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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 22, 2013 22:55:04 GMT -5
Chicago is known for their blues. Legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, and Koko Taylor made the city their home base. It’s also the home of Chess Records, the label for which these artists recorded. Chess also produced some great local soul artists like the Dells, Ramsey Lewis, and Andrea Davis (aka Minnie Riperton).
Chicago’s soul scene also made their mark nationally. Acts like Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Staple Singers, Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Lou Rawls, Tyrone Davis and the Chi-Lites all reached the upper tiers of the national pop and soul charts.
The city has also seen its share of legendary rock recordings. The Yardbirds “Shapes Of Things” was recorded at Chess Studios as was the Rolling Stones “It’s All Over Now” and “Time Is On My Side”. The Stones’ instrumental “2120 South Michigan Avenue” is a tribute to Chess Records, the address of their studios. The single version of the Guess Who’s “No Time” was recorded in Chicago as well as the “B” side, “Proper Stranger”.
Take all these influences add the British Invasion and soon you have teens in the city and suburbs forming bands in the hopes of emulating their idols. Teen clubs were opening and booking national acts, and the local talent would open for them. Local labels like Dunwich and USA would record these bands and release 45s in the hopes of getting airplay. The more popular bands would get picked up by national labels like Columbia and Mercury.
WLS was the radio giant with a 50,000 watt signal that could be heard at night east of the Rockies. In 1965, WCFL changed their radio format to rock and roll and the radio wars began. WLS dominated the competition that lasted a little over 10 years, but WCFL made enough inroads to keep it interesting. One of the ways to gain an edge was to play songs by some of the bands listeners would see at the clubs.
Between late 1963 and 1969 many of these songs that Bubbled Under or reached the lower rungs of the Hot 100 nationally received regular airplay and reached the Top 40 of the local surveys. A good number of them were national hits as well. This thread will count them down 66 to 1. We’re going to do it Spinal Tap style (11 at a time!). There will be another dozen local classics from the 70s and 80s thrown in as extras for good measure. A few significant regional hits are also included.
Countdown position is based on points earned for each week the song charted. Points are based on chart position and weeks on the survey. If a song reached #20 in its sixth week, the song would earn 21 points for chart position plus 6 points for the number of weeks on the chart, a total of 27 points. Add up all the points earned during the song’s chart run to determine its countdown position. Ties are broken by peak position, then chart weeks. The WLS Silver Dollar Survey as it was known during this time serves as the basis, since it was top forty.
Statistically, each song on the chart is formatted as follows:
Chart position – Title – Artist
WLS – Peak Position, Weeks in Survey, Debut, Points Earned
Billboard [BB] - Peak Position, Weeks in Survey, Debut
To quote Casey, “Now on with the countdown!”
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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 22, 2013 23:01:21 GMT -5
66. Lazy Day – Spanky And Our Gang
WLS - #33, 3 wks, 11/17/67, 21 pts BB- #14, 11 wks, 10/14/67 www.youtube.com/watch?v=brDv45Fatt0Folk/pop group formed in Chicago. Elaine “Spanky” McFarland was from Peoria, and sang the Cass Elliot vocals when the Mamas and Papas reunited in the 80’s. 65. Great Train Robbery – Little Boy Blues
WLS - #33, 3 wks, 1/20/67, 27 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGN7PXzjt34Great garage/blues song. 64. Back In Love Again – Buckinghams
WLS - #32, 3 wks, 5/27/68, 30 pts BB - #57, 6 wks, 6/8/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAc4AyFR-b01967 was the Buckinghams year with 5 top 12 singles nationally. Unfortunately, popular music turned psychedelic and the band was left behind. Song came from the album whose title foreshadowed their fate: “In One Ear And Gone Tomorrow”. Extra: What A Wonderful Thing We Have – Fabulous Rhinestones
