

Leopard

Music Deaths: Bill Isles, Co-founder and Singer with O'Jays

BILL ISLES, 78

Died March 25, 2019

Original member and singer with group from Canton, Ohio.    Featured on songs "Lonely Drifter" (#93-1963) and "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)"  (#48-1965) which are long-time Beach Music favorites.  Quit the group in 1965 and was group's tour manager when they had their biggest hits in the early 1970s with "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" and others.

Music Deaths: Ranking Roger of English Beat and General Public

RANKING ROGER, 56

Died March 26, 2019

English musician and member of English Beat and General Public.  Had a big hit in 1985 with "Tenderness" (#27).  This is a really great song.  Give it a listen on You Tube under General Public.

Ska influenced and know for his Jamaican-style "Toasting" which is sort of rapping, but in a reggae style.

Be sure to listen to him as a member of English Beat doing "Full Stop,"  "Mirror in the Bathroom" and "Can't Get Used to Losing You."

Going Back to the Summer of 1979-- Part 6: "Just the Same Way"

For fun, try to name the artist of the song in the headline,

GOODNIGHT TONIGHT---  Paul McCartney & Wings
DAYTIME, NIGHTTIME SUFFERING--  Paul McCartney & Wings
JUST THE SAME WAY--  Journey

GOLD--  John Stewart
DON'T BRING ME DOWN--  ELO
ROCK AND ROLL FANTASY--  Bad Company

LIGHTS OUT--  UFO (Live)
PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH WIND-- Kansas
LOGICAL SONG--  Supertramp

I WANT YOU TO WANT ME--  Cheap Trick

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Got Me Runnin' Out Of My Mind."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Don't Bring Me Down"

Going Back to the Summer of 1979-- Part 5: "Bad Case of Loving You"

MINUTE BY MINUTE--  Doobie Brothers
WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES--  Doobie Brothers
IN THEE--  Blue Oyster Cult

BAD CASE OF LOVING YOU--  Robert Palmer
AIN'T LOVE A BITCH--  Rod Stewart
MY MY, HEY HEY--  Neil Young

RENEGADE--  Styx
GOODBYE STRANGER--  Supertramp
HOLD ON--  Triumph

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oh, Mama, I'm In Fear For My Life From The Long Arm Of The Law."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Renegade"

JSS: OK, Call It Global Warming-- Japanese Beetles-- Long Distance, Please

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  OK, CALL IT GLOBAL WARMING--  After this past two weeks, go ahead and call it Global Warming.  You'll get no argument from me.

2.  JAPANESE BEETLES--  They're back.  But their numbers don't approach anything like in their heyday ten years ago.  They do two things, eat and procreate.  I often find one on top of another and they are prime targets.  They can't move fast and at least I know I get a female so no eggs and new beetles from her.

3.  LONG DISTANCE, PLEASE--  I read that President Nixon called the Apollo 11 folks fifty years ago.  Hopefully he had a REAL lot of quarters, dimes and nickels to cover THOSE long distance charges in 1969!!   Another quarter, please.

I remember calling Liz in Illinois when my family was on vacation in North Carolina when I was in high school and college.  I would have to gave a pocketful of change.  It seemed that every few minutes the operator was asking for more money.  This was an expensive thing to do.

A Lot Of Japanese Beetles Have Died With Smiles On Their Faces.  --RoadDog

So, What Were You Doing Fifty Years Ago?-- Part 2 Man on the Moon

On the actual day of the Moon landing, I posted about Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the Moon at 4:17:40 Eastern Time on July 20, 1969.  But, for some reason I always felt it was really late at night when Armstrong stepped out of the module and onto the Moon's surface.

Obviously, that time was not late at night.  Is my mind slipping?

Well, in yesterday's Chicago Tribune I found out that 4:17 p.m. was when the module landed on the Moon's surface.  Neil Armstrong did not exit it and step on the Moon's surface until 10:56 p.m. EDT.

So, my mind is still here, at least somewhat.

Not Nice To Fool Me.  --RoadDog

TRIVIA TEASER:  In 1984, which baby was the first infant subject of xenotransplant, living for 21 days after receiving the heart of a baboon?


