January 21, 2023 - GJ - Togetherness

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:  January 21, 2023

Host:  Gregory James

Feature:  Togetherness

Birthday Calendar

January 16

Bob Bogle (Ventures lead guitarist)   b. 1934  d. 2009

Barbara Lynn 81 years old

January 17

Chris Montez 80 years old

January 18

David Ruffin  b. 1941  d. 1991

Bobby Goldsboro 82 years old

January 19

Shirley Ellis   b. 1929  d. 2005

Phil Everly b. 1939  d. 2014

Janis Joplin b. 1943  d. 1970

Robert Palmer     b. 1949   d. 2003

Dewey Bunnell (America)  72 years old

January 20

Rick Evans  (Zager and Evans)   b. 1943   d. 2018

January 21

Richie Havens     b. 1941  d. 2013

Edwin Starr  b. 1942   d. 2003

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

Question:  Even though this 1969 track is credited to the Supremes, it was really the first solo recording by Diana Ross. The backing vocals were not sung by Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, but by Merry Clayton, Julia Waters and Maxine Waters. Composer Johnny Bristol can also be heard singing on the track. The title relates to tonight’s theme. Name that tune.

(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)

Love Will Keep Us Together Captain and Tennille   1975   #1 for four weeks

Daryl Dragon’s keyboard work is phenomenal on this track. The only other musician was Hal Blaine on drums.

Get Together Youngbloods 1967  #62,  1969  #5

The Youngbloods recorded the song after the Kingston Trio and We Five did. It surged in popularity when it was used in a radio public service announcement in 1969 for the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

*Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance) Leo Sayer    1975  #9

Someday We’ll Be Together   Supremes  1969    #1

Even though this track is credited to the Supremes, it was really the first solo recording by Diana Ross. The backing vocals were not sung by Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, but by Merry Clayton, Julia Waters and Maxine Waters. Composer Johnny Bristol can also be heard singing on the track.

*United We Stand Brotherhood of Man  1970  #13

Elton John (as Reg Dwight) sang the demo version. Requested by Scottie and dedicated to Peggy.

*You Never Can Tell Chuck Berry  1964  #14

Reach Out of the Darkness Friend and Lover   1968  #10

The lyrics say “Reach out in the darkness,” in contrast to the title’s “Reach Out of the Darkness.

Happy Together Turtles 1967  #1

The song was shopped around to several groups and the Turtles rehearsed it during live performances before recording it.

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder   1980  DNC

Stevie Wonder wrote the song as a catalyst to create a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although King’s birthday was eventually designated a national holiday by Ronald Reagan in 1981 and first celebrated in 1986, the single did not chart and was never released in the U.S. Berry Gordy did not want Motown to be perceived as a label for political activism.

Everyday People Sly and the Family Stone  1969  #1 H100 and RB

Bassist Larry Graham claimed that this song was the first recorded use of slap bass.

I Say a Little Prayer Aretha Franklin    1968  #10 H100  #3 RB

Clayton Ivey played the piano on this track that was originally intended to be a B-side.

Let’s Stay Together Al Green  1972   #1 H100 and RB

Green’s record is in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Let’s Work Together Canned Heat  1970  #26

In order not to conflict with Wilbert Harrison’s original version, Canned Heat’s version was released in the UK seven months before it was released in the U.S.                

All Together Now Beatles 1969  DNC in U.S.

From the “Yellow Submarine” album, the single was released only in Europe.

We Belong Together Ritchie Valens   1959  DNC

7:00

Walk Don’t Run Ventures 1960   #2 HIOO #13 RB

You’ll Lose a Good Thing Barbara Lynn   1962  #8 H100 #1 RB

The More I See You Chris Montez 1966  #16

Since I Lost My Baby Temptations  1965  #17 H100  #4 RB

David Ruffin sang lead on this Smokey Robinson/Pete Moore composition. Strings by the Detroit Symphony.

Summer (The First Time) Bobby Goldsboro   1973 #21

Loosely based on actual events.

When Will I Be Loved? Everly Brothers  1960  #8

Legend has it that Phil Everly wrote the song in his car while parked at an A&W Root Beer stand.

To Be or Not to Be   Shirley Ellis 1967  NR

One Night Stand Janis Joplin and Paul Butterfield    NR

From her posthumously released LP “Farewell Song.”

Can We Still Be Friends Robert Palmer   1979   #52

Nice job with Todd Rundgren’s song.

Ventura Highway America 1972  #8

In the Year 2525     Zager and Evans   1969  #1

No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed  Richie Havens  1968  DNC

Twenty Five Miles     Edwin Starr 1969  #6 H100 and RB

This was Edwin Starr’s second biggest hit.

*People Get Ready Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart    1985  #48

In memory of the recently departed Jeff Beck.

Almost Cut My Hair Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young   DNC

In memory of the recently departed David Crosby.

8:00

Shed a Little Light James Taylor     1991   DNC

A tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

*Something in the Air Thunderclap Newman 1969  #37

Join Together The Who 1972    #17

This was a non-album single.

Together Ohio Players 1974  DNC

Together We Are Beautiful Fern Kinney 1979   DNC

Originally a B-side, once radio disc jockeys turned the record over (as they always did), this track became the featured side.

Togetherness   Frankie Avalon 1960  #26

Boys and Girls Together Mamas and Papas  1967

Dig the mariachi trumpets!

Together We Two   Archies  1971  #122

Ron Dante and Donna Marie are the vocalists.

Gettin’ Together Tommy James/Shondells    1967  #18

For the first few bars, did you think you were going to hear the Spencer Davis Group?

Let’s Spend the Night Together  Rolling Stones   1967  #55

Bill Wyman did not play bass on this track—Keith Richards did.

Let’s Pull Together Troggs 1971   DNC

This was the B-side to “Lazy Weekend.”

*Baby It’s You Shirelles 1962  #8

Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music   Spinners   1973  #91

There were two versions of the song on two different record labels.

Abraham, Martin & John Marvin Gaye  1970  DNC

Together Til the End of Time                             Brenda Holloway 1966   #125

Holloway was intended to be the next Mary Wells when the latter left Motown. She was perceived by Motown staff as more similar to Tina Turner than Mary Wells.

Together Alone Melanie 1972  #86

This record showcased Melanie Safka’s growth as a songwriter and singer.

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

Trivia Answer

“Someday We’ll Be Together”

Congratulations to Mike from the City of Ithaca for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of movie passes to Cinemapolis, downtown Ithaca’s home for first-run, international, independent and local films.

Glossary of Terms:

DNC = did not chart

NR = not released as a single at the time

H100 = Billboard Hot 100

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

Host January 28, 2023: Kim Vaughan.

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!