WLS Top 27 for Week of October 9, 1972-- Part 1: 'Thunder and Lightning'

These were the top songs in Chicago according to WLS, 890 AM, fifty years ago.

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

27.  *DON'T EVER BE LONELY-- Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose     #23      I had forgotten this nugget.  If you don't remember it, check it out on You Tube.

26.  *IF I COULD REACH YOU--  Fifth Dimension       #19     What a voice.  That Mariyn McCoo and gang could really sing well together.

25.  *THUNDER AND LIGHTNING--  Chi Coltrane      #17      For some reason I always thought  it was a black woman singing this song, but it wasn't.  One kickin' song.   Born in Racine, Wisconsin.  Her one and only top 40 tune.

24.  RUN TO ME--  Bee Gees   #16     A forgotten Gibbs brothers song.

22.  CITY OF NEW ORLEANS--  Arlo Guthrie      #18     Written by Chicago's Steve Goodman.  A real American tapestry.  His only Top 40.  Also famous for that great "Alice's Restaurant."

21.  *STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN--  Mel & Tim       #19     I'd forgotten about this song but what a great smoothie as Herb Kent would call it.  Their second of two Top 40s, the other one being "Backfield in Motion" (#10 in 1969).

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Penny A Point Ain't Nobody Keeping Score."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"City of New Orleans"

Songs of America for the 4th of July: 'Going Up the Country'

These were the songs that newly semi-retired Bob Stroud played on his Rock and Roll Roots show from yesterday, Sunday, July 3rd.

BORN IN THE U.S.A.--  Linda Ronstadt

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS--  Arlo Guthrie

LIVING IN THE U.S.A.--  Steve Miller Band

TAKE THE HIGHWAY--  Marshall Tucker Band

AMERICA--  Simon & Garfunkel

AMERICAN GIRL--  Tom Petty

GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat

4TH OF JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY)--  Bruce Springsteen

WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND--  Grand Funk

CHIMES OF FREEDOM--  Byrds

PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE--  Rascals

THE PROMISED LAND--  Band

AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

Also, this coming Sunday, Bob Stroud will be doing Part 2 of his Summer of 1972 series on his Rock and Roll Roots.  It goes from 9 am to noon, CDST and will repeat from 9 pm to midnight.  It streams in WDRV.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Somebody Give Me A Cheeseburger."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Living in the U.S.A."

The Livers and Arlo

In the last post, I metioned that there was a song called "Beatle Time" by the Liver s on the WLS Top 40 for April 10, 1964. I'd never heard of it before, but went on You Tube and found it. I's have to say it was the Beatles meet the Ventures and Surf Guitar. //// The Feb. 9-15, 2014, American Profile Maazine had an answer about Arlo Guthrie in its "Ask American Profile." Frances Elliott, from West Union, S.C. asked: "When did Arlo Guthrie record 'City of New Orleans'" Is he still performing?" //// Answer: The folk singer, 66, had a Top 20 hit with "City of New Orleans" in 1972. (Of interest, the song was written by Chicago's Steve Goodman.) Still touring about ten months out of the year, he say, "Music is good for the soul, whether you're playing it or just listening." //// He was born in Coney Island, NY, the son of famed folk singer Woody Guthrie. Probably best-known for his great masterpiece, "Alice's Restaurant." //// You Can Get Anything You Want From .... --RoadDog