JSS: So Tired of Black Friday-- That 70s Music on the Drive-- First Christmas Radio, Now Christmas TV?-- Christmas Toilet Paper?

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SO TIRED OF BLACK FRIDAY--  I will be so glad when today is over.  For the last that is just about all I've been hearing.  Black Friday, Black Friday, Black Friday.  Give me a break.  And, we didn't even go out of the house so you wasted all that advertising money on us.

2.  THAT 70S MUSIC ON THE DRIVE--  In case you really like the music from the 1970s, Chicago's  WDRV 97.1 FM the Drive, is playing music from 1976 today.  Tomorrow its 1977 and Sunday 1978.  It streams.

3. FIRST CHRISTMAS RADIO, NOW CHRISTMAS TV?--  Of course, some of the Christmas radio stations fired up on Nov. 1 and all are going now.  Now, we have two cable channels showing pretty much nothing but Christmas movies.  Lifetime and Hallmark.  I've heard that most of these movies have pretty much the same plot.  I haven't seen any yet, but might just have to watch some to make up my mind on them.

4.  CHRISTMAS TOILET PAPER?--  And this pushes the boundaries a bit much.  Charmin even has a Christmas toilet paper song.  We've sure come a long way since "Please don't squeeze the Charmin."

Too Much, Man.  --RoadTP

DID YOU KNOW:  Tigers also have striped skin, not just striped fur.

The Drive's Essential 1970s A to Z This Past Weekend

Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM had a new thing going on this past weekend when they played the 1970s from A to Z.

Sure brought back some great memories from my late teens and twenties.  here are the "A" songs:

AFTER MIDNIGHT--  Eric Clapton
AFTER THE GOLD RUSH--  Neil Young

AIN'T EVEN DONE WITH THE NIGHT--  John Mellancamp
AIN'T TALKIN' 'BOUT LOVE--  Van Halen
AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG--  Rolling Stones

ALL MY LOVE--  Led Zeppelin
ALL RIGHT NOW--  Free
ALREADY GONE--  Eagles

AMERICAN GIRL--  Tom Petty
AMERICAN WOMAN--  Guess Who

AMIE--  Pure Prairie League
ANGIE--  Rolling Stones
ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (PART 2)--  Pink Floyd

AQUALUNG--  Jethro Tull

"There She Stood in the Street, Smiling From Her Head to Her Feet."  --RoadDog


INSURANCE CLAIMS:  I thought the side window was down but iy was up, as I found when I put my head through it.

"All Right Now"

#1 Songs for Week of May 18th-- Part 2

1961--  RUNAWAY--  Del Shannon
1962--  STRANGER ON THE SHORE--  Mr. Acker Bilk
1963--  TWO FACES HAVE I--  Lou Christie
1964--  LOVE ME DO/PS I LOVE--  Beatles  (Beatlemania, don't you know.)
1965--  MRS. BROWN YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAUGHTER--  Herman's Hermits

1966--  MONDAY MONDAY--  Mamas and Papas
1967--  DON'T YOU CARE--  Buckinghams  (Chicago's own)
1968--  MONY MONY--  Tommy James & the Shondells  (Mutual of Omaha New York)
1969--  GET BACK--  Beatles featuring Billy Preston  (How would it be to get featured by the Beatles?)
1970--   CECILIA--  Simon and Garfunkel  (One of my favorite S&G songs.)

1971--  JOY TO THE WORLD--  Three Dog Night (What was the name of that bullfrog?)
1972--  THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE--  Roberta Flack
1973--  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLE OAK TREE--  Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
1974--  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk
1975--  IT'S A MIRACLE--  Barry Manilow

1976--  WELCOME BACK--  John Sebastian  (Go, Sweat Hogs and Vinnie Barbarino.)
1977--  WHEN I NEED YOU--  Leo Sayer
1978--  NIGHT FEVER--  Bee Gees
1979--  REUNITED--  Peaches & Herb
1980--  CALL ME--  Blondie

I Know Everything After 1955.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "You can see a lot by observing."