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xij4BUAhzRsThis 1972 song featured ex-Buckinghams member Marty Grebb and great guitar work by Kal David. 63. I’m Gonna Make You Mine – Shadows Of Knight
WLS - #25, 4 wks, 11/11/66, 47 pts BB - #90, 1 wk, 12/24/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=66wg6nEEuncDefinitely not the same song whose title is shared by Lou Christie’s 1969 top ten hit. 62. Girl – Pride And Joy
WLS - #27, 4 wks, 5/5/67, 58 pts BB – Did not chart ontheflip-side.blogspot.com/2013/06/dunwich-records-pride-and-joy-if-youre.html#!/2013/06/dunwich-records-pride-and-joy-if-youre.html Not a youtube link. The band appears again in this countdown under a different name and with a different sound. 61. Hey Baby – Five Emprees
WLS - #24, 4 wks, 11/5/65, 58 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a-b3AKpdJ4Regional hit for a band from Benton Harbor, Michigan. It’s a remake of Bruce Channel’s #1 song. Also known as the Five Empressions. 60. Green Light – American Breed
WLS - #21, 4 wks, 2/21/68, 64 pts BB – #39, 7 wks, 2/24/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffsg4GOijx4Third and final Top 40 hit for the band. A couple of the members would join up with Chaka Khan in the 70’s to form Rufus. 59. Cadillac – New Colony Six
WLS - #27, 5 wks, 7/1/66, 66 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJnKHyYS1jg[live from 2012] From the Bo Diddley school of rock. 58. Are You The Kind? – Flock
WLS - #23, 4 wks, 2/24/67, 72 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7tqRJGn8ZILast of three songs from the Flock to make the survey, all recorded on the local Destination label. After a label change, the results sounded markedly different from their mid-sixties output… Extra: Tired Of Waiting - Flock
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdfOTnbdslYBy 1969, the Flock was signed by Columbia Records. Psychedelic interpretation of the Kinks classic. 57. Lawdy Miss Clawdy – Buckinghams
WLS - #27, 5 wks, 3/3/67, 78 pts BB – #41, 6 wks, 3/11/67 www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f6QVGXiA-UAfter the Buckinghams broke nationally, they also signed with Columbia records. Their old label USA released this Lloyd Price remake to compete with Columbia's first release. 56. Last Time Around – Del-Vetts
WLS - #26, 6 wks, 6/24/66, 83 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSluwC6p_J4Remember Pride and Joy at #62? This was the same band in an earlier incarnation. Whereas Pride and Joy was more in a pop vein, this one was a stone cold psychedelic classic. The band members drove to gigs in their white Corvettes, thus the name. The countdown will continue next week with songs #55 - 45.
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Post by reachinforthestars on Aug 24, 2013 3:00:05 GMT -5
64. Back In Love Again – Buckinghams
1967 was the Buckinghams year with 5 top 12 singles nationally. Unfortunately, popular music turned psychedelic and the band was left behind. It certainly wasn't due to their lack of adjusting to the music of the era. "Susan" has one heck of a trippy bridge that really messes with my mind. The psychedelic influence can also be heard on some of their LP tracks during this time. The sad reality is I feel their music was getting better while their popularity was declining. Now I will sit back and watch the phenomenal NC6 dominate the remainder your list.  |
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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 24, 2013 5:25:14 GMT -5
64. Back In Love Again – Buckinghams
1967 was the Buckinghams year with 5 top 12 singles nationally. Unfortunately, popular music turned psychedelic and the band was left behind. It certainly wasn't due to their lack of adjusting to the music of the era. "Susan" has one heck of a trippy bridge that really messes with my mind. The psychedelic influence can also be heard on some of their LP tracks during this time. The sad reality is I feel their music was getting better while their popularity was declining. Now I will sit back and watch the phenomenal NC6 dominate the remainder your list. You are correct regarding "Susan". The trippy bridge surprised the band at the time. Supposedly James Guercio put that in the song without their knowledge, although I believe it was edited out of the 45. As for the NC6...you betcha! |
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Post by at40petebattistini on Aug 24, 2013 9:27:17 GMT -5
Good stuff ... looking forward to the next part!
