The Top 10 Songs of 2011

Good to close the year with a look back at the top songs of the year.  Although this web site focuses on the top years of the Rock Era, there is still some good music out there.  Here are The Top 10 Songs from 2011*:

10.  "Breakeven" by the Script







9.  "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO







8.  "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars







7.  "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train





6.  "We Found Love" by Rihanna







5.  "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5





4.  "Firework" by Katy Perry





3.  "Grenade" by Bruno Mars






2.  "Someone Like You" by Adele

1.  "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele

The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"Flashdance (What A Feeling)" by Irene Cara

If you get nothing else out of this song,


"Take your passion and make it happen."  That line alone has sparked meaningful change in the world.

Flashdance (What a Feeling)"

by Irene Cara

Written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey and Irene Cara


First, when there's nothing but a slow glowing dream
That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind
All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride
In a world made of steel, made of stone

Well I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm
Wrap around, take a hold of my heart

[Chorus:]
What a feeling, bein's believin'
I can't have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

[Solo]

Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm
In a flash it takes hold of my heart

[chorus (with ... "now I'm dancing through my life")]

What a feeling

What a feeling (I am music now), bein's believin' (I am rhythm now)
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life
What a feeling (I can really have it all)
What a feeling (Pictures come alive when I call)
I can have it all (I can really have it all)
Have it all (Pictures come alive when I call)
(call, call, call, call, what a feeling) I can have it all
(Bein's believin') bein's believin'
(Take your passion, make it happen) make it happen
(What a feeling) what a feeling... [to fade]

This Date in Rock Music History: December 31

1955:  A new group appeared on the chart for the first time with their version of "White Christmas", the first single for the Drifters.
1956:  Elvis Presley promoted Wink Martindale's upcoming charity concert on Wink's local television special in Memphis, Tennessee.
1960:  The movie Where the Boys Are, starring Connie Francis, premiered in New York City.

1961:  The Pendletons played under their their now more familiar name of the Beach Boys for the first time at a memorial concert for Ritchie Valens in Long Beach, California.

1961:  Janis Joplin performed for the first time at the Halfway House in Beaumont, Texas.
1962:  The Rooftop Singers released the single "Walk Right In".
1962:  John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & Papas married.
1966:  "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra was the new #1 song on the Easy Listening chart.
1966:  Petula Clark had one of the hottest songs out as "Color My World" jumped from 69 to 38.

1966:  The Monkees took the Neil Diamond song "I'm a Believer" to #1 in just their fourth week on the chart.  "Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron" moved from 7-2 in its third week.  That meant an end to the #1 reign of "Winchester Cathedral" by the New Vaudeville Band while Frank Sinatra placed "That's Life" one spot ahead of daughter Nancy's "Sugar Town".  The rest of the Top 10:  The #2 smash "Mellow Yellow" from Donovan, Aaron Neville jumped from 14 to 7 with "Tell It Like It Is", the Temptations were at #8 with "(I Know) I'm Losing You", Stevie Wonder and "A Place in the Sun" while Boise, Idaho's Paul Revere & the Raiders moved from 27 to 10 with "Good Thing".
1967:  Bert Berns, songwriter ("Twist and Shout" for the Beatles) who helped convince Van Morrison to go solo, died of a heart attack.
1968:  Vanilla Fudge and the new group Led Zeppelin combined for a New Year's Eve show in Portland, Oregon.

1969:  The BBC in the U.K. named John Lennon the Man of the Decade.

1971:  David Clayton-Thomas, lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, performed with the group for the last time for four years.
1972:  The first Rockin' New Year's Eve was televised on ABC with Dick Clark.  The guests were Three Dog Night, Al Green and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
1973:  Having only recorded three songs for an album using only household objects, the creativity ended and Pink Floyd decided to record Wish You Were Here with traditional instruments.

1975:  Elvis Presley set a world record by earning $800,000 for his concert at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, that drew 60,000 fans.
1976:  The Cars performed for the first time at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
1977:  Earth, Wind & Fire controlled the R&B chart for a seventh week with "Serpentine Fire".
1977:  The Bee Gees held on to #1 on the adult chart with "How Deep Is Your Love" for the sixth straight week.