Answer:  Baby Fae

WLS Top Ten for July 21, 1969: "Crystal Blue Persuasion"

That's right, fifty years ago today.

1.  IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans
2.  CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION--  Tommy James / Shondells
3.  QUENTIN'S THEME--  Charles Randolph Greane Sound

4.  BABY, I LOVE YOU--  Andy Kim
5.  WHAT DOES IT TAKE--  Jr. Walker / Allstars
6.  MY CHERIE AMOUR--  Stevie Wonder
7.  SPINNING WHEEL--  Blood, Sweat & Tears

8.  GOOD MORNING STARSHINE--  Oliver
9.  PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART--  Jackie DeShannon
10.  HONKY TONK WOMAN--    Rolling Stones   (from #30)

*******************
DEBUTS

33.  GIVE PEACE A CHANCE--  Plastic Ono Band
35.  I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN--  Tom Jones

37.  NITTY GRITTY--  Gladys Knight / Pips
39.  TRUE GRIT--  Glen Campbell

40.  CLEAN UP YOUR OWN BACKYARD--  Elvis Presley

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Think Of Your Fellow Man, Lend Him A Helping Hand."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Put A Little Love In Your Heart"

Going Back to the Summer of 1979-- Part 4: "Heart of Glass"

This was Bob Stroud's Summer of 1979 Part 2 where he goes back and plays the songs on the radio and in your record collections 40 years ago.  He does it on the first Sundays of June, July, August and September.  These were the songs around on June 7, 1979.

LET ME OUT--  Knack
SHINE A LITTLE LOVE--ELO
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY--  Van Halen

CRUEL TO BE KIND--  Nick Lowe
BLOW AWAY--  George Harrison
LADY WRITER-- Dire Straits

HEART OF GLASS--  Blondie
CLEVELAND ROCKS--  Ian Hunter    And here I was thinking it was by Drew Carey.
LOVIN', TOUCHIN', SQUEEZIN'--  Journey

DO IT OR DIE--  Atlanta Rhythm Section
LET'S GO--  Cars
GETTING CLOSER--  Paul McCartney & Wings

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Make Me Weep And Wanna Die."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Lovin', Touchin', Lovin' "

So, What Were You Doing Fifty Years Ago?

Well, if you were alive, at least part of the time you were parked in front of your black and white 19-inch TV ( a few lucky folks had color TVs and maybe even as big as 25 inches.

This was too big of a show to miss.  The actual landing took place at 20.17:14 UT, but for us who don't know what that is, it took place at 4:17:40 Eastern Daylight Time.  Man stayed on the Moon for two and a half hours, so definitely watching during this time.

Wow, Man On the Moon.  --RoadDog

Man on the Moon Tomorrow, Fifty Years Ago

Fifty years ago it was all everyone seemed to be talking about.  Something that I never figured would happen.  Man on the Moon.

I was on vacation in North Carolina and staying over at Ronnie Creel's house for the night.  We stayed up watching it on his black and white TV.  And we, being eighteen-year-olds, were not talking about girls that night, but the space program.  If I remember correctly, Keith Hood was also there.

The day before, Keith had gotten in big trouble with his dad when the three of us sank a boat  in a local swamp.  We were puling it over some logs and tree stumps and one  of them yelled, "Snake!!."

This caused all three of us to jump into the boat and send a branch through its bottom.  We had quite some time getting the boat out of that swamp, waterlogged as it was.

Anyway, that event had been forgotten as we watched that flickering reception from the moon.

That Was Quite A Day.  --RoadDog

Whose Baby Appeared On the Cover of the First Issue of TV Guide?   Answer below.


Lucille Ball's

Chicago Cubs Success Breeds Haters, But Not Me

From the July 4, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Paul Sullivan.

It was probably inevitable, but the success of the Cubbies has brought about the haters.  Now, not just certain White Sox fans or Cardinal fans,  but people across the nation.

Data from Twitter suggests that the Cubs are now second only to the New York Yankees in the hatred in the hearts of folks.  The Yankees are the most-hated baseball team in 28 states while the Cubs are a distant second with 8.

I have always disliked the Yankees.  Why, I don't even like the name.  But they have been a bane to my White Sox for too many years to list.  If I was at a Sox game against the Yankees and the Yankee pitcher was throwing a perfect game or a no-hitter, I would seriously have to consider whether I'd be pulling for him.  Well, I would pull for him, but only after much soul searching.

Some Cub-hating states are obvious, like Wisconsin (the Brewers) and Missouri (the Cardinals).  But other states not keen on the North Siders are Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Nevada, Wyoming and South Dakota.  South Dakota?

Other "hateable" teams are Dodgers (5 states), Cardinals and Mets (4 apiece) and Red Sox (1).

I am not a Cubs hater.  As a matter of fact I am a big Cub fan unless they play the White Sox.

Well, at LEAST They Are Not As HATED As the New England Patriots.  --RoadHateYankees

WLS Top Ten for July 14, 1969: "Crystal Blue Persuasion"

Fifty years ago. oldies!!

1.  IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans
2.  CRYSTAL BLUE PETSUASION--  Tommy James / Shondells
3.  SPINNING WHEEL--  Blood, Sweat & Tears

4.  GOOD MORNING STARSHINE--  Oliver
5.  RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN--  Kenny Rogers / First Edition
6.  ONE--  Three Dog Night
7.   BABY I LOVE YOU--  Andy Kim

8.  WHAT DOES IT TAKE--  Jr. Walker  & the Allstars
9.  QUENTIN'S THEME--  Charles Randolph Greane Sound
10. MY CHERIE AMOUR--  Stevie Wonder

*******************

DEBUTS

30.  HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones
33.  HURT SO BAD--  Lettermen

36.  SOUL DEEP--  Box Tops
37.  ABERGAVENNY--  Shannon

38.  MARAKESH EXPRESS--  Crosby, Stills & Nash
39.  WORKIN' ON A GROOVY THING--  Fifth Dimension
40.  A BOY NAMED SUE--  Johnny Cash

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Painted Up Your Lips And Rolled And Curled Your Tinted Hair."  Answer below,  --RoadDog


"Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"

Eagles' "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" Tops "Thriller" as No. 1

From the August 21, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times by Mesfin Fekadu, AP.

"The Eagles' greatest hits album (which includes that Route 66 favorite 'Take It Easy" where he was 'Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona) has moonwalked past Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' to become history's best-selling album of all-time in the U.S.."

The Recording Industry Association of America said the Eagles' album is  now certified 38x platinum, which means sales and streams of it have reached 39 million copies.  The album was released in 1976.

RIAA's platinum status was once equivalent to selling 1 million albums or singles, but in 2013, the company began incorporating streaming from YouTube, Spotify and other digital musical services.  Now 1,500 streams of an album is equivalent to an album sale.

The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in the early 1970s.  Co-founder Glenn Frey died in 2016.

By teh way, the Eagles' "Hotel California" is No. 3.

--RoadEasy

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 7: "In the Year 2525"

The Top Ten, fifty years ago in Chicago.

10.  BABY, I LOVE YOU--  Andy Kim    #9
9.  ISREALITES--  Desmond Dekker & the Aces   #9
8.  LOVE THEME FROM ROMEO & JULIET--  Henry Mancini   #1

7.  RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN--  Kenny Rogers / First Edition    #6
6.  COLOR HIM FATHER--  Winstons       #7
5.  ONE--   Three Dog Night     #5
4.  IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans     #1

3.  GOOD MORNING STARSHINE--  Oliver      #3
2.  SPINNING WHEEL--  Blood, Sweat & Tears   #2
1.  CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION--  Tommy James & the Shondells   #2

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Look Over Yonder, What Do You See."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Crystal Blue Persuasion"

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 6: "Love Me Tonight"

15.  LOVE ME TONIGHT--  Tom Jones     #13     The T.J. Formula at its best.  Sir Tom from Wales.

14.  LET ME--  Paul Revere / Raiders      #20    What, no uniforms?  Poofy shirts?  In the revup67 video.

13.  BLACK PEARL--  Sonny Charles     #13    Listed in Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1993 as being the Checkmates Ltd..   Sonny Charles was their vocalist.   One of the prettiest-ever songs.  A great slow-dancing song.

