WLS Top Ten for Week of April 5, 1971: 'Another Day'

That's right, 50 years ago.  Or, to put it in perspective, half a century.  Egads!!

1.  SHE'S A LADY--  Tom Jones

2.  JUST MY IMAGINATION--  Temptations

3.  ANOTHER DAY--  Paul McCartney

4.  EIGHTEEN--  Alice Cooper

5.  L.A. GOODBYE--   Ides of March

6.  WHAT'S GOING ON--  Marvin Gaye

7.  I AM... I SAID--  Neil Diamond

8.  ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE--  Brewer & Shipley

9.  JOY TO THE WORLD--  Three Dog Night

10.  WE CAN WORK IT OUT--  Stevie Wonder

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

DEBUTS

22.  STAY AWHILE--  Bells

23.  CHICK-A-BOOM--   Daddy Dewdrops

24.  POWER TO THE PEOPLE--  John Lennon

25.  LOVE HER MADLY--  Doors

HIT BOUND:  I DON'T BLAME YOU AT ALL--  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Always Something Nice To Say, Oh What A Blessing."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"She's a Lady"

WLS Top 30 for Week of March 8, 1971-- Part 1: 'L.A. Goodbye'

Hard to believe this is now FIFTY YEARS ago.

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the National Billboard Hot 100 charts.  The * in front of the song's name means it was climbing the WLS charts.

HITBOUND:    *I AM...I SAID--  Neil Diamond   #4        Classic Neil.  Born Noah Kaminsky in 1941 in Brooklyn.

30.  *LOVE STORY (WHERE DO I BEGIN)-  Andy Williams      #9        Jumping on the movie bandwagon.  This time with words.  Henry Mancini's instrumental version of it was at #3 this week on WLS' Top 30.

29.  *FREE--  Chicago    #20     How 'bout dem horns?  Great opening.  Unfortunately, only 2:15 long.  Pretty amazing that a group with even one song like this that sold 36 million albums, over  100 million records and had twenty Top 10 songs didn't make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame until 2016.

28.  *L.A. GOODBYE--  Ides of March      #73     Written by John Peterik for his band.  from Chicagoland's own Berwyn.  As Svenghouli would say ___________!!!  WLS always supported local acts big time.

27.  *OYE COMO VA--  Santana      #13     Written by  Latin/jazz and mambo musician Tito Puente in 1963.

26.  BORN TO WONDER--  Rare Earth   #17      Who says white boys can't sing soul?  On Motown's Rare Earth label.  First non-black group signed by Motown.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "She Fills My Heart With Very Special Things."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Love Story (Where Do I Begin)"  

Winners of the 4th WLS Hit Parade Awards for 1970

From the January 4, 1971,WLS Music Survey.

BEST MALE VOCALIST

Neil Diamond

BEST FEMALE VOCALIST

Diana Ross

BEST GROUP

Beatles

BEST DUO

Carpenters

BEST NEW MALE VOCALIST

Joe Cocker

BEST NEW FEMALE VOCALIST

Freda Payne

BEST NEW GROUP

Partridge Family

BEST INSTRUMENTAL

Assembled Multitude

BEST LOCAL GROUP

Ides of March

--RoadDog

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  An Indian reservation consists of a mile of land for every five square Indians.

WLS Top 40 for Week of May 11, 1970-- Part 2: "Make Me Smile"

I always go to You Tube and listen to every songs when I do a Top 40.  As they say, really takes me back.   Listening to the Fifth Dimension's "Puppet Man" right now.

35.  MAKE ME SMILE--  Chicago     #9   (D)  Horns and more horns!!  I love a good horns band.  And, from Chicago.  Originally the Chicago Transit Authority.

34.  MY BABY LOVES LOVIN'--  White Plains      #13      A great 3-minute piece of pop music if there ever was one.  That's Tony Burrows singing lead.   He also sang hits for the Pipkins, Edison Lighthouse, Brotherhood of Man (which means he had two songs in this week's Top 40) and White Plains.  A Man of Many Groups, that Tony.

33.  THE SEEKER--  Who   #44     Great guitar intro.  "I asked Bobby Dylan, I asked the Beatles."

32.  PEOPLE AND ME--  New Colony Six     Did not make Top 100.    Never heard of this song before.  But, a much heavier effort than they usually did in the Ronnie Rice era.  This was WLS pushing local talent in Chicago.

31.  LET IT BE--  Beatles      #1   Another good song for these days.  Buy, hey, they had problems back fifty years ago as well.

