JSS: Crazy Weather-- Yellowstone, 1883-- the Drive's A to Z-- The Big Guy Up the Middle

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  CRAZY WEATHER--   We certainly have been having some crazy weather around here.  Yesterday we had thunder, lightning, rain and snow.  There was quite a bit of snow on the ground.  Then yesterday, we got 3-4 inches of very slippery snow.

2.  YELLOWSTONE, 1883--  This past Sunday I was able to watch some episodes of Yellowstone and 1883 on TV.  Both are very good, but all that good acting is kind of negated by the overuse of the f___ word.  Come on, get a thesaurus and expand your language base.

3.  THE DRIVE'S A TO Z--  The Drive, 97.1 FM, is now up to the letter "I" in their annual end-of-the-year A to Z.  They are playing 2,000+ songs.  They aren't sure when they'll end, but for sure sometime after the start of the new year.  It streams.

4.  THE BIG GUY UP THE MIDDLE--  Last night, O enjoyed watching the Minnesota-West Virginia bowl game, when the Gophers put in offensive lineman 380 pound, six foot 4 inch Daniel Faalele in  the backfield to run a play.  You never saw a team call a time out that fast as the Mountaineers did.  It didn't help as he crashed right through the line like there was nothing there.

The commentators mentioned when the Bears did that with our Refrigerator Perry back in the 80s.  It sure reminded me of him.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  Ahh ... I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.

Music Death: Jay Black of Jay & the Americans

JAY BLACK, 82

Died 22 October 2021

Lead singer with Jay & the Americans.  Group got their name from Leiber and Stoller.  Lead singer originally was Jay  Traynor.  When he left,  David Black took over lead vocals and agreed  to adopt the name Jay Black.

The group had a #5 song in 1962 with "She Cried" with Jay Traynor singing lead. 

Other great songs:

"Only in America"  (#25-1963)

"Come a Little Bit Closer"  (#3-1964)

"Let's Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key)"  (#11-1964)

"Cara Mia"  (#4-1965)

"Some Enchanted Evening"  (#13-1965)

"Crying"  (#25-1966)

"This Magic Moment"  (#6-1968)

"Hushabye"  (#62-1969)

Now, there is some great music.

Music Deaths: Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains and Ron Tutt, Long-Term Drummer with Neil Diamond

PADDY MALONEY, 83

Died 11 October 2021

Founder and leader of the instrumental folk group Chieftains.

How's that for an Irish Name?

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RON TUTT, 83

Drummer (session / traveling).  Long-term drummer with Neil Diamond.  Played with Elvis Presley also.

Music Deaths: Lonnie Smith (Worked with George Benson) and Everett Morton with The Beat

LONNIE SMITH, 79

Died 28 September 2021

Hammond organ player (jazz / soul).  Worked with George Benson.

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EVERETT MORTON, 71

Died 9 October 2021

Drummer.  Played with ska band The Beat, aka English Beat.

WLS Top Ten for Week of December 27, 1971: 'Have You Seen Her'

Finishing up the last week of 1971, these were the Top Ten songs and Debuts in Chicagoland according to WLS AM, 890.

1.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

2.  SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards

3.  RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers

4.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond

5.  AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

6.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

7.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Donnie Elbert

8.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

9.  SCORPIO--  Dennis Coffey

10.  DAY AFTER DAY--  Badfinger

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DEBUTS

23.  BLACK DOG--  Led Zeppelin

25.  WHITE LIES, BLUE EYES--  Bullet

28.  LOOKING FOR A LOVE--  J. Geils Band

29.  CLEAN UP WOMAN--  Betty Wright

DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE--  Joe Simon

Name  That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Long Time Ago I Can Still Remember  How That Music Used To Make Me Smile."  Answer below.  --RoadDoh

"American Pie"

Last Week: Stucky's, NIU Bowl Game, Stucky's, McHenry Legion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

Sunnyside was having their customer appreciation Christmas party, but we figured it would be too crowded and too difficult to watch the NIU-Coastal Carolina Cure Bowl on TV, so went to Stucky's and sat with friends Kevin and Kelly and watched the game.  

We figured Northern would get blown out as we have lost the last six bowl games and been blown out in them, but this one was different.  Our guys came to play and we actually led for almost the whole game until the end, but lost, sadly. 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

No McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group for me as it was on Zoom only and I don't do Zoom.

Finished putting up Christmas decorations outside and inside. We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and enjoyed the  $1 draft beers and a great pizza burger.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Enjoyed Bob Stroud's annual Holiday Hootenanny on WDRV, where he played three hours of 60s-70s Christmas music.  Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Packers win a game.

Go Pack.  --RoadDog

Christmas Songs-- Part 2: 'Santa Claus Is Back in Town'

CHRISTMAS ALL OVER AGAIN--  Tom Petty

CELEBRATE ME HOME--  Kenny Loggins

2000 MILES--  Pretenders

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS--  Elton John

HAPPY X-MAS (WAR IS OVER)--  John and Yoko

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN--  Ronettes

WINTERTIME--  Steve Miller

GREENSLEEVES--  Jeff Beack

CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME TO SAY I LOVE YOU--  Billy Squier

SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN--    Elvis Presley

CHRISTMAS--  Who

RIVER--  Joni Mitchell

SLEIGH RIDE--  Ronettes

SANTA CLAUS AND HIS OLD LADY--  Cheech and Chong

SOMETIMES IN WINTER--  Blood, Sweat & Tears

CHRISTMAS MUST BE TONIGHT--  Band

CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME)--  Darlene Love

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Come On It's Lovely Weather."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sleigh Ride"

Christmas Songs: 'Someday At Christmas'

 

These songs were played on Bob Stroud's Holiday Hootenanny Show in Rock and Roll Roots on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM on December 19, 2021.

CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO--  Leon Russell

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS--  Paul McCartney

CHRISTMAS SONG--  Jethro Tull

WHITE CHRISTMAS--  Darlene Love

PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS--  Eagles

SOMEDAY AT CHRISTMAS--  Stevie Wonder

HAZY SHADE OF WINTER--  Simon & Garfunkel

SNOOPY'S CHRISTMAS--  Royal Guardsmen

LINUS AND LUCY--  Vince Guardi Trio

I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Greg Lake

LITTLE SAINT NICK--  Beach Boys

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, Way Up North Where The Air Gets Cold."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Little Saint Nick"

Last Week: An Automotive Double Whammy, Pizza, Sunnyside and Trivia at Donovan's Reef

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 

Well, great news, the '11 Malibu is ready from Ray Chevrolet as we're down to just the '05 Dakota running at present, but it has been making strange noises.  Went in and paid my $1,743 for the repairs after I hit the raccoon.  As I pulled out of Ray Chevrolet in the truck, all of a sudden it started to jerk and shudder and I made it into the next BP station.  Then got it back to Ray Chevrolet.

Oh boy, an automotive double whammy.  They were nice enough t take me home in their courtesy vehicle.

Later had a great pizza at Half-Times in Johnsburg (for half-price and $1 14 ounce drafts, then went to Sunnyside.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

It will cost $1,050 to repair the truck.  Ouch!  That was on top of the $1,500 to repair the Malibu.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

This was one really windy day, by an equally windy night.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and had a real good time with Uncle Jeffy in trivia.

Ain't Owning Cars a Lot of Fun?  --RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  It sounds like English, but I can't hear a word you say.

Music Deaths: Barry Ryan (Sang 'Eloise') and Deon Estus (Bassist with Wham)

BARRY RYAN, 72

Died 28 September 2021

Singer who had 1968 hit song "Eloise."

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

DEON ESTUS, 65

Died 11 October 2021

Bassist. Played with pop group Wham and George Michael.

Music Death: Alan Lancaster, Member of Status Quo

ALAN LANCASTER, 72

Died 26 September 2021

Bass player / vocalist and founding member of Status Quo.  Huge in Britain, but only one Top 40 in U.S. with "Pictures of Matchstick Men" which went to #12 in 1968.  

Talk about psychedelic!!  One of my all-time favorite songs.  That intro!!  Wow!!

About Last Weekend: Wind, the Chevy Malibu, Army-Navy Game, Chili Cookoff, Bears-Packers Game

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

We sure had a very windy day today, but nothing compared to Kentucky and southern Illinois.  Those poor folks really got hit.  We actually had snow on the ground for a little bit this morning.

We discovered fluid on the garage floor by the Malibu, but weren't sure about it until we drove to Walgreens and saw a new puddle  where we parked and knew we had a problem,  Came back home and got the truck and I followed Liz to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake and dropped off the car.  The leak reminded me of when we hit the limb blowing across the road in Johnsburg last November and spring a very expensive $3500 leak.

This would probably be from hitting the raccoon last night.

Drove to the McHenry American Legion for the Army-Navy game and a chili cookoff, two of my favorite things.  And, watching the game in a veterans place is great as you have lots of cheering.  And, of course, few things I like better than a chili cookoff.

And, even better, Navy won!!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

Worked on Christmas lights and went to Sunnyside where we watched the Tampa Bay game.  That Tom Brady sure is something else.  Sure wish the Bears had drafted him.

Came home an watched the Bears-Packers game which was a surprise in the first half with Da Bears even up by six points.  But, then, hey, it our Bears and those Packers.  They did not hold on.

RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  "I don't work here, I'm a consultant.

Music Deaths: George Frayne, You Might Know Him Better as Commander Cody

GEORGE FRAYNE, 77

Died 26 September 2021

Vocalist / keyboard player.  Performed under the name Commander Cody.  His group was the His Lost Planet Airmen.  Who says Western Swing is dead!!!

Of course, he had that huge remake hit "Hot Rod Lincoln," his only Top 40 hit.

Other great songs by him

"Lost in the Ozone"

"Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)"

"Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar"

"Seeds and Stems Again"

A real Stoner's Paradise.

Music Deaths: Don Maddox (Country) and Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown)

DON MADDOX, 98

Died 12 September 2021

Singer / fiddle player (Country) and member of the hillbilly group Maddox Brothers and Sister Rose.  Rose Maddox had 13 Top 40 songs between 1959 and 1963.

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

PEE WEE ELLIS, 80

Died 23 September 2021

Saxophonist (soul / jazz).  Worked with James Brown and Van Morrison.

WLS Top 10 Songs for Week of December 20, 1971: 'Have You Seen Her'

These were the Top Ten songs and debut songs in Chicago fifty years ago according to powerhouse WLS AM, 890 AM. 

