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: April 23, 2022
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Rockin’ Sibling Groups
Birthday Calendar
April 17
Tony Crane (lead singer with Merseybeats) 77 years old
April 19
Alan Price (Animals keyboards) 80 years old
Eve Graham (New Seekers vocalist) 79 years old
Mark Volman (Turtles, Flo and Eddie) 75 years old
Larry Ramos (Association) b. 1942 d. 2014
April 20
Johnny Tillotson 84 years old
April 22
Glen Campbell (b. 1936 d. 2017)
Peter Frampton 72 years old
Paul Carrack 71 years old
April 23
Roy Orbison b. 1936 d. 1988
Ray Peterson b. 1935 d. 2005
Rock n’ Roll Trivia
Question: Name three musical groups who had at least four siblings from the same family.
(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
6:00
OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)
We Are Family Sister Sledge 1979 #2 H100, #1 R&B
They are indeed family: Debbie, Joni, Kathy and Kim Sledge. This recording is preserved in the Library of Congress.
Dance to the Music Sly and the Family Stone (Sly, Freddie, Rose) 1968 #8
Saxophonist Jerry Martini called the record “an unhip thing to do.”
Some Kind of Wonderful Soul Brothers Six 1967 #91
Sam, Charles, Moses, Harry, and Gene Armstrong were from Rochester NY. This was the original version of the song later covered by Grand Funk. Suggested by John Simon.
Till I Kissed You Everly Brothers (Don and Phil)
1959 #4 H100, #8 CW, #22 R&B
Brother Don wrote this perfect track that appeared on all three Billboard charts that existed at the time.
Doctor My Eyes Jackson 5 1972 DNC
Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and the other one. What a hidden gem of a track. Several brothers traded off on the lead vocal and the guitar solo is brilliant.
Yes We Can Can Pointer Sisters (Ruth, Anita, Bonnie, June) 1973 #11 H100, #12 R&B
This Allen Toussaint song was one of the songs the Pointer Sisters recorded as a demo when they were in search of a record deal.
Love the One You’re With Isley Brothers (Ernie, Marvin, O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald) 1971 #18 H100 #3 R&B
This was from an LP called “Givin’ It Back” consisting of cover versions by people like Stephen Stills, Eric Burdon and Neil Young.
It’s Going to Take Some Time Carpenters (Richard and Karen) 1972 #12
This was a Carole King/Toni Stern composition, and King reportedly liked the Carpenters’ cover version very much. The flute solo was by Bob Messenger.
Never My Love Addrisi Brothers 1977 #80
Dick and Don Addrisi wrote the song that the Association made famous in 1967.
You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else Jones Girls 1979 #38
(Brenda, Shirley and Valorie Jones) This million selling Philadelphia Soul single was written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
Whipping Post Allman Brothers (Gregg and Duane) 1969 DNC
Gregg Allman once said he didn’t even have time to get out a piece of paper when this song entered his consciousness, so he wrote it on an ironing board cover. The track did not chart, but it did make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
*Wendy Beach Boys (Brian, Carl, Dennis) 1964 #44
Brian Wilson wrote the song as an homage to the Four Seasons. Dedicated by listener Rick to his wife Wendy on her birthday. Thanks for making Remnants part of your party!
*Lonely Days Bee Gees (Barry Maurice and Robin) 1970 #3
This song, apparently written in 10 minutes, features a variety of rhythms and tempos. Requested by Scottie for Brooktondale Peggy.
Lost in Loving You McCrarys (Linda, Alfred, Sam, Charity, Howard) 1979 #35 R&B
7:00
I Think of You Merseybeats 1963
This reached #5 in the UK but did not chart in the U.S. Like the Beatles, the Merseybeats played the Cavern Club in Liverpool.
House of the Rising Sun Alan Price 1980 NR
From the LP “Rising Sun.” Vocals and Keyboard by Alan Price, sax solo by Ray Pizzi.
Beg Steal or Borrow New Seekers 1972 #81
This song placed second (out of 18) in the 1972 Eurovision contest.
Elenore Flo and Eddie 1976 NRThis is a punchier version of the Howard Kaylan song originally performed by The Turtles.
Windy The Association 1967 #1 (four weeks)
There were so many takes of this song that the musician credits are uncertain. The Wrecking Crew may have been involved, but it seems certain that Larry Ramos and Russ Giguere sang lead.
Without You Johnny Tillotson 1961 #7
Gentle on My Mind Glen Campbell 1968 #39
Campbell was a member of the Wrecking Crew at the time and they were the players on the record. If your spirits ever need a lift, watch Campbell perform "Gentle.." for his musician friends in this video.
Apple of Your Eye Peter Frampton 1975 NR
From his eponymous fourth studio LP before he “came alive.”
Tempted Squeeze 1981 #49
Keyboardist Paul Carrack was recommended by Elvis Costello to sing lead, rather than Glen Tilbrook or Chris Difford.
Uptown Roy Orbison 1960 #72
This was a non-album single on Monument records released in 1959. Floyd Cramer played piano and Boots Randolph played saxophone.
I Could Have Loved You So Well Ray Peterson 1961 #57
Composed by Gerry Goffin and Barry Mann.
Treat Her Like a Lady 1971 #3 H100, #20 R&B
Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (Edward, Carter and Rose)
This song is heard during the opening credits of the film “Anchorman.”
It Only Takes a Minute Tavares 1975 #10
Brothers Ralph, Pooch, Chubby, Butch and Tiny sang about how difficult it is to pursue a job and a relationship at the same time.
Love Peace and Happiness Chambers Brothers 1970 #96
Brothers George, Joe, Lester and Willie released two versions: long and short. We heard the short one.
You Can’t Take My Boyfriend’s Woody Angels 1963 NR
Two of the Angels were sisters: Barbara and Phyllis Allbut. How refreshing to hear a girl group taking on the traditionally male surf music genre.
Dedicated to the One I Love 5 Royales 1957 #13 R&B
From Winston Salem, the “5” Royales had a major influence on R&B and rock musicians such as James Brown, Steve Cropper and Eric Clapton. At various points the group contained two sets of brothers: Pete and Clarence Pauling and Johnny and Gene Tanner.
Soothe Me Simms Twins (Bobby and Kenneth Sims) 1961 #42
Released on the SAR label, which was founded by Sam Cooke. Their name was spelled variously as Sims or Simms.
8:00
Mr. Lee Bobbettes (Jannie and Emma Pought) 1957 #6 H100, #1 R&B
Actually, the Bobbettes did not particularly like Mr. Lee who was their 5th grade teacher.
Wouldn’t It Be Nice Beach Boys (Brian, Carl and Dennis) 1966 #8
In glorious monaural.
Sh-Boom The Chords (Carl and Claude Feaster) 1954 #5 H100, #2 R&B
This original version was originally a B-side. I would argue that the vocal style is more scat singing than doo-wop.
Bootleg Creedence Clearwater Revival (John and Tom Fogerty) 1969 DNC
From their first LP “Bayou Country” when everybody thought they were from the Louisiana bayou.
I’m a Man Spencer Davis Group (Steve and Muff Winwood) 1967 #10
This was the last hit single by the Spencer Davis Group before the Winwood brothers left the band.
Half Moon Orleans (Lance and Larry Hoppen) 1973 NR
Written by John and Johanna Hall and made famous by Janis Joplin. The late Larry Hoppen graduated from Ithaca College in 1971.
The Best of My Love Emotions 1977 #1 H100 and R&B
(Sheila, Wanda, Jeanette and later Pamela Hutchinson)
If the song sounds like Earth Wind and Fire, that may be because it was composed by Maurice White and Al McKay.
Fantasy Earth Wind and Fire (Maurice and Verdine White) 1978 #12 R&B #32 H100
The song took Maurice White three months to compose and he finished it after seeing “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” The video below really takes off at 3:34.
These Dreams Heart (Ann and Nancy Wilson) 1986 #1
Nancy Wilson had a cold when she recorded her lead vocals for this track that was written by Bernie Taupin and Martin Page.
Chapel of Love Dixie Cups (Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins) 1964 #1
The song was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich who had recently gotten married.
Close Your Eyes Five Keys 1955 #2 R&B
Two sets of brothers: Rudy and Bernie West and Ripley and Raphael Ingram. Written by Chuck Willis. A really cool use of vocal echoing and whispering.
Do I Love You Ronettes (Ronnie and Estelle Bennett) 1964 #34
This was the Ronettes fourth consecutive to 40 hit.
Till the End of the Day Kinks (Dave and Ray Davies) 1966 #50
Ray Davies wrote the song on an upright piano after a stretch of writer’s block.
Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) Gladys Knight and the Pips.
It’s Gonna Take a Miracle Royalettes (Sheila and Anita Ross) 1965 #41
This song was intended for the Miracles but, due to contractual and financial complications, was given to the Royalettes. Laura Nyro and LaBelle cut a fine cover of the song as well.
I’m the One Who Loves You Impressions 1963 #73 H100
Brothers Richard and Arthur Brooks were members of the Impressions until 1962.
CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
Trivia Answer
Pointer Sisters, Osmonds, the Von Trapp Family Singers (also, several groups in tonight’s playlist).
Congratulations to Mike from Cayuga Heights for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of movie passes to Cinemapolis, downtown Ithaca’s movie house for independent, international and local films.
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
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
Host on April 30, 2022: John Simon with a spotlight on late April, 1968.
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!