Boomer Radio: Vintage Rock-- Good Tunes If You Can Find 'Em-- Part 2

MAYBE-- Janis Joplin // GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES-- Led Zeppelin // STEVE'S SONG-- Blues Project // JOHN BARLEYCORN-- Traffic // ROCK AND SOUL (WOODSTOCK)-- Country Joe & the Fish // WHITE BIRD-- It's a Beautiful Day // SHE COMES IN COLORS-- Love // TALES OF BRAVE ULYSSES-- Cream // WHO COULD WANT MORE-- Lee Michaels // SEASON OF THE WITCH-- Julie Driscoll anmd Brian Auger & Trinity // ROADS TO MOSCOW-- Al Stewart // HEAR ME CALLING-- Ten Years After // CASEY JONES-- Grateful Dead // BALLAD OF EASY RIDER-- Byrds // TODAY-- Jefferson Airplane // MECHANICAL WORLD-- Spirit // RICHARD CAREY-- Simon & Garfunkel // HEY JOE-- Jimi Hendrix // AMORENA-- Elton John // and. WE COULD BE SO GOOD TOGETHER-- Doors. //// Check It Out. --RoadDog

Seven Classic Rock Bands Still a-Rockin'

From the Feb. 6, 2014, Cheat Sheet "7 Classic Rock Bands Still Rocking in 2014" by Mark Knapp. //// The article has photos, videos and more information. I'm just listing them. //// And, we can definitely say that the Beatles kicked off the Classic Rock era. //// 1. Rolling Stones // 2. Deep Purple // 3. Yes // 4. Blue Oysetr Cult // 5. ZZ Top // // Eagles // 7. Aerosmith. //// More Cowbells!!! --RoadDog

Three Dog Night's Sweet Sixteen in Chicago-- Part 2

These are the top sixteen songs in the city.

16. Never Been to Spain
15. Eli's Coming-- Written by Laura Nyro
14. Liar-- originally done by Argent and my Marine Corps song.

13. Family of Man
12. Pieces of April
11. Let me Serenade You

10. Out in the Country
9. Celebrate-- featuring the Chicago horn section
8. The Show Must Go On-- written by Leo Sayer

7. Shambala-- There's Fred and me up on that table again.
6. An Old-fashioned Love Song
5. Easy to be Hard-- From "Hair"
4. Mama Told Me Not To Come-- written by Randy Newman

3. Black and White-- Always reminds me of Dekalb and Northern Illinois University.
2. One-- written by Harry Nilsson
1. Joy to the World-- written by Hoyt Axton

What Was the Name of That Bullfrog We Used to get Drunk With? --RoadDog

Happy 70th Three Dog Night's Cory Wells-- Part 1

This past Sunday, February 5th, was the 70th birthday for one of Three Dog Night's three lead singers, Cory Wells. Three Dog Night is one of my all-time favorite blue-eyed soul bands.

I can remember one Christmas party standing with another guy on top of a table back in the 70s singing "Shambala" at the top of our lungs, when we weren't into a stirring rendition of the Irish Rovers' "The Orange and the Green" or Chuck Berry's "My Ding-a-Ling." Fortunately the table didn't break and neither of us fell off.

Plus, Three Dog Night's "Liar" was one of my Marine Corps songs.

Bob Stroud devoted part of his Rock and Roll Roots show to Three Dog Night's Sweet Sixteen, their top sixteen songs in Chicago. I was even able to guess what their top two songs were in order.

Love That TDN. --RoadDog


HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Tie the knot...(to get married)

When Disco Saved Beach Music-- Part 2

According to the 'Fessa, Beach Music was about dead until Disco infused new life into it. An asterisk after the performer means I haven't heard it before.

EVERLASTING LOVE-- Carl Carlton
ROCK YOUR BABY-- George McCrae
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE-- Barry White

HONEST I DO LOVE YOU-- Candi Staton (was married to Clarence Carter)
LOWDOWN-- Boz Scaggs
USED TO BE MY GIRL-- O'Jays

WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU-- Spinners
YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME-- Phyllis Hyman*
WHEN LOVE IS NEW-- Arthur Prysock*

ENJOY YOURSELF-- Jacksons*
CHEATERS NEVER WIN-- Committee
DOCTOR'S ORDERS-- Carol Douglas*
SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ME-- Lou Rawls

Check It Out at Cashbox Magazine. --RoadDog


We can't all be heroes because somebody's got to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.

