WLS Top Ten for March 31, 1969: "It's Your Thing"

Fifty Years Ago Today on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.

These are taken from Oldies Loon WLS Surveys where you can see all 40 songs.

1.  AQUARIUS / LET THE SUNSHINE IN--   Fifth Dimension
2.  HAIR--  Cowsills
3.  IT'S YOUR THING--  Isley Brothers

4.  YOU'VE MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY--  Blood, Seat & Tears
5.  DIZZY--   Tommy Roe
6.  TRACES--  Classics IV
7.  RUNAWAY CHILD, RUNNING WILD--  Temptations

8.  TIME OF THE SEASON--  Zombies
9.  ROCK ME--  Steppenwolf
10.  DO YOUR THING-- Watts 103rd Street Band


DEBUTS

36.  SNATCHIN' IT BACK--  Clarence Carter
37.  MY WAY--  Frank Sinatra

38.  THE BOXER--  Simon & Garfunkel
39.  HAWAII FIVE-0--  Ventures
40.  PINBALL WIZARD--  Who

Definitely a time for the rock musical "Hair" with the top two songs and a time to do a "Thing" with numbers 3 and 10.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Then Peace Will Guide the Planets And Love Will Steer the Stars."  Answer below.  --RoadDog


"Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In"

JSS: Good Ol' NIU and Sox-- Spring Left Real Quick-- Fighting the Squirrel and Chipmunk War

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  GOOD OL' NIU AND SOX--  A little while ago I was in Jewel when a guy looked at me, noticing my White Sox hat and NIU sweatshirt and called out, "Go You White Sox" and then "NIU."

Turns out he went to NIU, Northern Illinois University, entering in 1969 and graduating in 1973, the same years I went there (except for junior year when I was at UGA).  We probably passed each other at some point.  He went into business and was a member of the SAE fraternity.  I was Delta Sigma Phi.  He also really liked the 1967 White Sox, my all-time favorite Sox team/

2.  SPRING LEFT REAL QUICK--  As sunny and nice (50s) as the last two days were, the weather is sure making up for it today.  Overcast and bone-chilling windy 30s.  Oh well, we had two great days.

3.  FIGHTING THE SQUIRREL AND CHIPMUNK WARS--  Spent much time this morning fighting the squirrels and chipmunks over the bird seed.  But, at least at this time I think I gave something rigged up to stop them.  Several unsuccessful attempts have been made.

Take That You Bushy-Tailed Rats!!  --RoadDog

TOP TEN TRIVIA:  Bananas are curved because they grow toward the sun.

Thank A Vietnam Vet Today, It's National Vietnam War Veterans Day Today

It was a war that I never thought would get over.  It started when I was in junior high, went all the way through high school and all the way through college.  I thought it would still be going on today.  There just was no end in sight as we continued the buildup for all those years from 1963 to 1973.

It was my war as I came really close to having to go.  I gad a draft lottery number of 22 and was graduating from college in May 1973, but the last fighting troops were pulled out March 29, 1973.  So, I was that close.

Not that I was against the war, just it is my belief that if you go to war, you fight to win it as soon as possible and you do whatever you have to do to accomplish those goals, no matter how mad they are.

I have written about my experiences with the Vietnam War in past blog entries.  Click on My Vietnam War Experience in the labels below to see what I have written.

A Hard and Long War.

I'd Celebrate That!!! March 28-31: Friday Is National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Note, there are other celebrations on these days.  I just pick a few of the ones.  For all of them go to checkiday and type in the date.

MARCH 28

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK DAY-- **  So important for early reading.  Every child should have picture books.

EAT AN ESKIMO PIE DAY--  **  Avoid brain freeze, though.


MARCH 29

NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY--  **  The last American troops came home March 29, 1973.  I'll be putting up my flags on Saturday.

NATIONAL MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY--  **  The backbone of America.


MARCH 30

PENCIL DAY--  **  Our first real writing instrument.

NATIONAL TAKE A WALK IN A PARK DAY--  **  It is so relaxing.  When I see parks, I don't get as mad with my taxes.


MARCH 31

NATIONAL TATER DAY--  **  Any kind of potato is alright with me, especially loaded baked potatoes, French fries and, of course, tater tots.

