WLS Top 29 Songs for Week of Dec. 11, 1972-- Part 3: 'Dialogue'

Fifty years ago.

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

20.  *SWEET SURRENDER--  Bread       #15       Imagine Bread doing a slow song.  Wonder how many babies ended up getting made because of a Bread song?

19.  IF I COULD REACH YOU--  5th Dimension    #10    Their last Top Ten.

18.  *FUNNY FACE--  Donna Fargo      #5      Country goes pop.  The pride of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, which was also Andy Griffiths home town and the one Mayberry was based on.

17.  *DIALOGUE--  Chicago       (Parts 1 & 2)     #24        Great blend of horns.  Great music.  Are they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet?

16.  *CORNER OF THE SKY--  Jackson Five      #18     I don't remember this song.  From the Broadway musical "Pippin" starring Ben Vereen.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Kiss The Tears Away.  You Smile At Me And Say."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Funny Face"

WLS Top 27 for Week of August 14, 1972-- Part 3: 'Lean on Me'

Fifty  years ago this week these were the songs being played on Chicago powerhouse, 50,000 watt WLS, 890 AM.

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

15.  COCONUT-  Nilsson    #8    Talk about your laid-back Beach Song!!  What do you put in the coconut?

14.  LEAN IN ME--  Bill Withers      #1      You just gotta love this song.  It takes me right back to the University of Georgia during junior year.   #1 for three weeks.

13.  *HOLD YOUR HEAD UP--  Argent      #5    That's as in Rod Argent, former members of the Zombies.  Their only Top 40.

12.  HOLD HER TIGHT--  Osmonds      #14     Never heard it before.  Pretty rockin' stuff.

11.  *HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WHOLE U.S.A.--  Donna Fargo    #11        From Andy Griffith's hometown, Mt. Airy, North Carolina.  Also where the famed Siamese Twins Chang and Eng Bunker lived and are buried.  A country song on the pop charts.  Her next song went all the way to #5.  Bet you can't name it (without looking it up.)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And Said, 'Doctor, Ain't There Nothin' I Can Take?' "  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Coconut"

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"

Those Puzzling Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd Song Titles

Saturday, August 14

In the morning I was doing these blogs and listening to Bill St. James' Time Warp Show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  And, he was featuring 1969, a great high school college year for me and played two songs which took my right back to NIU.

The first was "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin and right after it he played "Commotion" by my all-time favorite 60s band (well, 70s as well), CCR, or Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Man, I was right back.

"Whole Lotta Love" is one of the very few Lez Zeppelin songs I know the title of when I hear the song.  For some reason, I just can't remember those song titles.  And the Drive (WDRV) plays lots and lots of Led Zeppelin in their Classic Rock format.  They also play a whole lot of Pink Floyd, another group I have big problems with song titles.

I've heard all the songs from albums of these two groups and recognize the song as one of theirs.  But, name the song, I can't.  If I were ever to get on Sherman and Tingle's show on the Drive and play their Seven Songs in 30 Seconds Challenge I'd be dead in the water if they played any by these two groups.  (They play the song and you guess its name.)

On the subject of Pink Floyd, I was in Mt. Airy, North Carolina,  (the inspiration for Andy Griffith's Mayberry) once and saw a great tee shirt for sale.  It featured a picture of Floyd the Barber in pink and under it, it said "Pink Floyd."  I almost bought it, but like with baseball caps, I sure don't need anymore tee shirts.

I Call WDRV the Station That Zep and Floyd Built.  --RoadDoh!

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE,LAW OF PHYSICAL SURFACES:  The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on the floor are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

Last Weekend, January 20-22, 2017: 1050 Miles, Chili, and Packers

JANUARY 20, FRIDAY

A day spent on the road.  Left Goldsboro and encountered rain all the way through North Carolina.  Stopped in Mt. Airy (Mayberry) for my porkchop sandwich fix at Snappy Lunch and was smart enough not to try to eat the whole thing.  Then Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.  Unbelievably warm for January, with temps in the 60s the whole way.  Spent the night at the Motel 6 in Richmond, Indiana.

JANUARY 21,  SATURDAY

Drove 415 miles through Indiana and Illinois to home.  Temps in the 50s the whole way.  Then went to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion for the chili cookoff and there was an entertainer.  Later went to Sunnyside Tap.

JANUARY 22,  SUNDAY

Spent the afternoon at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg and saw the Green Bay Packers closely resemble Da Bears in their ineptness.  Was that Aaron Rodgers or Jay Cutler out there?  But, we had a great time with the crowd, which included quite a few Packer fans.

Drivin' and Cryin'.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You spend every vacation visiting "Maxwell House."

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 9: On the Road Home

July 29th, Thursday.

Left Goldsboro and got gas in Smithville on US-70.  No problem through the Raleigh-Durham Horror on I-40 as I was running behind rush hour at 9:15 a.m..  Stopped at J-R's in Burlington as I usually do and bought some beach souvenirs.

