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: June 19, 2021
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Summer Solstice
Birthday Calendar
June 13
Bobby Freeman (b. 1940 d. 2017)
Uriel Jones (Funk Brothers drummer) (b. 1934 d. 2009)
Marv Tarplin (Motown/Miracles songwriter/guitarist) (b. 1941 d. 2011)
June 14
Renaldo Benson (Four Tops baritone) (b. 1936 d. 2005)
Rod Argent 76 years old
Junior Walker (b. 1931 d. 1995)
June 15
Harry Nilsson (b. 1941 d. 1994)
June 16
Lamont Dozier (Holland Dozier Holland Motown) 80 years old
Eddie Levert (O’Jays) 79 years old
June 17
Barry Manilow 78 years old
June 18
Paul McCartney 79 years old
June 19
Tommy DeVito (Four Seasons) (b. 1928 d. 2020)
Ann Wilson (Heart) 71 years old
Al Wilson (b. 1939 d. 2008)
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
6:00-7:00
OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)
Freedom Richie Havens 1969 DNC
At Woodstock, Havens had already performed every song he knew in his set and he was asked by the promoters to continue playing because artists performing after him were stuck in traffic. He took the song “Motherless Child” and improvised “Freedom” from that. The track was released as a single in 1972 but it did not chart.
Papa Was A Rolling Stone Temptations 1972
#5 R&B #1 H100
This track won three Grammys in 1973. It was their last #1 hit. Trumpet solo by Maurice Davis.
I’ll Follow the Sun Beatles 1965 DNC
Paul McCartney has said that he wrote the song at the age of 16 after recovering from the flu.
Summer’s Here James Taylor 1981 #25 AC
From JT’s album “Dad Loves His Work.” It was the B-side to “Hard Times.” Greg Taylor played harmonica.
Inner City Blues Marvin Gaye 1971 #9 H100 #1 R&B
If you focus on the bass part by Bob Babbitt—it is a symphony unto itself.
Cat’s In The Cradle Harry Chapin 1974 #1
The song began its life as a poem written by Chapin’s wife Sandra. Chapin once said that the song reflected some of his own relationship with his son Josh, saying, “Frankly, this song scares me to death.”
People Get Ready Aretha Franklin 1968 NR
From her “Lady Soul” album.
Father And Son Yusuf Cat Stevens 1971 DNC
This was the B-side to “Moon Shadow.”
Summer Breeze Seals and Crofts 1972 #6
From the LP of the same name.
Get Up, Stand Up Bob Marley and the Wailers 1973 DNC
Bob Marley wrote the song in response to the impoverished conditions he observed while visiting Haiti.
People Got to Be Free Young Rascals 1968
#1 H100 (five weeks) R&B #14
Daddy Could Swear, I Declare Gladys Knight 1973 #2 R&B #19 H100
This track was from their ninth Motown record after which they moved to Buddah Records. But Motown had enough unreleased material from the group that the label released three more albums of previously unreleased material.
In the Summertime Mungo Jerry 1970 #3
Written, according to composer and lead singer Ray Dorset, in ten minutes.
7:00-8:00
Susie Sunshine Bobby Freeman 1969 B-side DNC
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg Temptations 1966 #13 H100 #1 R&B
The first sound you hear on “Ain’t Too Proud” is Uriel Jones’ drum roll.
Tracks of My Tears Miracles 1965 #16 H100 #2 R&B
Marv Tarplin went to high school with Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard and played on their early gigs as the Primettes. He also was present at their Motown audition, and we know what happened after that. His opening riff to this song was a re-working of a Harry Belafonte calypso song.
Keeper of the Castle Four Tops 1972 #7 R&B, 1973 #10 H100
This was the Tops’ first hit record on the ABC-Dunhill label after they left Motown in 1972
Sometimes Zombies 1965 NR
Rod Argent wrote this track that appeared on their eponymous first LP released in the States.
Shake and Finger Pop Junior Walker and the All-Stars 1965 #29 H100, #7 R&B
Don’t Leave Me Nilsson 1968 NR
From Nilsson's LP "Aerial Ballet," a tribute to his grandparents' high wire circus act.
Cool Me Out Lamont Dozier 1968 NR
Sing a Happy Song O’Jays 1979 #102 H100 #7 R&B
Caroline Barry Manilow 1973/1975 NR
This is a bonus track from his first LP with some great vocal harmonies and chord progressions.
Another Day Paul McCartney 1971 #5
From Paul and Linda McCartney's LP "Ram."
Working My Way Back to You Four Seasons 1966 #9
The track features great harmonies and a Motown groove.
Heartless Heart 1978 #24
Born on the Bayou Al Wilson 1972 NR
An incredibly compelling cover version of John Fogerty’s song.
Summer Rain Johnny Rivers 1968 #14
A song about finding lasting love during the summer of love.
8:00-9:00
Wake Up Everybody Harold Melvin/Blue Notes 1976 #12 H100 #1 R&B
Teddy Pendergrass sings lead on this original version of a much-covered song.
I’m Bugged At My Old Man Beach Boys 1965 NR
Taking a wild guess that Brian Wilson really was bugged by his abusive father Murry.
A Summer Song Chad and Jeremy 1964 #7
This was the version released in the U.K. with Chad and Jeremy trading vocals rather than the unison singing heard on the U.S. version.
Chimes of Freedom Byrds 1965 NR
For reasons that are not clear, David Crosby had refused to sing his vocals on the track. The band’s manager sat on his chest and insisted that he sing. Crosby reportedly had a tearful catharsis and sang brilliantly.
Color Him Father The Winstons 1969 #7 H100 #2 R&B
A tribute to stepfathers, who are sometimes shortchanged on Father’s Day.
Summer War 1976 #7 H100 #4 R&B
Formed in Long Beach CA, War pioneered a fusion of musical influences that formed the progressive soul genre. “Summer” was the only new song included on their 1976 greatest hits LP.
Free the People Delaney and Bonnie 1970 #75
The Bramletts had a rocky marriage, but a lot of rocking friends. Musicians on this LP include King Curtis, Bobby Whitlock, Little Richard, Duane Allman, Jim Gordon, and Sneaky Pete.
To Make My Father Proud Michael Jackson 1973/1984 NR
This track is taken from an archived Motown compilation of Michael Jackson tracks recorded in 1973 called “Farewell My Summer Love.” It was not released until 1984 when it was re-mixed with additional instrumental overdubs.
Summertime Billy Stewart 1966 #10 H100 #7 R&B
Legend has it that Stewart was discovered by Bo Diddley who hired him to play piano for his band. His scat singing and lip trills were a trademark of his inimitable singing style.
My Father Judy Collins 1968 NR
Collins’ father Charles was not a miner but a singer and a radio host. He was also blind. He died before ever having a chance to hear the song. The beautiful piano part was played by Mike Melvoin and the bassist was Chris Ethridge.
My Dad Paul Petersen 1963 #6
The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill. Peterson was a Mouseketeer and played on “The Donna Reed Show.” Peterson sang this song on the show to his on-screen dad, Carl Betz.
Unforgettable Nat and Natalie Cole 1991 #14 H100 #10 R&B
Natalie Cole had spent much of early adult career trying to differentiate herself from her father’s musical approach. When she made the “Unforgettable” LP, she seemed to embrace the enduring legacy of her father and his songs. The single won four Grammys, and the LP won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Hot Fun in the Summertime Sly and the Family Stone 1969 #3 R&B #2 H100
The single was released after the group’s performance at Woodstock to capitalize on their increased profile. Hot fun, indeed…
Daddy’s Song Monkees 1968
This song was originally intended to be included on Nilsson's LP "Aerial Ballet," however The Monkees paid for exclusive rights to the song so that they could record a cover of it for use in their film "Head."
Someday We’ll All Be Free Donny Hathaway 1973 DNC
According to his widow, Hathaway wept with joy when he heard the final studio mix of this track
Find the Cost of Freedom CSNY 1971 DNC
This was the B-side to “Ohio” about the Kent State massacres. Stephen Stills wrote the song and starts the track with some of his unmistakably poignant guitar work. The record was released one month to the day after the massacre—which in 1970 was astonishingly quick.
Freedom Blues Little Richard 1970 #47
Little Richard wrote and recorded “Freedom Blues” over 50 years ago. It was his biggest American pop hit in thirteen years. Check out the lyrics--the song could have been written yesterday.
CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and 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, publisher of the Hot 100 and other charts
H100 = Billboard Hot 100
Bubbling Under = songs that were ranked but fell below the top 100
CW = Billboard’s chart for country and western records
R&B = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records
RRHOF = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
RS 500 = Rolling Stone Magazine’s ranking of the top 500 singles of all time.
Host June 26, 2021: John Rudan with a spotlight on Oldies from the J-Archives
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!
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