Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
BREATHE/ON THE RUN-- Pink Floyd
MIND GAMES-- John Lennon
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE)-- George Harrison
OHH LA LA-- Faces
HYPNOTIZED-- Fleetwood Mac
DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO-- Rollng Stones
SUCH A NIGHT-- Dr. John
LAKE SHORE DRIVE-- Aliotta, Haynes & Jeremiah
KODACHROME-- Paul Simon
RAMBLIN' MAN-- Allman Brothers Band
PERSONAL CRISIS-- New York Dolls
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "There's A Road I'd Like To Tell You About, Lives In My Home Town." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Lake Shore Drive"
THE OCEAN-- Led Zeppelin
SAIL ON, SAILOR-- Beach Boys
GROWIN' UP-- Bruce Springsteen
FEELIN' STRONGER EVERY DAY-- Chicago
THE HARDER THEY COME-- Jimmy Cliff
ELECTED-- Alice Cooper
ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN-- Electric Light Orchestra
LOVE TRAIN-- O'Jays
PANIC IN DETROIT-- David Bowie
ALL THE GIRLS LOVE ALICE-- Elton John
DIRTY LOVE-- Frank Zappa
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "People All Over the World Join Hands." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Love Train"
From the June 15, 2024, show hosted by Annalisa.
THE REAL ME-- Who
BODYHISATTVA-- Steely Dan
KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE-- Queen
YOUR CASH AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT TRASH-- Steve Miller Band
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY-- Joe Walsh
ALL THE WAY TO MEMPHIS-- Mott the Hoople
DIXIE CHICKEN-- Little Feat
CAN'T GET NO GRINDIN'-- Muddy Waters
CHINA GROVE-- Doobie Brothers
WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES-- Billy Preston
JET-- Paul McCartney & Wings
I WANNA BE WITH YOU-- Raspberries--
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "When the Sun Comes Up On A Sleepy Texas Town." Answer below. --RoadDog
"China Grove"
If you're like me, 1973 was a very important year. The first half was a college year at NIU (they're playing "Two Hangmen" by Mason Profitt right now at 9:09 AM) and then I graduated, got married, bought my first car and started my one and only job teaching. You might say it was quite a year for me.
Anyway, right now, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM is doing their weekly Saturday Morning Flashback to this year. It streams, so check it out until noon, CDST.
***********************
I also wrote down every song they played in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog. Check them out.
***********************
Also, if you're into Beach Music, WVCO, the Surf 94.9 FM, in South Carolina is having the Beach Music Top Twenty songs ftrom now until noon EDST.
Tomorrow, Terri Hemmert has her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT from 8 to 10 AM and Bob Stroud does his Rock and Roll Roots show from 9 to noon CDST on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM. The show features music from the 1960s and 1970s. All shows stream.
Lots of Great Music to Listen To. --RoadMusic
WXRT, 93.1 FM is one of the main radio stations I listen to in Chicago.
Right now WXRT is tied for sixth in Chicago according to the most recent Nielsen ratings. The station is owned by the Philadelphia-based radio chain Audacy.
Recently deceased Lin Brehmer, who I have been writing about the last several posts, has been an integral part of the station throughout its history. It began as a pioneering Chicago rock station in the early 1970s, launching under local ownership with an underground melange of free-form album cuts, but only at night, after its ethnic-based programming like Korean gospel and Spanish talk radio had concluded their day.
The rock format station went full time in 1976.
They became a part of CBS Radio in the late 1990s. In 2017, Entercom acquired WXRT and half a dozen other Chicago radio stations through a megamerger with CBS.
This company rebranded as Audacy in March 2021, is the second-largest radio chain in the U.S. behind iHeart-Media, and operates more than 235 stations nationwide.
Other Chicago Audacy stations include all-sports WSCR-Am 670 and news station WBBM-AM 780.
--RoadDog
I've always had a hard time spelling his name in my blogs and journal. If I heard him say "Your best friend in the whole world" once, I hear him say it a thousand times.
Yesterday, WXRT had a lengthy show on Lin Brehmer and all the local news channels had bits on him. He even had his name, birth year and death year on that iconic scorebeoard outside Wrigley Field, home of Lin's beloved Cubs.
I wonder if he gets cremated, will they spread his ashes around the field?
Lin Brehmer was a Queens, New York native and Colgate University graduate. He started his radio career at a station on Albany, Nerw York, before joining WXRT as a music director in 1984. He left the station in 1990 for a one-year stint as music director at KTCZ- FM in Minneapolis before returning to host mornings at WXRT -- a position he held for nearly thirty years.
In 2020, he shifted to the mid-morning slot when Terri Hemmert retired.
I used to listen to him every morning after I retired in 2006.
Sure Going to Miss Him. Our Best Friend in the Whole World. --RoadDog
Yesterday while doing these blogs I came across notice of the death of one of my favorite disc jockeys, Lin Brehmer on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM. I listened to him mornings until he shifted to midday. Like he liked to say, "Your Best Friend in the Whole World."
He had left the airways back in this past July because of cancer treatments and had a strong desire to get back on the air.
Listening to his show was like sitting with a good friend and talking music and especially his beloved Chicago Cubs (but, I didn't hold that against him). And, how in the world did he come up with what he said on his Lin's Bin bits. For any of you unjfamiliar with Lin's Bits, it was a lot like listening to that deejay on "Northern Exposure" only with bits of songs and lines from movies.
This past year has been rough on me as along with Lin Brehmer (always hard to spell his name), I lost two other of my favorite disc jockeys in Chicago: Bob Stroud on WDRV and Terri Hemmert on WXRT. But, though they are not on regularly, their signature shows are. With Bob that would be Rock and Roll Roots, Ten at Ten and One 45 at 1:45. Terri Hemmert has Breakfast With the Beatles. Those shows still are on, so it is not like they are entirely gone.
Today, WXRT is going to salute the life of Lin Brehmer starting at 10 am, CDT. It streams, so I will definitely be giving it a listen.
--RoadDog
I was a junior at the University of Georgia at this time fifty years ago, having transferred at the end of my sophomore year from Northern Illinois University. My parents and family were now living in Dunwoody, Georgia, Atlanta northern suburbs. My parents gave me a 1963 Rambler station wagon to go to school.
But, a big reason I transferred was to go to a school with a big football program, which Georgia definitely had. Vince Dooley coached the team which ended the season with an 11-1 record, good for second place in the SEC and a #7 AP ranking. That was a fun year, but I couldn't get over the students attending the games wearing suits and evening dresses. That just wasn't done at Northern.
HEART OF THE COUNTRY-- Paul McCartney Bob Stroud always plays two Beatle songs at 9 am when Terri Hemmert ends her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT.
BANGLADESH-- George Harrison
GETTING IN TUNE-- Who
I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE-- Rare Earth
MERCY MERCY ME-- Marvin Gaye
RIDERS ON THE STORM-- Doors
DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER-- Beach Boys
I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE-- Carole King
LIAR-- Three Dog Night A song that always reminds me of PLC Class at Quantico, Virginia, that summer.
BITCH-- Rolling Stones
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "I Won't Ever Leave If You Want Me To Stay." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Liar"
SATURDAY, JULY 31
The usual morning stuff, FP, internet and radio (Bill St. James' Time Warp, WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback 1992-1993 and the Surf's Beach Music Top 25 Countdown)
Took a nice Firebird Cruise south of here to the Moraine Hills State Park and the McHenry Dam State Park. These are two of the most beautiful parks you can imagine. Lots of walking trails and views.
I went to the McHenry Dam Park first and you get a view of the dam on the Fox River which regulates the depth of the Chain of Lakes. The other side of it you can see the Stratton Locks which boaters use to get up and down the river.
The Moraine Hills Park takes its name from the geologic form known as a moraine, which is an accumulation of boulders and rocks and other debris deposited by a glacier when it melts.
There were a lot of people taking advantage of the two parks with picnics, walking and fishing at the dam.
We went to Stucky's that evening for the $1 draft pints and I had the chicken Kiev special.
--RoadDog
SATURDAY, JULY 24
I had breakfast out on the front porch as usual, then went on the internet and prepared the questions for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group and researched some information about the Lincoln Conspirators which was today's topic.
Drove to Crystal Lake listening to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1974, my first year out of college and teaching. Too bad I had the meeting.
We had seven people at the Panera Bread store in Crystal Lake. And, our friend Frank even e-mailed his famed impossible questions in from down south where he is recovering from a sickness. Seemed more like the good old days. As usual, great discussion and quite a bit of it revolved around whether John Wilkes Booth was actually killed or was it a coverup by persons in the Union government who wanted to get rid of Lincoln.
The name Joseph Holt was mentioned quite often. There were three John Wilkes Booths according to this conspiracy theory: the real one who died as an old man in Missouri, one who passed as Booth on the run and one who looked enough like him to pass for a dead Booth when examined.
I'd never heard of this Booth Conspiracy before. Like any good conspiracy, maybe true but most likely not.
--RoadDog
LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE: LAW OF PROBABILITY: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
Sat out FP (Front Porch) for coffee and breakfast. Went on the internet for a short while and wrote questions for today's discussion group on Veterans Organizations of the Civil War and did some research. This is for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group.
Listened to Bill St. James and his Time Warp show on WDRV and then WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback at home and in the car. Today it was to 1975, a great year for music.
Drove to Panera Bread in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the meeting which was held inside for the first time since February 2020. The two major veterans groups after the war were the Union's Grand Army of the Republic and the South's United Confederate Veterans.
Afterwards, I went to my favorite store these days, Half Price Books in Algonquin, and bought eight CDs. The I picked up tp Sliders at White Castle.
That evening, Liz and I went to Sticky's in Johnsburg and enjoyed their $1 draft pints.
