WLS Top 40 for October 7, 1968: "White Room"

Fifty years ago.

15.  WHITE ROOM--  Cream      #6     The way to begin a song.  Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

14.  HUSH--  Deep Purple    #4    Their first of three straight reimagined cover songs.  "Kentucky Woman" and "River Deep-Mountain High."  Watch out for that wolf.  Great opening guitar and organ riffs.

13.  TIME HAS COME TODAY--   Chambers Brothers    #11.  Their biggest hit.  One of my all-time favorite songs.  The perfect change to or from Daylight-Savings Time song.  Four brothers from Mississippi.  "Cuckoo!!"

12.  I GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU--  Bee Gees   #8   Born in Manchester, England.  Moved to Australia and back to England in 1967.  When I first heard them "New York Mining Disaster 1941" I was sure they were really the Beatles singing under another name.  Hey, Bee Gees could be Beatles, you know.

11.  ON THE ROAD AGAIN--  Canned Heat     #16   Great road cruisin' song.    Blues-Rock band formed in Los Angels in 1966.  Bob "The Bear" Hite on lead vocals and harmonica.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Preacher Talked To me And He Smiled."  Answer Below.  --RoadDog

WALLACE WOOD'S RILES OF DRAWING:  Never draw what you can copy.


"I've Gotta Get A Message To You."

Looking Back to 1966: NIU Naming New Roads

From the September 28, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1966, 50 Years Ago.

"New street names as well as signs have been popping up on the burgeoning Northern Illinois University campus.  So new are some of the names heretofore nameless campus roads that some departments' records and maps are lagging behind the names.

"Among the new names are :University Circle, Stadium Drive and Kishwaukee Drive.

The students attending NIU grew by a huge amount in the 1960s.

Naming the NIU Roads.  --Cooter

WLS Top Ten for December 30, 1966: "I'm a Believer"

1.  STEPPIN' STONE / I'M A BELIEVER--  Monkees  (Probably hadn't discovered that the flip side was the bigger hit yet.  However, both are great songs.
2.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen
3.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams    WLS supporting another local group.

4.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
5.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra
6.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan
7.  GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders

8.  EAST-WEST--  Herman's Hermits
9.  WORDS OF LOVE / DANCIN' IN THE STREET--  Mamas & Papas
10.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Ten, Twenty, Thirty, Forty, Fifty or More."  RoadDog

WE THE PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED:  By doctors that prescribe patients with pills and more pills and then wonder how we became a drug-crazed society.  (Big Profit for Drug Companies).

"Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron"

WLS Top Ten for December 23, 1966: "Good Thing"

Fifty years ago, just before Christmas, these were the top ten songs in Chicago on WLS, 890 AM.

1.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
2.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams    Good ol' LS supporting Chicago groups as usual.
3.  STEPPIN' STONE / I'M A BELIEVER--  Monkees    I'm guessing "Steppin' Stone" was the "A" side.

4.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen
5.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan
6.  GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders
7.  EAST-WEST--  Herman's Hermits

8.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
9.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra
10.  WORDS OF LOVE / DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas and Papas

Name That Tune (from the above): "Ten, Twenty, Thirty, Forty, Fifty Or More."  --RoadDog


"Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron"

WLS Top 40 For December 16, 1966-- Part 7: "Good Vibrations"

10.  LADY GODIVA--  Peter & Gordon
9.  STEPPIN' STONE/ I'M A BELIEVER--  Monkees
8.  GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders

7.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
6.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra  (Her father Frank was also in the Top 20).  I imagine he had to be quite proud of his daughter also being in the Top Ten at the same time.  I have to wonder if there was another time when a father and daughter were both in the Top Twenty at the same time?

5.  SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON--  Royal Guardsmen  It had jumped from #26 on the WLS Survey.
4.  DEVIL WITH THE BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder

3.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan
2.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams
1.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band

Name That Tune (From the above songs):  "Seems That This World's Got You Down."  --RoadDog



"Good Thing"

WLS Top 40 For December 16, 1966-- Part 6: "Poor Side of Town"

15.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers

14.  WORDS OF LOVE/DANCING IN THE STREET--  Mamas and Papas

13.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes

12.  EAST-WEST--  Herman's Hermits  Went to #27.  From Manchester, England.  One of my favorite songs by them.

TALK TALK--  Music Machine   Peaked #15 on Billboard.  Los Angeles rock quintet.  One of the best Garage Rock songs of all time.

