September 5, 2020 - September Releases - JS

 

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:  September 5, 2020

Host:  John Simon

Feature:  Songs Debuting in September

 

 

 Tonight we look through the Billboard charts and play only songs that were released in September (between 1958-1980). For some strange reason, a small percentage of records were released in this month. Maybe it was a function of timing (if a label releases a new single every three months starting in January, then September gets skipped over). Maybe it was about Economics (if the labels are hoping for holiday sales, October and November might work better than September). Whatever the reason, we have something for everybody tonight: R&B, C&W, Girl Groups, Doo Wop, Rock 'n' Roll.... Turn it up and let's have a virtual party!

 

  

 

 

(scroll down to find a glossary of terms)

 

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

 

 

 

6-7pm 

 

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

 

I'll Be Around - Spinners (9/16/72; debuted at #74 as a B-side! > #3 Pop and #1 R&B for five weeks - these guys had floundered at Motown for years. They finally moved to a new label [Atlantic] with new producers [Thom Bell on this one] and became a supergroup of the Seventies.)

 

 

Don't Ever Be Lonely - Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose (9/2/72; debuted at #80, > #23 Pop - hot on the heels of their #2 smash Too Late To Turn Back Now, the record label rush-released this gem, featuring the smooth vocal stylings of Eddie Cornelius.)

 

Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (9/9/67; debuting at #73, headed to #5 Pop and #2 R&B for five weeks - this one proves that Ain't No Mountain High Enough wasn't a fluke, and that Marvin had finally found the perfect duet partner. The only thing keeping it at #2 for five weeks was Soul Man which occupied the #1 slot for seven weeks on the R&B chart.)

 

 

The Girl From Peyton Place - Dickey Lee (9/4/65; #98 > #73 - he had only two charting singles of the TCF-Hall Records label and this wasn't by any means a hit, but it's a pretty sweet Pop song.)

 

 

Everyone's Gone to The Moon - Jonathan King (9/25/65; #79 > #17 - this is the mono 45 version of a song that painted a bleak picture of the future. Check out those swirling strings!)

 

Impressions - The Jones Boys (9/3/66; #129 > #101 - this duo included the aforementioned Dickey Lee on a great little record with a soaring falsetto vocal. I think it shoulda been a hit!)

 

Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue - Temptations (9/18/64; debuting at #65 > #26 - Eddie Kendricks was assigned most of the lead vocal duties, but Smokey Robinson would produce their next few singles and David Ruffin would be moved front-and-center. Next up? My Girl!)

 

You're The One - The Vogues (9/18/65; #90 > #4 - this one was their biggest hit on the Co & Ce Records label. In a couple of years they'd be signed by Reprise and start becoming an MOR vocal group, but this record rocks!)

 

A Love So Fine - Chiffons (9/7/63; #100 > #40 - this was their third consecutive Top 40 hit with the word "fine" in the title. Can you name the other two? You know you can!)

 

Mr. Blue - Fleetwoods (9/7/59; #75 > #1 - these three high school friends put Dolton Records on the map with two #1 singles in less than one year. Lilting and sweet, this is the wistful Mr. Blue.)

 

Gina - Johnny Mathis (9/23/62; #80 > #6 - this smooth crooner had a long string of hits on the Columbia label. For some reason, this one is rarely heard on Oldies Radio these days, but it reached #6 in late 1962.)

 

Mind, Body & Soul - Flaming Ember (9/27/69; #92 > #26 - mixing patois French lyrics with a cosmopolitan Detroit Soul sound, these guys scored a memorable hit on the Pop charts, but didn't make a ripple on the R&B charts until their next single was released. "Je t'aime beaucoups!")

 

Half The Way - Crystal Gayle (9/29/79; #80 > #15 - some people knew her as Loretta Lynn's little sister, some knew her as the girl with the longest hair in Nashville. Either way, she cut some fine crossover records and this one was very good to her.)