1.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

2.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

3.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

4.  SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards

5.  RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers

6.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond

7. GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson

8.  AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

9.  OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--   Three Dog Night

10.  ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny & Cher

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

DEBUTS

27.  HEY BIG BROTHER--  Rare Earth

28.  LET'S STAY TOGETHER--  Al Green

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Rode My Bicycle Past Your Window Last Night."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Brand New Key"

Music Deaths: Bob Moore, Member of Nashville's A-Team

BOB MOORE, 88

Died 23 September 2021

Was bassist with Nashville's A-Team of session musicians who played on a whole lot of of great songs  Just some of them:

"Crazy"--  Patsy Cline

"I'm Sorry"  Brenda Lee

"Help Me Make It Through the Night" -- Sammi Smith

"The Gambler"--  Kenny Rogers

"Rockin'  Around the Christmas Tree"--  Brenda Lee

"El Paso"--  Marty Robbins

"Hello Darlin' "--  Conway Twitty

"Are You Lonesome Tonight"--  Elvis Presley

"I Fall to Pieces"--  Patsy Cline

Music Deaths: Sue Thompson 'Norman'

SUE THOMPSON, 98

Died 23 September 2021

Singer (pop / country) who had 1961 hit songs "Sad Movies  (Make Me Cry)" and "Norman."  

Born Eva Sue McKee in Nevada, Missouri.  Often sang with Don Gibson.

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 5: 'Old Fashioned Love Song'

These were the Top ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago this week.  That's half of a century for those of you counting.

*  Means the song was climbing the chart.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

I do not make comments by every song as I have done that on previous posts.

10.  FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone    #1  

9.  *STONES / CRUNCH GRANOLA SUITE--  Neil Diamond       #14     Always thought "Crunchy Granola Crunch was a strange name for a song,  Sounds like a cereal.

8.  *SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards      #4     One of the teachers we used to know used to date him.

7.  *RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers   #12

6.  *CHERISH--  David Cassidy     #9     Not just Keith Partridge you know.

5.  *ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny & Cher   #7

4.  GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson    #4

3.  *OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night   #4

2.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie   #1    Her only #1.

1.  *HAVE YOU SEEN HER--   Chi-Lites    #3       I don't know of any other song that takes me back fifty years more than this one.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well How Much Does It Cost? I'll Buy It.  The Time Is All We Lost, I'll Try It."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sunshine"

About Last Weekend: Fort Fisher and Me, Donovan's Reef, Michael Nesmith, Lake View Place, Cuda's and the Raccoon

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

I will be sending the Friends of Fort Fisher a donation for rebuilding some of the mounds at the fort which were torn down to built a landing strip during World War II when the old fort served as a base for training anti-aircraft gunners.  Planes flown by the WASPs towed targets.  Fort Fisher was a famous Civil War fort in North Carolina and the biggest reason I'm such a history nut and ended up as a teacher.  You might say it had an impact on me.

Met Kevin and Kelly and some others at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and those half price happy hour drinks.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

Sure can't complain about temperatures this fall season as it is usually 40 to 50 degrees.   So sorry to hear Michael Nesmith of the Monkees and a solo artist died today.  I was a big Monkee fan.  

Met Kevin and Kelly at Lake View Place on Grasslake for their $1 draft pint special. They have a great view of the lake from there.  Then went to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their excellent fish fry.  On the way home, hit a big raccoon.  I didn't have a chance to avoid it.

--RoadDog

Maria Mendiola of Buccara 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' and Sara Dash (LaBelle) 'Lady Marmalade'

MARIA MENDIOLA, 69

Died 11 September 2021

Singer with disco vocal duo Buccara which had a hit in 1977 with "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie."

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

SARA DASH, 76

Died 20 September 2021

Singer (Soul) and member of LaBelle who had that big hit "Lady Marmalade."

Music Deaths: Larry Goshorn of Pure Prairie League

LARRY GOSHORN

Died September 14, 2021

He and his brother Tim were the heart of Pure Prairie League

Wrote one of my all-time favorite songs, "Two Lane Highway."

"Two lane highway is goin' my way moving fast.

Two lane highway is takin' me home at last."

Listening to it right now as I post this.  I strongly recommend you go to You Tube and listen to it as well.  You'll know what I mean.

Music Deaths: Ron Bushy, Drummer with Iron Butterfly

RON BUSHY, 79

Died August 29, 2021

Drummer with rock band Iron Butterfly.

Only member to appear on all six Iron Butterfly albums and, of course, there was that drum solo on "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida."  You remember, that 17-minute long opus and that 2-3 minute drum solo.

Bangin' on the Drum All Day.

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 4: 'Baby, I'm-A Want You'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.

15.  BABY, I'M-A WANT YOU--  Bread    #3    Soft rock group formed in Los Angeles with David Gates on vocals and keyboards.

14.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes       #1   How much soul can one song have?  It just built and built.   From the movie of the same name.

13.  *SUPERSTAR--  Temptations     #18      Full title:  "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are').This one should have gone higher in the charts.  Wow!  What a song!

12.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond    #9   His first five songs were all Top Ten.  Not bad.

11.  *NOTHING TO HIDE--  Tommy James      #41     I don't remember this song, but a good one.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Who Is This Man That Would Risk His Neck For His Brother, Man?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Shaft"

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 3: 'American Pie'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.  *  Means the song was rising on the charts.  The number after the artists is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

20.  *THEME FROM THE SUMMER OF '42--  Peter Nero     #21   Theme from the movie "The Summer Knows."  That's Peter on the keyboard.  Born Bernard Nierow.  His one and only appearance in the Top 40 which makes him a ___ ___ ______.

19.  *SCORPIO--  Dennis Coffey    #6    A song like you didn't hear anywhere else.  That great bass played by Bob Babbitt who also played on Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours."  That was Dennis on guitar.

18.  *AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean   #1    All  that music history if you could figure it out.

17.  *LET IT BE--  Joan Baez    #49     What a pure voice.   A new take on the Beatles' song.

16.  A NATURAL MAN--  Lou Rawls    #17     Not one of his better-known songs, bit a good one.  His next Top 40 didn't come until 1976 and went to #2.  Born in Chicago.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When I Find Myself In Times Of Trouble Mother Mary Comes To Me."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Let It Be"

Past Movie Scratches: Goonies-- Jungle-- Iron-- Iron-- Ark-- Game-- Accountant-- Suicide

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2020

85.  GOONIES--  4-25--  Bad guys, adventure, pirate treasure and a bunch of guys and two gals.  What more fun can you have?

86. JUMANJI:  BACK TO THE JUNGLE--  4-29--    Watch out for hippos, snakes and white rhinos.

87.  IRON MAN 2--  5-1--  Tony the party guy meets his Russian match.  Whip me, man!!

88.  IRON MAN 3--  5-2--  Beware the red-glowing guys.  And, they aren't Republicans either.

89.  INDIANA JONES:  SEARCH FOR THE LOST ARK--  5-3--  He sure hates snakes and Nazis.

80.  GAME NIGHT--  5-4--  Whose game is it anyway?

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Peter-- Mike-- Millers-- Jurassic-- Rings-- Goblet

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I watched on TV in 2020.

79.  PETER RABBIT--  4-17--  Some of the best animation ever!!

80.  MIKE AND PAT--  4-18--  He's falling for her.

81.  WE ARE THE MILLERS--  4-18--  A druggie road trip with a fake family.

82.  JURASSIC WORLD--  4-20--  Never thought I'd be pulling for a T Rex.    Go Blue!!  And, not Michigan either.

83.  LORD OF THE RINGS:  RETURN OF THE KING--  4-21-- Saved by the Dead and the Lil' guys.

84.  HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE--  4-24--  My how out little Hermoine has grown.  We finally get to really meet old No-Nose.  

--RoadDog

WLS Top 30 for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 2: 'Imagine'

These were the top 30 songs in Chicagoland fifty years ago.  Half a century.

25  IMAGINE--  John Lennon     #3     What a great world it might be if this song and the one at #26, "Peace Train" both came true.

24.  *I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING--  New Seekers      #7    British-Australian group  Anybody feel the need for a Coke?  Their biggest hit.

23.  *YOU ARE EVERYTHING--   Stylistics       #9      I'd forgotten this one, but wow, what a slow dance groove.  It would also be a great wedding song.

22.  *WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Donnie Elbert      #15     And, I didn't think you could do better than the Supremes.  A great Beach Beat.  By that Holland-Dozier-Holland group of guys.

21.  WILD NIGHT--  Van Morrison      #28       It would be impossible to listen to this song and not have some part of your body start moving.  Infectious.  

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  " "As You Brush Your Shoes, Stand before The Mirror."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Wild Night"

WLS Top 30 Songs for Week of December 13, 1971-- Part 1: 'Brand New Key'

That's right, fifty years ago.  Half a century.  Five decades.

* before a song indicates that it was rising on the charts.  The number after the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

*HEY BIG BROTHER--  Rare Earth      #19     Everything you could want from a rock song.  Love the organ.  That's the drummer doing the singing.   Their first five songs all went to #19 or higher.

30.  *SUGAR DADDY--  Jackson Five     #10     I don't remember this one, but it's a good song.  That's Michael and Jermaine trading vocals.  Always loved the Jackson Five choreography.

29.  *DAY AFTER DAY--  Badfinger      #4     Love the start of it.  Did George Harrison play the slide guitar on it?  Takes me right back to Christmas 1971.   Welsh rock  quartet.  This song produced by George Harrison.

28.  *IT'S ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS--  Partridge Family    #20      I never heard this one either.  Okay girls, ow many of you had crushes on Keith (or was that David?)  Their first five songs all went #20 ir higher.

27.  *ONE MONKEY DON'T STOP NO SHOW--  Honey Cone      #15      Another song that did not get enough air play.  Great line:  "I love you, but I can do without you."

26.  PEACE TRAIN--  Cat Stevens      #7     Make sure you go to You Tube and watch the video "Peace Train" featuring  Yusuf/Cat Stevens Playing for Change Songs from Around the World.  It will blow you away.  Seriously.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I've Been Happy Lately, Thinking About The Good Things To Come."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Peace Train"

Last Week: NIU Wins MAC Championship, Sat. Afternoon Band, Stucky's, Karaoke, Bears Lose...Again, Another Legion

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Watched NIU defeat Kent State for the MAC Championship game, one of the rare times Northern actually dominated an opponent.  (And earlier this season Kent State had just barely beaten us.)  Sadly, I couldn't get it on the radio as I enjoy listening to Bill Baker call the Huskies as he's been doing it since the 1980s.  He IS the "Voice" of the Huskies.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion for their monthly first Saturday afternoon band and saw an excellent two-piece group but can't remember their name.