********************************
SUNDAY, JUNE 27
I did what I do most every Sunday during the summer, some of it even last year. I sit FP (Front Porch) for coffee, breakfast and reading. Then go on the internet and work on blogs. Then listen to different radio shows: Acoustic Storm on the Drive, WXRT's Breakfast With the Beatles and WDRV's Rock and Roll Roots.
In the afternoon, we went over to the American Legion in McHenry, Illinois, for their annual Pig Roast. It was auce and all the beer you can drink for $10. I tell you, I can live with this price. Plus, we had a great country rock/blues band called Dixie Rising.
Tough Life, But Somebody's Got to Do It. --RoadPig
JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. SUMMER SONGS-- A great weekend to listen to music associated with the official start of our favorite season, and that would be summer. Yesterday, Bon Stroud played ten summer songs on his Ten at Ten and this Sunday he will devote his entire Rock and Roll Roots show to that season. It is on WDRV, 97.1 FM and streams from 9 to noon
Plus, tomorrow Bill St. James' Time Warp will feature summer songs from 6 to 10 AM on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM. It streams.
2. 1980-- Plus, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM will feature 1980 from 9 am to noon. It streams as well.
3. PAUL'S BIRTHDAY-- Sunday's Breakfast With the Beatles hosted by Terri Hemmert will be all Paul McCartney from 8 to 10 am. It's his birthday, you know. 79 years old. It streams.
4. SURE NEEDED THE RAIN-- We had quite a display of lightning and thunder roll through the Midwest this morning. It was a nice steady rain for several hours and we sure needed it. The lawns were all brown except for the folks who watered theirs. We still nee d more, though, but every little bit sure helps.
Lots of Music This Weekend. --RoadDog
Saturday. June 5, from 9 am to noon CDST, Chicago's own WXRT, 93.1 FM, will be having their weekly Saturday Morning Flashback show to 1973.
Then, on Sunday, June 6, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive's Bob Stroud goes back to the Summer of 1971, fifty years ago and will be playing songs on the radio and in your record collection from June 6, 1971.
This is part of his four-part Root Salute to the Summer of 1971. He will also be playing songs from July 4, August 1 and September 5 on those first Sundays.
Both stations stream, so let's all go back.
--Road70s
Only 52 years ago.
IN THE BEGINNING/LOVELY TO SEE YOU-- Moody Blues
HEARTBREAKER-- Led Zeppelin
LIVING LOVING MAID-- Led Zeppelin I'm so surprised they played these two songs back-to-back. Aren't you?
BEGINNINGS-- Chicago
VICTORIA-- Kinks
ROCK ME-- Steppenwolf If I heard this once on the jukebox in Senior Lounge at Palatine High School, I heard it a whole lot.
I WANT YOU BACK-- Jackson Five
SPACE COWBOY-- Steve Miller
I GOT DEM OLD TIME BLUES-- Janis Joplin
WISHFUL SINFUL-- Doors
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE-- John Lennon Or do you say Plastic Ono Band?
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "She Asked Me Maybe I Could Share Her Sorrow." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Rock Me"
POLK SALAD ANNIE-- Tony Joe White Let's Talk Suthern a Little Y'all.
JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT-- Byrds
VOLUNTEERS-- Jefferson Airplane "Morning Maniac Music"
JINGO-- Santana
I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER-- Sly & the Family Stone Just in Time for Woodstock. Throw your hand up!!
RED HOUSE-- Jimi Hendrix
SEA OF JOY-- Blind Faith
RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN-- Bob Seger My first introduction to him.
HERE COMES THE SUN-- Beatles
DOWN BY THE RIVER-- Neil Young
WHAT DOES IT TAKE-- Jr. Walker & the All Stars
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Down There We have A Plant That Grows Out In The Woods And Fields." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Polk Salad Annie"
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?
Bill St. James is back to 1972 on his Time Warp Show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM. Right now, he is playing Alice Cooper's "School's Out" which inspired the name of our last boat, "School's Out..." which then had "Forever" after we retired.
It goes to 10 am, CST and streams.
Then, at 9 am, WXRT is doing 1974 on their Saturday Morning Flashback. It goes to noon CST and streams as well.
This has been an exceedingly crummy winter so far this new year with lots of snow with no chance of melting as we've only had a few days in the 30s since Jan 1 and since last Friday, Feb.5, no temps higher than the mid teens. That's why giving WVCO, the Surf's Beach Music Countdown today from 9 to 11 am, EST will help get me in the proper beach mode.
Good Listenin' on the Radio. --RoadBrrrr
STUDENT TEST ANSWERS: Persian cats is the chief industry of Persia, hence the word "purr."
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE-- John Lennon
WHIPPING POST-- Allman Brothers Band
I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU-- Temptations
SPACE ODDITY-- David Bowie
RED HOUSE-- Jimi Hendrix
LAY LADY LAY-- Bob Dylan
A SALTY DOG-- Procul Harum
DOWN ON THE CORNER-- Creedence Clearwater Revival
VENUS-- Shocking Blue
GIMME GIMME GOOD LOVIN'-- Crazy Elephant
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism." Answer Below. --RoadDog
"Give Peace A Chance"