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Post by pgfromwp on Aug 24, 2013 20:16:11 GMT -5
Likewise ... excellent concept!
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Post by reachinforthestars on Aug 25, 2013 2:24:26 GMT -5
It certainly wasn't due to their lack of adjusting to the music of the era. "Susan" has one heck of a trippy bridge that really messes with my mind. The psychedelic influence can also be heard on some of their LP tracks during this time. The sad reality is I feel their music was getting better while their popularity was declining. Now I will sit back and watch the phenomenal NC6 dominate the remainder your list. You are correct regarding "Susan". The trippy bridge surprised the band at the time. Supposedly James Guercio put that in the song without their knowledge, although I believe it was edited out of the 45. I think the promo 45 was sent to radio stations without the psychedelic interlude. But it wasn't edited on the commercial 45. That was until the commercial re-issue 45 came out and then it was edited. I only listen to the unedited version because the virtual LSD trip is a must. |
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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 25, 2013 5:24:54 GMT -5
I think the promo 45 was sent to radio stations without the psychedelic interlude. But it wasn't edited on the commercial 45. That was until the commercial re-issue 45 came out and then it was edited. I only listen to the unedited version because the virtual LSD trip is a must. The promo 45 edit is weird in a bad way, the unedited version is weird in a good way!  |
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Post by reachinforthestars on Aug 25, 2013 9:41:23 GMT -5
I think the promo 45 was sent to radio stations without the psychedelic interlude. But it wasn't edited on the commercial 45. That was until the commercial re-issue 45 came out and then it was edited. I only listen to the unedited version because the virtual LSD trip is a must. The promo 45 edit is weird in a bad way, the unedited version is weird in a good way! Nicely put! |
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jcs72
Full Member
Posts: 141
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Post by jcs72 on Aug 25, 2013 13:15:07 GMT -5
66. Lazy Day – Spanky And Our Gang
WLS - #33, 3 wks, 11/17/67, 21 pts BB- #14, 11 wks, 10/14/67 www.youtube.com/watch?v=brDv45Fatt0Folk/pop group formed in Chicago. Elaine “Spanky” McFarland was from Peoria, and sang the Cass Elliot vocals when the Mamas and Papas reunited in the 80’s. This is the only song of the 11 with which I am familiar. I'm surprised it charted lower on WLS vs. Billboard considering where the group was from! |
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Post by 1finemrg on Aug 28, 2013 20:01:23 GMT -5
From Aurora to Zion, Barrington to Berwyn, these are the Chicago Gold classics that those who grew up locally in the sixties hold near and dear. The countdown continues... 55. Sweets For My Sweet - RiddlesWLS - #19, 6 wks, 3/24/67, 93 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUOD1eLW3uE[Starts at 2 minutes 50 seconds] Remake of a song originally recorded by the Drifters and written by the team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Always preferred this version. 54. Bad Little Woman – Shadows Of KnightWLS - #19, 6 wks, 8/26/66, 100 pts BB – #91, 2 wks, 9/10/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Av2BU9U5gAlways wondered whether the different volume levels were intentional, a bad recording, or two takes spliced together. 53. Race With The Wind – RobbsWLS - #16, 5 wks, 6/10/66, 109 pts BB – #103, 7 wks, 6/11/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lnjKtJmFO0Jumping over the border to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to include this great song. The band would gain some notoriety as the house band for Dick Clark’s “Where The Action Is”. They also hold the distinction of having the most singles (5) make the Billboard “Bubbling Under” chart without ever reaching the Hot 100. A name change to Cherokee in the seventies resulted in a sixth “Bubbling Under” single. 52. Roller Coaster – Ides Of MarchWLS - #19, 6 wks, 8/26/66, 121 pts BB – #92, 1 wk, 9/10/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz1uPKOxmh4One of two pre-“Vehicle” singles to chart. The four original members: Larry Millas, Jim Peterik, Bob Bergland, and Mike Borch still tour and record today with the Ides. Extra: Run Back To Mama – Chasewww.youtube.com/watch?v=RfVGa2ODZ4wAfter the Ides of March broke up in 1973 (reunited in 1990), Jim Peterik’s co-wrote and was vocalist on two songs of what would be Chase’s final album “Pure Music”. The other song was “Love Is On The Way”. Bill and three other Chase members lost their lives in a plane crash on August 9, 1974. 51. Soul Drippin’ – MaudsWLS - #12, 5 wks, 9/9/68, 121 pts BB – #85, 4 wks, 10/19/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZaWvbl1fHYThis song features a horn section that would become the backbone of the group Chicago, not to mention the great soulful vocals from the late Jimy Rogers. 50. Young Birds Fly – Cryan’ ShamesWLS - #15, 6 wks, 5/20/68, 125 pts BB – #99, 2 wks, 6/22/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvIovebr9KMThe Shames appear seven times in the countdown. This was the last of five Billboard Hot 100 singles, and was written by Oliver. 49. You’re Gonna Be Mine – New Colony SixWLS - #8, 5 wks, 3/31/67, 128 pts BB – #108, 4 wks, 4/8/67 www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sATphEGYcMThe New Colony Six appear the most times in the countdown (12). 48. Can’t You See (That I Really Love Her) – FlockWLS - #22, 7 wks, 12/16/66, 130 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2AxRoeCJKoFirst charting single locally for the band. Extra: Two Hangmen – Mason Proffitwww.youtube.com/watch?v=CC3yZdG_2BcMidwestern FM classic from an early country-rock band led by the Talbot brothers. Politically controversial for its time (1969). 47. Rockin’ Robin – RivierasWLS - #8, 5 wks, 8/7/64, 138 pts BB – #96, 3 wks, 9/5/64 www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MsMLQZdbVoOne of the follow-up singles to their top 5 national smash “California Sun”. Cover of the Bobby Day classic. 46. Shake – Shadows Of KnightWLS - #12, 6 wks, 11/18/68, 140 pts BB – #46, 8 wks, 10/26/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz_4jBFwpGUOdd combination of bubble gum sound of Kasenetz/Katz (Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Company) and hard blues rock sound of the Shadows of Knight produced this great tune. 45. I Call Your Name – BuckinghamsWLS - #14, 6 wks, 6/3/66, 141 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtzvUwSbjqAOne of three pre-“Kind of a Drag” USA releases from the band. They were all cover tunes. This one tapped into the Lennon/McCartney catalog. Next week we crack into the Top 40 of the Chicago Gold countdown. More songs that failed to chart, Bubbled Under, or reached the lower rungs of the Hot 100. The next group [44-34] will feature one song that made the Billboard Top 10. |
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Post by at40petebattistini on Aug 30, 2013 23:44:39 GMT -5
From 55 to 45, I have to admit that I recognize only one song -- "Shake" -- and that's because it was on a various artists LP from Buddah Records. Looks like I have some catching up to do. |
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Post by reachinforthestars on Aug 31, 2013 3:19:07 GMT -5
The key tracks for me in this latest set are:
The Robbs - fell in love with this years ago when I saw their "Where The Action Is" performance on video.
NC6 - yet another great song by them
The Flock - the creative song structure results in a 2:30 pop symphony.
Shadows Of Knight - I loved this song so much more than "Gloria" and it should have been a larger national hit.
And finally, the Mason Proffit extra is a personal favorite of mine. Local classic rock stations used to play this periodically up until about 15 - 20 years ago. I don't know why they stopped because it is a classic.
I love the Cryan' Shames, but this was one of my least favorite singles they released. Some of their songs coming up in your countdown are perfect pop songs.
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Post by pgfromwp on Aug 31, 2013 5:32:17 GMT -5
Really like #47, "Rockin' Robin" by the Rivieras. Surprised that it didn't chart higher in the BB hot 100.
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 3, 2013 21:40:43 GMT -5
We called them the Bucks, Shames, Ides, NC6. Other bands such as Big Thing and TW4 later became Chicago and Styx respectively. Musically speaking, Chicagoans refer to them as our hometown heroes. The countdown continues with #44. 44. Face The Autumn - FamilyWLS - #12, 7 wks, 10/13/67, 145 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ_3aijCJ0kAnother USA label release. Sweet sounding pop 45. 43. I Lie Awake – New Colony SixWLS - #20, 7 wks, 3/25/66, 147 pts BB – #111, 4 wks, 4/16/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPhWv6Xo50Sound alike follow-up to their first local hit “I Confess”. 42. Like To Get To Know You – Spanky And Our GangWLS - #9, 6 wks, 5/13/68, 150 pts BB – #17, 11 wks, 4/20/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Y3l0_1US4Recorded on Mercury records, as did many other Chicago artists (New Colony Six after 1966, Mauds, Riddles, Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler). Extra: Lake Shore Drive – Aliotta, Haynes, and Jeremiahwww.youtube.com/watch?v=bjNSmAl7hF0Chicago classic supposedly banned in Boston for alleged drug reference (“Slipping on by on LSD”). Chicago’s classic rock station WDRV (“The Drive”) named for the song, and it was the first song played when the station was launched April 2, 2001. Mitch Aliotta was a member of Rotary Connection along with Minnie Riperton. 41. Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David, Smith and Jones – Cryan’ ShamesWLS - #11, 6 wks, 9/16/68, 151 pts BB – #115, 2 wks, 10/5/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRy4EGN7X6EAn uncomplimentary ode to the business side of the music industry. 40. Oh Yeah – Shadows Of KnightWLS - #13, 6 wks, 5/20/66, 153 pts BB - #39, 6 wks, 6/4/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHjEvIFQ7zkGreat follow-up to “G-L-O-R-I-A” that dented the Billboard top 40. 39. I’ll Go Crazy – BuckinghamsWLS - #19 – 8 wks, 3/25/66, 159 pts BB - #112 – 2 wks, 5/21/66 www.youtube.com/watch?v=e07L7Nk7zzYGreat James Brown cover. Horn riffs would become a signature for this band's sound. 38. Up On The Roof – Cryan’ ShamesWLS - #10 – 7 wks, 2/26/68, 159 pts BB - #85 – 3 wks, 4/6/68 www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hs2zZIBSgSupposedly Carole King was a fan of this version of the song she co-wrote with Jerry Goffin. 37. Treat Her Groovy – New Colony SixWLS - #12 – 7 wks, 9/29/67, 160 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI7fbMkggzoFirst single for the band on Mercury. The label change would see their music move toward sophisticated ballads from garage rock. Ronnie Rice’s vocals would also come to the forefront; he had joined the band the previous year. Extra: I Dig Everything About You – Mobwww.youtube.com/watch?v=nTxCvUFBhrkFrom 1970, a group from Chicago called The Mob? Members Jimmy Holvay and Gary Beisber co-wrote the majority of the Buckinghams national hits. 36. Hold On – MaudsWLS - #15 – 8 wks, 6/16/67, 176 pts BB - #114 – 4 wks, 7/29/67 www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0zbmVK1dZgAmped-up version of the Sam & Dave classic. 35. Sunday Will Never Be The Same – Spanky And Our GangWLS - #12 – 8 wks, 6/2/67, 182 pts BB - #9 – 8 wks, 5/20/67 www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkQMJ5aa_CAHighest charting of the three singles from this band. Too bad songs like “Sunday Mornin’” or “Give A D-a-m-n” didn’t crack the local Top 40. 34. I’ve Been Wrong – BuckinghamsWLS - #13 – 7 wks, 8/19/66, 187 pts BB – Did not chart www.youtube.com/watch?v=voob_RhagFMA Hollies original. #33 - 23 will be posted early next week. One of the songs was written by Tony Orlando, and another band was recruited after the original members signed with Motown. |
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