March 19, 2022 - JS - Spotlight on March 19, 1972

 

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!)

 

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

 

 

Date:  3/19/22

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  March 19, 1972

 

  

Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia

 Two singers on our chart date were fronting different bands back in 1966 and each group had a Top 5 hit. Tonight your challenge is to name the group and their big hit, once you hear their voice as it sounded in 1972. It's an audio challenge and we'll play twice!

 

(scroll down to find the answer below the playlist – and to find a glossary of terms)

 

 

Playlist

 

 

·      yellow song titles are 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

·      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)

 

A Horse With No Name - America (at #1 for the first of three weeks - they were three American "army brats" who met on an airbase in London, and whose sweet harmonies and acoustic guitar sounds found a welcome audience in their native land - and in the UK, too.) 

 

Mother & Child Reunion - Paul Simon (at #5, headed to #4 - this was his first charting single after splitting with Art Garfunkel, and the R'n'R Hall-of-Famer was off to the races!)

 

Suavecito - Malo (at #49 this week, headed to #18 - the band was led by guitarist Jorge Santana, whose brother Carlos had already hit the big-time. These guys had a smoother sound, and this was their biggest hit.)

 

45 Corner:  No One to Depend On - Santana (peaking at #36 this week - both Santana brothers were on the chart this week. This was a relatively low-charting single for Carlos' band, and tonight we hear the hard-to-find promo 45 version, which trims about two minutes of unnecessary build-up from the commercial 45. Short and sweet...and punchy!)

 

Rock 'n' Roll Lullabye - BJ Thomas (at #16, headed to #15 - this was one of those great records that fell victim to a record label's demise. It featured guitar lines from Duane Eddy and Al Gorgoni, vocal support from Darlene Love and The Blossoms, Beach Boys-like harmonies from The Diamonds' Dave Somerville and session singer Ron Hicklin - plus an electric piano intro by co-writer Barry Mann. Unfortunately, Scepter Records had run out of promotion and distribution money. The record, which had been storming up the charts, stalled at #15 and then disappeared.)

 

*  Without You - Nilsson (at #6, down from four weeks at #1 - going out to B'dale Peggy from Scottie, this was penned by Pete Ham and Tom Evans from Badfinger and was an obscure album track when Nilsson got his hands on it. It turned into one of the biggest records of the year!)

 

Louisiana - Mike Kennedy (at #67, headed to a peak of #62 - Michael Kogel was born in Germany, joined a band in Spain and eventually changed his name to Mike Kennedy, when he recorded a song about moving to Louisiana. It wasn't a big hit, but it's a cool record.)

 

Black Is Black - Los Bravos (8/66; #4 - and if you recognize this voice, it's because you just heard it on Louisiana! Mike Kennedy is one of two artists who had scored big hits back in 1966 with other outfits. The next one will pop up in the 8:00 hour. Meanwhile, check out the video. Music starts at 1:35.)

 

*  Where the Boys Are - Connie Francis (1/61; #4 - Barbara from the South Hill always asks for this one when Spring Break is near, and it always sounds fresh and new somehow. You just can't go wrong with Connie Francis....)

 

Castles In The Air - Don McLean (dnc; tucked on the B-side of Vincent, which was headed to #12 - here's another cool 45 that doesn't exist on CD: the B-side of Vincent, which was headed up the chart as American Pie was falling. Subsequent versions feature an obstrusive synthesizer, or are the 1981 re-recording.)

 

Everything I Own - Bread (down to #9 after reaching #5 - David Gates' band released seven singles between their charting debut in June of 1970 and this one, and they were ALL hits. This particular one would inspire two #1 cover versions in the UK: one by Reggae artist Ken Boothe and the other by Boy George!)

 

*  59th Street Bridge Song - Simon & Garfunkel (4/67; dnc - this was tucked on the B-side of At The Zoo, and is probably the better known number. Tonight we hear the mono 45 version which is unavailable on CD, and it goes out thanks to Judy on the West Hill.)

 

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

March 13 – Neil Sedaka – age 83

 

March 14 – Quincy Jones – age 89

            – Loretta Lynn – age 90

       

March 15 – Mike Love – age 81

            – Sly Stone – age 78

 

March 16 – Nancy Wilson (Heart) – age 68

 

March 17 – Nat "King" Cole – born in 1919

            – John B. Sebastian – age 78

            

March 18 – Bones Howe – age 89

            – Wilson Pickett – born in 1941

            – Bobby Whitlock – age 73

 

The Immigrant - Neil Sedaka (3/75; #22 - he was a Brill Building writer and recording artist who'd been rendered irrelevant by the British Invasion, but part of his Seventies renaissance began with this ode to the embattled John Lennon. Talk about irony!)

 

Roots Medley - Quincy Jones (3/77; #57 - he was a Jazz musician, an arranger and composer and producer and an A&R man, and it was his name that appeared on this theme music for Alex Haley's television event called Roots. Much of America was riveted to this ABC miniseries, and this music played week in and week out.)

 

Everybody Is a Star - Sly & The Family Stone (1/70; dnc - this one hitched a ride as the B-side of Thank You [Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin], which raced to the top of both the Pop and R&B charts. It got lots of airplay, too  -  but no chart action.)

 

Dog & Butterfly - Heart (2/79; #34 - Nancy was the younger sister who played guitar and added harmony vocals to her sister Ann's shimmering vocals. They're still performing, and people are still buzzing about their amazing version of Stairway To Heaven at the Kennedy Center several years ago. Follow this link to see it on the big screen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cZ_EFAmj08)

 

Coal Miner's Daughter - Loretta Lynn (2/70; #83 Pop, #1 C&W - Loretta had fourteen #1 hits on the Country charts, and this is one of them. This was the title of her autobiography, as well as the Oscar-winning biopic of her life story.)

