Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ♪ November 1976

 BFYP is Rock’n Me, Rock’n You with Gratitude!

Updated 11/08/26 ~ Complete!: I can’t Rock into November without feeling the warmth and gratitude to have lived through the 1970s and still Rockin’!  

In the month of Gratitude attitude and all year, I am also grateful for all the readers who know I’ll eventually post the month’s article, despite anything and everything that gets in my way. Thank You for being patient and returning to enjoy these vintage snippets of time, especially the stories of Rock & Roll Radio that played your favorite music of the day … 50 Years Ago this Month …   

º November 1976 Radio News & Muse ♪  
What was your fave DJ playing when you turned on your tinny transistor radio 50 Years Ago? Two surveys in my BFYP Collection vied for Featured Radio Survey but only one can be victorious. Both are West Coast stations and not far from each other in distance, though their Top 10 chart listings varied significantly. Which would you choose … KFXM or KHJ? 

San Bernardino was just a small, hobunk town, back in the day, but KFXM Radio Station packed a lot of clout in the industry. Known for its springboard for young, up-and-coming DJs to hone their skills, its close proximity to Los Angeles, was perfect for their intro into the big time. Who remembers longtime California Radio newsman with the authoritative style, Lyle Kilgore (1928-2018); or who doesn’t know of beloved Chicago Rockin’ DJ, Larry Lujack’s raucous sarcasm (1940-2013)? Both celebrated broadcasters got their start at KFXM.
       By the 1970s, it was host to DJs Doug Collins, Don McCoy, Chris Roberts and Bob B. Blue. Another “Doug” was on-air at KFXM this month and mentioned on the November 5, 1976, “59 Music” survey … “Did You DeRoo This Morning? Do It Tomorrow Morning … It Feels Good!” Doug DeRoo (1951-2025) became an Inland Valley legend and consummate Rock Radio DJ. 

So, speaking of Los Angeles Radio, our November 1976 Featured Radio Survey hails from the hallowed halls of legendary, KHJ-93. The storied AM station is a well-known part of Radio history, largely due to Bill Drake (1937-2008) and Ron Jacobs (1937-2016), both legendary in the Radio programming industry. You may know it now by the call letters, KRTH, which has been a popular, longtime broadcaster of Oldies.
       Revered in the 1960s with its Boss Radio campaign and popular Top 40, it ran into some trouble* in the early ‘70s and by 1976, began yielding to FM sounds.

       *I was about to end the brief recount of how we came to KHJ at this moment, but then I stumbled on a non-fiction article by the now (retired) honorable Judge Anthony J. Mohr. On the morning of July 16, 1970, the young law student in Los Angeles debated whether to finish his final exam or follow the enticing summer contest play with the Real Don Steele on KHJ. His account of that day is an amazing, personal trip back in time and how destiny can make or break a day … or a life.  
       KHJ continued as a Top 40 station through 1979 and flipped to a country music format in 1980. Who was on the KHJ survey “Issue No. 591” November 2, 1976? Drake brought up-and-coming DJ Charlie Van Dyke to his stations where he thrived on listener adulation. A couple months earlier, after winning the first of several $25,000 promo giveaways, listener Connie Volmer’s young daughter, Patricia, drew the cover portrait of “Charly” for this month’s survey. Talk about bragging rights! 

November 15^th: Former Beatle, George Harrison released “This Song” on this day as a public, tongue-in-cheek response to the copyright infringement lawsuit he endured a few years earlier. The case didn’t stop “My Sweet Lord” from becoming one of his most enduring hits. (Read the blow-by-blow account and why “subconscious plagiarism” matters in music today.

November 20^th: The next day, George Harrison treated himself to an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” as he aired two music videos and performed “Here Comes the Sun” and “Homeward Bound” with Paul Simon. 

November 26^th: As we moved into more punk rock in the late ‘70s, it was today that the British band, Sex Pistols, defied their government and released debut single, “Anarchy in the UK.” Bet that went over big at home. A rebel song by a rebel band, the tune is included in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.” 

Enjoy the memories of what and who you were listening to … 50 Years Ago this Month!  

 
♪ November 1976 Song of Note ♪

Whenever a tune doesn’t have standard spelling for its title, Radio stations tend to refer to it on their surveys with any ol’ spelling they want. Although in most cases, the official spelling of our November Song of Note by Steve Miller is, “Rock’n Me,” linguistically, it should have been “Rock’n’ Me.” However, it’s also seen as “Rock ‘N’ Me.” Take your pick!
       The tune sat comfortably in the #2 spot for a couple of weeks on KHJ-93/L.A.’s November 2, 1976, “Thirty” survey. Probably because listeners know you don’t have to be a musician to understand the concept Miller was feeling from the effects of touring. It was the band’s second #1 hit and his relatable lyrics that hit the road from Phoenix to Tacoma, Philadelphia, to Atlanta and L.A., came with an upbeat message. … ♪ … And you know that it's true | That all the things that I do | Are gonna come back to you in your sweet time … ♪   

