Thursday, February 13, 2025

February 8, 2025: JH - Valentine's Special

 February 8, 2025

Host: Jan Hunsinger (JH)

Spotlight:  "Valentine's Special" - songs of love and romance.


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)

This Guy's in Love With You - Herb Alpert (1968 - #1: the Burt Bacharach-Hal David written tune spent 4 weeks at #1; it was released as a single after being used in a TV special hosted by Alpert, who felt the song fit his trumpet playing and limited vocal ability)



(Night Time Is) The Right Time - Ray Charles (1959 - #95: song went to #5 on the R&B charts)

I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher (1965 - #1: song was written by Sonny Bono and spent 3 weeks at #1; song ranks #444/RS500)



I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos (1959 - #11: classic doo-wop cover of song written in 1934, it ranks #157/RS500)

I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1967 - #4: Robinson co-wrote the song and the group was backed by the Motown house band, the Funk Brothers)

My True Love - Jack Scott (1958 - #3: one of 19 charting singles for the singer out of Ontario, Canada)

God Only Knows - The Beach Boys (1966 - #39: one of the most beautiful pop songs ever written, it ranks #25/RS500; from the classic LP "Pet Sounds")



(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin (1967 - #8: song was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and ranks #90/RS500)

Is It Any Wonder - The Turtles (1967 - NR; 1970 - DNC: song was an LP-only release on "The Turtles Golden Hits" in 1967, it was then released as a single in 1970 but did not chart; coulda, shoulda, woulda been a hit?)

For Your Love - Ed Townsend (1958 - #13: Townsend wrote this song, which became his only Top 40 hit)



My Guy- Mary Wells (1964 - #1: song spent 2 weeks at #1 and was written and produced by Smokey Robinson)

My Girl - The Temptations (1965 - #1: song was co-written by Smokey Robinson and ranks #88/RS500)



You're the One - The Vogues (1965 - #4: first charting single for the group out of Turtle Creek, Pa.)

Misty - Johnny Mathis (1959 - #12: Mathis' signature song)

Eight Days a Week - The Beatles (1965 - #1: song topped the charts for two weeks and was one of the first songs to have a fade in)

Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin (1964 - #1: Martin's first Top 40 single since 1958, the song even knocked the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" out of the #1 spot)



7:00 - 8:00 The Birthday Calendar

February 2:
Stan Getz - b. 1927
Graham Nash - 83
Edna Wright (Honey Cone) - b. 1945

February 3:
Angelo D'Aleo (The Belmonts) - 84
Dennis Edwards (The Temptations) - b. 1943
Johnny Cymbal - b. 1945
Dave Davies (The Kinks) - 78
Melanie [Safka] - b. 1947

February 4:
Florence LaRue (The 5th Dimension) - 83
Marguerite and Mary Ann Ganser (The Shangri-las) - b. 1948
James Dunn (The Stylistics) - 75

February 5:
Claude King - b. 1923
Barrett Strong - b. 1941
Cory Wells [Emil Lewandowski] (3 Dog Night) - b. 1942
Al Kooper [Kuperschmidt] - 81

February 6:
Fabian [Fabiano Anthony Forte] - 82
Georgeanna Tillman (The Marvelettes) - b. 1944

February 7:
Bob Kuban - b. 1943

February 8:
Terry Melcher [Terrance Jorden] - b. 1942
Creed Bratton [William Schneider] - 82
"England" Dan Seals - b. 1948

The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz w/ Astrud Gilberto (1964 - #5: we heard the 2:44 single version of this bossa Nova classic)

Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970 - #30: former Hollie Graham Nash wrote this when he lived with Joni Mitchell)



One Monkey Don't Stop No Show - Honey Cone (1972 - #15: Edna Wright was lead singer for the female R&B trio)

Where or When - Dion & the Belmonts (1960 - #3: song was written by Rodgers & Hart in 1937)

Ball of Confusion - The Temptations (1970 - #3: Dennis Edwards took over lead vocals when David Ruffin left the group in 1968)



