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: January 1, 2022
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Beginnings and Endings
Birthday Calendar
December 26
Abdul Duke Fakir (Four Tops) 86 years old
December 27
Scotty Moore (b. 1931 d. 2016)
Mike Pinder 80 years old
Mick Jones (Foreigner) 77 years old
Tracy Nelson 77 years old
Karla Bonoff 69 years old
December 28
Johnny Otis (b. 1921 d. 2012)
Mary Weiss (Shangri-Las) 73 years old
Alex Chilton (Box Tops) (b. 1950 d. 2010)
Edgar Winter 75 years old
December 29
Bobby Comstock (b. 1941 d. 2020)
Rick Danko (b. 1943 d. 1999)
Marianne Faithfull 75 years old
Yvonne Elliman 70 years old
December 30
Bo Diddley (b. 1928 d. 2008)
Del Shannon (b. 1934 d. 1990)
Noel Paul Stookey 84 years old
Mike Nesmith (b. 1942 d. 12/10/21)
Davy Jones (b. 1945 d. 2012)
Patti Smith 75 years old
Jeff Lynne 74 years old
Skeeter Davis (b. 1931 d. 2004)
December 31
Andy Summers (Police Guitarist) 79 years old
John Denver (b. 1943 d. 1997)
Burton Cummings (Guess Who) 74 years old
Donna Summer (b. 1948 d. 2012)
January 1
Country Joe McDonald 80 years old
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)
Beginnings Chicago 1971 #7
This track failed to chart when it was first released in 1969, but due to the success of later singles by Chicago, “Beginnings” was re-released as a single in 1971 and reached #7 on the Hot 100.
New Year’s Day U2 1983 #53
This was U2’s first international hit and their first single to chart in the U.S.
New Day Yesterday Jethro Tull 1969 DNC
This was the first track recorded for the “Stand Up” LP and the first to feature Martin Barre on guitar. In case you have forgotten what an athletic performer Ian Anderson was, check him out at 0:38 in this grainy B&W video.
Old Time Rock and Roll Bob Seger 1979 #28
The track was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio with Howie McDonald on the guitar solo.
End of the Innocence Don Henley 1989 #8
Don Henley co-wrote the song with Bruce Hornsby.
The Beginning of My End The Unifics 1969 #36 H100, #9 R&B
The Unifics got together at Howard University and developed a strong following in the D.C. area.
New Coat of Paint Tom Waits 1974 DNC
This was the lead off track on Waits’ second LP, “The Heart of Saturday Night.”
End of Our Road Marvin Gaye 1970 #40
Background vocals by the fabulous Andantes seen in the background below, and instrumentation by the equally fabulous Funk Brothers. Also recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips, whose version was played later in tonight's show.
Tomorrow Never Knows Beatles 1966 NR
The track off the "Revolver" LP features several recording innovations: five tape loops, a Leslie speaker for Lennon’s vocals and their first use of reversed sounds for one of their songs. Although “Rain,” another Beatle song with backmasking was released first, this song was recorded first.
From The Beginning Emerson, Lake and Palmer 1972 #39
This was the highest charting single for EL&P. Greg Lake originally wrote the song for King Crimson’s debut LP, but they passed on it.
New World Coming Cass Elliot 1970 #42
This was one of three songs written by Brill Building tunesmiths Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann recorded by Cass Elliot.
New Looks from an Old Lover BJ Thomas 1983 #1 CW
The song was co-written by Gloria Thomas, B.J.’s wife.
The Old Lamplighter The Browns 1960 #5
The Browns were a sibling singing trio out of Pine Bluff Arkansas.
The End is Not in Sight Amazing Rhythm Aces 1976 #42 H100, #12 CW
This track won the 1976 Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Group.
7:00-8:00
Reach Out I’ll Be There Four Tops 1966 #1
Abdul “Duke” Fakir has written a book and a musical about the Four Tops titled “I’ll Be There.” Fakir has said that Levi Stubbs’ cry “Just look over your shoulder” was a spontaneous improvisation.
So Deep Within You Moody Blues 1969 DNC
Mike Pinder wrote and sang lead on this track from “Threshold of a Dream.”
Good Rockin’ Tonight Elvis Presley 1954 NR
You can hear Scotty Moore and Elvis joyously experimenting with rockabilly and pushing its envelope.
Baby Don’t Go Karla Bonoff 1980 #69
In addition to the many songs Karla Bonoff wrote for other singers, she also worked as a back up vocalist. Nina Gerber's guitar solo at 1:45 is not to be missed.
Willie and the Hand Jive
Johnny Otis 1958 #9
Otis has been called the Godfather of Rhythm and Blues, having promoted the careers of Little Esther Phillips, Etta James, Willie Mae Thornton, Jackie Wilson and Hank Ballard. The video features folks doing the actual hand jive.
