Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Not forgetting that horrible day, 16 years ago yesterday, February 14, 2008, when a gunman (whose name won't be mentioned) stormed into a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and killed five students and wounded many others before doing the right thing finally and killing himself.
This hit Liz and me especially hard since we are both graduates of that school.
Not Forgetting.
From the March 1, 2023, MidWeek (DeKalb County) "Looking Back."
1973, fifty years ago.
"Clinton Rosette Middle School, named after the editor of the first daily newspaper published in DeKalb, the DeKalb Chronicle, has been tye center of controversy for many years.
"Built in 1903 as the township high school, it remained a high school until 1966 when it became the north side junior high school.
"Three years ago, a study was made on the feasibility of continuing operation of Rosette versus complete renovation of the facility, which was estimated at a cost of $1.5 to $2 million."
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Back in the fall of 1972 and spring of 1973, I was at the school a lot as I was preparing to become a teacher and taking classes at Northern Illinois University (also in DeKalb). It was a very run-down building at the time.
--RoadTeach
Okay, from over a year ago, but still a great game and it involved my school, Northern Illinois University. Unfortunately, we lost, but that was one enjoyable game to watch. Neither defense could stop the other's offense.
It was Coastal Carolina versus NIU.
From 247 Sports.com "College football bowl games: Ranking top ten from 2021" by Riley Gates.
He ranked the Cure Bowl at #3.
"With Grayson McCall coming back, you just knew we were in for a fun shootout. The Chanticleers star threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns, while Northern Illinois' Rocky Lombardi (is that not a great football name or not?) threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
"Both teams ran the ball for massive numbers too, as the Huskies had 335 yards on the ground to the Chanticleers' 199.
"Down six with just a little more than three minutes to go, Northern Illinois looked done for. But the Huskies forced a punt and went for a 15-play, 83-yard to try to win the game. With seven seconds remaining, Northern Illinois had the ball at the Coastal 8-yard line. Lombardi threw a complete pass for the first down but the receiver did not get out of bounds and time expired.
Finakl score was Coastal Carolina 47 NIU 41.
--RoadDog
Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary since the five students were murdered and a whole bunch wounded on campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. It took place on Valentine's Day. A murderer entered Cole Hall and opened fire.
I must admit it had slipped my mind until I saw a couple TV news segments on it. One was about a student who was wounded and the other was about the professor who was teaching the class in geography (which was my minor) who was also wounded.
I was glad that neither show mentioned the killer's name. I don't think the killers should ever have their name publicized. Just refer to them as the killer or murderer.
Liz and I were eating dinner at K.C.'s Cabin in Spring Grove, Illinois, when we saw video on TV of what looked like NIU's campus. The sound was off, but the information was running across the bottom. We were shocked and paying attention. Our friend Gayle was a student there and another couple at K.C.'s was very concerned as their daughter went to Northern.
A sad time then and just this past Monday night three more students were killed at Michigan State. At least this killer (and I notice they don't give his name most of the time) had the decency to, like NIU's killer, end his own life.
That's right, these are the top songs in Chicago according to powerhouse WLS, 890 AM half a century ago.
Fifty years ago today, I was a student at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and finishing up my senoir year. I was taking my final education classes before I started student teaching the last 9 weeks before graduation. I was also getting my last good licks as a college student in and hitting the bars of Lincoln Highway. Our main hangout was Andy's.
* Means the song was climbing the charts. The number behind the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.
28. *THE WORLD IS A GHETTO-- War #7 Great sound guaranteed to get you into the groovin'. Latin Funk Rock band out of Long Beach, California.
27. *ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH-- John Denver #9 You forget how good of a voice he had. And, he loved anything doing with mountains. His second hit following you-know-what.
26. *DO IT AGAIN-- Steely Dan #6 That was some real good instrumentation. Their first hit. Jazz rock band formed in Los Angeles.
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Walkin' Down The Street, Smoggy-Eyed." Answer below. --RoadDog
"The World Is a Ghetto"
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25
We were married on this date 49 years ago. The ceremony took place at the Newman Center in DeKalb right by the campus of Northern Illinois University where we both graduated. The reception also took place in DeKalb at what was the Holiday Inn on Lincoln Highway (that Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental paved highway). It is now still there and is a Red Roof Inn. It is right across the street from one of out favorite places, Pizza Pros.
We sat outside for awhile and I went to the office for coffee and a Dubuque newspaper. Yep, they still give guests a newspaper. How quaint.
Forty-nine years ago, I woke up in our apartment in Des Plaines and Liz woke up at her parents' house in Palatine. Then, we drove to DeKalb.
I didn't know Dubuque had three colleges: the University of Dubuque, Clarke College and one other one. Plus, one of their parks is named Comsikey Park.
--RoadDog
POINTS TO PONDER: How does a building burn up as it burns down?