 

45 Corner:  Just to Be Close to You - Commodores (9/13/76; #85 > #7 Pop, #1 R&B - when you hear this one, you usually get the 6+ minute LP version with the long intro. This one starts cold and Lionel Richie starts "gospelizing" early on. This is the radio station promo copy from the collection of local legend Bernie Milton, who used to play it on his "Looking Back" show on WICB. No lie!)

 

Last Train to Clarksville - Monkees (9/10/66; #67 > #1 - the NBC TV show debuted at 7:30pm on September 12th. The song appeared in seven episodes that Fall, propelling it to the top of the charts. It didn't hurt that some of LA's finest studio players were on this record. You guitar players might really enjoy this peek at the lead guitar part with Louie Shelton. Click the arrow.)

 

Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd (9/10/66; #97 > #28 Pop, #1 R&B - Eddie co-wrote this with Steve Cropper, and Steve & the MGs played their parts like the well-oiled unit they were. The Memphis Horns rounded out the sound and a bar band classic was born!)

 

Polyanna - The Classics (9/17/66; #125 > #106 - this song had all the makings of a hit: it was on a major label, it was written by Joe South, it had an infectious beat and chorus, and the lead singer was a dead ringer for Frankie Valli. That was also its biggest drawback. As it was starting to race up the charts, Phillips Records contacted the big NYC radio stations and issued an ultimatum: either stop playing this record, or you'll lose all of the "exclusive" early releases of the Four Seasons records you've been enjoying. The stations complied, and the record died. To add insult to injury, the band was forced to change their name (there was another "Classics" that beat them to it). This story does have a happy ending, though: they changed their name to The Classics IV, and lead singer Dennis Yost started singing in his own voice. They'd soon make it big after all!)

 

 

7-8pm

 

 Birthday Calendar

 

 

August 30 – John Phillips (Mamas & Papas) – born 1935

            – Jerry Allison (Crickets) – age 82

        
 

 August 31 – Van Morrison – age 75

            – Bob Welch – born in 1945

 

Sept. 1 – Archie Bell – age 76

            – Barry Gibb – age 74

            – Conway Twitty – born in 1933

 

Sept. 2 – Bobby Purify – born in 1939

Sept. 3 – Don Brewer (Grand Funk) – age 72

 

Sept. 4 – John Stewart (Kingston Trio) – born 1939

 

It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty (9/15/58 > #1 Pop, #1 for seven weeks in The UK - although he would fail to reach the C&W charts [!] with this record, he would go on to have the most #1s in Country Music history [40 of his 97 charters], and his name would be borrowed for the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" as 'Conrad Birdie.')

 

That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (9/15/57 > #1 Pop, #1 for four weeks in the UK - drummer Jerry Allison co-wrote this one, and his wife Peggy Sue was immortalized in the Crickets' other #1 record. The Beatles actually chose their name  -  in part - as a tribute to the Crickets. The Hollies even did them one better!)

Take Her Out of Pity - Kingston Trio (9/61; NR - from the album "Close Up," this was the trio's first LP to feature new member John Stewart (left), and his Pop sensibilities shine through on this adaptation of an old Folk song.)

Sentimental Lady - Bob Welch (10/77, #8 - this is only record you'll hear tonight that wasn't released in September, but that's because I mistakenly put his birthday on last month's show! This remake of the song he first recorded with Fleetwood Mac in 1971 featured band members Mick Fleetwood on drums, Christine McVie on keyboards and vocals and Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and vocals.)

Here I Go Again - Archie Bell & The Drells (9/18/76 > #112 - this B-side almost cracked the Hot 100, just as Gamble & Huff were closing in on their unmistakable "Philly Groove" sound.)

Morning Glory - James & Bobby Purify (7/76; dnc - okay, so this one also didn't arrive in September. Still, I'm baffled at its failure to chart anywhere. This record features the brilliant guitar licks of session man Reggie Young. Read all about him here.)

