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Date: December 27, 2025
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Three Chord Classics
Birthday Calendar
December 21
Carla Thomas 83 years old
Carl Wilson b.1946
Frank Zappa b.1940
Betty Wright b. 1953
December 22
Maurice Gibb (Bee Gees) b. 1949
Robin Gibb (Bee Gees) b.1949
Rick Nielson (Cheap Trick guitarist) 79 years old
James Gurley (Big Brother/Holding Company guitarist) b. 1939
December 23
Jorma Kaukonen 85 years old
Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly drummer) b. 1941
Johnny Kidd b. 1935
Esther Phillips b. 1935
December 24
Lee Dorsey b. 1924
December 25
Noel Redding b. 1945
Jimmy Buffett b. 1946
Merry Clayton 77 years old
Annie Lennox 71 years old
Chris Kenner b. 1929
December 26
Abdul “Duke” Fakir b. 1935
December 27
Mike Pinder (Moody Blues) b. 1941
Larry Byrom (Steppenwolf guitarist) 77 years old
Scotty Moore b. 1931
Karla Bonoff 73 years old
Tracy Nelson 78 years old
Rock n’ Roll Trivia
Question: It has often been said over the years that the only thing you need to be a rock star with a hit record is to have a bad attitude and knowing how to play the chords of what song?
(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)
Wild Thing The Troggs 1966 #1
The song was written by Chip Taylor (in two minutes, he has claimed) and it was recorded originally by The Wild Ones. That version went nowhere and the British band The Troggs picked it up and took it to #1 in the U.S. and #2 in the U.K.
*La Bamba Richie Valens 1959 #22
This was the B-side to “Donna.” Rene Hall played the lead guitar and Carol Kaye, who usually played bass, played rhythm guitar on this track. Requested by Dr. Kathy and Jenny.
Da Doo Ron Ron Crystals 1963 #3
The syllables “da doo ron ron” were originally placeholder lyrics, but they made it into the final version.
He’s So Fine Chiffons 1963 #1
This record was produced by The Tokens, who also provided the instrumentation despite never having played on a recording before.
Louie, Louie The Kingsmen 1963 #2
The video below is a lip sync, including the early entrance, but at least the singer's lips can be read for a clearer idea of the lyrics. The interviewer is the late, legendary Dallas radio and TV personality Ron Chapman.
Hang on Sloopy The McCoys 1965 #1
Before they were the McCoys, the group was called Rick and the Raiders—the Rick being Rick Derringer.
Bang a Gong (Get It On) T-Rex 1972 #10
Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan provided backing vocals and Rick Wakeman played piano and organ. The video below is an extended jam of the song with plenty of spectacle.
*Communication Breakdown Led Zeppelin 1969 DNC
Roll Over Beethoven Chuck Berry 1956 #29 H100 #2 RB
According to biographer Bruce Pegg, the song was inspired by Chuck Berry’s rivalry with his sister Lucy who used the family’s piano to play classical music.
Surfin' USA Beach Boys 1963 #3
Chuck Berry received a co-writer credit for the melody lifted from “Sweet Little Sixteen.”
Nowhere to Run Martha and the Vandellas 1965
#8 H100 #5 RB
From their album “Dance Party.”
Cherry, Cherry Neil Diamond 1966 #6
This was Diamond’s first big hit which Dan Epstein of Rolling Stone called “one of the greatest three chord songs of all time.”
*Love Me Do The Beatles 1964 #1
This was the record that started it all. The song was written several years before the Beatles existed. Requested by Scottie for Peggy with love.
Kansas City Wilbert Harrison 1959 #1
The record debuted at #100 and six weeks later it topped the Billboard chart, the first record ever to do so.
Heartbreak Hotel Elvis Presley 1956 #1 H100, #1 CW, #3 RB
This was Presley’s second single on RCA Victor, selling a million copies. The studio placed a microphone in a hallway to create an echo effect similar to Presley’s Sun Records sound.
Chapel of Love Dixie Cups 1964 #1
The Dixie Cups were originally known as the Mel-Tones. The record was released on Redbird, the label formed by songwriters Leiber and Stoller.
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Jerry Lee Lewis 1957 #3 H100 #1 RB #1 CW
Jerry Lee has said that Sam Phillips thought the record would be too risqué to sell well. Once you get past Steve Allen's cringey introduction, the Killer takes over.
Willie & the Hand Jive Johnny Otis 1958 #9 H100 #3 RB
If you are curious about the hand jive moves, just check out the video below.
7:00
B-A-B-Y Carla Thomas 1966 #14 H100 #3 RB
Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter and arranged by Booker T. Jones.
I Can Hear Music Beach Boys 1969 #24
This was a cover of the 1966 Ronettes original. Brian Wilson was a fan of the Ronettes.
