Wednesday, January 14, 2026

January 10, 2026 - JS - Mostly Mono

 

 

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:  1/10/26

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Mostly Mono

 



 Tonight on WVBR's Rockin' Remnants: punchy mono mixes, just like they sounded back in the day. Like the label says "Produced & Mixed for Greater & Sharper Sound Reproduction on the Air." We'll start in January of 1965 and branch out from there. Take a break from doom scrolling and let yourself recharge. 6-9pm Eastern Time with something for everyone.

 

 

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia

 

 

We started the show with four #1 records from early 1965. Two of those acts had multiple #1s during the calendar year. Who were they, and which had more?

 

(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

 

 

 

6-7pm 

 

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

 

I Feel Fine – The Beatles (1/65; #1 – this record was in its third and final week at #1, and would be the first of five #1 singles for group in 1965, helped in part by the summertime release of their second major motion picture. Tonight we hear the Capitol Records mono 45 mix.)

 Amazon.com: i feel fine / she's a woman 45 rpm single: CDs & Vinyl

 

Come See About Me – Supremes (1/65; #1 – this single had reached #1 in late December, and would storm back next week to reclaim the #1 slot from The Beatles, who had displaced them for three weeks. It was also their third of five consecutive #1s. The British Invasion didn’t faze them in the least!)

 

 

Let’s Lock the Door (And Throw Away the Key) – Jay & The Americans (1/65; #50, headed to #11 – their previous record had spent two weeks at #3 and was also co-written by Wes Farrell. This one opens with the creak of a door and sounds even more exuberant in mono than in stereo!)

 Jay & The Americans – Lets Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key) – Vinyl  (7", 45 RPM + 2 more), 1965 [r13392113] | Discogs

 

Downtown – Petula Clark (1/65; #5, headed to #1 – “Downtown” was her chart debut here in The States and would take over the top slot from The Supremes in two weeks. Tonight we opt for the stereo version, which sounds really good through good speakers.)

 

 

This Diamond Ring – Sammy Ambrose (1/65; #117 – this record was released on January 9th on the Musicor label, but a rival version appeared on the chart a week later on Liberty Records. That version was also featured on The Ed Sullivan Show and had plenty of star power backing it: the leader of the band was Jerry Lewis’ son and Liberty was a much bigger label. Sammy’s version was completely overwhelmed by Gary Lewis & The Playboys’ record, which would reach #1 a month later. Sammy’s was gone after one week.)

 Sammy Ambrose – This Diamond Ring – Vinyl (7", 45 RPM + 2 more), 1964  [r3970376] | Discogs

 

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling – Righteous Brothers (1/65; at #9 this week, headed to #1 – this was the duo’s first single for Phil Spector’s label, and it became one of the biggest records of the era. It would replace Petula Clark’s “Downtown” after two weeks and would stay on top for two weeks, only to be knocked out by “This Diamond Ring.” BMI certified it as the most-played record of the 20th century, based on radio and television numbers. Tonight we hear it in glorious mono, the way it was meant to be heard.)

 

 

Look Through Any Window – Hollies (1/66; #32 Pop, #4 UK – this was co-written by Graham Gouldman, who was also churning out hits for Herman’s Hermits and The Yardbirds. He’d soon write “Bus Stop” for these guys and would later form the band 10CC. Tonight we hear the punchy mono mix in all its glory.)

 




 

You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice – Lovin’ Spoonful (1/66; #10 – this was the second of seven consecutive Top Ten singles for the NYC group, all from the pen of lead singer John Sebastian. Part of the magic of this one is in the background vocals, which often get obscured in the stereo mixes. Tonight we hear it the way it was meant to be heard!)

 The Lovin' Spoonful – You Didn't Have To Be So Nice – Vinyl (LP, Album,  Stereo), 1966 [r3732764] | Discogs

 

Attack – The Toys (1/66; #18 – this was their follow-up to “A Lover’s Concerto,” which had spent three weeks stuck at #2. It would be their only other Top Twenty record, and they’d soon fade into obscurity.)