Love So Right - Bee Gees (9/18/76; > #3 for four weeks! - this record pretty much sealed the Gibb Brothers' comeback phase of their career as a group. They had the misfortune of getting stuck behind Rod Stewart's 7-week run at #1, plus Gordon Lightfoot and The Spinners tying up the #2 slot. They'd be back a few months later though, with the first of six consecutive chart-toppers!)

Straight Shooter - Mamas & Papas (9/2/67; #130 - this was the B-side of 12:30 (Young Girls Come to the Canyon) and almost reached the Hot 100 on its own power. John Phillips wrote it, sang lead on it, and it was chosen as the title of the 1988 documentary film that tells the story of one of the most unusual groups of the Sixties.)

Wavelength - Van Morrison (9/16/78 > #42 - this was the title track of his latest album and it almost cracked the Top 40. "The Belfast Cowboy" wrote a number of 'love songs' paying tribute to the radio and his musical influences. This one should be cranked up!)

Magic Wand - Shelby Flint (9/61; dnc - this little gem was released on the Valiant Records label, and failed to chart much of anywhere outside of the San Diego area from whence the 20-year-old hailed. It's a pity, because it's a really sweet little tune.)

Baby Be Mine - Jelly Beans (9/12/64; #88 > #51 - these New Jersey kids recorded on the Red Bird Records label, and this little song just doesn't get played enough.)

How Can I Be Sure - Young Rascals (9/9/67; #80 > #4 - 1967 was a great year for these guys: (I've Been) Lonely Too Long, Groovin', A Girl Like You and this one were all Top 20 records, and they'd squeeze one more in in December - all co-written by Felix Cavliere and Eddie Brigati, who was the lead singer on this one.)

To Make a Big Man Cry - Roy Head (9/17/66; #98 > #95 - this was released on the American London label in the UK and on Big Beat Records here in the States, where it barely cracked the Hot 100. Too bad  -  it's a cool song.)

I Can Make it With You - Pozo Seco Singers (9/10/66; #87 > #32 - this Folk-flavored trio had two records that reached as high as #32 before they gave up and singer Don Williams headed to Nashville for a successful career as a Country star.)

Hey Baby They're Playing Our Song - Buckinghams (9/19/67; #83 > #12 - 1967 was really good to these guys, too. They sandwiched this record in between Don't You Care and Susan, but they'd soon lose their producer James William Guercio to the band called Chicago, and that would spell the beginning of the end. Tonight you hear the mono 45 version.)

 

 

8-9pm

 

Wednesday - Royal Guardsmen (9/9/67; #98 > #97 - this Florida group was most successful when they were recording songs about Snoopy the WW I flying ace. This one is a pretty nice record, but nobody was buying it.)

 

Dandelion - Rolling Stones (9/9/67; #75 > #14 - any Rolling Stones record was guaranteed to be a hit. Chart position on this one was muddied because both sides were listed as "A" sides. Flip it over and you got We Love You, but this side is the winner.)

 

Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman (9/25/71; #96 > #92 - this was her second offering from the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack, and didn't fare nearly as well as its predecessor.) 

 

Fool For You - Impressions (9/7/68; #99 > #22, #3 R&B - lead singer Curtis Mayfield had just started his new record label, and they must have been nervous when this one debuted at a lowly #99. No worries, though  -  the hits would come frequently and steadily, and within a year or two he'd branch out as a successful solo artist on the same label.)

 

Baby I'm for Real - Originals (9/27/69; #86 > #14 Pop, #1 R&B for five weeks - after years of playing second fiddle to other Motown groups like The Miracles and Temptations and Four Tops, these guys finally got a crack at the big-time with this Marvin Gaye composition. They'd follow it up with The Bells, which Marvin also co-wrote and Laura Nyro would cover with LaBelle on her Gonna Take a Miracle LP.)

