Don't Bring Me Down (Songs with Down in the Title)-- Part 2: 'Downtown'

11.  SUNDAY MORNIN' COMIN' DOWN--  Johnny Cash--  1970

12.  DOWN BY THE SEASIDE--  Led Zeppelin  1975

13.  ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD--  Paul Simon  1972

14.  DOWNTOWN--  Petula Clark  1964

15.  I'M DOWN--  Beatles  1965

16.  AIN'T GOIN' DOWN (TIL THE SUN COMES UP)--    Garth Brooks  1993

17.  GET DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS--  Disturbed  2000

18.  DOWN UNDER--  Men at Work  1981

19.  UPSIDE DOWN--  Diana Ross 1980

20.  DOWN BY THE RIVER--  Neil Young  1969

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Met a Strange Lady, She Made Me Nervous.  She Took Me In And Gave Me Breakfast."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Down Under"

The 20 Funniest Country Songs: 'Boy Named Sue'

 From Yardbarker by Amy McCarthy.

Who says country music has no sense of humor?

1.  DID I SHAVE MY LEGS FOR THIS--  Deana Carter

2.  YOU'RE THE REASON OUR KIDS ARE UGLY--  Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty

3.  I'M GONNA MISS HER--  Brad Paisley

4.  SHUT UP AND FISH--  Maddie & Tae

5.  TEQUILA MAKES HER CLOTHES FALL OFF--  Joe Nichols

6.  I'M GONNA HIRE A WINO TO DECORATE OUR HOME--  David Frizzel and Shelly West

7.  BOY NAMED SUE--  Johnny Cash

8.  SOME BEACH--  Blake Shelton

9.  WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS--  Luke COMBS

10.  GOODBYE EARL--  Dixie Chicks

And, There Are Ten More to Go.  --RoadHaHA  Continued on April 30.

Name That Tune (from the above tunes):  "Well, My Daddy Left Home When I Was Only Three."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Boy Named Sue"

The Very Best of Outlaw Country-- Part 2: 'Gimme Three Steps'

Continuing with this great CD's songs:

6.  WHY YOU  BEEN GONE SO LONG--  Jessi Colter

7.  CAN'T YOU SEE--  Marshall Tucker Band

8.  4TH OF JULY--  Shooter Jennings

9.  YOU NEVER EVEN CALLED ME BY MY NAME--  David Allan Coe

10.  I BEEN TO GEORGIA ON A FAST TRAIN--  Billy Joe Shaver

11.  HERE FOR THE PARTY--  Gretchen Wilson

12.  COPPERHEAD ROAD--  Steve Earle

13.  GIMME THREE STEPS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

14.  GOOD HEARTED WOMAN--  Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

15.  TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT--  Johnny Paycheck

16.  TEXAS (WHEN I DIE)--  Tanya Tucker

17.  MODERN DAY BONNIE AND CLYDE--  Travis Tritt

18.  KEEP YOU HANDS TO YOURSELF--  Georgia Satellites

19.  FLIRTIN' WITH DISASTER--  Molly Hatchet

20.  COCAINE BLUES--  Johnny Cash

And, believe me, this goes on my Ultimate Jukebox of 300 CDs.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Better Not Try To Stand In  My Way As I'm Walking Out The Door."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Take This Job and Shove It"

Those Who Left Us in 2021-- Part 5: Scott, Tutt and Powell

SEPTEMBER

WILLARD SCOTT, 87

The beloved TV weatherman who charmed viewers on NBC's "Today" show with his cheerful personality.  Died September 4.

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

OCTOBER

RONNIE TUTT, 83

A legendary drummer who spent years playing alongside Elvis Presley and teamed up with other stars ranging from Johnny Cash to Stevie Nicks.  Died October 14.

COLIN POWELL, 84

The trailblazing soldier and diplomat who had sterling reputation of service to Republican and Democrat presidents.  It is too bad he never ran for president himself.  I definitely would have voted for him.  Died October 18.

--RoadDog

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"

Music Deaths: Johnny Nash. 'I Can See Clearly Now'

JOHNNY NASH, 80

Died 6 October 2020

Traditional and reggae singer.  Had hit in 1972 with "I Can See Clearly Now."

Born in Houston, but one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae in Kingston.

Had some minor hits in 50s and 60s, but two huge hits.

"I Can See Clearly Now" (#1-1972)

"Stir It Up"  (#12-1973)

To show you how much I knew about music at one time, Mt dad had gotten two tickets from work to  a Johnny Cash/Sonny James show in Chicago.  At the time, I thought he said Johnny Nash.  At the show, however, Johnny Cash signed my Sonny James album after making a comment.

Music Deaths: W.S. Holland, drummer with Carl Perkins and Long-time Drummer with Backing Band of Johnny Cash

W.S. HOLLAND, 85

Died 23 September 2020

Drummer.  Played with Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

Nicknamed "Fluke."    Never trained as a drummer.  Was an air conditioner repairman who enjoyed concerts.  Started playing upright bass for Carl Perkins.

