Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ October 1975

We’re Rockin’ Halloween’s Lyin’ Eyes!   

FINALLY! It’s 10/07/25 and the article is finished. As the Beatles once said, it’s a long and winding road, but I finally made it. Before we get into ROCKtober, we have some unfinished September business. 
       I would be remiss not to mention the last-minute RAMP news on the final day of September, which was also“Radio’s Best Friend’s” 80^th birthday! The spry Art Vuolo belies his age, thank goodness, as the broadcast industry truly relies on the guy who has spent a lifetime being the first to video-record so many pioneering legends behind the Radio mics across the country. And, I am happy to add, without whose help providing contacts, you may not have ever met Blast from Your Past! [Image: Art V (l.) and Shotgun Tom Kelly at his Hollywood star 2013.)

That said, anyone who’s read 50 Years Ago articles for a few years, knows I’m partial to October, Halloween and Wolfman Jack. Not always in that order! You’ll also have noticed that my article titles generally reflect the current month’s Song of Note on the Featured Radio Survey. Proof! There is method to my music madness! But what better month to be slightly mad, than ROCKtober. Let’s get Rockin’! 

Although we can’t Rock out over Halloween without mentioning Wolfman Jack in all his spooky glory, there will be more about him in December, as he kisses the mic on Portland, Oregon’s, KISN/91 survey cover. For now, just know my book series, Blast from Your Past, about pioneering Rock Radio DJs, is dedicated to Wolfie (as he was often affectionately called). So, with his growling persona in mind, let’s learn how Halloween hides Lyin’ Eyes and more! Explore Rock Radio 50 Years Ago this Month …   

º OCTOBER 1975 Radio News & Muse ♪ 
Who did what to get their song on the charts or their name in the news?

October 3^rd: The Who released The Who By Numbers album, making it their seventh studio release. That gives us a peek into the future with “Squeeze Box” becoming the #1 hit from the album. Debuting in November, the tune hit WVOK’s chart in December at #16 … ♪ Mama's got a squeeze box | Daddy never sleeps at night … ♪     

October 18^th: Saturday Night Live has been in the news for scrambling and suffering the ills of the current societal changes, but 50 Years Ago This Month, Simon & Garfunkel made news on SNL’s 2^nd episode, for reuniting on the show after a three-year hiatus. They were trying to make the reunion work, but their appearances together remained spotty.

♪ On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you bein’ spooky and having fun in October 1975? I understand Birmingham, Alabama, was a hoppin’ place to be! Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to …

It’s a good thing I have only one Rockin’ Radio survey to report on this month … I feel like I’ve stepped into the honey of a beehive! WVOK/Birmingham, Alabama, has so much history in the station and their DJs, there’s no room for anything else! Welcome to the WVOK October 11, 1975 Radio history show …

At the top of the chart this month, Neil Sedaka (with buddy co-songwriter, Phil Cody) tried to warn a guy of the witch in the mask, but he didn’t listen. With a catchy, danceable melody, “Bad Blood” reportedly gave Sedaka the best commercial success of his career. ♪ … Bad (bad) blood (blood) | The bitch is in her smile | The lie is on her lips | Such an evil child … ♪    

Not only did WVOK listeners love Neil Sedaka, apparently they are still extremely loyal to their station … it can be generally tough to research Disc Jockeys from decades ago who often have either disappeared into other lives or rose to the highest status in Radio Heaven, with little documentation to honor them … only partially so, for WVOK listeners … their birth families and their listener families keep the memories alive, which allowed me to access some terrific history surrounding their family of Rockin’ DJs.

Thanks to very informative historical websites, like Tripod.com, Bhamwiki.com (a historical wiki specifically about Birmingham, Alabama) and a couple of the DJs’ personal sites, I found that DJs Dan Brennan, Joe Rumore and Johnny Davis had been at WVOK since 1966. Nine years at one station was ultra-rare for a DJ, but I can’t even imagine the stats on three.  Early copies of the station’s surveys on Tripod prove it!
       And that wasn’t even the most astonishing tidbit. Joe Rumore’s website (not a secure site) reported that he spent “4 decades, 33 years and 3 months” at WVOK. To add prestige to longevity, DJ Don Keith may not have stayed at WVOK or even remained a Radio DJ, but he can be forgiven, becoming a prolific screenwriter, filmmaker, and author of more than 40 books!
       Let’s start with the station itself, and then I’ll introduce you to the five dynamic Rock Radio DJs who kept the same line-up at WVOK from 1972 to around 1980. 

