August 15, 2026 - JH: Rock'nRoll Rarities

August 15, 2026

Host: Jan Hunsinger (JH)

Spotlight: Rock'n'Roll Rarities - familiar artists performing rare cuts.

Rockin' Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage, like us on Facebook, and tune in to 93.5 or stream the show every Saturday night from 6-9pm! (Or download the WVBR+ app now available for iOS and Android!)

Thanks to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!

Playlist

·     songs with * were requests

·     all chart information comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or Billboard Hot 100 (for chart dates during/after Aug 1958) unless otherwise noted

·     a glossary of terms is below the playlist

6:00 - 7:00

OPENING THEME:  Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll – Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969 - #29: produced by Jimi Hendrix)

Come to the Sunshine - Harpers Bizarre (1967 - #37: follow-up to their cover of "The 59th Street Bridge Song")

It's a Happening World - The Tokens (1967 - #69: song was written by the team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil)

She Laughed Loud - The Merry-Go-Round (1967 - DNC: Los Angeles band was lead by Emmitt Rhodes)

Two Days 'Til Tomorrow - The Beau Brummels (1967 - DNC: a non-LP release that lead singer Sal Valentino said was his favorite track; sad to say it flopped on the BBHot100)

Paisley Dreams - Tommy Roe (1967 - DNC: an attempt to break away from his pop image, which he returned to in 1969 with his big hit "Dizzy", and another flop)

Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967 - DNC: from the same LP as their big hit "Incense and Peppermints")

Mr. Unreliable - The Cryan' Shames (1967 - DNC: a regional hit in their native Chicago that failed to catch on nationally)

Love and Hate - Jan & Dean (1967 - DNC: cut after Jan Berry's near-fatal auto accident and therefore relied heavily on session singers)

Pipe Dream - Blues Magoos (1967 - #60: follow-up to their hit (We Ain't Got) "Nothin' Yet")

Up and Down - The Serpent Power (1967 - DNC: from the San Francisco group's self-titled LP which Rolling Stone magazine called, "one of the 50 best LP's of 1967")

Rest in Peace - Chad & Jeremy (1967 - NR: British duo had moved to California and were hanging out with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra)

Hideaway - The Electric Prunes (1967 - DNC: released as the B side to "Dr. Do-Good" which bubbled under at #128)

Merry-Go-Round - The Youngbloods (1967 - DNC: a non-LP single that was released before "Get Together")

Mary Jane - The Everly Brothers (1967 - DNC: from their psychedelic LP The Everly Brothers Sing)

*Tell Someone That You Love Them - Dino, Desi, and Billy (1968 - #92: trio of the sons of Dean Martin, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and their grammar school friend Billy Hinsche)

Next Plane to London - The Rose Garden (1967 - #17: group originally known as The Giant Sunflower, until they were joined by lead singer Diana DeRose)

7:00 - 8:00 The Birthday Calendar

Background song: "The Happy Organ" - Dave "Baby" Cortez (1959 - #1: song was #1 for one week in May)

August 9:
Gene Barge ("Daddy G") - b. 1926
Billy Henderson (The Spinners) - b. 1939
Wanda Young (The Marvelettes) - b. 1943
Barbara Mason - 79

August 10:
Jimmy Dean - b. 1928
Bobby Hatfield (The Righteous Brothers) - b. 1940
Ronnie Spector [Veronica Bennett] - b. 1943
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) - 79

August 11:
Eric Carmen - b. 1949

August 12:
Joe Jones - b. 1926
Alvis "Buck"Owens - b. 1929
Lesley Duncan - b. 1943

August 13:
Dave "Baby" Cortez - b. 1938
Hughie Thomasson (The Outlaws) - b. 1952

August 14:
Darrell "Dash" Crofts - b. 1938
David Crosby - b. 1941

August 15:
Jimmy Webb - 80

Quarter to Three - Gary "US" Bonds (1961 - #1: Gene Barge provided the sax solo and is name-checked in the song)

One of a Kind (Love Affair) - The Spinners (1973 - #11: Billy Henderson was one of the founding members of the group and sang tenor)

Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes (1966 - #7: Wanda Young sang lead vocals on this hit)

Yes, I'm Ready - Barbara Mason (1965 - #5: the Philadelphia-born Mason wrote this hit from the LP of the same name)

Dear Ivan - Jimmy Dean (1962 - #24: Dean wrote this Cold War era tune after the building of the Berlin Wall)

Dream On - The Righteous Brothers (1974 - #32: last original song by the duo to chart)

Walking in the Rain - The Ronettes (1964 - #23: song ranks #266/RS500 and was later covered by Jay and the Americans)

Teacher - Jethro Tull (1970 - DNC: Ian Anderson wrote this B side release which went to #4 in the UK)

Go All the Way - The Raspberries (1972 - #5: song is considered a classic example of power pop and was written by Eric Carmen)

California Sun - Joe Jones (1961 - #89: original version of song that went to #5 for the Rivieras in 1964)

I've Got a Tiger by the Tail - Buck Owens (1965 - #25: song went to #1 on the Country charts)

45 Corner

Love Song - Lesley Duncan (1970 - DNC: song has been covered by over 150 artists, including Elton John on his Tumbleweed Connection LP, for which Duncan provided background vocals; we heard the original mono 45)

There Goes Another Love Song - The Outlaws (1975 - #34: Hughie Thomassson co-wrote the lead track from the band's debut LP)

We May Never Pass This Way (Again) - Seals & Crofts (1973 - #21: song went to #2 on the Adult Contemporary charts)

8:00 - 9:00

Lady Friend - The Byrds (1967 - #82: David Crosby wrote the A sided single that failed to match the band's earlier success despite performing it on The Tonight Show)

Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1969 - #3: Jimmy Webb wrote the song that has been called "the first existential cowboy song"; it ranks #192/RS500)

Penny Arcade - The Cyrkle (1967 - #95: John Lennon came up with the artsy spelling for teh group, that was also managed by Brian Epstein and opened for The Beatles on their 1966 final tour)

Summer Days, Summer Nights - The Street Corner Society (1968 - DNC: a Beach Boys sound-alike that may be the group's only recording; song was written by Brian Hyland)

She Lives (In a Time of Her Own) - The 13th Floor Elevators (1967 - DNC: Austin band led by Roky Erickson that coined the term "psychedelic rock" for their sound)

Come On In - The Association (1968 - NR: lead track from their Birthday LP; shoulda, coulda, woulda been a hit?)

Pammie's on a Bummer - Sonny Bono (1967 - DNC: solo Sonny from his LP Inner Views, which Billboard magazine said, "should establish Sonny in the same category with Dylan and Lennon and McCartney"; we heard the 8:00 LP version rather than the 5:00 single edit [no half-way measures on Rockin' Remnants!], kudos to those who stuck out the entire song)

Wounded - The Cookies (1967 - DNC: vocal trio known for "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)")

A Moment of Being With You - The Critters (1967 - DNC: group out of Plainfield, NJ whose biggest hit was "Mr. Dieingly Sad")

Evergreen Part One - The Stone Poneys (1967 - DNC: early track that kept Linda Ronstadt in the background, a mistake rectified when they recorded "Different Drum")

Time Has Come Today - The Chambers Brothers (1968 - #11: we heard the 3:05 version of the song, there is also a 4:45 single version; the LP cut runs 11:05)

The Ostrich - Steppenwolf (1967 -DNC: original single version; the band would record a heavier, longer version of this song for their debut album)

March of the Flower Children - The Seeds (1967 - DNC: song that provided the title of the 3 CD set on Grapefruit Records from which much of tonight's music was taken)

CLOSING THEME:  Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959 - #1 for two weeks; brothers Santo [steel guitar] and Johnny [rhythm guitar] Farina from Brooklyn)

Glossary of Terms:

dnc = did not chart

nr = not released as a single at the time

AC = Billboard’s chart for “Adult Contemporary” records

BB = Billboard Magazine, which publishes the Hot 100 chart (previously known as the Top 100), along with several other charts

Bubbling Under = songs that were ranked but fell below the top 100

C&W = Billboard’s chart for “Country & Western” records

R&B = Billboard’s chart for “Rhythm & Blues” records

RRHOF = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

RS500 = Rolling Stone Magazine’s ranked list of the top 500 singles of all-time

Host: John Simon (JS) with a spotlight on his 23rd anniversary as a Rockin' Remnants host!