This past Sunday, Bob Stroud had his fourth and final installment of his annual "Summer of" series on summers of fifty years ago. That would make it the songs on our radios and in our record collections on September 4, 1972.
I was back in DeKalb, Illinois, getting ready to finish up my senior year at Northern Illinois University. As much as I was having a really good time in college, I knew it was time to move on with my life.
HONKY CAT-- Elton John
LIFE IS A CARNIVAL (LIVE)-- Band
HAPPY-- Rolling Stones
BURNING LOVE-- Elvis Presley
TWISTIN' THE NIGHT AWAY-- Rod Stewart
BLACK AND WHITE-- Three Dog Night
STAR MAN-- David Bowie
GUITAR MAN-- Bread
DIALOGUE PARTS 1 & 2-- Chicago
GO ALL THE WAY-- Raspberries
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "The Ink Is Black, The Page Is White." Answerbelow. --RoadDog
"Black and White"
SATURDAY, JULY 9
We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the Celebration of Mike Barnhorst's Life. A very appropriate place to hold it since he spent most all of his most recent years there living in a room in the motel.
He was well-known and well-liked by all and always personally greeted everyone who came in. He was just called "Mikey."
His family has all sorts of quirky people in it.
SUNDAY, JULY 10
Did some planting and yardwork. Recorded Bob Stroud's second Roots Salute to Summer 1972, fifty years ago. He has four parts to summers fifty years ago where he plays the songs on our radios and in our record collections from that date. I was going to summer school at the University of Georgia to get some classes I needed before transferring back to Northern Illinois University to finish my college career.
The first three songs he played were "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies, "Hello Mary Lou" by CCR and "Brandy" by Looking Glass. I listed all the songs he played in my Down Da Road I Go July blog.
We went to the American Legion in McHenry and I enjoyed their $2 every day rail drink special and Liz had the Hamm's beer Tall Boys for $2.
--RoadDog
POINTS TO PONDER: Why is W pronounced "double U" instead of "double V?"
Songs on the tadio and in our record collectionsfifty years ago. This is the third installment of Bob Stroud's annual trip back fifty years aago to a summer I definitely remember, 1972.
At this time, I was getting ready to transfer from University of Georgia to Northern Illinois University to finish out my college days. Senior year.
MOTORCYCLE MAMA-- Sailcat
SUFFRAGETTE CITY-- David Bowie
TRUE BLUE-- Rod Stewart
YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM-- Jim Croce
BLUE SKY-- Allman Brothers
THE GUITAR MAN-- Bread
SENTIMENTAL LADY-- Fleetwood Mac
OLD MAN-- Neil Young
FREE FOUR-- Pink Floyd
GOING DOWN-- Jeff Beck Group
ALL DOWN THE LINE-- Rolling Stones
ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)-- Gilbert O'Sullivan (The No. 1 song in Chicago according to WLS.)
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Bob Stroud will do part 4 on Sunday September 4.
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Uptown's Got Its Hustlers, The Bowery Got Its Hustlers." Answer below. --RoadDog
"You Don't Mess With Jim"
Songs that were on the radio and in our record collections on August 7, 1972, fifty years ago.
It's Bob Stroud's annual trip back fifty years to a great summer back in our youth on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive.
I was still in Georgia at the University of Georgia, finishing up my summer school classes, but getting ready to transfer back to Northern Illinois University where I had gone freshman and sophomore years. Slowly, I was becoming aware that as much as I was enjoying college life, and I sure did, it was getting time to go to the next phase of my life.
HAPPY-- Rolling Stones
SUMMER SUN-- Jamestown Massacre
SATURDAY IN THE PARK-- Chicago
TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW-- Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
BRANDY (YOU'RE A FINE GIRL)-- Looking Glass
JACKIE WILSON SAID-- Van Morrison
HERCULES-- Elton John
LONG COOL WOMAN (IN A BLACK DRESS)-- Hollies
WITCHY WOMAN-- Eagles
I NEED YOU-- America
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "But He Made It Clear He Couldn't Stay, No Harbor Was His Home." --Answer below. --RoadDog
"Brandy"
Five students were killed that day:
Catalina Garcia, 20 of Cicero
Julianna Gehant, 32 if Mendota
Ryanne Mace, 19 of Carpentersville
Daniel Parmenter, 20 of Westchester
Gayle Dubowski, 20 of Carol Stream
This took place on February 14, 2008, and happened at the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
A murderer came to campus and killed five students and wounded another 17 before doing the right thing and killing himself. It is too bad that all the murderers in these instances don't do that.
The murders took place at 3:05 p.m. Central Standard Time at Cole Hall.
A sad time for NIU and also for alumni like Liz and myself.
Not Forgetting.
"The game's biggest lead came when Miles Joiner caught a 12-yard TD from Rocky Lombardi to put Northern Illinois ahead 24-16 late in the first half. Even that deficit was short-loved as Coastal got a field goal a minute later to make it 24-19.