12.  MY PLEDGE OF LOVE--  Joe Jeffrey Group     #14     Real name Joseph Stafford Jr..  Died September 4, 2016.  Their only Top 100.

11.  WHAT DOES IT  TAKE--  Jr. Walker & the Allstars     #4    One of my all-time favorite soul songs.  Takes me right back to the summer of '69.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You've Been In The Background Much Too Long."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Black Pearl"

JSS: Summer of '79-- The Fours of July-- Breakfast With the Beatles

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  SUMMER OF '79--  In just a little bit, 7 am CDST, Bob Stroud will be going back 40 years to July 7, 1979, and playing those summer songs.  His show is Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  And it streams at www.wdrv.com   It runs 7 to 10 am CDST.  His show will be repeated at 7 p.m. tonight.

2.  THE FOURS OF JULY--  And his station, WDRV, has been running the blocks of four songs from the same group ever since Thursday.  They play one or two well-knowns and then dig deep for the others.  Worth a listen.  It streams.

3.  BREAKFAST WITH THE BEATLES--  And, from 8 to 10 this morning, Terri Hemmert, on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM, will be doing her weekly Beatles show, today featuring Ringo Starr because of his birthday.  It streams as well at www.wxrt.com.

--RoadDog

Trivia:  What movie does the line "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" come from?

"Dirty Dancing"

Every Blooming THing: Early July

The yard is approaching max color as lots of things blooming right now and lots more getting ready to bloom.

The spirea are blooming as are the Missouri primrose, a spreading plant with yellow flowers, a yellow upright perennial, daisies, wild daisies, some mums and marguerettes.

The purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and hostas are getting ready to bloom.

I have a real lot of every one of these plants thanks mostly to transplanting.

This has been a strange year as far as cutting the grass which has been growing like it does in spring ever since I started cutting it in April.  Usually by mid June I can raise the mower to 3 inches and even miss a week of cutting every so often.

I am still trimming the boxwoods which took a big hit in the polar vortex earlier this year.  Same with the burning bushes.

By the way, in June we took a trip along Route 66 through Illinois and Missouri and drove by the old gas station in Waynesville, Missouri, that is now a flower shop called Every Blooming Thing, where I got the name for these yard and flower blog entries.

Strange Year in the Yard So Far.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1968-- Part 5: "My Cherie Amour"

That's right, these were the 40 top songs in Chicago fifty years ago.

20..  TOO BUSY THINKING ABOUT MY BABY--  Marvin Gaye     #4   Follow up to "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" which was his biggest hit, Just have to love that Motown production.

19.  QUENTIN'S THEME--  Charles Randolph Greane Sound     #13  Their biggest and only Hot 100 hit.  Our favorite vampire.

18.  MEDICINE MAN--  Buchanan Brothers     #22  Their biggest hit of two Hot 100s,  He got the potion for perpetual motion.

17.  MY CHERIE AMOUR--  Stevie Wonder      #4   From Saginaw, Michigan.  Well, that Motown Sound, you know.

16.  BAD MOON RISING-- Creedence Clearwater Revival     #2    My ringtone.  Watch Drive Atomic live video.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well It's Bound To Take Your Life."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Bad Moon Rising"

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 4: "Mother Popcorn"

I was in the summer between senior year at Palatine High School and freshman year at Northern Illinois University.  My family went to North Carolina that summer for several weeks and where I watched the Moon Landing.

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the national Billboard Hot 100 charts.

25.  MRS. ROBINSON--  Booker T. & the MGs       #37   Well, you know this group.  Included Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn.   What would Mrs. Robinson say?

24.  MOTHER POPCORN--  James Brown       #11     Follow up to "The Popcorn"  (#30-1969)   Just try to listen to this and not move your body.    This guy had the moves, make sure you watch the video   Nothing like the Godfather of Soul and that horn section.

23.  PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART--  Jackie DeShannon     #4    Her biggest hit.   The perfect flower child.  Watch the live video of her.

22.  ALONG CAME JONES--  Ray Stevens       #27    Follow up to "Gitarzan."   Make sure you watch the really funny animated video.  Just love that gal named Sweet Sue who is in distress.  "Help, he's grabbing me again!"   Me Too?

