WLS Top Ten for Week of Nov. 20, 2022: 'Nights in White Satin'

 These were the Top Ten songs and debuts in Chicago 50 years ago.

1.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

2.  I'LL BE AROUND-- Spinners

3.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

4.  I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy

5.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

6.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

7.  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations

8.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

9.  WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles

10.  IF I COULD REACH YOU--  Fifth Dimension

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DEBUTS

25.  SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH ME--  Austin Roberts

26.  ROCK 'N ROLL SOUL--  Grand Funl

27.  SUNNY DAYS--  Lighthouse

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "In Numebrs Too Big To Be Ignores."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I Am Woman"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of Nov. 13, 1972-- Part 4: 'I Am Woman'

Fifty years ago.  That's half a century for those who are counting.

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

10.  LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers      #11       Their first big hit.      On the video, they had two drummers and 4 guitarists.

9.  *WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles      #9       Too late for Halloween?  That's Don Henley singing.

8.  *IF I COULD REACH YOU--  5th Dimension       #10     Their last Top Ten.

7.  *I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy      #1      Hear me now!!  Hear her roar!!

6.  *I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo      #2

5.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners      #3     This song really brings back the memories.

4.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield    #4

3.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson    #6      His last Top 40 song.

2.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues    #2   Their biggest hit.

1.  *I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash    #1 for 4 weeks

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Chance To Share Old Memories And Play Our Songs Again."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Garden Party"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of Nov. 13, 1972-- Part 3: 'Summer Breeze'

These were the Top songs in Chicago back fifty years ago this week according to WLS, 890 AM.  

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

15.  *SUMMER BREEZE--   Seals & Crofts      #6      Their first big hit.  Jim Seals & Dash Crofts.   From Texas.

14.  *I BELIEVE IN YOU--   Gallery      #22     Well, ya gotta believe in something.  That be a good thing.  Why not music?   Mac Davis wrote it.    Follow up to their biggest hit "Nice to Be With You."

13.  *THUNDER AND LIGHTNING--   Chi Coltrane      #17     That gal could sing.  Quite the pipes.   Her only top 40 hit.  

12.  *PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations       #1     Motown at its best.

11.  GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES--  Danny O'Keefe      #9     Bluesy & laid back.   His only Top 40 hit.  From Washington state.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "It Was The Third Of September That Day I Will Always Remember, Yes I Will."  Answer below.  --  RoadDog

"Papa Was a Rolling Stone"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of Nov. 13, 1972-- Part 2: 'It Never Rains in Southern California'

20.  *ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA - BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU--  Johnny Rivers     #6     That boogie piano.

19.  *IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--  Albert Hammond       #5     If no rain, where do those mudslides come from?   Born in London, England.

18.  *VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America      #8       That's Dewey Bunnell singing lead.  

17.  *YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green     #3      That music, those instruments and that voice!!   Not one of his better  known songs.  Part of 6 straight Top Tens from 1972-1973.  

16.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley       #2       Thought I was at a tent revival.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Chewing On A Piece Of Grass, Walking Down The Road."  Answer below.  --  RoadDog

"Ventura Highway"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of November 13, 1972-- Part 1: 'I'm Stone in Love with You'

That's right, a half century ago these were the big songs on Chicago's Powerhouse WLS, 890 AM.

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

27.  *I'M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Stylistics    #10  With that unique voice of Russell Thompkins, Jr.  From Philadelphia.

26.  *CLAIR--  Gilbert O'Sullivan     #2       Dig the whistling.  Follow up to "Alone Again (Naturally)"  Real name Raymond O'Sullivan.   A song about the 3-year-old daughter of his manager.

25.  *CRAZY HORSES--  Osmonds     #14      This is a great Halloween song.  Weird.  Who says the Osmonds can't rock.  This could be Heavy Metal.  Seriously.  Give it a listen if you don't remember it.  Especially watch the video.

24.  *OPERATOR--  Jim Croce      #17      My favorite Jim Croce songs.  Too bad we didn't have him longer.  Just imagine all those great songs he might have had.

23.  *IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW--  Harold Melvin       #3      Hard to imagine a song that is more of a belly rubber.    His group?  The Blue Notes.

22.  *BEN--  Michael Jackson     #1      A song about a rat?  Title song from the movie.

21.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient     #3     Again, this songs always reminds me of driving the Ramblin' Wreck ('63 Rambler station wagon)  on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, Illinois, my senior year at NIU.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "See, The Number In The Matchbook Is Old And Faded."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Operator"

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 8: Toasting 49 Years and That Little Bottle of Blue Nun

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

We walked over to the VFW, about a block away and enjoyed their $2 drafts and especially enjoyed talking with the other folks there.  You can almost always strike up a conversation at this "Cheers" kind of a place.  Hopefully, the Gold Room will be better the next time we go there as it is a "Cheers" kind of place also.  Yesterday, we only had one and then done.