Cinnamon - Derek (1968 - #11: stage name under which Johnny Cymbal, from Ochitree, Scotland, sometimes preformed)

You Really Got Me - The Kinks (1964 - #7: Dave Davies was lead guitarist for the British band; song was their first charting single and ranks #82/RS500)

Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) - Melanie (1970 - #6: song was inspired by her Woodstock experience; the Edwin Hawkins Singers provided backing vocals)



Never My Love - The 5th Dimension (1971 - #12: their cover of the Association hit)

Give Him a Great Big Kiss  - The Shangri-las (1965 - #18: a departure from the girl group's usual songs of teenage angst)

45 Corner

I'm Stone in Love With You - The Stylistics (1972 - #10: song was a million-seller for the soul group out of Philadelphia)



Wolverton Mountain - Claude King (1962 - #6: country crossover song about a real place in Arkansas and a real person, Clifton Clowers, who was a veteran of World War I)

Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong (1960 - #23: Strong was perhaps better known as a song writer; this one ranks #288/RS500)

Mama Told Me Not to Come - 3 Dog Night (1970 - #1: song spent 2 weeks at #1 and featured lead vocals by Buffalo-born Cory Wells)



8:00 - 9:00

I Can't Quit Her - Blood, Sweat, and Tears (1968 - DNC: from the group's first LP when they were led by Al Kooper, who left after this album)

Tiger - Fabian (1959 - #9: Fabian was one of the "teen idols" of the late '50s and early '60s)



Beechwood 4-5789 - The Marvelettes (1962 - #17: the girl group trio was from Inkster, Michigan)

The Cheater - Bob Kuban and the In-Men (1966 - #12: Kuban was the drummer and bandleader of the group)

Summer Means Fun - Bruce & Terry (1964 - #72: although better known for producing acts like The Byrds and Paul Revere and the Raiders, Terry Melcher teamed up with Bruce Johnston to sneak this single onto the charts)

Lovin' Things - The Grass Roots (1969 - #49: Creed Bratton played guitar for the group and later went on to co-star on the TV show "The Office")



I'd Really Love to See You Tonight - "England" Dan and John Ford Coley (1976 - #2: "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry kept this soft rocker out of the top spot)

My Love - Petula Clark (1966 - #1: song was #1 on this date 59 years ago)



Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - The Casinos (1967 - #6: song was written by John D. Loudermilk in 1962; only Top 40 hit for the nine-member doo-wop group from Cincinnati)

Everything That Touches You - The Association (1968 - #10: song made its chart debut on 2/3/68)

Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - Mel Carter (1965 - #8: song was a #7 hit for Karen Chandler in 1952)



*Love Train - The O'Jays (1973 - #1: song spent 1 week at #1 in March of '73)

*Wendy - The Beach Boys (1964 - #44: Brian Wilson said that he wrote the song to imitate the Four Seasons)

Your Song - Elton John (1971 - #8: song ranks #136/RS500)



You Belong to Me - The DuPrees (1962 - #7: song was a #1 hit for Jo Stafford in 1952)



Goodnight My Love - Jesse Belvin (1956 - #7 R&B: Belvin co-wrote "Earth Angel"; this song is a popular oldies show sign-off)

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


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 February 15, 2025: Gregory James (GJ) with the theme "Unlucky in Love": songs about/with "lonely" or "lonesome".


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




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



 




Wednesday, February 5, 2025

February 1, 2025 - JS - February Debuts

 

Rockin' Remnants




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!







 

Date:  2/1/25

Host:  John Simon

Feature: Songs Debuting in February

 

 

 


It may be winter outside, but it doesn't have to be that way on your radio. We'll open with some snowy tunes and then we'll fill the airwaves with a bunch of songs that debuted in Februaries past. British Invasion, Motown, garage bands, love songs....something for everybody, plus a chance to win some cool loot. 6-9pm on Rockin' Remnants - WVBR. Everybody rides for free!