Bhamwiki certainly has the in depth history for WVOK-AM 690 and FM. For us, it’s the AM station we’re most interested in, which stretched from 1947 to 1992. It was a family affair … As a joint venture, members of the Brennan and Benns families established the station in Birmingham, eventually giving voice to stations in Montgomery (WBAM-AM) and WAPE-AM in Jacksonville, Florida. Yep, DJ Dan Brennan worked his way up the ladder in the family business.  

WVOK was proud of their 50,000 watts that covered a huge swath of Alabama, from Huntsville down to Montgomery, and even across the line to eastern Mississippi. Along with their DJs the station also lauded local high school sports team standouts, like students for Hayden and Tarrant.  

If you were there and WVOK was your go-to for local news and current Rockin’ music, you’ll also likely know that like most Radio stations, the “morning guy (or gal)” is the DJ anchor, setting the musical tone and attitude. So, let’s take it from the top for October 11, 1975, as we wake up with … 

♪ DJ DON KEITH started your day from “sign-on”* ‘til 9:00a.m. … *it wasn’t until early 1980s that WVOK got its “big boy” broadcast pants, to delight listeners 24/7.
       Not only was Don a popular DJ, but he co-owned WZEW in Mobile, Alabama, in the mid-eighties and still keeps a hand on the mic in Radio today; that is, when he isn’t writing.
       As an outstanding author in historical fiction and non-fiction, to military thrillers, to biography, Don has moved well beyond the station microphone. However, I caught up with him recently and he commented on writing and broadcasting similarities …
       People often remark that writing is so very different from being a radio personality that they’re surprised I’ve found some success in both ways of communicating. But the truth is they are quite similar. In both, I sit all alone in a room, talking with people I cannot see or hear, attempting to create something on the fly that will affect them emotionally. And once I send that creation out to listeners or readers, I can’t take it back. It better be as powerful as it can be the first time! Sound advice!  
       Don’s still proud of his Radio DJ escapades, sandwiching this broadcast tidbit in-between writing awards, on his website: “As an on-the-air broadcaster, Don was twice named Billboard Magazine "Radio Personality of the Year." 

I was thrilled to catch up with one of the DJs from Rock Radio’s glory days 50 Years Ago, and thanked Don for his comments. He also imparted news of the other 1975 WVOK DJs, “Shocking thing is that I am the only one of those five deejays pictured who remains alive.” He was also, however, one of the younger ones.

While we contemplate the length and breadth of these monthly articles, let’s meet the rest of WVOK’s October 1975 DJs …

DJ JOE RUMORE (1920-1993) took over the airwaves after Don and played your requests up to the noon hour.   
       A veteran broadcaster, it is still felt that Joe’s experience and innovations reverberate over the airwaves today. I found a tribute website for Joe (link above), but be aware, it is not a secure site. That said, it’s quite an accolade by family and friends who report, January 29, 1982, “… Joe Rumore makes his final broadcast, closing a radio career that spanned 40 years covering 4 decades, 33 years and 3 months at WVOK.” He spent practically his whole radio life at WVOK and many of the station’s listeners likely grew up listening to Joe.
       At age seven Joe made his radio debut on “Station WJOE,” as Master Rumore. How cute! The site reported that he, “… rigged up a make-believe microphone by nailing a tea strainer to a cigar box.” But it was the part about a pair of earmuffs as headphones that cracked me up.  
       Joe began his official gig behind the mic in 1941 and segued to WVOK in October 1948, exactly 77 years ago. He headed up to Radio DJ Heaven December 20, 1993, at age 73.

DJ JOHNNY DAVIS (1937-2014) filled in your midday travels from noon to 3:00p.m. at WVOK, where he resided off-air as Jim Romine.
       Unfortunately, Johnny was one for whom I couldn’t locate much information. It is interesting, though, that he found a way to meld raucous Rock & Roll music with his community life as “Minister of Music with several churches” and even sang with a local quartet. Johnny’s broadcast career likely began in the US Navy where he served as a radio operator. Alabama listeners may also remember him at WZZK. Radio DJ Heaven has had the pleasure of Jim’s singing, since October 18, 2014.