 

Kiss Me, Baby - Beach Boys (4/65; dnc - this tasty nugget was tucked on the back of The Beach Boys'  Help Me, Rhonda, which went straight to #1. Flip it over a you'll find the song that music writer Dave Marsh ranks as #289 out of his favorite 1,000 singles of all-time. The A-side clocks in at #288.)

 

That Sunday, That Summer - Nat "King" Cole (8/63; #12 - he started as just a piano player, but it turns out that he had a silky-smooth vocal style that guaranteed him a place on the radio  -  and, later, on television. A lot of his Sixties recordings were geared toward white audiences and included corny choral accompaniment and mushy strings, but his warmth shines through on this one.)

 

She Is Still a Mystery - Lovin' Spoonful (10/67; #27 - this was one of the group's final singles before John Sebastian's departure, and it clearly benefited from his lyrical and melodic touch.) 

 

I'm a Midnight Mover - Wilson Pickett (6/68; #24 Pop, #6 R&B - "the Wicked Pickett" was at the peak of his powers in 1968, propelled by the Muscle Shoals rhythm section and his co-writer and guitar player Bobby Womack. This side just sizzles!)

 

Bell Bottom Blues - Derek & The Dominoes (2/71; #91 - Bobby Whitlock and Eric Clapton collaborated on a bunch of the songs on the Layla album. While this one didn't chart very well, it got lots of airplay on FM Radio.)

 

SPOTLIGHT ON BONES HOWE:

Dayton Burr "Bones" Howe was a record producer and arranger with a golden touch. He is most strongly associated with the 5th Dimension, but he produced sessions for the Mamas & Papas, Turtles, Association, Elvis and others. Tonight we'll hear a short smattering of his "greatest hits."

 

It Ain't Me Babe - Turtles (8/65; #8 - words and music by Bob Dylan. Concept and levels by Bones Howe. He produced the records up until about 1967, when he moved along.)

 

Everything That Touches You - Association (2/68; #10 - Bones Howe had a hand in many of the group's biggest records on Warner Brothers, and he knew just who to call to round out the sound he was looking for. In this case, that's Joe Osborn on bass and Hal Blaine on drums.)

 

Save The Country - 5th Dimension (6/70; #27 - he picked the session musicians, had a hand in selecting material, and was essentially a sixth member of the group. Laura Nyro is the composer. Bones Howe was the mastermind.)

 

The Heart of a Saturday Night - Tom Waits (1974; NR - his closest connection to an artist was with Tom Waits, whose records all had his name listed as "producer." Rolling Stone ranks this album at #339 in their RS500 Albums list. It's a masterpiece.)

 

 

8-9pm

  

*  First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack (at #17, headed for a six-week run at #1 - written by songwriter Ewan McColl, this won him a Grammy Award and it won Roberta one for Record of the Year. Going out to to Shella, who had forgotten what a good singer Roberta Flack was.)

 

*  Sylvia's Mother - Dr. Hook (bubbling under, headed to #5 - this one was written by Shel Silverstein and won him no big awards, but it resonated with listener Tom who used to have two girls he liked calling on the payphone, although he always ran out of dough....)

 

Baby Blue - Badfinger (debuting at #78, headed to #14 - the follow-up to their big hit Day After Day was produced by Todd Rundgren, and it cemented their reputation as a remarkable band in my eyes.)

 

Let's Stay Together - Al Green (just off; down from #1 Pop, #1 R&B for nine weeks - NINE WEEKS at #1. Al Green famously was having trouble in the studio and his producer kept urging him to tone in down a little. Annoyed, Al started to sing exaggeratedly softly and voila: he'd found his formula!)

 

Precious & Few - Climax (at #12 this week, down from two weeks at #3 - lead singer Sonny Geraci had cut his teeth fronting a power-Pop band from Cleveland. He relocated to LA and formed a new group. This was their one big hit on the Carousel label, and it was a beauty.)

 

Time Won't Let Me - Outsiders (2/66; #5 - an opening drumroll, a catchy guitar lick, a splash of horns, and lead vocals by Sonny Geraci = a big hit for Capitol Records. Unfortunately, nobody correctly answered the question, so we'll go with Plan B.)

 

My World - Bee Gees (just off, down from #16 - this one is rarely anthologized, and as a result it's rarely heard on Oldies radio. For a pair of tickets to Cinemapolis: can you give me the first names of the three singers on this record? See below to confirm your hunches.)

 

Black & White - Three Dog Night (8/72; #1 - this one wouldn't come out until August of 1972, but it would make it all the way to the top of the charts.)

 

45 Corner:  Day Dreaming - Aretha Franklin (at #32 this week, headed to #5 Pop, #1 R&B for two weeks - this is another case where the radio-friendly version isn't available on CD. Tonight we hear it the way it sounded back in 1972: short and sweet and to the point!)

 

Feeling Alright - Joe Cocker (1/72; #33 - Dave Mason wrote it, Leon Russell played piano on it, Carole Kaye played bass and Merry Clayton and Brenda Holloway provided background vocals. It was first released in 1969 and made it #69. Second time was a charm!)

 

 

 

CLOSING THEME:  Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

 

Trivia Answer

Mike Kennedy was the lead singer of Los Bravos, whose big hit in 1966 was Black Is Black.

Sonny Geraci had been the lead singer of The Outsiders, whose big hit was Time Won't Let Me.   

Barry, Robin and Maurice were the names of the three guys singing My World in the 8:00 hour.

 

Congratulations to Jack from Etna and Pat from West Hill, for correctly answering two of the three questions and winning Cinemapolis tickets!

 

 

 

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 (3/26/22):  Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on music from Madmen.

 

 

 

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!