WLS Top 25 for Week of July 10, 1972-- Part 1: 'Sylvia's Mother'

These were the Top 25 songs in Chicago back fifty years ago this week.  That's half a century, folks!!

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

25.  LIVING IN A HOUSE DIVIDED--  Cher    #22     She originally recorded with Sono Bono under the name"Caesar & Cleo" in the early part of their career.

24.  SYLVIA'S MOTHER--  Dr. Hook    #5     Their first hit.  Formed in Union City, New Jersey.

23.  *LONG COOL WOMAN--  Hollies      #2    From Manchester, England.   Their first Billboard Top 40 was "Look Through Any Window" (#32-1966). This was either the very first 45 I bought or the second one.  The other one was "Anyway You Want It" by Dave Clark 5.  That was the first 45 of many, many, many.

22.  *HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WHOLE U.S.A.--  Donna Fargo      #11     A country crossover by a gal from Andy Griffith's real hometown (the one that Mayberry was based on), Mt. Airy, North Carolina.

21.  OH GIRL--  Chi-Lites      #1     Some really fine belly-rubbing Soul.  Their biggest hit and as you might guess from the name, from Chicago.

And remember, tonight from 9 pm to midnight, Bob Stroud's Summer of 1972 will be rebroadcast on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM CDST.  It streams.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Saturday Morning I Was Downtown Working For The FBI."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Long Cool Woman"

Getting in the Yule Spirit-- Part 2: Usual Suspects Get-Together

DECEMBER 15, SUNDAY

Rock and Roll Roots featured the Dave Clark 5 group today in honor of drummer Dave Clark's 80th birthday.  They were the first British Invasion Group to come over after the Beatles and since they were more rocking, I even liked them better than the Beatles.

As a matter of fact, the first 45 single I ever bought was either the Dave Clark 5's "Anyway You Want It" or the Hollies'"Look Through Any Window."  I can't remember which one I bought.

Went to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, for the Bears-Packers game with the Usual Suspects and because Sue and Paul were visiting from New Mexico, there was a full turnout, including Pete, Katrina, Pam, Glen and Barb, and Laura and Ed.

Sadly, Da Bears lost to Da Pack.

Oh Well.  --RoadDog

"Look Through Any Window" and "Any Way You Want It", And "Rubber Soul" or "Herman's Hermits' Greatest Hits."

On Sunday, Bob Stroud did a Rock and Roll  Roots Salute to the Hollies on the 50th anniversary of Graham Nash leaving the group and heading for America.  The Hollies and Dave Clark Five are my favorite two sixties British bands.

Like last week, where Stroud saluted the Beatles' "Rubber Soul" album on its 53rd anniversary of release, and where I had the problem of choosing between it and Herman's Hermits Greatest Hits" for my first-ever album.  (See my post.)

Well, today, he played the two 45s that I had to choose between for my first-ever record purchase.  That would be the Hollies' "Look Through Any Window" and the Dave Clark Five's "Any Way You Want It."  Unfortunately, I don't remember which one I chose for sure, but think it might have been the Hollies.

Well, the Memories.  --RoadDog

WLEE Top 40 Survey for July 27, 1964-- Part 4 "A Hard Day's Night"

10.  HANDY MAN--  Del Shannon
9.  AND I LOVE HER--  Beatles
8.  MEMPHIS--  Johnny Rivers

7.  NEW ORLEANS--  Bern Elliott and the Fenmen  British beat group 1961-1964.  Peaked at #24 in UK.  Didn't make Top 100 in U.S..
6.  CAN'T YOU SEE THAT SHE'S MINE--  Dave Clark Five
5.  LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA--  Jan & Dean
4.  RAG DOLL--  Four Seasons

3.  BECAUSE--  Dave Clark Five
2.  I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER--  Beatles
1.  A HARD DAY'S NIGHT--  Beatles


DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK

A SUMMER SONG--  Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde
I COULD CONQUER THE WORLD--  Sherelles   Actually it was the Shevelles, a Welsh group who had four U.K. singles.  Peaked at #104 in U.S..  Give it a listen.
SWEET WILLIAM--  Millie Small   Who could forget that voice?  #40 on Bilboard and followup to "My Boy Lollipop."