Returned to the motel and had our Riesling wine while we toasted 49 years of being wed and Amby and his little bottle of Blue Nun.

We didn't have anyone sitting outside their room last night, but tonight was different.  The people in the rooms next to us were outside and we had a great talk with them.  One couple were farmers from near Galesburg.

Sitting outside your room and talking with fellow travelers is one of our favorite things about staying in a mom and pop motel.

--RoadTalk

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 7: Galena's Log Cabin Restaurant

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

We then drove to downtown Galena and amazingly, found a parking space, one that I could pull into and not have to back into (again, my depth perception has faded).  It was right in front of where we were going to eat our anniversary dinner, The Log Cabin Steakhouse (with that great old sign hanging over the sidewalk).  This is where we ate our first meal together on our honeymoon.

As we walked up to the door, they opened it as they open at 4 p.m. and that was the time.  We were the first customers of the day.  I had thought of having one of their notable steak dinners, but they started at $38, a bit more than I wanted to pay.  Instead, I got my usual catfish dinner for $19.95, only this time I had it made up Greek style.  Liz ordered the cod dinner.

The place looks exactly as it did 49 years ago.   Another reason we like it so well.

As usual, we got a hot loaf of bread and a relish tray with some of the best cheese spread anywhere.  I also got a baked potato with the order.

We had plenty left over.  Thankfully, our room at Grant Hills Motel has a minifrig.

--RoadAnniversary

Veterans Day 2022

A day to thank our veterans for their service.  It is too bad that so many don't.  

I have or will write about veterans in all blogs today except one.

I was admiring the Ukrainian flag I have flying as I pulled out of the driveway and then remembered, "Hey, Veterans Day."  Pulled back in and put the big  U.S. flag on the garage and the smaller one out by the mailbox.  I already had a U.S. flag flying from the gazebo.

Went to Fox Lake to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony, but was unable to find it.  I sure wish the village and Legion would put out more information on these things.  So, drove over to McHenry and also could not find it at Veterans Park, so then figured that perhaps the ceremony would be at 11:00.  I had time to kill so went to Wendy's for breakfast.

Drove by Veterans Park, but no ceremony.  Same with Miller Park.  Then went to the VFW and caught the very end of it.  Oh well.

Later  tonight, I will be going to the Fox Lake Legion.

Thank You Veterans.  --RoadThankful

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 6: Some More on That Little Blue Nun and a 'Sharknado'

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

The actual date of  our 29th wedding anniversary.

Some more on that little bottle of Blue Nun Riesling wine.

At one time, Blue Nun Riesling wine was one of the biggest selling wines in the United States, especially from the 1940s to 1970s.  That was because our servicemen and women stationed overseas during World War II started drinking the wine and when they returned to the States, continued drinking it.  Sadly, as they died, their kids did not keep on drinking it.  That is why it is impossible to find it now.  Even Binny's in Chicago, a huge chain, does not carry it.

Oh well, regular Riesling wine will suffice for us.  And, overall, Riesling is making a comeback, so we can hope that Blue Nun will as well.

Back to the motel and put one bottle in the minifrig and watched what has to be one of the dumbest movies of all time "Sharknado 3."  So bad that it was good.

--RoadDog

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 5: Those Crazy Iowa Gas Prices and the Little Blue Nun

If you want traffic, you got traffic on the Iowa side of that bridge.

I found a station advertising $3.70 a gallon and doubled back against a lot of that traffic to fill up.  However, as I was putting the gas in, I saw that I was paying $4.10 a gallon.  WHAT??  What gives here?  Have I been victimized again by crazy Iowa gas prices? You've got to keep an eye on gas prices here.  Often regular is more expensive than midgrade.

I then saw that there were two kinds of regular at the station:  Regular and Regular Supreme.  And, I had chosen poorly and been victimized by Iowa gas prices again.  I am going to have to talk to my buddy Mark about gas prices in "HIS" state.

After that expensive gas fill up, we drove back across the bridge and stopped at one of our favorite liquor stores, Van's in East Dubuque.  I bought two bottles of Barefoot Riesling wine to keep Liz's dad's tradition going.  Ambrose (Amby) gave us a small bottle of Blue Nun wine for our honeymoon.  He knew that we didn't like wine (well, Ripple and Annie something or other were acceptable in a pinch).  

Well, every year for the first 44 anniversaries we would get a bottle of Blue Nun to drink.  But, sadly, no one carries it anymore.  But, it is a Riseling wine and you can find them easily, so we drink as close to a Blue Nun thing as we can.

--RoadDog

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 4: Hanging Out and Going to Dubuque

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

There were three motorcyclists who stayed at the Grant Hills Motel last night and we said hello as they passed by, but as cyclists often are, they only wanted to talk with each other.  Not with car folk like us.