21.  MOMENTS TO REMEMBER--  Vogues      #47    They only had a #92 after this with "Green Fields."   Originally done by the Four Lads.   A prom/reunion-ready song if there was ever one.  Way too much sap, though.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Day We Tore The Goal Post Down."

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 3: "Get Back"

30.  POLK SALAD ANNIE--  Tony Joe White    #6    Getting real swampy with this one.  Polk salad= okra.  His biggest hit.

29.  GOOD OLD ROCK & ROLL--  Cat Mother & the All Night News Boys     #21    Throw-back RnR to the 1950s  One of my all-time favorites.  Their only Hot 100 song.    New York rock quintet.

28.  SWEET CAROLINE--  Neil Diamond     #4   The whole song title:  "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)",  You just KNOW what you have to say and do.

27.  GET BACK--  Beatles    #1   Watch the video of them playing it on that roof top.  Imagine walking down the street and hearing that!

26.  SEE--   Rascals     #27   A whole different sound for them and a very long one for them.  Formed in New York City in 1964.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Where It Began I Can't Begin To Knowin' ."    Answer below.   --RoadDog


"Sweet Caroline"

Getting Our 4th of July On: Parades, Fireworks, Bars and Festivals

This is a two weekend 4th of July with the actual day today in the middle of the week.  Around here, some places celebrated it last weekend, others, like Spring Grove, Illinois, are celebrating today and still others are celebrating this weekend.

Last Saturday, we went to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for their parade and did a lot of bar hopping.  Yesterday, we had that all-American slab of ribs at the Fox Hole in McHenry, Illinois, then went to the McHenry American Legion.

Also, somebody near our house had a fireworks display last night that was worthy of a town's fireworks.  A whole lot of money must have been spent, and, best of all, we were able to watch them from inside.  So sorry mosquitoes.

In just a little bit I am going over to Spring Grove for the parade and festivities for awhile,  Later, we'll go to Sunnyside Tap and then watch the Spring Grove fireworks from out front porch.

Of course, I have my U.S. flags out as well as ribbons and swags.

Patriotic Again.  --RoadRedWhiteand Blue

Movie Watching on 4th of July-- Part 5: "Independence Day" and "Hidden Figures"

Continued from today's Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 and Tattooed On Your Soul;  World War II blogs.

13 movies that capture the American spirit.

"INDEPENDENCE DAY"  (1996)

Its full of corny lines like Will Smith's, "Now that's what I call a close encounter" being one of them.  And, there are more explosions than a 4th of July fireworks show.

But when we  get attacked by the bad guy aliens, we do what we do best and that is come together to triumph over evil.  It's the American way.

"HIDDEN FIGURES"  (2016)

This year marks the 50th anniversary  of the Apollo 11 mission in which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to step on the moon.  But that might not have happened without the work of the Mercury astronauts and that wouldn't have gone anywhere without the mathematical brilliance of several black women.

This is their story.

--RoadFlick

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 2: "Yesterday When I Was Young"

35.  WE GOT MORE SOUL--  Dyke and the Blazers     #35    Never heard this one before.  But like they say, "We Got More."  They're all "Doin' Their Thing."  Arlester "Dyke" Christian and the backing band of the O'Jays, the Blazers.

34.  RECONSIDER ME--  Johnny Adams     #28    And you thought you had more soul in New Orleans.  When he says "Please," you gotta believe it.  Nicknamed "The Tan canary" for his voice.    Highest pop song of three Hot 100s.

33.  EVERY DAY WITH YOU GIRL--  Classics IV     #19    Love the sax solo.

32.  YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG--  Roy Clark    #19   A bit of country crashes the pop chart.  Such a sad song.  Just one bad thing after another happens to the guy.  So many bad choices.  His highest charting pop song out of six songs in the Hot 100.

31.  DAYS OF SAND AND SHOVELS--  Bobby Vinton      #34   Kind of a "Honey" song.     I don't remember it, but it was about a guy looking back on his childhood girlfriend.  I also don't like "Honey" songs.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Is Sweeter Than The Day Before."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Every Day With You Girl"

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 1: "Break Away"

These are the songs on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM from fifty years ago this week.  That's half a century.  I listen to every one of these songs on You Tube and there were some I'd never heard before.

