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!)
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Date: August 29, 2020
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Chart Climbers: Late August Billboard Star Performers
Birthday Calendar
August 23
Keith Moon (b. 1946 d. 1978)
Rudy Lewis (lead singer with Drifters) (b. 1936 d. 1964)
August 24
John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service) (b. 1943 d. 1989)
David Freiberg (Quicksilver Messenger Service) 82 years old
August 25
Walter Williams (O’Jays) 78 years old
Elvis Costello 66 years old
August 26
Vic Dana 78 years old
Valerie Simpson 74 years old
August 27
Tommy Sands 83 years old
Daryl Dragon (Captain and Tenille) (b. 1942 d. 2019)
August 28
Daniel Seraphine (Chicago drummer) 72 years old
August 29
Chris Copping (Procol Harum organist and bassist 1969-1977) 75 years old
Geoff Whitehorn (Procol Harum guitarist 1991-present)
69 years old
Playlist
· 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
Title Artist Release Year Last week-This week
6:00-7:00
OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll
Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)
Let the Good Times Roll
Shirley and Lee 1956 Debut #64
Shirley and Lee wrote this song which reached #1 on the R&B charts and #20 on the Hot 100.
The Letter Box Tops 1967 58-25 (27 points)
Lead singer Alex Chilton recorded his vocals live with the instrumentation. Clocking in at 1:58, the track reached #1 and stayed there for four weeks.
Be My Baby Ronettes 1963 Debut #90
Ronnie Spector was the only Ronette to sing on this track, although back up singers included Sonny and Cher, Darlene Love, and Nino Tempo.
I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You
Bee Gees 1968 68-42 (26 points)
The song was originally recorded by the group entirely in unison, but producer Robert Stigwood called them back into the studio in the middle of the night on July 12 1968 to re-record the choruses in three part harmony.
Eleanor Rigby Beatles 1966 Debut #65
McCartney said the name Eleanor came from actress Eleanor Bron who starred in “Help,” and Rigby was the name of a wine and spirit retailer.
You Can’t Hurry Love/L’amore Verra
Supremes 1966 28-7 (21 points)
From the LP “The Supremes A’ Go-Go,” the track topped both the Hot 100 and the R&B charts. They also recorded a version in Italian.
‘Til I Kissed You
Everly Brothers 1959 56-33 (23 points)
The record reached #4 on the Hot 100, #8 on the Country Singles chart and #22 on the R&B chart. Floyd Cramer and Chet Atkins play on the track.
Dangling Conversation
Simon & Garfunkel 1966 57-34 (23 points)
The record peaked at #25 on the Hot 100. In 1993, Paul Simon called Dangling Conversation “a college kid’s song.”
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Animals 1965 68-43 (25 points)
This was one of the most popular songs among American service members during the Vietnam War. The video, for its time, is extraordinary.
On the Road Again
Canned Heat 1968 72-46 (26 points)
This was Canned Heat’s first charting single, peaking at #16 on the Hot 100. Alan Wilson sings lead and plays harmonica.
Sea of Love
Phil Phillips and the Twilights 1959 22-2 (20 points)
Phillips was working in a Lake Charles hotel when he wrote this song which peaked at #1 on the R&B chart and #2 on the Hot 100. It sold over a million copies, and was certified gold.
Eve of Destruction
Barry McGuire 1965 58-27 (31 points)
P.F. Sloan, who wrote the song, also plays guitar on the track. McGuire’s voice track was a rough mix recorded in one take that was not intended to be the final version. Once a bootleg of the recording was aired on L.A. radio and the song became a hit, McGuire’s voice track was never re-recorded. Check out the groovy modern dancing in the video.
Sherry Four Seasons 1962 Debut #65
The title went through several name changes: Jackie, Terri, and Peri before landing on Sherry, which was the name of the daughter of Bob Gaudio’s best friend.
Yellow Submarine Beatles 1966 52-8 (44 points)
This was a double A side, paired with Eleanor Rigby. It peaked at #2 on the Hot 100. John Lennon blew through a straw into a pan of water to create the bubbling effect and McCartney and Lennon talked through tin cans to create the sound of the captain's orders. In 1973 the same cash register sound was used for Pink Floyd’s “Money.”
Little Sister Elvis Presley 1961 Debut #61
This track peaked at #5. Hank Garland’s lead guitar riff seems inspired by 1960’s “Shakin’ All Over” by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. Ray Walker sings the very deep bass line on the Jordanaires backing vocal.
Harper Valley P.T.A.
Jeannie C. Riley 1968 81-7 (74 points)
With this six million seller, Jeannie C. Riley was the first woman to reach #1 on both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Singles charts. The record’s one-week 74 point jump from 81 to 7 was the largest one-week Billboard chart climb of the 1960’s. Jerry Kennedy provided the excellent dobro guitar accompaniment on the record.
7:00-8:00
So Sad About Us Who 1966 NR
When Ringo Starr asked Keith Moon how he had joined The Who, Moon said he didn’t join, he had "just been filling in for the last fifteen years."
Please Stay Drifters 1961 #14 Peak
Rudy Lewis had just replaced Ben E. King as lead singer. The song was composed by Burt Bacharach.
Stand by Me Quicksilver Messenger Service 1968 #110
Known for his formidable amplifier stack (which is on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), John Cippolina played guitar using his thumb and first finger with a distinctive tremolo to his tone.
Give the People What They Want
O’Jays 1974 H100 #45, R&B #1
Walter Williams is the O’Jay with the smooth singing style on this Gamble and Huff composition.
Pump It Up Elvis Costello 1978 DNC
Costello was awarded Britain’s Order of the British Empire in 2019 and he almost declined the award. It was his mother who convinced him, saying, “…if something is deserved then one must be gracious in acceptance.”
