December 29, 2024 - GJ - My Back Pages: Seven Years as a Rockin' Remnants Host

Rockin’ Remnants

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Date: December 28, 2024

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: My Back Pages: Seven Years Hosting Rockin’ Remnants

Birthday Calendar

December 22

Robin and Maurice Gibb  1949

Rick Nielson  (Cheap Trick guitarist)  78 years old

James Gurley (Big Brother/Holding Company guitarist)  1939

December 23

Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly drummer)  1941

Jorma Kaukonen   84 years old

Johnny Kidd  1935

December 24

Lee Dorsey   1924

December 25

Merry Clayton  76 years old

Jimmy Buffett   1946

Noel Redding  1945

Pete Brown (Cream lyricist)  1940

Annie Lennox   70 years old

December 26

Abdul Duke Fakir (Four Tops)  1935

December 27

Larry Byrom  (Steppenwolf guitarist)  76 years old

Mike Pinder  (Moody Blues keyboards)  1941

Scotty Moore  1931

Karla Bonoff  72 years old

December 28

Alex Chilton  1950

Mary Weiss (Shangri-Las)  1948

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

Question: In the 6:00 hour I played two songs whose titles consisted of two repeated first names. 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

6:00-7:00

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

My Back Pages Byrds   1967  #30

The Byrds had already covered six Dylan songs previously, and David Crosby believed that releasing yet another one would be too derivative. However, the song did well in the marketplace and with critics.

She Belongs to Me Bob Dylan   DNC  1965 

The original title of the song was “Worse Than Money.” Legend has it that Dylan did give Joan Baez an Egyptian ring.

*Walking Man James Taylor    1974  DNC

The walking man was James’ father Ike.

You Keep Me Hanging On Supremes   1966  #1

The song was recorded in eight sessions before Holland-Dozier and Holland were satisfied.

Turn On Your Love Light Bobby Blue Bland  1962  #28 H100  #2 RB

This track is in the Grammy Hall of Fame as well as on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of the 500 songs that shaped rock and roll.

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes Crosby Stills & Nash 1969   #21

Judy Collins broke up with Stephen Stills for the actor Stacy Keach. When Stills played the song for Collins, she told him it was “a beautiful song, but it’s not winning me back.”

Open My Eyes Nazz  1968  #112

Todd Rundgren apparently discovered the flanging or phasing effect (the whooshing sound) accidentally when he manipulated the playback on a two track tape machine. The music video below is not a live performance and is notable only for its historical significance.

Dancing in the Street Martha and the Vandellas    1964  #2

Martha Reeves had a strong influence on the ultimate sound of the song, which was recorded in two takes.

Jenny Jenny   Little Richard    1957  #10  H100  #2 RB

Louie Louie Kingsmen    1963  #2 

Herb Alpert passed on distributing the record on A&M Records. Sales of the record were sluggish until a Boston DJ played it as “the Worst Record of the Week.” To hear Richard Berry's actual lyrics, see the video below.

One Fine Day Chiffons    1963  #5

Composer Carole King played the piano at the top of the song.

Great Balls of Fire Jerry Lee Lewis     1958  #2 H100  #1 CW  #3 RB

The record sold a million copies in the first ten days of its release.

Slip Away Clarence Carter   1968  #6

This track was released as the B-side to Carter’s “Funky Fever” in the hopes that “Slip Away” would become a “flip hit.”

Lies Knickerbockers     1966  #20

The song was written, according to the band, in less than half an hour. The final version was recorded at Leon Russell’s home studio.

When Will I Be Loved? Linda Ronstadt   1975  #2

Joining Ronstadt on vocals were Kenny Edwards and Andrew Gold. The clip below also includes her version of "Willin'."

Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher   Jackie Wilson   1967  #6 H100   #1 RB

The Motown Funk Brothers and Andantes moonlighted on this Brunswick label track.

7:00-8:00

Stayin’ Alive   Bee Gees  1978 #1 (4 weeks)  

The Bee Gees recorded most of the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack in France for tax reasons. This record was on the Hot 100 for 27 weeks.

I Want You to Want Me     Cheap Trick  1977  DNC

The studio version of the song did not chart in the U.S. but it reached #1 in Japan which led to the group’s concerts in 1979 at Budokan and the live version of the song that reached #7 in the U.S.

Piece of My Heart   Big Brother/Holding Company w/ Janis Joplin  1968 #12    Grammy Hall of Fame, RRHOF,  RS 500

James Gurley's guitar work is a significant aspect of the song's impact.

Easy Rider   Iron Butterfly  #66  1970

This was Iron Butterfly's second biggest record, and it had some great Ron Bushy drumming and excellent slide guitar.

