Friday, February 6, 2026

January 31, 2026 - JR - JR's Seventies Birthday Bash

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: January 31, 2026

Host:  John Rudan

Feature: JR’s Seventies Birthday Bash

This is a few days before my birthday, but every year on the closest Remnants to the 4th, I pull out all the stops and play some of my 1970’s faves!  The first two hours are pop and soul hits and the last hour we get… Progressive…  Many thanks to my producers Gregory James and John Simon, very fine Remnants hosts in their own right!  ; )

Playlist

6pm – Rock & Soul Hits

Just My Imagination – Temptations – 1971 – The swan song of lead singer Eddie Kendricks.


Ooh Child – Valerie Carter – 1977 – Cover version of the 5 Stairsteps original, 1970.


Yellow River – Christie – 1970


Go Back – Crabby Appleton – 1970


Take A Letter Maria – R.B. Greaves – 1970 – The last #2 song of the 1960’s!


Groovy Situation – Gene Chandler – 1971


Day By Day – Godspell – 1973 – Lead vocal by Robin Lamont, not credited at first, but then later was credited.


Back When My Hair Was Short – Gunhill Road – 1973 – Big local hit here on WTKO-AM; peaked on the Hot 100 at #40.


Let Me Serenade You – Three Dog Night – My favorite 70’s band!  I had all their 45’s.


Northern Lights – Renaissance – 1977 – More Progressive Radio airplay for this British band. 


Montego Bay – Bobby Bloom – 1970 – Bobby wrote co-wrote many hit singles, but this is his only hit.


Magnet And Steel – Walter Egan - 1976 – Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks on background vocals.


Hypnotized – Fleetwood Mac – 1973 – The late Bob Welch wrote and sang the lead vocal.


Fire – Ohio Players – 1974 – Reached #1 on the Hot 100 and the Billboard Soul Singles chart.


I’m On Fire – Dwight Twilley Band – 1975 – Twilley didn’t have another hit until 1984 with “Girls” and both songs peaked at #16


Theme From Shaft – Isaac Hayes – Isaac was the first Black artist to win an Oscar for Best Original Song for Shaft.  Can ya dig it?


7pm – More Rock & Soul

Mama’s Pearl – Jackson Five – 1971 - #2 for 2 weeks behind One Bad Apple by The Osmonds.


Dazz – Brick – 1976 – Dazz = Disco Jazz


Can’t Get It Out Of My Head – ELO – 1974 – Their first Top 10 single in the U.S., peaking at #9.


Frank And Jesse James (alt. mix) – 1976 - Warren Zevon – My favorite artist of the 1970’s was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year!


Are You Ready – Pacific Gas & Electric – 1970 – L.A. band, music called “Psychedelic Soul.”


Guide My Energy – Robert Johnson – 1978 – This Robert Johnson was auditioned by the Rolling Stones to replace Mick Taylor.  He didn’t get the gig, Ronnie Wood did.


Everyone’s Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine – Stealers Wheel – 1973 – The last charting single for this British duo, although Gerry Rafferty had a significant solo career.


That’s The Way Of The World – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1975 – This was an album, a single, and a movie starring Harvey Keitel that nobody saw!


Never Been Any Reason – Head East – 1975 – Still a Classic Rock Radio staple after 50 years and their only charting single.


I’m Doing Fine Now – New York City – 1973 – Written, produced and recorded in… Philadelphia by the legendary Thom Bell.


The First Cut Is The Deepest – Keith Hampshire – 1973 – Written by Cat Stevens and six cover versions have charted on the Hot 100!   Wikipedia


Hey Hey What Can I Say – Led Zeppelin – 1970 – Flip-side of Immigrant Song 45 first released on CD in 1990.


Sea Of Love – The Honeydrippers – 1985 -  Robert Plant with Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and a cast of thousands on a studio project headed by president of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun.


8pm – Progressive

Percy’s Song – Fairport Convention – 1969 – Written by Bob Dylan.


White Bird – It’s A Beautiful Day – 1969


Evil Woman – Spooky Tooth – 1969 – British band with New Jerseyan Gary Wright on co-lead vocals.


Compared To What – Les McCann & Eddie Harris – 1969 – Used in a Coke commercial in 2003 Coca-Cola "Real Compared to What"

School – Supertramp – 1974 – From their third LP, Crime of the Century, and a favorite false ending!


Fat Man In The Bathtub – Little Feat – 1978 – Live LP Waiting For Columbus.


Jackstraw – Grateful Dead – 1972 – From their third, and most acclaimed, live album Europe 72.


Birdland – Weather Report – 1977 – “Fusion” jazz, written as a tribute to the NYC jazz club.


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

Host February 7: Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on Frat Rock.

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!