  

 

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia

 

 

Poet Shel Silverstein wrote Dr. Hook’s #5 hit “Sylvia’s Mother.” Can you name two other Top 40 hits that came from the pen of Shel Silverstein?

 

(scroll down to find the answer below the playlist – and to find a glossary of terms)

 

 


Playlist

 

 

·      YouTube links follow certain entries

·      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

 

6-7pm 

 

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

 

It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It’s Spring) – Felice Taylor (2/67; #42 – this Motown sound-alike was actually recorded down in Muscle Shoals and released on the tiny Mustang Records label, and happened to be written by a young Barry White! We open tonight’s show with some snowy songs.)

 Felice Taylor – It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring) –  Vinyl (7", 45 RPM, Styrene), 1966 [r1695422] | Discogs

 

New York’s a Lonely Town – Trade Winds (2/6/65 > #32 – songwriters Pete Anders and Vini Poncia recorded under several monikers when they weren’t writing for Phil Spector groups, and this was one of their aliases. Released on the Red Bird label, it’s a perennial wintertime favorite back east.)

 The Trade Winds – New York's A Lonely Town – Vinyl (7", 45 RPM + 2 more),  1965 [r5913780] | Discogs

 

I Wish You Could Be Here – Cyrkle (2/4/67 > #70 – this was the second single released by the band that was co-written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley, and it didn’t do nearly as well as “Red Rubber Ball” had. That said, it matches this wintry upstate night just perfectly.)

 

 

Ask the Lonely – Four Tops (2/6/65 > #24 Pop, #9 R&B – I actually hit the wrong button, and this one played instead of the next one – but it was the first Motown release of the year, and 1965 would be very good to Motown acts. This is Levi Stubbs at his plaintive best, with vocal support from the other three Tops and The Andantes.)

 


 

Our Winter Love – Bill Pursell (2/2/63 > #9 Pop, #20 R&B  Nashville was home to two fine session pianists: this guy and Floyd Cramer. This was Bill Pursell’s only charting single under his name, and it features a fuzz bass mixed with dreamy vocal accompaniment. Perfect fireside music on a cold night!)

 

 

Since I Don’t Have You – Skyliners (2/16/59 > #12 Pop, #3 R&B – they were five kids from Pennsylvania led by singer Jimmy Beaumont, and they all shared writing credit on this single. It actually did better on Soul stations, and is a staple on any Oldies show that’s worth its salt.)

 Since I Don't Have You by The Skyliners on TIDAL

 

People Get Ready – Impressions (2/20/65 > #14 Pop, #3 R&B – Rolling Stone Magazine has ranked this as #24 in its list of the greatest songs ever. Curtis Mayfield wrote it and played the guitar solo in it, and Dr. Martin Luther King called it “the unofficial anthem” of the Civil Rights Movement.)

 

 

Love Is All Around – The Troggs (2/24/68 > #7 – this was a far cry from the earlier records released by the group whose name was a shortened version of “troglodytes.” It spawned two big international covers in the Nineties, and was also a recurring plot device in the film Love Actually. It was a breath of fresh air in early 1968, too.)

 Buy The Troggs : Love Is All Around (7", Single, Ter) Online for a great  price – Feels So Good

 

*  Crying Time – Ray Charles (1/66; #6 Pop, #5 R&B – like Beyonce, Ray Charles grew up listening to Country music and had a real affinity for Buck Owens songs. This one was called in by listener Bill. The CD sputtered in the player, but it sounded good while it was playing….)

 

 

Dawn (Go Away) – 4 Seasons (2/1/64 > #3 for three weeks – this was released in the thick of the British Invasion onslaught, and would fight its way to near the top of the charts when The Beatles alone would have a dozen records in the Top 100! Check out those drums!)

 

 

*  Good Lovin’ – Young Rascals (3/66, #1 – this request came in from John-in-Freeville who wanted to hear something by “the greatest band to come out of New Jersey.” It was a cover of a low-charting Olympics record and it raced to the top of the charts in early April.)