 

 

*  Hang On Sloopy – The McCoys (8/65; #1 – they were a bunch of teenagers from rural Ohio who were discovered by NYC record producers/performers who, touring as The Strangeloves, had already recorded the backing tracks for their next record. In a hurry to rush this out, they flew young Rick Zehringer into New York to record his vocals. He’d soon change his last name to “Derringer,” and the rest is history. BTW – you may have heard this two weeks ago on Gregory James’ “Three Chords” show!)

  

Hooked On a Feeling – BJ Thomas (1/69; #5 – this one was peaking on this date in 1969 in its second of two weeks at #5. It was written by Nashville writer Mark James, who would also write “Eyes of a New York Woman” and “Suspicious Minds,” among others. This record spent 16 weeks on the charts, and sounds best in mono on full blast.)

 

 

45 Corner:  She’s a Lady – John Sebastian (1/69; #84 – JS parted ways with The Lovin’ Spoonful to embark on a solo career. This was his first single, which clocked in at 1:45 and spent two weeks at #85 before reaching #84 and then disappearing. Tonight we hear the mono 45 on Kama Sutra records, just the way it sounded back in the day.)

 John Sebastian – She's A Lady – Vinyl (7", 45 RPM, Single), [r6625419] |  Discogs

 

*  Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (6/70; #14 – Neil Young wrote this in the aftermath of the Kent State massacre of four student protestors by National Guard troops on May 4, 1970. Several commentators have posited that this week’s killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis may well be ‘this generation’s Kent State.’ The caller requesting this one sounded like a college-aged male. The anger and outrage is sadly similar….)

 



 

Something In The Air – Thunderclap Newman (6/69; #37 – this became a protest anthem that spent four weeks at #1 in the UK and would be used in multiple movies to highlight the urgency of young people fighting for change. It would bubble under again at #120 in October of 1970 after its appearance in the film The Strawberry Statement. Tonight we hear the punchy mono version as a tribute to the tens of thousands who took to the streets today across the US protesting the murder of Renee Good by an ICE operative in Minneapolis.)

 


 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

January 4 – Arthur Conley – born 1946

 

January 6 – Doris Troy – born in 1937

 

January 7 – Paul Revere (Raiders) – born in 1938

            – Kenny Loggins – age 78

  

January 8 – Elvis Presley – born in 1935

            – Little Anthony (Imperials) – age 85

            – Robbie Krieger (Doors) – age 80

     – David Bowie – born in 1947

  

January 9 – Roy Head – born in 1941

            – Joan Baez – age 85

            – Scott Engel (Walker Bros) – born 1943

            – Jimmy Page – age 82

            – Crystal Gayle – age 75

  

January 10 – Johnnie Ray – born in 1927

            – Jim Croce – born in 1943

            – Rod Stewart – age 81

     – Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) – age 78

 

 

Just One Look – Doris Troy (6/63; #10 – Doris Troy wrote and charted one lone hit on the Hot 100 during her years at Atlantic, but what a hit it was! It would later be covered by The Hollies, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt and others, but Doris would go on to a successful career as a back-up singer in England. One cool line item on her resume: she can be heard on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon LP.)

 Just One Look / Bossa Nova Blues by Doris Troy (Single; Atlantic; ATL  70.106): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music

 

I Can’t Stop (No, No, No) – Arthur Conley (8/66; dnc – Conley was recording at FAME Studios in Alabama when he encountered Otis Redding, who took him under his wing. Together they would turn an obscure Sam Cooke song into a massive radio hit called “Sweet Soul Music,” but that would be the pinnacle of his recording career. Tonight we hear a non-charting single from about six months prior, released on the FAME Records label.)

 

Kicks – Paul Revere & The Raiders, feat. Mark Lindsay (3/66; #4 – Barry Mann & Cynthia Weill wrote a couple of big hits for these guys, but none as big as this anti-drug rocker. Paul Revere lent the band his name and had chosen their Revolutionary War costumes, as well as played the keyboard in the band, but lead singer Mark Lindsay was the main attraction. Here’s one of the greatest punchy mono singles of that year!)