(D)  means a debut song.  The numbers after the artists are how high the songs got on the Billboard Hot 100.  I get these from Joel Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles 1955-1993."  The WLS Surveys come from the Oldies Loon internet site.

40.  BIRTHDAY--  Underground Sunshine     (D)     #26   Garage rockin' the Beatles tune.  Rock quartet.  Their only Top 100 which makes them a One ____ _______.

39.  BREAK AWAY--  Beach Boys   (D)     #63      Not one of their better-known songs, but a good one.  What harmony, not a better one.  What a voice Carl Wilson had.  Look at the video and tell me what Mike Love was on at the time.

38.  HUSHABYE--  Jay and Americans     #62    Great slow dancing song and harmonies.  Group formed at New York University in 1959.

37.  LAUGHING--  Guess Who   (D)      #10  Love the start and then build up.  Group formed in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1963.

36.  SPECIAL DELIVERY--  1910 Fruitgum Co.     #38    Love my Bubble Gum Music!!!  Not one of their better-known songs.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Took Me By Surprise, You Didn't Realize But I Was Waiting."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Laughing"

2019 Route 66 Trip-- Part 8: Tropics, No Bonanza, Palms, Horseshoes and Traffic

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

We had another rainstorm this morning.  Seems like we either had a storm or had storms threatened this whole trip.  As a matter of fact, this was the same situation in the five days at the Indy 500.  This has been one really rainy spring.

Took I-55 north to Williamsville then drove 66 north to Lincoln.  The Mill wasn't open so drove to Bonanza Steak House for lunch, past the newly reinstalled and relit Tropics neon sign at the McDonald's.  Glad to see it back.  But, real sad to see that Bonanza was no longer in business.

Went to Atlanta and ate at the Palms Grill, which has gotten quite a bit more expensive than I remember it, but the food is still high quality and plentiful.  I had a pulled pork horseshoe and could have gotten by with a ponyshoe.

Drove I-55 the rest of the way to Dwight as we were hoping to get through Yorkville and Huntley before rush hour.  Turns out their rush hours start at 2:30 and with all the stoplights along Illinois Highway 47 it took a real long time to drive through those two towns.  Making it worse was the cross traffic was much favored, causing huge backups.

Finally got home after 1,100 miles on the trip.

--RoadGladToBeBackHome

2019 Route 66 Trip-- Part 7: Shelly's, Wascally Wabbits, Tacos and Bars

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Had breakfast at Shelly's Rt. 66 Diner, a few blocks west of the Wagon Wheel and talked with a  guy doing Route 66 for the third time from the Czech Republic.  A wascally wabbit had escaped her cage and provided entertainment before we left the motel.  Drove to Sullivan and Stanton before getting on I-44 to I-270  to Illinois.

Then I-55 to Hamel and then Route 66 again to Litchfield, stopping at Rich Henry's in Staunton where we met one of his newest wascally wabbits.  We had Jack's (Jack-in-the-Box) tacos at Litchfield, then I-55'ed it to Springfield.  This time we were able to get a room at the Route 66 Hotel.

We went to George Ranks and the Curve Inn, two of our favorite bars in Springfield.  Finished at Brille 69. the new restaurant/bar at the Route 66 Hotel.

--RoadWabbit

2019 Route 66 Trip, Lebanon-- Part 5: An Easy Day

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Another early morning thunderstorm, but it cleared up and turned into a nice day.  Had a nice talk with the people staying in the next two rooms.  That is an advantage of staying at an older mom and pop motel.  You can't do that at the new motels unless at perhaps the free continental breakfast.

Went to the Wal-Mart, looking for St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup gear, but they had nothing.  Ate breakfast at Hardee's again.  Their new loaded hash browns is really good.

Roamin' Rich is going to be at the nearby Gasconade  Bridge which is possibly on its way into oblivion and was thinking about going there, but didn't go.  Went to the Legion and watched the Cardinals win.  A lot of regulars were there, as well as the fun bartender from yesterday.

Back to the Munger-Moss and sat outside watching that neat old sign.

--RoadDog