Wednesday, April 24, 2024

April 20, 2024 - JS - Earth Day!

 

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:  4/20/24

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Earth Day!

 


 

 

Tonight Rockin' Remnants celebrates this small blue marble that we call home. Love letters to the elements, some cautionary tales, some calls to action....and you can dance to it! We'll also bid adieu to Dickey Betts, we'll give away some movie tickets and we'll keep you good company - on 93.5 locally and streaming at wvbr dot com. See you on the radio! 6-9pm EDT.

 

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia

 

 

The late Dickey Betts wrote some of the Allman Brothers’ greatest songs, including several instrumentals. Can you name two of the latter? 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Playlist

 

 

·      YouTube links follow certain entries

·      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

 

 

Note: our correspondent has sustained a wrist injury and has limited dexterity this week. The blog post will subsequently be a little bit light on content and detail. Sorry about that!

 

 

 

6-7pm 

 

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

 

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong (7/68; #116; #1 UK for five weeks – we open with a love song to our planet that would finally reach the Hot 100 twenty years later when it was featured in the film “Good Morning Vietnam.” The head of ABC Records was miffed that Louis Armstrong didn’t try to replicate his “Hello Dolly” sound, so he ordered his underlings to NOT promote this record. What a shame.)

 45cat - Louis Armstrong Orchestra And Chorus - What A Wonderful World /  Cabaret - His Master's Voice - UK - POP 1615

 

A Summer Song – Chad & Jeremy (8/64; #7 – another song that celebrates the beauty of nature.)

 

There Is a Mountain – Donovan (8/67; #7 – Donovan recorded this little paean to his surroundings with flute-and-guitar accompaniment. Four years later the Allman Brothers would turn this melody into a 30+ minute “Mountain Jam.”)

 

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver (4/71; #2 – this singalong classic came out of nowhere, but John Denver would soon become a household name. Co-writers were Bill and Taffy Danoff, from the folk troupe called Fat City.)

 Co-Writer of ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads' Dispels Myths Surrounding Song's  Origins

 

Crystal Blue Persuasion – Tommy James & Shondells (6/69; #2 – TJ had an ability to change with the times, and he captured the sense of hope and possibility that was sweeping the land.)

 

 

Day After Day (It's Slippin' Away)– Shango (3/69; #57 – this was an early warning about the dangers of climate change, wrapped in an island beat and a catchy chorus.)

 Shango (3) - Day After Day (It's Slippin' Away) / Mescalito 1969 7", S

 

What Have They Done to the Rain – Searchers (2/65; #29 – after a string of covers of American dance tunes, these Liverpudlians turned to Folk singer Malvina Reynolds for this environmental lament.)

 

Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell (7/70; #67 – Joni Mitchell was ahead of her time with this catchy cautionary tale. Several other acts would chart with their own versions, including The Neighborhood and Counting Crows.)

 Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell - Climate in Arts and History

 

Don’t It Make You Want to Go Home – Joe South (8/69; #41 – a plaintive lament recalling simpler times, and also ruing the price of progress.)

 

Cloudy – Simon & Garfunkel (6/66; dnc – a sweet little album track from their “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme” LP.)

 

 

Dreamboat Annie – Heart (12/76; #42 – the sounds of waves crashing against the shore, followed by a dreamy little number from the Wilson sisters and their band.)

 When Heart Finally Landed in the U.S. With 'Dreamboat Annie'

 

*  Shower the People – James Taylor (7/76; #22 – going out from Scottie to Peggy and all of the rest of us. That’s Carly Simon with the harmony vocals.)

 

 

Paradise – John Prine (1971; NR – many people would take a crack at this song about factory waste polluting the waters. Part of the lyric asks that his ashes be spread on this very river. Fifty years later, they would be.)

 John Prine – John Prine (1971, Vinyl) - Discogs

 

Mother Nature’s Son – The Beatles (2/68; NR – this track from the Beatles’ “White Album” was virtually a solo recording by Paul McCartney accompanied by a gentle wash of horns.)

