Music Deaths: Roy C, Southern Soul Legend

ROY C, 81

Died 16 September 2020

Roy Campbell Hammond.  Soul singer.  Biggest hit was in 1965 with "Shotgun Wedding."

If you like Southern Soul, you should go to You Tube and give him a listen.  Lots of his songs on it.

Unfortunately, not very well-known.

Music Deaths: Betty Wright, Sang 'Cleanup Woman'

BETTY WRIGHT, 66

Died 10 May 2020

Singer of Soul and R&B.  Had 33 R&B songs on the charts.

Born Bessie Regina Norris and used Betty Wright as stage name.  Her best-known song was "Cleanup Woman"  (#6-1971) and "Dance With Me"  (#8-1978).

I really only knew "Clean Up Woman" so went to You Tube and listened to other songs and I wish I had known more of her songs.  If you like 1970s female soul and R&B singers, she is the gal for you.

I especially liked "He's Bad, Bad, Bad."

Music Deaths: Hilliard 'Sweet Pea' Atkinson, Singer With Was (Not Was)

HILLIARD "SWEET PEA" HILLIARD, 74

Died 5 May 2020

R&B, Soul singer.  Performed with Was (Not Was).

Met Don Was in the late 1970s.  He also had solo albums and other albums that were collaborations. 

Was (Not Was) songs:

"Spy in the House of Love"  (#16-1988)

"Walk the Dinosaur"   (#7-1989)

If you love R&B and Soul music like me, make sure you give a listen to his "Are You Lonely for Me Baby".

Also:

"Back in Love"

"Groovin' You"

Top Ten Musicians Who Just Missed the 27 Club

From the May 19, 2020, ListVerse by Heidi Gillstrom.

The 27 Club for musicians refers to famous ones who died when they were twenty-seven.  This group lists ones who died before their 27th birthdays or just after their 27th birthday.

Again, photos and information accompany the ListVerse article.  I'll just give the group name.

10.  Shannon Hoon--  Blind Melon

9.  Steve Gaines--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

8.  Gram Parsons-- Country Rock pioneer   (Before)

7.  Bradley Nowell--  Sublime

6.  The Big Bopper--  J.P. Richardson

5.  Tim Buckley

4.  Bix Beiderbecke--  Jazz musician

3.  Nick Drake  (Before)

2.  Otis Redding  (Before)

1.  Hillel Slovak--  Red Hot Chili Peppers

Nick Drake was the only one who I'd never heard of by either name of group.  Actually, before this, I'd never heard of the term "27 Club" but was aware of the trio of Hendrix, Morrison and Joplin dying so young.

Reckon I'll HJave to Make an Entry About the "27 Club" Now.  --RoadDog

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"

Get Your Music Here

Right now, I am listening to the WLS Top 40 songs from May 11, 1970, on You Tube.  Once a month I do the whole Top 40.  The other weeks I just do a Top Ten and Debuts. This really takes me back fifty years.

However, here are some other really good places to hear music.  Some of it probably not what you're used to listening to, but good nonetheless.

All of these are available over the internet:

**  JUKIN' OLDIES--  A group of deejays on the internet but not in the same studio.  They really play a lot of different songs, many of which are Beach, Boogie and Blues.

**  WXRT (Chicago)  Blues and Soul Channel.  Go to the site  Click on Music at the top and scroll down to Chicago's Blues and Soul and click on it.

**  WVCO, 94.9 FM, out of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.  Beach Music.  On Wednesday's, DJ Jim Morgan takes you out to the beach and plays some of the best Beach Music ever.  (And this isn't West Coast/Beach Boys Beach Music either.)

Give To me the Music.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "If you're upset about regular folk hoarding toilet paper, wait till you hear about how a tiny percentage of rich people have managed to hoard most of the world's wealth.

WLS Top 40 for Week of April 13, 1970-- Part 3: "Hey Lawdy Mama"

30.  CECILIA--  Simon & Garfunkel      #4   Probably my favorite song by them.  Always brings a smile to me.  From the album "Bridge Over troubled Water."  Follow up to "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

29.  NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS--  Bill Deal & Rhondells      #62    Beach Music   Charted in Canada.  Reached #2 in Adelaide, Australia.  From New York City.  You don't usually think of Beach Music and New York City together.