NATIONAL CRAYON DAY--  **  Please don't eat the crayons.  Keep that point sharp.

Taters, Taters, French-Fried Taters.  --RoadDog

TOP TEN TRIVIA:  Underwater, you can hear a blue whale's heartbeat from two miles away.

JSIS: A Travesty of Justice-- $3 Gas

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE--  Everyone around here is really angry that the TV guy who faked his mugging was let off yesterday.  I mean, come on, the guy was guilty of a HATE CRIME!!!  Trying to set up white people like he did.  What we have is another O.J. thing.

2.  $3 GAS!!   Well, they did it.  Gas around here in northeast Illinois hit $3 yesterday.  Well, it hit $2.99.9 which is REALLY $3.  Who do they think they are fooling at $2.99.9?

Why?  Who knows?

--RoadDog

NOT SAYING THAT BASEBALL PLAYER ARE PAID TOO MUCH, BUT....  Mike Trout's new contract calls for $1,645 per pitch for the next 12 years.

State Capital Test

Earlier today, I took a test over naming the 50 state capitals.  Supposedly I missed two of them, but only remember one that I missed, the capital of Massachusetts.  However, I must admit that had we not had four choices for each capital I would have been hard pressed on these state capitals:  Maine, Montana, Kansas, New Hampshire, Washington, Delaware, Wyoming, North and South Dakota and Oregon.

Hey, 48 out of 50 isn't bad.  Thanks to my fifth grade teacher in Greenville, North Carolina, for making an impression.  It was pass  the test or get spanked.

You can take the test at Warped Speed:  Can You Name Every State Capital?  Go test yourself.

Made An Impression on Me.  --RoadPain

By the way, how do you pronounce the capital of Kentucky:  Louieville or Lewisville?


I pronounce it Frankfort.

I'd Celebrate That!!!! March 25-27: National Medal of Honor Day Today

**  I'd celebrate it.

MARCH 25

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY AND THE TRANSATLANTIC  SLAVE TRADE--  **  Lest we forget the inhumanity of man to other men.

INTERNATIONAL WAFFLE DAY--  **  Especially ones with stuff in them like blueberries or chocolate and different flavor syrups like at IHOP.

PECAN DAY--  **  Any kind of nut is alright with me.  Do you say Pea-can like me or puh-cahn?

NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY--  **  The highest ward of bravery.


MARCH 26

NATIONAL SPINACH DAY--  **  With lots of butter or in a pizza.

NATIONAL NOUGAT DAY--**    Nougat good!!!


MARCH 27

MANATEE APPRECIATION DAY--  **  Poor guys getting wiped out by humans.  They just want to do their thing and be left alone.

NATIONAL JOE DAY--  **  In honor of all guys named Joe.  Just a day for the Average Joe.

NATIONAL QUIRKY COUNTRY MUSIC SONG TITLES DAY--**  And, there has been some really good ones.

She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy,  Red Necks White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer, My Head Hurts My Feet Stink and I Don't Love Jesus,  Take This Job and Shove It.

I'm Doing the Song Titles.  --RoadDog

NOT THAT BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE GETTING PAID TOO MUCH MONEY, BUT:  Mike Trout will be making $24,591 an inning.

WLS Top Ten for March 24, 1969: "Hair"

The Top Ten songs from Chicago's WLS 890 AM fifty years ago.  Debuts as well.

1.  AQUARIUS / LET THE SUNSHINE IN--  Fifth Dimension    Rose from #23 last week.
2.  HAIR--   Cowsills    Rose from #14
3.  TRACES--  Classics IV

4.  NO, NOT MUCH--  Vogues
5.  DIZZY--  Tommy Roe
6.  HOT SMOKE & SASSAFRASS--  Bubble Puppy
7.  TIME OF THE SEASON--  Zombies

8.  MAY I--  Bill Deal & the Rhondells
9.  INDIAN GIVER--  1910 Fruitgum Co.
10.  IT'S YOUR THING--  Isley Brothers


DEBUTS

33.  TIME IS TIGHT--  Booker T. & the MGs
38.  MEMORIES--  Elvis Presley

30.  THE CHOKIN' KIND--  Joe Simon
40.  MERCY--  Ohio Express

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "When The Moon Is In Its Seventh House."  Answer below.  --RoadDog



"Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In"

I'd Celebrate That!!! March 24: National Cocktail Day Today

MARCH 24

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISINS DAY--  **  Love those chocolate covered raisins.  Also like chocolate covered peanuts.