Then to Stucky's in Johnsburg for dinner, $1 draft pints and karaoke.  A whole bunch of Sunnysiders came in.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Watched and listened to the Bears lose another game at home (now 4-8).  I always enjoy listening to the Bear announcers on the radio as they are real fans.

Then to the McHenry American Legion for the $2.50 Adequate Bloody Marys and $1 off Happy Hour prices.

--RoadDog

Last Week: Donovan's Reef, Bristol 45 Diner, Wilmot Riverside and the Legion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, but didn't play trivia.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 

Met the former Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  Always great reliving those old memories and having that great Mediterranean omelet.  Lots of 50s stuff all over the walls.

For dinner, met Kevin and Kelly at the Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, but didn't have the famed fish fry as we have found they also have a real good shrimp fry.  Then, we went to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion for Jeopardy and 50-50.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Reggae

LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY, 85

Died 29 August 2021

Producer / vocalist / songwriter / reggae. 

Noted for innovative studio techniques and production style.

Worked with Bob Marley & the Wailers, Beastie Boys and the Clash.

"People Funny Boy"

"Run for Cover"

"You Funny Boy"

Music Deaths: John Drake of Amboy Dukes

JOHN DRAKE, 74

Died 29 August 2021

Lead singer with the rock band Amboy Dukes 1967-1968.

Bandmate of Ted Nugent and with the band when they had their #16 hit "Journey to the Center of the Mind" in 1967.

I didn't know the band formed in Chicago but was later based out of Detroit.

 

Thanksgiving Weekend: Granny's Diner and Lots of High School Championship Football

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Web went to a new place that just opened Tuesday in Johnsburg called Granny's Diner.  The owner had come in to Sunnyside and we had a nice talk a couple weeks ago.

This is where the old Epic Deli was until it moved to a bigger place on Route 31 in McHenry.  We didn't expect a lot of people there, since it was new, but they had a crowd even when we got there just before they closed at 2 pm.

We both ordered lunch meals and there were huge and very good.  I think this place will do well.

During the course of the day, I watched a lot of the Illinois High School playoffs in Margaritaville (in our basement).  Wilmington, on Route 66, won in Class 2A, Byron (out by DeKalb, won in 3A and, no big surprise, but Joliet Catholic walked all over Springfield's Sacred Heart-Griffin to win a 4A.  Joliet Catholic beat our local high school, Richmond-Burton, last week.

Enjoyed cocktail at the bar and the Ultimate Juke Box.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

I had planned on going to Crystal Lake for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group and then to Algonquin for Half Price Books and White Castle, but kind of felt like I had a cold coming on, so decided to stay in.  

Today was the Class 5A to Class 6A high school playoffs.  In Class 6A, East St. Louis High School was heavily favored to beat Cary-Grove, in nearby Cary, Illinois, but this has to go down as one of the biggest David vs. Goliath games in the history of high school football as Cary Grove won 37-36n in frigid DeKalb at Huskie Stadium where the championship games were played.

Watched two great movies:  "Christmas Vacation" and  "Joker."

--RoadBall

80 Years After He Died at Pearl Harbor, Braga Bridge's Namesake Remembered

From the December 6, 2021, WPRI Providence by Ted Nesi.

Tens of thousands of southern  New Englanders drive across the Braga Bridge each day, but do not know where the bridge got its name.

It was named after Navy Yeoman 2nd Class Charles M. Braga, Jr., a 22-year-old Fall River, Massachusetts, native who died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Braga, called "Charlie" by his friends, died when a 500-pound bomb hit his ship, the USS Pennsylvania while he was carrying messages.

The Braga Bridge was completed in 1966 after construction began in 1959, and was named after Charles M. Braga of Fall River, Massachusetts, who was killed at Pearl Harbor.

It is just over a mile long and carried I-195 over the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset.

WLS Top 10 Songs for Week of December 6, 1971: 'Respect Yourself'

Fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM, these were the Top Ten songs and debuts.

1.  FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone

2.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

3.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

4.  GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson

5.  OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night

6.  ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny and Cher

7.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

8.  SHAFT--   Isaac Hayes

9.  RESPECT YOURSELF--  Staple Singers

10.  BABY, I'M-A WANTYOU--  Bread

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

DEBUTS

19.  HEY GIRL--  Donny Osmond

22.  AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

27.  WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO--  Donnie Elbert

28.  YOU ARE EVERYTHING--  Stylistics

30.  I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING--  New Seekers

ONE MONKEY DON'T STOP NO SHOW--  Honey Cone

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Playin' On The Radio And Wrapped Around The Music."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Old Fashioned Love Song"

Thanksgiving Weekend: Sunnyside, NIU, Donovan's Reef, T-Giving, McTurkey, Da Bears, Da 'Vacation'

**  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

We went to Sunnyside to watch the last NIU regular season football game since we don't get ESPNU.  Northern was blown out.  

**  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes to have the pre-T party.

**  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25   THANKSGIVING

We had thoughts of eating at the Grand Buffet Chinese place in McHenry, but they were closed so ended up having the McTurkey at McDonald's.  (Well, actually the McDouble Bundle of fries and sandwich for $3.)

Watched the Bears "beat up" on the winless Detroit Lions 16-14 to run up the record for the season to 4-7.  Well,, at least it was a win and snapped a 5 game losing streak.

Came home and enjoyed three of the "Vacation" movies, some of my favorites.  The only one I didn't see  was Christmas Vacation."

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  I'll try to be nicer if you try to be smarter.

Last Week: Fox Lake Yesterday and Today, McHenry Christmas Walk, Bears Lose

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20

I went to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society's meeting at the Grant Hall Museum in Ingleside, Illinois, after my mandatory stop at Thornton's for a large cappucinno coffee.  The museum has acquired the 24 historical signs that were up in Fox Lake in 2020 showing yesterday and today pictures of places around the community. Each one had an interesting story behind it.

In the afternoon, we went to the McHenry American Legion as our first stop on the McHenry annual Christmas Walk, where many stores, restaurants and bars have specials and Christmas-themed activities going on.

Later, we went to Grinder's, Old Bridge and ended up back at the Legion.

We were sorry to find out that Richmond-Burton had lost their game to Joliet Catholic, but no one was surprised.  That team should not have been in Class 4A.

Came home and watched "Ghostbusters" and "Ghostbusters II."

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Bears lose another game.  They have now lost six in a row.  People are calling to have Coach Nagy fired.

Stopped at Sunnyside on the way home.

--RoadDog

Last Week: Trivia at Donovan's Reef, Backing Our Richmond-Burton Rockets in the High School Football 4A Semi Final Playoff Game and a Fish Fry at the Rusty Nail

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 

First time with sun in a long time.  Sure peps everyone up.

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for live trivia with Uncle Jeffie and that great half-price Happy Hour.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19

I went to our local Walgreens in Spring Grove, Illinois, and bought my Richmond-Burton High School gear for Liz and myself. I bought a hat and hooded sweatshirt for myself and a tee shirt for Liz.  Tomorrow, we play probably one of the best schools in the state in the IHSA football playoffs, Joliet Catholic, ranked #4 in the state, despite having only 600 students.  But, they draft their players.

Figured we'd support our boys even if we're not going out to the game.  It is way too cold to sit outside at our age.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Rusty Nail in Ringwood, Illinois, for their fish fry which is considered one of the best in the area.  We can see why with the quality and amount of food you get AUCE for $14.  Neither one of us came anywhere close to finishing our first round.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Phoenix-- Prince-- Hallows-- Hallows-- Guardians-- Oz

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2020.

73.  HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THEM PHOENIX--  4-11--   Not much fin at Old Hogwarts with cat-plate lover and edict-maker Miss Umbrage.  But, they get her.

74.  HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE--  4-12--  Professor Snape is the Half Blood Prince and kills Dumbledore.

75.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT. 1--   Looking for Old No-Nose's horcruxes.

76.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS--  PT. 2--  4-12--  We find out the truth about Professor Snape, the Battle of Hogwarts and death of Old No-Nose and his snake.  And, how about that Neville!!!!

77.  GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY  PART 2--  4-13--  Daddy Dearest.  And, not your old Indians either.  (Cleveland)

78.  THE WIZARD OF OZ--  4-14--  A horse of a different color if you know what I mean.

Sure Made a Mess Out of the Old School.  --RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  I'm real easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.

Top-Selling Albums According to Chicago's WLS AM on November 29, 1971: 'Teaser & the Firecat'

That's right, fifty years ago.  How many do you have?

*  means I have it.

1.  *SANTANA--  Santana

2.  THERE'S A RIOT GOIN' ON--  Sly & the Family Stone

3. AT CARNEGIE HALL--   Chicago

4.  SHAFT--  Isaac  Hayes

5.  STONES--  Neil Diamond

6.  *TEASER & THE FIRECAT--  Cat Stevens

7.  IMAGINE--  John Lennon

8.  *EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY--  Rod Stewart

9.  MEATY, BEATY BIG AND BOUNCY--   Who

10.  *TAPESTRY-- Carole King

Wonder If That Cat's Still Alive?  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Road-- Ghostbusters-- Ghostbusters-- Deadpool-- Showman-- Goblet

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2020.

67.  ROADHOUSE--  4-4--  Patrick Swayze cleaning up a bar and a town.  "A polar bear fell on me."

68.  GHOSTBUSTERS--  4-5--  "Grab Her!!"   "This will be a disaster of Biblical proportions."

69.  GHOSTBUSTERS II--  4-5--  Five years later  The runaway baby carriage.   Versus Vigo and the River of Evil.  The bug gal comes to the rescue.

70.  DEADPOOL--  4-5--  He is a bit dirty, but all action and a whole lot of humorous.

71.  THE GREATEST SHOWMAN--  4-10--  Wish I had seen this one on the big screen.  Wow.  A great musical and wow, that scenery.

72.  HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE--  4-11--  Golly, that Hermoine is sure growing up.  The ball.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.

WLS Top Ten for Week of November 29, 1971: 'Got To Be There'

The Top Ten and Debut songs in Chicago fifty years ago today.