DJ DAN BRENNAN (1930-2020) was not just another pretty face as he drove you home from work, 3:00p.m. to sign-off.
       Often known as “Dan the Music Man,” he came up through the ranks of the family who created and owned WVOK. His whole life was with Brennan Broadcasting and he and brother, Cyril, reveled in life behind the mic. As a member of Birmingham’s Radio royalty, Dan was a community icon who apparently enjoyed a rollicking 80^th birthday party in 2010.
       Interestingly, I could find no further personal details about his life. Which, as I’ve said, is the norm when writing about 50 Years Ago This Month. With such a well-known, and by all appearances, beloved family history, though, you’d think there would be more online accounts. Dan’s broadcasting in Radio DJ Heaven began December 19, 2020.

DJ BOB GORDON (1945-2013) otherwise known as Gordon E. Lackey, kept you listening and Rocking to WVOK all weekend long!
       And all I could learn about Bob is he apparently spent time behind the mic at WSGN and WYAM, too, and he served in the U.S. Army. If anyone knows more about him, feel free to contact me!  

It’s just for this lack of information about some of the men and women who entertained us in a unique era, that I write these articles. I often stumble on details that may only be available in one obscure place and enjoy sharing them with you. I believe people—more than just the prominent and famous—should be remembered for the happiness they shared.    

So, WVOK made memories for some of you, and I hope they give you a pleasant reverie into your own history. The rest of us can slip back in time to October 1975, wherever we were, to enjoy our Rockin’ memories, too. For what else are we now, if not the sum of our lives?

The 1960s and ‘70s were WVOK’s Top 40 years as “The Mighty 690.” It brought you fun concerts known as their “Shower of Stars,” to make memories of performances by iconic musicians such as the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones and Neil Diamond.
       By 1976, their competition, WSGN, wore them down and they switched to Country, which worked until 1985. After that it continued to search for a comfortable niche in a changing Radio world. Today on 690 you’ll find Sports channel WJOX. And life goes on …

But before you move on today, and while you’re wallowing in nostalgia, let’s have some Halloween fun with the rollicking music of October 1975!

♪ October ’75 Song of Note ♪   
For the second month in a row, our Featured Radio Survey’s #1 hot hit is our

Song of Note! It’s dress-up party time, do you have your mask on? Go look in the mirror … what do you see? Remember, your eyes are the most expressive part of your body … windows to your soul.
       Glenn Frey and Don Henley of The Eagles knew it in October 1975 when their chat about cheatin’ women turned into a hit tune on WVOK’s chart. Something about those “Lyin’ Eyes” … and Halloween is a great testing ground as we don masks for fun, or … ♪ Your smile is a thin disguise | I thought by now you'd realize | There ain't no way to hide your lyin' eyes … ♪       

♪ October 2025 Music Events & More ♪    

There isn’t much this month for applicable celebrations or special days. It is, however, Country Music Month and as I’ve said before, Rock & Roll is full of Country, Blue Grass, and Folk Music! So celebrate Country and enjoy the crossover tunes.  

Friday ~ October 10^th: And today celebrates an instrument that transcends all genres of music … it’s Hug A Drummer Day! Yes, it’s a real day. Just ask the folks at the World Drumming Association. They’re serious about those skins and sticks. Though they’re the sponsor, it hasn’t been updated lately. The site does, however, have lots of info you might want to check out it you’re interested in becoming a drummer. Or here, for 20 Rock Drum Beats and Patterns.

♪♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪ October 11, 1975 ~ WVOK/Birmingham, Alabama. By now you know what Rockin’ Radio station is on the FRS page. If you listened to WVOK back in the day, you’ll be familiar with their “Tough Twenty” chart. Their local pride showed not only in high school mentions, but in their survey quality with three-color printing and featured DJ drawings. In 1975 that was a pricey extravagance. Take your nostalgia, grab a libation, and head back to … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

If you’ve stuck with me all the way through to the end of this long and winding road, thank you! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Rock OCTOBER 1975 and … howl at the Halloween moon!  

