September 5, 2020 - September Releases - JS

 

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:  September 5, 2020

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Songs Debuting in September

 

 

 Tonight we look through the Billboard charts and play only songs that were released in September (between 1958-1980). For some strange reason, a small percentage of records were released in this month. Maybe it was a function of timing (if a label releases a new single every three months starting in January, then September gets skipped over). Maybe it was about Economics (if the labels are hoping for holiday sales, October and November might work better than September). Whatever the reason, we have something for everybody tonight: R&B, C&W, Girl Groups, Doo Wop, Rock 'n' Roll.... Turn it up and let's have a virtual party!

 

  

 

 

(scroll down to find a glossary of terms)

 

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

 

 

 

6-7pm 

 

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

 

I'll Be Around - Spinners (9/16/72; debuted at #74 as a B-side! > #3 Pop and #1 R&B for five weeks - these guys had floundered at Motown for years. They finally moved to a new label [Atlantic] with new producers [Thom Bell on this one] and became a supergroup of the Seventies.)

 

 

Don't Ever Be Lonely - Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (9/2/72; debuted at #80, > #23 Pop - hot on the heels of their #2 smash Too Late To Turn Back Now, the record label rush-released this gem, featuring the smooth vocal stylings of Eddie Cornelius.)

 

Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (9/9/67; debuting at #73, headed to #5 Pop and #2 R&B for five weeks - this one proves that Ain't No Mountain High Enough wasn't a fluke, and that Marvin had finally found the perfect duet partner. The only thing keeping it at #2 for five weeks was Soul Man which occupied the #1 slot for seven weeks on the R&B chart.)

 

 

The Girl From Peyton Place - Dickey Lee (9/4/65; #98 > #73 - he had only two charting singles of the TCF-Hall Records label and this wasn't by any means a hit, but it's a pretty sweet Pop song.)

 

 

Everyone's Gone to The Moon - Jonathan King (9/25/65; #79 > #17 - this is the mono 45 version of a song that painted a bleak picture of the future. Check out those swirling strings!)

 

Impressions - The Jones Boys (9/3/66; #129 > #101 - this duo included the aforementioned Dickey Lee on a great little record with a soaring falsetto vocal. I think it shoulda been a hit!)

 

Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue - Temptations (9/18/64; debuting at #65 > #26 - Eddie Kendricks was assigned most of the lead vocal duties, but Smokey Robinson would produce their next few singles and David Ruffin would be moved front-and-center. Next up? My Girl!)

 

You're The One - The Vogues (9/18/65; #90 > #4 - this one was their biggest hit on the Co & Ce Records label. In a couple of years they'd be signed by Reprise and start becoming an MOR vocal group, but this record rocks!)

 

A Love So Fine - Chiffons (9/7/63; #100 > #40 - this was their third consecutive Top 40 hit with the word "fine" in the title. Can you name the other two? You know you can!)

 

Mr. Blue - Fleetwoods (9/7/59; #75 > #1 - these three high school friends put Dolton Records on the map with two #1 singles in less than one year. Lilting and sweet, this is the wistful Mr. Blue.)

 

Gina - Johnny Mathis (9/23/62; #80 > #6 - this smooth crooner had a long string of hits on the Columbia label. For some reason, this one is rarely heard on Oldies Radio these days, but it reached #6 in late 1962.)

 

Mind, Body & Soul - Flaming Ember (9/27/69; #92 > #26 - mixing patois French lyrics with a cosmopolitan Detroit Soul sound, these guys scored a memorable hit on the Pop charts, but didn't make a ripple on the R&B charts until their next single was released. "Je t'aime beaucoups!")

 

Half The Way - Crystal Gayle (9/29/79; #80 > #15 - some people knew her as Loretta Lynn's little sister, some knew her as the girl with the longest hair in Nashville. Either way, she cut some fine crossover records and this one was very good to her.)

 

45 Corner:  Just to Be Close to You - Commodores (9/13/76; #85 > #7 Pop, #1 R&B - when you hear this one, you usually get the 6+ minute LP version with the long intro. This one starts cold and Lionel Richie starts "gospelizing" early on. This is the radio station promo copy from the collection of local legend Bernie Milton, who used to play it on his "Looking Back" show on WICB. No lie!)

 

Last Train to Clarksville - Monkees (9/10/66; #67 > #1 - the NBC TV show debuted at 7:30pm on September 12th. The song appeared in seven episodes that Fall, propelling it to the top of the charts. It didn't hurt that some of LA's finest studio players were on this record. You guitar players might really enjoy this peek at the lead guitar part with Louie Shelton. Click the arrow.)

 

Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd (9/10/66; #97 > #28 Pop, #1 R&B - Eddie co-wrote this with Steve Cropper, and Steve & the MGs played their parts like the well-oiled unit they were. The Memphis Horns rounded out the sound and a bar band classic was born!)