28.  HEY LAWDY MAMA--  Steppenwolf      #35     Good cruisin' music, be it car or cycle.  One of their better lesser-known songs.  Formed in Los Angeles in 1967.

27.  RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA--  Brook Benton     #4   Is there a better belly-rubbin' song?  What a great start to the song.    Old School slow Soul.   Written by Tony Joe White.

26.  LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY--  Friends of Distinction--    #6    I had forgotten about this one.   But, it brings back pure college memories.  Their biggest hit was "Grazing in the Grass."

Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM will be going back to 1981 today for its Saturday Morning Flashback from 9 to noon CDST.  It streams.  Takes you back to BC (Before You-Know-What).   It streams.  I'll be listening.  One of my favorite years of a favorite decade.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're Shakin' My Confidence Daily."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Cecilia"

Music Deaths: Harold Beane, Member of Funkadelic-Parliament

HAROLD BEANE, 73

Died 1 February 2020

Funk/Soul guitarist with Parliament-Funkadelic and singer Isaac Hayes.

Music Deaths: Chuck Barksdale, 84, Member of the Dells

CHUCK BARKSDALE, 84

Died May 15, 2019

Bass singer with the popular Soul Music group, the Dells for over fifty years.  The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.  The fictional group in the movie "The Five Heartbeats" was based on the group.

The group formed in Harvey, Illinois, and had hits such as "There Is" (#20-1968),  "Stay In My Corner" (#10-1968) and "Oh What A Night"  (10-1969)

WLS Top 40 for September 8, 1969-- Part 6: "I'll Never Fall In Love Again"

Fifty Years Ago.

15.  OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND--  Little Anthony & the Imperials      #52     Didn't do anything for me.

14.  I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU--  Temptations      #1    Hard to beat Motown Anywhere, Anyhow.

13.  KEEM-O-SABE--  Electric Indian    Just 2:12.      #16    Very Indian instrumental.   Group made up of top Philadelphia studio musicians.

12.  I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN--  Tom Jones     #6    Make sure you watch the video.  Tom being Tom.  But, no ladies threw anything at him.

11.  THE TRAIN--  1910 Fruitgum Co.     #57    Never heard of the song before.  Good song though.  Bubble Gum Music with Soul?  Their last charting single.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Can Make A Gray Sky Blue, I Can Make It rain Whenever i Want It To."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"I Can't Get Next To You"

WLS Top 40 for September 8, 1969-- Part 2: "Workin' On A Groovy Thing"

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

35.  WORKIN' ON A GROOVY THING--  Fifth Dimension     #20   Again, Florence LaRue and Marilyn McCoo.  Sigh.

34.  WHAT'S THE USE OF BREAKING UP--  Jerry Butler    #20   "When you just turn around and make up."   Chicago's "Ice Man."

33.  OH WHAT A NIGHT--  Dells     #10     Love that deep bass voice.  This was three soul classics in a row.  From Harvey, Illinois.

32.  DON'T IT MAKE YOU WANT TO GO HOME--  Joe South      #41    Joseph Alfred Souter from Atlanta, Georgia.   Ahh, the good old days.

31.  CARRY ME BACK--  Rascals     #26   Old time spiritual song.  Quite different from their early days.  These New York City boys want to go back to their old Kentucky home.  Their last Top 40.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Do You Remember A Girl, That Very Special Girl."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Oh What A Night"

Music Deaths: Bill Isles, Co-founder and Singer with O'Jays

BILL ISLES, 78

Died March 25, 2019

Original member and singer with group from Canton, Ohio.    Featured on songs "Lonely Drifter" (#93-1963) and "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)"  (#48-1965) which are long-time Beach Music favorites.  Quit the group in 1965 and was group's tour manager when they had their biggest hits in the early 1970s with "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" and others.

WLS Top 40 for July 7, 1969-- Part 4: "Mother Popcorn"

I was in the summer between senior year at Palatine High School and freshman year at Northern Illinois University.  My family went to North Carolina that summer for several weeks and where I watched the Moon Landing.

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

25.  MRS. ROBINSON--  Booker T. & the MGs       #37   Well, you know this group.  Included Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn.   What would Mrs. Robinson say?

24.  MOTHER POPCORN--  James Brown       #11     Follow up to "The Popcorn"  (#30-1969)   Just try to listen to this and not move your body.    This guy had the moves, make sure you watch the video   Nothing like the Godfather of Soul and that horn section.