1.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

2.  BABY, I'M-A WANT YOU--  Bread

3.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

4.  FAMILY AFFAIR--   Sly & the Family Stone

5.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

6.  6.  WILD NIGHT--  Van Morrison

7.  GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson

8.  ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--  Sonny & Cher

9.  OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night

10.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

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

DEBUTS

22.  SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards

23.  NOTHING TO HIDE--  Tommy James

25.  LET IT BE--  Joan Baez

26.  SCORPIO--  Dennis Coffey

28.  THEME FROM THE SUMMER OF '42--  Peter Nero

I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING--  New Seekers

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "One Month Ago Today I was Happy As A Lark."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Have You Seen Her"

Past Movie Scratches: Ferris-- Beasts-- Geostorm-- Dumb-- Max-- Outsiders

Past Movie Scratches-  Movies I saw on TV in 2020.

61.  FERRIS BUEHLER'S DAY OFF--  3-30--  How much fun can you pack into a day off in Chicago?   Too funny.  Abd the poor high school guy trying to track him down.  Was this the "Smooth Operator"  Sade was singing about?

62.  STRANGE BEASTS AND HOW TO FIND THEM--  3-30--  And those beasts sure were strange  A prequel to Harry Potter.

63.  GEOSTORM--  3-31--  Watch the movie trailers, not the movie and you'll get the whole gamut of the good stuff.

64.  DUMB AND DUMBER--  4-1--  Nice they are, smart they are not.

65.  MAD MAX:  BEYOND THUNDERDOME--   4-4--  Weird people in a strange land.  And even Tina Turner.

66.  THE OUTSIDERS--  4-4--  It's the Socs vs. the Greasers in 50s Tulsa.  Lots of future stars in early roles.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  How about never.  IS never good enough for you?

Music Deaths: Johnny Crawford Lucas McCain on 'The Rifleman'

JOHNNY CRAWFORD, 75

Died April 29, 2021

Was a Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club Show and played the son Lucas McCain on "The Rifleman" TV show for many years.

Most people don't know that he had four Top 30 songs and had a #8 in 1962 with "Cindy's Birthday."

Last Week: A Garbage Pizza, Cheap Beer, Ricky's 73rd Birthday, McHenry VFW and PLAV and NIU Football Watch Party

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Went to Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois, and had that great Harry Caray pizza featuring four meats and four veggie, a real garbage pizza.  And, best of all, it was half price.  Also, $6 draft pitchers. Then to Sunnyside for the $1.50 draft pints.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Met a bunch of Sunnyside folks at the McHenry VFW to celebrate Rocky's73rd birthday.  Absolutely great BLT sandwich.  Then to the Polish Legion of American Veterans for cocktails and back to Sunnyside.  Rocky somehow survived.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Temps in the upper 50s today, so did some yardwork to prepare for the winter.  

Went to Half-Times in Johnsburg where they were having a NIU Watch Party for the televised Huskie football game.  We had about 15 people there and the Huskies had a close game against Buffalo and finally won in overtime.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Hacksaw-- Torino-- Homecoming-- Trolls-- Replacements-- Sandlot

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2020.

55.  HACKSAW RIDGE--  3-27--  More fighting action than you can imagine.  Should be renamed "Blood and Guts."

56.  GRAN TORINO--  3-27--  Clint learns to get along with his new neighbors, reluctantly.  And, loses the great spitting war.  My favorite Clint Eastwood movie.

57.  SPIDERMAN:  HOMECOMING--  3-28--  Spidey grows  up and sure gets into a lot of trouble.  Wait until you meet his girlfriend's father.

58.  TROLLS--  3-28--  Please don't eat the trolls.  Make me happy.

59.  THE REPLACEMENTS--  3-29--  A bunch of misfits get another shot during a football strike.

60.  SANDLOT--  3-29--  A bunch of boys growing up, playing baseball and avoiding the Monster Dog.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Major-- Ice-- Ice-- Bronx-- Goodfellas-- Sorcerer's

Past Movie Scratches:  Movies I watched on TV in 2020.

49.  MAJOR LEAGUE--  3-23--  What a bunch of lovable misfits.  But, not a bunch of multi-millionaire misfits like we have today.  And, at least they beat the Yankees.  

50.  ICE AGE--  3-23--  That other group of misfits, the herd, save the baby.   Scrat, as usual, steals the show.  I love Scrat.

51.  ICE AGE:  CONTINENTAL DRIFT--  3-23--  Battling the earth and those mean pirates  And, hey, that Scrat causes the continental drift going after you-know-what.

52.  A BRONX TALE--  3-24--  A great tale and a great sound track.

53.  GOODFELLAS--  3-24--   More Mafia, more music.

54.  HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE-- 3-26--  "I shouldn't have told you that."  Don't pet Fluffy.   And, Fang the coward.

Don't You Wish the Cable Channels Would tell You What the Movie Name Is When They Come Off Commercial Break?  --RiadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of November 22, 1971: 'Have You Seen Her'

Just think, fifty years ago we were getting ready to soon sit down and gorge ourselves on Thanksgiving dinner and listening to these songs on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.

1.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

2.  IMAGINE--  John Lennon

3.  PEACE TRAIN--  Cat Stevens

4.  BABY I'M-A WANT YOU--  Bread

5.  FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone

6.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

7.  ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band

8.  EVERYBODY'S EVERYTHING--  Santana

9.  TWO DIVIDED BY LOVE--  Grass Roots

10.  WILD NIGHT--  Van Morrison

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

DEBUTS

14.  BRAND NEW KEY--  Melanie

18.  OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night

20.  STONES / CRUNCHY GRANOLA SUITE--  Neil Diamond

25.  SUPERSTAR--   Temptations

27.  A NATURAL MAN--  Lou Rawls

THEME FROM SUMMER OF '42--  Peter Nero

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "As You Brush Your Shoes, Stand Before A Mirror And Comb Your Hair."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Wild Night"

About Last Weekend: USMC Birthday and Toys for Tots, SOS and Still a Marine, Harry Potter, IHSA 4A Football Playoffs, Richmond-Burton High School and Da Pack

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER  13

I went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the USMC Birthday Breakfast and Toys for Tots event.  One great tradition is when the birthday cake is cut with a ceremonial sword and the oldest Marine there gives the first piece to the youngest Marine to show the passing of traditions from one generation to the next.

Instead of the usual SOS and scrambled eggs, we had biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs.  Talked with a Vietnam vet and we both agreed that the United States should have been fighting that war to win and do it as quickly as possible regardless of what anyone thinks about your methods.

He had one of the best tee shirts I've ever seen which read:  "Not as Lean, Not as Mean, But Still a Marine."

Posted to all my blogs (which isn't easy) and watched two of the Harry Potter movies.  I am a big Harry Potter fan.

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Yesterday, Richmond-Burton (R-B) went to Chicago to play one of the better teams in the state, Phillips, for a trip to the Class 4A Semifinals next Saturday and I figured it would be close, and it was.  The Richmond-Burton Rockets won 27-26.  We never sent kids to R-B, but we sure send a lot of tax money, so I am a big fan.

Next week R-B has to play arguably the best team in the state at ANY LEVEL, Joliet Catholic.  I'm not feeling too good about this one.

We went to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg and watched the Packers win

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  "I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce."

About Last Week: A Breakfast, Cheaper Gas, No Blue Nun, Snow Showers and a Shrimp Fry

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Met the Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  It is on US Highway 45 and features some of the best breakfasts anywhere around.  I'm especially fond of the Mediterranean omelet loaded with gyro meat and feta cheese.  I end up with two breakfasts at home afterwards.  Always good to get together with friends I have known since the 1970s.

Got gas on Wisconsin Highway 83, just north of Antioch, Illinois, for $3.08 ($3.07.9) after quite a bit of maneuvering because of long lines of Illinois folks.  Gas in northern Illinois now goes for between $3.50 and $3,60, so this is quite a savings.

Went to Antioch Wine and Liquor store to look for Blue Nun wine.  The owner told me they no longer carry it because of lack of demand, but at one time they could hardly keep it in stock it sold so fast.  This is a special wine for Liz and me as her dad, Amby, a World War II vet, gave us a bottle of it on our wedding day back in August 1973, as we left the reception, in DeKalb, Illinois, and told us to have a drink on him when we got to Galena.  Ever after that, this was or "drink" on our anniversaries.

When soldiers returned from WW II, they started drinking Blue Nun wine from Germany and it became  very popular.

The store did have several other Riesling wines, so I bought one.  Blue Nun is a Riesling wine, so those will have to take the place.  Very close to the Blue Nun taste.

We had snow showers all day and kind of a blustery cold. No accumulation, though.

Met Kevin and Kelly at the Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, for a fish fry.  Well, actually a shrimp fry as we all got shrimp dinners.  I usually don't order shrimp because it is of the popcorn shrimp variety which means a really small shrimp covered with a WHOLE LOT of breading.  Their fried shrimp is medium-sized and with a Calabash, N.C., style of breading, which means lightly breaded.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  "I can see your point, but I still think you're strong."

About Last Week: Back to MCCWRT, USMC 246th BD, Germanfest, Salute to the Vets and Donovan's

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Drove to Woodstock for my first McHenry County Civil War Round Table meeting since March 2020 thanks to you-know-what.  It was back at the Woodstock Library.  Sure was good to be back.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

A big happy birthday to the USMC, number 246!!  

Went to Stucky's for a Germanfest feast.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11

A salute to all of our veterans on their day.  I went to Fox Lake for the ceremony at the train station but it was not there this year.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's in Twin Lakes Wisconsin, for live trivia and that great Happy Hour.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Fritz McIntyre of Simply Red

FRITZ McINTYRE, 62

Died  24 August 2021

Keyboard player / songwriter with Simply Red 18985 to 1995.

Group from Manchester, England with vocalist Mick "Red" Hucknall.  From 1986 to 1992, they had seven songs in the Top 100 including two #1s.

"Holding Back the Years"  (#1-1986)

"If You Don't Know Me"  (#1-1989)

JSS: Fillin' Up Over the Border-- So Sad About Kenosha-- $9.39 for a McRib Meal?-- 'The Kind of Boy You Can't Forget'-- Raindrops

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  FILLIN' UP OVER THE BORDER--  Around here, folks have been taking to filling up their gas tanks just over the border in Wisconsin.  Why, you might ask?  Because gas in Wisconsin is anywhere from 40 cents to fifty cents less than Illinois.  It sure helps to be living just eight miles from the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  $3.10 sure beast $3.50 to $3.60.

