'Waiting for the Sun' & Aging Teen Idols

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Bob Stroud had a special treat on his Rock and Roots show today on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  Today was the 52nd anniversary of the release of the Doors album "Waiting for the Sun" and he played it in its entirety throughout his show and gave lots of interesting information about it in the process.

It has my all-time favorite Doors song "Hello, I Love You" which always reminds me of going out to Honey Hill Beach in Wauconda with my co-workers at the Palatine Burger King on Northwest Highway.  (Burger King was where Photo's is located now.)

In the afternoon, Liz and I drove over to Chopper's on Illinois Highway 173 in Antioch and sat out on their deck overlooking a channel to the Chain of Lakes and enjoyed our friend's band, Aging Teen Angels, playing all sorts of oldies and Beatles songs.  Also enjoyed the $2 draft and 65 cent wings.

Aging Teen Idols.  Isn't that a great name for an oldies band that also plays their own originals?

We were surprised when buddy Coz and girlfriend Eileen came by so enjoyed talking with them on an absolute prefect day to be outside.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Every time you clean, you make something else dirty.

WLS Top 30 for Week of September 13, 1971-- Part 1: 'So Far Away'

These are the songs that were debuts and Top 30 in Chicago fifty years ago.  * means it was climbing the charts.  The number after the artists is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

ALL HIT BOUND

*TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green     #11   Born in 1946 in Forrest City, Alabama.  Inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

30. *SUPERSTAR--  Carpenters    #2     Brother-sister duo from New Haven, Connecticut.

29.  *SO FAR AWAY--  Carole King     #14   That's James Taylor on the acoustic guitar.

28.  *DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels   #6    Born 1945 in Los Angeles.  His biggest hit.

27.  RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors    #14    Their last Top 40 song.  Jim Morrison had been dead for awhile by now.

26.  TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS--  John Denver    #2    Born John Deutschendorf in 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico.  This is a huge song at Munich's annual Oktoberfest with his heritage.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All My Memories Gather 'Round Her, Miner's Lady, Stranger To Blue Water."  How do you sing it in German?  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Take Me Home, Country Roads"

WLS Top Ten for Week of August 16, 2021: 'Liar'

Fifty years ago, these were the songs on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.  If you remember these when they came out, you might be getting a little old.

1.  RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors

2.  TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS--  John Denver

3.  SWEET HITCH-HIKER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

4.  SMILING FACES SOMETIMES--  Undisputed Truth

5.  SIGNS--  Five Man Electric Band

6.  HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART--  Bee Gees

7.  MAYBE TOMORROW--  Jackson 5

8.  UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul & Linda McCartney

9.  MERCY MERCY ME--  Marvin Gaye

10.  LIAR--  Three Dog Night   (Again, this song and "Take Me Home Country Roads" were my Quantico Summer USMC Camp songs.)

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DEBITS/HITBOUND

24.  WHATCHA SEE IS WHATCHA GET--  Dramatics

25.  ALL DAY MUSIC-- War

29.  THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN--  Joan Baez

30.  STICK UP--  Honey Cone

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

ALL HIT BOUND--  George Harrison

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Take Me Home Country Roads"

WLS Top 30 for Week of August 9, 1971-- Part 5, The Top Ten: 'Sweet Hitch-Hiker'

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

10.  DRAGGIN' THE LINE--  Tommy James   #4

9.  *SIGNS--  Five Man Electric Band    #3

8.  NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE--  Delaney & Bonnie & Friends    #13

7.  BEGINNINGS/COLOUR MY WORLD--  Chicago     #7    Formerly the Chicago Transit Authority.

6.  *SWEET HITCH-HIKER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival    #6   Their last Top Ten.

5.  *TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS--  John Denver        #2       His first hit.   One of the most popular songs played each year at the Oktoberfest tents in Munich.

4.  *WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE / ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Tom Clay    You should give this one a listen.  Wow!!     #8

3.  *MERCY MERCY ME--  Marvin Gaye    #4

2.  *RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors    #14   Their last Top 40.

1.  HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART--  Bee  Gees   #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Long-Haired Freaky People Need Not Apply."  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Signs"

WLS Top 30 for Week of July 12, 1971-- Part 2: 'Riders On the Storm'

Remember fifty years ago.