He was on drums when the "Million Dollar Quartet" recorded in 1956 with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.  In 1960, joined Johnny Cash for a two-week stint that ended up 37 years.

Member of Johnny Cash's backing band, the Tennessee Three.  Last surviving member of the original Tennessee Three.

Also recorded with Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.

Music Deaths: Harold Reid of the Statler Brothers

 HAROLD REID, 80

Died 24 April 2020

Co-founder of country band Statler Brothers.  He was the one with the really deep voice.

In 1964, they were hired by Johnny Cash to open his show.  Columbia Records, also Cash's record company, gave them a contract, but didn't have much success until the 45 "The Ballad of Billy Christian" was released.  It didn't have much impact until deejays turned it over and played side B, which was "Flowers On the Wall," which as you know became a huge hit.

I remember seeing a show by Johnny Cash and the Statler Brothers in Chicago back in 1967 and remember the Statler Brothers saying that they got paid weekly by Johnny Cash, "Very Weakly."

The vocals this band could do, especially with that bass voice of Harold (and his humor), made them stars in country music and, besides "Flowers On the Wall," which became a #4 hit on the pop charts in 1965, they also had two other pop hits on the pop charts.  They put out fifty albums over 40 years.

Three New Inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame-- Part 1: Dillon, Williams and Stuart

From the August 13, 2020, Chicago Tribune  "Artists to join country hall of fame."

Hank Williams Jr., Marty Stuart and songwriter Dean Dillon are the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

This was announced on Wednesday, August 12 by the Country Music Association.  Williams will join his father, country legend Hank Williams Sr in the Hall of Fame's rotunda.

"I have been making Top Ten records for 56 years, said Williams, 71.  "I fell off a mountain and tried to reinvent myself as a truly individual artist and one who stepped out of the shadows of a very famous man, one of the greatest.  I've got to thank all those rowdy friends, who, year after year, still show up for me.

"It's an honor to carry one this family tradition.  It is much appreciated."

Bocephus, as he is also known, is known for his songs like "A Country Boy Can Survive,"  "Family Tradition" and "All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight."  He has had 10 No. 1 Billboard Hot Country songs.  That's him singing at the beginning of Monday Night Football games.

One of my absolute favorite country singers. Back when male country singers did not sound so similar.  You knew when Hank Williams, Jr., Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash or George Jones was singing.

--RoadBocephus

WLS Top 40 for Week of May 11, 1970-- Part 5: "Turn Back the Hands of Time"

The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100.

20.  THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker    Making all his classic onstage moves.  see the Mad Dogs and Englishmen video.  Imagine Joe singing a cover song.

19.  DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS--  Tom Jones     #13    Great horns.  That mean gal needs to stay out of his life.  Daughter of the devil, you know.

18.  AIRPORT THEME--  Vincent Bell  Theme song  of the movie of the same name.  A very unique string sound.

17.  TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME--  Tyrone Davis   One of my favorite Soul Songs ever.  Right now, I'd sure like to turn back the hands of time to, say, January or February 2020.  This part of the year isn't much fun.

16.  WHAT IS TRUTH--  Johnny Cash     A Johnny Cash rap?    Hey old people, the kids are alright.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Woman, I Can Remember A Woman."  Answer below.  RoadDog


"Daughter of Darkness"

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 2: "You Need Love Like I Do"

35.  EVERYBODY'S OUT OF TOWN--  B.J. Thomas      #26      Love the trombone at the beginning.  Kind of a "V" song these days.Kind of an off-beat song like Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is."  A Bachrach/David song.

34.  YOU'RE THE ONE--  Little Sister    #23   Soul you can use.  I don't remember it, though.  Like a Sly & Family Stone song.  No wonder, there.  The trio was organized by Sly Stone for his record label.  Yep!  Probably explains it.

33.  WHAT IS TRUTH--  Johnny Cash      #19   (D)  #3 Billboard Country  This is the song he sang at the White House.

32.  CALL ME--  Aretha Franklin    #13   Born March 25, 1942.

31.  YOU NEED LOVE LIKE I DO--  Gladys Knight & Pips     #25     #3 R&B, not one of the better known songs.  Sounded a lot like the temptations' "Cloud 9."  Full title "You need Love Like I Do (Don't You)".

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "My Dearest, My Dearest Of All Darling (Ahoo)"  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Call Me"

WLS Top Ten for August 25, 1969: "Honky Tonk Woman"

Theses were the Top Ten songs  and Debuts in Chicago fifty years ago according to WLS, 890 AM.  Liz and I were going together and were married exactly four years later on August 25, 1973.  So, happy anniversary Liz.