2.  SO SAD ABOUT KENOSHA--  That well-publicized trial is coming to an end in Kenisha, Wisconsin, where the teenager killed those two people during the riots there in August 2020.  And there is a big fear that certain people will start rioting, burning and looting again if they are not happy with the verdict.

That is a sad thing to have to worry about.

3.  $9.39 FOR A McRIB MEAL?--   I went to my local McDonald's the other day to buy a McRib meal and didn't.  I wanted to, but not at the $9.39 they wanted for a McRib meal.  Gosh.  Inflation give me a break.  I could buy almost three gallons of gas for that price.

4.  THE KIND OF BOY YOU CAN'T FORGET"-- RAINDROPS--  I was listening to Jim Morgan on the Surf, 94.9 FM in North Myrtle Beach (SC) the other day and heard this song again for the first time in a long time.  Give it a listen on You Tube.  And, it has a very interesting story to how it was made.

Listen Up.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q:  Our baby was born last week.  When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again.  A:  When the kids are in college.

Around Here: Fish Fry, Two Legions, Afternoon Music Drink Specials and Bloody Marys

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5

We went to Cuda's and met Glen, Barb, Kevin and Kelly and had that great fish fry.  Afterwards we adjourned for cocktails and 50-50 at the Fox Lake American Legion.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Started taking down Halloween decorations.  Liz and I met Glen and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion that afternoon to enjoy the sounds of John Polito playing in the bar area.  Sure enjoy having music during a Saturday afternoon in November.

Afterwards, we met Kevin and Kelly at Stucky's in Johnsburg for the salisbury steak special and all those wonderful $1 draft pints.  We, however, left before karaoke as we had had enough to drink by then.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7

I was finally able to get to my huge burn pile and burn it.

We went to the McHenry American Legion for those great "Adequate" $2.50 Bloody Marys and watched the Packers lose, but were impressed with their backup quarterback, who hopefully will be taking over next year.

Having Fun Around Here.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of November 15, 1971: 'Baby, I'm-A Want You"

Fifty years ago today, these were the Top Ten songs and Debuts on Chicago's WLS AM, 890.

1.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

2.  IMAGINE--  John Lennon

3.  GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher

4.  PEACE TRAIN--  Cat Stevens

5.  ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band

6.  INNER CITY BLUES--  Marvin Gaye

7.  BABY I'M-A WANT YOU--  Bread

8.  TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green

9.  YO YO--  Osmonds

10.  CHARITY BALL--  Fanny

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

DEBUTS

29.  RESPECT YOURSELF--

30.  ALL I EVER NEED IS YOU--

A NATURAL MAN--  Lou Rawls

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oh, I've Been Happy Lately, Thinking About The Good Things To Come."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Peace Train"

Music Deaths: Razzy Bailey, Country Music

RAZZY BAILEY, 83

Died August 4, 2021

Had five #1 Country Songs.

"Loving Up a Storm"  (1980)

"I Keep Coming Back" (1980)

"Friends"  (1981)

"Midnight Hauler"  (1981)

What a great name for a country singer.

WLS Top 30 for Week of November 8, 1971-- Part 5: 'Peace Train'

That's right, just a "mere" fifty years ago.  How time flies by.  I still can't blame this year is about over. 

*  Means that the song is climbing the chart.

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

10. I'VE FOUND SOMEBODY OF MY OWN--  Free Movement

9.  INNER CITY BLUES--  Marvin Gaye   Kind of funny how this still applies.

8.  CHARITY BALL-- Fanny   If you don't remember this one. do yourself a favor and go to You Tube to listen to it again.  You'll be glad you did.  These gals could Rock!!!

7.  YO YO--  Osmonds   The really floppy-haired Jackson Five.  Warning, the video will wear you out just watching it.

6.  ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band      Follow up to "Signs."  Just 2:17 long.  Should have been longer.

5.  PEACE TRAIN--  Cat Stevens

4.  IMAGINE--  John Lennon

3.  TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green

2.  GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher

1.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And Papa Woulda Shot Him If he Knew What He'd Done."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"

Music Deaths: Brian Travers of UB40

BRIAN TRAVERS, 62

Died 22 August 2021

Saxophonist / lyricist with reggae/pop band UB40.

Co-founder of the band.  

UB40 has had 39 UK Top 40 singles and 28 Top 40 UK albums and have sold 100 million albums worldwide.  Took name from the British Unemployment Benefit Form 40.

Had big U.S. hits with 

"Red Red Wine"  (#1-1988)

"The Way You Do the Things You Do"  (#6-1990)

"Here I Am (Come and Take Me)"  (#7-1991)

"Can't Help Falling in Love"  (#1-1993)

They are in my Ultimate Jukebox, of course.

Music Deaths: Mike Finnigan, Worked With Jimi Hendrix and CSN

MIKE FINNIGAN, 76

Died 11 August 2021

Keyboard player.  Worked with Jimi Hendrix and CSN.

Besides touring with Hendrix, he also toured with Cher, Peter Frampton, Ringo Starr, Etta James, Joe Cocker and Steve Winwood. 

WLS Top 30 for Week of November 8, 1971-- Part 4: 'Trapped By a Thing Called Love'

15.  NEVER MY LOVE--  Fifth Dimension     #12     Hit #1 on Adult Contemporary.   This was the second Association song done by someone else in this survey.  The other one was "Cherish" by David Cassidy at #25.

14.  *BABY I'M-A  WANT YOU--  Bread     #3     One comment said that he had met his wife at a Bread concert.  Hit #1 on Adult Contemporary.   Soft rock group formed in Los Angeles.

13.  MAGGIE MAY / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart   #1     His first hit.  What a first hit!!!

12.  *TRAPPED BY A THING CALLED LOVE--  Denise LaSalle        #9    A great Beach Beat to this song.  Great backup singers and horns.  Her only Top 40.   #1  R&B hit.

11.  ONLY YOU KNOW & I KNOW--   Delaney & Bonnie    #20   Folk-rock duo.  One of their only two Top 40 songs.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Like A Guiding Light To Help Me Through My darkest Hour."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Baby I'm-A Want You"

WLS Top 30 for Week of November 9, 1971-- Part 3: 'Rock Steady'

*  Means the song is climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National chart.

20.  *ROCK STEADY--  Aretha Franklin     #9      The Queen of Soul gives us some Funk.  Follow up to "Spanish Harlem."

19.  *TWO DIVIDED BY LOVE--  Grass Roots       #16     Creed Bratton (("The Office") had already left the group by this time.  One comment says they still have this on 8-track.  Group formed in San Francisco with Rob Grill on vocals and bass.

18.  *I DON'T WANT TO LIVE INSIDE MYSELF--  Bee Gees       #53       At first, I really thought this group was the Beatles in disguise.

17.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels      #6     He found out about her and who?  From Los Angeles.

16.  *EVERYBODY'S EVERYTHING--  Santana      #12     That's the Tower of Power on horns.  Gregg Rolie on Hammond organ and vocals.  Is that a party way to start this song?

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Every Night Your Tears Come Down."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Two Divided By Love"

A Salute to Our Veterans Today

A well-deserved thank you to all those who have, are and will serve the United States as members of our Armed Forces.  This is your day.

I have written about veterans in seven of my blogs and even went over to Fox Lake, Illinois, for the annual ceremony by the train station on Grand Avenue as I usually do, but, alas it wasn't there this year.  I don't know what happened to it.

Today, Bob Stroud did his own salute to veterans on his Ten at Ten show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive, which was a bout the "Red, White & Blue."  This will repeat at 10 pm and it streams.

Here are the songs he played:

RED RAIN--  Peter Gabriel

REV ON THE RED LINE--  Foreigner

RED RED WINE--  UB 40

WHITE ROOM--  Cream

WHITE WEDDING--  Billy Idol

WHITER SHADE OF PALE--  Procul Harum

BLUE ON BLACK--  Kenny Wayne Shepherd

BABY BLUE--  Badfinger

BULLET  THE BLUE SKY--  U2

BLUE MONEY--  Van Morrison

Thank You Vets!!  

A Big Happy 246th Birthday to One of the Best, the USMC

The history of the United States Marine Corps began on November 10, 1775, when two battalions of Continental Marines were formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

They were a force of infantry which could operate on both land and sea (and now air).

All across the United States and the world today Marines are celebrating the birthday.

An old Marine tradition.

I will be going to a Marine Birthday celebration at the Fox Lake (Illinois) American Legion this Saturday.

Music Deaths: Joey Ambrose of Bill Haley & His Comets

JOEY AMBROSE, 87

Died 9 August 2021

Saxophonist, played with Bill Haley & His Comets.

Real name Joseph D'Ambrosio.  

Played tenor saxophone on  two of the group's biggest hits:  "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle, Roll."

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Was considered as being the last-surviving member of the original group.

WLS Top 30 for Week of November 8, 1971-- Part 2: 'Superstar'

*  Means the song was rising in the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

25.  *CHERISH--  David Cassidy    #9    No doubt that he had quite a voice on this one.   His biggest hit.  You might know him better as Keith Partridge on the "Partridge Family."

24.  SUPERSTAR--  Carpenters     #2    That Karen Carpenter had such a unique voice.  Just unique.  Born in 1950   Died in 1983.  So sad.  So soon.

23.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING SUNDAY--  Dawn       #39      A great trio.      The gals are Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent.  This song grows on you with more listening.  But, this sure isn't giving the bride much time to prepare.

22.  IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME--  Stevie Wonder     #8     Born in Saginaw, Michigan.

21.  *HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites     #3      R&B vocal group from Chicago.    This one really takes me back to my college days.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "One Month Ago Today I Was Happy As A Lark."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Have You Seen Her"

WLS Top 30 for Week of November 8, 1971-- Part 1: 'Wild Night'

Fifty years ago this week, these were the top 30 songs in Chicago according to WLS, 890 AM.

*  Means it was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high it got on the music charts.

HITBOUND:  

*STONES--  Neil Diamond      #14     Elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984.

30.  *BIRDS OF A FEATHER--  Raiders      #23       That old Joe South song.  Was Mark Lindsey still with the group back then?  Where was Paul Revere?

29.  *GOT TO BE THERE--  Michael Jackson     #4    His first solo effort.