 

This Time It's Real - Tower of Power (9/15/73; #91 > #65 Pop, #27 R&B - San Francisco's hottest horn band was cooking on all burners with lead singer Lenny Welch out front. He left the band long ago, but the core members are still churning out great records after nearly 50 years together!)

 

I'll Be There - Jackson 5 (9/19/70; #40 > #1 for five weeks - after their first three singles made it to #1 on both the Pop and R&B charts, it's no big surprise that this one would DEBUT at #40, even though it was their first ballad  -  and the lead singer was twelve years old. That's right: this self-assured soulful voice belonged to a twelve year old. Think about for a minute.)

 

I've Got the Music In Me - Kiki Dee Band - (9/14/74; #90 > #12 - she'd been releasing records in the UK for years before hitting with this one. Just when it looked like she'd be a "one-hit wonder," Elton John would enlist her to team up with him on Don't Go Breaking My Heart, and she'd be known ever after.)

 

Everlasting Love - Carl Carlton (9/21/74; #87 > #6 - every seven years or so somebody would release a version of this song, and the record-buying public would lap it up. It's just a really good song.)

 

Knocking on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan (9/1/73; #80 > #12 - this was taken from the soundtrack to the movie that Dylan was in, and it has since become a classic.)

 

You're Only Lonely - JD Souther (9/8/79; #86 > #7 - John David Souther was part of the Laurel Canyon scene in the early-mid Seventies. He'd dated Linda Ronstadt and appeared on several of her records, he'd later team up with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay, and he had one great solo single. Here it is!)

 

Dreamin' - Cliff Richard (9/13/80; #77 > #10 - my buddy JR reminds me that this is "Sir Cliff Richard" to you & me. He scored 67 Top 10 singles in the UK and only three here in the States. This was the last of them, but it is one heck of an "ear worm.")  

 

45 Corner:  Gimme Shelter - Grand Funk Railroad (9/4/71; #81 > #61 - the critics hated these guys from Flint Michigan, but they were the definitive American "power trio." The LP version runs 6:30, and the 3:30 45 edit has been hard to find until now. Tonight we here the original Capitol Records 45 in honor of drummer Don Brewer's 72nd birthday.)

 

Back Home Again - John Denver (9/21/74; #70 > #5 Pop, #1 C&W - given that his previous single was the #1 Annie's Song, it's no surprise that this one debuted at #70. The big surprise is that this song won this old folkie the Country Music Award for Song of the Year!)

 

(At) The End (Of the Rainbow) - Earl Grant (9/15/58 > #7 - some copies simply called this "The End," but any way you slice it, this beauty will wrap up tonight's show. Earl Grant had a number of hits, but they all featured his blistering keyboard stylings. This was his one vocal hit.) 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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 (9/12/20):  Gregory James with a spotlight on chart history in the week of September 12th

 

 

 

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 at wvbr.com/listen.

 

Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!

August 29, 2020 - GJ - Chart Climbers: Late August Billboard Star Performers

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: August 29, 2020

Host:  Gregory James

Feature:  Chart Climbers: Late August Billboard Star Performers

 

Birthday Calendar

 

 August 23

Keith Moon (b. 1946 d. 1978)

Rudy Lewis (lead singer with Drifters) (b. 1936  d. 1964)

 

August 24

John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service)  (b. 1943  d. 1989)

David Freiberg (Quicksilver Messenger Service)  82 years old

 

August 25

Walter Williams (O’Jays)   78 years old

Elvis Costello       66 years old

August 26

Vic Dana       78 years old

Valerie Simpson   74 years old

 

August 27

Tommy Sands      83 years old

Daryl Dragon (Captain and Tenille)  (b. 1942  d. 2019)

 

August 28

Daniel Seraphine (Chicago drummer)  72 years old

 

August 29

Chris Copping (Procol Harum organist and bassist 1969-1977)  75 years old

Geoff Whitehorn (Procol Harum guitarist 1991-present) 

69 years old

 

Playlist

·     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

 

Title   Artist  Release Year   Last week-This week

 

6:00-7:00

OPENING THEME:  Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll  

Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

 

Let the Good Times Roll

Shirley and Lee 1956  Debut #64

Shirley and Lee wrote this song which reached #1 on the R&B charts and #20 on the Hot 100.