 Remembering 'Kicks' by Paul Revere and the Raiders

 

Vahevala – Loggins & Messina (4/72; #84 – Buffalo Springfield member/multi-instrumentalist Jim Messina had been tapped to produce singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins’ record, but the two of them quickly discovered that they were even better as a duo. This was the first release from their first album, and soon they’d become mainstays on the popular music charts.)

 Loggins and Messina (1971-1976) — Jim Messina: Musician and Artist

 

A Love Song – Loggins & Messina (11/73; dnc – this track from their third album was placed on the flip side of “Nobody But You,” and it would later be a pretty big hit for Canadian Anne Murray. For those of us who may have missed the show, this was the song we played while people were calling in to answer our trivia question.)

 

 

Break On Through (To the Other Side) – The Doors (4/67; #126 – Elektra Records designated this as the first single from the band’s debut album, but it basically fell on deaf ears. For the next single, they chose to edit down a seven-minute track called “Light My Fire,” which went on to be one of the biggest hits of the summer. Robbie Krieger was the guitarist and a co-writer of both songs.)

 

 

(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame – Elvis Presley (8/61; #4 Pop, #1 UK for four weeks – this was a big two-sided hit for Elvis, paired with “Little Sister,” which reached #5. Both songs were written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and were backed by Nashville’s finest studio players.)

 Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame / Little Sister by Elvis Presley  (Single; RCA Victor; PB-13894): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate  Your Music

 

 

Goin’ Out of My Head – Little Anthony & The Imperials (7/64; #6 – arguably the group’s most enduring hit was one of four consecutive songs penned by NYC writer Teddy Randazzo. Tonight we hear the very hard-to-find mono 45 mix, just the way it sounded back in the day.)

 

 

Heroes – David Bowie (11/77; dnc – written by Bowie and collaborator Brian Eno and with guitar work from Robert Fripp, this one failed to make ANY noise in the US. It did reach #24 in the UK, and would subsequently be recognized as one of his greatest songs. Tonight it was cranked at full volume in the Air studio and I got goosebumps.)

 David Bowie - Heroes - Amazon.com Music

 

Treat Her Right – Roy Head & The Traits (9/65; #2 for two weeks – the only thing that kept this record out of the #1 slot was The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” which was quite a feat for a small label like Backbeat Records. Roy & the Traits were a bunch of white kids from Texas, but their #2 showing on the R&B charts is testament to their soulful delivery. If you’ve got 2 minutes, check out Roy Head’s dance moves!)

 


 

*  The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore) – Walker Brothers (4/66; #13 Pop, #1 UK for four weeks – Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe had originally written this for Frankie Valli to launch his solo career, but the definitive version was released by American expats The Walker Brothers, who took it to #1 for four weeks in The UK. Scott Engel’s powerhouse vocals and a thunderous drumbeat made all the difference between a hit and a miss.)

 

 

Half the Way – Crystal Gayle (10/79; #15 Pop, #2 for three weeks C&W – she was born into Country Music royalty, with an older sister named Loretta Young, but she was more successful as a crossover artist than most Country singers. This is another one that sounded especially good at a high volume in the studio Saturday night.)

  

Dida – Joan Baez (7/75; dnc – this one was tucked onto the B-side of her version of the Allman Brothers’ “Blue Sky,” which was a low-charting single. This side, though, was the treasure: a light Jazzy quasi-instrumental with two gorgeous voices weaving together. One was Joan’s and the other was Joni’s.)

 Song of the Day, July 1: Dida by Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell | Music and  Meaning: The RBHS Jukebox

 

Going to California – Led Zeppelin (12/71; NR – speaking of “Joni,” this sweet acoustic track from the band’s fourth album was apparently inspired by their encounter with Joni Mitchell when the band was in southern California. Jimmy Page plays 6- and 12-string guitars and bass man John Paul Jones plays the mandolin. Other standout tracks from this LP include “Black Dog” “Rock and Roll” and “Stairway to Heaven.”)

 WEA Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (Remastered) Vinyl LP | Guitar Center

 

 

 

 

8-9pm

  

 

I Got a Name – Jim Croce (10/73; #10 – Jim Croce died in a small airplane crash on 9/20/73. This single landed on the chart a few weeks later and is one of a string of upbeat anthems that can be considered “classics.” Years later his son A.J. carries on his father’s torch, singing his own material and folding in some of his dad’s material too.)