Footsteps on the Roof Shangri-Las 1967 DNC
This uptempo track has an almost Motown vibe…
Your Boyfriend’s Back Bobby Comstock and the Counts 1963 #98
An answer song to the #1 Chiffons hit. There are always at least two sides to every story..
Stage Fright The Band 1974 NR (in the U.S.)
Sung by Rick Danko, it is considered by some to be the best song written about performance anxiety. Even if you have seen "The Last Waltz," this video clip is still electrifying.
Mona Bo Diddley 1957 DNC
This was the B-side to “Hey Bo Diddley” and was inspired by an exotic dancer at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Hey Little Girl Del Shannon 1961 #38
The song tells an interesting story of a second chance at a missed opportunity,
End of the Line Traveling Wilburys 1989 #63
Birthday celebrant Jeff Lynne sang lead vocal on the second, fifth and sixth choruses.
Rainy Jane Davy Jones 1971 #52
Written by Brill Building vets Howard Greenfield and Neil Sedaka.
Different Drum Michael Nesmith 1971 NR
Nesmith wrote this song that put Linda Ronstadt on the map. He was born in Houston, so he came by his Texas twang honestly. Below is a short clip from "The Monkees" in which Nesmith deliberately sabotages his composition in an amateur competition.
The Wedding Song Paul Stookey 1971 #24
Stookey was best man at Peter Yarrow’s wedding to Mary McCarthy and Stookey wrote the song for the occasion.
End of the World Skeeter Davis 1963 #2
This record had the distinction of reaching the top five of the Hot 100, R&B, Country and Easy Listening Charts.
Undun Guess Who 1969 #22
The song’s idea was based on Bob Dylan’s “Ballad in Plain D,” and Randy Bachman’s chord progression was inspired by Lenny Breau.
The Music Is You John Denver 1974 NR
Julie Connor helped out with the vocals.
Hello Stranger Yvonne Elliman 1977 #15
A fabulous cover of the Barbara Lewis song that Elliman had loved since she was “a little kid,” to quote Elliman.
8:00-9:00
*Celebrate Three Dog Night 1970 #15
The horn section was comprised of players from Chicago Transit Authority. Requested by Scottie for Brooktondale Peggy.
End of the Road Jerry Lee Lewis 1956 DNC
This was Lewis’ first record released on the Sun label.
I’m Beginning to See the Light Bobby Darin 1962 NR
A tasty version of the 1944 jazz standard written by Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges and Harry James with lyrics by Don George. From Darin’s first LP on Capitol titled “Oh! Look at Me Now.”
New Kid in Town Eagles 1977 #1
This was the first single released from “Hotel California.” The song won the 1977 Grammy for “Best Arrangement for Two or More Voices.” At 2:55 in the video, Joe Walsh leans into the shot as he plays keyboards.
We’ve Only Just Begun Carpenters 1970 #2
Fragments of this Paul Williams song were originally used for a Crocker Bank TV commercial. Richard Carpenter apparently saw the commercial and contacted Paul Williams about recording it. Below is that 1970 commercial.
Endless Love Diana Ross/ Lionel Richie 1981 #1
This track spent nine weeks at number one on the Hot 100 and it topped the R&B and AC charts as well. Billboard called this version of the song “the greatest duet of all time.”
New in the Ways of Love Tommy Edwards 1960 #47
Old Man Neil Young 1972 #31
When Young bought the Broken Arrow Ranch, the caretaker, Louis Avila, impressed Young so much that he wrote this song about young men and old. James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt also perform on the track.
Old Friends Simon and Garfunkel 1968 DNC
From their “Bookends” LP that concerned itself with various stages of life, from youth to old age.
The Beginning of Loneliness Dionne Warwick 1969 #79
This track was the original A-side to “Alfie,” but once again radio DJ’s turned the record over and liked the B-side better.
Old Songs Barry Manilow 1981 #15 H100, #1 AC
This was Manilow’s eleventh number one hit on the Adult Contemporary Chart.
Come See About Me Tracy Nelson 1978
A nice cover by the lead singer of Mother Earth from “The Soul Sessions” on Rounder Records.
Old Days Chicago 1975 #5
Although Peter Cetera recorded the lead vocal for the song, he ultimately declined to sing the song live in concert.
End of Our Road Gladys Knight and the Pips 1968 #15
Norman Whitfield was a co-composer and producer of this track on the Soul subsidiary of Motown records. In this track, lyricist Roger Penzabene wrote about his own marriage falling apart. As they did with “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” both Gladys Knight and Marvin Gaye recorded a version of the same song
The End Beatles 1969
Ringo’s drum solo was recorded with twelve microphones. The guitar solos were by McCartney, Harrison and Lennon, in that order, repeated twice.
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 1/8/22: Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on "Night" and "Day."
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment