Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ♪ APRIL 1976

Country, Classical, Opera, Blues? All in a Rhapsody of Rock & Roll!

Updated—04/13/26: Finally! The BFYP final edition is here! The bulk of the delay is due to the vagaries of life, but as mentioned already, I became enmeshed in research for the monthly Song of Note. Seriously, I could make a movie on my discoveries. Oh … well … it’s already been done. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the storytelling as much as I did learning what I missed as a young’un, and sharing it.

There’s no disputing that this era was musical history in the making. And it all played out on Rock Radio music charts. Those Top Ten-Twenty-Thirty-Forty lists of the Seventies especially, told the history of Rock & Roll, while foretelling the future of it.

Bubblegum Pop evaporated into edgier lyrics and stretched to include instruments in other musical realms. By the middle ‘70s, a subtle battle waged up and down the charts between Pop, Disco, Glam Rock and mushrooming experimental melodies with unusual instruments and sounds. Lyrics continued to reflect events of the day, surrounded by the ever-present love songs. Every month brought more mind-altering music and wild-‘n’-crazy DJs to test the limits of former boundaries and what Radio stations would allow.

This month’s Featured Radio Survey heads into the decade’s end flaunting ever-growing raw talent on the charts. For better or worse, those on the inside were often fueled by the Seventies’ banner of “Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll.” The rest of us gobbled it up and craved more. We weren’t disappointed.  

Even those who were too young to understand it or care, found the early progressive Rock as the years tore on, never letting go of the essence of Rock & Roll—innovation. Welcome to APRIL 1976 as we Spring into memories or learn anew, true tales behind the mic …Enjoy 50 Years Ago this Month … 

º APRIL 1976 Radio News & Muse ♪ 
What was your fave DJ playing when you turned on your tinny transistor radio 50 Years Ago? Oh, I’m well aware that many of you readers, like me, have forgotten many details of “back in the day.” And then there are those who love Rock & Roll, but aren’t blessed with the memories, so let’s look back together, to pioneering Rock & Roll Radio in the making …

You might find interesting, April 1976’s KRIZ 1230/Phoenix, Arizona, Top 30 survey (ARSA link is NOT secure; enter at own risk). Their “Hits” list for April 17^th – 30^th, flaunts WINGS’ new “Silly Love Songs” at #2, while their album, [Wings] At The Speed of Sound, is firmly entrenched at #1 of their Top 10 Albums list.

       KRIZ became a Top 40 powerhouse just as Rock & Roll was really hitting its stride in 1963. Were you listening when it fueled a ratings feud with KRUX (1360 AM) that raged into the early ‘70s? Popular DJ Shotgun Tom Kelly was, hitting their airwaves for a few of their best years (later, as a San Diego KCBQ icon, he donned his trademark ranger hat). But when Top 40 faltered, as new music and listening habits evolved, Shotgun left and KRIZ eventually flipped to KFLR in 1978. More failed format and call sign changes landed its 1230 AM dial on KOY, now featuring what’s considered a regional Mexican radio format.

Or were you around in the mid-‘70s to enjoy the dulcet tones of DJ Dennis Elliot on the short-lived WPEZ in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? From 1976 to sometime in ‘77, Pittsburgh listeners tuned into Dennis’s spirited commentary and smooth, energetic voice.
       We know from this aircheck that he was there at least through New Year’s 1977, giving away t-shirts and making winners of his listeners … take a listen and enjoy the past with Dennis and our history-making music. Last heard, Dennis spent 1996 (and more?) in Pittsburgh with WZPT during their radio tenure 1994-2011. But couldn’t find further current news.
       WPEZ’s hits were heard over the airwaves from November 1973 until it, too, gave up on Top 40 and opted for an adult contemporary format in September 1980, flipping to WWSW-FM. It’s now broadcasting classic hits as 94.5 3WS.  