When Disco Saved Beach Music-- Part 1

They say, "Video Killed the Radio Star," well, the Buggles anyway. But according to Beach Music maestro John Hook, "Disco Saved Beach Music."

From 'Fessa John Hook's Beach Music Top 40 Countdowns on the Cashbox Magazine website http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/countdowns/beachmusicweekly.html.

I'm listening to his forty songs right now. Good stuff, including some disco songs I've never heard of before.

Say the word "Disco" and you get lots of groans. We even had Disco Demolition here in Chicago which led to a mini-riot at old Comiskey Park and a Sox forfeiture of a game vs. the Tigers.

I think most people just didn't like the "culture" Disco folks tried to build around the music.

However, most people liked and still like the music. Like they said on American Bandstand, "It's got a good beat and is easy to dance to." I give it a ten.

Back when I was deejaying, if I was having a hard time getting people out on the floor, out came a Disco song and nine times out of ten, it worked.

"I Love the Nightlife" by Alicia Bridges playing right now.

I'll Be Listing All Fifty Songs He Played, But Even Better, You Give It a Listen. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: I "hate" to admit it, but since I've been retired, I sort of forgot how to set an alarm.

Where Were You April 25, 1974?-- Part 2

Some songs compliments of Bob Stroud to bring back a memory or two.

(I'VE BEEN) SEARCHING SO LONG-- CHICAGO
BAND ON THE RUN-- WINGS-- my favorite big hit by Sir Paul. Always reminds me of driving the van from the Holiday Inn in Wheeling-Northbrook back and forth to O'Hare Airport.
OH MY MY-- RINGO STARR-- I definitely enjoyed ol' Ringo's post-Beatle output. The last two songs, of course, by ex-Beatles. I still have to think twice when spelling the insect by the same name.

LET IT RIDE-- BTO-- How do you get more rock than this? Great cruising-down-the-road tune.
MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS-- MARIA MULDAUR-- How do you get less rock than this? Some kind of different song.

COME AND GET YOUR LOVE-- REDBONE-- Some Indian Rock.
I'LL HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG-- JIM CROCE--

TUBULAR BELLS-- MIKE OLDFIELD-- I don't know if this song or the movie scared me more.
HOOKED ON A FEELING-- BLUE SUEDE-- One of the best-ever starts to a song. When deejaying I was very likely to play the beginning two-three or more times in a row. Everybody say "Ooga Chaka."

JET-- WINGS-- Another Sir Paul effort.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON- THREE DOG NIGHT--

BENNIE AND THE JETS-- ELTON JOHN-- #1 song in Chicago.

Good Stuff, Lulu, Good Stuff. --RoadDog


Thought for the Day: If you think there is good in everybody then you haven't met everybody.

Saturday Morning Flashback Goes to 1970

Every Saturday morning, Wendy Rice hosts a four hour show on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM, one really fine radio station. It goes from 8 am to noon. April 10th, she spotlighted 1970. Along with the tunes, you gets lots of history. It really takes you back, especially if you lived through it. Even better, for those of you outside the Chicago area, it streams over the internet.

You can even go to the website and listen to the whole show whenever you want.

Paul McCartney released his first post-Beatle solo album with the hit "Maybe I'm Amazed."

Some other songs that I liked:

ONLY YOU KNOW AND I KNOW-- DAVE MASON-- Played all the instruments himself.
ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE-- BREWER & SHIPLEY-- Wonder what they were talking about?

ALL RIGHT NOW-- FREE-- One of the great all-time rock songs. How do you get better?
MILES FROM NOWHERE-- CAT STEVENS-- What a voice, what a style.

LET IT RAIN-- ERIC CLAPTON-- I really like the guitar intro.
BALL OF CONFUSION-- TEMPTATIONS-- Sure loved that Motown Sound.