Wednesday, January 28, 2026

January 24, 2026 - GJ - Better Late Than Never

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: January 24, 2026

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: Better Late Than Never—Unplayed Songs from Previous Playlists

Birthday Calendar

January 18

David Ruffin b. 1941

January 19

Phil Everly b. 1939 

Janis Joplin b. 1943

Robert Palmer   b. 1949

January 21

Richie Havens 1941

Edwin Starr 1942

Billy Ocean 76 years old

January 22

Steve Perry 77 years old

Sam Cooke 1931

January 23

Anita Pointer b. 1948

Millie Jackson  83 years old

January 24

Neil Diamond 85 years old

Aaron Neville 85 years old

Warren Zevon b. 1947

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

The title of the B-Side to Brenda Lee’s “Jambalaya” was a telephone number. What was it?

(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)

You're No Good Betty Everett   1964  #51 H100/RB

The footstomps were created by the Dells who also recorded on the Vee-Jay label.

Betty Everett – You're No Good – Vinyl ...

I Wish I Knew      The Ballads  1969 DNC

The song was also called “Butterfly.”

I Wish I Knew - Ballads - 1969 - YouTube

Hold On! I'm Comin' Erma Franklin  1969  NR

From her aptly named album “Soul Sister” which consisted of several covers.

song and lyrics by Erma Franklin ...

*It Keeps You Running   Doobie Brothers  1977  #37

the doobie brothers it keeps you runnin ...

The Boys Are Back In Town Thin Lizzy  1976  #12

The band was toiling in obscurity until this track went into heavy radio airplay in Louisville and album sales picked up

The Boys Are Back In Town

What Are You Going to Do With It Betty Wright  1981  #42 RB

Written by Stevie Wonder.

The Betty Wright Story – Betty Wright ...

Walking On A Thin Line    Huey Lewis and the News 1984  #18

This was the fifth and final single off the album “Sports.”

Huey Lewis And The News – Walking On A ...

That's All           Etta James  1955

Radio - Etta James 'That's All' (1955 ...

Farmer John Don & Dewey  1959  DNC

Don and Dewey wrote the song and released it on Specialty Records. The horns really kick the song into overdrive.

Covered by Bruce Springsteen

Bigelow 6-200 Brenda Lee  1956  DNC

This was the B-Side to Jambalaya. She used a staccato vocal delivery to good effect.

BIGELOW 6200 - BRENDA LEE (ALT- TAKE ...

Bare Trees  Fleetwood Mac   1972  NR

Danny Kirwan wrote and sang lead on the song.

1972 Fleetwood Mac ...

*Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher   Rita Coolidge  1977  #2

This track spent 27 weeks on the Hot 100 reaching #2. Requested by Scottie and going out to Peggy with love.

Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and ...

Madman Across the Water    Elton John   1971  NR

When people told lyricist Bernie Taupin they thought the song was about Richard Nixon, Taupin said, “that is genius—I never could have thought of that.”

Madman Across The Water': A Big Splash ...

7:00

Walk Away from Love    David Ruffin  1976 #9 H100  #1 RB

David Ruffin ~ Walk Away From Love 1975 ...

When Will I Be Loved?   Everly Brothers  1960  #8

Phil Everly wrote the song.

Everly Brothers – When Will I Be Loved ...

Trust Me  Janis Joplin  1970  NR

Bobby Womack wrote the song and played guitar.

Who wrote “Trust Me” by Janis Joplin?

Man Smart, Women Smarter   Robert Palmer  1977  #63

Great cover of a Harry Belafonte tune written in 1936 by Norman Span. The incomparable Bill Payne played piano.

Robert Palmer: Man Smart, Woman Smarter ...

High Flying Bird Richie Havens  1967  NR

This is one of the songs Havens performed at the opening set of Woodstock.

Richie Havens | Woodstock

War     Edwin Starr   1970   #3 RB  #1 H100

The song was originally recorded by the Temptations but the group and the Motown label were leery of any controversy surrounding the Temptations, and did not want to release the track as a single. Composer Norman Whitfield recruited Edwin Starr to re-record the lead vocal.

EVERY BILLBOARD HOT 100 SINGLE 1970 ...

Love Really Hurts Without You   Billy Ocean  1976  #22

Ocean taught himself to play piano and he has said that one day his left hand just started playing the song’s melody.

Billy Ocean – Love Really Hurts Without ...

Foolish Heart   Steve Perry   1985   #18 H100  #2 AC

This was the fourth and final single released from his album “Street Talk.”

Steve Perry - Foolish Heart (with ...

A Change is Gonna Come    Sam Cooke   1965  #31 H100  # 9 RB

Cooke is reputed to have said that he wanted to write a song that would make his father proud. The record was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sam Cooke) - Cover ...