Movin’ on … notes & news about music of the day … 

♪ APRIL 1976 Song of Note ♪   
Grab a cuppa something, sit back and enjoy the read. It’s gonna be a long one … just like the song … 
       During the 1950s and ‘60s there were one or two songs and artists that defined each decade. But the 1970s was an era in transition that continued building on the late ‘60s’ creative energy.
       The first half-decade represented a sound mix of Pop and a little edgier Rock, while the second half split the sound between even more musical nuances as we explored with innovative enthusiasm. The APRIL 1976 Song of Note is tinged with Disco, infused with waning Pop, even hinting at the Blues and Opera, while reverberating with ever-edgier, Rock & Roll. Coined “progressive Rock,” you’ll find it at #6 on the WPEZ Featured Radio Survey …   
       There is nothing about British band Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” (from their fourth album, A Night at the Opera) that hasn’t already been said … over … and over … and over. But maybe you’ve forgotten or don’t even know who Queen was (!). There are great, classic Rock & Roll songs and artists, and then there are those that transcend all musical genres.  

       Often referred to as a Hard Rock masterpiece … “Bohemian Rhapsody” urges a response, whether you love(d) it or hate(d) it. I watched the biographically dramatic movie of the same name (2018, now showing on Netflix*) to remind me of the story behind it. The song and the movie both won a slew of awards. After watching, the lyrics took on a whole new meaning that I never paid attention to, back in the day …
       Without the 1970s story context, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the song, could be construed as depressing, morose, or simply sad, and an extremely long musical piece for that era, that doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up. But there’s no denying Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) was a one-of-a-kind person and a music innovator/genius. He didn’t just create the music. He felt it in every fiber of his being.
       It didn’t matter that Freddie had prominent buckteeth that belied his worth as a band frontman. Would he fix those teeth? Heck no. Freddie credited the anomaly he was born with, four extra incisors, for his incredible vocal range.

       And he couldn’t have expressed it quite as well without the original members of Queen. All genius musicians in their own right, Roger Taylor (76, drums), John Deacon (74, bass) and Brian May (78, guitar), didn’t always like Freddie, but totally understood him.  
       We could even argue Freddie was tinged with mysticism. “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” lyrics were begun as a teen, way back in 1960 … was it a metaphor for his life? How would he know then, his life would end so early? Perhaps he didn’t know the how then, but he surely foretold the way-too-soon final outcome.
       Freddie suspected he’d contracted Aids by the time Queen reunited and performed at Wimbley Stadium for the first Live Aid concert in 1985 (for the Ethiopian famine). And yet, he kept performing. 
♪ …

I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me | He's just a poor boy from a poor family | Spare him his life from this monstrosity … ♪    
       Why the extended section on the Song of Note? I delved more into Queen largely due to my son, Scott, who was too young to know them in the ‘70s and became an ardent fan near the end of their journey, in the mid-1980s. I’m so glad he urged me to look further into the incredible story of Queen, proving we’re never too old to learn a thing or two. I’m embarrassed to admit that back in the '70s, though I loved Queen’s music, I didn’t care about the background. I just wanted to know … can I dance to it?!  
       While you may think you don’t like them, I guarantee you’ve had a reason to sing at least one refrain of Queen’s 1977 mega-hit, “We Are The Champions.” They certainly were. And like true monarchs, they meant the “royal we,” to include us all. ♪ … We are the champions, my friends | And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end … ♪    

April 1^st – April 30^th: No one disputed Paul and Linda McCartney’s love when they co-wrote the April 1976 hit, "Silly Love Songs." For an April 1^st US release date, it didn’t waste any time climbing the charts. By April 16^th its album At the Speed of Sound by WINGS reached #6 on WPEZ/Philadelphia’s “Albums” Top 20, without the song’s appearance yet in the singles; but KRIZ/Phoenix listeners must have been crazy about love, speeding it up to #2 by April 17^th on their singles “Hits” Top 30 and the album already at #1. With a whole month of accolades under its belt, “Silly Love Songs” is finally released on April 30^th in the UK.
       Rumor has it, McCartney hasn’t had the heart to sing it again on stage since Wings’ breakup in 1981. That’s too bad. It’s really something we all need to remember … ♪ … You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs | But I look around me and I see it isn't so, oh no | Some people want to fill the world | With silly love songs | And what's wrong with that? …  ♪    

April 20^th:  Did you know, former Beatles member, George Harrison, had a sneaky sense of humor? On this date, oh, so long ago, he blended into the cast on Monty Python’s "The Lumberjack Song" in New York City. Dressed as a Mountie, he surreptitiously slipped into the chorus role.