ROADHOUSE BLUES-- DOORS-- Put on the travelin' music.
MOONDANCE-- VAN MORRISON--

TAKE ME TO THE PILOT-- ELTON JOHN-- No doubt that the 70s were his decade.
NATURE'S WAY-- SPIRIT
WAR-- EDWIN STAR-- "What are you good for? Absolutely _____!!"

Notable debuts: Mary Tyler Moore Show and Monday Night Football.

Give Her Show a Listen. --RoadDog


OXYMORON: Why do tugboats push those barges?

Where Were You March 28, 1977?-- Part 2

Oops. I put it on another blog, this date.

http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com.

The number one song in Chicago was "The Things We Do for Love" by 10CC.

Sure hate When I Do That. --RoadDog

Maxine says the economy is so bad a truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.

Where Were You March 28, 1977?-- Part 1

The second part of Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Time Warp show of March 28th was to this date in 1977.

In 1977, we were living in Round Lake Beach, Illinois and I was teaching 7th and 8th grade at Magee Middle School in Round Lake. Liz was teaching 1st grade at Beach School. This was my fourth year teaching.

We were having a great time with our neighbors at the time: the Walkers, Bergstroms, LaBoys and Kranzs. We got along with Hank but the others didn't as they had kids and Hank wasn't much of a fan of kids.

Our dog Brandy, a Sheltie/Beagle mix, was ruler of the yard.

Again, all comments are my own since I didn't get to hear it.

RICH GIRL-- HALL AND OATES-- Did they really say she was rich bitch?
SO INTO YOU-- ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION--

I WISH-- STEVIE WONDER-- Stevie pre-dreads. Just hitting one of his peak times of output.
WALK THIS WAY-- AEROSMITH-- Great rock and I also liked the Run DMC/Aerosmith rap version. This second time around in the 80s resurrected the band.

Sure Wish We Still had Those Gas Prices. --RoadDog

Maxine says: The economy is so bad if the bank returns you a check marked "insufficient funds," you call and ask if this means you or them.

#1 Songs This Date in the Seventies

1979-- Babe-- Styx
1978-- Le Freak-- Chic
1977-- You Light Up My Life-- Debby Boone (Oh Well)
1976-- Tonight's the Night-- Rod Stewart
1975-- Fly Robin Fly-- Silver Connection
1974-- Kung Fu Fighting-- Carl Douglas (I wonder how it ranked on Stroud's list from Sunday?)
1973-- The Most beautiful Girl-- Charlie Rich (The Silver Fox)
1972-- I Am Woman-- Helen Reddy
1971-- Family Affair-- Sly & the Family Stone
1970-- The Tears of a Clown-- Smokey Robinson & Miracles

Some Great Stuff and Not So Good-- RoadDog

Off to See Heartsfield

Heartsfield, one of my favorite country rock bands of the 70s are back together, and I'm leaving in an hour to go see them at the Round Lake Beach Fest. I have never seen them before, but really liked them on the FM radio back then. I thought I had at least two of their 70s efforts in my record library, and I had four: Heartsfield, The Wonder of It All, Foolish Pleasures, and Collector's Item. They were on major labels for those: Mercury and Columbia.

Perry Jordan and JC Hartsfield formed the band in 1972. They were a couple of southern boys living in the Midwest and avid fans of the country-rock genre. They broke up in 1986 and reformed in 2000. Only Perry Jordan remains of the original group.

Counting the first run, they claim to have performed for millions of people and have released 9 albums, one of the more recent ones a live performance from the House of Blues in St. Louis.

They also will be playing Sunday at the Arlington Heights Frontier Days.

Their website: www.heartsfield.com

Some of my favorite songs by then, and, as far as I'm concerned, their self-titled debut album is a greatest hits compilation: I'm Coming Home, Hushabye, Music Eyes, Understandin' Woman, and the great The Only Time I'm Sober is When You're Gone (talk about your great country titles!!!). You can hear some of their songs on the website.

I'm Coming Home to Some Great Country Rock. RoadDog