"Not only was it a one-score game the entire time, but the lead changed seven times (4 times in the third quarter). It was non-stop, back-and-forth football entertainment. Coastal couldn't stop Northern Illinois, and the Huskies couldn't stop the Chanticleers.
"Aside from the final possession of the half, the first 12 possessions of the game ended with points, and only three of them ended in field goals. When Coastal's Charles Ooverson came onto the field for the game's first punt, he did so with only 54 seconds left in the third quarter.
"It came down to the very last play, too. Northern Illinois had the ball at the Coastal 8-yard line with two second left, but Lombardo's pass to Joiner was stopped short of the end zone and the Chanticleers held on for the win."
I Completely Agree, That Was One Hell of a Game. --RoadNIU
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Went to Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois, and had that great Harry Caray pizza featuring four meats and four veggie, a real garbage pizza. And, best of all, it was half price. Also, $6 draft pitchers. Then to Sunnyside for the $1.50 draft pints.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Met a bunch of Sunnyside folks at the McHenry VFW to celebrate Rocky's73rd birthday. Absolutely great BLT sandwich. Then to the Polish Legion of American Veterans for cocktails and back to Sunnyside. Rocky somehow survived.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Temps in the upper 50s today, so did some yardwork to prepare for the winter.
Went to Half-Times in Johnsburg where they were having a NIU Watch Party for the televised Huskie football game. We had about 15 people there and the Huskies had a close game against Buffalo and finally won in overtime.
--RoadDog
This past Sunday, Bob Stroud had his third installment of his annual Rock and Roll Roots Salute to the summer fifty years past. That would be 1971 this year. In his show, he plays the songs on the radio and in your record collection from that day. It is always the first Sunday in each month June, July August and September.
I really look forward to it as it really takes me back in time. 1971 was a great college year for me split between NIU and UGA.
I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE-- Rare Earth
THE CHANGELING-- Doors
SMILING FACES (SOMETIMES)-- Undisputed Truth
LIAR-- Three Dog Night (A song that always brings back memories of Quantico, Virginia, for me at Summer Camp.)
MOVE OVER-- Janis Joplin
(SOMEBODY ELSE BEEN) SHAKING YOUR TREE-- ZZ Top (Sad to lose Dusty Hill last week.)
WALK AWAY-- James Gang
NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE-- Delaney & Bonnie
LOW DOWN-- Chicago
--RoadDog'71
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "I Won't Ever Leave, You Want Me To Stay." Answer below.
"Liar"
From 9 am to noon tomorrow, August 1, Bob Stroud will be traveling back a half century, to August 1, 1971 when he plays the songs that were on our radios and in our record collections for his Part 3 of his annual Rock and Roll Roots Salute to the Summer on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.
I always look forward to this trip back to my past. And, speaking of the past, I will be recording the show on cassette tapes.
It streams at www.wdrv.com from 9am to noon and again from 9 pm to midnight.
Central Daylight Saving Time.
What were you doing fifty years ago tomorrow?
I had just gotten back from Quantico, Virginia, where I had been six weeks in the USMC Platoon Leaders Class. I was also getting ready to start classes at the University of Georgia after having attended freshman and sophomore year in college at Northern Illinois University.
Let's Go Back. Let's Go Way Back. --RoadDog
LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE: LAW OF THE ALIBI: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
This past Sunday, March 20, 2021, (Hey, Twenty Twenty Twenty-one!!), WXRT's Richard Milne went to the year 1969 on his Saturday Morning Flashback show from 9 am to noon. That was a great year for me as I graduated from Palatine High School and that fall I started at Northern Illinois University. These songs sure bring back the memories.
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN-- Band
NOTHING IS EASY-- Jethro Tull (Hey, received the first Grammy for Heavy Metal)
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL-- Creedence Clearwater Revival
HOT SMOKE & SASSAFRASS-- Bubble Puppy (Did Granny really say that while she was yelling at Jethro?)
PINBALL WIZARD-- Who
DREAMS-- Allman Brothers
ONE-- Three Dog Night From the rock musical "Hair"
LIVE WITH ME-- Rolling Stones
THAT'S THE WAY LOVE IS-- Marvin Gaye
BADGE-- Cream
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "No Is The Saddest Experience You'll Ever Know." Answer below. --RoadDog
"One"
Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM's Saturday Morning Flashback is to that great music year for me, 1969. They just kicked off with "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by the Band (a song that always brings a tear to my eye.
Playing Jethro Tull right now.
It streams from 9 to noon CDST.
Time to tune in.
Liz and I graduated from Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, that year and I started freshman year at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. I lived at Lincoln Hall. Liz went to Harper College in Palatine.
So, if 1969 means something to you, time to tune in.
--RoadDog
STUDENT TEST ANSWERS: The pineapple is the fruit of the pine tree. Why not?