1978:  In Europe, they hold on to tradition and preserve their heritage.  In the U.S., the tradition is gone forever.  On this date the famous Winterland Theater in San Francisco closed following a farewell show by the Grateful Dead and the Blues Brothers.
1979:  Jefferson Starship did a show at the X nightclub in San Francisco, California that was broadcast worldwide on radio.
1982:  Steve Van Zandt of the E Street Band married Maureen Santora.  Bruce Springsteen was the best man.  But wait, there's more...Little Richard, who presided over the ceremony, sang a duet with Percy Slege on "When a Man Loves a Woman" at the reception. 

1982:  Max's Kansas City club in New York City, whose performers included Bruce Springsteen and Devo, shut its doors.
1984:  Rick Allen, drummer of Def Leppard, lost his left arm in a tragic car accident in England.

1985:  Rick Nelson and six others died in an airplane crash near DeKalb, Texas on their way to a New Year's Eve concert in Dallas.
1991:  Guns N' Roses performed at a New Year's Eve show at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.
1993:  Barbra Streisand performed her first paid concert in 22 years at the MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada.
1994:  TLC owned the #1 R&B song for a fourth week with "Creep".

1994:  Boyz II Men returned to #1 for a third week with "On Bended Knee".  With their smash "I'll Make Love to You" earlier in the year, that gave the group 17 weeks at #1 for the year.

1996:  Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in England.
1997:  Floyd Cramer ("Last Date") died of cancer at the age of 64.

2002:  In today's episode of Dangerous Inmates Run Rap Music, 50 Cent was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
2003:  The Strokes played a New Year's Eve show at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2003:  Elton John, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and Kiss performed on Dick Clark's 32nd annual New Year's Rockin' Eve.  Newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey helped Clark count down to the New Year in New York City's Time Square.
2003:  Natalie Imbruglia ("Torn") married Daniel Johns of Silverchair at a resort on the northeastern coast of Australia.
2003:  Ray Davies of the Kinks and Eric Clapton were made Commanders of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II of England.
2003:  OutKast had the #1 album with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

2007:  Roger Daltrey, lead singer of the Who, received the honor of Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music and charity work.
2009:  Famed composer Burt Bacharach underwent back surgery in Los Angeles.

Born This Day:
1920:  Rex Allen ("Don't Go Near the Indians" from 1962) was born in Wilcox, Arizona; died December 17, 1999 in Tucson, Arizona, when he suffered a massive coronary and collapsed in his driveway.  Allen sustained additional injuries when his caretaker accidentally ran over him.

1942:  Andy Summers, guitarist of the Police and solo artist, was born in Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, England.

1943:  John Denver was born in Pacific Grove, California; died October 12, 1997 when his light plane he was flying crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove.
1943:  Pete Quaife, founding member and bassist of the Kinks, was born in Tavistock, Devon, England; died June 10, 2010 from kidney failure.

1947:  Burton Cummings, lead singer, keyboardist and songwriter of the Guess Who and a solo artist ("Stand Tall" from 1976) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

1948:  Donna Summer (real name LaDonna Adriene Gaines) was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
1951:  Tom Hamilton, bassist of Aerosmith, was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1951:  Fermin Goytisolo
1959:  Paul Westerberg,songwriter, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Replacements, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1963:  Scott Ian, rhythm guitarist of Anthrax, was born in Queens, New York.
1972:  Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block was born in Needham, Massachusetts.

Hits List: John Denver

One of the most popular performers of the Rock Era was immensely successful in the 1970's, first as a songwriter and then as a great artist and live performer.  He then continued well into the 80's on the Adult chart, the more popular chart, and continued to record until his death.  He truly enjoyed what he was doing and that was evident to the audience.  Denver's ability to capture and describe the moment in his songs led to him being invited time and time again to write songs about the Olympics experience.  Here is the historical Hits List of what John Denver accomplished in his lifetime:

1969:  "Daydream"
1970:  "Anthem-Revelation"
           "Follow Me"
           "Sail Away Home"
           "Mr. Bojangles"