 Helter Skelter — The Beatles' brutal song that inspired a murder spree

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

April 14 – Tony Burrows (Session singer) – 82

            – Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple) – 77

 

April 15 – Dave Edmunds – age 80

           

April 16 – Bobby Vinton – age 89

            – Dusty Springfield – born in 1939

            – Perry Botkin, Jr. – born in 1931

            – Roy Hamilton – born in 1929

            – Henry Mancini – born in 1924

  

April 19 – Alan Price (Animals) – age 82

            – Mark Volman (Turtles) – age 77

            – Larry Ramos (Association) – born 1942

 

United We Stand – Brotherhood of Man (4/70; #13 – Tony Burrows was the uncredited male vocalist on this track. He was also the lead singer of studio groups Edison Lighthouse, White Plains, First Class and The Pipkins!)

 6 Bands. 6 Hits. 1 Lead Singer | Best Classic Bands

 

Hush – Deep Purple (5/68; #4 – Ritchie Blackmore was a founding member and guitarist for this pioneering band, and this may well be one of the precursors of the genre called Heavy Metal. It's also a far cry from Billy Joe Royal's low-charting version from a year earlier.)

 

 

Creature From the Black Lagoon – Dave Edmunds (9/79; dnc – this was tucked on the back of his version of “Girl’s Talk,” and it’s a favorite of at least one long-time listener.)

 45cat - Dave Edmunds - Queen Of Hearts / The Creature From The Black Lagoon  - Swan Song - UK - SSK 19419

 

Stay Awhile – Dusty Springfield (3/64; #38 – before she became synonymous with “Blue-eyed Soul,” Dusty had a string of bouncy Girl Group hits. This one features the wild drumming of session payer Bobby Graham.)

 45cat - Dusty Springfield - Stay Awhile / Something Special - Philips - USA  - 40180

 

Black Pearl – Sonny Charles & Checkmates Ltd. (5/69; #13 – many people consider this to be Phil Spector’s final great recording. Few knew that Perry Botkin, Jr. was the record’s arranger!)

 SONNY CHARLES Black Pearl Lovely Copy £5.00 - PicClick UK

 

Unchained Melody – Roy Hamilton (4/55; #6 Pop, #1 R&B for five weeks – this oft-recorded track from the film “Unchained” is best known as a Righteous Brothers smash. Hearing this, there’s no questioning which version they modeled theirs after.)

 

 

Theme from “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs” – Percy Faith (10/60; #101 – his most famous record was “Theme from ‘A Summer Place,’ but this might be my favorite.)

 

 

Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet – Henry Mancini (5/69; #1 for three weeks – this was from Franco Zefferelli’s box office smash, and they each fed the other’s success.)

Seven Observations After Watching Franco Zeffirelli's 'Romeo and Juliet'  for the First Time Since Freshman English Class

 

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Animals (2/65; #15 – Rolling Stone ranks this at #322 in the RS500. It would be one of Alan Price’s final records with the band before striking out on his own.)

 

 

You Know What I Mean – Turtles (8/67; #12 – the group was on fire right about now. This one features horn and strings arranged by Jack Nitzsche.)

 The Turtles – You Know What I Mean (1967, Pitman Pressing, Vinyl) - Discogs

 

Windy – Association (7/67; #1 for four weeks – Hal Blaine and Joe Osborn were the rhythm section, but Larry Ramos shared lead vocals on this smash hit from the Summer of Love.)

 


 

Blue On Blue – Bobby Vinton (5/63; #3 – this was the title track from his album where all but one of the songs had “blue” in the title. The next single they’d release made it to #1.)

 45cat - Bobby Vinton - Blue On Blue / Those Little Things - Columbia -  Italy - SCMQ 1696

 

Blue Sky – The Allman Brothers Band (4/72; dnc – Dickey Betts passed away three days ago at age 80, and this was one of his many contributions to the band’s repertoire. It was also the final song that Duane Allman recorded with the band before he’d die in a motorcycle accident. Their guitar interplay is absolutely stunning here. R.I.P.)

