July 23, 2022 - JH: Cameo-Parkway Records

July 23, 2022

Host: Jan Hunsinger (JH)

Spotlight: Cameo-Parkway Records

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!

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 chart dates during/after Aug 1958) unless otherwise noted

·     a glossary of terms is below the playlist

6:00 - 7:00

OPENING THEME:  Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll – Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969 - #29: produced by Jimi Hendrix)

Background Music: Rocka-Conga - The Applejacks (1959 - #38: Philadelphia group that recorded for Cameo-Parkway Records)

Cameo Records was started in 1956 by Bernie Lowe, who used his royalties from co-writing Elvis Presley's big hit "Teddy Bear" to fund the company. The label was located in Philadelphia and capitalized on "American Bandstand" being broadcast from that city in the late '50s and early '60s. Parkway Records was formed as a subsidiary in 1958, and the two merged in 1962. The company slogan was "All the Big Ones Are on C-P", as Lowe produced 45s aimed at the teen market to make the C-P label one of the most successful independent records companies of the early '60s. However, three factors led to the label's demise: American Bandstand moved to L.A.; the British Invasion; and founder and producer Lowe tired of the grind of running an independent record company. In 1967 Lowe sold his company to Allan Klein, who renamed it ABKCO Industries.

Butterfly - Charlie Gracie (1957 - #1: C-P's first big hit, the song spent two weeks at #1; Bernie Lowe produced and co-wrote the song, which was also a hit for Andy Williams)

This Can't Be True - Eddie Holman (1966 - #57: Holman would later have a big hit with the song "Hey There, Lonely Girl" on ABC Records)

You're the Greatest - Billy Scott (1958 - #73: one of many Philadelphia-area artists to record with Cameo-Parkway)

Heavy Music, Part I - Bob Seger and the Last Heard (1967 - #103: another artist who began their recording career on C-P)

Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp (1962 - #2: one of many songs that mirrored an early '60s dance craze)

Tossing and Turning - The Ivy League (1965 - #83: C-P's one foray into The British Invasion; song went to #3 in the U.K.)

Silhouettes - The Rays (1957 - #3: great doo-wop song that would later be a hit for Herman's Hermits)

When We Get Married - The Dreamlovers (1961 - #10: group was named after the title of a Bobby Darin hit)

The Twist - Chubby Checker (1960 & '62 - #1: another inspired by a dance craze, the song is the only rock-n-roll number to hit #1 on the BB Hot 100, disappear from the charts, and become #1 again)

45 Corner

Angel of the Morning - Evie Sands (1967 - DNC: Sands' release was lost amid the sale of C-P Records and never properly promoted, the following year a near identical version by Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts charted at #7)

The Boy With the Beatle Hair - The Swans (1964 - #85: one of a number of novelty records made on the C-P label)

You Can't Sit Down - The Dovells (1963 - #3: the group got their start at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia in 1957; member Len Barry would later undertake a solo career)

*World of Fantasy - The Five Stairsteps (1966 - #49: another act that would go on to bigger things after leaving C-P)

Beg, Borrow, and Steal - The Ohio Express (1967 - #29: the band really existed only in the studio)

Kissin' Time - Bobby Rydell (1959 - #11: born Robert Ridarelli, Rydell was one of Philadelphia's teen idols)

7:00 - 8:00

The Birthday Calendar

Backgound Music: Cast Your Fate to the Wind - Sounds Orchestral (1965 - #10: composed by Vince Guaraldi, we heard the version released on Cameo-Parkway Records)

July 17:

Vince Guaraldi - born 1928

Spencer Davis - born 1939

Gale Garnett - 80

Phoebe Snow - born 1950

Nicolette Larson - born 1952

July 18:

(Jalacy) "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins - born 1929

Dion Dimucci - 83

Martha Reeves - 81

July 19:

Sue Thompson - born 1925

Vikki Carr - 81

Commander Cody (George Frayne) - born 1944

Bernie Leadon (The Eagles) - 75

Brian May - 75

July 20:

Buddy Knox - born 1933

Jo Ann Campbell - 84

Dennis Yost (Classics IV) - born 1943

John Lodge (The Moody Blues) - 77

Carlos Santana - 75

July 21:

Rosalie ("Rosie") Hamlin - born 1945

Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou, now Yusuf Islam - 74

July 22:

Chuck Jackson - 85

Thomas Wayne - born 1940

Bobby Sherman - 79

Estelle Bennett (The Ronettes) - born 1944

Rick Davies (Supertramp) - 78

Don Henley (The Eagles) - 75

July 23:

Madeline Bell - 80

Tony Joe White - born 1943

David Essex - 75

I'm a Man - Spencer Davis Group (1967 - #10: co-written by band member Steve Winwood, the song was also a minor hit for Chicago)

We'll Sing in the Sunshine - Gale Garnett (1964 - #4: Garnett wrote this one-hit wonder, and went on to be an author and an actress)

Gone at Last - Phoebe Snow and Paul Simon (1975 - #23: from the Simon LP Still Crazy After All These Years, on which Snow also provides backing vocals on the song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover")

Rhumba Girl - Nicolette Larson (1979 - #47: Rolling Stone magazine named Larson Female Vocalist of 1978)

I Put a Spell on You - "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins (1956 - DNC: Hawkins was known for his bizarre antics and props on stage; song ranks #313/RS500)

Where or When - Dion and the Belmonts (1960 - #3: Dimucci had hits both with the Belmonts and as a solo artist)

Heat Wave - Martha and the Vandellas (1963 - #4: song was written by Motown's famous Holland-Dozier-Holland production team)

Norman - Sue Thompson (1962 - #3: although better known as a country artist, Thompson had several hits on the Pop charts)

It Must Be Him - Vikki Carr (1967 - #3: Carr, born Florencia Vicenta de Casillas-Martinez Cardona, has enjoyed great success in the Latin music world)

Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1972 - #9: song is originally from 1951)

Witchy Woman - The Eagles (1972 - #9: song was co-written by Bernie Leadon and Don Henley - a Birthday Calendar two-fer)

'39 - Queen (DNC - 1976: written and sung by lead guitarist Brian May, the song was the B-side to "You're My Best Friend")

Party Doll - Buddy Knox (1957 - #1: Knox wrote the early verses for the song as a teenager in 1948)

(I'm the Girl From) Wolverton Mountain - Jo Ann Campbell (1962 - #38: answer song to Claude King's hit; song was released on Cameo-Parkway Records)

8:00 - 9:00

Traces - The Classics IV Featuring Dennis Yost (1969 - #2: song is notable for its use of an oboe and was the group's biggest hit)

Ride My See Saw - The Moody Blues (1968 - #61: John Lodge wrote the song from the LP In Search of the Lost Chord)

Evil Ways - Santana (1970 - #9: from their first LP, the song was a big hit in the group's set at Woodstock)

Angel Baby - Rosie and the Originals (1961 - #5: song was a one-hit wonder for Rosie, who hailed from Klamath Falls, Oregon)

Sitting - Cat Stevens (1972 - #16: from his LP Catch Bull at Four)

I Wake Up Crying - Chuck Jackson (1961 - #59: song was early effort from that great songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David)

Tragedy - Thomas Wayne (1959 - #5: song would be a Top 10 hit for The Fleetwoods in 1961)

Easy Come, Easy Go - Bobby Sherman (1970 - #9: Sherman was an early '70s teen idol and a co-star of the TV show "Here Come the Brides")

Walking in the Rain - The Ronettes (1964 - #23: song was written by Barry Mann, Phil Spector, and Cynthia Weil, and ranks #266/RS500)

The Logical Song - Supertramp (1979 - #6: the group's biggest hit, it was the first single released from their Breakfast in America LP)

I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Madeline Bell (1968 - #26: Bell was best known for her backing vocals, but she did have this one-hit wonder)

Polk Salad Annie - Tony Joe White (1969 - #8: also a one-hit wonder)

Rock On - David Essex (1974 - #5: Essex's only hit in the U.S., he had 19 Top 40 singles in the U.K.)

Back to our Spotlight on Cameo-Parkway Records:

Rowdy - Clint Eastwood (DNC - 1963: an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Eastwood's character Rowdy Yates on TV's "Rawhide"; Clint also sang in the movie "Paint Your Wagon")

So Much in Love - The Tymes (1963 - #1: the group began in Philadelphia as The Latineers; they changed their name in 1960)

96 Tears - ? and the Mysterians (1966 - #1: Question Mark was Rudy Martinez, who wrote the song, which ranks #210/RS500; the song is also considered one of the first garage band hits)

Wild Thing - Senator Bobby (1967 - #20: 'Senator Bobby' was really comedian Bill Menkin; song was produced by Chip Taylor, who wrote the original "Wild Thing"; the real Senator Bobby Kennedy was said to have liked the parody)

CLOSING THEME:  Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny (1959 - #1 for two weeks; brothers Santo [steel guitar] and Johnny [rhythm guitar] Farina from Brooklyn)

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 July 30, 2022: John Simon (JS) with a show of Golden Oldies.