Thanks for tuning in! You can listen to Rockin' Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9pm on WVBR (93.5 FM in Ithaca, NY) or streaming here. 

August 8, 2026 - GJ - Mid-Charters Early August 1956, 1966, 1976

Rockin’ Remnants

Rockin’ Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage, like us on Facebook, and tune in to 93.5 FM or stream the show every Saturday night from 6-9 p.m. Eastern. (Or download the WVBR+app now available for iOS and Android.)

Thanks to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!

Date: August 8, 2026

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: Early August Charters: 1956, 1966, 1976

Birthday Calendar

August 2

Jim Capaldi 1944

Garth Hudson  1937   

Andrew Gold 1951

August 3

Johnny Graham  (EWF guitarist)  75 years old

Syreeta Wright  1946

Beverly Lee (Shirelles) 85 years old

August 4

Paul Layton  (New Seekers bassist and vocalist)   79 years old

Frankie Ford 1939

Timi Yuro 1940

Larry Knechtel 1940

August 5

Rick Huxley  (Dave Clark Five bassist)  1942

Samantha Sang 75 years old 

August 7

B.J. Thomas     1942

August 8

Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr.)       1935

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

In the 6:00 hour I played a song that had two distinct versions charting on the Hot 100 on August 7, 1976.  What was the song?    

(scroll down to find the answer below the playlist)

Playlist

* songs with * were requests

* all chart information comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or Billboard Hot 100 (for subsequent dates) unless otherwise noted

* glossary of terms is below the playlist

6:00

OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

Along Comes Mary   Association   #32 down from #29 in its 10th chart week.  8/6/66

This was the Associations’ first hit and, according to composer Tandyn Almer, Mary was indeed a reference to cannabis. In the video below, Larry Ramos is introduced as Japanese, but he was actually Filipino.

Devil Woman  Cliff Richard   #42 up from #47 in its 6th chart week. 8/7/76

Cliff Richard made it to #6 in the U.S. and #9 in the U.K. with this record, which was heard 41 years after its initial release in the film “I, Tonya.”

Friday’s Child   Nancy Sinatra   #36 Holding steady in its 5th chart week.  8/6/66

This Lee Hazlewood song was arranged by Billy Strange who also played the guitar solo.

I’m in Love Again   Fats Domino  #20 down from #16 in its 16th chart week. 8/8/56

This was the fifth #1 single by Fats on the R&B charts where it stayed for seven weeks. It also reached #3 on the pop chart.

Lady Jane  Rolling Stones  #39 up from #51 in its 3rd chart week. 8/6/66

Mick Jaggger’s inspiration for the song apparently came from D.H. Lawrence’s book Lady Chatterly’s Lover. Although Mick overacts in the video below, it's historically interesting to see this line up of the band with Charlie Watts playing the vibes.

Ode to Billy Joe  Bobbie Gentry   

This song was originally recorded in 1967, but it showed up twice on the August 7, 1976 chart: at #69 on the Warner label, and at #57 on the Capitol label. Why? The film of the same name was released in 1976, and Bobbie Gentry re-recorded the song for the film. We heard the film version.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice    Beach Boys  #62 up from #84 in its 2nd chart week.  8/6/66

Brian Wilson used 16 studio musicians to create the wall of sound on the track. It ultimately reached #8 on the Hot 100.

*Silly Love Songs   Wings  1976  

#63 down from #53 in its 18th week on the chart.  8/7/76

The track was McCartney’s 27th number one composition in the U.S. He leaned into the opinion of critics, including John Lennon, that all his songs were just silly love songs. Requested by Scottie for Peggy.