Winsome Witch of the West  
BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon         
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
Blast from Your Past Gifts 
Share your Golden Oldies R&R fun on X: @BlastFromPastBk 

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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! 
            01/01/25: 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?!

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Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ August 1975

Endless Summer of Rockin’ Radio Miracles   

Well, here we are, the 11^th of the month—latest this article has ever been. So, I’ve progressed from elevated and iced foot to a post-op shoe. Still aggravating, but at least more mobile. Never thought a toe could cause so much irritation.

Our final super-fun “Endless Summer” article includes an in-depth look at one of our pioneering Rock Radio DJs, plus all the regulars … Song of Note, Featured Radio Survey and … okay, I’ll shut up and get on with August 1975 … 50 Years Ago this Month … 

Hot Summer nights were made for Rock & Roll music. Or is it vice versa? I have the distinct pleasure of being old enough to enjoy memories of August 1975 … and just so ya know (if you’re not “of a certain age”), sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll were all right there with me! And so was Radio …
       My jam-packed issue of Blast from Your Past ~ 50 Years Ago this Month features a trio of dynamite Rockin’ music charts from which only one can emerge as the month’s Featured Radio Survey. No mean feat to choose; will you agree with my fave? Before we check ‘em out, let’s see what was riding high in music news 50 Years Ago …

º August 1975 Radio News & Muse ♪ 

August 4^th: The Led Zeppelin we all know and love, was nearly extinguished at the height of their popularity, on this date 50 Years Ago. Were you a zealous fan (and there were/are many) who anguished over the news of Robert Plant and family’s auto accident on an idyllic, but isolated island of Greece?
       Zep’s August 8^th press release of cancelled concerts is an item of historical interest on their website today, telling of the accident that fortunately was not fatal; however, it put the band’s future at stake. By the end of September, Plant was rolling around stage in a wheelchair, but not quite ready to perform.
       To keep them in your minds and hearts, Wolfman Jack’s Midnight Special November 14^th aired a tribute show for Led Zeppelin, with a previously recorded Plant interview (March ’75). Still, no tour plans were considered until Plant was fully healed. Obviously, that eventually happened, and Zeppelin fans breathed a sigh of relief in coming months. 

August 5^th: A historic date in popular music, as Stevie Wonder, known by family as Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins), signed a monumental contract, re-upping with Motown Records, to the tune of a $13 million advance. Although, there was trouble in music paradise, as reportedly, the deal wasn’t finalized until April 1976.  

August 9^th: Fancy that, on this day, with the lead tune from their newest album, Main Course, at the top of charts, the Bee Gees’ comeback was complete when “Jive Talkin’” hit the one-million-sales mark for a platinum honor. The momentum inspired them all the way through the ‘70s.  

♪ On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you sippin’ your Endless Summer smoothie 1975? Join us this month as we explore the West Coast ocean waves and airwaves in Sacramento, California, up to Portland, Oregon, and all the way back down to the surf in San Diego! Three dynamic radio stations vie for Featured Radio Survey – which will grab the honor? Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to August 1975 …

When I scored the vintage radio survey for KNDE/Sacramento, California, back in 2011, I had no idea just how great a find it was! Even the venerable WIKI doesn’t have proper info on the station, like I found on general radio history sites, including the link above. That link is only a paragraph on KNDE, but filled in the gaps of yet another convoluted station background. It began as a Progressive Rock station, eventually morphing into the Top 40 format.

       More importantly, I learned that DJ Neale Blase, who’s in my BFYP Book 2: The Swinging Sixties, floated into KNDE and helped it reign supreme in Sacto area Rock, 1973- “until its unnoticed demise,” obviously after the Fall of 1975. Neale had a way of slipping in and out of radio stations like going through a revolving door. In fact, his own book, reflects his self-named career, Radio on the Run: Hired 40 Times … Fired 22. The August 27, 1975 “Rock KANDIE 147” 1470 on your dial, sports iconic art of the Psychedelic Seventies and a Top 30 list of hits. On the front, the “Rock Pile” and inside at #1? “Fallin’ In Love” by H.J.F. and Reynolds—better known as Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. (Follow the link and note the unmistakable Playboy logo on the album cover. Yep, Playboy anything was popular then, including Playboy Records label.)  

As we scoot up the coast to Portland, Oregon, it’s with heavy hearts and misty eyes, we peruse the KISN 91 radio survey and its early image of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne at the height of their run, lounging on the cover. A simple review of history has turned into a tribute to Ozzy, our self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness,” with his July 22, 2025, rise to Rock & Roll Heaven. R.I.P. His Back to the Beginning concert event July 5, 2025, raised $184,907,335.01 (£140 million) for charity. Giving back before he even left. Awesome. 
       Apparently, Portland’s first Top 40 station in 1960, KISN continued to generate Rock & Roll heat through the years, attracting great air talent like "The Real" Don Steele. Sadly, the station took a direct hit as a property owned by Star Stations, which reportedly battled corruption issues in Indiana during the early ‘70s. It all came to a head in 1975 and the FCC shuttered all Star Stations, requesting termination of broadcasting by September 2^nd. So the August 26, 1975, survey may well be their last hurrah.

Finally, slip-sliding down to San Diego, we finish our Endless Summer with August’s Featured Radio Survey, and San Diego’s celebrated Top 40 station, KCBQ, August 25, 1975 …
       Who recalls the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethons that raised millions each year for muscular dystrophy? The annual event was beloved by many and played a vital role in the charity’s funding. This month’s vintage KCBQ/San Diego, California, survey features hotshot DJ of the SoCal Radio airwaves, Shotgun Tom Kelly on the cover, with the incomparable Jerry Lewis (1926-2017).
       Inside the 1170AM music chart, Issue #230, are San Diego’s Top 20 hits of the day, a list of top fifteen albums, and a tell-all set of lyrics to David Bowie’s “Fame,” that seemingly gnawed at his sanity.
       KCBQ was at the height of its Rock station status, becoming a SoCal icon by 1975. Many super-power DJs took over its studios and Rocked your world. Says the Historical Marker Data Base, 1958—1978: During this period, KCBQ AM 1170 was one of the best known and imitated radio stations in the broadcast industry. This takes you to a brief history and plaque dedication, with many of the Top 40 personalities’ names engraved on it. Is your fave there? Shotgun Tom Kelly spearheaded the campaign for a monument and along with his name, you’ll find etched in stone, Bill Gardner, Scotty Day, Happy Hare, Jack Vincent, Jimmy Rabbit,

Rich “Brother” Robin, Neil Ross, Bob Shannon, Charlie Tuna, Casey B. Quack, Phil Roberts, William F. Williams, and SO many more! (Bold and linked names are in BFYP books!)
       Follow this link to DJ Shotgun Tom Kelly’s BFYP Swinging Sixties book excerpt and MORE fun trivia on San Diego’s own Walk of Fame DJ! (The Answer San Diego (KCBQ-AM) is now owned and operated by Salem Media Group, with talk, news and music programming.) 
       What super song had San Diegans voted to top of the August 25, 1975, KCBQ chart? The Bee Gees’ “Jive Talkin’” was again #1, with seven weeks on their Top 20! ♪ … With all your jive-talkin', you're telling me lies, yeah | Jive-talkin', you wear a disguise … ♪   

Shotgun Tom isn’t our only celeb DJ here. BFYP’s DJ emeritus, Bill Gardner, predates Tom a bit. He too, was into radio, even as a young’un, and served as a mentor for his two younger DJ brothers. August marks a momentous event for Bill and American Rock Radio. “This is an anniversary!” says Bill on his website, “It was 60 years ago this week that America got the FIRST FM Top 40 station, as I launched KLZ-FM/Denver!” (FYI, Bill’s posts change every Friday. But he's having too much fun with KLZ--again; so he says you can enjoy his AM/FM memories all month!)  

       You read it right—FM. Up until that moment on August 4, 1965, all Rock Radio stations were on the AM band only. Bill’s story is delightful—and it’s short! Go read more like, “I still remember the first song I ever played that day.... "California Girls" by the Beach Boys.” Ten years later, by 1975, FM had exploded, with Rock and Roll taking over the radio band that had once carried “beautiful music,” classical strings, or soft jazz.
       Though we know we’re only “39 and Holding,” at times it’s often difficult to believe we had a life before old age set in. As Bill said recently, “… the picture of me there has lots of dark brown hair and looks like plenty of Brylcreem too. Yeesh.” 

♪ August ’75 Song of Note ♪
Christmas isn’t the only time of year for miracles. We often have them in our Endless Summers, like Jefferson Starship’s “Miracles,’ written by Starship member, Marty Balin. (Warning! This is the long version, nearly 7 minutes of undeniably awesome ‘70s Rock; it was shortened for radio play.) For KCBQ fans, it’s sitting at #8, after a healthy leap up its Top 20 chart from #16 the previous week, but wasn’t on the KISN/Portland chart at all, and only just made its debut at #29 for listeners at KNDE/Sacramento.
       “Miracles” is not a song of marvels and phenomena, but love, pure and simple in all its forms, perfect for a Summer crush. It swings from ethereal love to valentine love to erotic love in one swift movement ♪ … I can hear windmills and rainbows | Whenever you're talkin' to me | I feel like swirling and dancin' | Whenever you're walking with me … ♪  
       Of course, we know the band began as Jefferson Airplane and that entity notwithstanding, “Miracles” helped bring the next generation of Jefferson Starship into full stardom. Grace (Slick) and Marty interpreted the lyrics perfectly, paying tribute to Marty’s love of the moment. Give yourself a break. Listen to “Miracles” and daydream how you can manifest your own Summer Love. ♪ … If only you believe in miracles, baby | So would I … ♪   

♪ August 2025 Music Events & More ♪    

Friday ~ August 8^th – 16^th: Who recalls a dynamic Elvis in Blue Hawaii? The movie was a quintessential expression of America’s 50^th state in eternal Summer Love. Surely, if you check out the Elvis website you can’t help to enjoy memories of Summer Love during Elvis Week! Just think … a warm August night, a bright full moon, your Summer Love, and you!

Tuesday ~ August 12^th: It’s time to dig your ol’ phonograph out of storage, lovingly pull out your 45s or albums, and make a date with your Oldies! It’s Vinyl Record Day! For some stupid reason, the original sponsor of this day has disappeared. But we found a great article for you in the link above —especially if you don’t know what a vinyl record is (!).
       Yes, I know new artists are making vinyl recordings again, but they’re nothing like the originals that are still making memories today.

Wednesday ~ August 20^th: Technically sponsored by a Wiki page, National Radio Day is claimed by WWJ/Detroit, Michigan, which purports to be “… the ‘World's First Station’ and where ‘commercial radio broadcasting began’ … however, there are reportedly four stations vying for that auspicious title: WWJ, KDKA/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, WHA/Madison, Wisconsin and KCBS/San Francisco, California. Take your pick!

Friday ~ August 29^th: Holy Margaritaville! It’s Jimmy Buffet Day! We still miss the world’s favorite and now, eternal, surf bum (1946-2023). Talk about an island state of mind … he used to put me in one often. Beginning as a troubadour on the streets of New Orleans in the late 1960s, Jimmy released “A Pirate Looks at Forty” in February 1975. He didn’t even turn 30 ‘til Dec. 1976. Guess he was feeling older … Have you ever felt ♪ … Yes I am a pirate, two hundred years too late | The cannons don't thunder, there's nothin' to plunder | I'm an over-forty victim of fate … ♪   

♪♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪ August 25, 1975 ~ KCBQ/San Diego, California. A silly quirk of radio stations back in the day, was to alter their music charts with their call letters inserted into a Top 10 song’s title or artist name. This month, listed at #3 on the “Q Hits” list was “Get Down Tonight,” by KCBQ Sunshine Band (KC & the Sunshine Band). ♪ … Do a little dance, make a little love | Get down tonight … ♪  50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played …

Let’s Enjoy AUGUST 1975 and … Rock our Endless Summer Hits!  

BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon         
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
Blast from Your Past Gifts 
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! 
            01/01/25: 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?!

Partial post 08/01/25: Yep, late again. … this time, it’s even more aggravating for me than it is for you. I broke my toe. Now, it’s just a toe, so you wouldn’t think it would be a big deal. Without going into detail, and not posting a sad photo of me with my foot elevated in an orthopedic “shoe,” suffice it to say, I’m lagging.

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