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

25.  *RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors     #14      Makes me think of Johnny Cash's "Ghost Riders in the Sky."  Comment:  It was the last song Morrison recorded with the Doors.  Prophetic?

24.  NATHAN JONES--  Supremes      #16      Again, who needs Diana?  A different sort of Motown sound, reverb and everything.

23.  RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS--  Carpenters      #2     Back when they just sang and didn't try to hit eight octaves.

22.  *RINGS--  Cymarron     #17    They named themselves after a TV program "Cimarron Strip" (1967-1968).  Finish these:  "Ring, ring __________ ____"  "Got _____ ______ on the stereo."  Their only Top 40.  Pop vocal trio from Memphis.

21.  *MERCY MERCY ME--  Marvin Gaye       #4     The whole title "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"  "Things aren't what they used to be."  Even back fifty years ago.

Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Where Did All The Blue Skies Go?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Mercy, Mercy Me"

Songs from the Summer of 1971, July 4, 1971-- Part 5: 'Mercedes Benz'

These were the songs playing on Chicago's two pop powerhouses WLS AM and WCFL AM on July 4, 1971 (that's right, 50 years ago).  They are also the ones in your album, or even 45 collections.  

So, let's take a trip back.

GET IT ON--  Chase

MOONSHADOW--  Cat Stevens

MERCEDES BENZ--  Janis Joplin

I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE--  Carole King

SOONER OR LATER--  Grass Roots

UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul McCartney

SMILE AWAY--  Paul McCartney

DRAGGIN' THE LINE--  Tommy James  (But no Shondells)

NATHAN JONES--  Supremes  (But no Diana)

(I KNOW) I'M LOSING YOU--  Rod Stewart (But no Temptations)

RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors

CROSSEYED MARY--  Jethro Tull

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And If I Ever Lose My Hands, Lose My Plow, Lose My Land."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Moonshadow"

WLS Top Ten for Week of May 17, 1971: 'Put Your Hand In the Hand'

Fifty years ago this week these were the Top Ten songs in Chicago according to powerhouse radio station WLS, 890 AM.

1.  JOY TO THE WORLD--  Three Dog Night

2.  NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE--  Jackson Five

3.  SWEET & INNOCENT--  Donny Osmond

4.  BROWN SUGAR--  Rolling Stones

5.  HERE COMES THE SUN--  Richie Havens

6.  PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND--  Ocean

7.  LOVE HER MADLY--  Doors

8.  TREAT HER LIKE A LASY--  Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose

9.  REACH PUT I'LL BE THERE--  Diana Ross

10.   SUPERSTAR--  Murray Head & the Trinidad Singers

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DEBUTS

28.  I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM--  Helen Reddy

29.  TARKIO ROAD--  Brewer & Shipley

30.  PUPPET MAN--  Tom Jones

HIT BOUND

NATHAN JONES--  Supremes

DON'T KNOCK MY LOVE--      Wilson Pickett

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Little Darling, It's Been A Long, Cold, Lonely Winter."    Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Here Comes the Sun"

WLS Top 30 for Week of May 10, 1971-- Part 5: 'Put Your Hand in the Hand'

These were the top ten songs in Chicago fifty years ago.  How time flies.

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard National Hot 100 chart.  The * means the song was climbing the charts.

10.  *HERE COMES THE SUN--  Richie Havens       #16     Remember him from Woodstock?  The opening act.

9.  ME AND YOU AND A DOG NAMED BOO--  Lobo   #5    They actually had three Top Tens.

8.  IF--  Bread    #4

7.  *SUPER STAR--  Murray Head & the Trinidad Singers     #14      Wow!

6.  *SWEET & INNOCENT--  Donny Osmond    #7

5.  CHICK-A-BOOM--  Daddy Dewdrop      #9     You can't help getting into this song.  Real name is Richard Monda.

4.  *LOVE HER MADLY--  Doors      #11   

3.  PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND--  Ocean    #2      Right up there with "Spirit in the Sky."

2.  *NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE--  Jackson Five     #2

1.  JOY TO THE WORLD--  Three Dog Night    #1  

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'm A High Night Flyer And A Rainbow Rider."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Joy to the World"

WLS Top 30 for Week of April 12, 1971-- Part 3: 'What Is Life'

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

20.  WHAT IS LIFE--  George Harrison     #10    Tell me again why John and Paul tried to keep his songs out of the albums?  The Quiet Beatle lets his music do the talking.