 Jukebox - Duane Allman, Gregg Allman & Dickey Betts | Facebook

 

 

 

 

8-9pm

 

Bless the Beasts and The Children – Carpenters (11/71; #67 – this was composed by Perry Botkin, Jr. for the film of the same name. It was also tucked onto the B-side of the group’s smash “Superstar.”)

 Bless the Beasts and the Children movie review (1971) | Roger Ebert

 

Where Do the Children Play – Cat Stevens (9/71; dnc – here’s another stunning B-side, this from the “Peace Train” single. It was also the opening track of his “Tea for the Tillerman” LP.)

 Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius

 

After the Goldrush – Neil Young (10/70; NR – and here’s another brilliant post-apocalyptic album track. Two other songs were chosen for release as singles, but I would’ve chosen this one.)

 

 

*  I Just Want to Celebrate – Rare Earth (7/71; #7 Pop – we interrupt our Earth Day show to celebrate the Cornell Women’s Hockey team. Tonight graduating seniors Izzy Daniel, Amy Ruggerio and Deanna Frasier were feted at an awards banquet, and this goes out to them.)

 

 

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – Marvin Gaye (7/71; #4 Pop, #1 R&B – each of the three singles pulled from his groundbreaking album made it to #1 on the R&B chart. The other two were “Inner City Blues” and the title track: “What’s Going On.”)

 Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - song and lyrics by Marvin Gaye | Spotify

 

*  What About Me – Quicksilver Messenger Service (3/71; #100 – going out at the suggestion of John Rudan, who says “It’s Record Day, it’s 4/20 AND it’s Earth Day weekend. This one is in the vinyl library, it’s about saving the Earth and about smoking pot! It’s a trifecta!”)

 

 

Nature’s Way – Spirit (3/71; #111 – this B-side almost made the Hot 100 on its own. From their critically-acclaimed LP “The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus.”)

 Spirit – Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus (1970, Gatefold, Pitman Pressing,  Vinyl) - Discogs

 

Cool Change – Little River Band (10/79; #10 – it’s Earth Day, baby!)

 Cool Change LYRICS by Little River Band ...

 

*  Saturn – Stevie Wonder (4/76; NR – this track was taken from his “Songs in the Key of Life” LP, and is written in the voice of an interplanetary observer who can see that we’re headed down the wrong road….)

 Stevie Wonder - Saturn, Ebony Eyes / All Day Sucker, Easy Goin' Evening (My  Mama's Call) (7inch-Vinyl Record/Used)

 

Out In the Country – Three Dog Night (8/70; #15 – a breath of fresh air from the pen of Paul Williams.)

 

 

*  For Everyman – Jackson Browne (10/73; NR – this is the closing track from one of Jackson Browne’s many fine albums, going out to Doug Simon from his old junior high buddy Chuck. That’s David Lindley playing those splendid guitar licks.)

 For Everyman - Wikipedia

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Trivia Answer

 

 

In addition to having written Blue Sky and Ramblin’ Man, Dickey Betts also composed In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and Jessica.

 

Congratulations to Mike from downtown and to Robin from Connecticut, for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of passes to Cinemapolis!

 

 

 

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 (4/27):  Kim Vaughan with a spotlight on songs that say "Again."