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


"Let It Be"

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 27, 1970: "Woodstock"

That's right.fifty years ago.

These are taken from the Oldies Loon site.

1.  VEHICLE-  Ides of March
2.  ABC--  Jackson Five
3.  AMERICAN WOMAN/NO SUGAR TONIGHT--  Guess Who

4.  SOMETHING'S BURNING--  Kenny Rogers / First Edition
5.  REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE--  Marmalade
6.  UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF--  Supremes
7.  WOODSTOCK--  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

8.  CECILIA--  Simon & Farfunkel
9.  WHICH WAY YOU GOING, BILLY--  Poppy Family
10.  TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME--  Tyrone Davis

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

DEBUTS

31.  THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker
35.  COME SATURDAY MORNING--  Sandpipers

37.  SOOLAMOIN--  Neil Diamond
38.  HUM A SONG--  Lulu

39.  PEOPLE AND ME--  New Colony Six
40.  REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEBODY'S HAND--  Diana Ross


Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Lonely Feeling Deep Inside.  Find a Corner Where I Can Hide."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"No Sugar Tonight"

Music Deaths: Marty Grebb, Member of Buckinghams and Bonnie Raitt's Band

MARTY GREBB, 73

Died January 1, 2020

Guitarist, keyboardist and touring musician.  Played with Chicago's Buckinghams (just inducted into the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Rick Danko, Eric Clapton, Etta James and Bonnie Raitt.

Played keyboards with the Buckinghams in their heyday in the 1960s.

WLS Top Ten for December 30, 1968: "Things I'd Like To Say"

The Top ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six
3.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Supremes / Temptations

4.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells
5.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
6.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
7.  STORMY--  Classics IV

8.  SOULFUL STRUT--  Young Holt Unltd
9.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
10.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

DEBUTS

33.  TOUCH ME--  Doors
39.  EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly & the Family Stone
40.  CALIFORNIA SOUL--  Fifth Dimension

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Now I Don't Hardly Know Her, But I Think I Could Love Her."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Crimson & Clover"

WLS Top Ten for December 23, 1968: "Son Of A Preacher Man"

Fifty Years Ago.  That's a Half Century for Those of You Who Are Counting.

1.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye
2.  I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME--  Bobby Vinton
3.  THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY--  New Colony Six

4.  STORMY--  Classics IV
5.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion
6.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Diana Ross / Supremes
7.  CINNAMON--  Derek

8.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder
9.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield
10.  CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells

DEBUTS

35.  MY FAVORITE THINGS--  Herb Alpert
39.  HEY JUDE--  Wilson Pickett
40.  I STARTED A JOKE--  Bee Gees

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Bet You're Wondering How I Knew."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  Make the Yuletide Gay?   Wow, just Wow!!  You're kidding me.


"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

WLS Top Ten for March 25, 1968: "I'll Always Think About You"

Fifty years ago this week.  Songs on the WLS, 890 AM, Silver Dollar Survey.

1.  I'LL ALWAYS THINK ABOUT YOU--  New Colony Six    Chicago's own.
2.  LADY MADONNA--  Beatles
3.  VALERIE / TAPIOCA TUNDRA--  Monkees

4.  YOUNG GIRL--  Union Gap
5.  SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE--  Aretha Franklin   75 years old today, 2018.
6.  LA LA MEANS I LOVE YOU--  Delfonics
7.  DOCK OF THE BAY--  Otis Redding

8.  KISS ME GOODBYE--  Petula Clark
9.  SIMON SAYS--  1910 Fruitgum Co.
10.  THE BALLAD OF BONNIE & CLYDE--   Georgie Fame

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Baby Baby, Sweet Baby, There's Something I Got To Say."  Answer Below.  --RoadDog



"Since You've Been Gone"

WLS Top Ten for August 4, 1967: "Light My Fire"

There were six songs by Chicago area bands in the Top 40 this week.

