60's Satellite Survey

[doofus67]

True. Until early 2015, when all of SiriusXM's countdowns began using BB exclusively, the Satellite Survey was usually an amalgam of BB, Cash Box, and Record World. Or, for the special surveys, like The Number Twos for instance, the rankings would come from the fine book, Ranking the 60s, by Dann Isbell.

[jgve1952]

I tried to listen when Ken was playing the #2 song, but may have missed the year he is featuring on the 9-23-17 show. I do wonder if he will feature all 10 years from 1960 to 1969. Some oldies stations are weeding out the early 60's, and feature the years 1964 to 1969. Thanks for any info.

[skyseth]

The next show will be September 28, 1963

[jgve1952]

Thank you skyseth! I know that there will plenty of women on this countdown: in fact, 5 of the Top 6 are all women groups: (from positions 2 thru 6: Jaynetts, Ronettes, Martha and the Vandellas, Angels, and Crystals. Since the songs were shorter at that time, there will be plenty of extras to fill in the 2 hour timeslot Ken Merson tries to keep. I think the average song in 1963 was about 2:40.

[mkarns]

Sept 19, 2017 18:05:14 GMT -5 jgve1952 said:

Thank you skyseth! I know that there will plenty of women on this countdown: in fact, 5 of the Top 6 are all women groups: (from positions 2 thru 6: Jaynetts, Ronettes, Martha and the Vandellas, Angels, and Crystals. Since the songs were shorter at that time, there will be plenty of extras to fill in the 2 hour timeslot Ken Merson tries to keep. I think the average song in 1963 was about 2:40.

That's actually a significant reduction in size, as Lou's later countdowns usually hit or came close to the three hour mark, especially when later years were featured. Often there would be 15 or more non-countdown extras to fill time, on top of a full top 40. I liked the thoroughness and obscure extras that were played (many of which weren't big or widely heard hits even when new), but frankly those shows often felt padded.

[doofus67]

Lou made his usual Wednesday appearance on Cousin Brucie's show this week. He explained his departure from the Survey.

With so many hats to wear -- programming various SiriusXM channels including the new Beatles Channel plus hosting The Diner -- Lou felt that "something had to give. If I couldn't give the Survey 150%, then I shouldn't do it at all."

I haven't listened to any of the Ken Merson shows, but I'm sure he's doing a fine job.

[jgve1952]

Ken Merson's show of 1963 was really great! He stated the #1 record had the same initials as its artist, BV for Bobby Vinton and "Blue Velvet." I listened attentively because on his first show he gave next week's featured year right at the #2 song, but didn't yesterday. I am thinking it will be either 1961 or 1967 since both years correspond with 9-30-17. So far he has done in order: 68, 64, 66 and 63. I am wondering if he will do all ten years without a repeat.

[jgve1952]

I listed attentively to the replay of the '63 countdown this evening, and Ken did not state what year he will be playing for the upcoming weekend show. If anyone goes to his Facebook page or has any other method of finding out the year, could you please share that in this thread. Thanks in advance, Jeff

[jgve1952]

Listening to Ken Merson now, and he is playing 1969 with the chart date of 10-4-69. He is in fact keeping the show to right at 2 hours.

[friarboy]

No disrespect to Ken Merson who is doing a good job as far as it goes but man, I miss the Lou Simon version of this program. I appreciate that Lou's show was unique and they're not trying to re-create his style with a different person but I miss his conversational style and listener-involved show. I could argue perhaps that maybe Simon actually made too much of an effort to incorporate many- sometimes ridiculous- listener requests. But he will be missed.

After giving the new pared down version several listens- I doubt I'll listen much anymore. Cutting it down to 30 songs really makes it primarily the songs you already know- one of the best things about going to 40 is the more obscure songs that hit the lower reaches that you don't hear much if at all anymore. Just my opinion of course.

[skyseth]

I agree with you friarboy and also i regret that Ken doesn't pay attention to what's been aired by Lou since two of the last three shows were using the same chart as Lou's previous shows :

Weekend of Nov 04 : Chart of Nov 08, 1969 ( aired in 2015 )
Weekend of Nov 11 : chart of Nov 12, 1966 ( aired in 2016 )

[doofus67]

Every Survey show is fun to listen to, but this weekend's show is particularly refreshing. I love it when they have a Survey special and the theme is anything chart-related.

This time, Ken Merson plays Hits and Misses. He alternates between a big hit record and the artist's follow-up single that didn't do so hot.

For instance, there's the Byrds' "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (#1) back-to-back with their next release, "It Won't Be Wrong" (#63). Or the Classics IV with "Spooky" (#3) followed by "Soul Train" (#90).

It will be encored tomorrow at 9 a.m. Eastern and Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

[jgve1952]

Ken is doing Part 2 of Hits and Misses Saturday at 2pm EST.

[mkarns]

This week Ken is doing March 1970, continuing as Lou did to play the pre-Casey/AT40 first half of that year.

[doofus67]

Mar 10, 2018 15:47:40 GMT -5 mkarns said:

This week Ken is doing March 1970, continuing as Lou did to play the pre-Casey/AT40 first half of that year.

These pre-Casey shows always sound so good. Every song just jumps out of the speakers! That's still true even now, with Ken taking a more streamlined approach, keeping every show around 2 hours in length.

It encores tomorrow at 9 am Eastern and Wednesday at 9 pm Eastern.