November 28, 2020 - JS - Late November 1963

 

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:  11/28/20

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  November 1963

 

 

 I'm glad to be home and looking forward to my first in-studio show since last March! We'll start with a little spotlight on late November 1963, when Pop and Folk and Girl Groups and Soul music and Surf Instrumentals shared the air waves. Great tunes, hourly weather updates, trivia prizes and your requests from 6-9pm Eastern time. I hope I can remember which button does what!

 

 

(scroll down to find a glossary of terms)

 

 

 

 

Playlist

 

 

·      watch for after certain entries YouTube links

·      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

·      titles in bold are from our chart date

 

 

6-7pm 

 

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

 

* Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs (down to #4 this week - after spending five weeks at #1. The caller remembers his friend's father saying "sugar shack" when he was annoyed in front of the kids. 😉)

 

Have You Heard - The Duprees (at #32, headed to #18 - the sounds of Doo Wop were starting to fade, but these Italian boys from North Jersey were still cutting great records. Tonight you hear a rare Stereo mix of a true classic.)

 

Wonderful Summer - Robin Ward (at #17, headed to #14 - she only had a couple of hits, and this was her biggest. The original 45 was missing the sounds of the waves and some of the extra voices, but this stereo version is worth making an exception.)

 

Stewball - Peter, Paul & Mary (debuting on this date at #72, headed to #35 - Peter Yarrow used to live in Ithaca a long time ago, and these three hit it big on the Folk circuit. They'd continue to adapt to changing trends right through the Sixties.)

 

* Pipeline - Chantay's (3/63; #4 - a group of high school kids with a misguided apostrophe in their name, but a killer reverb-drenched guitar lick and a beat you can dance to! Meanwhile, check out their moves below....)

 

I Got a Woman - Freddie Scott (at #56, headed to #48 - his biggest success was with Goffin-King tunes, but this Ray Charles cover has it all: swingin' orchestra, great background vocals and the rich voice of Freddie Scott himself.)

 

When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes - Supremes (debuting at #85, headed to #23 - just when they were starting to give up, the "no-hit Supremes" had a hit record. Not only that, but within a year they'd score the first of five consecutive #1's and be well on their way to becoming "royalty" in the entertainment world.)

 

Uncle John's Band - Grateful Dead (8/70; #69 - they didn't have many singles that charted, but they amassed a huge following and in Ithaca alone there are two Grateful Dead shows on competing stations on Saturday nights at 9. Between you & me, I was experiencing technical difficulties and I needed a longer record to but me time to think! Shhh....)

 

Jamaica Farewell - Harry Belafonte (10/56; #14 - he brought the exotic sounds of "Calypso music" to the masses with his Banana Boat Song, but this little gem on the RCA Records label is my favorite.) 

 

This I Swear - Skyliners (7/59; #26 Pop, #20 R&B - these white kids from Pittsburgh scored higher on the R&B charts than on the Pop charts. Tonight we hear a first-time stereo edit, with divine Ms. Janet Vogel hitting the high notes at the end.)

 

In My Lonely Room - Martha & The Vandellas (4/64; #44 - this opens with an uncharacteristically jangly guitar strum, but when the drums kick in there's no question that it's Benny Benjamin and Funk Brothers providing the driving beat for Martha and the girls.)

 

* Johnny Angel - Shelley Fabares (2/62; #1 - every year on the show right after my birthday I get a request/dedication for this one from Barbara in Danby. Those are The Blossoms on background vocals, and Shelley played young 'Mary Stone' on The Donna Reed Show. The episode that featured this song launched her straight up the Pop charts. Notice that Darlene Love and The Blossoms didn't get cast to play themselves on the all-white show.)

 

* Walkin' the Dog - Rufus Thomas (#10 Pop, #5 R&B - going out to Mark in Virginia on the presto-requesto listener line. That's Booker T & The MGs providing the beat, and - according to Mark's wife Abby - he was too busy dancing around the kitchen to sit down and eat!)

 

* Theme From 'A Summer Place' - Percy Faith Orchestra (2/60; #1 for nine weeks - this goes out to Barbara from Terry. They danced to this song at their wedding thirty years ago and they're still going strong. This one won a Grammy for Record Of The Year back in 1961. Happy Anniversary, kids!)

 

* Without You - Nilsson (2/72; #1 for four weeks - going out from Scottie to Brooktondale Peggy and the Honey Hive Crew. This had originally been an album track for Badfinger, but Nilsson made it his own.)

 

* Prisoner of Love - James Brown (5/63; #18 Pop, #6 R&B - Lew from Newfield said "enough of the Muzak, play me some Soul." Usually I expect a more civil choice of words before I grant a listener's wish, but he & I go back a long ways....)

 

Downtown - Petula Clark (2/65; #1 - this one was destined to be a hit record as soon as they finished recording it, and it signaled Petula Clark's arrival on the American scene. In reality, she'd started selling records in the 1940s as a child star.)

 

Needles & Pins - Searchers (3/64; #13 Pop, #1 UK for three weeks - this re-make of the Jackie DeShannon record is a quintessential British Invasion classic. Jangly guitars, a driving beat, and they even say "needles and pin-za!" Case closed.)

 

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

November 22 – Little Steven Van Zandt – age 70

            

November 23 – Betty Everett – age 81

 

November 24 – Donald "Duck" Dunn – born in 1941

 

November 25 – Percy Sledge  – born in 1940

            – Bob Lind – age 75

 

November 26 – Tina Turner  – age 81

            – John McVie (Fleetwood Mac) – age 75

            

November 27 – Jimi Hendrix – born in 1942            

November 28 – Gary Troxel (Fleetwoods) – age 81

            – Randy Newman – age 77

 

 

 

You're No Good - Betty Everett (at #75 this week in 1963, headed to #51 - she migrated to Chicago from Mississippi and recorded a string of glossy Pop/Soul hits. This is one that Dee Dee Warwick had just recorded, but Betty's manager got his hands on an advance copy and they rushed into the studio and stole it right out from under her. A decade later, Linda Ronstadt would take the same song to #1.)

 

I Don't Want to Go Home - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (8/76; #105 - this band was co-founded by "Southside Johnny" Lyon and "Miami Steve" Van Zandt, aka 'Little Steven',  who wrote a bunch of their early tunes, including this one. He then left to join the E Street Band with another Asbury Park buddy.)

 

Groovin' - Booker T & The MGs (8/67; #21 Pop, #10 R&B - The Rascals' version of this song had just fallen off the charts when the MGs released their version. "Duck" Dunn played bass on this, and the MGs also played on all of the Stax Records recordings: Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor...the list goes on and on. A listener in Colorado pointed out that he also backed up the Blues Brothers, both on their recordings and in their movie!)

 

Take Time To Know Her - Percy Sledge (3/68; #11 Pop, #6 R&B - Percy recorded most of his records in Muscle Shoals for Atlantic Records. One fun tidbit about this song is that Little Steven Van Zandt had Percy Sledge sing this very song at his wedding. A brave man, that one.)

 

Who's Makin' Love - Johnnie Taylor (10/68; #5 Pop, #1 R&B for three weeks - that's Donald "Duck" Dunn on the bass, and this is a cautionary tale about what might be happening at home while you're off sneaking around with the ladies.)

 

Cheryl's Goin' Home - Bob Lind (1/66; dnc - Bob's label hired Jack Nitzsche to serve as arranger/producer for Bob's album to help it cross over from being just another Folk record to more of a Pop record. This was the song that was designated to be the hit single, but DJs much preferred the other side with its trippy storyline and soaring strings. That side was called "Elusive Butterfly," and this side didn't stand a chance - until the Blues Project added it to their repertoire and it became an FM staple.)

 

* Blackbird - The Beatles (1968; dnc - we got word tonight that Professor Emeritus Dick Polenberg passed away over Thanksgiving after a lengthy illness. He was an historian, a musicologist, a father and husband and a guitar player, and this was one of his favorite pieces to play. On the record, that's Paul McCartney playing the guitar and actually singing the bass notes. Fly free, old friend.)

 

Bare Trees - Fleetwood Mac (8/72; dnc - this was the title track of an album that yielded no hit singles, although Sentimental Lady came close. That rumbling rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie have been together in every iteration of this band. The album art is perfect for late November.)

 

Let's Stay Together - Tina Turner (12/83; #26 - this was Al Green's big #1 composition, and it was also Tina's first charting solo release. Next up? What's Love Got To Do With It. Game over!)

 

Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix (8/67; #65 - this was the opening track from Jimi's debut LP. He had been a journeyman sideman for a bunch of R&B acts, including the Isley Brothers, but nobody saw THIS coming! RS ranks it at #17 in the RS500.)

 

45 Corner:  Please Write - The Tokens (10/63; #108 - these Brooklyn natives from Erasmus Hall HS had massive success with their first big release on RCA Records. They'd eventually have a string of great records on their own BT Puppy label, and later record for Warner Bros. and Buddah Records. This was their only close-to-charting release on Laurie Records, and it hasn't been released anywhere but on this rare 45. Pardon the scratch, but...this is an historic artifact!)