1.  HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones
2.  HURT SO BAD--  Lettermen
3.  SOUL DEEP--  Box Tops

4.  LAY LADY LAY--  Bob Dylan
5.  GREEN RIVER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
6.  EASY TO BE HARD--  Three Dog Night
7.  BOY NAMED SUE--  Johnny Cash

8.  SUGAR, SUGAR--  Archies
9.  I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN--  Tom Jones
10.  BIRTHDAY--  Underground Sunshine

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

DEBUTS

30.  I'M GONNA MAKE YOU MINE--  Lou Christie
36.  JEAN--  Oliver

37.  YOU, I--  Rugbys
39.  DON'T IT MAKE YOU WANNA GO HOME--  Joe South

40.  OH, WHAT A NIGHT--  Dells

Name   That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Can Hear The Bullfrog Callin' Me."    Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Green River"

Music of 1968-- Part 1: A Year To Remember

From the Time Life Magazine/book "Music of 1968: Rock and Roll's Greatest Year.

I really enjoy these little magazine/books and spend more than I should on them.  Lots of great pictures, concise text an plenty of information and a surprising number of them of particular interest to me.  Most are just 100 pages long so they don't take too long to read.

Of course, I am really interested in music and especially music from 1968, which was a good high school year for at good old Palatine High School in Illinois (my junior/senior year).

Now that I am a year late, I will go through the magazine and write a little of what they said about each artist.

"1968:  A Year To Remember.

"Mick Jagger summed it up best:  "But what can a poor boy do, except to sing for a rock 'n' roll band?"

"For rock 'n' roll lovers, 1968 hit the mother lode.  Psychedelia ruled, and so did protest,  Motown and Johnny Cash's twang. The Rolling Stones blasted back onto the airwaves with "Beggars Banquet."  Heavy metal was ascendant."

Buy Me An Album.  --RoadDog

TRIVIA:  In which scandalous novel is literature professor Humbert Humbert obsessed with pre-teen Dolores Hazel?


"Lolita"

WLS Top 40 for February 10, 1969-- Part 2: "Daddy Sang Bass"

35.  THIS GIRL'S IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Dionne Warwick--     (D)     #7  A reply to Herb Alpert.  A New Jersey girl.

34.  DIZZY--   Tommy Roe   (D)    #1   Tell the truth.  Do you smile with the first notes?     Born in Atlanta in 1942.   His biggest-ever hit.

33.  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE--  Marvin Gaye      #1   Another one of those I came name that song in three notes ones.  His biggest-ever hit.

32.  DADDY SANG BASS--  Johnny Cash     #42    With June Carter and the Statler Brothers.  Written by Carl Perkins.  Country goes Pop.

31.  NO, NOT MUCH--  Vogues     #34    A great wedding song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Like A Whirlpool It Never Ends, And It's You Girl."  --Answer below.

COMEBACK LINES FOR WOMEN:  Man:  Haven't I seen you someplace before.  Woman:  Yes, that's why I don't go there anymore.

"Dizzy"

Music of 1968-- Part 1: "Rock and Roll's Greatest Year"

From the Time Life magazine.

It was a great year, but I am not sure about Rock and Roll's Greatest Year.  This was sold at newstands where they almost unbelievably still sell magazines  in this digital age.  Personally, I'm sure glad they do.  Picture of the Beatles on the front cover.

"1968  A YEAR TO REMEMBER:  Mich Jagger summed it up best: "But what can a poor boy do, except to sing for a rock 'n' roll band?"

For the rock 'n' roll lovers, 1968 hit the mother lode.  Psychedelia ruled and so did protest, Motown and Johnny Cash's twang.  The Rolling Stones blasted back onto the airwaves with "Beggars Banquet.  Heavy metal was ascendant.  The Beatles, in spite of personal resentments and professional differences, followed "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" with an LP that since has been embraced as the even more iconic:  "The Beatles,"  a.k.a. the White Album.

It Was a Great Year (When I Was 17, and I really was).  --RoadDog

Johnny Cash Memorabilia Auction in 2010

From Canada.com.

The Man in Black had 1000 lots and was expected by Julien's Auctions to bring in between $400,000 to $600,000.

At auction was a blue denim jumpsuit worn in 1969 while rehearsing for his San Quentin live show which became an album.    Expected $3,000 to $5,000.

Knee-length black cape.  $2,000- 3,000.

Martin D-28 acoustic guitar on which he wrote the first four lines of "I Walk the Line."  It is signed and expected to get $20,000 to $30,000.

An undated handwritten note from Bruce Springsteen and addressed to "Big John"  $500 to $700.    It says, "Here's my  latest ((album).  It's got a lot of country + folk influence.  I thought you might get a kick out of it."

The lots also include the lyrics to dozens of obscure and unrecorded songs.

"I Keep a Close Watch On This Heart of Mine."  --RoadDog