I-40 to US-421 to Us-52 to Mt. Airy, N.C. for a great porkchop sandwich at Snappy Lunch and bought a book and two Sgt. Rock comic books at Yesterday's, across the street.  Sgt. Rock and Easy Company was by far my favorite comic book when I was growing up.

Then to I-77, gas at Wytheville and then into West Virginia and the turnpike, through Charleston and up to Ripley where I got on US-33 to Columbus, then I-270 and IA-70 to Richmond, Indiana, right on the Ohio line.  Spent the night at Motel 6.

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  CRASH--  When you go to Junior's party uninvited.

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 2: Another Day Driving, Grazing and Shopping

July 21, Tuesday

Took the road from the LaQuinta 6.7 miles south to US-33 and then that to West Virginia.  Only 4 stoplights and speed limits at least 55 mph and as high as 70 on the limited access stretches.  There are even two rest areas on this stretch, something you don't often see on US highways.

Stopped at Dogpatch Crossing for gas.

Then I took I-77 to Charleston after which it turned into the West Virginia Turnpike and into Virginia.  Made my usual stop at the Virginia Welcome Center for my peanut fix.  Then a fill up at the cheapest gas place on the trip, Wytheville, Virginia, where gas was $2.36, cheapest of the trip.

On into N.C. and a stop at Mt. Airy where I was too late for that porkchop sandwich, but did manage to graze at Golden Corral.  Back to I-74/US-52 to Winston-Salem then US-421 to I-40.  Unfortunately I hit the Raleigh-Durham area right in the midst of rush hour, never a good thing, but not as bad as it could have been.  Then got on US-70 east to Goldsboro.

I stopped at J-Rs and thought I would get out of there without buying anything until I happened upon the Christmas store section.  Also stopped at a Wal-Mart to stock up on my CheerWine, a N.C. favorite.

Arrived at Mom's and found out that my brother Bob had caught an opossum in his basement.  Later, he called to say he had caught another one.

One Possum, Two Possum.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BAR CODE--  Them's the fight'n rules down da local tavern.

Spring Hasn't Sprung-- Part 2: March 24th

MARCH 24TH, 2014: Slept in considerably longer than I wanted to, but once on the road drove a few miles south and picked up US-33 and took it to I-77. Stopped at newly bypassed by US-33 Nelsonville for one of those great Burger King Rib Sandwiches and then went to the Wayne National Forest museum and headquarters.

 Missed a turnoff at some point and ended up on Ohio-124 running along beside the Ohio River through Racine before getting back on US-33 and on to I-77 in West Virginia.

Paid my three $2 tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike and stopped at Tamarack, a place anyone on the turnpike should visit. Got gas at Wytheville, Virginia, always the cheapest on the trip for $3.10!!! Bit, I'm angry that Big Oil has gotten me to think that $3.10 is a great deal. Curse you BO!!!

Drove to Mt. Airy, NC, and got a room at the Mayberry Motor Inn and did some grazing at Golden Corral. They sure close down downtown Mt. Airy, Andy Griffith's hometown and the basis for Mayberry, after 5 PM. //// --RoadDog

NC Bound Fall 2013-- Part 3: Andy Griffith's Hometown

September 7th

Still scared about that near miss for me of the deer when I entered Virginia and got gas at Wytheville for $3.20, the cheapest on the trip down (but it always is cheapest). Down, down, down that decline to leave Virginia.

Arrived in Mt. Airy, Andy Griffith's hometown and the town Mayberry was based on. Drove along Andy Griffith Parkway (US-52 bypass) and got a room at the Mayberry Motor Inn, a real Mom and Pop motel that is well kept up. Enjoyed the gazebo before driving over to graze at Golden Corral.

Afterwards drove on Mt. Airy's main street (the original US-52) and must say, the town is closed by 6 pm. Back to the motel and sat out at the gazebo and met my brother-from-another-mother and had a great talk with him about the Civil War and World War II.

We were even treated to a fireworks display from the county fair taking place close by.

--RoadDog

Heading for North Carolina: Part 10-- Ohio

September 6th, Labor Day, I left Goldsboro for home. I hadn't been on interstates during a holiday in many years. Near Raleigh-Durham Airport on I-40 I passed about six state troopers who had cars pulled over in one short stretch. That was enough to make me be very aware of my speed the rest of that day.

Took I-40 to Winston-Salem and then US-52 north past the very interesting Pilot Mountain to Mt. Airy, NC, Andy Griffith's hometown and basis for Mayberry, with visions of one of those great Snappy Lunch pork chop sandwiches (and, I was even there before their 1:30 closing time) but they were closed for the holiday (even though there were a lot of people on the streets).

I had to go to Plan B and had a Wilber's bbq dinner in the parking lot of the local McDonald's.


THE REST OF THE WAY

I got on I-77 and took it through the Virginia panhandle, getting gas at Wytheville (always one of the cheapest places to get gas (and definitely before you get to the super expensive West Virginia.

