Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ APRIL 1975

 APRIL ’75 Brought Freedom & Spring Alive!   

I have often mentioned how similar the 2020s are to the Rock and roil of the 1970s. This month, we find personal freedoms, political upheaval, irreverence and patriotism in both decades, all wrapped up in Peace and Love while Spring showers bring May flowers. A country and the ages bathed in contradictions.

But we’re talkin’ ‘bout Rock & Roll, after all—music that soothes the troubled soul—today, as it did yesterday. The only thing the Psychedelic Seventies decade really has over the current decade, is a catchy title! So let’s Rock On in 1975, looking back, from the Twisted Twenty-Twenties! Alright … I’ll keep workin’ on it. In the meantime, enjoy life … 50 Years Ago this Month …   

º APRIL 1975 Radio News & