Rock Radio AUGUST 1972 No Messin’ with Jim

Hey! Don’t Be Tuggin’ on Superman’s Cape! 

Or go messin’ around with Jim ... didn’t your parents teach you manners? Heehee. I doubt “Miss Manners” extended her etiquette to meeting superheroes ... they live by a different code of ethics (which is often, their downfall). But this month at BFYP, we’re warning you not to mess around with Jim ... Croce, that is! Let’s get Rockin’ 50 Years Ago this Month ...

♪ Then & Now Rockin’ News & Views
The "dog days of summer" make a great time to reflect ... on the year so far ... the last few years ... or a lifetime of years. With that in mind, I want to pay tribute to a Blast from Your Past DJ friend, who I only recently learned, passed away in 2019. 

      William F. Williams knew how to have fun and always looked forward, which is why he was truly a pioneering disc jockey. Locking into radio as it began its upward Rockin’ climb in the mid-1950s, he was a vibrant man who took the proverbial bull by the horns in every situation he faced. I'm proud to say I knew him, and you can read some of his tantalizing tales as he romps through all three of BFYP's historical DJ decades.

      1972 was William’s final year behind the mic, as he followed his passions of acting and screenwriting. At KPPC/Los Angeles, that was the year he interviewed a cast that performed nude on stage, in “The Dirtiest Show in Town.” His avant-garde sense of humor (and the little devil on his shoulder) urged him to interview them live, in the studio—nude. He thought they’d play along and get naked with him. They were not amused. Just one of many, many outrageous stories William lived, behind the mic of his pioneering DJ circuit.
      As a tribute to William, and proof that I am still working on BFYP Book 3: The Psychedelic Seventies, read William F. William’s draft preview from the third and final book of the series. And then ...

> AUGUST 1972 Rockin’ News Then … 
Comin’ at ya in cool shades of summer, Dave “the Rave” Parks is your dynamic DJ at WFIL “56”/Philadelphia, August 7, 1972. Another pioneer in Rock & Roll Radio, Dave and the other DJs who were there in 1966 when WFIL flipped to Top 40, propelled the station to star status and kept it there. Exciting personalities are what fans gravitated to—Dave made sure he brought them in.
      It’s been seven years since Dave “the Rave” passed into DJ Heaven—08/24/2015—which makes this month’s Featured Radio Survey especially poignant. He’s still missed in radio circles, says our resident DJ extraordinaire, Bill Gardner. [Image: Bill sent their fun reunion photo--he's front row-center and Dave starts out the 2nd row, first fella on right.]
      “Dave Parks was one of the wonderful guys who I worked with at WFIL. He was there in ‘68 when I worked there, as well. The last time I saw Dave was at something called "the Philly legends radio reunion" in 1996, hosted by program director Scott Walker, and on-air at WOGL-FM/Philadelphia. Me, in August '72? Still in my year-and-a-half stretch at KING/Seattle.” 
      What else caught radio listeners’ attention in AUGUST 1972? Onward ...

August 5^th: It was this day that venerable Brits of The Moody Blues thought, why write a new song when we can simply re-issue an old one and rest on our laurels? They did just that and fared even better the second time around with 1967’s “Nights in White Satin.” It hit #10 on WFIL’s September 11^th survey and finally scrambled to #1 by October 9^th. Proving once again, recycling is a good thing. Just what the truth is | I can’t say anymore ... ♪   

August 21^st: The summer wasn’t so hot for Grace Slick, of Jefferson Airplane, who some reports claim, was maced by police when a band official called cops, pigs. As usual, nothing is as simple as a misleading headline. Since it happened at a concert in Akron, Ohio, I’d like to think the Akron Beacon Journal set the record straight, describing the chaotic “war-like” concert happenings between fans, band, and police. 
       “Slick later said she merely lost her balance and tried to steady herself on an officer. Patrolman Robert E. Gott didn’t see it that way. In his arrest report, he said Slick ‘grabbed his whistle chain and deliberately ripped it from his uniform.’ He said she scratched his arm while swinging wildly to claw his face. Slick’s boyfriend Paul Kantner, 31, tried to intervene and got maced. The two were charged with assaulting an officer.” Which is nothing new for band members then or now!

> AUGUST 2022 Rockin’ News Now …
Now for this year’s hot summer Rockin’ news. Read on for a hunka-hunka burnin’ love, for book lovers, vinyl record fans, and if you’re “of a certain age,” pat yourself on the back—you made it this far!

August 9^th: Bibliophiles unite—it’s Book Lovers Day! According to Wiki the official title is National Book Lovers Day, but let’s not nitpick the semantics. Although shameless self-promotion is not new for me—after all, Blast from Your Past books founded this site—I can’t exactly ignore today! If you’re reading this blog, you obviously love old music, old radio, and new takes on old history. Have you read any good books on them yet?