1.  WE'RE IN LOVE--  Cryan' Shames   Actual Title "It Could Be We're In Love"  From Chicago
2.  COME ON DOWN TO MY BOAT--  Every Mother's Son
3.  CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU--  Frankie Valli

4.  WORDS/PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY--  Monkees
5.  BLUES FIRE--  Arrows    Actual title "Blues Theme"
6.  LIGHT MY FIRE--  Doors
7.  MERCY, MERCY, MERCY--  Buckinghams   From Chicago

8.  WHITE RABBIT--  Jefferson Airplane
9.  YOU NEED LOVE--  Beatles   Actual title "All You Need Is Love"
10.  I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER--  Stevie Wonder

12.  ROMEO & JULIET--  Michael & the Messengers   From Milwaukee
18.  TAKE ME BACK--  Flock   From Chicago
24.  I'M JUST WAITING--  New Colony Six   From Chicago
38.  HOLD ON--  Mauds.     From Chicago

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Local Rock Group Down the Street Is Trying Hard to Learn Their Song."  Answer below.  RoadDog

Sox-Cubs Crosstown Putdowns:  Cub fan to Sox fan:  Even our handsomely quaffed ex-governor (Blagojavich) wouldn't try to sell a Sox seat.

"Pleasant Valley Sunday"

WLS Top Ten Songs for July 28, 1967: "Blues Theme"

The Top Ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago according to the WLS 890 Silver Dollar Survey.

1.  CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU--  Frankie Valli
2.  WORDS/PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY--  Monkees
3.  COME ON DOWN TO MY BOAT--  Every Mother's Son

4.  MERCY, MERCY, MERCY--  Buckinghams  (Chicago band)
5.  BLUES THEME--  Arrows
6.  WE'RE IN LOVE--  Cryan' Shames ("It Could Be We're In Love")  (Chicago band)
7.  WHITE RABBIT--  Jefferson Airplane

8.  LIGHT MY FIRE--  Doors
9.  SAN FRANCISCO, WEAR FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR--  Scott McKenzie
10.  LITTLE BIT OF SOUL--  Music Explosion

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Know That It Would Be Untrue."  (Answer Below).  --RoadDog

Sox-Cubs Crosstown Classic:  Sox Fan--  Is that your team ERA or your shoe size?

"Light My Fire"

Chain Flood 2017-- Part 10: Rain, Rain, Go Away

SATURDAY JULY 22

Yesterday, we had a short storm come through in the afternoon, but not a problem.  Forecasts called for a lot of rain starting in the evening.  We decided not to go to Antioch's Taste of Summer to see the Suburban Cowboys because of it and those annoying, pesky mosquitoes.  Glad we didn't.  It started drizzling when we went to the American Legion, then turned into an off-and-on downpour.  Again, we sure don't need any more rain.

It rained much of the night, but isn't right now at 7 a.m..

Rumor has it that we are in for another five inches of rain by Sunday.  If that happens, the boating season on the Chain of Lakes will essentially be over.  The flooding would be massive.

While at the Legion, I went to the jukebox to see if they had "Rainmaker" by the Cryan' Shames or Harry Nilsson.  They didn't.

But, when I got home I watched the Sox game on TV in Margaritaville and got my Ultimate Jukebox going and among those 300 CDs, I had the Cryan' Shames' version of it so listened to it several times.

Today, forecasts call for scattered showers with a 35% chance of rain, 83 degrees, 82% humidity and we are in a flash flood watch.  Weather Bug has chance of rain at 65%.

We'll have to see what thuis will do to our going to McHenry's Fiesta Days this afternoon.  Plus, our local Dog 'N Suds is having a band and classic car show in the parking lot from 6 to 9 pm.  Also, Antioch is having three bands in its Taste of Summer and 125th birthday party.

Like the Song Said, "Rain, Rain, Go Away.  Come Again Another Day."

Local Radio Supporting Chicago Bands Back in 1967

Chicago's WLS 890 AM sure supported the local bands back fifty years ago.  Not only WLS supported local talent, but rival Big Ten, 1000 AM, WCFL did as well.

Here are the bands listed in the Top 40 from the Chicago area:

35.  TAKE ME BACK--   Flock

23.  STEP OUT OF YOUR MIND--  American Breed

17.  HOLD ON--  Mauds   (Originally "Hold On, I'm Coming" by Sam and Dave.)

16.  SUNDAY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME--  Spanky & Our Gang

15.  I'M JUST WAITING--  New Colony Six

14.  WE'RE IN LOVE --  Cryan' Shames     (Actual name of the song "It Could We're in Love.")

12  ROMEO & JULIET--  Michael & the Messengers  (Most likely from nearby Milwaukee, but this group is hard to trace.)

7.  MERCY MERCY MERCY--  Buckinghams

The good old days for us who grew up in the Chicagoland area back then.  And, a lot of these bands played local high school hops and clubs.

These are good songs.  If you haven't ever heard of them, check them out at You Tube.

