WLS Top 40 for January 12, 1970-- Part 4: "Na Na Hey Hey"

I get the Billboard Hot 100 from Joel Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles 1955-1993."

25.  UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK--  Band     #25    A very different sound from this group.  I became a fan right away.  Their highest ranking hit.

24.  NO TIME--  Guess Who     #5   Love the introduction of this great break-up song.  Formed in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1963.

23.  NA NA HEY HEY--  Steam     #1    Written and recorded by studio musicians.  When it became a hit, they put together a band to go out and perform it.

22.  DOWN ON THE CORNER  #3  / FORTUNATE SON  #14--  Creedence Clearwater Revival.  My all-time favorite band.

21.  I WANT YOU BACK--  Jackson 5     #1   My favorite Jackson 5 song.  This one always gets me ta'Moving!!  Their first hit and first of four straight #1s and two #2s.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Drunkard's Dream If i ever Did See One."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Up On Cripple Creek"

Woodstock at Fifty-- Part 3: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"

These were songs on the radio and being played at Woodstock fifty years ago on August 18, 1969, as played on Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.

*  --  From the Woodstock Soundtrack.

VOLUNTEERS *  --  Jefferson Airplane
SUITE: JUDY BLUE EYES *  --  Crosby, Stills & Nash
LAY LADY LAY--  Bob Dylan

DID YOU SEE HER EYES--  Illusion
THE WEIGHT *  --  Band
TRY *  --  Janis Joplin

IZABELLA *  --  Jimi Hendrix
I'M GOING HOME *  --  Ten Years After

HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS  *  --  Joe Cocker

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Pulled Into Nazareth, Was Feelin' Bout Half Past Dead."   Answer below.  --RoadDog


"The Weight"

A Roots Salute to Levon Helm

Sadly, Band drummer Levon Helm died ten days ago and Bob Stroud did his Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV in Chicago on him yesterday.

He played songs that Helms sang lead on.  Of course, three of them were among my all time favorites.  I like both "Up On Cripple Creek" and "The Weight," even singing the latter on occasion at karaoke.  But, my favorite is "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."  As a Southerner by birth and member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, this one always gets to me.  That voice, those words...too much.

The Band was also one of my favorite groups from the era with their country-style rock sound.  Plus, Helm was very involved with the newer Americana genre of music. After listening to the songs Stroud played, I'd have to say that the Band were among the first to play that music.  If you'd like to hear some American music, go to Cashbox Magazine and click on the Americana Weekly Countdown.

Here Are the Helm songs:

Up on Cripple Creek
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Rag Mama Rag
Strawberry Wine
Daniel and the Sacred Harp

Life Is a Carnival
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Don't Break My heart
Ain't Got No Home
Mystery Train

Ophelia
I Don't Want to Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes
The Weight

Also, Stroud played "Levon" by Elton John,"Listen to the Band" by the Monkees, and in honor of Spirit's drummer having a birthday "Mr. Skin."  Of course, two songs by Ringo Starr.  See if you can guess the significance of these songs.

We'll Miss Him.  --RoadDog