 

* Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry (5/58; #8 Pop, #2 R&B - this one is ranked #7 in the RS500, and has one of the most recognizable introductions of them all. Requested from a guy named John and dedicated to the DJ named John.)

 

They Tell Me It's Summer - Fleetwoods (10/62; dnc - this was released as the B-side of a low-charting single. Singing lead is young Gary Troxel. The major significance of this one, though, is that it was the first composition by a young songwriter named Randy Newman to be released on a single. Randy and Gary shared a birthday, and this was their only collaboration.)

 

She's a Lady - John Sebastian (1/69; #84 - this was the debut single from the Lovin' Spoonful's frontman as a solo artist. Eight months later he would appear at Woodstock, and seven years after that he'd hit #1 with Welcome Back. Tonight we hear one of the shortest charting singles there is.)

 

 

 

8-9pm

 

In My Room - Beach Boys (at #38 this week, headed to #23 - this was the designated B-side to Be True To Your School, which would crack the Top Ten. This, though, is a classic. WVBR personality Heather Dunbar says that this was her go-to slow dance song when she was a mobile DJ and wanted the kids to finally partner up.)

 

* (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Monkees (12/66; #20 - this one hitched a ride on the back of I'm a Believer, which spent seven weeks at #1. Every teenage rock band had this one in its repertoire, including a little combo called The Simon Brothers. 😎)

 

It's All Over Now - Rolling Stones (7/64; #26 Pop, #1 UK - this was one of the Stones final "covers" before they started releasing their original material. Bobby Womack wrote this one and The Stones just nailed it!)

 

Ooo Baby Baby - Miracles (3/65; #16 Pop, #4 R&B - this is ranked at #366 on the RS500. Smokey Robinson calls it his "national anthem." Linda Ronstadt and The 5 Stairsteps both released charting versions, but...this is the one.)

 

* Moondance - Van Morrison (11/77; #92 - this was released as a single six years after the LP came out, and it clocks in at #231 on the RS500. If you were to look out your window during the show, you'd see a stunning just-about-full moon out there. This goes out to listener Jill.)

 

Harvest Moon - Neil Young (1992; dnc - every once in a while we'll make a rare exception and play a tune from "the future." David & Debbie M. are celebrating 46 years of marriage, and this is their favorite dance number. Given the milestone, given the moon, and given that this hearkens back to Neil Young's "Seventies sound," here's tonight's exception to the rule!)

 

* Little Child - The Beatles (11/63; dnc - With The Beatles was released in the UK on this date back in 1963. My buddy Danny used to go to sleep to this one when he was a little kid. Now he plays in a "Beatle band!" It clocks in at 1:43. Short and sweet and rarely played....)

 

Day Tripper - The Beatles (12/65; #5 Pop, #1 UK for five weeks - John wanted this to be the A-side. Paul wanted We Can Work It Out to have that designation. Capitol Records released it as a "double-A Side" and let the public make the choice. American kids sided with Paul. British kids went with John. And YOU get to hear a killer stereo version tonight!)

 

Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler (3/69; #4 Pop, #1 R&B for two weeks - Jerry got his start as a member of The Impressions, and Curtis Mayfield produced many of his Chicago records. Then Gamble & Huff lured Jerry to Philadelphia and worked their magic on him. This one was a home run!)

 

My World - Bee Gees (1/72; #16 - The Bee Gees were trying to adapt to the changing trends and they released a number of pleasant ballads, but soon they'd toughen up their sound  -  and THEN they'd bust out their falsetto voices and take matters into their own hands. This record doesn't appear on their Greatest Hits CDs, so it's something of a lost treat.)

 

If You're Ready (Come Go With Me) - Staple Singers (10/73; #9 Pop, #1 R&B - this anthem promoting racial unity could just as well have been released this year. Mavis Staples is still recording exciting music, but the guitar licks of Roebuck "Pops" Staples can only be heard on their old records.)

 

* What a Wonderful Thing We Have - Fabulous Rhinestones (8/72; #78 - this was their only charting single. Former Buckingham Marty Grebb enlisted Electric Flag bass player Harvey Brooks and another friend to create this short-lived band. This was sent out to Ann & Mark in Detroit from Doug in Southern California. How about that??!?)

 

* Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher (11/71; #1 for two weeks - I got yet another "Cher dare" from John in Freeville, and it took me most of the show to finally get my hands on a copy. Just like the RCMP, we almost always get our record!)

 

 

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 (Dec. 5, 2020):  Gregory James with a spotlight called "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda" Been Bigger Hits

 

 

 

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!