 

The Letter    Box Tops      1967     58-25   (27 points)

Lead singer Alex Chilton recorded his vocals live with the instrumentation. Clocking in at 1:58, the track reached #1 and stayed there for four weeks.

Be My Baby        Ronettes       1963      Debut #90

Ronnie Spector was the only Ronette to sing on this track, although back up singers included Sonny and Cher, Darlene Love, and Nino Tempo.

Lotta Lovin’ Gene Vincent   1957  98-77  (21 points)

This track reached #7 on the R&B chart and #13 on the Pop chart. Vincent was inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Rockabilly Halls of Fame.

 

I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You 

Bee Gees 1968    68-42   (26 points)

The song was originally recorded by the group entirely in unison, but producer Robert Stigwood called them back into the studio in the middle of the night on July 12 1968 to re-record the choruses in three part harmony.

Eleanor Rigby    Beatles  1966            Debut  #65

McCartney said the name Eleanor came from actress Eleanor Bron who starred in “Help,” and Rigby was the name of a wine and spirit retailer.

 

You Can’t Hurry Love/L’amore Verra

Supremes      1966      28-7   (21 points)

From the LP “The Supremes A’ Go-Go,” the track topped both the Hot 100 and the R&B charts. They also recorded a version in Italian.

 

 ‘Til I Kissed You 

Everly Brothers 1959   56-33 (23 points)

The record reached #4 on the Hot 100, #8 on the Country Singles chart and #22 on the R&B chart. Floyd Cramer and Chet Atkins play on the track.

Then He Kissed Me  Crystals 1963  41-20  (21 points)

Fifteen year old Dolores Brooks was the only Crystal to sing on this track.

 

Dangling Conversation  

Simon & Garfunkel      1966    57-34  (23 points)

The record peaked at #25 on the Hot 100. In 1993, Paul Simon called Dangling Conversation “a college kid’s song.”

We Gotta Get Out of This Place  

Animals 1965    68-43    (25 points)

This was one of the most popular songs among American service members during the Vietnam War. The video, for its time, is extraordinary.

On the Road Again 

Canned Heat  1968  72-46  (26 points)

This was Canned Heat’s first charting single, peaking at #16 on the Hot 100. Alan Wilson sings lead and plays harmonica.

Remember  Shangri-Las 1964     78-47   (31 points)

Legend has it that the original version was almost seven minutes long. The record reached #5 on the Hot 100.

Sea of Love

Phil Phillips and the Twilights 1959  22-2    (20 points)

Phillips was working in a Lake Charles hotel when he wrote this song which peaked at #1 on the R&B chart and #2 on the Hot 100. It sold over a million copies, and was certified gold.

 

Eve of Destruction   

Barry McGuire      1965      58-27    (31 points)

P.F. Sloan, who wrote the song, also plays guitar on the track. McGuire’s voice track was a rough mix recorded in one take that was not intended to be the final version. Once a bootleg of the recording was aired on L.A. radio and the song became a hit, McGuire’s voice track was never re-recorded. Check out the groovy modern dancing in the video.

Sherry   Four Seasons   1962       Debut  #65

The title went through several name changes: Jackie, Terri, and Peri before landing on Sherry, which was the name of the daughter of Bob Gaudio’s best friend.

 

Yellow Submarine    Beatles  1966   52-8  (44 points)

This was a double A side, paired with Eleanor Rigby. It peaked at #2 on the Hot 100. John Lennon blew through a straw into a pan of water to create the bubbling effect and McCartney and Lennon talked through tin cans to create the sound of the captain's orders. In 1973 the same cash register sound was used for Pink Floyd’s “Money.”