23.  PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART--  Jackie DeShannon     #4    Her biggest hit.   The perfect flower child.  Watch the live video of her.

22.  ALONG CAME JONES--  Ray Stevens       #27    Follow up to "Gitarzan."   Make sure you watch the really funny animated video.  Just love that gal named Sweet Sue who is in distress.  "Help, he's grabbing me again!"   Me Too?

21.  MOMENTS TO REMEMBER--  Vogues      #47    They only had a #92 after this with "Green Fields."   Originally done by the Four Lads.   A prom/reunion-ready song if there was ever one.  Way too much sap, though.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Day We Tore The Goal Post Down."

WLS Top 40 for June 9, 1969-- Part 4: "But It's Alright"

These rankings are from the Oldies Loon WLS Surveys site.   And, again, 50 years ago.  I was 18.

25.  WHAT DOES IT TAKE--  Jr. Walker & the Allstars    #4   Their biggest hit.  Got to love that sax.

24.  BUT IT'S ALRIGHT--  J.J. Jackson      #22     His biggest hit.    Great Beach Music song   If this don't get you ta movin' nothin' will.  One of my all-time favorites.

23.  MOODY WOMAN--  Jerry Butler    #24   Chicago's "Ice Man."

Songs 27 to 23 are some of the greatest soul you'll ever get.

22.  GOODBYE--  Mary Hopkin     #13     Right up there with her "Those Were the Days."  Born in Wales.

21.  THESE EYES--  Guess Who     #6    Their first hit with Burton Cummings.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "The Hurtin's On Me, Yeah."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"These Eyes"

WLS Top 40 for June 9, 1969-- Part 3: "Spinning Wheel"

That's right, fifty years ago.  Really?

30.  COLOR HIM FATHER--  Winstons     #7   Now that is what being  a good Daddy is all about, and they weren't even his kids.  Septet from Washington, D.C..

29.  APRIL FOOLS--  Dionne Warwick     #37    I don't recall ever hearing this song, but liked it.  Of course, the combination of Burt, David and Dionne means it will be good.

28.  SPINNING WHEEL--  Blood, Sweat & Tears     #2     Horns.  I need more horns.  The second of three straight #2s in 1969.

27.  BLACK PEARL--  Sonny Charles      #13   Listed under Checkmates.   About as pretty of a slow song as you can get.  Sonny Charles was lead singer.  From Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Their biggest hit.

26.  NO MATTER WHAT SIGN YOU ARE--  Diana Ross / Supremes   #31   Not one of their biggest hits, but that group and the Motown Sound.  Get you going.

Name That Tune (from the above songs);  "Let Me Put You Up Where You Belong."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Black Pearl"

WLS Top 40 for March 10, 1969-- Part 3: "Only the Strong Survive"

Still 50 years ago.  Stuck in the Sixties Again.

30.  TWENTY-FIVE MILES--  Edwin Starr     #6   Like he says:  "C'mon feet, start moving."   Born Charles Hatcher 1942 in Nashville.  Raised in Cleveland, Ohio.

29.  BACK DOOR MAN--  Derek     #59    The "Cinnamon" guy's back.  Never heard this song before, but a good one, even if it is just 2:08 minutes long.  Actually, Derek is Johnny Cymbal; who hada bighit with "Mr. Bass Man" in 1963, #16.

28.  ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE--  Jerry Butler       #4    Some great Soul Music with good words to live by.  How cool can you get if you're the "Ice Man"?    His biggest hit.

27.  DO YOUR THING--  Watts 103rd Street Band        #11     Evidently, the THING was the THING back in 1969, what with this song and the one at #32, "It's Your Thing."  Another try to sit still when you hear this.  Actually Charles Wright and the 103rd Street Rhythm Band,

26.  GAMES PEOPLE PLAY--  Joe South      #12    "La, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da."  Enough said.   Born Joe Souter in 1940 in Atlanta.  A big song-writer for others as well and guitarist.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Every Night and Every Day Now, Never Meaning What They Say Now."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Games People Play"

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 4: "Stormy"

25.  CALIFORNIA SOUL--  Fifth Dimension    #25   Now, there is some vocalizing and choreographed steps!!    Follow up to "Sweet Blindness."

