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Date: August 24, 2024
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Chart Climbers Late August 1965-69
Birthday Calendar
August 18
Sarah Dash (LaBelle) (b. 1945)
Maxine Brown 85 years old
August 19
Johnny Nash (b. 1940)
Ginger Baker (b. 1939)
August 20
Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy vocalist/bassist) b. 1949
Robert Plant 76 years old
Isaac Hayes (b. 1942)
August 21
Jackie DeShannon 83 years old
James Burton 85 years old
Kenny Rogers (b. 1938)
Clydie King (b. 1943)
August 22
Ron Dante (Archies) (79 years old)
August 23
Keith Moon (b. 1946)
August 24
Mason Williams (86 years old)
Rock n’ Roll Trivia
Question:
I played two songs in the 6:00 hour that were considered Raga Rock because they imitated the sound of a sitar. What were they?
(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)
Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag James Brown #14 (up from 20) 8/21/1965
This was Brown’s first single to reach the Top 10 and it topped the R&B chart for eight weeks. It also won a Grammy.
Sunshine Superman Donovan #10 (up from 20) 8/20/1966
This was Donovan’s only single to reach the top of the Hot 100. Jimmy Page played lead guitar.
Ode to Billie Joe Bobbie Gentry #1 (up from 7) 8/26/1967
Jimmie Haskell won a Grammy for his arrangement of four violins and two cellos.
*I’d Wait a Million Years Grassroots #26 (up from 27) 8/23/1969 Jimmie Haskell arranged the horns on this track. Requested by Scottie for Peggy.
Heart Full of Soul Yardbirds #30 (up from 49) 8/21/1965
The song originally featured a sitar (and hence was an early example of raga rock), but ultimately Jeff Beck simulated the effect of a sitar on the fuzz box of his guitar.
Hush Deep Purple #38 (up from 83) 8/24/1968
The song was written by Joe South. This was Deep Purples first hit single and it jumped up 45 places on the Hot 100 this week in 1968.
You Can’t Hurry Love Supremes #28 (up from #66) 8/20/1966
This is an alternate take in which Diana Ross sang with more freedom on her lead vocal. She also forgot the lyrics about 40 seconds into the take.
Come Back When You Grow Up Bobby Vee and the Strangers #14 (up from 27) 8/26/1967
This was a comeback track for Bobby Vee at the ripe old age of 24.
You’re All I Need to Get By Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell #15 (up from 23) 8/24/1968
This was the last song Tammy Terrell sang live when Marvin Gaye came into the audience to her wheelchair at the Apollo Theater and sang along with her.
Green River Creedence Clearwater Revival #7 (up from 15) 8/23/1969
John Fogerty has said that the song was his attempt to recreate the sound on Sun Records.
Tracks of My Tears Miracles #23 (up from 30) 8/21/1965
Smokey Robinson has written that the song originated with guitarist Marv Tarplin’s opening guitar figure.
Bus Stop Hollies #31 (up from 47) 8/20/1966
Some musicologists have noted that this song emulated the raga rock musical style that was popular at the time.
*25 Miles Edwin Starr 1969
Requested by Terry for his wife Barbara.
*Crossroads Cream 1969
Frank James, the host for 30 years of WVBR’s blues program Crossroads (Saturdays 9 am – 12 noon) has retired from the show. Crossroads has a new host: Mike Allinger.
Nitty Gritty Gladys Knight and the Pips #30 (up from 39) 8/23/1969
This was released on Motown’s Soul label. It reached #2 on the RB chart.
7:00
Won’t Get Fooled Again LaBelle 1972 NR
LaBelle's version is proof that Pete Townshend was prophetic and that the song is ageless.
It’s Gonna Be Alright Maxine Brown 1965 #56 H100
In addition to “Oh No, Not My Baby,” Maxine Brown recorded this Carol King and Gerry Goffin tune as well.
I Can See Clearly Now Johnny Nash 1972 #1
This was a smash from his 12th album, recorded with members of Jamaica’s Fabulous Five, Inc.
We’re Going Wrong Cream 1967 NR
Ginger Baker used timpani drum mallets on this track.
The Boys Are Back in Town Thin Lizzy 1976 #12 H100
The song is played at most Irish rugby matches.
Ramble On Led Zeppelin 1969 NR
Robert Plant was the primary lyricist for the song.
It’s All In the Game Isaac Hayes 1980 #107 H100
Isaac Hayes got up close and personal on this one.
It’s So Nice Jackie DeShannon 1970 #84 H100
One of the coolest Jackie DeShannon records you may never have heard--and it's all one chord!