Little Sister     Elvis Presley     1961       Debut  #61

This track peaked at #5. Hank Garland’s lead guitar riff seems inspired by 1960’s “Shakin’ All Over” by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. Ray Walker sings the very deep bass line on the Jordanaires backing vocal.

Harper Valley P.T.A.

Jeannie C. Riley   1968      81-7   (74 points)

With this six million seller, Jeannie C. Riley was the first woman to reach #1 on both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Singles charts. The record’s one-week  74 point jump from 81 to 7 was the largest one-week Billboard chart climb of the 1960’s. Jerry Kennedy provided the excellent dobro guitar accompaniment on the record.

7:00-8:00

So Sad About Us     Who  1966     NR

When Ringo Starr asked Keith Moon how he had joined The Who, Moon said he didn’t join, he had "just been filling in for the last fifteen years."

Please Stay     Drifters     1961   #14 Peak 

Rudy Lewis had just replaced Ben E. King as lead singer. The song was composed by Burt Bacharach.

 

Stand by Me  Quicksilver Messenger Service  1968  #110

Known for his formidable amplifier stack (which is on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), John Cippolina played guitar using his thumb and first finger with a distinctive tremolo to his tone. 

 

Give the People What They Want  

O’Jays    1974  H100 #45,  R&B #1

Walter Williams is the O’Jay with the smooth singing style on this Gamble and Huff composition.

 

Pump It Up   Elvis Costello     1978    DNC    

Costello was awarded Britain’s Order of the British Empire in 2019 and he almost declined the award. It was his mother who convinced him, saying, “…if something is deserved then one must be gracious in acceptance.”

I Will        Vic Dana      1962  #47  Peak

Born in Buffalo, Dana was known as a dancer as much as a singer.

 

Send It  Ashford and Simpson   1977 Peak #15  R&B

Valerie Simpson and her husband Nick Ashford were associated as songwriters and producers with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell for some of their most prominent duets.

 

Goin’ Steady      Tommy Sands 1957     #16  Peak

Sands got his start on TV in 1957 and became an overnight teenage idol. He was married to Nancy Sinatra for awhile and, after they divorced, Sands’ acting and singing career went into decline.

 

God Only Knows     Captain and Tenille  1975  NR 

Both Daryl Dragon and Toni Tenille were keyboardists for the Beach Boys in concert.

 

I’m a Man    Chicago    1971  #49

Chicago put its distinctive stamp (including an iconic drum solo by Danny Seraphine) on their cover of this Steve Winwood composition for the Spencer Davis Group.

Nothing I Didn’t Know     Procol Harum   1970   NR

Chris Copping replaced Matthew Fisher as organist and David Knights on bass. He recorded seven albums with Procol Harum.

Dancing in the Street 

Martha and the Vandellas 1964     68-42   (26 points)

The song was written with Kim Weston in mind, but she turned it down. When Martha Reeves joined Motown, she was offered the song, which peaked at #2 on both the Hot 100 and R&B charts.

Dreamin’  Johnny Burnette  1960   28-17  (11 points)

This track was a million seller and reached #11 on the Hot 100. As a young man, Burnette worked on Mississippi River barges and in 1956 his rock and roll trio won Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour three times.

A Little Bit of Soap    Jarmels  1961  67-48  (19 points)

This track reached  #7 on the R&B chart and #12 on the Hot 100.

What’s A Matter Baby  Timi Yuro  1962  23-18  (5 points)

This track reached #12 on the Hot 100.  Yuro’s mother wanted her to sing classical music and disapproved of her singing pop. Her father did everything he could to prevent Yuro from singing at all.