Name That Tune:  "Set Me Free, Why Don't You, Babe."  --RoadDog



"You Keep Me Hanging On"

WLS Top 40 for December 16, 1966-- Part 5: "It's Only Love"

20.  JUST ONE SMILE--  Gene Pitney   Peaked at #64 on Billboard.     Born in 1941 and had 24 Top 100s from 1961 to 1969.  He also wrote "Hello, Mary Lou,"  "He's a Rebel" and "Rubber Ball."

19.  THAT'S LIFE--  Frank Sinatra    Went to #4 Billboard.  Who'd have thought he'd still be having hits in the 1960s?

18.  SINGLE GIRL--  Sandy Posey   #12 Billboard.  Born in Alabama, raised in Arkansas.  She also had a #12 with "Born a Woman."

17.  CRY--  Ronnie Dove   Peaked #18 Billboard.  Born in Virginia and had 20 Top 100s and 11 Top 40s from 1964 to 1966.

16.  IT'S ONLY LOVE--  Tommy James & the Shondells   Went to #31 on Billboard.  Born in Dayton, Ohio.

Name That Tune: "You're Ridin' High in April, Shot Down in May."  --RoadDog



"That's Life"

WLS Top 40 for December 16, 1966-- Part 4: "Communications Breakdown"

25.  COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN--  Led Zeppelin   Didn't chart.  I didn't know they were making music back in '66.

24.  SPANISH NITES--  Connie Francis   Went to #99 on Billboard.  Actual title "Spanish Nights and You"  Her 54th Top 100 near the end of her recording career.  She only had two others after this.

23.  NASHVILLE CATS--  Lovin' Spoonfull   Went to #8 on Billboard, one of their six straight Top tens in 1966.   Joel Whitburn refers to them as  a Jug-Band rock group formed in New York City in 1965.

22.  GRIZZLY BEAR--  Youngbloods   Went to $52 on Billboard and their first hiy.  Their biggest hit was "Get Together" (#5 in 1969)

21.  I GOT A FEELIN'--  Neil Diamond

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Been Playin' Since They's Babies."  --RoadDog


"Nashville Cats"

WLS Top 40 for December 16, 1966-- Part 3: "Standing In the Shadows of Love"

30.  TELL IT LIKE IT IS--  Aaron Neville   (Debut)  Peaked at #2 on Billboard.    He also hit #2 23 years later in 1989 with "Don't Know Much."

29.  GALLANT MEN--  Senator Everett Dirksen  (Debut)  Went to #29 on Billboard.  U.S. Senator from Illinois 1950-1969.  His only ever hit single.  Talking about the bravery of our soldiers as the Vietnam War escalated.

28.  I'M LOSING YOU--  Temptations   (Debut)  Went to #8.  Motown, what can I say.

27.  STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE--  Four Tops  (Debut)  To #6 Billboard.  Motown, some of my favorite music.

26.  I'M READY FOR LOVE--    Martha & the Vandellas     Went to #9 on Billboard.  Some more great Motown

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "If You Want Something To Play With, Go Find Yourself a Toy."  --RoadDog



"Tell It Like It Is"

WLS Top 40 for December 16, 2016-- Part 2: "If Everyday Was Like Christmas"

35.  I NEED SOMEBODY--  ? Mark & the Mysterians   Peaked at #22 on Billboard.  Follow up to their #1 hit "96 Tears."   If you like "96 Tears" you'll like this one.

34.  MAME--  Herb Alpert   Went to #19 on Billboard.  Born in Los Angeles.

33.  IF EVERYDAY WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS--  Elvis Presley  (Debut).  Didn't chart on Billboard.  Not too impressive.

32.  98.6--  Keith  

31.  THERE'S GOT TO BE A WORD--  Innocence   To #34 on Billboard  One of their two Top 100s.  Actually, they were the songwriting duo of Peter Anders and Vinnie Poncia.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Good Mornin' Sun I Say It's Good To See You Shinin'."  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for December 9, 1966: "Lady Godiva"

1.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
2.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan
3.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys

4.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder
5.  LADY GODIVA--  Peter & Gordon
6.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes
7.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams

8.  GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders
9.  I WANNA MEET YOU--  Cryan' Shames
10.  TALK TALK--  Music Machine

Name That Tune (from the above songs)  Answer below):  "When Your baby Don't Love You."  --RoadDog


"Kind of a Drag"

WLS Top Ten for December 2, 1966: "Poor Side of Town"

1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
2.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
3.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan

4.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes
5.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers
6.  I WANNA MEET YOU--  Cryan' Shames
7.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder

8.  TALK TALK--  Music Machine (Up from #17)
9.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra  (Up from #16)
10.  STOP STOP STOP--  Hollies

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She's Got High Heel Shoes and an Alligator Hat."  --RoadDog

ONE THING I LEARNED IN LIFE  (From the Orange Peel Gazette):   "...if at first you fon't succeed, look in the waste basket for the directions."


"Devil With a Blue Dress On"

WLS Top Ten for November 25, 1966: "You Keep Me Hanging On"

1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
2.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
3.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes

4.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers
5.  LADY GODIVA--  Peter & Gordon
6.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
7.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan

8.  STOP STOP STOP--  Hollies
9.  I WANNA MEET YOU--  Cryan Shames   Good ol' WLS pushing our Chicago local bands again.
10.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--   Mitch Ryder

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Her Long Brown Hair, Hangin' Down Around Her Knees."  --RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  A pod of okra on a gold chain makes an excellent conversation piece.  You can tell everyone that it's an elk's tooth -- with plaque.

"Lady Godiva"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 6: "You Keep Me Hanging On"

10.  STOP STOP STOP--  Hollies
9.  RAIN ON THE ROOF--  Lovin' Spoonful
8.  HOORAY FOR HAZEL--  Tommy Roe

7.  I WANNA MEET YOU--  Cryan Shames   Went to #85 on Billboard.  WLS supporting yet another Chicago group.  This makes four Chicago groups on the WLS Top 40 this week:  Buckinghams #36, Shadows of Knight #34, Chicago Loop #30 and the Cryan Shames.

6.  REACH OUT--  Four Tops
5.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes
4.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers

3.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
2.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "How Can You tell Me How Much You Miss Me."  --RoadDog



"Poor Side of Town"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 5: "Devil With a Blue Dress On"

20.  MELLOW YELLOW--  Donovan    Jumped from # 34 on the WLS chart
19.  SEE SEE RIDER--  Eric Burdon & the Animals
18.  HAIR ON MY CHINNY CHIN CHIN--  Sam the Sham   Went to #22 on Billboard.  Real name was Domingo "Sam" Samudio.

17.  IT'S ONLY LOVE--  Tommy James & Shondells
16.  IF I WERE A CARPENTER--  Bobby Darrin
15.  DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON--  Mitch Ryder  Went to #4 Billboard, his biggest hit.  Part of the title was also "Good Golly Miss Molly" an old Shorty Long song.
14.  DANDY--  Herman's Hermits

13.  LADY GODIVA--  Peter & Gordon
12.  96 TEARS--  Question Mark & the Mysterians  Went to #1 Billboard.  Their biggest hit.
11.  WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED--  Jimmy Ruffin   #7 Billboard.  The brother of Temptations'  David Ruffin.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Seventeen, a Beauty Queen."  --RoadDog

HOW TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT:  Question:  "Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident?"  ANSWER:  "I could have traveled by bus."


"Lady Godiva"

WLS Top 40 for November 17, 2016-- Part 4: "Louie Louie"

25.  TIME AFTER TIME--  Chris Montez     To #36 on Billboard.  Protege of Ritchie Valens.  Biggest hit "Let's Dance" (#4-1962).