Shakin’ All Over Johnny Kidd and the Pirates   1960  DNC

The original version with Joe Moretti on lead guitar.

Genesis   Jorma Kaukonen  1974  NR

The song describes a difficult time in Kaukonen’s relationship with his wife Margareta. He has said, “Many of the best songs get written in a state of abject misery. I prefer to write fewer songs and have less cataclysmic events in my life.”

Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley   Lee Dorsey   1971  DNC

This was the original version of the Allen Toussaint song.

A Song for You Merry Clayton 1971  NR

A sublime version that reveals even further the brilliance of Leon Russell's classic composition.

Margaritaville   Jimmy Buffett   1977  #8

This was a special holiday dispensation from the Remnants team.  We don’t usually play re-recorded versions of songs on Rockin’ Remnants, but in the spirit of the holidays, the hosts agreed that I could play this live version recorded in 1999 because the “missing verse” deserves to be heard. 

Sweet Dreams    Eurythmics   1983  #1

This was the first Eurythmics single released in the U.S.

Reach Out   Four Tops   1966  #1 RB and H 100.

Lamont Dozier said he deliberately alternated keys from minor in the verse to major in the chorus. Dozier has also said the song was a tribute to Bob Dylan’s songwriting and performance styles. This was an unusual instance in which a Motown group lobbied for the song not to be released, but Berry Gordy insisted that it be released. In the video below, the late Abdul Duke Fakir (the last Top to pass on) is the guy in the middle of the trio.

I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine     Elvis Presley  1956  #74

Guitarist Scotty Moore experimented with dissonance on this track--and it worked. Way ahead of its time.

Born to Be Wild   Steppenwolf   1968  #2

The Letter    Box Tops   1967  #1

8:00-9:00

Sympathy for the Devil Rolling Stones    1968  DNC

An early working title for the track was “The Devil Is My Name.” Mick Jagger has said that he wrote the song in the style of Bob Dylan. Keith Richards changed the song’s original folk rhythm to a samba.

Runaway Bonnie Raitt  1977  #57

I’m Walkin’ Fats Domino  1957   #4 H100  #1 RB

This track is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag James Brown  1965  #8 H100  #1 RB

This record received a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. The tempo of the track was increased and the pitch was raised for the single release.

Sherry Four Seasons    1962   #1 H100 and RB

Bob Gaudio claims the song was written in 15 minutes, inspired by the style of “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel.

Just One Look Doris Troy  1963  #10 H100   #3 RB 

Atlantic Records released the studio demo as the finished product.

I Want to Take You Higher Sly and the Family Stone  1969  #60/1970 #38

This was originally the B-side to “Stand.” It had two releases. Dig the string section in the video below.

Twelve Thirty Mamas and Papas    1967  #20

This song, along with "California Dreaming," focuses on the contrast between New York City and Los Angeles.

*All I Have to Do is Dream Everly Brothers   1958  #1 H100, RB, CW

This triple chart-topping track was recorded in two takes at the RCA Nashville studios. Requested by Scottie for Peggy.

Soul Man Sam and Dave   1967  #2  H100  #1 RB

The lyric “I was educated at Woodstock” refers to what was once a segregated Tennessee vocational school.

Nature’s Way Spirit   1971  #111

Released around the time of the first Earth Day, this was, according to some observers, the first song to address environmental damage caused by humans. Check out Randy California's guitar solo at the 2:00 mark.

For No One Beatles  NR   1966

The French horn was played by Alan Civil who was one of the few non-Beatle musicians given credit in liner notes.

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling Righteous Brothers    1965  #1 H100  #3 RB

The Righteous Brothers were the first blue-eyed soul singers recorded by Phil Spector. Bill Medley has said he did not think initially the song was right for the Righteous Brothers, but it would be great for the Everly Brothers.

Angel of the Morning Merilee Rush and the Turnabouts 1968  #7

Composer Chip Taylor was inspired to write the song by “Ruby Tuesday.” It was recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis using the studio band rather than the Turnabouts (who are credited on the label).

Willin’ Little Feat    1971  NR

Lowell George wrote the song when he was in The Mothers of Invention. When he heard it, Frank Zappa suggested (or insisted) that Lowell George form his own band. As influential and acclaimed as Little Feat has been, not one of their songs has ever charted on the Hot 100. The high point of the video is Bill Payne's exquisite piano solo at 1:42.

Because They’re Young Duane Eddy   1960  #4

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

Trivia Answer

“Jenny Jenny” (Little Richard) and “Louie Louie” (Kingsmen)

Congratulations to Michael from 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

CW = Billboard’s chart for country and western records

RB = 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 January 4, 2025: Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on the 1970’s.

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