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 streaming here. 

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

 

July 16, 2022 - GJ - Here and There

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:  July 16, 2022

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: Here and There: Songs Whose Titles Begin with Here or There

Birthday Calendar

July 10

Mavis Staples 83 years old

Ian Whitcomb b. 1941  d. 2020

Jerry Miller (singer/guitarist Moby Grape)   79 years old

Denny Seiwell   (Wings drummer) 79 years old

Arlo Guthrie 75 years old

July 11

Bonnie Pointer b. 1950  d. 2020

Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)  75 years old 

July 12

Christine McVie 79 years old

July 13

Roger McGuinn 80 years old

July 14

Jim Gordon (Drummer Derek/Dominos, Joe Cocker, Traffic)  77 years old

July 15

Linda Ronstadt 76 years old

David Pack    (Ambrosia singer, guitarist 1970-2000 )  70 years old

July 16

William Bell 83 years old

Stewart Copeland (Police drummer) 70 years old

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

Question: What was Christine McVie’s original last name?

(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)

Here We Go Again   Ray Charles 1967 #15

Charles played piano on this track, but the organ and backing vocals are not credited. The lyrics are unique in that they suggest Charles' fatalistic acceptance of a relationship that is less than ideal.

Here I Go Again Raelettes 1971   #101

Originally formed by Ray Charles from the group The Cookies, the Raelettes had nearly 70 members over the course of their existence including Minnie Riperton, Marilyn McCoo, and Clydie King.

There’s a Place Beatles 1964   #74

The track appeared on their first LP “Please Please Me.” Composer John Lennon was suffering from a cold at the time of the recording.

Here to Love You   Doobie Brothers 1982   #65

From their "Minute by Minute" LP featuring Rosemary Butler on harmony vocals and Andrew Love on saxophone.

There, I’ve Said It Again Sam Cooke 1959   

#81 H100  #25 R&B

Here You Come Again Dolly Parton   1978  

#3H100, #1 CW

This was a Weill-Mann composition originally offered to Brenda Lee who turned it down. She sure makes it look easy in this video. Also, the band is fantastic.

There Goes My Heart Again  Fats Domino    1963  #59

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again  Fortunes   1971  #15

Nice use of sunshine pop to describe the gloom of a breakup. 

There’s Always Something There to Remind Me   Patti LaBelle  1967  #125  

A very compelling version that builds slowly from a different point in the lyrics than other versions.

There’s a Kind of Hush  Herman’s Hermits 1967   #4

This was the Hermits' last top 10 hit in the U.S.

*Here, There and Everywhere Beatles 1966  NR  McCartney has said that the song was inspired by the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” which was in turn influenced by the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” LP. Requested by Scottie for Brooktondale Peggy.

There Oughta Be a Law  Mickey and Sylvia 1957  #47 H100  #8 R&B

This track follows the formula made famous in "Love is Strange:" a harmonizing vocal duet (with spoken dialogue) punctuated by some stinging guitar picking.

Here Comes Summer Jerry Keller 1959  #14

My favorite lyric is “When we kiss she makes my flat top curl.”

There Stands the Door   We Five 1966   #116

Some great harmonies (which we expect from the group) and some surprisingly outstanding drumming by either John Chambers or Mick Gillespie.

Here Comes the Sun Beatles  1969 DNC

George Harrison wrote the song at Eric Clapton’s country house on one of Clapton’s acoustic guitars while absenting himself from business meetings at Apple Records. He had recently quit the Beatles temporarily, been arrested for marijuana possession, and his tonsils had recently been removed.

Here Comes My Baby Tremeloes 1967  #13

In 1962 when Decca records was looking for an English beat group to sign and record, they chose the Tremeloes over the Beatles.

There’s a Meetin’ Here Tonight  Joe Gilbert and Eddie Brown   1964    #101

Here Comes That Feeling Brenda Lee   1962 #89

This was a non-album single written by Dorsey Burnette.

There’s Always Me     Elvis Presley 1967  #56

Recorded in 1961 but not released until 1967 for an LP called “Something for Everybody.”