Fire      Pointer Sisters   1979  #14 RB  #2 H100

Anita Pointer originally thought the song might be too low for her to sing.

Pointer Sisters – Fire – Vinyl (7 ...

This Is It   Millie Jackson  1980  DNC/NR

Great cover of Kenny Loggins’ song from her album “For Men Only.” 

MILLIE JACKSON....HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY ...

Hello Again   Neil Diamond  1981  #6 H100  #3AC

Diamond wrote the song for the film “The Jazz Singer” in which he made his acting debut.

Neil Diamond - Hello Again - Amazon.com ...

One Fine Day   Aaron Neville  1987  NR

Fine Day - Album by Aaron Neville | Spotify

Backs Turned Looking Down the Path   Warren Zevon  1976   NR

The Gentlemen Boys accompanied Zevon and they consisted of Jackson Browne (who sang harmony on this track), Jorge Calderón, Kenny Edwards, JD Souther and Waddy Wachtel. Lindsay Buckingham played lead guitar.

Warren Zevon & Jackson Browne - VPRO ...

8:00

Friendship Train Gladys Knight & The Pips  1969  #17 H100  #2 RB

The Pips are astonishing in the video below. And Gladys Knight is in a class by herself.



Gimme Shelter   Rolling Stones   1969  NR/DNC

Sometimes a song remains stuck in the era in which it was recorded. Not this one. Even when the storm is threatening, and the mad bull has lost its way, love is still just a kiss away.


Gimme Shelter': The Rolling Stones ...


I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) Barbara George  1962  #3 H100   #1 RB

Barbara George, who began writing songs at the age of 16, wrote this song and recorded it in New Orleans with top musicians from that city.

Barbara George – I Know Lyrics | Genius ...

Do You Want to Dance?    Bobby Freeman   1958  #5 H100   #2 RB

That’s the title on the record label, but it’s often referred to as “Do You Wanna Dance.” Freeman was 17 years old when his composition charted.

Bobby Freeman, 'Do You Want to Dance ...

Hazy Shade of Winter    Simon and Garfunkel   1968  #13

The song was released in 1966 as a non-album single and was later included on the “Bookends” album. 

cover of the Simon & Garfunkel song ...

Help Me Joni Mitchell   1974  #7

The backing band on Mitchell’s biggest hit single was Tom Scott’s L.A. Express.



Mountain Of Love    Johnny Rivers  1964  #9

The backing musicians were The Wrecking Crew, who previously called themselves “The First Call Gang.”

1964 [r15736594] | Discogs

I Can't Hold On Karla Bonoff   1978  #76

She wrote many hits made famous by other people, notably Linda Ronstadt. The respect in which she was held by fellow musicians is evident in the musicians who accompanied her: Andrew Gold, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Waddy Wachtel and Kenny Edwards to name a few.

Karla Bonoff – I Can't Hold On ...

Standing In The Shadows Of Love    Four Tops  1967  #2 RB   #6 H100

Getting ready for the heartaches to come…sort of the anticipatory dread of being dumped. The Andantes were at their finest singing backup on this track.

Shadows Of Love by The Four Tops ...

Tush ZZ Top  1975  #20

Dusty Hill sang the lead vocal on the record and in concert. For a while after his death in 2021, the group played this song in concert synchronized with a recording of Hill’s last live vocal performance of the song. This video from 1980 shows what great showmen ZZ Top were.



Dizzy, Miss Lizzy Larry Williams  1958  #69

The record label has a comma after the word “dizzy.” Both Larry Williams and Little Richard recorded for Specialty Records, and Williams had to work hard to distinguish his vocal style from Little Richard’s.

Dizzy Miss Lizzy - Larry Williams (1958 ...

Peggy Sue Buddy Holly   1957  #3

The titular Peggy Sue was the girlfriend and later wife of Jerry Allison, whose paradiddle drumming drives the song.

Peggy Sue Gerron: Buddy Holly ...

Along Came Jones     The Coasters  1959  #9

The title of the song may have come from a Gary Cooper movie of the same name.

The Coasters – Along Came Jones – Vinyl ...

What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One   Mary Wells 1963  #8 RB    1964  #29 H100   

The song was written and produced by Smokey Robinson and was covered by several other Motown groups.

335. Mary Wells: “What's Easy For Two ...

Everytime (sic) You Go Away Paul Young   1985  #1

Composer Daryl Hall has called this record one of his favorite Hall and Oates covers.



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

Trivia Answer

The B-Side to Brenda Lee’s “Jambalaya” was “Bigelow 6-200.”

Congratulations to Tom 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

RB = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records

Host January 31, 2026: John Rudan with his pre-recorded 2026 Birthday Bash Show.

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!