 

Polyanna - The Classics (9/17/66; #125 > #106 - this song had all the makings of a hit: it was on a major label, it was written by Joe South, it had an infectious beat and chorus, and the lead singer was a dead ringer for Frankie Valli. That was also its biggest drawback. As it was starting to race up the charts, Phillips Records contacted the big NYC radio stations and issued an ultimatum: either stop playing this record, or you'll lose all of the "exclusive" early releases of the Four Seasons records you've been enjoying. The stations complied, and the record died. To add insult to injury, the band was forced to change their name (there was another "Classics" that beat them to it). This story does have a happy ending, though: they changed their name to The Classics IV, and lead singer Dennis Yost started singing in his own voice. They'd soon make it big after all!)

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

August 30 – John Phillips (Mamas & Papas) – born 1935

            – Jerry Allison (Crickets) – age 82

        
 

 August 31 – Van Morrison – age 75

            – Bob Welch – born in 1945

 

Sept. 1 – Archie Bell – age 76

            – Barry Gibb – age 74

            – Conway Twitty – born in 1933

 

Sept. 2 – Bobby Purify – born in 1939

Sept. 3 – Don Brewer (Grand Funk) – age 72

 

Sept. 4 – John Stewart (Kingston Trio) – born 1939

 

It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty (9/15/58 > #1 Pop, #1 for seven weeks in The UK - although he would fail to reach the C&W charts [!] with this record, he would go on to have the most #1s in Country Music history [40 of his 97 charters], and his name would be borrowed for the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" as 'Conrad Birdie.')

 

That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (9/15/57 > #1 Pop, #1 for four weeks in the UK - drummer Jerry Allison co-wrote this one, and his wife Peggy Sue was immortalized in the Crickets' other #1 record. The Beatles actually chose their name  -  in part - as a tribute to the Crickets. The Hollies even did them one better!)

Take Her Out of Pity - Kingston Trio (9/61; NR - from the album "Close Up," this was the trio's first LP to feature new member John Stewart (left), and his Pop sensibilities shine through on this adaptation of an old Folk song.)

Sentimental Lady - Bob Welch (10/77, #8 - this is only record you'll hear tonight that wasn't released in September, but that's because I mistakenly put his birthday on last month's show! This remake of the song he first recorded with Fleetwood Mac in 1971 featured band members Mick Fleetwood on drums, Christine McVie on keyboards and vocals and Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and vocals.)

Here I Go Again - Archie Bell & The Drells (9/18/76 > #112 - this B-side almost cracked the Hot 100, just as Gamble & Huff were closing in on their unmistakable "Philly Groove" sound.)

Morning Glory - James & Bobby Purify (7/76; dnc - okay, so this one also didn't arrive in September. Still, I'm baffled at its failure to chart anywhere. This record features the brilliant guitar licks of session man Reggie Young. Read all about him here.)

Love So Right - Bee Gees (9/18/76; > #3 for four weeks! - this record pretty much sealed the Gibb Brothers' comeback phase of their career as a group. They had the misfortune of getting stuck behind Rod Stewart's 7-week run at #1, plus Gordon Lightfoot and The Spinners tying up the #2 slot. They'd be back a few months later though, with the first of six consecutive chart-toppers!)

Straight Shooter - Mamas & Papas (9/2/67; #130 - this was the B-side of 12:30 (Young Girls Come to the Canyon) and almost reached the Hot 100 on its own power. John Phillips wrote it, sang lead on it, and it was chosen as the title of the 1988 documentary film that tells the story of one of the most unusual groups of the Sixties.)

Wavelength - Van Morrison (9/16/78 > #42 - this was the title track of his latest album and it almost cracked the Top 40. "The Belfast Cowboy" wrote a number of 'love songs' paying tribute to the radio and his musical influences. This one should be cranked up!)

Magic Wand - Shelby Flint (9/61; dnc - this little gem was released on the Valiant Records label, and failed to chart much of anywhere outside of the San Diego area from whence the 20-year-old hailed. It's a pity, because it's a really sweet little tune.)

Baby Be Mine - Jelly Beans (9/12/64; #88 > #51 - these New Jersey kids recorded on the Red Bird Records label, and this little song just doesn't get played enough.)

How Can I Be Sure - Young Rascals (9/9/67; #80 > #4 - 1967 was a great year for these guys: (I've Been) Lonely Too Long, Groovin', A Girl Like You and this one were all Top 20 records, and they'd squeeze one more in in December - all co-written by Felix Cavliere and Eddie Brigati, who was the lead singer on this one.)

To Make a Big Man Cry - Roy Head (9/17/66; #98 > #95 - this was released on the American London label in the UK and on Big Beat Records here in the States, where it barely cracked the Hot 100. Too bad  -  it's a cool song.)

