(Above: The place where my radio career started, in a very loose sense of the word.) The big story in the middle of May 1980 was the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in Washington State. More than fifty people lost their lives in the blast, and it dominated the news cycle for several days. … Continue reading A sixth-grader’s records: The Billboard Hot 100, May 17, 1980
1980s
Great lost hit: Henry Lee Summer, “Hey Baby” (1989)
(Above: The CD single artwork.) The post earlier this week about my time at WJEQ/Macomb, Illinois talked about a lot of the "oh wow" music that the station played. Since I was only at the station for a few months, I don't have a lot of tape to go through. But over the next few … Continue reading Great lost hit: Henry Lee Summer, “Hey Baby” (1989)
Great lost hit: Julian Lennon, “Say You’re Wrong” (1985)
(Above: The artist, looking just a bit like Dad.) By the end of April, 1985, I was a junior in high school. I was supposed to be concentrating on things like taking the ACT, finishing my classes, and looking for a summer job. Of course, none of those things were priorities with me or most … Continue reading Great lost hit: Julian Lennon, “Say You’re Wrong” (1985)
Not all that glitters: The Billboard Top 40, April 17, 1982
(Above: These guys made a star out of that guy from Rush.) I've mentioned before that I enjoy listening to the "VJ Big 40 Countdown" on Sirius XM's 80s on 8 channel. I especially enjoy when I catch the list in the first hour or so and catch the tunes that stalled out in the … Continue reading Not all that glitters: The Billboard Top 40, April 17, 1982
But if you try sometimes: The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (1968)
(Above: Alex's funeral in The Big Chill, which many people picture when they hear this song.) I was fifteen years old in 1984 when my family rented a copy of The Big Chill. We loaded it into the ginormous VCR that sat atop the television, dragged the cable for its remote to the couch, and … Continue reading But if you try sometimes: The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (1968)
RIP, J. Geils: “Must Of Got Lost” (1974)
(Above: J. Geils.) Last night my various social media feeds filled with the news that John Warren Geils Jr. passed away at the age of 71. It's only when you shorten his first name to an initial that the name likely rings a bell. The J. Geils Band was a live show phenomenon in the … Continue reading RIP, J. Geils: “Must Of Got Lost” (1974)
Songs you hate, then love: The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
(Above: Which is the guiltier pleasure - the song or the movie?) If I haven't made it clear enough in earlier posts or by dropping lyrics into text sans citation, I like the Beach Boys. A lot. That's why the revulsion I felt when I first heard "Kokomo" was so troubling. Eventually, though, I came … Continue reading Songs you hate, then love: The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
Exploring the pop charts: The Billboard Hot 100 (March 26, 1983)
(Above: Michael Jackson, about to debut the moonwalk on Motown 25, taped 3/25/1983.) The last week in March of 1983 I was looking forward to the end of my freshman year of high school. Baseball fans on the South Side of Chicago were looking forward to opening day, not necessarily realizing that it would become … Continue reading Exploring the pop charts: The Billboard Hot 100 (March 26, 1983)
Erin go bragh-less: Irish bands on the charts and “The Unicorn” (1968)
(Above: The Clancy Brothers, replete with pipes and sweaters.) Ah, Oldies radio. We like to observe the same conventions each year when it comes to things like holidays and commemorations. I will bet you everything in my wallet (a low risk on a Friday, least of all on St. Patrick's Day) that your friendly neighborhood … Continue reading Erin go bragh-less: Irish bands on the charts and “The Unicorn” (1968)
Rest in peace, Joey Alves: Y&T, “Summertime Girls” (1985)
(Above: Y&T from the "Summertime Girls" video. Nice shorts.) Got word this evening that Joey Alves, the guitarist for the band Y&T, passed away after a battle with ulcerative colitis. He was 63. It's the second death for the band in the last six months following the passing of drummer Leonard Haze last fall at … Continue reading Rest in peace, Joey Alves: Y&T, “Summertime Girls” (1985)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 