(Above: The box of records that used to belong to my parents. I've had it for 45 years.) Think back to when you were a kid. What was the one gift that you received that you remember more than any of the others? The one that, though you didn't know it at the time, changed … Continue reading The gift that kept on giving: My first 45s, 45 years later (Part 1)
radio
So long, WLUP: Songs I learned from “The Loop”
Word spread rapidly this morning that Merlin Media, who had been trying to sell Chicago's WLUP, finally found a buyer: the Educational Media Foundation. EMF serves the contemporary Christian format over satellite to its affiliates. The format, called "K-Love," has been on the air on a signal out of suburban Elgin for some time, but … Continue reading So long, WLUP: Songs I learned from “The Loop”
“L’amour est bleu” and other mellow sounds: The Billboard Hot 100, February 17, 1968
(Above: The song at Number One, as I remember it looking....) Fifty years ago this week Paul Mauriat's "Love Is Blue" was the number one song in the country. About three years after that it became my earliest memory of a phonograph. I've shared a picture before of my mother holding me next to our … Continue reading “L’amour est bleu” and other mellow sounds: The Billboard Hot 100, February 17, 1968
Rockin’ the suburbs: The Billboard Top Rock Tracks, February 12, 1983
Yesterday's post about the songs likely played at the school dances right around this time was a bit of a bummer. It's not because school dances themselves are sad - certainly not so many years later - but because the songs on the list were, frankly, a downer. They're also not the things I would … Continue reading Rockin’ the suburbs: The Billboard Top Rock Tracks, February 12, 1983
Hearts and dances: Billboard Adult Contemporary hits of February 1983-1986
(Above: A high school dance, circa 2018) The power of Twitter: I learned that my old high school, Victor J. Andrew HS, is holding a dance tonight. It's called "Just Dance." It comes at the end of Spirit Week, which had a variety of activities to bolster pride in the school. Tickets for Just Dance … Continue reading Hearts and dances: Billboard Adult Contemporary hits of February 1983-1986
National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Discusses Five-Decade Broadcast Career
Normally we only do music on this blog. But, I've talked about John Landecker here before, and was honored to be a part of this event today. Congrats, John - well-deserved.
Forty years ago in Chicago: The WLS Survey, January 28, 1978
(Of course he does.) The last week of January, 1978 saw me as a fourth-grader at Helen Keller School in Tinley Park, Illinois. I was still about a year and a half away from "playing radio" in Mr. Johnston's sixth-grade class. I would have been about two months away from receiving my first stereo system … Continue reading Forty years ago in Chicago: The WLS Survey, January 28, 1978
We can make it hap: Chicago, “Dialogue” (1972)
(Above: Terry Kath represents the hometown team.) Chicago guitarist Terry Kath died forty years ago today - January 23, 1978 - in one of rock and roll's stranger stories. Kath, who had fancied himself somewhat of a gun enthusiast, shot and killed himself at his home in California. Reportedly, his last words were "See, it's … Continue reading We can make it hap: Chicago, “Dialogue” (1972)
Rest in peace, Edwin Hawkins: The Edwin Hawkins Singers, “Oh Happy Day” (1969)
(Above: The Singers, performing live) The music world lost Edwin Hawkins today at the age of 74 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Edwin Hawkins Singers shared Gospel music in the late 1960s, a time when many others were singing about a desire for peace without relying on Scripture. The Singers released an LP … Continue reading Rest in peace, Edwin Hawkins: The Edwin Hawkins Singers, “Oh Happy Day” (1969)
Rest in peace, Dolores O’Riordan: The Cranberries, “Linger” (1993)
(Above: Dolores in concert.) The music world was surprised today to get word of the passing of Dolores O'Riordan, the lead singer of Irish band The Cranberries, at the age of 46. As of this posting a cause of death has not been shared, and the word "unexpected" has been used in several circles. The … Continue reading Rest in peace, Dolores O’Riordan: The Cranberries, “Linger” (1993)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 