24.  I CAN MAKE IT WITH YOU--  Pozo Seco Singers   Went to #32 on Billboard  The group had six Top 100s and featured country singer Don Williams.

23.  NINETEEN DAYS--  Dave Clark 5    To #48 Billboard

22.  HELP ME GIRL--  Outsiders    To #37 on Billboard.  Last of four Top 40s for the Cleveland rock group.

21.  LOUIE LOUIE--  Sandpipers   Went to #30 on Billboard.    L.A.-based trio and follow up to their biggest hit "Guantanamera" which went to #9.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Well, I Got That feeling."  --RoadDog



"Help Me Girl"

WLS Top 40 for November 17, 1966-- Part 3: "Talk, Talk"

30.  SHE COMES TO ME--  Chicago Loop    (When She Needs Good Lovin')  Went to #37 on Billboard.  Chicago rock band.  Another one pushed by WLS.  Quite the rocker and one I didn't remember ever hearing.

29.  I'M READY FOR LOVE--  Martha & the Vandellas    To #9 on Billboard.  From Detroit and recorded on Gordy Records, part of the Motown Sound.

28.  COMING ON STRONG--  Brenda Lee    Went to #11 on Billboard.  Her last really big hit.  recording career lasted from 1957 to 1973.

27.  SUGAR TOWN--  Nancy Sinatra    To #5 Billboard.  The first child of Nancy and Frank Sinatra, born in 1940.

26.  TALK TALK--  Music Machine   Went to #15 on Billboard.  The biggest hit for the rock quintet from Los Angeles.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "I Got Some Troubles, But They Won't Last."  --RoadDog



"Sugar Town"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 2: " A Hazy Shade of Winter"

35.  WHO AM I--  Pet Clark     Petula Clark from Epsom, England.  Went to #21 on Billboard.

34.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU MINE--  Shadows of Knight    #90 on Billboard.  Again, here we have WLS pushing a local group.

33.  A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER--  Simon & Garfunkel    Went to #13 on Billboard.

32.  TINY BUBBLES--  Do Ho   Went to #57 on Billboard.  Born in Hawaii in 1930.  I always thought this was an older song.

31.  I GOT A FEELING--  Neil Diamond   Went to #16 on Billboard.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Make Me Happy, Make Me Feel Fine."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  A sign in front of a Macadamia Nut factory in Hawaii:  "Caution:  Nuts crossing road."


"Tiny Bubbles"

WLS Top 40 for November 18, 1966-- Part 1 "Mame"

40.  WHEEL OF HURT--  Margaret Whiting   Went to #26 on Billboard.  From 1946-1954, she was very popular, charting 40 times.

39.  PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE ME--  Cyrkle    Went to #59 on Billboard.     From Eaton, Pennsylvania.  A great little pop song clocking in at just two minutes.

38.  MAME--  Herb Alpert   #19    From Los Angeles and co-founder of A&M Records.  His band was Tiquana Brass.

37.  FREE AGAIN--  Barbra Streisand   #83 on Billboard.

36.  KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams    Debut.  It went to #1 on Billboard.  It was their first hit and a result of WLS constantly pushing local Chicago acts.

Name That Tune (from the above):  "When Your baby Don't Love You."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  A sign in front of an advertising agency in south superhighway, Philippines:  "A business with no sign is a sign of no business."

"Kind of a Drag"

WLS Top Ten for November 11, 1966: "Hooray for Hazel"

I was a sophomore at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  I was on the wrestling team and doing lots and lots of running.

1.  GOOD VIBRATIONS--  Beach Boys
2.  LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE--  Monkees
3.  96 TEARS--  ? Mark & the Mysterians

4.  REACH OUT--  Four Tops
5.  WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL--  New Vaudeville Band
6.  POOR SIDE OF TOWN--  Johnny Rivers
7.  HOORAY FOR HAZEL--  Tommy Roe

8.  DANDY--  Herman's Hermits
9.  YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON--  Supremes
10.  RAIN ON THE ROOF--  Lovin' Spoonful

Name That Tune (from the above):  "Now If You Feel That You Can't Go On."  --RoadDog