NATIONAL COCKTAIL DAY--  **   And, we're not talking about fruit cocktail.

Think I'll Go Out and Get Me Some Cocktails.  --RoadDog

NOT THAT BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE GETTING PAID TOO MUCH, BUT:  Mike Trout, with his new contract, gets paid $66,978 an at bat.

It's That Tournament Time Again, I'm Talking 'Bout "March Madness"

Spent a lot of time yesterday watching the NCAA March Madness games.  As I've said before, I regard this as the best sporting event anywhere.  There are so many upsets, so many close games, so many who-are-theys.  Had to look up Belmont and Northeastern.

Yesterday, of the sixteen games played, I count two  upsets and a whole bunch of near upsets.  Six of them in fact.

In the first round, I always pull for the underdogs or little guys.  Even if they are playing a favorite of mine like Michigan State, Kansas or North Carolina.  Even if they end up getting blown out while doing that horrible intentional fouling at the end.  If the game is close, or the little guy is winning much of the game, I like it.

It is now so much better now that we can watch every game on the four different channels.  I used to hate it when Duke would be blowing someone out by fifty points and there was a close game going on elsewhere and we had to watch the boring Duke game.  Now, I can flip over to the "fun" games.

And speaking of Duke, which used to be my second favorite "Big Guy" team (behind UNC), I no longer support this team because they gave joined Kentucky as a one-and-doner team.  That cheapens college basketball.  I am so ashamed of Coach K going this route.

Doesn't Matter Who Finally Wins It As Long As It Is Not Duke or Kentucky.  --RoadDog

NOT THAT BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE GETTING PAID TOO MUCH, BUT:  With Mike Trout's new contract, he is getting paid $222,222 a game.  Good work if you can get it.

I'd Celebrate That!! March 21-23: National Puppy and Kitten Day Saturday

**  I'd celebrate that.

MARCH 21

NATIONAL FRENCH BREAD DAY--  **  With garlic butter, dripping.  YES!!

NATIONAL COMMON COURTESY DAY--  **  We could sure use more of it.


MARCH 22

NATIONAL GOOF OFF DAY--  **  Something I HAVE NEVER EVER done.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

AS YOUNG AS YOU FEEL DAY--  **  The trick is to grow older and not up.


MARCH 23

NATIONAL CHIP AND DIP DAY--  **  I must be in heaven.

CUDDLY KITTEN DAY--  **    Way too much fun.

NATIONAL PUPPY DAY--  **  Way too much fun.

Too  Much Fun.  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Inside-- Thor-- Iron-- Guardians-- Jurassic-- Independence

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I watched on TV in 2018.

37.  INSIDE OUT--  4-27--  Not happy in San Francisco.

38.  THOR:  THE DARK WORLD--  4-28--  Loki's not a bad guy after all.

39.  IRON MAN 3--  4-28--  Careful what you do in the past.  It may come back to bite you in the ___.  How to destroy a perfectly good beach house mansion.

40.  GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY--  4-28--  Star Lord and his band of misfits.  The walking tree sure said a lot with just the words, "I am Groot."  And, the raccoon understood him.

41.  JURASSIC PARK 2--  4-28--  The "Hatari" hunt.  Lesson to be learned:  Don't steal the T Rex baby.

42.  INDEPENDENCE DAY--  5-4--  Remember, it's not over until the fat lady sings.  "Now, that's what I'm talking about."

Beware  That Seeking Arrow.  --RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Monster-- Hunger-- Jurassic-- Battleship-- Dodgeball-- Hunger

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2018.

31.  MONSTER U--  4-4--  It's the unpopular nerd fraternity versus the cool frats.  It's "Animal House" all over again, but this time with nerdy monsters.