 

 

 

Thanks for tuning in - and for voting us Ithaca's Best Local Radio Show in this year's Ithaca Times Readers' Poll! 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, too, to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

4/13/24 - GJ - This Week in Rock History

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:  April 13, 2024

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: This Week in Rock History

Birthday Calendar

April 7

Janis Ian 73 years old

John Oates 76 years old

Patricia Bennett  (Chiffons)  77 years old

Mongo Santamaria  b. 1922

April 8

Mel Schacher  (Grand Funk Railroad bassist)  73 years old

Leon Huff   82 years old

April 9

Gene Parsons  80 years old

April 10

Brian Setzer (Stray Cats)  65 years old

April 12

David Cassidy  b. 1950  d. 2017

John Kay   80 years old

April 13

Al Green  78 years old

Lowell George  b. 1945  d. 1979

Jack Casady  (Jefferson Airplane)   80 years old

Lester Chambers  84 years old

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

What was Brian Jones’ stage name when he first met Mick Jagger and Keith Richards at the Ealing Jazz Club in West London in 1962? 

(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

* Rod Crouch’s blog “Inside the Rock Era” was the source for some of the information below.

6:00-7:00

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

That’ll Be the Day Buddy Holly and the Crickets 1957  #1

April 7 1958:  Alan Freed's "Big Beat Show," a concert at Memorial Hall in Canton, Ohio featured Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Chantels.

ALAN FREED CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY IN ...

Paperback Writer   Beatles   1966  #1

April 13 1966:  Without any prior rehearsal, the Beatles began recording "Paperback Writer," developing the song over 6 1/2 hours.

The Beatles recording Paperback Writer ...

Maybe    The Chantels   1958   #15  H100

Maybe (The Chantels song) - Wikipedia

King Bee Rolling Stones  1964  NR

April 7 1962:  Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met Brian Jones for the first time at the Ealing Jazz Club in West London.  At the time, Jones was called Elmo Lewis. Jones played lead guitar on “King Bee.” off their first LP in 1964.

The Ealing Club: the unlikely ...

Twistin' The Night Away    Sam Cooke  1962  #1 RB  #9 H100

April 7 1962:  Sam Cooke remained atop the R&B chart for a third week with "Twistin' The Night Away." The sax solo was by Jewell Grant

Jewell Grant Discography | DiscogsSam Cooke – Twistin' The Night Away ...

*Johnny Angel    Shelley Fabares   1962  #1

April 7 1962:  Shelley Fabares moved to #1 with "Johnny Angel."  Darlene Love and the Blossoms were the backing singers. Requested by Barbara and dedicated to John Simon.

Johnny Angel (song) - Wikipedia

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head  B.J. Thomas  1970  #1

April 7, 1970:  "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" (from the movie Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid ) won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head ...

*Yakety Yak Coasters  1958  #1 RB  #1 H100

Sax solo by King Curtis, Mike Stoller on piano.

Yakety Yak - song and lyrics by The ...

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia  Vicki Lawrence   1973  #1

April 7, 1973  Vicki Lawrence topped the Hot 100 Singles chart with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia". A Southern gothic pop song with a plot twist at the end.

the Lights Went Out in Georgia - Wikipedia

Love Takes Time  Orleans   1979  #11 Peak

April 7, 1979:  Orleans had one of the hottest new songs on the radio with "Love Takes Time"

VINYL 7 " ORLEANS LOVE TAKES TIME / ISN ...Orleans - Love Takes Time - YouTube

All Shook Up  Elvis Presley  1957   #1

April 8 1957:  Elvis occupied the #1 spot with "All Shook Up".

All Shook Up - Wikipedia

Kansas City   Wilbert Harrison   1959   #1

April 8 1959:  Wilbert Harrison released the single "Kansas City.” Just before the guitar solo by Jimmy Spruill, Harrison says a word that many people have interpreted as “mustang,” but I hear it as “muskrat.”

Spotlight: Wilbert Harrison ...

Where Did Our Love Go?  Supremes   1964  #1

April 8 1964:  The Supremes recorded "Where Did Our Love Go" for Motown. The record would become their first #1 hit. The sax solo was by Mike Terry.

EML's Favorite Songs – “Where Did Our ...

I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)  Aretha Franklin  1967  #1 RB  #9 H100

April 8 1967:  Aretha Franklin had the #1 R&B song for the third week with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)." Cissy Houston and Aretha’s sisters Erma and Carolyn sang back up.