 I Got a Name (song) - Wikipedia

 

Tomorrow is Such a Long Time – Rod Stewart (6/71; NR – Rod Stewart is celebrating his 81st birthday today, and he has such a vast catalog from which to draw: Rod the rocker, the balladeer, the interpreter of the Great American Songbook….but tonight we pull a forgotten track from one of his finest albums. This version of the Dylan tune closes out Side Two of Every Picture Tells a Story.)

 

 Amazon.com: Every Picture Tells A Story (SHM-SACD): CDs & Vinyl

 

FM (No Static At All) – Steely Dan (6/78; #22 – Donald Fagen was the main vocalist and keyboard player on the group’s radio hits. On this one, he’s joined by back-up singers Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit – all members of the Eagles.)

 

 

Cry – Johnnie Ray w/ The Four Lads (12/51; #1 Pop and R&B – this was one of the biggest hits of that year and became Johnnie’s signature song. Columbia released it on its Okeh Records subsidiary, and it sold over 2 million copies as a 78 rpm!)

 Johnnie's Big One- On this date in 1951, Detroit-based-crooner Johnnie Ray  recorded his only chart-topper. Released that month, 'CRY' was on  'Billboard's Pop chart for eleven weeks. OKeh records released the single,

Rainy Night in Georgia – Brook Benton (1/70; #4 Pop, #1 R&B – he’d charted six R&B #1s before 1960, but this one introduced him to a whole new audience - and returned him to the top of the chart. Written by Tony Joe White and released on Cotillion Records, it’s perfect for this cold rainy night in Upstate New York.)

  

Leaving on a Jet Plane – Peter, Paul & Mary (12/69; #1 – their one chart-topping hit was this John Denver song, which was down to #6 on this date in 1970 and slowly falling off the chart. Tonight we hear the 45 mono mix, which somehow transports me right back to that winter as a kid listening to a transistor radio in the middle of the holiday bustle.)

 Peter, Paul And Mary – Leaving On A Jet Plane – Vinyl (Pitman Pressing, 7",  45 RPM + 2 more), 1969 [r1529877] | Discogs

 

The Love I Lost (Pt. 1) – Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes (12/73; #7 Pop, #1 R&B for two weeks - Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label was in full force in 1973, and this group was one of their biggest hit-makers. The group's secret weapon? Singer Teddy Pendergrass! Backed by the house band MFSB, many of the label's singles were broken into "Part 1" and "Part 2," because they were often dance records and the Disco craze was heating up. Tonight we hear the mono side of a clean radio station promo 45 with a white label.)

 Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes – The Love I Lost (Parts 1 & 2) | Releases |  Discogs

 

*  My Generation – The Who (1/66; #74 - listener Tom Preston was a WVBR DJ when this record came out, and he distinctly remembers that it was just before the crippling blizzard of 1966 here in Ithaca. The Who were about a year away from fully catching on here in The States, but Rolling Stone ranks this one at #11 in their list of the 500 Greatest Singles, and I had it cranked in the studio tonight.)

  

Love Child – Diana Ross & The Supremes (12/68; #1 for two weeks - this is the record that knocked "Hey Jude" out of #1 after a nine week stay, and then IT would get knocked out by Marvin Gaye, who was about to hold that slot for seven more weeks. This was their first big hit after the departure of writers/producers Holland-Dozier-Holland, and they barely missed a step!)

 


 

Too Much Heaven – Bee Gees (1/10/79; #1 for two weeks - this is the record at the top of the chart this week forty-seven years ago, and the production, writing and singing are all flawless. This was the fourth of six consecutive #1s for the Gibb brothers, who were riding at the top of the world.)