24.  STORMY--   Classics IV     #5    Smooth.   Quintet from Jacksonville, Florida.

23.  HEY JUDE--  Wilson Pickett     #23    The Wicked makes a Beatles song soul.  That's Duane Allman doing the guitar solo.

22.  CAN I CHANGE MY MIND--  Tyrone Davis      #5   Mighty fine Soul.  Love those horns and that bass.  His first hit.

21.  EVERYDAY PEOPLE--  Sly & the Family Stone     #1  Can't we just all get along?   San Francisco interracial group.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Sometimes I'm Right And Sometimes I Can Be Wrong."    Answer below.  --RoadDog

IN 50 YEARS OF LIVIN YOU LEARN:  You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests you think she's pregnant unless you actually see a baby emerging from her at the moment.


"Everyday People"

WLS Top 40 for December 9, 1968-- Part 5: "Son of A Preacher Man"

20.  CAN'T TURN YOU LOSE--  Chambers Brothers       #37    "I Can't Turn You Lose."    Written by Otis Redding.  One of my all-time favorites.

19.  CHEWY CHEWY--  Ohio Express      #15     And, they're really from Ohio.  Mansfield, that is.  Ah yes.  I LOVE my Bubble Gum Music.  Anytime, Anywhere.

18.  LITTLE ARROWS--  Leapy Lee     #16     Born Lee Graham in 1942 in England.  A happy little song.  A true One Hit Wonder.

17.  SON OF A PREACHER MAN--  Dusty Springfield     #10    Born Mary O'Brien in London 4/16/39.  A white gal singing soil?  She pulled it off.

16.  SEE SAW--  Aretha Franklin      #14     From the last song to this one, how much soul can you handle?

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Sometimes You Love Me Like A Good Man Should."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


P.C. INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "The Christmas Song."  Open fire?  pollution.  "Folks dressed up like Eskimos?"  Cultural appropriation.


"See Saw"

WLS Top 40 for November 4, 1968-- Part 2: "Both Sides Now"

35.  BOTH SIDES NOW--  Judy Collins    (D)    #8    Her biggest hit.   What a voice.  A touchy-feely song.

34.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--  Dion  (D)     #4   A very timely song for this era.  A come-back for Dion.  His last Top 100 was in 1964.

33.  FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder    #2   As good of Stevie as it gets.

32.  GOODY, GOODY GUMDROPS--  1910 Fruitgum Co.      #37   Great Bubble Gum Music.  Check out the guy with the tambourine in the video.  He sure played  it.  2:16 on pure toe-tapping pop music.

31.  BRING IT ON HOME TO ME--   Eddie Floyd     #17     Hey, this is some great soul music and what about that  bass?  Every bit as good as his better-known "Knock On Wood"  (#28-1966).

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Can You Tell Me Where's He Gone?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

SAYINGS:  "Nice Guys Finish Last."   Sorry Leo Durocher, but not true.   Studies have shown that, on average, nice guys finish third in a field of six.  In Medieval Times, it was believed nice guys finished 26th.

"Abraham, Martin & John"

WLS Top 40 for October 7, 1968-- Part 2: "Quick Joey Small"

Fifty years ago.  The number behind the artist is how high it got on the Billboard Top 100.  (D) means debut.

35.  QUICK JOEY SMALL--  Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus    #25    Bubble Gum Music featuring members of The 1910 Fruitgum Co., The Ohio Express and The Music Explosion.

34.  FOOL FOR YOU--  Impressions     (D)   #22   Great Soul.  Curtis Mayfield.   Soul group from Chicago.

33.  PIECE OF MY HEART--  Big Brother & the Holding Company     Let's see?  Who's that singing lead?     #12   Formed in San Francisco in 1965.

32.  CHAINED--  Marvin Gaye     Let's see?  Motown and Marvin?  Sounds like a hit to me.  I wasn't familiar with this song.   #32     However, he did somewhat better with his next song, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."

31.  RUN TO ME--  Montanas     #121     Follow up minor hit to "You've Got To be Loved."   But very popular in Chicago.  It debuted on the WLS Top 40 on September 23 at 38, then hit #34, #1 this week, then #22, #17,  #13,  #10 and peaked at #8 on November 11.  It was really big in Chicago.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Didn't I Make You Feel Like You Were My Only Man, Yeah?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

MURPHY'S PUBLISHING LAWS:  Some errors will always go unnoticed until the book is printed.


"Piece Of My Heart"