19.  *DREAM BABY--  Glen Campbell    #31    Originally done by Roy Orbison.

18.  ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE--  Brewer & Shipley     #10    Is this a "Stoner" song?

17.  *LOVE HER MADLY--  Doors     #11      Comment:  You Tube is the closest thing we have to a time machine.  I agree completely.  Every time I do a Top 30 songs, I listen to every one of them on You Tube.  That's a real trip back.

16.  WHAT'S GOING ON--  Marvin Gaye     #2    This song could just as easily be released today, and especially last year.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Liken She Didn1000 Times Before."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Love Her Madly"

 

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

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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"

Music Deaths: Douglas Lubahn, Bassist on Doors Albums

DOUGLAS LUBAHN, 71

Died 20 November 2019

American psychedelic, rock and jazz rock bassist.    Featured on three albums by the Doors.Played on their debut album and on seven of ten tracks of "Strange Days" album.  During those sessions, was invited to join the band full-time but turned it down.

Played on all but two tracks of "Waiting for the Sun."

The Drive's "A to Z"-- Part 1: Nov. 14, 2013

The first of several lists for this twice-yearly event. Go to the website at www.wdrv.com. to listen if you're not in the Chicagoland area. They also have complete lists. This should just whet your appetite.

These are songs played in the first two hours:

ABACAB-- Genesis
ABOUT A GIRL-- Nirvana
ABRACADABRA-- Steve Miller Band

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT-- Five Man Electric Band
ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN-- Elvis Costello
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE-- Beatles

ADDICTED TO LOVE-- Robert Palmer
AFRICA-- Toto
AFTER MIDNIGHT-- Eric Clapton

AFTER THE GOLDRUSH-- Neil Young
AGAINST ALL ODDS-- Phil Collins
AGAINST THE WIND-- Bob Seger

AH LEAH-- Donnie Iris
AIN'T EVEN DONE WITH THE NIGHT-- John Cougar
AIN'T NO SUNSHINE-- Bill Withers

AIN'T TALKING ABOUT LOVE-- Van Halen
AIN'T THAT A SHAME-- Cheap Trick
AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG-- Rolling Stones

AJA-- Steely Dan
ALABAMA GETAWAY-- Grateful Dead
ALABAMA SONG (WHISKEY BAR)-- Doors

ALLISON-- Elvis Costello.

Like McD's Says, "I'm Lovin' It!" --RoadDog

Deaths: Doors Keyboardist

RAY MANZUREK, 74

Founding member of the Doors along with Jim Morrison, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robbie Krieger.  A band that only had six studio albums, but wow, what a group of songs.  Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Manzurek was born and raised in Chicago and after graduating DePauw University, moved to Los Angeles where he met Morrison in 1965.  With Densmore and Krieger, they became house band of the famous Whisky a Go Go.

Signed to Elektra Records and in 1967 released their self-titled album.  Later that year was Strange Days, then Waiting for the Sun in 1968, The Soft Parade in 1969 (If I heard that album once in my dorm, I heard it a thousand times.  It still reminds me of Lincoln Hall in Dekalb, Illinois, 1969-1970), Morrison Hotel in 1970 and L.A. Woman in 1971.

Thanks for the Soundtrack, Ray. 

Doors Singles

From Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1993.

Sad to hear of Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzurek's death yesterday.  Besides Jim Morrison, the most recognizable member of the Doors, one of my favorite groups from back in my high school and college days.

Their biggest singles were from 1967 to 1971.  Top rank shown:

#1-- Light My Fire
#12--  People Are Strange
#25--  Love Me Two Times
#39--  The Unknown Soldier
#1--  Hello I Love You (This song will always remind me of  driving to Honey Hill in Wauconda, Illinois, with the Palatine Burger King night crew for a fun day out in the sun and water.)
#3--  Touch me
#44 -- Wishful Sinful
#57--  Tell All the People  (This song and the next one always remind me of Lincoln Dorm at NIU.)
#64--  Runnin' Blue "Poor Otis dead and gone..."
#50--  Roadhouse Blues  (What did Jim do first thing when he got up?)
#11--  Love Her Madly
#14--  Riders On the Storm

Some Great Memories.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway.  One hat said to the other, "You stay here, I'll go on a head."

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