28.  *FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone      #1      The story of two kids.  Definitely ahead of his time.

27.  *WILD NIGHT--  Van Morrison      #28       That is one great start to the song.  Gets you right into it.

26.  SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders      #8      You've just got to love any rock song with a banjo.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "One Child Grows Up To Be Somebody That Just Loves To Learn."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Family Affair"

Music Deaths: Dennis Thomas, Co-Founder of Kool & the Gang

DENNIS THOMAS, 70

Died 7 August 2021

Saxophone player and co-founding member of the soul/funk band Kool & the Gang.

Some of their songs:

"Ladies Night"  (#8-1980)

"Celebration"  (#1-1981)

"Get Down On It"  (#10-1982"

"Joanna"  (#2-1984)

Kool & the Gang's Greatest Hits CD is on my Ultimate Jukebox.

Around Here: The Problem With Halloween Lights, Stucky's Sunnyside Gold Carts and a Legion

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

On the internet much of the morning.  In the afternoon I rolled up the front hose (not real easy as there is 150 feet on it).  I also was able to figure out how to get the Halloween lights back on along the front porch.

We went to Stucky's for the $1 draft beer and I had the special which was a stuffed orange pepper cut out like a jack-o-lantern.  While we were there, five golf cart groups from Sunnyside Tavern came by on a Halloween scavenger hunt and they were all dressed in costumes.  We particularly liked the one group of our friends dressed like the different characters of the Addams Family.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

After the usual radio and internet, we went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Bears lose another game.  Then stopped at Sunnyside in Johnsburg on the way home.

--RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:   Q:  Do I have to have a baby shower?  A:  Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Time Songs to Help You Remember About That Time Thing You have to Do Tonight: 'Good Times Bad Times'

Yesterday, Bob Stroud played these "Time" songs on his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM.

DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS--  Chicago

TIME STANDS STILL--  Rush

TIME PASSAGES--  Al Stewart

AIN'T WASTIN' TIME NO MORE--  Allman Brothers

ONLY TIME WILL TELL--  Asia

GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES--  Led Zeppelin

BAD TIMES--  Grand Funk

ISN'T IT TIME--  Babys

THE BEST OF TIMES--  Styx

LOVE TAKES TIME--  Orleans

Like the Chambers Brothers said, "Time Has Come Today" for your clocks to fall back an hour.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "As I was Walking Down The Street One Day, A Man Came Up To Me."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is"

Around Here: Twice to Windhill for Food and Halloween Decorations, Stucky's for Jim Sieg and the Legion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Drove to McHenry, Illinois, and had the $5 half pound burger special at Windhill Pancake Parlor on Il-120 at the bridge.  It cost extra for additional toppings and I got the crumbled blue cheese and grilled onions for $1.50.  One great meal.  But the main reason for going there was the Halloween decorations.  They definitely go overboard decorating for Halloween.  Everywhere you look there is something to see.  I know of no other place that decorates this much for the occasion.

We then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg to see the return of local entertainer Jim Sieg who we've been following for years.  He came down with a bad case of the Covid and has recovered now.  He had his full band and he was having a great time.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

We went back to Windhill Pancake Parlor again, this time with Kevin and Kelly and try their fish fry and fish boil.  I got the fish boil and Liz the fish fry for $14.25 each.  It was AUCE, but neither one of us could finish and we took plenty home.  Kevin and Kelly had not been there for the decorations and were impressed.

Afterwards, we went to the Fox Lake American Legion where Kelly pretty much drank for free answering the "Wheel of Fortune" questions.  We then had the fifty-fifty, but none of us won anything.  Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville in the basement and watched the World Series game,

--Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q:  My childbirth instructor said it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure.  Is she right?   A:  Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Around Here: No More Firebird Cruises This Year, MCCWRT Meeting, Donovan's Reef and Trivia

TUESDAY, OCTONER 26

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the '85 Firebird to start, so that's it for my Firebird Cruises until next spring.  Hopefully I can get the problem with starting it worked out then.  Well, actually I wasn't going to get much more in cruising as my Extended Antique license plates only go to the end of October.

I went to McHenry and bought two cassette bricks at Meijer and had a Wendy's four for $5 special, then a McHenry County Civil War Round Table Board of Directors meeting at Sandy's house.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

We had quite the spread of snacks at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes.  No live trivia today, but we did enjoy playing along with the "Beast,"  "America Says" and Jeopardy on TV.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones

CHARLIE WATTS, 80

Died 24 August 2021

Drummer with the Rolling Stones.

Never flashy, just laid down the beat for so much great music.

A great one.  Never looked like a rock star.  So different from Da Mick and Da Keith.

Around Here: A Civil War Discussion, Karaoke, a Legion, Da Bears Blown Out and Stucky's

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting at Panera Bread.  Today's topic was the Battle of Perryville.  And, we actually somewhat stayed on topic much of the time.

Later, we went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, for dinner and the $1 draft Pints.  Had a great time singing karaoke.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

The usual morning on the internet, posting blogs and listening to the radio stations.

We went to the McHenry American Legion and watched one of the worst beat-downs ever on Da Bears at the hands of Da Brady and Da Buccaneers.  It was sad.  Very sad.

Then went to Stucky's to further drown our sorrows.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Connie Hamzy-- The 'Connie' from the Grand Funk Song

CONNIE HAMZY , 66

Died August 21, 2021

She went out with a whole lot of band members back in the day.  She was the "Sweet, sweet Connie" mentioned in the Grand Funk song "We're an American Band."

"Out on the road for forty days

Last night in Little Rock put me in a haze

Sweet sweet Connie, doin' her act

She had the whole show and that's a natural fact."

She was probably one of the biggest groupies around.

Goodbye, Sweet Sweet Connie.

WLS Top Ten for Week of November 1, 1971: 'Shaft'

These were the Top Ten and Debuts on Chicago's WLS AM Radio fifty years ago today.

1.  YO YO--  Osmonds

2.  GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher

3.  CHARITY BALL--  Fanny

4.  I FOUND SOMEONE OF MY OWN--  Free Movement

5.  TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green

6.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

7.  ONLY YOU KNOW & I KNOW--

8.  MAGGIE MAE / REASON TO BELIEVE--

9.  ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band

10.  NEVER MY LOVE--  Fifth Dimension

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

DEBUTS

25.  ROCK STEADY--  Aretha Franklin

26.  HAVE YOU SEEN HER--  Chi-Lites

30.  CHERISH--  David Cassidy

ALL HIT BOUND:  FAMILY AFFAIR--  Sly & the Family Stone

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Papa Would Do Whatever He Could, Preach A Little Gospel, Sell A Couple Bottles Of Doctor Good."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"

Around Here: 2021 High School Football: Skyhawks, Rockets, Bull Dogs, Panthers, Pirates, Vikings

SATURDAY. OCTOBER 23

Well, Illinois high school football season ended and it was the second straight year that I didn't get to see any games.  I sure hope to start seeing them next year. 

Anyway, here are the final records of the teams I back:

Johnsburg:   3-6

Richmond-Burton:    9-0

Grant (Fox Lake):   2-7

Round Lake:  2-7

Palatine:  6-3

Fremd (Palatine):  1-8

Mt. Carmel (Chicago):  6-3

Goldsboro (North Carolina):  4-5

Some Good, Some Bad.  --RoadHigh

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q:  How long is the average woman in labor?  A:  Whatever she says divided by two.

Around Here: Wisconsin Gas, Omelets, Old Friends, and the Blue Gill

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

Drove across the border and met the former Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  It was also time to fill up the Dakota which was down to about an 8th of a tank.  It has a big gas tank and it takes a lot to fill it when it is that low.  Gas around northern Illinois is anywhere from $3.40 to $3.60 now.  Gas in Wisconsin is lower and along Highway C was $3.20.

We had a good turnout for our first get together since the coronavirus hit back in March 2020 with six:  Bob B., Maxine, Bob D., Karen and Cindy.  Great to catch up with old friends.  And, the Diner has really great omelets.  I usually get the Mediterranean one and have several meals off it at home.

On the way home, I got gas at a station on Wis. 83, just north of Antioch, Illinois, for $3.08.  A considerable savings for me as it took 18 gallons to fill up.

Later, we met Kevin and Kelly at Kelly's in Trevor, Wisconsin, for a fish fry.  I had some delicious blue gill.

--RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q   What is the most common craving for women during pregnancy?  A     For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Here Are Another 12 Great Illinois High School Nicknames: The Polo Marcos

Cobden Appleknockers

DeKalb Barbs

Dietrich Movin' Maroons

Effingham Flaming Hearts

Elk Grove Grenandiers

Genoa-Kingston Cogs

Fisher Bunnies

Hampshire Whip-Purs

Lake Forest Academy Caxys

Polo Marcos   (Ha Ha)

Wethersfield Flying Geese

Zion-Benton Zee-Bees

Go You Flying Geese  --RoadDog

Great Illinois High School Nicknames: Go You Wooden Shoes

From the October 27, 2021, Rockford(Illinois) Register Star "Which Illinois high school has the coolest nickname?  here are our favorites" by a panel of six.

Well, I went to Palatine High School (the Pirates) and Fremd High School (the Vikings).  Okay names, but nothing extraordinary.

Here are some extraordinary school nicknames.  Go to the site and learn how they became known as them.

Rockford East E-Rabs

Plano Reapers

Rochelle Hubs

Centralia Orphans

Canton Little Giants

Teutopolis Wooden Shoes

Illinois Central Valley Grey Ghosts  (and just in time for Halloween)

Freeport Pretzels

New Berlin Pretzels

Witt Speedboys

Hoopestown Cornjerkers

Lincoln Railsplitters

Galesville Silver Streaks

And, just in time for the start of the 2021 IHSA Football Playoffs this weekend.

The Cornjerkers  --RoadBall

WLS Top Ten for Week of October 25, 1971: 'Tired of Being Alone'

That's right, just fifty short years ago.  I was still in college at UGA at the time as a junior and pledging Sigma Phi Epsilon, but had decided to drop out of that fraternity and try to start a Delta Sigma Phi fraternity there.