I sat out by the pool and wrote in the journal.  The clouds were gone, sunshining and actually getting hot.  Cars, trucks, motorcycles and lots of SUVs going by on US-20 (the U.S. Grant Highway)  The U-Haul trucks are parked by the side of the pool.  The motel also rents them.

Liz and I drove to Dubuque, Iowa.  US-20 from Main Street in Galena all the way up the hill is really torn up with construction.  Galena High School is called the Pirates and they have the same dopey-looking logo as our Palatine High School Pirates.

Anyone who thinks Illinois is a flat state need only drive US-20 from Freeport to Dubuque to change their mind.  Passed the Swiss Inn in East Dubuque, Illinois.  We have stayed there often and like it especially because there is a bar attached to it.

We crossed the Mighty Mississippi on the bridge and were expecting to find cheaper gas prices in Iowa.  From the bridge there is quite a climb up a hill to get to the main store area of Dubuque on US-20.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do you fill out a form by filling it in?

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of November 6, 1972: 'Listen to the Music'

That's right, half a century ago.

1.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

2.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

3.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

4.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

5.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners

6.  LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers

7.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley

8.  BEN--  Michael Jackson

9.  GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES--  Danny O'Keefe

10.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

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DEBUTS

20.  SUMMER BREEZE--  Seals & Crofts

21.  AMERICAN CITY SUITE--  Cashman & Dill

22.  YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green

26.  ELECTED--  Alice Cooper

27.  OPERATOR--  Jim Croce

28.  CRAZY HORSES--  Osmonds

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Everybody's Misused Him, Ripped Him Off And Abused Him."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Freddie's Dead"

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 3: Bringing It All Back

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

We were married on this date 49 years ago.  The ceremony took place at the Newman Center in DeKalb right by the campus of Northern Illinois University where we both graduated.  The reception also took place in DeKalb at what was the Holiday Inn on Lincoln Highway (that Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental paved highway).  It is now still there and is a Red Roof Inn.  It is right across the street from one of out favorite places, Pizza Pros.

We sat outside for awhile and I went to the office for coffee and a Dubuque newspaper.  Yep, they still give guests a newspaper.  How quaint.

Forty-nine years ago, I woke up in our apartment in Des Plaines and Liz woke up at her parents' house in Palatine.  Then, we drove to DeKalb.

I didn't know Dubuque had three colleges: the University of Dubuque, Clarke College and one other one.  Plus, one of their parks is named Comsikey Park.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How does a building burn up as it burns down?

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 2: Galena's Gold Room, Paradise and VFW

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24

We then drove back to downtown Galena and began the long look to find a parking space somewhere.  It is a popular tourist spot, so always a lot of cars (especially on the weekends).  Of course, a new problem is that my depth perception has really gotten bad, so parallel parking would not be a good idea.  We saw several good parallel parking spaces of course.  

I dropped Liz of outside one of our favorite watering holes in Galena, the Gold Room and then spent another ten minutes looking for a spot and finally found one at a good distance from the Gold Room.  Walked back and we went inside.  Sadly, the place was dead so just had one beer and left.

We were planning to eat at Dirty Gurt's nearby, but they are closed on Wednesdays.  Continued walking and found a likely place called Paradise Pub & Grub and stopped in.  They had a spaghetti special so I got that and Liz had a pork loin sandwich.

Next stop was at our favorite drinking place in Galena, the VFW which still has their $2 Busch Light pints so thoroughly enjoyed them.

Went back to the Grant Hills Motel and sat outside.  Unfortunately, no one else did. so it was just Liz and me.  Folks need to know that when you have a motel like that, you should sit outside.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:   Why is QUITE A FEW the same as QUITE A LOT?

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24

This was the first time Liz and I had been farther than about twenty miles from the house since March 2020 because of the COVID thing.  I had driven as far away as 35 miles to Marengo a couple times (and even to the Indy 500, but friends drove).

We went to Galena, Illinois, where we went on our honeymoon in August 1973.  This was before it became such a popular place as it is today. 

We took Il-47 to Il-176 and then US-20 (US-20 is the U.S. Grant Highway in Illinois because of his living in Galena) the rest of the way.   We stayed at the Grant Hills Motel just south of Galena.  This is an old mom and pop kind of motel where you park right outside your room.  We especially like this place because you can sit outside at night and talk to other people staying there.

This was a 130 mile trip.  That is really not that far, but since this was way farther than I had driven since 2020, I was quite tired when I got there and had to take a nap. 

After that, we drove on US-20 past the that neat old downtown to Wal Mart to stock up on beer and a bottle of Jim Beam for that outside sitting at night.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  If it was just a three-hour trip, why did Mrs. Howell have so many clothes?