May 14, 2022 - GJ - May Days and Doo-Wop

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:   May 14, 2022

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: May Days and Doo-Wop

Birthday Calendar

May 8

Ricky Nelson b. 1940  d. 1985

Toni Tennille 82 years old

Philip Bailey (EWF, Phil Collins)  71 years old

May 9

Tommy Roe 80 years old

Richie Furay 78 years old

Billy Joel                 73 years old

May 10

Donovan         76 years old

Dave Mason 76 years old

May 11

Eric Burdon 81 years old

Butch Trucks b. 1947  d. 2017

May 12

Steve Winwood 74 years old

May 13

Ritchie Valens         b. 1941  d. 1959 

Mary Wells b. 1943   d. 1992

Stevie Wonder         72 years old

May 14

Bobby Darin b. 1936  d. 1973

Jack Bruce b. 1943  d. 2014

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

Question: What was the first record to use the phrase “sha-na-na?”

(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

6:00-7:00

OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

Your Mama Don’t Dance Loggins and Messina  1972 #4

For Mother’s Day May 8.

Lonely Teardrops   Jackie Wilson   1958   #1 R&B/#7 H100

This was Wilson’s first H100 top ten hit. It was written originally as a ballad, but arranger Dick Jacobs reworked it into the finished product.

Drown in My Own Tears Ray Charles

1956 #1 R&B

Ray Charles dominated the R&B charts in the mid-1950’s and this track was his third #1 single.

Under Pressure David Bowie/Queen  1982 #29

For National Blood Pressure Month.  Queen bassist John Deacon invented the bass line.

Since I Met You Baby Ivory Joe Hunter 1957  #1 R&B/#12 H100

Hunter was presented with a gold record for the song during an appearance on Ed Sullivan.

Whispering Bells Del-Vikings 1957

#5 R&B/#9H100

The group was originally comprised of Air Force service members stationed in Pittsburgh.

Livin’ in the USA Steve Miller 1968   #94

For National Hamburger Month (even though Steve says “Somebody give me a cheeseburger!”)

Get a Job Silhouettes 1957  #1 H100/R&B

This was the first use of the “sha-na-na” lyric.

Jailhouse Rock Elvis Presley 1957  #1

The Purple Gang was an actual criminal mob. Scholars of gender studies have some insightful things to say about the song’s narrative. The video below is not live, but it does have some interesting choreography.

You’re Only Human (Second Wind) Billy Joel 1985   #9

For National Teen Self-Esteem Month. Billy Joel donated proceeds to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention.

Get Up, Stand Up Bob Marley  1973 DNC

For Correct Posture Month.

Stand by Me Mickey Gilley    1980  #22

Country crossover artist Mickey Gilley died on May 7.  There are at least twelve cover versions of this Ben E. King song.

Doctor My Eyes Jackson Browne 1972   #8

For Healthy Vision Month. This introspective song started life as a much slower ballad, but Browne accelerated the tempo to make it more radio friendly. The video features some extended slide guitar by David Lindley.

 Please, Please, Please James Brown and the Famous Flames 1958  #6 R&B 

Legend has it that Brown carried with him a crumpled napkin with the words “please, please, please” written on it by Little Richard. If you've never seen Brown's cape performance, look below.

Only You  Platters 1955 #1 R&B/#5 H100

Tony Williams’ lead vocal style was influenced, in part, when the group was singing the song in a moving car. The car went over a bump when Williams sang “Uh-Ohn-lee you,” and that happy coincidence became part of the finished product.

Cool Water Marty Robbins 1959 DNC

Robbins was one of the best harmonizers in country/pop music. For Drink Water Week.

7:00-8:00

Poor Little Fool Ricky Nelson 1958  #1

This was the first # 1 record on the first Billboard Hot 100 on August 4, 1958.

Mind Your Love Captain and Tennille 1976  NR

Easy Lover Philip Bailey/Phil Collins 1985 #2

On the chart for 23 weeks.