8:00-9:00

Oh Pretty Woman    Roy Orbison  1958  Debut  #51

This was Orbison’s second single to hit #1 where it stayed for three weeks.  Billy Sanford played the opening guitar riff. Check out the audience shots in this American Bandstand video.

Ride Away   Roy Orbison  1965   98-73     (25 points)

This track was taken from his seventh album (and first for MGM) called “There Is Only One Roy Orbison.” Ride Away peaked at #25 on the Hot 100.

 

Crying          Roy Orbison  1961    71-49   (22 points)

This track reached #2 on the Hot 100. Buddy Harman played drums.

Tears on My Pillow  

Little Anthony and the Imperials 1958    63-26   (37 points)

The record was a million seller, peaking at #4 on the Hot 100. Radio DJ Alan Freed singled out Anthony Gourdine on the air as the lead singer, and the Imperials became known thereafter as Little Anthony and the Imperials.

The Mountain’s High

Dick and Deedee    1961    68-42   (26 points)

As sometimes happened, this was originally a B-side that was inadvertently played by a San Francisco DJ. Dick and Deedee (who wrote the song) were both double tracked which made it sound like there were four voices singing.

Magic Bus    The Who  1968      57-32   (25 points)

Pete Townshend wrote the song in 1965, but it was not recorded until 1968 when it was released as a single. It peaked in the U.S. at #25.

 

Hush     Deep Purple  1968      38-14   (24 points)

This was a cover of a Joe South song first recorded by Billy Joe Royal. It peaked at #4 on the Hot 100. The group’s name was inspired by a popular ballad of the same name published in 1933.

Mickey’s Monkey  Miracles  1963  59-39  (20 points)

This track peaked at #3 on the R&B chart and #8 on the Hot 100. Background singers include Mary Wilson and members of the Vandellas, Temptations and Marvelettes. The Mickey of the title might refer to Motown songwriter and producer Mickey Stevenson.

My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own  

Connie Francis   1960      56-34   (22 points)

Francis hit #1 on the Hot 100 for the second time in a row with this track. It also peaked on the R&B chart at #11.

 

I Wish It Would Rain

Gladys Knight and the Pips  1968  84-58  (26 points)

This cover of the original by The Temptations reached #15 on the R&B chart and #41 on the Hot 100.

Maybe the Rain Will Fall 

Cascades      1969      79-63    (16 points)

This track was released seven years after “Rhythm of the Rain” and was a regional hit in their hometown of San Diego.

It Might As Well Rain Until September   

Carole King   1962   Debut  #90

Carol King and Gerry Goffin wrote the song for Bobby Vee. King recorded the song as a demo on acetate, and Don Kirshner liked it so much he released the demo. Although the kids on American Bandstand only gave it a rating of 42 out of 100, the song was her first commercial success as a singer, peaking at #22 on the Hot 100.

 

Wonderful Dream  The Majors  1962  75-52  (20 points)

The Majors reached #23 on the R&B chart and #22 on the Hot 100.  

 

Funny (How Time Slips Away)    

Joe Hinton    1964        69-45   (24 points)

The song was written by Willie Nelson, and Hinton’s version peaked at #13 on the Hot 100, selling over a million copies.

 

Laugh at Me   Sonny Bono  1965  83-52  (31 points)

This was Sonny’s only hit song as a soloist, reaching #10.

Turn Down Day  Cyrkle    1966     58-31   (27 points)

The song peaked on the Hot 100 at #16. Brian Epstein managed the group, and John Lennon came up with the spelling of their name C-Y-R-K-L-E.

Always Something There to Remind Me       

Dionne Warwick   1968    Debut #85

Would it surprise you to learn that, while Naked Eyes’ 1983 version of this song reached #8, Dionne Warwick’s 1968 version peaked at only #65 on the Hot 100? It sure surprised me…

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

 

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

H100 = Hot 100 Chart

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 on September 5, 2020:  John Simon with a spotlight on “Records Making Their Debut in September.”

 

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 here.

 

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