Erma Franklin Isn't Just Aretha's Older ...

That Would Be Something   Paul McCartney  1970  NR

April 9 1970:  Paul McCartney quit the Beatles.  The news was announced the following day. This was the first complete song McCartney recorded for his first solo album.

 McCartney III ...

(You're My) Soul And Inspiration Righteous Brothers  1966  #1

April 9 1966: The Righteous Brothers began a three-week stay at #1 with "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration." You heard the “long” version of this track produced by Jack Nitzsche and Bill Medley

The Number Ones: The Righteous Brothers ...

Let's Dance   David Bowie   1983    #1

April 9 1983:  David Bowie reached #1 on the U.K. Singles chart with "Let's Dance." The track featured guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan at the end, although David Bowie mimed the solo in the video.

David Bowie - Let's Dance [ECD ...

7:00-8:00

Watermelon Man Mongo Santamaria  1963  #10 H100  #8 RB

This record is considered by some to be the beginning of the music genre known as Latin boogaloo.

MONGO SANTAMARIA - WATERMELON MAN - YouTubeMongo Santamaria - Watermelon Man / Fat ...

He's So Fine    Chiffons   1963   #1 (four weeks) H100

He's So Fine by The Chiffons ...45cat - The Chiffons - He's So Fine ...

How Does It Feel to Be Back?   Hall and Oates   1980  #30

John Oates wrote and sang lead on this track.

Daryl Hall & John Oates – How Does It ...

From Me to You Janis Ian  1975  NR

Truly an overlooked gem, with a chord progression that sounds a little like Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home.”

From Me To You — Janis Ian | Last.fm

Footstompin' Music   Grand Funk Railroad   1972  #27

Before joining GFR, Mel Schacher (below left) was the bassist for Question Mark and the Mysterians.

On this date in 1971, GRAND FUNK ...

Use Ta Be My Girl    O’Jays  1978  #4H100  #1 RB

IMHO, one of the best compositions Gamble and Huff ever wrote.

The Sound of Philadelphia, in the Words ...

Deportee  Byrds  1969  NR

From the Byrds’ “Easy Rider” album, this is a Woody Guthrie song based on actual events.

Woody Guthrie Song ...Woody Guthrie - Wikipedia

Rev It Up and Go   Stray Cats 1981

Brian Setzer wrote, sang and played lead guitar.

Live At The Roxy 1981 | Stray Cats

Magic Carpet Ride Steppenwolf  1968 #3

Apparently, the song is a testimonial to a new stereo system (the “sound machine” of the first verse) that John Kay had recently purchased.

Magic Carpet Ride ...

Am I Losing You?    Partridge Family  1972  #59

The instrumentation was by the Wrecking Crew.

Partridge Family (Single, Pop): Reviews ...

Crown of Creation Jefferson Airplane  1968  #64

The lyrics were taken from a science fiction novel.

Crown of Creation' review – top ...

Trouble  Little Feat   1972  NR

Not released as a single, but an acoustic hidden gem on Little Feat’s “Sailin’ Shoes” album.

Little Feat - Wikipedia

L-O-V-E (Love)    Al Green   April 12 1975  #1 RB  #13 H100

45cat - Al Green - L-O-V-E (Love) / I ...

All Strung Out Over You    Chambers Brothers  1966

The group recorded this song after Columbia Records rejected “Time Has Come Today.” After “All Strung Out” became a regional hit, they went back into the studio to re-record “Time Has Come Today.”

Chambers Brothers (Single; CBS; 3390 ...

*What is Life? George Harrison   1971  #10

Harrison was accompanied by Eric Clapton and most of the Delaney and Bonnie band (which morphed into Derek and the Dominos).  Requested by Scottie for Mecklenburg Peggy.

George Harrison had a black eye ...