Name That Tune:  "Has a Pretty Little Flower Bed of White Gardenias."  --  RoadDog

HEADLINES FROM 2029:  Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.

"Little Old Lady from Pasadena"

Missed the Dave Clark Five Last Night

But my excuse is that I didn't know about it. PBS TV showed it last night. They had the #3 song in Chicago this week back in 1964 (50 years ago) with "Glad All Over." Back in '64 and '65, I liked the DC5 just as well, and maybe even a little better than Da Beatles. //// As a matter of fact, the Dave Clark Five's "Anyway You Want It" was either the very first or second 45 I ever bought. The other would be the Hollies' "Look Through Any Window." //// I see it will be on WTTW Prime at 2 PM today. //// Those Guys Rocked. Big Fan. Hope This Is Not One of Those Pesky Pledge Things. --RoadDog

Music Death: Dave Clark Five Bassist

RICK HUXLEY, 72

 Died Feb. 11, 2013  Played bass on the band's signature hits like "Glad All Over" and "Bits and Pieces" they briefly rivaled the Beatles in popularity.

Part of the British Invasion including the Kinks and Rolling Stones..  The band had a huge following in the United States (including myself, I didn't know if I like them of the Beatles better) especially after their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show where drummer Dave Clark kept the beat and offered up his exuberant vocals.  The group broke up in 1970 after twelve years of playing together.

I can never remember if the first single I bought was their "Anyway You Want It" or the Hollies' "Look Through Any Window."

I'm a Feeling.  --RoadDog

Don't it Make Your Feel Old?

The old cipherin' guy himself, Max Baer turns 70 this week. Son of a boxer, he was Jethro in the "Beverly Hillbillies."

Bob Stroud always features rock birthdays on his show. Other birthdays this week to make you feel too old.

Harry Chapin, "WOLD" and "Cats in the Cradle" would have been 65.
Jim Messina, of Loggins & Messina fame, is 60
John Desmond, the Doors' drummer, is 63
Mike Smith, lead vocalist of the Dave Clark 5 (I always thought it was Dave Clark as the lead singer) is 63.
Dennis Wilson, drummer of the Beach Boys, would have been 63

Talking 'Bout My Generation. --RoadDog

"Anyway You Want It" --First or Second Single?

Yesterday, Bob Stroud played Dave Clark 5's "Any Way You Want It" on his Rock and Roll Roots show and said that it was released in December 1964. The lead singer of the group, Mike Smith, will turn 63 this week.

This single brought back some memories for me. This was either the first or second single I ever bought. If it wasn't the first, then "Look Through Any Window" by the Hollies was. I bought both about the same time in 1964, but kept the purchase secret from my dad as he believed records to be a waste of money.

On the subject of the Dave Clark 5, two weeks ago, Little Steven played "Glad All Over" on his Underground Garage radio show, here in Chicago at WXRT FM and streaming world-wide. The show is syndicated so might be in your market as well.

He had Mike Smith introduce it and said that this song was a few minutes of pounding. It was the DC5 who dethroned the Beatles on the top of British charts back when anything the Beatles did went straight to number one.

According to Little Steven: "Go make a record better than 'Glad All Over'. Go ahead. I'll give you an unlimited amount of money. Go make a record better than that. You can't do it. Dave and Mike Smith were a fantastic combination." Little Steven, like myself, believes that it is a shame that the Dave Clark 5 have not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Maybe 2008 will be the year.

At one time, the DC5 were told that they couldn't play "Bits and Pieces" at concerts as promoters feared the crowd's jumping up and down would cause damage to the dancehall floors.

I always thought drummer Dave Clark was the lead singer. He did provide vocals, but Mike Smith did most of the singing on their big hits. But, we didn't have anything like an MTV back when they used to play videos, so I never got to see who was singing.

DAVE CLARK 5 for the ROCK AND ROLL HALL of FAME!!!!!!

Sure Wish I Could Remember Which One I Bought First. --RoadDog