♪ Quirky Band Name Award ♪  
We haven’t had one of these in a while, but Firefall piqued my curiosity, entering KHJ’s Top Thirty at#27 with “You Are the Woman,” beginning its climb to the top of nationwide charts. I recalled the tune, but not the band’s name.
       Rick Roberts (coming from the Flying Burrito Brothers), who wrote the song, and Jock Bartley (once a member of Zephyr), got together in Boulder, Colorado, to form Firefall. Why the curious band name? Roberts was apparently impressed by an annual tradition for  summer guests in Yosemite National Park at the time, of throwing burning logs in a tumble off Glacier Mountain. Hence. a firefall. Cool. And so is “You Are the Woman” …
         At least, the women of 1976 thought so. Bartley summed it up with, “The message was simple and sincere, and easy to sing. It was like our fans let us be a singing version of the Hallmark card that said what they weren’t quite sure what to express” … ♪ … You are the woman that I've always dreamed of | I knew it from the start | I saw your face and that's the last I've seen of my heart … ♪   

♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪     
November 2, 1976 ~ KHJ-93/Los Angeles, California. It was a toss-up between KHJ and KXFM/San Bernardino, California, but I went for the cute kid caricature of DJ, Charlie Van Dyke. Their survey was also more comprehensive and not only included a top 20 albums list, it gave us a fun list of what was top 10 the year before. #1 November 1975? War’s “Lowrider.” See MORE fun … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Rock NOVEMBER 1976 and … feel the gratitude for then & now!  

 BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon        
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
Share your Golden Oldies R&R fun on X: @BlastFromPastBk 

 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. Two books (of three planned) are published in her Blast from Your Past^TM series, available on Amazon: Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959^TM (eBook only; coming soon in updated print edition) and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties^TM (eBook & print). Coming soon-ish … Book 3 – The Psychedelic Seventies!^TM 

Note: FYI – All links in the BFYP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. Occasionally, since I often feature real people and/or singular sources there may be an unsecured link. As with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion and risk. This site is wholly owned by LinDee Rochelle & sponsored by PenchantForPenning.com^TM. No compensation is received for any mentions of businesses, products, or other commercial interests. *All holiday and special event days are found at Brownielocks.com’s calendar site. Enjoy! 
            RE: AI – The Blast from Your Past site has never and will never (knowingly) be written or assisted, by Artificial Intelligence. It’s just stupid ol’ “I” and I enjoy writing these articles. They soothe my soul. So why would I hand that indulgence over to an artificial, soulless entity that can’t feel pleasure?!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

 

Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ♪ Rockin’ October 1976

Rockin’ a Magical October with a Devilish Smile  

Updated ~ 10/12/26: Never have I ever … been THIS late with my articles. So sorry. But for a while now, Life has had a funny (not haha) way of getting in the way of my plans and schedules. I was determined to complete October’s Magic and just hope you’ll forgive the interruption. It’s finally here!  

I’ve been working the Magic of these articles, which take Time and energy … something I’m still in short supply of but trying to amend. For those of you who follow me on X @Irishwriter or @BlastFromPastBk September was also a sparse month for posts. I hope to make it up to you in November and December.

October and Halloween is my favorite time of the year and I welcome it with our spooky Song of Note. It’s perfect for the occasion! “Devil Woman” is currently—in October 1976—at #5 on the WPEZ/Pittsburgh music chart. Do you think you know its history? So, you heard about the jinx from a cat with evil eyes …  

º October 1976 Radio News & Muse ♪ 
What was your fave DJ playing when you turned on your tinny transistor radio in the Psychedelic Seventies™? Enjoy the memories of what and who you were listening to … 50 Years Ago this Month! 

We’re visiting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this month. So what’s spooky about their Featured Radio Survey from WPEZ for October? Well … I recently picked this month’s vintage chart off eBay for you, but the poltergeists have had their way with it. (I added the Halloween figures.)
       What might make it worth a tad more than I paid for it, is the chart anomaly of skipping what would be the 15^th tune, jumping from #14 “You Are My Starship” (Norman Connors) to #16 “Tonight’s The Night” (Rod Stewart). Typos can often be a good thing 50 Years later.

       The second irregularity though, may be a seller error of not presenting a full survey description (or an intentional slight-of-hand) … the chart is printed on both sides of the paper—no “cover,” as other WPEZ surveys have. Now, if that is a 50 Year Old error, that’s one thing—and even makes it more collectible. If it is a “copy” (it wasn’t sold as that) it certainly isn’t worth what I paid for it. Will be checking shortly with the seller … wish me luck. 
       Either way, it’s still weird that while other radio station surveys for October reflect Fall images and celebrate Halloween, WPEZ October 29, 1976, still broadcast that same ol’ tired beach babe and cartoon caricatures. Ah well, it’s the music that counts. They gave #7 on the chart a spotlight, with “Magic Man” (Heart) lyrics, which is a great counter-act to our Song of Note, “Devil Woman” (Cliff Richard) at #5  ♪ … Try to understand | Try to understand | He’s a Magic Man, Mama …  ♪ 