 

 

Suspicion – Terry Stafford (2/22/64 > #3 for two weeks – this is another American artist who managed to fight his way through a swarm of British acts to reach great heights. Elvis had originally recorded this as an album track. When RCA didn’t release it as a single, Terry Stafford gave it his best “Elvis” impression and struck gold.)

 Terry Stafford - Suspicion - 7 inch ... Suspicion (Terry Stafford song) - Wikipedia

 

Time Won’t Let Me – Outsiders (2/19/66 > #5 – this Cleveland bar band was signed to Capitol Records and this was their debut single. Way to come out of the starting gate! Lead singer Sonny Geraci would later have a Top 5 hit with a different band, when Climax released “Precious and Few” in the early Seventies.)

 

 

*  Without You – Nilsson (2/72; #1 for four weeks – this had been a forgotten track from a Badfinger album when Nilsson discovered it and released his dramatic version. It became one of the biggest records of the year, and goes out to Barbara in the hills of Danby.)

 

 

Just My Imagination (Runnin’ Away With Me) – Temptations (2/6/71 > #1 – after releasing a series of topical and semi-psychedelic ravers, the Temptations returned to their roots with this gentle ballad featuring tenor Eddie Kendricks. It would spend two weeks atop the Pop chart and three weeks atop the R&B chart, and it became his signature tune.)

 


 

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

January 26 – Huey “Piano” Smith – born 1934

            – Deon Jackson – born in 1946

    

January 27 – Bobby “Blue” Bland – born 1930

            – Thom Bell – born 1943

     – Nedra Talley (Ronettes) – age 79

 

 

January 29 – James Jamerson – born 1936

            – Ronnie Scott (sax player) – born in 1927

 

 

January 30 – Marty Balin (Jeff. Air.) – born 1942

            – Phil Collins – age 74

 

 

January 31 – Terry Kath (Chicago) – born 1946

 

 

February 1 – Bob Shane (Kingston Trio) – 1934

            – Ray Sawyer (Doctor Hook) – 1937

            – Don Everly – 1937

            – Rick James – born 1952

 

Rockin’ Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu – Huey “Piano” Smith & The Clowns (7/57; #52 Pop, #5 R&B – he was a New Orleans band leader and composer who also did lots of session work. This song might be his most enduring legacy, spawning many covers over the years. Johnny Rivers’ was the most successful, but this was the original.)

 Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns : Rockin Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu  (Sue) (LP, Vinyl record album) -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record  Store

 

Ooh Baby – Deon Jackson (12/67; #65 Pop, #28 R&B – he hailed from Ann Arbor, Michigan and had just a couple of hits, but this one swings and has an irresistible hook and a vocal delivery that resembles that of the mighty Smokey Robinson.)

 

 

If You Could Read My Mind – Bobby “Blue” Bland (1/66; dnc – Bobby Bland was Blues royalty, blending Gospel, Blues and R&B sounds to rack up 63 R&B charting singles along the way. This was the B-side of a low-charting single, and is a nice example of the smoother side of his sound.)

 

 

Do I Love You? – Ronettes (6/64; #34 – Nedra Talley was the cousin of sisters Veronica and Estelle Bennett, and the three girls started singing together at high school dances and parties in Washington Heights. They eventually came to the attention of Phil Spector, who signed them to his record label and turned them into superstars.)

 

The Ronettes – Do I Love You? Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

(L-R) Estelle, Ronnie, Nedra



I’ll Be Around – Spinners (9/72; #3 for two weeks, #1 R&B for five weeks – after floundering at Motown for five years or so, the Spinners moved to Atlantic Records and were assigned to Philadelphia producer Thom Bell. This was designated as the B-side of their debut single, but Deejays started to play it, and it opened the floodgates for the group, who became one of the most successful acts of the Seventies.)