7:00

Touch a Hand Staple Singers  1974  #23 H100 #3 R&B

Changes     Ian Whitcomb  NR

Hey Grandma      Moby Grape   1967   #127

Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page were fans of Jerry Miller’s guitar work.

You Can Make Me Free  Billy Joel     1971 NR  

In addition to Paul McCartney, Denny Seiwell drummed for Billy Joel, Art Garfunkel, James Brown, Donovan and Janis Joplin.

Last Train Arlo Guthrie 1973

From his LP “Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys.”

Free Me From My Freedom   Bonnie Pointer     1978   #58

Whatever you think of the lyrics, the instrumentation is irresistible, especially the unexpected (and perfect) banjo jam.

Make a Little Magic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band   1980  #25

Nicolette Larson sang back up vocals.

Over My Head Fleetwood Mac   1975   #20

This was the first Fleetwood Mac single to chart during Christine McVie’s years with them.

Ballad of Easy Rider Byrds  1969  #65

Peter Fonda wanted Bob Dylan to write the song for the movie. Dylan wrote the first few lyrics and suggested that Fonda give it to Roger McGuinn to finish.

Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? Derek and the Dominos    1973  #120

Jim Gordon was on track to be the successor to Hal Blaine as a session drummer when undiagnosed schizophrenia overwhelmed him in 1983 with tragic consequences.

She’s a Very Lovely Woman  Linda Ronstadt 1971  #70

This is a very lovely non-album single.

I Just Can’t Let Go    David Pack, James Ingram, Michael McDonald   1985  #13 AC

If pop music had the equivalent of the operatic “Three Tenors,” they would be these guys. Their nickname was "The Trinity."

Born Under a Bad Sign   William Bell 1969

Booker T. Jones wrote the melody and Bell wrote the lyrics, including the immortal “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all.”

Miss Gradenko The Police 1983 NR

Stewart Copeland’s father was a founding member of the CIA, so who knows-- Miss Gradenko’s work environment might have been inspired by dinner table conversation about spycraft.

There’ll Come a Time Betty Everett 1969 #26 H100  #2 R&B

8:00

Here Comes My Girl Tom Petty   1980    #59

Petty said that the chorus was inspired by The Byrds. After trying to sing the verses in a number of ways, Petty settled on half-singing, half-speaking.

Here Comes the Night Ben E. King  1961  #81

There’s No Living Without Your Loving Peter and Gordon 1966  #50

Here I Am Baby Barbara McNair 1967  #125

Here I Am (Come and Take Me) Al Green 1973  #10

Here I Am Righteous Bros. 1968  #121

There Goes My Heart Joni James 1958   #19

There’ll Be No Next Time Jackie Wilson 1962    #75

Too many strings, but Wilson’s great vocal styling soared above them.

Here Come Those Tears Again Jackson Browne  1977   #23

Backing vocals by Bonnie Raitt and Rosemary Butler, guitar solo by John Hall, piano by Bill Payne. In the video below, Butler crushes the backing vocal, David Lindley plays the guitar solo and Jim Gordon is the drummer.

There Is Dells 1968   #20 H100  #11 R&B

Here I Go Again Hollies 1964  #107

The video is a lip sync, but it's very interesting to see these guys at such a young age. Graham Nash is wearing the vest.

Here She Comes Tymes 1964   #92

There’s So Much Love All Around Me   Three Degrees 1971  #98

There Will Come a Day  Smokey Robinson  1977   #42

Smokey did not write the song, but he sure sings it like he did.

Here’s to the Crabgrass Allan Sherman and Jacqueline Ward 1963  NR

From the 1963 album "My Son, the Nut" which held the top spot on the Billboard Top 200 for nearly two months, and sold 1.2 million copies.

Here Comes the Judge  Pigmeat Markham 1968

#19 H100  #4 R&B

Widely considered to be a forerunner of rap music, this 1968 Chess recording featured Maurice White on drums and Minnie Ripperton on backing vocals. Produced by Gene Barge ("Daddy G").

Here’s to You  Hamilton Camp   1968  #76

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

Trivia Answer

Christine McVie’s original last name was Perfect.

Congratulations to Greg from Ithaca for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of movie passes to Cinemapolis, downtown Ithaca's home for independent, international and local films.

Glossary of Terms:

DNC = did not chart

NR = not released as a single at the time

H100 = Billboard Hot 100

CW = Country and Western chart

AC = Adult Contemporary Chart

R&B = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records

Host July 23, 2022: Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on the Cameo-Parkway record labels.

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!