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.)
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Date: October 9, 2021
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Banned Bands: Records You Almost Didn’t Hear
Birthday Calendar
October 3
Eddie Cochran (b. 1938 d. 1960)
Chubby Checker 80 years old
Lindsey Buckingham 72 years old
October 5
Steve Miller 78 years old
Buckwheat Stevenson (b. 1949 d. 1988)
October 6
Millie Small (b. 1946 d. 2020)
October 7
John Mellencamp 70 years old
October 8
Fred Cash (Impressions) 81 years old
October 9
John Lennon (b. 1940 d. 1980)
John Entwistle (b. 1944 d. 2002)
Jackson Browne 73 years old
Rock n’ Roll Trivia
Question: What was the only instrumental record to be banned during this period?
(scroll down to find the answer below the playlist)
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
6-7 pm
OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)
Louie Louie Kingsmen 1964
Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy ordered the FBI to investigate. They determined that “it was not possible to determine whether this recording is obscene.” Banned in Indiana for awhile. As recently as 2005, a Michigan high school marching band was prohibited from playing their instrumental version of the song for a parade.
Double Shot of My Baby’s Love Swinging Medallions 1966
The record label wanted to water down the bacchanalian lyrics, but the song was released as originally recorded by these eight South Carolina frat guys.
Work with Me Annie Hank Ballard 1954
Censured but not banned by FCC. Charted at #1 on the R&B chart for 7 weeks.
*I Want To Do It Bobby Comstock 1965
Requested by Scottie for Brooktondale Peggy. In its day it was popular at Cornell frat parties and downtown Ithaca dances. It was the B-side to “Let’s Stomp” on the Lawn record label.
Wake Up Little Susie Everly Brothers 1957
At issue in this chart topping single was where Susie and the brothers fell asleep. Even at the drive-in, 4 A.M. is a little late to be leaving. The Ed Sullivan video demonstrates their sibling similarity, their guitar virtuosity and how little they needed Ed's orchestra.
Rumble Link Wray 1958 #16 H100, #11 R&B
There was concern that just the title alone might promote teen violence. If you don't believe that, just check out the clip below from "The Delicate Delinquent."
Society’s Child Janis Ian 1967
Prejudice once again raised its head at some radio stations, but that did not stop Ian’s song from reaching #14. Check out Ian at 16 years old on the Smothers Brothers Show.
*Big 10” Record Aerosmith 1975
Just when you think the entendres can’t get any doubler…
*Gloria Them 1966
Banned by WLS-AM in Chicago because Gloria came to visit Van in his room. Check out Them performing for a French all-ages audience.
Ballad of John and Yoko 1969
However you phrase it, you know it ain’t easy.
Heart of Glass Blondie 1978
“Once I had a love and it was a gas/Soon turned out to be a pain in the a--.” At 2:20 check out Debbie Harry sneaking in an anti-nuke statement.
Only The Good Die Young Billy Joel 1978
Banned in Boston and New Jersey for his lyrics about Catholic girls.
*Ariel Dean Friedman 1977 #26
Lifesong records wanted Friedman to omit the lyric referring to Ariel’s religion. You heard the unexpurgated version.
One Toke Over the Line Brewer and Shipley 1971
According to the duo, “toke” meant “token” to be used to ride on the train for which they were apparently waiting in that downtown station. Uh-huh... In the video, Brewer is on the right and Shipley is on the left.
*Cool Change Little River Band 1979
One of the top-ranked Australian pop records, the track racked up over 2 million radio plays in the U.S. The video below is pretty much a windsurfing demo, but the first minute, when the group warms up a cappella with this song, is well worth the watch.
7-8 pm
Summertime Blues Eddie Cochran 1958 #8 H100, RRHOF
This track was originally intended to be the B-side. In the video below, Eddie has some fun on the spoken sections.
Back in the USSR Chubby Checker 1969 #82
Checker’s only release on the Buddah label.
Trouble Lindsey Buckingham 1981 #9
The drum track is a loop which was later augmented by additional percussion. Can you spot Mick Fleetwood?
Going to Mexico Steve Miller Band 1970 NR
Boz Scaggs co-wrote this bluesy rocker.