Clean Up Woman Betty Wright 1972 #2 RB #6 H100
Night Fever Bee Gees 1978 #1 H100 #8 RB
The record spent eight weeks at the top of the Hot 100, the most weeks for any single in 1978. If you are nostalgic for Saturday Night Fever, see below.
I Need a Man to Love Big Brother and the Holding Company 1968 DNC/NR
From the “Cheap Thrills” album which was originally intended to be titled “Sex, Dope and Cheap Thrills.”
Embryonic Journey Jorma Kaukonen 1967 DNC
From the Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” album.
Are You Happy? Iron Butterfly 1968
Ron Bushy is remembered for his drum solo on “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” but he did a fine (if briefer) job on this track. He's the one seated below center.
And I Love Him Esther Phillips 1965 #53 H100 #11 RB
Paul McCartney has said that this was the first cover of a Beatles song to catch his ear. The Beatles brought Phillips to the U.K. for her first European performances. John Lennon introduces her in the video below.
Yes We Can Lee Dorsey 1970 #46 RB
This was the first recording of Allen Toussaint’s song later popularized by the Pointer Sisters. It was Dorsey’s last charting single.
Red House Jimi Hendrix Experience 1967 NR
One of the earliest songs recorded by the Experience. Before joining Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding played lead guitar and his bass playing was influenced by that experience.
Steamroller Merry Clayton 1971 DNC/NR
Merry Clayton has improved every song she has ever covered.
Who’s That Girl? Eurythmics 1984 #21
Fins Jimmy Buffett 1979 #35
If you are a Parrothead, you know what to do with this song.
8:00
The Beat Goes On Sonny and Cher 1967 #6
At the 30 second mark in the video below, Carol Kaye describes how she created the distinctive syncopated bass line that made the song sound like it had more than one chord.
Sally Go Round the Roses Jaynetts 1963 #2
Even though there were only five actual Jaynetts, there were reputed to be 10 separate voices on this rather enigmatic and ominous one hit wonder.
You Really Got Me Kinks 1964 #7
This was the Kinks’ breakthough record. The guitar riff was inspired by the three chords of “Louie Louie.”
Good Golly Miss Molly Little Richard 1958 #10 H100 #4 RB
Little Richard has said that he used the piano riff for “Rocket 88” by Ike Turner as the intro to “Good Golly Miss Molly.” In the video below, Mr. Penniman is joined by John Goodman. It's a good watch.
My Boyfriend’s Back Angels 1963 #1 H100
The record was originally intended to be a demo for the Shirelles, but was released as recorded by The Angels. Local musician Bobby Comstock played on the track and recorded an answer record called “Your Boyfriend’s Back.”
Wooly Bully Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs 1965 #2
This was the first American record to sell a million copies during the British music invasion.
Twist and Shout Isley Brothers 1962 #17 H100 #2 RB
This was the Isleys’ first top 20 Hot 100 hit.
That’ll Be the Day Linda Ronstadt 1976 #11
A great reworking of the Buddy Holly classic.
Be-Bop-A-Lula Gene Vincent 1956 #7 H100, #8 RB, #5 CW
Legend has it that Vincent wrote the tune while recuperating from a motorcycle accident.
Chains Cookies 1962 #17 H100 #6 RB
This Goffin-King song was first offered to the Everly Brothers who recorded their version in 1962 but did not release it until 1984.
It’s All Over Now Valentinos 1964 #94
Stones’ version topped at #24 in 1964, but this is my personal favorite.
The Loco-Motion Little Eva 1962 #1
Eva Boyd recorded the demo for Goffin and King who hoped Dee Dee Sharp would record it. Sharp declined and Little Eva’s demo version was released.
Werewolves of London Waren Zevon 1978 #21
Mick Fleetwood played drums and John McVie played bass on the 59 takes of this song. The second take was the one used for the final mix.
Everyday People Sly and the Family Stone 1969 #1
This is a two-chord song.
The Tide is High Blondie 1981 #1
In 1980, Debbie Harry and company covered this song originally recorded in 1967 by The Paragons.
Night Time is the Right Time Ray Charles 1959 #95 H100 #5 RB
Good Lovin’ The Rascals 1966 #1
The Rascals used most of an arrangement of the song as performed by The Olympics. Critics and record buyers preferred the Rascals’ version.
Maybe Chantels 1958 #15 H100 #2 RB
This song is sometimes credited as one of the first examples of the girl group sound.
CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
Trivia Answer
Louie, Louie
Congratulations to John from Spencer 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
AC = Billboard’s chart for Adult Contemporary records
H100 = Billboard Hot 100
CW = Billboard’s chart for country and western records
RB = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records
Host January 3, 2026: Jan Hunsinger with a focus on Charting Singles from Top 1976 Albums.
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!
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