8:00-9:00

I'm Walkin’  Ricky Nelson  1957  #4

April 10 1957:  For the first time on the television show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Ricky Nelson sang "I'm Walking." Released in the same month as composer Fats Domino’s version, both versions reached #4. Joe Maphis played the guitar—Nelson had yet to team up with guitarist James Burton. In the video below, his youth, inexperience and nerves are on full display.



Splish Splash Bobby Darrin  1958  #3

April 10 1958:  Bobby Darin recorded this at Atlantic Studios in New York City. 

Bobby Darin - Bobby Darin // Splish ...

It's Not Unusual   Tom Jones   1965   #10

April 10 1965:   Tom Jones debuted on the U.S chart with his first career single.



I Heard It Through the Grapevine   Marvin Gaye  1968  #1   

April 10 1967:  Marvin Gaye finished recording "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" after five sessions that began on February 3. There were two Funk Brothers playing drums, and it was Richard “Pistol” Allen who played the distinctive tom-tom hits.

Bring in Da Funk Brothers

Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)  Temptations  1971  #1

April 10 1971:  The Temptations finished a second week at #1 with their biggest hit.  After several years of recording psychedelic soul songs, this was a return to their classic sound.

The Temptations - Just My Imagination ...

Baker Street    Gerry Rafferty  1978  #2

April 10 1978:  Gerry Rafferty released the single "Baker Street." Session musician Raphael Ravenscroft played the iconic solo on his alto sax which, he has said, was slightly out of tune.

Iconic Sax Riff in Pop Music, Dies ...

Do You Believe In Love?  Huey Lewis and the News  1982  #7

April 10, 1982: The first hit from Huey Lewis & the News broke into the top 10. A 2024 Broadway musical, The Heart of Rock and Roll, is inspired by Huey Lewis’ music.

Huey Lewis and the News Musical The ...

Please, Please, Please    James Brown and the Famous Flames  1956  #5

April 11 1956:  James Brown made his debut on the R&B charts with "Please, Please, Please." Even if you have seen the video below, it is worth revisiting. The footwork of the Famous Flames is very sharp and reminiscent of the Temptations--except the Flames pre-dated the Temptations by five years!



Raindrops Dee Clark   1961   #2

April 12 1961:  Dee Clark released the single "Raindrops" on Vee-Jay Records.

Rain Drops - song and lyrics by Dee ...

Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In   5th Dimension   1969  #1

April 12 1969:  The 5th Dimension moved into the #1 position with the song that would spend six weeks topping the chart.

The Fifth Dimension: The Age of ...

Jet Airliner   Steve Miller Band  1977   #8

April 11, 1977:  The Steve Miller Band released the single "Jet Airliner." You heard an alternate (and funkier) version from his “Welcome to the Vault” album.

The Steve Miller Band – Jet Airliner ...

Come Softly To Me   Fleetwoods  1959  #1

April 13 1959:  The Fleetwoods had the #1 song with "Come Softly To Me." You heard a stereo version starting with the left channel.

Come Softly to Me - Album by The ...

Walk On By   Dionne Warwick     1964  #6

April 13 1964:  Dionne Warwick released the single "Walk On By." The video below reveals Warwick's vocal prowess and phrasing in a live intimate setting.



Total Eclipse of the Heart    Bonnie Tyler   1983   #1

This song jumped back onto the charts this week in 2024 because so many people streamed it for the recent total eclipse.  Rory Dodd provided the second vocal.

billboard charts on X: "Bonnie Tyler's ...

We Are The World    USA for Africa    1985   #1

April 13 1985:  USA for Africa rose to #1 with "We Are The World"--and it would stay there for four weeks. Don’t miss the documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop” about its overnight marathon recording session.

We Are the World': A Minute-by-Minute ...

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

Trivia Answer

When Brian Jones first met Keith Richards and Mick Jagger in 1962, he called himself Elmo Lewis.

Congratulations to Mike from Ithaca’s West Hill for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of 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

RB = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records

Host April 20, 2024: John Simon with a spotlight on Earth Day

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!