Believe What You Say Ricky Nelson 1958 #4H100 #6 RB #10 CW
This was the second Ricky Nelson single on which James Burton played guitar.
‘Bout Time Clydie King 1971 #45 RB
In the late ‘60s into the ‘70s, Clydie King was an in-demand backing singer for Ray Charles, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, Humble Pie, the Stones, Steely Dan, Linda Ronstadt and many others. This record brought her abundant talent front and center.
So In Love With You Kenny Rogers 1981 DNC
The song was written by Lionel Richie, who also produced the record.
Jingle Jangle Archies 1969 1970 #10 H100
That’s Ron Dante singing in falsetto along with Toni Wine.
Sparks The Who 1969 NR
Keith Moon shines on this track from The Who’s rock opera “Tommy.”
Classical Gas Mason Williams 1968 #2 H100
Legend has it that the title was originally “Classical Gasoline” but was shortened inadvertently by a music copyist. The Wrecking Crew provided the additional instrumentation.
8:00
Like a Rolling Stone Bob Dylan #16 (up from 26) 8/21/1965
The first copies released to radio had the first two verses and refrains on one side and the remainder of the song on the other. When the first side ran out, radio DJs would talk while they turned the record over or they would play a commercial, then they would play the rest of the song. Eventually Columbia released the entire 6 minute song on one side.
Fakin’ It Simon and Garfunkel #23 (up from 28) 8/26/1967
Number 23 was its top chart position. In the song, Simon sings "prior to this lifetime, I surely was a tailor." Simon’s father later revealed to him that his grandfather had indeed been a tailor whose first name was also Paul.
Working in the Coal Mine Lee Dorsey #17 (up from 22) 8/20/1966
The sound of the pickaxe was made by hitting the microphone stand with a drum stick.
The Letter Box Tops #25 (up from 58) 8/26/1967
The Box Tops were known originally as The DeVilles (like the Cadillac). Producer Dan Penn coached Alex Chilton to sing “aeroplane” to match the rhythm of the other lyrics and to emphasize what a hurry the narrator was to get back to his baby.
You Keep Me Hangin’ On Vanilla Fudge #11 (up from 14) 8/24/1968
This was the Fudge’s first single, recorded in one take. The album version clocked in at 7:26 but the radio edit was 2:59 long.
Honky Tonk Women Rolling Stones #1 (up from 2) 8/23/1969
Keith Richards credits Mick Taylor (second from left below) with turning “Country Honk” into this rocking non-album single release. Taylor says the track was mostly in place by the time he showed up to replace Brian Jones on guitar.
In the Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett #27 (up from 37) 8/21/1965
Pickett sang in The Falcons before he went solo, and on one 1962 recording he used the phrase “in the midnight hour.”
Say I Am (What I Am) Tommy James and the Shondells #37 (up from 58) 8/20/1966
This was the second single from their debut album “Hanky Panky.”
Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie Jay and the Techniques #19 (up from 24) 8/26/1967
This was mostly Jay Proctor since session musicians played on the track rather than the Techniques.
Light My Fire Jose Feliciano #4 (up from 5) 8/24/1968
Robbie Krieger has said that Feliciano’s “more accessible” version was the song’s first cover and that, because of it, many more covers followed.
Help! Beatles #3 (up from 14) 8/21/1965
John Lennon has said that the song was an actual plea for help with all the pressures he experienced with sudden fame.
Get Together Youngbloods #9 (up from 14) 8/23/1969
Chet Powers (a.k.a. Dino Valenti) wrote the song around 1963. The song became well-known after the Kingston Trio recorded it in 1964. The best known version is, of course, by the Youngbloods.
Thank the Lord for the Night Time Neil Diamond #13 (up from 19) 8/26/1967
The song was at its peak position (#13) during this week in 1967.
Sunny Bobby Hebb #2 (up from 7) 8/20/1966
While Bobby Hebb was opening for the Beatles in 1966, “Sunny” was charting higher on the Hot 100 than any Beatles song at that moment.
Journey to the Center of the Mind Amboy Dukes 8/24/1968 #16 (up from 17)
The song reached its peak Hot 100 position of #16 this week in 1968.
Did You See Her Eyes The Illusion #36 (up from 46) 8/23/1969
This was the only major record from this Long Island one hit wonder group.
CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
Trivia Answer
ANSWER: Sunshine Superman (Donovan) and Bus Stop (Hollies) were considered early examples of raga rock.
Congratulations to Greg from Ithaca 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
CW = Billboard’s chart for country and western records
RB = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records
Host 8/31/24: 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!