I Can Make it With You - Pozo Seco Singers (9/10/66; #87 > #32 - this Folk-flavored trio had two records that reached as high as #32 before they gave up and singer Don Williams headed to Nashville for a successful career as a Country star.)

Hey Baby They're Playing Our Song - Buckinghams (9/19/67; #83 > #12 - 1967 was really good to these guys, too. They sandwiched this record in between Don't You Care and Susan, but they'd soon lose their producer James William Guercio to the band called Chicago, and that would spell the beginning of the end. Tonight you hear the mono 45 version.)

 

 

8-9pm

 

Wednesday - Royal Guardsmen (9/9/67; #98 > #97 - this Florida group was most successful when they were recording songs about Snoopy the WW I flying ace. This one is a pretty nice record, but nobody was buying it.)

 

Dandelion - Rolling Stones (9/9/67; #75 > #14 - any Rolling Stones record was guaranteed to be a hit. Chart position on this one was muddied because both sides were listed as "A" sides. Flip it over and you got We Love You, but this side is the winner.)

 

Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman (9/25/71; #96 > #92 - this was her second offering from the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack, and didn't fare nearly as well as its predecessor.) 

 

Fool For You - Impressions (9/7/68; #99 > #22, #3 R&B - lead singer Curtis Mayfield had just started his new record label, and they must have been nervous when this one debuted at a lowly #99. No worries, though  -  the hits would come frequently and steadily, and within a year or two he'd branch out as a successful solo artist on the same label.)

 

Baby I'm for Real - Originals (9/27/69; #86 > #14 Pop, #1 R&B for five weeks - after years of playing second fiddle to other Motown groups like The Miracles and Temptations and Four Tops, these guys finally got a crack at the big-time with this Marvin Gaye composition. They'd follow it up with The Bells, which Marvin also co-wrote and Laura Nyro would cover with LaBelle on her Gonna Take a Miracle LP.)

 

This Time It's Real - Tower of Power (9/15/73; #91 > #65 Pop, #27 R&B - San Francisco's hottest horn band was cooking on all burners with lead singer Lenny Welch out front. He left the band long ago, but the core members are still churning out great records after nearly 50 years together!)

 

I'll Be There - Jackson 5 (9/19/70; #40 > #1 for five weeks - after their first three singles made it to #1 on both the Pop and R&B charts, it's no big surprise that this one would DEBUT at #40, even though it was their first ballad  -  and the lead singer was twelve years old. That's right: this self-assured soulful voice belonged to a twelve year old. Think about for a minute.)

 

I've Got the Music In Me - Kiki Dee Band - (9/14/74; #90 > #12 - she'd been releasing records in the UK for years before hitting with this one. Just when it looked like she'd be a "one-hit wonder," Elton John would enlist her to team up with him on Don't Go Breaking My Heart, and she'd be known ever after.)

 

Everlasting Love - Carl Carlton (9/21/74; #87 > #6 - every seven years or so somebody would release a version of this song, and the record-buying public would lap it up. It's just a really good song.)

 

Knocking on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan (9/1/73; #80 > #12 - this was taken from the soundtrack to the movie that Dylan was in, and it has since become a classic.)

 

You're Only Lonely - JD Souther (9/8/79; #86 > #7 - John David Souther was part of the Laurel Canyon scene in the early-mid Seventies. He'd dated Linda Ronstadt and appeared on several of her records, he'd later team up with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay, and he had one great solo single. Here it is!)

 

Dreamin' - Cliff Richard (9/13/80; #77 > #10 - my buddy JR reminds me that this is "Sir Cliff Richard" to you & me. He scored 67 Top 10 singles in the UK and only three here in the States. This was the last of them, but it is one heck of an "ear worm.")  

 

45 Corner:  Gimme Shelter - Grand Funk Railroad (9/4/71; #81 > #61 - the critics hated these guys from Flint Michigan, but they were the definitive American "power trio." The LP version runs 6:30, and the 3:30 45 edit has been hard to find until now. Tonight we here the original Capitol Records 45 in honor of drummer Don Brewer's 72nd birthday.)

 

Back Home Again - John Denver (9/21/74; #70 > #5 Pop, #1 C&W - given that his previous single was the #1 Annie's Song, it's no surprise that this one debuted at #70. The big surprise is that this song won this old folkie the Country Music Award for Song of the Year!)

 

(At) The End (Of the Rainbow) - Earl Grant (9/15/58 > #7 - some copies simply called this "The End," but any way you slice it, this beauty will wrap up tonight's show. Earl Grant had a number of hits, but they all featured his blistering keyboard stylings. This was his one vocal hit.) 

 

 

 

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

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 (9/12/20):  Gregory James with a spotlight on chart history in the week of September 12th

 

 

 

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 at wvbr.com/listen.

 

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