 

 

Mini Spotlight on James Jamerson:

 At one point, he was the highest-paid musician in the Motown family, because label owner Berry Gordy knew  that it was his bass that was the motor that kept The Funk Brothers machine moving. He played with one finger on his right hand and they called it "the claw." He is reported to have played on nearly every hit between 1963-1968, including 23 #1 Pop hits and 56 #1 R&b hits. Here are three examples of his prowess:

James Jamerson - Low End Nation

 

Don’t Mess With Bill – Marvelettes (1/66; #7 Pop, #3 R&B – this one opens with bass, drums and vibes and they just don’t quit. Writer/producer Smokey Robinson let the Funk Brothers loose and this was the result: another Motown classic!)

 Please Mr. Postman - Song by The Marvelettes - Apple Music

 

Just a Little Misunderstanding – Contours (6/66; #85 Pop, #18 R&B – they’re best known for “Do You Love Me.” This low-charter from the summer of ’66 isn’t as recognizable, but it’s a terrific example of what one man with a bass guitar and one finger can do!)

 The Contours | American Dreams Wikia ...

 

Mama’s Pearl – Jackson 5 (1/71; #2 for two weeks – this was the group’s fifth single and was the first to not reach #1, but its B-side continues to be cited as one of Jamerson’s best bass lines in fan forums and Bass discussion groups online. You can hear that performance here:)

 



 

I’m a Man – Chicago (10/71; #49 – this was the B-side of “Questions 67 & 68,” but it managed to get airplay on its own. Edited down from an 8+ minute album track to 3:27 and it still included a lengthy drum solo – along with some stunning guitar pyrotechnics. Jimi Hendrix once declared Terry Kath his favorite guitar player, and Terry also sings the first verse here.)

 

 

Follow You, Follow Me – Genesis (4/78; #23 – this was the band’s second charting single here in The States, although they’d been recording since 1968. Lead singer Peter Gabriel departed for a solo career in 1975 and drummer Phil Collins was designated as the new “voice” of the group. He did okay.)

 

 

Sylvia’s Mother – Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show (4/72; #15 – five of the group’s first singles were composed by poet Shel Silverstein, and this was the first of them. Ray “Dr. Hook” Sawyer would sing lead on the first few of them before Dennis Locorriere would assume that role.)

 Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show – Sylvia's Mother / Carry Me Carrie – Vinyl  (7", 45 RPM + 2 more), 1984 [r6647672] | Discogs

 

Scotch & Soda – Kingston Trio (4/62; #81 – Bob Shane was a founding member of the trio, and this became his showcase number in concert. Members of Cornell Class of 1966 have ranked it as one of the Top Ten records that played in Willard Straight Hall during their sophomore years.)

 Bob Shane (1934-2020) - Find a Grave Memorial 

 Bob Shane, Top Right



Walk Right Back – Everly Brothers (2/61; #7, #1 UK for four weeks – The Everly Brothers had signed a massive contract with Warner Brothers Records a year prior and this was their third release for their new label, and they all hit the Top Ten. Originally intended as the B-side, it outperformed “Ebony Eyes,” which made it to #8 as well.)

 

 

 

8-9pm

It’s No Secret – Jefferson Airplane (2/66; dnc – this was the group’s debut single and it failed to make much noise outside of the San Francisco Bay area. Their fortunes would change when Grace Slick joined the band, but Marty Balin found himself with a diminished role, and would leave the band after a couple more albums.)

 Jefferson Airplane – It's No Secret Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

 

 

It’s My Time – Mynah Birds (2/66; NR – these guys were a Canadian R&B group with an American ex-patriate named Rick James singing lead, along with guitarist Neil Young and bassist Bruce Palmer. They were signed to Motown Records and this was to be their debut single until it came to the label’s attention that Rick James was actually an AWOL serviceman named Jimmy Johnson. Jimmy went to the brig and Neil & Bruce left to form Buffalo Springfield.)