Good Times Had By All.  --RoadDog

THE LAST YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  Your life's goal is to amount to a hill of beans.

Ronnie Rice at "It's Thursday" in Antioch, Illinois.

I'm sitting here at the old keyboard on Saturday listening to 'Fessa John Hook's Beach Music Countdown on the Endless Summer radio network. I sure love getting my Beach Music fix over the internet when I'm not down that way.

This past Thursday. I drove over to Antioch to their "It's Thursday" free concert series. This one featured Ronnie Rice, or the Human Juke Box as he is called.

Ronnie was the lead singer and wrote many of the songs for the seminal Chicago 60s rock group, the New Colony Six, one of my favorites from that era. Other Chicago groups were the Shadows of Knight, Buckinghams, Ides of March, and Cryan' Shames.

They first hit the charts in 1965, and charted 21 singles on the Billboard charts, mostly not in the Top 40. But, they were in the Top 40 all the time on the two major radio stations in Chicago, WLS and WCFL. Both of these were AM stations, but this was before FM.

They had hits with: "Love You So Much,"  "I Confess,"  "Cadillac" (a great way to learn how to spell the word as they kept spelling it out-probably my favorite NC6 song), "I Will Always Think About You" (one of Liz and my "songs"), "Can't You See Me Cry," "Love You So Much," and another favorite of mine, "Mr. You're a Better Man Than I."

You can get info at http://www.ronnierice.com/

Also, www.newcolonysix.com but this one isn't kept up very well.

The New Colony 6 was inducted into Iowa's Rock N Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame in 2002. We don't have a Chicago Rock Hall of Fame that I know of.

They were noted for wearing Revolutionary War uniforms as part of their gimmick. Of course, all things English were in the vogue back in 1965, what with the British Invasion. Get it, colony. Even the Buckinghams were named after Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, but then there's that Buckingham Castle in London.

The group reformed in the the 1980s, but Ronnie doesn't perform with them.

I wish that Bob Stroud would have one of his Rock and Roll Roots compilation CDs on those great Chicago 60s groups. Hear that, Bob!!!

I have two greatest hits New Colony 6 compilations.

The 60s, a Pretty Good Time to Grow Up...Overall. --RoadDog

Boating, SCV,Captain's Quarters, The Only Sons, Free Tickets to Country Thunder

FRIDAY, I boated over to McDonald's for breakfast, did a float, visited Frances, my mother-in-law, and met up with Kora, Ed, Laura, and Gail at the Legion. I did some yard work in between. Yard work just never stops. I am of the opinion that I planted too much.

SATURDAY I went to Des Plaines for a Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting. Always have a good chat with like-minded people over breakfast. I was shocked to see my breakfast, that cost $6.80 with coffee had a 66 cents tax on it. That is 9.5%!!!!

Did some yardwork at home. Then Liz and I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wi, and played NTN. Out of 3000 or more places playing across the US and Canada, we had three top twenties, not bad for just two people playing against about 9000 other people. They show the top twenty scores, both by site and individual. Liz had a 14,567 out of 15,000 on one game, not bad. We ranked #4 and she was #3 on that one.

Came home and had a bonfire out on the Grand Strand. The Grand Strand is the lower patio between the gazebo and the deck.

SUNDAY, I listened to some of the radio shows OD, On Deck, and worked on my retaining wall by the gazebo, part of which had fallen down.

We went to Captain's Quarters and saw The Only Sons and were lucky enough to get seats at the bar. Usually, you can't even get near it. All the bands that we've seen at Captain's (which is located on Fox Lake) are good, but The Only Sons are our favorite. As usual, they put on a great show and had the people up and dancing most of the time.

We won four free tickets from Chicago's US 99 FM radio to see Country Thunder in Twin Lakes this coming Thursday. Trick Pony, Keith Anderson, Carrie Underwood, and Dierks Bentley are playing on the main stage. Now, that causes two problems. One is that I was already planning to see Mr. Myers do their Caribbean/reggae music Thursday at Taste of Antioch. Also, Dierks doesn't start until 10:30 PM, a bit past the old guy's bedtime. I'll have to think about it. Hey, we didn't go to Waukegan's Scoop the Genesee car celebration this past weekend because the bands started at 10 PM. Friday they had Chicago's own Cryan' Shames and Saturday it was Flo and Eddie from the Turtles. It used to be called Scoop the Loop, but the name was changed this year.

Decisions, Decisions!! --RoadDog