I Will Vic Dana 1962 #47 Peak
Born in Buffalo, Dana was known as a dancer as much as a singer.
Send It Ashford and Simpson 1977 Peak #15 R&B
Valerie Simpson and her husband Nick Ashford were associated as songwriters and producers with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell for some of their most prominent duets.
Goin’ Steady Tommy Sands 1957 #16 Peak
Sands got his start on TV in 1957 and became an overnight teenage idol. He was married to Nancy Sinatra for awhile and, after they divorced, Sands’ acting and singing career went into decline.
God Only Knows Captain and Tenille 1975 NR
Both Daryl Dragon and Toni Tenille were keyboardists for the Beach Boys in concert.
I’m a Man Chicago 1971 #49
Chicago put its distinctive stamp (including an iconic drum solo by Danny Seraphine) on their cover of this Steve Winwood composition for the Spencer Davis Group.
Nothing I Didn’t Know Procol Harum 1970 NR
Chris Copping replaced Matthew Fisher as organist and David Knights on bass. He recorded seven albums with Procol Harum.
Dancing in the Street
Martha and the Vandellas 1964 68-42 (26 points)
The song was written with Kim Weston in mind, but she turned it down. When Martha Reeves joined Motown, she was offered the song, which peaked at #2 on both the Hot 100 and R&B charts.
Dreamin’ Johnny Burnette 1960 28-17 (11 points)
This track was a million seller and reached #11 on the Hot 100. As a young man, Burnette worked on Mississippi River barges and in 1956 his rock and roll trio won Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour three times.
A Little Bit of Soap Jarmels 1961 67-48 (19 points)
This track reached #7 on the R&B chart and #12 on the Hot 100.
What’s A Matter Baby Timi Yuro 1962 23-18 (5 points)
This track reached #12 on the Hot 100. Yuro’s mother wanted her to sing classical music and disapproved of her singing pop. Her father did everything he could to prevent Yuro from singing at all.
8:00-9:00
Oh Pretty Woman Roy Orbison 1958 Debut #51
This was Orbison’s second single to hit #1 where it stayed for three weeks. Billy Sanford played the opening guitar riff. Check out the audience shots in this American Bandstand video.
Ride Away Roy Orbison 1965 98-73 (25 points)
This track was taken from his seventh album (and first for MGM) called “There Is Only One Roy Orbison.” Ride Away peaked at #25 on the Hot 100.
Crying Roy Orbison 1961 71-49 (22 points)
This track reached #2 on the Hot 100. Buddy Harman played drums.
Tears on My Pillow
Little Anthony and the Imperials 1958 63-26 (37 points)
The record was a million seller, peaking at #4 on the Hot 100. Radio DJ Alan Freed singled out Anthony Gourdine on the air as the lead singer, and the Imperials became known thereafter as Little Anthony and the Imperials.
The Mountain’s High
Dick and Deedee 1961 68-42 (26 points)
As sometimes happened, this was originally a B-side that was inadvertently played by a San Francisco DJ. Dick and Deedee (who wrote the song) were both double tracked which made it sound like there were four voices singing.
Magic Bus The Who 1968 57-32 (25 points)
Pete Townshend wrote the song in 1965, but it was not recorded until 1968 when it was released as a single. It peaked in the U.S. at #25.
Hush Deep Purple 1968 38-14 (24 points)
This was a cover of a Joe South song first recorded by Billy Joe Royal. It peaked at #4 on the Hot 100. The group’s name was inspired by a popular ballad of the same name published in 1933.
Mickey’s Monkey Miracles 1963 59-39 (20 points)
This track peaked at #3 on the R&B chart and #8 on the Hot 100. Background singers include Mary Wilson and members of the Vandellas, Temptations and Marvelettes. The Mickey of the title might refer to Motown songwriter and producer Mickey Stevenson.
My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own
Connie Francis 1960 56-34 (22 points)
Francis hit #1 on the Hot 100 for the second time in a row with this track. It also peaked on the R&B chart at #11.
I Wish It Would Rain
Gladys Knight and the Pips 1968 84-58 (26 points)
This cover of the original by The Temptations reached #15 on the R&B chart and #41 on the Hot 100.
Maybe the Rain Will Fall
Cascades 1969 79-63 (16 points)
This track was released seven years after “Rhythm of the Rain” and was a regional hit in their hometown of San Diego.
It Might As Well Rain Until September
Carole King 1962 Debut #90
Carol King and Gerry Goffin wrote the song for Bobby Vee. King recorded the song as a demo on acetate, and Don Kirshner liked it so much he released the demo. Although the kids on American Bandstand only gave it a rating of 42 out of 100, the song was her first commercial success as a singer, peaking at #22 on the Hot 100.
Wonderful Dream The Majors 1962 75-52 (20 points)
The Majors reached #23 on the R&B chart and #22 on the Hot 100.
Funny (How Time Slips Away)
Joe Hinton 1964 69-45 (24 points)
The song was written by Willie Nelson, and Hinton’s version peaked at #13 on the Hot 100, selling over a million copies.
Laugh at Me Sonny Bono 1965 83-52 (31 points)
This was Sonny’s only hit song as a soloist, reaching #10.
Would it surprise you to learn that, while Naked Eyes’ 1983 version of this song reached #8, Dionne Warwick’s 1968 version peaked at only #65 on the Hot 100? It sure surprised me…
CLOSING THEME: Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
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
H100 = Hot 100 Chart
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 on September 5, 2020: John Simon with a spotlight on “Records Making Their Debut in September.”
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 here.
Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!
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