 File:The Mynah Birds, Bruce Palmer, Rickman Mason, Rickey James Matthews,  Neil Young, John Taylor, Detroit Michigan Jan 20 1966.jpg - Wikimedia  Commons

 

*  Come and Stay with Me – Marianne Faithfull (2/27/65 > #26 – word spread quickly that British icon Marianne Faithfull had passed away on Thursday at the age of 78. Two separate listeners asked to hear something from her. I opted for the follow-up to “As Tears Go By,” which also fits our theme of February releases.)

 


 

19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones (2/23/66 > #2 for three weeks – their fifth of nine consecutive singles to reach the Top Ten, this one was only stopped from hitting #1 by “The Ballad of the Green Berets,” which spent five weeks in the top slot!)

 

 

Lady Madonna – The Beatles (3/68; #4 Pop, #1 UK for three weeks – one more from our birthday calendar: Jazz sax man Ronnie Scott had a birthday on 1/29. It was he who was recruited to play the saxophone solo on this nod to Fats Domino, and it’s time to give him credit.)

 Lady Madonna - Wikipedia

 

Everything That Touches You – Association (2/3/68 > #10 – this was the group’s final Top Ten single, and it storms out of the gate with a nimble bass line followed by lyricist Terry Kirkman’s impassioned vocal delivery. It’s also a sampling of what you’ll hear next week on the Valentine’s edition of RR with JH.)

 

 

La-La Means I Love You – Delfonics (2/3/68 > #4 for two weeks Pop, #1 for four weeks R&B – this was written and arranged by producer Thom Bell, and is one of the sweetest love songs of them all. This and the previous song are presented in the punchy mono forms, just the way the sounded on the radio back in the day.)

 delfonics la la means i love you - Bing

 

Sail On Sailor – Beach Boys (2/7/73 > #79 – this record was a departure for the group: drummer Dennis Wilson was out with an injury, Bruce Johnston had left the band and Brian was indisposed, so two South African musicians were brought in to fill in. Blondie Chaplin is the lead singer here.)

 Sail On Sailor – 1972 - Wikipedia

 

*  Early In the Morning – Vanity Fare (1/69; #12 – listener Scottie requested that this one go out to Peggy and to your loved one, too.)

 

 

Love’s Theme – Love Unlimited Orchestra (2/74; #1 – this record was a Barry White project from start to finish! He composed the music, created the arrangement, recruited the session players and conducted the session. The result was a worldwide #1 hit.)

 45cat - Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme / Sweet Moments - 20th  Century - USA - TC-2069

 

Once You Get Started – Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan (2/8/75 > #10 Pop, #4 R&B – Rufus was formed by some of the original members of The American Breed, but they really came into their own when singer Chaka Khan joined the group. Most CD versions have a longer intro, but this is the original 45 that comes roaring out of the gate. If you’re ever looking to start a party, this one will do the trick!)

 

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Lullaby – BJ Thomas (2/12/72 > #15 – the producers of this one had a vision: they wanted a twangy Duane Eddy-like guitar and Beach Boys-like background vocals. Their solution? Book Duane Eddy to play guitar and the Beach Boys to sing. When the Beach Boys dropped out at the last minute, they recruited session singer Ron Hicklin to join former Diamond Dave Somerville and Darlene Love’s Blossoms. The final mix is sublime.)

 Rock & Roll Lullaby BJ Thomas | PDF

 

CLOSING THEME:  Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

 

 

 

 

Trivia Answer

 

 

Shel Silverstein was the writer of Dr. Hook’s first five singles, and two of them were Top 20 hits. He also composed Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” and The Irish Rovers’ “The Unicorn.”

 

Congratulations to Brad from Ithaca, for correctly answering the question and winning a loaf of bread and a large soup from The Ithaca Bakery!

 

 

 

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 Next Week (2/8/25):  Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on Valentine’s Day songs

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in - and for voting us Ithaca's Best Local Radio Show in the most recent Ithaca Times Readers' Poll! You can listen to Rockin' Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9pm on WVBR (93.5 FM in Ithaca, NY) or at wvbr.com/listen.

 

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