I stopped at the last rest area in West Virginia before you get to Ohio and found a stand giving out free hot dogs and coffee for Labor Day travelers. I've heard of free coffee along the interstates on holidays, but had never been to one. Mighty nice of the volunteers.

I continued into Ohio and to Cambridge where I got off and drove the National Road/US-40 to Zanesville, one of my favorite old road drives anywhere past those two S-Bridges and the Y-Bridge in Zanesville. I checked into the Super 8 on the west end of town. I've stayed there two other times. A good place to stay on this area.

Last Day Coming Up. --RoadDog


NO PUN INTENDED: Condoms should be used in every conceivable occasion.

Just Got Back-- Carolina-Style BBQ, Philly Cheese Steak, and Autumn at Topsail

I was gone and On the Road the last two weeks from October 11th to the 25th.

The first day, I drove to Cincinnati via Illinois Highway 47 and I-74. Got together with road buddy Denny and had a great chicken meal at the Silver Spring House which dates to the 1930s. Then played NTN with his team at Buffalo Wild Wings and we had three Number threes on some games I really wasn't able to help much on as they were movies.

October 12th- Friday-- Drove on two of the great two laners I've ever been on, both in southern highway, Ohio 247 and Ohio 125. Talk about your roads following the contours of the land. Plus, 125 went through the beautiful Shawnee State Park. Caught I-64 and took it to the West Virginia Turnpike. I know that we two lane types disparage the interstates, or, Superslabs, as we call them. But, this drive is equal in beauty to anything a two lane can offer. I'd put it right up there with I-70 from where it starts in Utah , to Denver.

Took I-74 past Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, NC, and picked up I-40 at Winston-Salem and all the way to Raleigh. I-40 is some of the heaviest driving you'll find anywhere. I mean, there are a LOT of cars and trucks on this road. Never a real pleasure to drive this road because of the congestion.

Decided to stop and get my first taste of Carolina-style pulled pork vinegar-based bbq at Smithfield's in Mebane, NC, about 12 miles east of Burlington. There are about twenty stores in this chain, many along interstates, so if you're ever int he area and would like to find out what I'm talking about, give it a try. Nothing like bbq, cole slaw, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Now, that's good eatin', or as Andy would say, "Gooooooodddd."

Got to Mom's after getting a bit lost in Goldsboro, as usual.

Drove 985 miles over these past two days.

Gas was usually around $2.80 with a high of $2.95 in Elburn, Illinois, and a low of $2.54 just south of Wytheville, Virginia. For some reason, this is always cheaper. They must actually have competition to sell that gas.

On Da Road Again, Even if It Was Mostly Superslab. --RoadDog

Mom and My Lincoln Highway Cruise

Several years ago, I think 2004, Mom and I drove back to Illinois from Goldsboro, NC, so we could attend the gathering to honor Don Schrickel in Green Bay, Wi. He was a BIG-Time Packer fan and it was held at Brett Favre's Steakhouse. Don worked with Dad at Quaker Oats and the family lived about seven streets over in one of the biggest 1960s subdivisions, Winston Park in Palatine, as built by the Winston-Muss Builders.

We stopped in Mt. Airy, NC, Andy Griffith's hometown and what he based Mayberry on in his popular TV series. She's been there on a bus tour and we stopped at Snappy Lunch, which was mentioned on the show. I had the best porkchop sandwich ever. This place has not changed since the 30s, and the owner grills right at the window so you can see what he's doing. It's only open until 2, and you'd better get there early, as there were probably thirty people waiting for the 30 seats when we left at noon.

Anyway, to get back to the Lincoln Highway, we drove the superslab (roadie term for the interstate) to Canton, Ohio, where we spent the night. I had my first visit to a Faoli's, the poor man's Olive Garden. Great food.

We then got on the Lincoln Highway the next morning and drove through Ohio to Indiana. This is what brings me to why I'm writing about this trip.

The Ada, Ohio, Herald says that ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) is going to put Lincoln Highway markers up along the various alignments. I sure wish they had them up when we went through as we lost the alignment quite often. Fortunately, it usually followed current US Highway 30, but even so. Mom got very good at spotting the unique Lincoln Highway markers that were set out by the Boy Scouts in 1928, after US-30 had replaced LH.

Also, this past weekend, Van Wert, Ohio, had their annual Peony Festival. Evidently, there are a lot of commercial peony operations in the area. They had a parade, vendors, elected a queen, and had a tour of homes featuring the plant. One even had a peony tree dating back to 1917.

Mom and I had an excellent dinner at the 1920s Balyeat's Restaurant in Van Wert, and had a very interesting talk with the waitress who was in her 80s and had been a German war bride, having met and eventually married an American GI, and moving to the US. She had been working at Balyeat's since 1947.

Been Cruisin' the Old Lincoln. --RoadDog