      Blast from Your Past books about Rock & Roll Radio DJs of yesteryear, pay tribute to the often-raucous personalities who created a ruckus behind the microphone of some of your favorite pioneering Rock Radio stations. If you haven’t already read them, Book 1 The First Five Years (1954-1959) and Book 2 The Swinging Sixties are available on Amazon (Book 1 in eBook only, at the moment). Get them both and make a day of it!

August 9^th - 16^th: Are you making your annual pilgrimage to Graceland for Elvis Week? Whether in person, online, or only in your memories, enjoy the best of Elvis. Arizona Central newspaper republished a cool article that appeared in July’s USA Today (by esteemed music critic Jerry Shriver) that links practically all music genre with Elvis’s uncanny ability to sing each not just good, but masterfully. “... when assessing the more than 750 songs Elvis recorded, it's more useful to appreciate his mastery of multiple styles rather than quibble over whether "How Great Thou Art" was, well, greater than "Hound Dog." Enjoy ...

August 12^th: Let’s go spinning ‘round and ‘round and ‘round on Vinyl Record Day! Unbelievably, this day has no official sponsor, either. There are a couple Record Store Days on the calendars (April, June and July) with retail sponsor links (of course), but none just for vinyl records. Let’s face it—they are the granddaddies of music media, especially Rock & Roll!
      How many vintage vinyl records do you own? Bet you can name your top five vinyl records off the top of your head, regardless of how long it’s been since you set them spinning on a turntable. Do it again and watch the black vinyl roll around, as you feign karaoke night in your living room!
      Want to know where to buy more of the shiny black music disks (and in rare form, colors) in your neighborhood? Check out Vinyl Times’ website for a long list of nationwide stores and their vinyl record shows throughout the year. Ray K, the site’s owner knows his stuff, as a former Radio Jock and club DJ. It was second nature for him to begin collecting back in the day ... and now, he wants to make his wife happy. He’s selling his 30,000+ vinyl record collection ... have fun!  

August 17^th: I’m OK with most of my readers who (like me) can enjoy musical memories of the 1950s,’60s and ‘70s. Besides Oldies Rock & Roll, we share today’s special Baby Boomer's Recognition Day! The link’s reference site is stuck in 2019 ... by the time August rolled around in 2020, the world had stopped ... and for some websites, it’s been slow to get kickstarted again. But we’re still here, kickin’ up our heels—if only from our chairs. 😊
      Although a tad off-subject, many people ask, what’s the big deal about where to place an apostrophe? What a difference a day makes ... another Baby Boomers Recognition Day (sans apostrophe) is also listed on my fave calendar site as June 1^st. So take your pick and enjoy your day!

♪ On Your Tinny Transistor Radio   
AUGUST 1972 ~ WFIL/Philly’s August 7, 1972 survey shared a cigarette-smoking Jim Croce picture next to his #7 song climbing the radio charts. Sadly, at the zenith of his career, Croce perished a year later in a plane crash. The day set Croce’s two-year-old son, A.J., on a heartbreaking path that today, has led him finally, to his father’s music. CBS News’ June 2022 article tells A.J.’s poignant story as we delve into his famous dad’s pinnacle of success ...

Monthly Song of Note ♪
Great tune for the middle of summer, as heat waves flare tempers across our great nation. At #7 on this month’s Featured Radio Survey, “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” offers a couple of tough life lessons!
       You don't tug on Superman's cape | You don't spit into the wind | You don't pull the mask off that ol' Lone Ranger | And you don't mess around with Jim. However, like many things in life, a situation may not be all it seems ... and according to the song’s lyrics, Jim soon found himself outwitted by “Slim.” In my interpretation, its lesson also reminds us, violence is never the answer ...
       It wouldn't be Croce's only song about a tough guy who got his comeuppance ... we hear it again in Spring 1973's top tune, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” Although you might think they’re self-reflection, like many writers, he reportedly based the tune’s bad guys on life acquaintances.

Quirky Band Names  
At #11 on WFIL’s survey, it isn’t surprising that an off-the-wall song title like “Motorcycle Mama” came from an oddball band named Sailcat. Little is known about them beyond a Wiki account of the essentially one-hit-wonder artists. The short-lived southern pop/rock group was apparently made up of some members who would later go on to greater prominence—just not together.
      The Crusaders on the other hand, simply changed their name from the Jazz Crusaders and added popular music to their repertoire, to find themselves at #20 with catchy instrumental, “Put It Where You Want It.” By the late 1970s, they had gone full circle, back to jazz funk.
      But the O’Jays have a story we love to share! Scraping the bottom of the survey at #30, their “Back Stabber(s)” came complete with choreographed dancing reminiscent of the late 1950s—great moves! The surveys list the song singular, but the official title is plural—yep there’s definitely more than one. It climbed up the chart to #4 by September 11^th. Best part? They paid tribute to Cleveland Radio Disc Jockey, Eddie O’Jay with their group name! (These days, they’d be sued for it!)

♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey 
AUGUST 7, 1972 ~ WFIL/Philadelphia, was already looking back at the “WFIL Solid Gold” Rock & Roll of a year earlier in a Top Five song list from August 1971. Tommy James’ “Draggin’ the Line” took #1 spot. Another week topping the Top Thirty: Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again” … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Let’s Celebrate AUGUST 1972 and … Rock On!  ♪  

BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
Blast from Your Past Gifts 
Share your Oldies R&R fun on Twitter: @BlastFromPastBk                

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

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. 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! 

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Rock Radio NOVEMBER 1969 Thanks for Memories

Thank You … Thank You Very Much … 

November and December are months devoted to food, don’t you think? What’s for Thanksgiving … who’s bringing the eggnog for Christmas … and where’s the next potluck Holiday party? Sound familiar?

Food was certainly on Dave Thomas’s mind when he opened his first Wendy's Hamburgers in Columbus, Ohio, November 15, 1969. Yep – 50 Years Ago this Month!

So while we were munching on the new American fast food delicacy, Thanksgiving was just around the corner. Although certainly worthy and debatably the most celebrated meal, it isn’t the only event in November. So after we give thanks for the food and family memories, let’s take a walk and work off our big-T-dinner with more fun. Rockin’ on down Memory Lane …

Your Tinny Transistor Radio News ~ NOVEMBER 1969         

November 1^st: Without any recent records from Elvis, by 1969 everyone wondered if we would ever hear his sexy sounds on the radio again. Oh ye of little faith. After a seven-year hiatus, he hit Billboard’s #1 in ratings again on this date, following the popularity of “Suspicious Minds” during the Halloween season. Thank you ... thank you very much.

KHJ/Los Angeles fans bounced it to the top as early as October 8^th, and by November 3^rd, it still rallied at #5 on *WLS/Chicago. California wearied of it finally, kicking it off KHJ’s chart by November 5^th, to replace it with The Beatles’ dynamic duo, **“Something” and “Come Together.” ♪ Got to be a joke he just do what he please  ♪ …

November 7^th: Where were you this date in 1969? If you called Fort Collins, Colorado, home, or Colorado State University your alma mater, it’s likely you favored stones over boulders, to attend The Rolling Stones’ concert on this date. Rock critics dubbed it a Rock and Roll legend. What made this American warm-up show of their long-awaited tour so memorable?

            It was the first major outing for “Little Mick” Taylor having recently replaced guitarist Brian Jones. From “Honky Tonk Women” to "All Down the Line" and “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll,” Taylor contributed to many of the Stones’ early best works, 1969-1974. ♪ But I like it … ♪

**November 29^th: Was it fair that “Something” and “Come Together” kicked other songs off the top of charts 50 Years Ago this Month? I’m sure The Beatles thought so. Revising charting policies for A and B songs on this date, Billboard gave the two songs a push by combining each song’s accrued points to create “one” #1 hit. It wasn’t long before other artists cashed in as well, like Creedence Clearwater Revival with “Fortunate Son” and “Down On The Corner.” Cool. ♪ Willie and the Poor Boys were playin’ … ♪

Rockin’ Retro Radio

Buy, sell, trade. The mechanics of business plays out in radio ownership, and 1969 saw significant changes, like the National Science Network’s acquisition of KMPX-FM/San Francisco, along with KPPC-AM & FM stations/Pasadena.

BFYP DJs Tom and Raechel Donahue had already reprogrammed KMPX to a successful album-oriented Rock format before exiting in 1968. As 1969 came to a close, KPPC was about to follow suit headed by PD Doug Cox, who begged (BFYP) DJ, William F. Williams, to join him.

            Says Raechel of the long-play format growing ever more popular in that era, “… it was really fun to be able to create the show when you could weave a musical topic and tell the story.” (BFYP, Book 2.)

It appears about two years was the average length of time for conservative owners NSN to tolerate KPPC’s Rockin’ rebellious staff. Case in point—William dubbed it, the “PP”. Williams left late in 1972.  

*Featured Radio Survey

WLS/Chicago captures this month’s Featured Survey honors, as their “Radio 89 Hit Parade” holds former #1 comeback hit for Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds” at #5 on the November 3, 1969 chart. ♪ And we can’t build our dreams | on Suspicious Minds ♪  … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when …

Celebrate NOVEMBER 1969 and … Rock On!

Blast from Your Past Gifts

Share on Twitter: @BlastFromPastBk

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

Note: FYI – All links in the BFYP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion. 

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