Rockin’ Remnants
Rockin’ Remnants is broadcast from WVBR-FM Ithaca. Check out our webpage, like us on Facebook, and tune in to 93.5 FM or stream the show every Saturday night from 6-9 p.m. Eastern. (Or download the WVBR+app now available for iOS and Android.)
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Date: August 8, 2026
Host: Gregory James
Feature: Early August Charters: 1956, 1966, 1976
Birthday Calendar
August 2
Jim Capaldi 1944
Garth Hudson 1937
Andrew Gold 1951
August 3
Johnny Graham (EWF guitarist) 75 years old
Syreeta Wright 1946
Beverly Lee (Shirelles) 85 years old
August 4
Paul Layton (New Seekers bassist and vocalist) 79 years old
Frankie Ford 1939
Timi Yuro 1940
Larry Knechtel 1940
August 5
Rick Huxley (Dave Clark Five bassist) 1942
Samantha Sang 75 years old
August 7
B.J. Thomas 1942
August 8
Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr.) 1935
Rock n’ Roll Trivia
In the 6:00 hour I played a song that had two distinct versions charting on the Hot 100 on August 7, 1976. What was the 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)
Along Comes Mary Association #32 down from #29 in its 10th chart week. 8/6/66
This was the Associations’ first hit and, according to composer Tandyn Almer, Mary was indeed a reference to cannabis. In the video below, Larry Ramos is introduced as Japanese, but he was actually Filipino.
Devil Woman Cliff Richard #42 up from #47 in its 6th chart week. 8/7/76
Cliff Richard made it to #6 in the U.S. and #9 in the U.K. with this record, which was heard 41 years after its initial release in the film “I, Tonya.”
Friday’s Child Nancy Sinatra #36 Holding steady in its 5th chart week. 8/6/66
This Lee Hazlewood song was arranged by Billy Strange who also played the guitar solo.
I’m in Love Again Fats Domino #20 down from #16 in its 16th chart week. 8/8/56
This was the fifth #1 single by Fats on the R&B charts where it stayed for seven weeks. It also reached #3 on the pop chart.
Lady Jane Rolling Stones #39 up from #51 in its 3rd chart week. 8/6/66
Mick Jaggger’s inspiration for the song apparently came from D.H. Lawrence’s book Lady Chatterly’s Lover. Although Mick overacts in the video below, it's historically interesting to see this line up of the band with Charlie Watts playing the vibes.
Ode to Billy Joe Bobbie Gentry
This song was originally recorded in 1967, but it showed up twice on the August 7, 1976 chart: at #69 on the Warner label, and at #57 on the Capitol label. Why? The film of the same name was released in 1976, and Bobbie Gentry re-recorded the song for the film. We heard the film version.
Wouldn’t It Be Nice Beach Boys #62 up from #84 in its 2nd chart week. 8/6/66
Brian Wilson used 16 studio musicians to create the wall of sound on the track. It ultimately reached #8 on the Hot 100.
*Silly Love Songs Wings 1976
#63 down from #53 in its 18th week on the chart. 8/7/76
The track was McCartney’s 27th number one composition in the U.S. He leaned into the opinion of critics, including John Lennon, that all his songs were just silly love songs. Requested by Scottie for Peggy.
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You Elvis Presley #5 holding steady in its 13th chart week. 8/8/56
The song peaked at #1 on the country chart and #3 on the pop chart. The song was recorded 17 times during an unproductive recording session. The released version was a combination of takes 14 and 17, an unusual editing method in 1956.
Still the One Orleans #51 up from #69 in its 2nd chart week. 8/7/76
From their album “Waking and Dreaming.” A perennial anniversary favorite.
Be-Bop a Lula Gene Vincent #8 holding steady in its 9th chart week. 8/8/56
The record peaked at #7 on the pop chart, #8 on the R&B chart and #5 on the country chart.
The Boys Are Back In Town Thin Lizzy #44 down from #27 in its13th chart week. 8/7/76
The song peaked at #12 on the Hot 100. The song first broke out in the U.S. on a Louisville radio station
Make Me Belong to You Barbara Lewis #46 up from #56 in its 3rd chart week. 8/6/66
She’s Gone Hall and Oates #53 up from #63 in its 3rd chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #7
This was a re-issued version on Atlantic Records after Hall and Oates had moved to RCA records and had a hit with “Sara Smile.”
7:00
Love Hurts Jim Capaldi 1975 #97
The song was written by Boudleaux Bryant and first recorded by the Everly Brothers in 1960. Roy Orbison followed up with a cover in 1961.
The Shape I’m In The Band 1971 #121
Robbie Robertson has not disputed the theory that the song was about lead singer Richard Manuel. Garth Hudson really shines at several points on the keyboards.
Never Let Her Slip Away Andrew Gold 1978 #67
Gold wrote the song about his girlfriend at the time, Laraine Newman. Harmony vocals by JD Souther, Timothy Schmit and an uncredited Freddie Mercury, sax solo by Ernie Watts.
Love’s Holiday Earth Wind and Fire 1977 DNC
Johnny Graham played lead guitar with the group for about 10 years. He has a nice stretch toward the end of this track.
If You Really Love Me Stevie Wonder 1971 #8
Syreeta Wright co-wrote the song with her then husband Stevie Wonder. She also sang back up on the track.