I Want You, I Need You, I Love You    Elvis Presley  #5 holding steady in its 13th chart week. 8/8/56

The song peaked at #1 on the country chart and #3 on the pop chart. The song was recorded 17 times during an unproductive recording session. The released version was a combination of takes 14 and 17, an unusual editing method in 1956. 

Still the One    Orleans   #51 up from #69 in its 2nd chart week. 8/7/76

From their album “Waking and Dreaming.” A perennial anniversary favorite.

Be-Bop a Lula Gene Vincent    #8 holding steady in its 9th chart week. 8/8/56

The record peaked at #7 on the pop chart, #8 on the R&B chart and #5 on the country chart.

The Boys Are Back In Town   Thin Lizzy   #44 down from #27 in its13th chart week. 8/7/76

The song peaked at #12 on the Hot 100. The song first broke out in the U.S. on a Louisville radio station

Make Me Belong to You   Barbara Lewis   #46 up from #56 in its 3rd chart week.  8/6/66

She’s Gone   Hall and Oates  #53 up from #63 in its 3rd chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #7

This was a re-issued version on Atlantic Records after Hall and Oates had moved to RCA records and had a hit with “Sara Smile.”

7:00

Love Hurts   Jim Capaldi    1975  #97

The song was written by Boudleaux Bryant and first recorded by the Everly Brothers in 1960. Roy Orbison followed up with a cover in 1961.

The Shape I’m In    The Band   1971  #121

Robbie Robertson has not disputed the theory that the song was about lead singer Richard Manuel.  Garth Hudson really shines at several points on the keyboards.  

   

Never Let Her Slip Away    Andrew Gold   1978  #67

Gold wrote the song about his girlfriend at the time, Laraine Newman. Harmony vocals by JD Souther, Timothy Schmit and an uncredited Freddie Mercury, sax solo by Ernie Watts.

Love’s Holiday  Earth Wind and Fire  1977  DNC

Johnny Graham played lead guitar with the group for about 10 years. He has a nice stretch toward the end of this track.

If You Really Love Me   Stevie Wonder  1971   #8

Syreeta Wright co-wrote the song with her then husband Stevie Wonder. She also sang back up on the track.

Tonight’s the Night   Shirelles  1960  #39 H100  #14 RB

Beverly Lee acquired the trademarked name of the Shirelles and she is still touring with the group’s latest configuration.

Never Ending Song of Love  New Seekers   1972  DNC

Some great harmonies on this cover of the Delaney Bramlett song.

Sea Cruise  Frankie Ford  1959  #14/ Huey Smith 1958 NR

The instrumental backing track was recorded by composer Huey Piano Smith in 1958, and Ford’s voice was dubbed in for his 1959 release. Huey Smith’s version was not released until 1971. The other voice on Smith’s version is Gerri Hall. You heard a mix of the two versions.

Hurt    Timi Yuro   1960   #4

She was one of the first female blue-eyed soul singers, with a vocal style similar to Dinah Washington. When Burt Bacharach offered his song “What the World Needs Now” to her, she passed on it.

Bridge Over Troubled Water  Simon and Garfunkel  1970  #1

Larry Knechtel won a Grammy for his arrangement and piano playing on “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Bits and Pieces   Dave Clark Five     1964   #4

A stomping bit of proto-punk. You can draw a straight line from this song to “London Calling” by The Clash.

Emotion  1978   #3

Written and produced by Barry Gibb who sang backing vocals. The song was reputedly going to be part of the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack but was not used.

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head   B.J. Thomas  1969  #1 on the Hot 100 for four weeks and on the Adult Contemporary Chart for seven weeks..

It won an Oscar. Legend has it that both Ray Stevens and Bob Dylan declined to record the song. In the video below, Thomas managed to sing (or lip sync) the song while water was actually falling on his head on the Ed Sullivan Show. And check out the dance ensemble!

I Want to Do Everything for You  Joe Tex   1965  #1 RB  #23  H100

This was his second number 1 song on the R&B chart After “Hold What You’ve Got.”