 Too Much Heaven / Rest Your Love on Me by Bee Gees (Single, Blue-Eyed  Soul): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music

  

Rain – Jose Feliciano (9/69; #76 - many of his biggest hits were covers of other artists' material - The Doors, The Beatles, Mamas & Papas and more - but he could write as well as play and sing. We close tonight with this little recap of the WVBR Weather Center Forecast, and thank you all for tuning in. See you February 14th!)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Trivia Answer 

 

The Beatles and The Supremes were churning out #1 records at an amazing clip. Come See About Me was the Supremes' third in a string of five consecutive chart-toppers, but not ALL of them were in 1965. The Beatles, however, did have 5 #1s during that one calendar year.

 

Congratulations to Dave from Ithaca, 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 (1/17/26):  Kim Vaughan with a spotlight on the music of January 1963.

 

 

Thanks for tuning in - and for voting us Ithaca's Best Local Radio Show in the most recent 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!

Friday, January 9, 2026

January 3, 2026 - JH: Charting singles from 1976 Top Albums

 January 3, 2026

Host: Jan Hunsinger (JH)

Spotlight: Charting Singles from 1976 Top LPs. Album positions from DigitalDreamDoor.com.


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)

I Don't Want to Go Home - Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (DNC - title track from LP released 6/7/76 and ranked #91 in 1976)

Flying Sorcery - Al Stewart (DNC - from his LP "Year of the Cat" released 10/22/76, the #100 LP of 1976)



Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder (1977 - #1: song spent 3 weeks at #1 in May of '77; LP "Songs in the Key of Life" is ranked #1 for 1976 by DigitalDreamDoor.com)

New Kid in Town - The Eagles (1977 - #1: song went to #1 in February of '77; LP "Hotel California" rated #2 for '76)

Night Moves - Bob Seger (1977 - #4: title track from #11 LP of 1976, released 12/11/76)



Last Child - Aerosmith (1976 - #21: from the "Rocks" LP, ranked #18 for 1976)

Mozambique - Bob Dylan (1976 - #54: from the #26 LP of 1976, "Desire", released 1/5/76)



Takin' It to the Streets - The Doobie Brothers (1976 - #13: title track to the #31 LP of 1976; song was written and sung by new member Michael McDonald)

Say Goodbye to Hollywood - Billy Joel (DNC - US; #45 - Australia: from his "Turnstiles" LP ranked #52 in 1976; live version of the song would chart at #17 in 1981)



Rock and Roll Music - The Beach Boys (1976 - #5: their cover of the Chuck Berry tune from their "15 Big Ones" LP, ranked #55 for '76)

(Don't Fear) The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult (1976 - #12: from the "Agents of Fortune" LP released 5/21/76 and ranked #53; we heard the 3:45 single edit)



Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band (1976 - #11: from the #8 LP of '76, "Fly Like and Eagle", released 5/15/76)

7:00 - 8:00 The Birthday Calendar

Background song: Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group (1973 - #1: song was #1 for one week in May)

December 28:
Johnny Otis - b. 1921
Bobby Comstock - b. 1943
Edgar Winter - 79
Mary Weiss (The Shangri-las) - b. 1948
Alex Chilton (The Boxtops) - b. 1950

December 29:
Ray Thomas (The Moody Blues) - b. 1941
Rick Danko (The Band) - b. 1943
Marianne Faithfull - b. 1946

December 30:
Bo Diddley [Ellas Bates McDaniel] - b. 1928
Skeeter Davis [Mary Frances Penick] - b. 1931
Del Shannon [Charles Westover] - b. 1934
(Noel) Paul Stookey - 88
Mike Nesmith (The Monkees) - b. 1942
Davy Jones (The Monkees) - b. 1945
Patti Smith - 79
Jeff Lynne (ELO) - 78

December 31:
John Denver [Henry John Deutschendorf] - b. 1943
Peter Quaife (The Kinks) - b. 1943
Burton Cummings (The Guess Who) - 78

January 1:
"Country" Joe McDonald - 84

January 2:
Roger Miller - b. 1936
Michael "Chick" Churchill (Ten Years Afer) - 80

January 3:
Stephen Stills - 81
John Paul Jones [John Richard Baldwin] - 80

Castin' My Spell - Johnny Otis (1959 - #52: Otis was known as "The Godfather of R&B")