Tonight’s the Night Shirelles 1960 #39 H100 #14 RB
Beverly Lee acquired the trademarked name of the Shirelles and she is still touring with the group’s latest configuration.
Never Ending Song of Love New Seekers 1972 DNC
Some great harmonies on this cover of the Delaney Bramlett song.
Sea Cruise Frankie Ford 1959 #14/ Huey Smith 1958 NR
The instrumental backing track was recorded by composer Huey Piano Smith in 1958, and Ford’s voice was dubbed in for his 1959 release. Huey Smith’s version was not released until 1971. The other voice on Smith’s version is Gerri Hall. You heard a mix of the two versions.
Hurt Timi Yuro 1960 #4
She was one of the first female blue-eyed soul singers, with a vocal style similar to Dinah Washington. When Burt Bacharach offered his song “What the World Needs Now” to her, she passed on it.
Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon and Garfunkel 1970 #1
Larry Knechtel won a Grammy for his arrangement and piano playing on “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Bits and Pieces Dave Clark Five 1964 #4
A stomping bit of proto-punk. You can draw a straight line from this song to “London Calling” by The Clash.
Emotion 1978 #3
Written and produced by Barry Gibb who sang backing vocals. The song was reputedly going to be part of the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack but was not used.
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head B.J. Thomas 1969 #1 on the Hot 100 for four weeks and on the Adult Contemporary Chart for seven weeks..
It won an Oscar. Legend has it that both Ray Stevens and Bob Dylan declined to record the song. In the video below, Thomas managed to sing (or lip sync) the song while water was actually falling on his head on the Ed Sullivan Show. And check out the dance ensemble!
I Want to Do Everything for You Joe Tex 1965 #1 RB #23 H100
This was his second number 1 song on the R&B chart After “Hold What You’ve Got.”
8:00
Dirty Water Standells #31 Holding steady in its 16th chart week. 8/6/66
Tony Valentino played the instantly recognizable opening riff. The song broke out on an Orlando radio station in January 1966.
Sunshine Superman Donovan #61 up from #90 in its 2nd chart week. 8/6/66
The musicians included Jimmy Page actively using the volume knob on his lead guitar and John Paul Jones on electric bass.
Born to Be With You Chordettes #12 down from #11 in its 9th chart week. 8/8/56 It had peaked at #5.
The whistling was by Don Robertson who wrote the song.
Warm and Tender Love Percy Sledge #35 up from #48 in its 3rd chart week. 8/6/66 It peaked at #5 on the R&B chart and # 17 on the Hot 100.
Lowdown Boz Scaggs #36 up from #46 in its 6th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 and at #5 on the R&B and Disco charts.
This was an album track from “Silk Degrees” until a DJ in Cleveland began playing it. It was then issued as a single to R&B and Top 40 radio stations.
Bus Stop Hoillies #58 up from #73 in its 3rd chart week. 8/6/66 It peaked at #5 on the Hot 100
Composer Graham Gouldman has credited his father Hyme, who was a playwright, with writing the opening lyrics of the song.
Shower the People James Taylor and Carly Simon #39 up from #43 in its 6th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #22. The video is from a 1998 concert at the Beacon Theater with Arnold McCuller picking up the counterpoint verse at 3:18. Goosebumps all around..
I Need to Be in Love Carpenters #43 down from #25 (its peak) in its 9th chart week. 8/7/76
Richard Carpenter has said that this was his sister Karen’s favorite Carpenters song.
Summer War #30 up from #40 in its 5th week on the chart. 8/7/76 It peaked at #7.
Part of the melody was borrowed from a Burger King jingle of the time. Does the song bring back memories of riding around listening to your eight track?
Flying Saucer Dickie Goodman and Bill Buchanan #4 up from #9 in its 2nd chart week. 8/8/56 It peaked at #3.
This was the first in a string of “break-in” mash-up records by Goodman and Buchanan. This early version of sampling included snippets from 11 popular songs of the day.
Take the Money and Run Steve Miller #49 down from #32 in its 14th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #11.
Just to be clear, Rockin’ Remnants does not condone aggravated armed robbery.
Fever Little Willie John #24 in its 1st chart week. 8/8/56 It peaked at #1 on the R&B chart and #24 on the pop chart.
Apparently, Little Willie John did not like the song when he first heard it.
Alfie Cher #57 up from #62 in its 2nd chart week. 8/6/66 It peaked at #32.
Cher was 20 when she recorded her version of the song, which fit her voice very well.
You Don’t Know Me Jerry Vale #22 up from #23 in its 3rd chart week. 8/8/56 It peaked at #14
Street Singin’ Lady Flash #52 up from #62 in its 4th chart week. 8/7/76 It peaked at #27
They were the backing singers for Barry Manilow, who wrote and arranged the song for Lady Flash.
My Heart’s Symphony Gary Lewis and the Playboys #57 up from #75 in its 2nd chart week. 8/6/66 It peaked at #13.
Leon Russell was involved in the production and arrangement of the track.
Soft Summer Breeze Eddie Heywood #21 up from #24 in its 5th chart week. 8/8/56 It peaked at #11.
CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)
Trivia Answer
“Ode to Billie Joe”
Congratulations to Elise from Danby 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 August 15, 2026: Jan Hunsinger with a spotlight on “Rarities.”
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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