There isn’t much in vintage music news for this month, but I found a couple …

October 20^th: Were you there? This was a premiere night in 1976 at New York’s Cinema I when the wildly popular Led Zeppelin debuted their concert film, The Song Remains the Same. It was shot over three nights of concerts, Summer 1973, from New York City to England’s Surrey. If you weren’t at premiere night, how about the next evening at posh Beverly Hills’ Fox Wilshire Theater? Out of 25 scenes, we had to wait ‘til #20 for “Stairway to Heaven,” but they appropriately ended the film with “Whole Lotta Love,” with all their best in between. https://www.ledzeppelin.com/ 

October 31^st: As if we weren’t psychedelic enough by 1976, some bands, perhaps to out-funk Disco, set up wild-‘n’-crazy stage acts that defied even KISS and Jimi Hendrix to top them. On this Halloween night, George Clinton, considered by some to be the master of funk and progressive soul, gathered a crew of like-minded musicians, to form Parliament-Funkadelic and begin “The P-Funk/Rubber Band Earth Tour.” Stirring a cauldron of eclectic music with surreal humor was truly history in the making, but not for the faint of heart.  

♪ October 1976 Song of Note ♪
Though I generally manage to find a song or two on the month’s Featured Radio Survey to coincide or loosely apply to the current season, I was surprised to find two tunes on the WPEZ chart that fit right in with October’s Halloween spooks.
       While women are often referred to as “bewitching,” men are just as haunting, when paired with magically seductive. Heart’s “Magic Man” fits the description and hits home for many, but I passed it over here, to make it 39 And Holding Club’s Song of Note. Check it out.
       BFYP’s Song of Note is the beguiling “Devil Woman,” by Cliff Richard. The haunting tune was written by popular songwriter, Terry Britten and The Family Dogg’s singer, Christine Authors (Holmes). What makes it interesting, is the male/female duo wrote it from the viewpoint of a guy believing he’s jinxed by the wicked green eyes of a stray cat—with a mysterious plot twist.
       Singer, Cliff Richard, often used the tune in his gospel events as a warning about the evils of temptation. Um, like wanting stardom sooooo bad … after years as a popular British artist, he desperately wanted to “fit in” to the American music scene. He startled everyone with this spellbinding song of bewitchery, which not only belied his devout Christian faith, but indeed, captured American radio listeners and cast a spell up the US Pop charts with a catchy tune and enticing lyrics.
       So what of that mysterious lyric plot twist? Hoping to break the curse, the poor fellow consulted with a fortune teller, only to learn she was the witch who cast the spell. One major problem with this intriguing story … we aren’t privy to know exactly what the curse entailed! Britten and Authors never divulged the ultimate wickedness ♪ … Crystal ball on the table | Showing the future, the past | Same cat with them evil eyes | And I knew it was a spell she cast … ♪    

♪ October 2026 Music Events & More ♪    

I know we’re talkin’ Rock & Roll here, but remembering our cauldron of musical roots, we’re also celebrating Country Music Month! Will you be boot-scootin’ on Halloween? This year, the Senate declared it officially, National Country Music Month, with special dedications to the beloved Dolly Parton. Her passing in August was a blow to the whole music industry and her legion of fans. Time for some hootin’ and hollerin’ with a little bit o’ Rock & Roll, m’friends!

October 8^th: It was with great pride that all of San Diego cheered on favorite son and famed Radio DJ, Shotgun Tom Kelly (aka Tom Irwin) this day, as he was officially inducted into the esteemed Radio Hall of Fame. Of course, he’s known on a much wider scale with a plethora of accolades in several fields of broadcast. But he’ll always be “our” pioneering Rock Radio Disc Jockey! 

October 31^st: Don’t forget to listen to or watch the video of “Monster Mash” with Bobby (Boris) Pickett! One of Wolfman Jack’s faves, it’s a howling Halloween joy in any decade.

♪♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪   
October 29, 1976 ~ WPEZ/Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, and obviously not a fan of Halloween, with their beach and caricatures of two years plus, splattered again on the survey. With Disco Duck still hanging in at #3, their only redeeming feature for a spooky October are “Devil Woman” (#5) and “Magic Man” (#7) thankfully making their Top Ten. Check it out … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

It’s ROCK-TOBER 1976 and … we’re stirring up a Rockin’ spell!  

BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon        
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
Share your Golden Oldies R&R fun on X: @BlastFromPastBk 

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. Two books (of three planned) are published in her Blast from Your Past^TM series, available on Amazon: Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959^TM (eBook only; coming soon in updated print edition) and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties^TM (eBook & print). Coming soon-ish … Book 3 – The Psychedelic Seventies!^TM 

Note: FYI – All links in the BFYP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. Occasionally, since I often feature real people and/or singular sources there may be an unsecured link. As with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion and risk. This site is wholly owned by LinDee Rochelle & sponsored by PenchantForPenning.com^TM. No compensation is received for any mentions of businesses, products, or other commercial interests. *All holiday and special event days are found at Brownielocks.com’s calendar site. Enjoy! 
            RE: AI – The Blast from Your Past site has never and will never (knowingly) be written or assisted, by Artificial Intelligence. It’s just stupid ol’ “I” and I enjoy writing these articles. They soothe my soul. So why would I hand that indulgence over to an artificial, soulless entity that can’t feel pleasure?!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