Tennessee Waltz - Bobby Comstock and the Counts (1959 - #52: Comstock was born in Ithaca)



Past, Present, and Future - The Shangri-las (1966 - #59: their last charting single, it incorporated Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata")

Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March - The Boxtops (1969 - #28: Alex Chilton was lead singer for the group, and later for the band Big Star)

For My Lady - The Moody Blues (1973 - DNC: Ray Thomas wrote and sang lead vocals on the song, which was released as the B-side to "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band")



Stage Fright - The Band (1970 - NR: bassist Rick Danko sang lead on the title track to the group's third LP)

This Little Bird - Marianne Faithfull (1965 - #32: Faithfull passed away in 2025)



Who Do You Love? - Bo Diddley (1956 - DNC: song ranks #132/RS500; George Thorogood covered it in 1978)

My Last Date (With You) - Skeeter Davis (1961 - #26: remake of Floyd Cramer's "Last Date" but with lyrics)

Runaway - Del Shannon (1961 - #1: his first charting single, it spent 4 weeks at #1 in April-May and ranks #466/RS500)

Early in the Morning - Peter, Paul, and Mary (1962 - DNC: Paul Stookey wrote the song that was the B-side to the trio's first charting single, "Lemon Tree")


45 Corner

Listen to the Band - The Monkees (1969 - #63: Mike Nesmith wrote and sang lead vocals on this minor hit for the group, which carried on as a trio after Peter Tork left in late 1968)

Someday Man - The Monkees (1969 - #81: B-side to the above single, it featured Davy Jones on lead vocals and was written by Paul Williams)



Frederick - Patti Smith (1979 - #90: Smith wrote this tune that was produced by Todd Rundgren)

Do Ya - The Electric Light Orchestra (1977 - #24: Jeff Lynne was main singer/songwriter for the group; song came from the "A New World Record" LP released 10/15/76)

Baby You Look Good to Me Tonight - John Denver (1977 - #65: from his "Spirit" LP released 9/9/76)



Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks (1966 - #14: bassist Peter Quaife is spotlighted on the song's intro)

No Time - The Guess Who (1970 - #5: Burton Cummings was keyboardist/singer/songwriter for the Canadian band)

I-Feel-Like-I'm Fixin'-to-Die Rag - Country Joe McDonald and the Fish (1968 - DNC: original version of the song that would be made famous at Woodstock)

Engine Engine #9 - Roger Miller (1965 - #7: Miller wrote the song, which made it to #2 on the Country charts)



I'd Love to Change the World - Ten Years After (1971 - #40: "Chick" Churchill was keyboardist for the group, which performed at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival)

Marianne - Stephen Stills (1971 - #42: Nils Lofgren and Eric Clapton played guitar on the song)



Black Dog - Led Zeppelin (1972 - #15: the bass player and keyboardist for the band, John Paul Jones wrote the main riff and rhythm changes for the song which ranks #294/RS500)

Back to our Spotlight Feature:

The Pretender - Jackson Browne (1977 - #58: title track to his LP released in December of '76 and the #33 LP that year; David Crosby and Graham Nash provided backing vocals)



American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1977 - DNC: although the song did not chart, it ranks #169/RS500; from the group's first LP, released 11/9/76 and ranked #23, and is included in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die")

Knowing Me, Knowing You - ABBA (1977 - #14: from the LP "Arrival", released 10/11/76 and ranked #41 for 1976)



*Silly Love Songs - Wings (1976 - #1: from the LP "Wings at the Speed of Sound", released 3/26/76 and ranked #62; song was #1 for a week, replaced by Diana Ross' "Love Hangover" for 2 weeks, then ascended back to #1 for 4 more weeks)

What Can I Say - Boz Scaggs (1976 - #42: from the "Silk Degrees" LP released 2/18/76 and ranked #40)



Mohammed's Radio - Warren Zevon (1976 - DNC: from his first LP, ranked #42 and entitled "Warren Zevon", the song was released as the B-side to "Hasten Down the Wind", which was later covered by Linda Ronstadt and the title of one of her LPs)

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


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 January 10: John Simon (JS) with the best of the '50s, '60s, and '70s!


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!