♪ April 2026 Music Events & More ♪   
Can you spot the tunes on this month’s Featured Radio Survey with the best guitar solos? Don’t ask me, I love ‘em all! But you music aficionados can likely pick them out just by the titles. Since it’s International Guitar Month, what better way to take a break and enjoy a few riffs?  

Although by the time I was able to post this article, the first two dates were done and over with, they’re still notable and worthy of your thoughts and memories …

April 11^th: Holy moly, it’s 8-track Tape Day! If you were listening to music from mid-1960s through the early 1980s, you’ll remember the quality sound. But, man, I don’t miss messing with one that was all wound up!  

April 11^th: What?! Another vintage “special day” on the same day?! Cool. If you’re too young to remember, International "Louie Louie" Day will mean nothing to you. The rest of us recall the sketchy lyrics and funky tune as the ultimate party song, since 1963!  I highjacked its special day, since the original sponsor is MIA.

April 18^th: Not really for “the public,” today’s Record Store Day is meant for the industry to pat themselves on the back. However, it’s also a great time for you to actually visit—yes, get up off your duff and GO TO—a record store. Amazingly, vinyl records are still being produced, and in record numbers. 😊 Groovy.

♪♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪  
April 16, 1976 ~ WPEZ/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania … normally, I’d chat about a survey’s ‘70s graphics when it’s as prevalent as this month’s WPEZ chart, but we’ve seen this one before … and before that … and before that … and … In fact, most of this station’s surveys sported the same graphics for a couple of years (at least). So, I’ll just point out how progressive their listeners were to have picked up on “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” unique sound and reveled in its 6-minute length. MORE … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Rock APRIL 1976 with a little … avant-garde rhapsody!  

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! 
            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?!

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Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ♪ ~ FEBRUARY 1976

Rock & Roll Lives for Love!  

Whether we are “in” Love or not, there is no dodging this month made for Love. And apparently, Love music stretches back to the oldest of “Oldies” tunes. Says a 2024 article from The Harvard Crimson, “In fact, the oldest known love song is that of Shu-Sin, which was discovered in the library of Ashurbanipal in Mesopotamia and dates back to 2000 BCE.”   

BFYP’s 1970s Oldies, contrary to what some younger generations may think, are as enduring and endearing, so we’re giving love a capital “L” all month. In our  February Featured Radio Survey, there are no less than a dozen Love-themed songs in the Top 30, and half of those tout the word “Love” in their titles. So, Rock & Roll fans, you can’t escape the LOVE we feel for our top Oldies tunes … 50 Years Ago this Month …  

FEBRUARY 1976 Radio News & Muse ♪ 

What was your fave DJ playing when you turned on your tinny transistor radio 50 Years Ago? What top artists of the day make the news? Read on and enjoy the memories of what and who you were listening to … 50 Years Ago this Month!  

February 7^th: So, remember in December 2025 when I told you about the Brooklyn, New York, pirate radio station WCPR that snuck onto the airwaves? It was a brief escapade—and it was today in 1976 that the FCC raided the station and shut them down. Never fear, the operators, John Calabro and Perry Cavalieri were persistent, if not legal. It didn’t take ‘em long to find another, more elusive wayward station, in WFAT … and when that was raided in 1979 … WFOT. All were short-lived, but talk about tenacious!  