8:00

Dirty Water   Standells   #31 Holding steady in its 16th chart week.  8/6/66

Tony Valentino played the instantly recognizable opening riff. The song broke out on an Orlando radio station in January 1966.

Sunshine Superman   Donovan  #61 up from #90 in its 2nd chart week.  8/6/66

The musicians included Jimmy Page actively using the volume knob on his lead guitar and John Paul Jones on electric bass.

Born to Be With You    Chordettes   #12  down from #11 in its 9th chart week.  8/8/56  It had peaked at #5.

The whistling was by Don Robertson who wrote the song.

Warm and Tender Love   Percy Sledge  #35  up from #48 in its 3rd chart week.  8/6/66 It peaked at #5 on the R&B chart and # 17 on the Hot 100.

Lowdown   Boz Scaggs   #36 up from #46 in its 6th chart week.  8/7/76 It peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 and at #5 on the R&B and Disco charts.

This was an album track from “Silk Degrees” until a DJ in Cleveland began playing it. It was then issued as a single to R&B and Top 40 radio stations.

Bus Stop   Hoillies  #58 up from #73 in its 3rd chart week.  8/6/66  It peaked at #5 on the Hot 100

Composer Graham Gouldman has credited his father Hyme, who was a playwright, with writing the opening lyrics of the song.

Shower the People   James Taylor and Carly Simon   #39 up from #43 in its 6th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #22. The video is from a 1998 concert at the Beacon Theater with Arnold McCuller picking up the counterpoint verse at 3:18. Goosebumps all around..

I Need to Be in Love     Carpenters    #43 down from #25 (its peak) in its 9th chart week. 8/7/76

Richard Carpenter has said that this was his sister Karen’s favorite Carpenters song.

Summer   War   #30 up from #40 in its 5th week on the chart.  8/7/76 It peaked at #7.

Part of the melody was borrowed from a Burger King jingle of the time. Does the song bring back memories of riding around listening to your eight track?

Flying Saucer   Dickie Goodman and Bill Buchanan   #4  up from #9 in its 2nd chart week.  8/8/56 It peaked at #3.

This was the first in a string of “break-in” mash-up records by Goodman and Buchanan. This early version of sampling included snippets from 11 popular songs of the day.

Take the Money and Run    Steve Miller  #49 down from #32 in its 14th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #11.

Just to be clear, Rockin’ Remnants does not condone aggravated armed robbery.

Fever    Little Willie John  #24 in its 1st chart week.  8/8/56 It peaked at #1 on the R&B chart and #24 on the pop chart.

Apparently, Little Willie John did not like the song when he first heard it.

Alfie   Cher  #57 up from #62 in its 2nd chart week.  8/6/66 It peaked at #32.

Cher was 20 when she recorded her version of the song, which fit her voice very well.

You Don’t Know Me    Jerry Vale   #22 up from #23 in its 3rd chart week.  8/8/56  It peaked at #14

Street Singin’  Lady Flash   #52 up from #62 in its 4th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #27

They were the backing singers for Barry Manilow, who wrote and arranged the song for Lady Flash.

My Heart’s Symphony   Gary Lewis and the Playboys  #57 up from #75 in its 2nd chart week.  8/6/66 It peaked at #13.

Leon Russell was involved in the production and arrangement of the track.

Soft Summer Breeze   Eddie Heywood   #21 up from #24 in its 5th chart week. 8/8/56 It peaked at #11.

CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

Trivia Answer

“Ode to Billie Joe”

Congratulations to Elise from Danby for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of passes to Cinemapolis, downtown Ithaca’s home for first-run, international, independent and local films.

Glossary of Terms:

DNC = did not chart

NR = not released as a single at the time

AC = Billboard’s chart for Adult Contemporary records

H100 = Billboard Hot 100

CW = Billboard’s chart for country and western records

RB = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records

Host August 15, 2026: Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on “Rarities.”

Thanks for tuning in! You can listen to Rockin’ Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9 p.m. Eastern on WVBR (93.5 FM in Ithaca NY) or streaming on WVBR.com.

Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!