River of Love Buckwheat Stevenson 1973 #53
Oh Henry Millie Small 1964 DNC
A song about a girl and her dog.
Pink Houses John Mellencamp 1983 #8
Based on actual incidents. Carrol Sue Hill sings the terrific backing vocals.
It’s All Right Impressions 1963 #4
Curtis Mayfield wrote the song, based on an expression that Fred Cash frequently used.
Whatever Gets You Through the Night John Lennon 1974 #1
Elton John, who sings harmony and plays piano, bet Lennon that the record would reach #1. Lennon was skeptical, but Elton won that bet. Bobby Keys smokes the sax solo.
See Me, Feel Me The Who 1970 #12
This track is a mash up of the Overture and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” from “Tommy.”
Sparks The Who 1970 NR
Fountain of Sorrow Jackson Browne 1974 DNC
Possibly referring to Browne’s brief relationship with Joni Mitchell.
These Days Jackson Browne 1973 NR
Browne wrote the song at the ripe old age of 16, with mature and insightful lyrics like, "Don't confront me with my failures / I have not forgotten them." The beautiful slide guitar was David Lindley's first collaboration with Browne. You can see the reclusive Lindley play starting around 2:16 in the video.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Shirelles 1960 #1
It seems some stations wanted to ban the song for asking a legitimate question.
Patches Dickie Lee 1962 #6 H100, #10 R&B
The teen suicide theme of this Barry Mann song put some radio stations off. It still sold a million copies.
8-9 pm
Satisfaction Rolling Stones 1965
Radio stations across the country blocked the record from their playlists, not only for perceived suggestiveness but for negative statements about cigarettes and laundry detergent. In the video, check out the priest in the audience at 3:02 and the young man brought to tears at 3:06.
Hey Conductor Sonny Flaharty and the Mark V 1965
Some critics sniffed out vague drug references in the song.
Eight Miles High Byrds 1966
They were flying in an airplane, so of course Gene Clark wondered what their altitude was.
A Day in the Life Beatles 1967
“Found my way upstairs and had a smoke
And somebody spoke and I went into a dream”
Letter to the Beatles Four Preps 1964
A riff taken from “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” prompted a Cease and Desist order from Brian Epstein.
Ohio Crosby Stills Nash and Young 1970
Banned in Ohio by the governor for fear of violence after the Kent State killings. No subsequent violence ensued.
Black Day in July Gordon Lightfoot 1968
Banned on radio stations in 30 states, fearing the lyrics would incite violence.
The Pill Loretta Lynn 1975
Based on her personal experience, the song recognizes the birth control pill as giving women more choices.
Puff The Magic Dragon Peter, Paul and Mary 1962
The original lyrics of this children’s song were written in 1959 by Leonard Lipton, a Cornell student who left the lyric sheet in Peter Yarrow’s typewriter.
Heaven and Hell Easybeats 1967
The title and a mild sexual reference made the record label uneasy, so alternate lyrics were recorded. At 0:12, George Young must have been really tired when they made this video.
Pictures of Lily Who 1967
Pete Townshend has said that the eponymous Lily was inspired by music hall star Lillie Langtry, who died in 1929. This fascinating video of The Who at work was shot in the recording studio.
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison 1967
“Making love in the green grass” was replaced by “Laughing and a-running hey hey” in some versions.
Rhapsody in the Rain Lou Christie 1966
It must have been the windshield wipers that got Lou into trouble with the censors. But you can't go wrong with a melody by Tchaikovsky.
Honey Love Drifters 1954
Upon its release, Memphis police prohibited this #1 R&B record from being loaded into jukeboxes
Splish Splash Bobby Darin 1958
Other than the towel, it might have been assumed that the narrator was bare naked, even after he put his dancing shoes on. Darin said in 1969 that he was so happy the record was a hit that his skin cleared up.
Je T’Aime…Moi Non Plus Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg 1969
Apparently some radio stations thought the couple had recorded themselves having actual sex. Not the case, insisted Serge Gainsbourg.
CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
Trivia Answer
The only instrumental to be banned during this period was “Rumble” by Link Wray and the Wraymen.
Congratulations to Jake from Ithaca for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of movie passes to Cinemapolis.
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 October 16: Kim Vaughan
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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