1.  YO YO--  Osmonds

2.  I'VE FOUND SOMEONE OF MY OWN--  Free Movement

3.  CHARITY BALL--  Fanny

4.  GYPSEYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher

5.  MAGGIE MAY / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart

6.  TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green

7.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels

8.  ONLY YOU KNOW AND I KNOW--  Delaney & Bonnie

9.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

10.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING SUNDAY--  Dawn

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

DEBUTS

27.  EVERYBODY'S EVERYTHING--  Santana

28.  BABY I'M-A-WANT YOU--  Bread

29.  I DON'T WANT TO LIVE INSIDE MYSELF--  Bee Gees

30.  TWO DIVIDED BY LOVE--  Grass Roots

CHERISH--  David Cassidy

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Been Fourteen Days Since I Don't Know When."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Do You Know What I Mean"

Around Here: A Civil War Encampment, Stucky's, Karaoke and Da Pack Beats Da Bears

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

For the first time since 2019,I went to a Civil War encampment at Hainesville, Illinois.  It was good to get around like-minded folks like me.  It was sunny, but blustery with a good bit of cold in the air.  Not bad in the sunlight, but avoid tree shade.

I met and talked with my friend Bob, who was playing the part of Elijah Haines, the founder and namesake of Hainesville.  We go back to 1973, when we were both teachers in Round Lake.  I also sat in on the presentations by U.S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln.

They were going to recreate the Battle of Bentonville, fought in North Carolina on March 19-21, 1865.  This battle was fought just 25 miles from where I was born in 1951, Goldsboro.  However, I had been wind-blown enough by then so I decided to leave.

Later that night Liz and I went to Stucky's in Johnsburg where we ate an d I sang karaoke.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17 

Met the new neighbors across the street for the first time.  We went to the McHenry American Legion where we watched a certain quarterback own us again as he said so emphatically after scoring a TD.  The 24-14 final score was not truly indicative of their domination.  Sure getting tired of watching Da Bears play Da Packers.

--RoadSadBears

Around Here: Good Things About Eliminations, Flu Shot, Raking Pine Straw and Lawn Tractor Problems

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

Well, one good thing about the Sox being eliminated from the playoffs (and the Brewers were also eliminated last night), I no longer have to make a special effort to watch any of the playoff games anymore.  I will watch parts of them as I get a chance to, but not all the games.  Plus, had the Sox gone to the World Series and won, there is a considerable savings on souvenirs of the event.

I got my regular flu shot for the second straight year,  I didn't get them for many years as I taught school and was around so many kids that I had built up quite an immunity, but the last several years I had been really sick with the flu for a couple weeks at a shot, so, hey, I'll take the shot.

Put up some more Halloween lights.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

I did a lot of pine straw raking (free mulch) around the east and west pine islands and picked up a whole lot of limbs and sticks in the arboretum area in preparation of cutting the grass.  Sadly, I couldn't get the lawn tractor started and will have to have it worked on again.  It is now 28years old and perhaps even a John Deere doesn't run forever.  This is the third problem this year so it may be time to get another one.

--RoadDog

Around Here: Sad Sox Eliminated, No Civil War Round Table, Donovan's Reef and German Fest at Stucky's

TUESDAY. OCTOBER 12

I had two big things to do today.  Originally just one, but yesterday's Sox-Astros ALDS game was rained out and rescheduled for today.  I also already had a McHenry County Civil War Round Table meeting at Woodstock Public Library, the first in person one since the virus hit at 7 pm.  The Sox game was in the afternoon.

We went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg to watch the Sox game which was my big mistake.  The Sox got off to a 1-0 lead, but then the bats went silent and any mistake the Sox made, the Astros scored.  They were especially good at scoring with two outs which happened quite a few times.  That is the mark of a good team.

And, out pitching collapsed again as well.  The result was a 9-1 loss and elimination from the playoffs.  To say the least, I was in no shape to drive the 17 miles to Woodstock for the round table meeting.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and played trivia with Uncle Jeffie.  Afterwards, I went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and had their Wednesday special, the German Fest 4-course dinner which included beef goulash, bratwurst balls & sauce, hunter's pork chops and Black Forest cake for $13.50.  As usual, Chef Deb put out a great spread.

--Eins, Zwei, Drei.  --RoadHund

Every Blooming THing: Mid October

This has been a strange fall so far.  It has not gotten very cold at all (That is, until now.  We had to turn the furnace on today.)  The  trees haven't really started to change much. My honey locusts, got gold, but he  lost their leaves quickly as usual.  Usually by now several of my crabapple trees lose their leaves by the end of August, but this year we had a drier spring, so they kept their leaves.

The birch trees are starting to turn yellow.  The burning bushes are just starting to turn their blazing red a little bit.

Unfortunately, the lawn tractor broke down for the third time this season nd is in a shop.  But, that isn't stopping the grass from growing.  Hope I get that back soon or it may be too late.

All Halloween decorations are up.

The asters are a deep purple and several hundred mums of varying hues are blooming as well as the reddish sedum heads.

--RoadGreen

Okay Bob Stroud, Here's a Ten at Ten for You: Fifty Years Ago: 'Absolutely Right'

Bob Stroud plays his Ten at Ten show every weekday at Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  He plays songs from a year or song with a common theme, such as yesterday's "Just Say No" show where all the songs had the word "No" in them.

Now, here's my list of songs on the WLS Survey from the week of October 11, 1971.  That would be fifty years ago in case you're wondering.  To me, these songs could definitely be played more often.

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band

ONLY YOU KNOW AND I KNOW--  Delaney & Bonnie

SHAFT-- Isaac Hayes

RAIN DANCE--  Guess Who

CHARITY BALL--  Fanny

TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green

ONE FINE MORNING-- Lighthouse

SO FAR AWAY--  Carole King

IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME--  Stevie Wonder

SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders

I think even Bob Stroud might like this list.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "People Say That I've Found A Way To Make You Say That You Love Me."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Tired of Being Alone"

WLS Top 10 for Week of October 18, 1971: 'I've Found Someone of My Own'

These were the Top Ten songs and debuts in Chicago according to WLS, 890 AM fifty years ago.

1.  MAGGIE MAY / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart

2.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels

3.  YO YO--  Osmonds

4.  IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME--  Stevie Wonder

5.  I'VE FOUND SOMEONE OF MY OWN--  Free Movement

6.  SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders

7.  SUPERSTAR--  Carpenters

8.  CHARITY BALL--  Fanny

9.  GYPSYS' TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher

10.  ONE FINE MORNING--  Lighthouse

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

DEBUTS

26.  INNER CITY BLUES--  Marvin Gaye

27.  PEACE TRAIN--  Cat Stevens

28.  IMAGINE--  John Lennon

29.  TRAPPED BY A THING CALLED LOVE--  Denise LaSalle

30.  YOU THINK YOU'RE HOT STUFF--  Jean Knight

EVERYBODY'S EVERYTHING--  Santana

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Been Forty Days Since I Don't Know When I Just Saw Her With My Best Friend."  Answer below.  RoadDog

"You Know What I Mean"

Music Deaths: Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers

PHIL EVERLY, 84

Died 21 August 2021

Singer/songwriter with vocal duo Everly Brothers with brother Phil Everly.

Talk about your hit songs.  These guys sure had them.  Just some of them:

"Bye Bye Love"  (#2-1957)

"Wake Up Little Susie"  (#1-1957)

"All I have To Do Is Dream"  (#1-1958)

"Bird Dog"  (#1-1958)

"Cathy's Clown"  (#1-1960)

And those are just a few of them.

Music Deaths: Tom T. Hall 'The Storyteller'

TOM T. HALL, 85

Died 20 August 2021

Country singer and songwriter.

As a recording artist, placed more than 50 songs on the country charts 1967 to 87, including 21 which became Top Ten hits.

Wrote "Harper Valley PTA" for Jeannie C. Riley" and "Itty Bitty" for Alan Jackson.

Some of his hits:

"(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine"

"I Love"

"The Year Clayton Delaney Died"

"I Like Beer"

"That Song Is Driving Me Crazy"

I remember seeing quite a country show back in the early 1980s featuring Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare.

As a matter of fact, I sang "I Like Beer" just last night at karaoke at Stucky's.

Thanks Tom for all those great songs.

WLS Top 30 for Week of October 11, 1971-- Part 5: 'So Far Away'

Fifty years ago in Chicago's WLS, 890 AM radio.

*  Means the song was climbing the chart.  The number after the artists is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

10.  SO FAR AWAY / SMACKWATER JACK--  Carole King     #14     From that huge album "Tapestry."

9.  GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL--  Donny Osmond    #1  for three weeks.

8.  THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN--  Joan Baez        #3     This song always makes me sad.  Her only Top Ten ever.   She only had one other song in the Top 40, "Diamonds and Rust," but, oh what a voice.

7.  I'VE FOUND SOMEBODY OF MY OWN--  Free Movement    #5

6.  IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME--  Stevie Wonder     #8

5.  SUPERSTAR--  Carpenters   "Long Ago and So Far Away."

4.  YO YO--  Osmonds      #3     The white Jackson 5.

3.  SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders    #8

2.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels    #6

1.  MAGGIE MAY / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart     #1  for five weeks

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Virgil Caine Is My Name And I Drive On The Danville Train."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."  

WLS Top 30 for Week of October 11, 1971-- Part 4: 'Spanish Harlem'

Fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.

*  Means it was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

15.  GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher       #1   Another persecuted group.  Real name Cherilyn Sarkisian.

14.  SPANISH HARLEM--  Aretha Franklin      #2       Aretha making another song her own.

13.  TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green     #11    His first Tip 40.   Had that perfect voice for that music.

12.  I WOKE UP IN LOVE THIS MORNING-- Partridge Family      #13    Great song from a Cowsills knock off band.  But, they had Susan Dey.  The TB series ran from 1970-74.

11.  ONE FINE MORNING--  Lighthouse    #24      One fine horn band.  From Toronto, Canada.   One of two Top 40 hits.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Born In The Wagon Of A Travellin' Show."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"

WLS Top 30 for Week of October 11, 1971-- Part 3: 'Charity Ball'

20.  MARIANNE--  Stephen Stills   #42    Born in Dallas in 1945.

19.  STICK UP--  Honey Cone     #11     Some of that great 1970s female soul  Lead singer Edna Wright died in 2020.    "Boom Boom Shacka Lacka Boom Boom."

18. I'M COMING HOME--  Tommy James     #40     I don't remember this song.  2:05.   What?  No Shondells?

17.  BIRDS OF A FEATHER--  Raiders   #23   This was written ad sung originally by Joe South and went to #106 in 1968.  They dropped the name Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1970.