Everybody Tommy Roe 1963  #3

Kind Woman Buffalo Springfield 1968  DNC

Richie Furay wrote the song and sang lead.

Rosalinda’s Eyes Billy Joel   1978  DNC

A song inspired by Joel’s mother, Rosalind who supported Joel’s musical interests. Joel has said that the song is the letter his father should have written to his mother.

There Is a Mountain Donovan    1967 #11

Based on a Zen Buddhist saying. Harold McNair played the flute solo and Tony Carr played percussion. In the video below Donovan does his best to get the audience to sing along--to no avail.

World in Changes      Dave Mason 1970  NR

From his multi-colored vinyl LP “Alone Together.” There is some debate as to whether Larry Knechtel or Leon Russel played Hammond organ.

*Sky Pilot Eric Burdon and the Animals 1968   #14

A sky pilot is a military chaplain. Requested by Scottie for Brooktondale Peggy.

Hot ‘Lanta Allman Brothers 1971  NR

From the live Fillmore East LP. We are used to hearing Duane and Dickey trade guitar licks, so it is great to hear Butch and Jaimoe trading fours on this track.

Can’t Find My Way Home Blind Faith 1969 DNC

Steve Winwood wrote the group’s signature song. Check out the video of Blind Faith's first live concert in Hyde Park.

Little Girl Ritchie Valens 1959  #92

Valens was so successful at such a young age, he dropped out of high school to pursue a tragically short-lived career.

My Guy Mary Wells 1964   #1

The Andantes were the backup singers. Mary Wells once said she was channeling Mae West on her fadeout lyrics: “There’s not a man today who could take me away from my guy.” Also, it sounds like James Jamerson is playing an upright acoustic bass.  

Heaven Help Us All  Stevie Wonder 1970 #9

A cautionary tale for our era—or any era.

8:00-9:00

Lazy River Bobby Darin 1961  #14

We’re Going Wrong    Cream 1967 NR

Jack Bruce wrote the words and music.

Me and My Arrow Harry Nilsson 1971 #34

For National Pet Week.  From his LP “The Point!”

Teacher Jethro Tull 1970  DNC

For National Teacher Day May 3.

Yakety Yak Coasters  1958   #1 H100 and R&B

For National Clean Your Room Day May 10.

500 Miles Peter Paul and Mary 1962  DNC

For National Odometer Day May 12.

Pretty Little Angel Eyes Curtis Lee  1961 #7

Curtis Lee was supported by the Halos on backing vocals.

Hard Day’s Night Beatles 1964   #1

For National Third Shift Workers’ Day May 11.

Stay     Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs 1960   #1

Maurice Williams was 15 when he wrote the song. At 1:36, this was one of the shortest #1 hits.

Cupid Sam Cooke 1961  #17

For National Archery Day May 14.

There Goes My Baby Drifters 1959   #1 R&B/#2 H100

This was Ben E. King’s first recording as a lead singer for the Drifters. King was one of the songwriters under his legal name Benjamin Earl Nelson.

Funky Chicken Rufus Thomas 1970  #28

For National Dance Like a Chicken Day May 14.

Train Kept A-Rolling Yardbirds 1965  DNC

For National Train Day May 14. Here is a clip from the film "Blowup" in which the Yardbirds play in a groovy 1960's London club with an ultra cool audience.

*Abraham, Martin and John Dion 1968  #4

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial 1922-2022, as suggested by a listener.

Unchained Melody   Roy Hamilton 1955  #6

The best thing about a long forgotten B-movie called “Unchained.”

Silhouettes The Rays 1957  #3

The record got its radio start in Philadelphia and became so popular that the Cameo-Parkway label distributed it nationally. 

Step by Step Crests   1960  #14

Have Mercy Baby Dominoes 1952 #1R&B

You can hear the influence of gospel music in this recording.

CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

Trivia Answer

“Get a Job” (Silhouettes, 1957)

Congratulations to Sharm from Trumansburg 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

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 5/21/22: John Simon with a spotlight on May 21, 1969.

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!