1971:  "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (#2, #3 adult, #3 Canada)
           "Friends with You" (#47, #4 adult, #34 Canada)
1972:  "Everyday" (#81, #21 adult, #77 Canada)
           "Goodbye Again" (#88, #23 adult)--underrated
           "Hard Life, Hard Times (Prisoners)"
           "Rocky Mountain High" (#9, #3 adult, #8 Canada)--underrated

1973:  "I'd Rather Be a Cowboy (#62, #25 adult, #75 Canada)
           "Farewell Andromeda (Welcome to My Morning)" (#89, #20 adult)
           "Please, Daddy" (#69, #82 Canada)

1974:  "Sunshine on My Shoulders" (#1, #1 adult, #1 Canada)
           "Annie's Song" (#1, #1 adult, #1 Canada)
           "Back Home Again" (#5, #1 adult, #10 Canada)
1975:  "Sweet Surrender" (#13, #1 adult, #1 Canada)
           "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (#1, #5 adult, #38 Canada)
           "I'm Sorry" (#1, #1 adult, #1 Canada)
           "Calypso" (#1, #1 adult, #29 Canada)
1976:  "Fly Away" (with Olivia Newton-John) (#13, #1 adult, #13 Canada)
           "Looking for Space" (#29, #1 adult, #63 Canada)
           "It Makes Me Giggle" (#60, #9 adult, #83 Canada)
           "Like a Sad Song" (#36, #1 adult, #63 Canada)

1977:  "Baby, You Look Good to Me Tonight" (#65, #13 adult, #89 Canada)
           "My Sweet Lady" (#32, #13 adult, #52 Canada)
           "How Can I Leave You Again" (#44, #2 adult, #40 Canada)
1978:  "It Amazes Me" (#59, #9 adult, #72 Canada)
           "I Want to Live" (#55, #10 adult, #81 Canada)
1979:  "Downhill Stuff"
           "What's On Your Mind" (#10 Adult Contemporary)
           "Garden Song" (#31 AC)
           "A Baby Just Like You" (with the Muppets)
1980:  "Autograph" (#52, #20 AC)
           "Dancing with the Mountains" (#97, #43 AC)
1981:  "Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone)" (#36, #12 AC)
           "The Cowboy and the Lady" (#66)

1982:  "Shanghai Breezes" (#31, #1 AC)
           "Seasons of the Heart" (#78, #23 AC)
           "Opposite Tables"
           "Perhaps Love" (with Placido Domingo) (#59 #22 AC)---highly underrated.
1983:  "Wild Montana Skies" (with Emmylou Harris) (#26 AC)
           "Hold On Tightly"
1984:  "It's About Time"
           "The Gold and Beyond"
           "Love Again" (with Sylvie Vartan) (#85, #30 AC)
1985:  "Don't Close Your Eyes, Tonight" (#37 AC)
           "Dreamland Express" (#34 AC)
1986:  "Along for the Ride ('56T-Bird)"
1987:  "Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?)"
1988:  "For You"
           "Country Girl in Paris"
1995:  "For You" (live)

That's 34 hits for John with 7 going Top 10 and four #1's.  And on the more relevant Adult chart (because obviously there's more adult music fans than kids), he had 34 hits with 18 Top 10';s and nine #1's.

The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"Aquarius" by the 5th Dimension

The 5th Dimension sings of trust, understanding, peace and liberation, an age of "Aquarius".  The 60's were indeed the closest we have ever come to that feeling although I get the distinct impression that the younger generation of today is very much like that also.

"Aquarius/"Let the Sunshine In"

by the 5th Dimension

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David


When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!


Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!


When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Aquarius!


[Instrumental and tempo shift]


Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in


[Continue to end with concurrent scat]


Oh, let it shine, c'mon
Now everybody just sing along
Let the sun shine in
Open up your heart and let it shine on in
When you are lonely, let it shine on
Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in
And when you feel like you've been mistreated
And your friends turn away
Just open your heart, and shine it on in


[Fade]

This Date in Rock Music History: December 30

1957:  Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" finished the year as the #1 R&B song, where it had been for six weeks.  
1957:  The top album was Elvis' Christmas Album, which many radio stations banned from airplay because they didn't think a rock and roll artist should play Christmas music.

1961:  The Marvelettes registered a seventh week at #1 on the R&B chart with "Please Mr. Postman".
1961:  "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean continued to dominate the Easy Listening chart for a 10th consecutive week.
1962:  Bob Dylan performed "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Ballad of the Gilding Swan" for the BBC television play Madhouse on Castle Street.
1962:  Brenda Lee's home was completely destroyed by fire.
1965:  The Who, the Hollies, the Kinks and Gerry & the Pacemakers performed on the popular television show Shindig!

                "A Day in the Life" from Sgt. Pepper's

1967:  The Monkees album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. had been #1 but it was the Beatles' new album Magical Mystery Tour that was making all the noise, rising from #157 to #4 (no typo).  In between, Diana Ross and the Supremes Greatest Hits was still #2 while Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles remained third.  The Rolling Stones bounced from 29 to 5 in their second week with Their Satanic Majesties Request.  The rest of the Top 10:  Two more soundtracks, "Doctor Zhivago" at #6 and "The Sound of Music" at #7 after 146 weeks, Farewell to the First Golden Era by the Mamas & Papas, the Doors slipped to #9 with Strange Days and Dionne Warwick's Golden Hits, Part One was in the #10 position.

1967:  Eric Burdon & the Animals had one of the hottest songs as "Monterey" moved from 64 to 32.

1967:  The Beatles had their 51st hit, 25th Top 10 song in four years and 15th #1 with "Hello Goodbye".  Gladys Knight & the Pips couldn't advance with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" while the Monkees were finally topped with "Daydream Believer".  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles remained fourth with "I Second That Emotion" and Gary Puckett from Twin Falls, Idaho & The Union Gap were at #5 with "Woman, Woman".  The rest of the Top 10:  John Fred & His Playboy Band moved from 11-6 with "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)", Aretha Franklin raced up to #7 with "Chain of Fools", newcomers the American Breed entered the Top 10 with "Bend Me, Shape Me", the Fantastic Johnny dropped with "Boogaloo Down Broadway" and Joe Tex moved from 15 to 10 with "Skinny Legs and All".
1968:  Led Zeppelin performed at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, opening for Vanilla Fudge.

1968:  The Turtles released the single "You Showed Me".
1969:  Peter Tork quit the Monkees, buying out his contract which left him broke.
1970:  A very sad day in the Rock Era.  The members of this group began as great friends and fun-loving people, but on this day, Paul McCartney sued the other three Beatles to dissolve the partnership and gain control of his interest in the group.
1972:  Bruce Springsteen opened for Sha Na Na and Brownsville Station at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.

1972:  Bread moved to #1 on the adult chart with "Sweet Surrender".
1972:  Seventh Sojourn by the Moody Blues was #1 on the album chart for a fourth week.

1972:  Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina cracked the Top 10 with "Your Mama Don't Dance".
1974:  Labelle released the single "Lady Marmalade".
1978:  Al Stewart continued to top the adult chart for the eighth week with "Time Passages".
1978:  The #1 R&B song had been there five weeks--Chic and "Le Freak".
1979:  Emerson, Lake & Palmer broke up.
1989:  Krist Novoselic of Nirvana married Shelli Dilley.

1989:  "Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Collins was the #1 Adult Contemporary song for a fifth week.
1991:  Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa celebrated the birth of daughter Jessica Rae.
1995:  Clarence Satchell of the Ohio Players ("Love Rollercoaster" from 1975) died at age 55.

1995:  "Waiting to Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" by Whitney Houston blew past the competition for a fifth straight week at #1 on the R&B chart.

             "Forever" from Carey's album Daydream

1995:  Daydream moved into the #1 spot on the album chart for Mariah Carey, bumping Anthology 1 by the Beatles.  Mannheim Steamroller was in the spirit of the season with Christmas in the Aire while the Soundtrack to "Waiting to Exhale" was fourth and Garth Brooks slipped with Fresh Horses.  The rest of the Top 10:  Cracked Rear View moved back up after 75 weeks for Hootie & the Blowfish, Alanis Morissette was at #7 with Jagged Little Pill, Alan Jackson stayed at 8 with The Greatest Hits Collection, the Smashing Pumpkins remained at #9 with Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and TLC was still at #10 after 57 weeks with CrazySexyCool.

1998:  Johnny Moore, tenor with the Drifters, died of respiratory failure in Los Angeles at the age of 64.
1999:  George Harrison and his wife were attacked in their home during a robbery.  Although Harrison was stabbed four times in the chest, he and his wife were able to subdue the assailant until the police arrived.

2001:  Nickelback reached #1 with "How You Remind Me".
2003:  In today's episode of Inmates Run Rap Music, police in Georgia served a warrant for the arrest of Juvenile, who reneged on child support payments for his six-month-old daughter.  What a loser.


Born This Day:

1928:  Bo Diddley (real name Elias Bates McDaniel), R&B vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, was born in McComb, Mississippi.

1931:  Skeeter Davis ("The End of the World") was born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky; died of breast cancer on September 19, 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee.
1934:  Del Shannon was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan; shot himself while taking the anti-depression drug Prozac in Santa Clarita, California on February 8, 1990.
1937:  John Hartford, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter ("Gentle on My Mind" for Glen Campbell), was born in New York City; died of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma after struggling with the disease for years on June 4, 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
1939:  Kim Weston, singer who teamed with Marvin Gaye for songs like "It Takes Two", was born in Detroit, Michigan.
1939:  Felix Pappalardi, songwriter, vocalist and bassist of Mountain, and a producer for Cream, was born in The Bronx, New York; was shot and killed by his wife (who was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide) on  April 17, 1983.
1940:  Kenny Pentifallo, drummer of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes

1942:  Michael Nesmith, guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist with the Monkees and also a songwriter and producer, was born in Houston, Texas.  His 1977 video show Popclips was purchased by Warner Brothers and developed into what we used to know as MTV.
1942:  Robert Quine, elite guitarist for Lou Reed, Marianne Faithfull and Tom Waits among others; died when he committed suicide on May 31, 2004.

1945:  Davy Jones, lead singer of the Monkees, was born in Manchester, England.

1946:  Patti Smith ("Because the Night" from 1978) was born in Chicago, Illinois.

1947:  Jeff Lynne, lead singer, guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer of the Move, Electric Light Orchestra and later the Traveling Wilburys, was born in Shard End, Birmingham, England.
1949:  William King, founding member, trumpet player, guitarist and percussionist of the Commodores, was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

1950:  Dave Stewart, guitarist with the Eurythmics, songwriter ("Don't Come Around Here No More" for Tom Petty and "Stay" for Shakespeaers Sister, among others) and producer (Petty, Stevie Nicks, Jon Bon Jovi and Joss Stone)  was born in Waterloo, England.
1951:  Chris Jasper, keyboardist with the Isley Brothers, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1959:  Tracey Ullman, comedian and singer ("They Don't Know" from 1984), was born in Buckinghamshire, England.
1978:  Tyrese was born in Los Angeles.

The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother" by the Hollies

On the long road of life, there is room to carry our brothers and sisters.  For rest assured there will be a time when we need looking after. 

"He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother"

by the Hollies

Written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

This Date in Rock Music History: December 29

1955:  Barbra Streisand recorded her first song, at the age of 13.
1956:  Buddy Holly and four others chased and detained a shoplifter from a store in Lubbock, Texas.
1956:  Fats Domino sat atop the R&B chart  for the 11th week with "Blueberry Hill".  

1957:  Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme married.
1958:  "Lonely Teardrops" by Jackie Wilson was the #1 R&B song.
1958:  The new single "The Little Drummer Boy" by the Harry Simeone Chorale moved from #88 to #29.
1962:  Bob Dylan played at the Troubadour folk club in London.
1962:  Steve Lawrence remained at #1 for a third week on the Easy Listening chart with "Go Away Little Girl".  

1962:  "Telstar" by the Tornadoes was the #1 song, outdistancing Chubby Checker's "Limbo Rock" and "Bobby's Girl" by Marcie Blane.  "Go Away Little Girl" by Steve Lawrence was fourth with former #1 "Big Girls Don't Cry" by the Four Seasons behind.  The rest of the Top 10:  Elvis Presley dropped with "Return to Sender", Ray Charles moved up to #7 with "You Are My Sunshine",Brook Benton and "Hotel Happiness", "Little Esther" Phillips remained the same with "Release Me", Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans were thrilled as "Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah" jumped from 16-9 and Brook Benton was at #10 with "Hotel Happiness".
1963:  The Weavers performed for the final time at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.
1966:  The Beatles began recording "Penny Lane".
1967:  Dave Mason quit the group Traffic and began a solo career.

1968:  Joe South released this single--"Walk a Mile In My Shoes".
1969:  Sly & the Family Stone released the single "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).
1971:  America released their self-titled debut album.

1973:  Stevie Wonder rose to #1 on the R&B chart with his classic "Living for the City".
1973:  Jim Croce took over at #1 on the adult chart with "Time In a Bottle".
1973:  Ringo Starr shot up from 50 to 27 with "You're Sixteen".

                Brownsville Station's big hit

1973:  The recently departed Jim Croce reached #1 with "Time In a Bottle".  Charlie Rich dropped from the top with "The Most Beautiful Girl" while Helen Reddy had another big hit with "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)" and the Steve Miller Band was at 4 with "The Joker".  The rest of the Top 10:  Elton John and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" after peaking at #2 for three weeks, Todd Rundgren with "Hello It's Me", the Carpenters were still at 7 after 13 weeks with their smash "Top of the World", Al Wilson's great new song "Show and Tell", Brownsville Station moved up with "Smokin' in the Boy's Room" and Barry White held on to the #10 spot with "Never, Never Gonna' Give Ya Up".

1973:  Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was on top for a third straight week on the album chart.  
1975:  Gary Wright, former keyboardist with Spooky Tooth, released the single "Dream Weaver".
1975:  Paul Kantner and Grace Slick of Jefferson Starship divorced.
1980:  Tim Hardin, folksinger and songwriter, died at age 40 from drugs.
1980:  Irving Spice, who played violin for the Monkees and Grover Washington, Jr., died.

1990:  Elton John led the way on the Adult Contemporary chart for a third week with "You Gotta' Love Someone".
1994:  Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes pled guilty to arson charges for setting fire to and destroying boyfriend Andre Rison's $1 million Atlanta mansion.
2000:  A federal appeals court ruled that Nicholas Kussbaum, bassist for Steppenwolf, could continue to bill himself as a former member of the group.  John Kay, lead singer of the group, tried to enforce a 1980 contract in which Kussbaum agreed not to emphasize his ties with the group.
2004:  The biographical movie about Bobby Darin, Beyond the Sea, opened in theaters.
2011:  Robert Lee Dickey, "Bobby" of the duo James & Bobby Purify, died at the age of 72.

Born This Day:
1941:  Ray Thomas, singer, composer and flautist of the Moody Blues, was born in Stourport-on-Severn, England.
1942:  Rick Danko, singer and musician with the group that called themselves the Band, was born in Green's Corners, Ontario, Canada.
1942:  Jerry Summers of the Dovells ("You Can't Sit Down")
1946:  Marianne Faithfull was born in Hampstead, London.

1947:  Cozy Powell, drummer of Rainbow, Whitesnake and Black Sabbath, was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England; died April 5, 1998.
1948:  Charlie Spinosa of John Fred & His Playboy Band ("Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" from 1968)

1951:  Yvonne Elliman, a member for four years of the first cast of Jesus Christ Superstar and later a solo star, was born in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
1968:  Glen Phillips, singer/songwriter and guitarist of Toad the Wet Sprocket ("All I Want") was born in Santa Barbara California.

Hits List: Bread

Soft rock dominated the early part of the 1970's and this group was perfectly positioned for the change.  Here is the complete Hits List from Bread:

1970:  "Make It with You" (#1, #5 U.K.)
           "It Don't Matter to Me" (#10)
1971:  "Let Your Love Go" (#28)
           "If" (#4, #1 Easy Listening)
           "Mother Freedom" (#37)
           "Baby I'm-a Want You" (#3, #1 EL, #14 U.K.)
1972:  "Everything I Own" (#5, #32 U.K.)
           "Diary" (#15)--underrated
           "The Guitar Man" (#11, #1 EL, #16 U.K.)
           "Sweet Surrender" (#15, #1 EL)
1973:  "Aubrey" (#15)
1977:  "Lost Without Your Love" (#9, #27 U.K.)
           "Hooked On You" (#60)


That's 13 hits for Bread, with 5 Top 10's and a #1. 

Match 3--The popular Match 3 game returns.  Can you match the musician in the first column with the group they were in and also with the name of the album that the group did?  Give it a shot, then if you need help, click on the link at the bottom that will reveal the answers.


Musician:                                Group:                        Album:
Adam Clayton                       Jethro Tull                   Manna
Doug Clifford                          Fleetwood Mac          War Child
John McVie                           U2                               Pendulum
Ian Anderson                         Bread                         All That You Can't Leave Behind
Larry Knechtel                      CCR                            Tusk

Read more »

The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

A great song here that reminds us that no matter what has happened in our life to this point, the rest is undefined, and we have the power to influence the future.

"Unwritten"

by Natasha Bedingfield

Written by Natasha Bedingfield, Danielle Brisebois and Wayne Rodriguez.  


I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

This Date in Rock Music History: December 28

1959:  "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinning moved from #100 to #50.
1963:  The Singing Nun wrapped up a four-week stay at #1 on the Easy Listening chart with "Dominique".
1963:  "Dominique" was #1 for a fourth week overall.  Bobby Vinton provided the closest competition with "There!  I've Said It Again".
1963:  The Soundtrack to "West Side Story" re-entered the Top 10 in its 114th week of release.
1968:  Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Jeff Beck and the Pretty Things appeared at the Flight to Lowlands Paradise II festival at the Margriethal-Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
1968:  Fleetwood Mac, Procol Harum, Jose Feliciano and others performed at the Miami Festival in Florida.
1968:  The Rolling Stones debuted at #3 in the U.K. with their album Beggar's Banquet.

1968:  Marvin Gaye ruled the R&B chart for a third week with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".
1968:  Glen Campbell scored a third week at #1 on the adult chart with "Wichita Lineman".
1968:  The Beatles reached #1 with The White Album after just three weeks.  Wichita Lineman from Glen Campbell was second with Cheap Thrills from Big Brother & the Holding Company in third.

1968:  Marvin Gaye had the biggest hit of his career with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", #1 for a third week.  The Temptations climbed into the Top 10 with "Cloud Nine".
1969:  Detroit, Michigan declared it "Temptations Day".

1970:  The Osmonds released their first single--"One Bad Apple".
1974:  Stevie Wonder registered his 11th #1 song on the R&B chart, and fifth out of his last seven releases, with "Boogie On Reggae Woman".
1974:  Barry Manilow rose to #1 on the adult chart with his first single, "Mandy".

1974:  Helen Reddy owned the new #1 with "Angie Baby".  Elton John moved to challenge with his remake of the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".  Barry White was up to 3 with "You're the First, the Last, My Everything", Carl Douglas surrendered to #4 with "Kung Fu Fighting" and the previous #1 "Cat's in the Cradle" from Harry Chapin was fifth.  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  Paul McCartney & Wings with their double-sided "Junior's Farm"/"Sally G", the Three Degrees with "When Will I See You Again", Neil Sedaka was back with his first Top 10 in 12 years--"Laughter in the Rain", Ringo Starr bounced up from 14 with "Only You" and Stevie Wonder collected his 36th hit and his sixth Top 10 in his last seven releases with "Boogie On Reggae Woman".

The group Jethro Tull was up to #2

1974:  Elton John's Greatest Hits was the #1 album for the fifth week with War Child from Jethro Tull #2 and Neil Diamond's Serenade #3.  Harry Chapin moved to #4 with Verities & Balderdash while John Denver edged up with Back Home Again.  The rest of the Top 10:  Fire from the Ohio Players, the Rolling Stones fell hard with It's Only Rock 'N Roll, Loggins & Messina were at #8 with Mother Lode, Helen Reddy's Free and Easy stopped off at #9 and Ringo Starr entered the Top 10 with Goodnight Vienna.
1979:  At the third of Paul McCartney's concerts in London to benefit the country of Kampuchea, the Who and the Pretenders joined him.

1983:  Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys drowned while diving near his boat in the harbor of Marina del Ray, California.

"Minutes to Memories", one of the best songs you've never heard (unless you've been a regular visitor on this blog!

1985:  The "Miami Vice" Soundtrack moved back up to #1, taking over from the self-titled Heart.  John Cougar Mellencamp remained in the #3 spot with his great album Scarecrow while Barbra Streisand was up to #4 with The Broadway Album.  Knee Deep in the Hoopla from Starship and Songs from the Big Chair by newcomers Tears for Fears each entered the Top 10.

1985:  Lionel Richie remained at the top of the Adult Contemporary chart for a fourth week with "Say You, Say Me".  Incredibly, Richie had hit #1 with four straight songs and nine out of 10 since he left the Commodores.  More impressively, Lionel had accumulated 20 weeks at #1 on the adult chart in his last four releases and 41 weeks in a five-year period.
1988:  Nirvana performed at the Hollywood Underground in Seattle, Washington.
1991:  The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Nirvana combined for a show at Del Mar O'Brien Pavilion in San Diego, California.
1992:  Paul Simon and Edie Brickell celebrated the birth of Adrian Edward Simon.
1993:  Shania Twain married her producer, Robert "Mutt" Lange.
1993:  The Spice Girls achieved their third #1 song in the U.K. with "2 Become 1".
   
   In most other times, R. Kelly would have a #1 song

1996:  Toni Braxton dominated the competition with a fourth week at #1 with "Un-Break My Heart".  R. Kelly was second with "I Believe I Can Fly" while En Vogue closed to #3 with "Don't Let Go (Love)".
2004:  Bono of U2 was the guest editor on BBC Radio 4's news program Today.

2005:  Mary J. Blige debuted at #1 on the album chart with The Breakthrough.


Born This Day--Birthdays of Rock Era Personalities:
1914:  Roebuck "Pops" Staples, songwriter, guitarist and singer with the Staples Singers ("Respect Yourself"), was born in Winona, Mississippi; died December 19, 2000 after suffering a concussion from a fall in his home.
1921:  Johnny Otis ("Willie and the Hand Jive" from 1958), composer, arranger, singer, drummer and percussionist, talent scout and producer, was born in Vallejo, California; died at the age of 90 in Los Angeles.
1932:  Dorsey Burnette, who wrote songs for Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Nelson and others, brother of Johnny and father of Billy Burnette, was born in Memphis, Tennessee.
1938:  Charles Neville of Joey Dee & the Starlighters and the Neville Brothers

1946:  Edgar Winter, famous multi-instrumentalist and leader of the Edgar Winter Group, and young brother of Johnny, was born in Beaumont, Texas.
1947:  Dick Diamonde, bass guitarist of the Easybeats ("Friday on My Mind") was born in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

1950:  Alex Chilton, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the Box Tops and later a producer, was born in Memphis, Tennessee; died of a heart attack March 17, 2010.

1978:  John Legend, solo artist and session vocalist and musician, was born in Springfield Ohio.
1979:  Akon (real name Aliaune Thiam)

Songs on Master of Puppets by Metallica

Master of Puppets was the third studio album from Metallica.  Released in 1986, it contained the following tracks:

1.  "Battery"
2.  "Master of Puppets"
3.  "The Thing That Should Not Be"
4.  "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)"
5.  "Disposable Heroes"
6.  "Leper Messiah"
7.  "Orion"
8.  "Damage, Inc."

Hits List: Zombies

Here's the complete Hits List for Rod Argent and the Zombies:

1964:  "She's Not There" (#2, #12 U.K., #2 Canada, #11 Australia)
           "Leave Me Be" (#81 Australia)

1965:  "Tell He No" (#6, #42 U.K., #6 Canada, #60 Australia)
           "She's Coming Home" (#58, #21 Canada)
           "I Want You Back Again" (#95)
           "Whenever You're Ready"
           "Just Out of Reach"
1966:  "Is This the Dream"
           "Indication"
           "Gotta' Get a Hold of Myself"
1967:  "Goin' Out of My Head"
           "Friends of Mine"
           "Care of Cell 44"
1968:  "Time of the Season"
           "I Love You"
           "Butcher's Tale"
1969:  "Time of the Season" (#3, #1 Canada, #43 Australia)
           "Imagine the Swan" (#59 Canada)
           "If It Don't Work Out"