February 20^th: Stomped in Love! On this date 50 Years Ago, Kiss added their big ol’ bootprints to the sidewalk outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. They didn’t have anything on the charts this month, but hit the bottom of Radio lists by end of March with “Shout It Out Loud” to become Kiss’s second song to break the Top 40. Think it isn’t about Love? Au contraire mon chéri, Kiss made self-Love a thing with this tune!  ♪ … It doesn't matter what you do or say | Just forget the things that you've been told | We can't do it any other way | Everybody's got to rock and roll, whoo, oh, oh … ♪  

February 28^th: And what, pray tell, was Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards this day in 1976? Of course: “Love Will Keep Us Together." Although co-writers, Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield thought it would be a hit for them in 1973, as did brother/sister team, Mac and Katie Kissoon, it was another duo, Captain & Tennille (Daryl Dragon & Toni Tennille) who found the groove with it. The tune gave them their first of many #1 hits. Though ultimately divorced, Ms. Tennille was by the Captain’s side when he passed in 2019. Love, did indeed, keep them together.

Although I don’t have an original February 1976 music survey in my BFYP Collection, I found a couple of fun ones at ARSA (not a secure site). From music artists to the Radio stations who played their hits and misses, where were you spinning the dial 50 Years Ago?  

Were you flyin' high in Love or the sky, in mile-high Denver, Colorado? KTLK (not a secure site at ARSA) had recently surpassed popular KIMN in ratings and DJ John Edwards loved taking you to new heights in KTLK’s 10p.m. to 2a.m. slot. Believe it or not, in 1969 when KTLN changed its call letters to K-TALK / KTLK, they thought engaging the local teens in chit-chat and music would be fun and innovative. Not in the ‘70s! Just the music, please …
       Listeners loved the music, not so much the talk. With a new top tunes format, KTLK eventually surpassed then-dominant Top 40 station KIMN, especially when KTLK took on the Disco format of the late 1970s. “Denver’s Double K-1280” published a full Top 40 for its listeners—and nevermind that their two Ks were not doubled together.  

Let’s shiver our way over to the Northeast for our Featured Radio Survey, WTAC (ARSA survey, not a secure site) in Flint, Michigan. I had to laugh when I noticed one of their

Hit Bound tunes, “Deep Purple” by “The Lovely Donny & Marie Osmond.” Someone at the station was obviously enamored of them (or at least, Marie)! And with good reason. “Deep Purple” ultimately became the 42^nd-biggest hit of 1976 in the U.S.

       DJ Peter Cavanaugh (1941-2021) was just getting started behind the mic and made a name for himself by striking up friendships with AC/DC (Australia) and The Who (England), premiering them in the U.S. They were connections that followed him as he moved up the Radio ladder, to serve in management, even though he’d scored a BA in political science … let’s face it, Radio is more fun!
       WTAC thrived throughout the decade as "The Big 600." That lasted 'til 1981 when Top 40s petered out and it flipped to Country. 

Having some fun with research, I found that in the first month, (January) 2026, there may have been current songs about Love, but you can’t tell from their titles. Not a one with Love in the title … kinda sad, don’t you think? Since Love dominates our lives in mates, family and friends, check out the two tantalizing Love tunes below, for your February 1976 musical memories …  

♪ February 1976 Song of Note ♪  
Wow. Every year in the 1970s gets more and more difficult to choose a Song of Note—there are so many iconic classics in every Top 20! This month, from “Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover” (Paul Simon) at #1 on our Featured Radio Survey, to “Theme From S.W.A.T.” (Rhythm Heritage) rounding out the top 20 (of 30) tunes, it was a daunting jaunt through time.
       I try to take into account the general mood of the month, so Valentine Y Love rules February, and I finally settled on two, absolute opposites … from the pain of love in Nazareth’s “Love Hurts,” sitting at #5 on the chart, to the Miracles exclaiming love’s exuberant joy in “Love Machine,” at #6, we’ve got ya covered.

