"AT40: The 70s" by Pete Battistini

[kentd]

A fantastic book, it was neat seeing the old Watermark letters to the stations, so many I remember from those days. I was particularly interested in the 1-6-1979 error where the wrong Andy Gibb tune was played. I was working the board that day and remember who awful it sounded when we played our single of "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away"...
Pete...thanks for the memories...

[vto66]

Yesterday (June 20), I picked up a copy of Pete Battistinni's book "American Top 40: The 70s." It cost me about $30, and it was worth every penny of it!! I enjoyed reading about how the show got started, how an AT40 show is put together, the memories and reflections of those who either worked on the show or grew up listening to the show and nearly everything and anything I've always wanted to know about AT40. I was particularly fascinated by the program summaries, with their "odd chart stats," "stretch stories," "listener questions" and especially finding out at which point any changes in either the AT40 themes or "logo jingles" took place. This last subject is one that has always interested me in regards to AT40, and I was amused to read where sometimes, in the early years of the show, there were crazy sound effects such as horses galloping or a rubber duck squeaking inserted into the closing, or end-of-hour themes. Most, if not all, of my questions about AT40 were answered thanks to Pete's book (Only one minor quibble here: There was no mention of when AT40 started using the "logo jingle" series that included the "Afternoon Delight" knock-off, or when the show switched from those jingles to new ones. I am interested to hear when this change occured, because I remember hearing the "Afternoon Delight"-styled jingle on the first four-hour AT40 show when XM played it. ) Now, when I listen to XM's replays of Classic AT40, I can flip back to the book so I'll know what to expect as I listen. A hearty "Shuckatoom!" to Pete for his fine piece of work and to Borders for special-ordering the book for me to enjoy!

[tacomalo]

I agree with everything you've said, I also got the book recently and in between the amused stares from my kids, had a great time going through every page, more than once.

So, who is going to step up and do the 1980s book?

[Indycolt]

I was one of those fans quoted in the book with a personal reminiscence. Coupled with Rob's book,you get the full scope of AT40. I got the book a couple of years ago now,but still enjoy going back and reading it from time to time,especially the old memos warning PD's about songs with "potential" controversial content. Yes,Pete really covered it all there,and its a great statistical source as well.

SteveO

[at40petebattistini]

Many thanks for the most recent book comments from vto66, tacomalo, and Indycolt. During the years that I put the book together, my hope was that AT40 fans would enjoy it once available.

To tacomalo, I've had conversations with a number of people about an 80s book. I would love to do it -- I've got a great deal of material for it -- but finding the time to compile program summaries and radio station information is a bit of a challenge for me right now.

To vto66, I'll try and answer your question about the "logo jingle series that included the "Afternoon Delight" knock-off." I don't recall any AT40 jingles referred to as an Afternoon Delight knock-off -- I like it! But, to the best of my knowledge, new jingles began with the January 8, 1977 program. (I don't have written correspondence from Watermark to verify this particular change.) This information is not noted in my book, so thank you for asking. But the program summary dates of 12-16-72, 4-13-74, and 8-23-75 offer jingle changes.

Also noteworthy, I believe the jingle package introduced in August 1975 included a "now on with the countdown" jingle, used for the first time. The January 1977 package also included the "now on with the countdown" jingle which was much more distinct than the previous one. Of course, this was used after Casey told a story or answered a listener question. As always, I welcome any clarification to this information.

I've wondered if I should've included a list of all "number" jingles in the summary of each program, but that may have added another five years to its release! Thanks again for your feedback.

[BrettVW]

Pete,

I also picked up your book recently, and spent a significant amount of time reading it. What I enjoyed most was the compilation of memos sent to affiliates from AT40. It was a wonderful read!

[at40petebattistini]

Brett,
Thanks for your post. Regarding the memos, I believe that they can stand alone and provide an interesting perspective of the show. I sometimes go back to look at these and discover some trivial fact I missed the first 100 times I read them!

By the way, comments -- complimentary or critical -- are always welcome.

[tobedawg]

great historical show today!!! It sort of confused me at the beginning when Casey said something to the effect of the "Week ending July 11 th".. and I thought uh oh they are NOT running the first show but low and behold with the #39 song by Mark Lindsay and the tie in story I knew it was the Very first show!!

[Caseyfan4everRyanfanNever]

During the first several months, AT40 shows were based upon the following week's Hot 100. The first show was broadcast on the week of July 4 1970 but used the chart for the "week ending July 11, 1970"

At some point in 1971 (From what I have heard, it was the first weekly countdown of May), AT40 began counting down on the basis of the week the show was aired. For example an AT40 broadcast on May 15, 1971 would use the chart ending that same week.

In the last month of the Shadoe Stevens era, Jan 1995, American Top 40 went in the other direction and the shows were based on the previous weeks chart(by this time AT40 was using the Mainstream Top 40 Airplay Billboard chart).

For more information on this, check out our own Rob Durkee's book "American Top 40: The Countdown of the Century". The book is a must for all fans of American Top 40 as is Pete's book "American Top 40: the 1970s"

John

[mstgator]

bassjl2 said:

At some point in 1971 (From what I have heard, it was the first weekly countdown of May), AT40 began counting down on the basis of the week the show was aired.

Yep, it was the weekend of May 8, 1971 (the previous week AT40 aired its first ever non-year-end special).

[tacomalo]

Speaking of the early shows, I understand the 3rd hour of the 2nd show is missing. Pete had mentioned at one time that there was a theory as to what happened...but I've never seen a thread that explains all of the conspiracy theories!

[bandit73]

tacomalo said:

Speaking of the early shows, I understand the 3rd hour of the 2nd show is missing.

Missing totally? As in, no copy is known to exist anywhere in the world???

I thought every episode of the entire run of AT40 existed in full.

[Scott Lakefield]

No, bandit...as far as anyone knows, that is missing entirely...no known copy exists.
Scott

[bandit73]

admin said:

No, bandit...as far as anyone knows, that is missing entirely...no known copy exists.

You might want to look it up on Google. Some aircheck trading sites might have a copy.

I think I know someone who MIGHT have a few reel-to-reel copies of the show from the early '70s, but I doubt they would have the second show. (I assume you mean the one from 7/11/70.)

[at40petebattistini]

I know this may seem like self-promotion. But if you click on (or cut and paste) the link below, you'll be taken to the web site of B101 -- the AT40 (70s) station in Providence, Rhode Island. Scroll down and click to hear an interview I did with music director Tom St. John, a long-time fan of Casey.

What's unique about this are the two very-hard-to-find audio clips of Casey, one from the 50s and the other from the 60s, that preface the interview. Extremely vintage Casey Kasem!

www.b101.com/pages/bighitsmusic.html