16.  CHARITY BALL--  Fanny     #40     All girl band and a great song that I had forgotten.  These gals rocked.  This song should have ranked way higher.   Two of them were sisters.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  ""A Thief In The Night, He Stole My Mind."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Stick Up"

Thanks for a Fun Season Chicago White Sox

They gave their best shot, but those Astros were just too good.  I found out that this will be their fifth straight trip to the American League Championship Series.  And you could sure see it.  Make a mistake and they crucified you.  

That third inning especially yesterday.  Rodon hit the first batter, then walked the next two.  I immediately said the Astros were going to score at least two, which they immediately did.  That 2-1 lead proved to be all they needed.  

After the Sox beat them 12-6 Sunday in the game that seemed like it would never end, Sox bats went silent.  This was something the Sox had been doing regularly the last two months of the season.

But, I see a real fun year coming next season and they can use the experience in this playoff series to help base them for the next.

And, of course, I have to apologize to them for writing about the games in advance.  Whenever I do that for any of the teams I back, that essentially amounts to a kiss of death.

Oh, well.  At least I now have a lot more free time and I saved a lot of money buying souvenirs.  I will watch the rest of the MLB playoff, now that the Brewers are also out, at my convenience.  No must-watch games.

Oh yes, back in 2005, the White Sox swept the Astros in the World Series.  Just saying.

--RoadSad

WLS Top 30 for Week of October 11, 1971-- Part 2: 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep'

Fifty years ago.

*  Means the song is climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard National Hot 100 Chart.

25.  AIN'T NO SUNSHINE--  Bill Withers      #4   Just 2:06 long.    And Bill's saying "I Know" 27 times didn't seem to hurt the song.  I know.   His first of three straight top three songs.  His next one went to #1.  Do you know the name of it?

24.  RAIN DANCE--  Guess Who      #19     A comment from two years ago said they couldn't believe this group is still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Is that true?  Probably one of their least-known hits, but, wow!, what a song.  It gets into your head, then try to get it out.

23.  CHIRPY CHIRPY CHEEP CHEEP--  Mac and Katie Kissoon.     #20    Probably a silly song, but just try to get it out of your mind.  One comment called it the ultimate guilty pleasure.  It IS a neat song.   Brother and sister act from Trinidad.

22.  NEVER MY LOVE--  Fifth Dimension      #12     What harmony and then three's that Marilyn gal.  An old Association song.

21.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING SUNDAY--  Dawn       #39      As in the group Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando.    Gee, if you don't have anything going on Sunday. let's get married.  Not much forewarning on this one.

Name That Tune (from the above song):  "Wonder This Time Where's She Gone.  Wonder If She's  gone to stay."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Ain't No Sunshine"

WLS Top 30 for Week of October 11 1971-- Part 1: 'Shaft'

These are the tip songs in Chicago FIFTY years ago according to Powerhouse radio station WLS, 890 AM.  Yep, AM radio.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the National Billboard Hot 100 charts.

HITBOUND

*YOU THINK YOU'RE HOT STUFF-  Jean Knight      #57   Sounds a lot like her hit "Mr. Big Stuff."  One comment called it "Mr. Big Stuff Pt.1."  Love the lines from the song:  "But I am the one who's gonna cool you off" and "I know what you're after, But you're not gonna get it."

30.  UNCLE ALBERT /ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul and Linda McCartney   #1    Born James Paul McCartney in Liverpool on June 18, 1942.

29.  *ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band    #26    At 2:17, way too short.  You just start getting into it and its over.  From Ontario, Canada.

28.  *ONLY YOU KNOW AND I KNOW--  Delaney & Bonnie     #20   Written by Dave Mason.   Follow up to "Never Ending Song of Love."

27.  WEDDING SONG--  Paul Stookey     #24   I wonder how many weddings this song has been played at?  Where are Peter and Mary?

26.  *SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes      #1    "Theme from Shaft"  One tough song in all aspects:  from music to singing.  Makes you feel invincible after hearing it.  His biggest hit.  Follow up to "Never Can Say Goodbye."

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Don't Mean To Mislead You, It's Just My Craziness Comin' Through."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Only You Know and I Know"

About Last Weekend: Two Legions, a Band, No Fireworks, Buck Drafts and Da Bears

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

We went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) American Legion and saw the 50s-60s band Tony & the Effects from 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

Then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, figuring we'd watch the Johnsburg Family fireworks display from there while enjoying the $1 draft beers.   Unfortunately, we could not see those fireworks from there.  But, we did enjoy those drafts.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

Watched then first half of the Bears game at home in Margaritaville, our downstairs bar and the second half at the McHenry (Illinois) American Legion and enjoyed the excellent brats that Dave had made.

It was a good thing that the Bears were playing the Lions, who are as bad as DaBears or we would have lost the game.  But, at least our new wonderkid qb, Justin Fields wasn't sacked nine times.

--RoadDog

And, Yet Another Futile Effort on the Part of the Bad / Sad Sox

Now down two games to nothing in a best of five series.  The season should be over tomorrow night.  Everything I feared the Six would do, is exactly what they're doing.  

Then there is that Craig Kembrel. Sure hope that arm-hanger is gone by next year.  He comes in with the Sox down by a run and then suddenly they are down my five runs.

The Astros take advantage of every mistake the Sox make.  In one inning the Sox walked three straight Astros and two scored to tie it.

And, I didn't like the fact that the game was televised just on the MLB network which we don't get.

Well, one good thing about a quick out for the Sox is that it frees up time for me.  With them gone, I don't HAVE to watch or listen to any more baseball games.  Plus, I won't have to buy stuff that I would had the Sox won the World Series.

--RoadSad

Well, the Bad Sox/Sad Sox Showed Up Yesterday

Watched the entire game at a local watering hole and it was hard.  Sox pitcher Lynn didn't have his stuff and the Sox couldn't buy a hit there in the first six innings.

Of course, par of the problem was me putting the whammy on them by writing about them in this blog.  I guess I have to then take part of the blame.

But, at least the Sox got their act together at the end of the season and won five games in a row before losing the last one.  It reminds me of 2005, when the Sox won the World Series where they won five games in a row at the end of the season and then went through the playoff with a 11-1 run.

It was kind of bad that they were not threatened by any of the other Central Division AL teams and won so easily.

Well.  Good Luck Today.  --RoadSox

So, Which White Sox Team Will Show Up Today (A Sox Fan Worries)

In just a little bit, the Chicago White Sox will be starting their playoff game against the Houston Astros.

And, the big question is, which Sox team are we going to see.  Is it going to be the good one or the bad one.  If it is the bad one, it will be three and done.  And, there is no way of knowing which we will be getting until after the game gets underway.

The Sox can be unbelievably impressive at times and such a waste at others.  They can beat a team by ten runs and then lose the next four games by one run each.  Their pitching can be brilliant or I can't watch.  Relief is even a bigger question, especially with the Hendricks and Kimbrel.  Either brilliant or like throwing gas on the fire.

Now, I know I just put a whammy on the team by writing about it, but I just had too.

One thing I know, is that perhaps the team should be renamed the Chicago Hispanic Sox (sure are a lot of Hispanic names) or the Chicago Gold Chains (it seems most of the players always have those gold chains out bouncing around).

Plus, more than a few of the players require an interpreter when they speak to the media.  Looks like if you have been in the U.S. for several or more years, you ought to learn how to speak the language especially with how much money you're earning.

Any, just a few thoughts before the playoffs begin.

Go You White Sox and Bring It Back to Comiskey Park.  --RoadSox

Top Albums in Chicago for Week of October 4,1971

1.  EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY--  Rod Stewart

2.  EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR--  Moody Blues

3.  SHAFT--  Isaac Hayes

4.  TAPESTRY--  Carole King

5.  WHO'S NEXT--   Who

6.  BARK--  Jefferson Airplane

7.  RAM--  Paul & Linda McCartney

8.  MASTER OF REALITY--  Black Sabbath

9.  CARPENTERS--  Carpenters

10.  IMAGINE--  John Lennon

--RoadDog

Civil War, Half-Price Books, Sliders, Stucky's, Radio, Margaritaville, Da Bears, Legion and Concert

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Drove to Panera Bread Co. in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group,    This month's topic was Lee's First Invasion, 1862.  Nothing like getting together with a bunch of like-minded folks to talk about history, drink some coffee and today I had a Bear Claw.  That was good as I hadn't had one in a long time.

Afterwards, I drove to Algonquin, and even got through the Algonquin Road-Randall Road intersection without having to wait.  That is a first for me.  I drive the extra six miles to Algonquin because they have two of my favorite places, Half-Price Books and White Castle.  Love those cheap books and CDs at the first place, and, of course, a ten-pack of those beloved Sliders.

Cut the grass and later went to Stucky's in Johnsburg for their $1 pints.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

The usual morning stuff of internet and Breakfast with the Beatles and Rock and Roll Roots on the radio and then watched the first part of the Bears game in Margaritaville, our downstairs bar, then the second half at the McHenry American Legion.  Enjoyed one of their Adequate Bloody Marys for $2.50.  

I left in the 4th quarter when it became apparent Da Bears were completely outclassed and going to lose (poor Justin Fields in his first start at qb was sacked NINE times) and went over to the nearby Miller Park on the Fox River where I met friend Pam and saw a set by a local performer who put on quite a show.  This was the final concert of the summer season there and what a perfect day for it.

Afterwards went back to the Legion for awhile and then home.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of October 4, 1971: 'Spanish Harlem'

Fifty years ago these were the top ten songs in Chicago and the debuts.  Also, try to guess the artist of the song in the headline.

1.  MAGGIE MAY / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart

2.  SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders

3.  SUPERSTAR--  Carpenters

4.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels

5.  YO YO--   Osmonds

6.  GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL--  Donny Osmond

7.  THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN--  Joan Baez

8.  I'VE FOUND SOMEONE OF MY OWN--  Free Movement

9.  I WOKE UP IN LOVE THIS MORNING--  Partridge Family

10.  SPANISH HARLEM--  Aretha Franklin

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

DEBUTS

21.  I'M COMING HOME--  Tommy James

22.  GYPSEYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES--  Cher

23.  CHARITY BALL--  Fanny

24.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING SUNDAY--  Dawn

25.  NEVER MY LOVE--  Fifth Dimension

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT--  Five Man Electric Band

Name That Town (from the above songs):  "Long Ago, And Oh, So Far Away, I Fell In Love With You Before The Second Show."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Superstar"