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.)

 

 

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!)

 

 

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 9^th 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.)

 

 

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 20^th 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!)

 

 

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.)

 

 

*  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.)

 

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

January 4 – Arthur Conley – born 1946

 

January 6 – Doris Troy – born in 1937

 

January 7 – Paul Rever (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.)

 

 

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!)

 

 

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.)

 

 

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.)

 

 

(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.)

 

 

 

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.)

 

 

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 ex-pats 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.)

 

 

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.”)

 

 

 

 

 

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.)

 

 

Tomorrow is Such a Long Time – Rod Stewart (6/71; NR – Rod Stewart is celebrating his 81^st 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.)

 

 

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!)

 

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. Written by Tony Joe White and released on Cotillion Records, it’s perfect for this cold rainy night in Upstate New York.)

 

 

Leavin’ 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.)

 

 

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.)

 

 

*  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.)

 

  

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 turning 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!