32.  HUNGER GAMES:  CATCHING FIRE--  4-20--  Back in the game again.

33.  JURASSIC PARK 2--  4-20--  Mom and Dad T.Rex taking care of baby T Rex.

34.  BATTLESHIP--  4-20--  The "Mighty Mo" to the rescue. Sometimes, analog better than digital.

35.  DODGEBALL--  4-21--  Misfits (the Average Joes) beat the studs.

36.  THE HUNGER GAMES:  MOCKINGJAY--  PART 1--  4-27--  The Revolution begins.  Pieta gets brainwashed.

--  RoadDog

TOP TEN TRIVIA:  Helen Keller could identify friends by their personal odors.

Eating and Good Times in the Area, Mar. 8-10

Still cold, but didn't stop us from having fun.  March 8-10

MARCH 8, FRIDAY

We went to the Grant Township Fish Fry at the Fox Lake American Legion.  Always a great meal and raising money for the Little League program.  Packed as usual.

MARCH 9, SATURDAY

We went to the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department's annual corned beef and cabbage dinner at the old fire station on Washington Street in Ingleside.  Then to Stucky's in Johnsburg and enjoyed the singing and antics of Uncle Will on the guitar.

MARCH 10, SUNDAY

Went to Stucky's for their $1.50 pints, $1 third pound burgers

--RoadDog

Joe South-- Part 3: Hits for Billy Joe Royal and "Rose Garden"

Continued from March 13.

He also played electric guitar on Simon & Garfunkel's second album "Sounds of Silence."  Billy  Joe Royal did well with five songs Joe South wrote:  "Down In the Boondocks,"   "I Knew You When,"  "Yo-Yo" (later a hit for the Osmonds), "Hush" (later a hit for Deep Purple).

The biggest hit of his songwriting career was "Rose Garden"  (#3-1971) by Lynn Anderson.  It was a hit in 16 countries and two Grammy Awards.  He also wrote three other songs for her that went to #1 on the country charts.

He also has written songs for a huge array of artists.

Quite a remarkable career.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: James Ingram

JAMES INGRAM, 66

Died January 29, 2019

American singer, songwriter, record producer, instrumentalist.  Two-time Grammy Award winner.  Had eight Top 40s on Billboard charts.

Just Once  (#17-1981)
One Hundred Days  (#14-1982)

Baby, Come To Me  (with Patti Austin)  (#1-1982)
Yah Mo B There (with Michael McDonald)  (#19-1984)

What About Me  (with Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes)  (#15-1984)
Somewhere Out There  (with Linda Ronstadt)  (#2-1987)

The Secret Garden  (with a whole bunch of people)  (#31-1990)
I Don't Have The Heart  (#1-1990)

I'd Celebrate That!!! March 18-20 Wednesday Is First Day of Spring and International Earth Day

**  I'd Celebrate That

MARCH 18


ACT HAPPY DAY--  **  (Celebrated the third Monday of every March)   Happy is always better than sad, I always say.

AWKWARD MOMENTS DAY--  **  Maybe you had one yesterday after too much green beer, Guiness and Jameson.

NATIONAL SLOPPY JOE DAY--**  One of my favorite things to eat and slop all over the place.  How do you eat and not spill?


MARCH 19

LET'S LAUGH DAY--  **   Live Long, Laugh Often.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CARAMEL DAY--  **  Yum Yum


MARCH 20

BIBLIOMANIA DAY--  **  A love of books.  But, perhaps too much.  I do love my books.

GREAT AMERICAN MEATOUT DAY--  **  Always the first day of Spring.  Eat no meat of any sort.  Guess II could do that for one day.

INTERNATIONAL EARTH DAY--  **  Always the first day of Spring.  A good idea.

NATIONAL RAVIOLI DAY--  **  I love any kind of ravioli.

Sloppy Joes and Ravioli.  --RoadDog

Music Deaths: Paul Whaley, Drummer of Blue Cheer and Mark Hollis of Talk Talk

PAUL WHALEY, 72

Died January 28, 2019

Drummer who helped pioneer Heavy Metal with the band Blue Cheer out of San Francisco  Their biggest hit was a remake of  Eddie Cochran's 1958 Rockabilly song "Summertime Blues."  It went to #14 in 1968.

MARK HOLLIS, 64

Died  February 25, 2019

Leader of group Talk Talk.    Their biggest hit was "It's My Life"  (#31-1984).