       Scottish band, Nazareth, struck a painful chord with “Love Hurts” that resonated with so many, and still does! By far, theirs is the most popular version of the song, originally recorded by The Everly Brothers in 1960 and covered by others before Nazareth gave it a hard Rock vibe. From the lead singer to the lead guitarist, you can feel their pain. ♪ … Love is like a flame | It burns you when it's hot | Love hurts...... ooh, ooh love hurts …♪ Oh, yes, sometimes it does … 
       On the other end of the Love spectrum, however, following right on its heels on the WTAC music chart, “Love Machine,” by the Miracles, expressed the other side of Love—pure joy! And I gotta say, my pure joy came when I pulled up the YouTube video and found the Miracles dominating the stage flaunting extravagant, 1970s Disco style, in matching “Pepto Bismal”-pink suits!
       Our resident DJ Extraordinaire, Bill Gardner, shared this tidbit, “Made me think of my KOOL [Phoenix] interview with Bobby Rogers of the Miracles. Among the cool things he told me was he's [the] voice behind ‘woo hoo hoo hoooooo yeah’ on ‘Love Machine.’ In that video in the Pepto pinks you mentioned, Bobby's the tall guy with the glasses. Many times that video is [played] back to back with their killer song "Do It," as well.” As we’ve said many times, the 1970s were all about Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll!  
       Oh, the memories! ♪ … I'm just a love machine | And I won't work for nobody but you | A hugging kissing fiend … ♪   

♪ February 2026 Music Events & More ♪    
Miscellaneous news and notes of music and Radio today …  

February 13^th: I generally regale World Radio Day as a terrific, global way to thank our Radio broadcasters for all the pleasure they have brought their listeners, in so many areas of our lives. 
       While I applaud the sponsor of this day (UNESCO) and have for years, I was disappointed to find their site prominently displaying a message for the broad use of AI in Radio—and beyond.
       Directly below this line on their site, “It is a Day to thank broadcasters for the news they deliver, the voices they amplify and the stories they share,” comes THIS: “Today Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens a new chapter: not just for innovation but for deepening their bond with listeners.”

       Granted, they follow it with the admonition of, “When used ethically and responsibly to support professional judgement, creativity and public service values …” and “AI is a tool, not a voice.” And therein lies the problem. Just like any “tool” with the potential to do harm, it depends on who’s holding it.
       I’m absolutely, more than a bit biased—not only as an “old school” Radio fan—but as a writer and author battling AI’s hijacking of creative works—I cannot condone UNESCO’s stance. AI has been unleashed on us without the moral boundaries that should have been required to monitor and police its use. Now, like the latest provocative, addictive drug, it’s too late to stop.
       I’ll be the first to admit I have not performed in-depth research into the extensive pros and cons of its use—and though it has its benign uses to make some aspects of life easier—it still feels like the rape of all human creativity. I have and will continue for the foreseeable future, refrain from using even the most basic AI in my writings. I have a mind—I know things—and while the research I must do to augment, is now AI-powered, it is not by my choice. It is already holding us against our will.  

February 14^th: Today as in yesteryear, Valentine's Day naturally comes with Love and music ... okay, and with chocolate and flowers. But especially if your diet doesn't allow sweets and you're allergic to flora, there’s always romance in silly little Love Songs. What were some of those dozen or so amorous—and I use the term loosely, as we were very superficial—“Love” songs in the vintage February 1976 Top 30? “Sweet Thing” (Rufus), “Love Rollercoaster” (Ohio Players & still on the charts from January) and since it’s the ‘70s, “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate, of course! ♪ … I believe in miracles | Where you from, you sexy thing? … ♪    

February 27^th: Turn up the nostalgia volume, it’s National Retro Day! Although we’d like to think this day was created just for Boomers, especially our stylin’ music and hip Disco dance moves, according to the sponsor’s Facebook page, it doesn’t matter what generation you’re in … or which decade or two from which your fondest reminiscences burst forth. The point is to enjoy the memories …

♪♪BFYPFeatured Radio Survey♪♪  
February 13, 1976 ~ WTAC/Flint, Michigan … Imagine that—a Rock Radio DJ with a sense of humor—said with tongue-in-cheek, of course. DJ Peter Cavanaugh graces “The Big 6 Music Guide” cover … as a cute little chimp with a kiss-this face for Valentine’s Day! Irresistible. See what else is special about this survey … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your Radio played … 

Rock February 1976 and … Let’s Rock the Love!  

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! 
            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?!

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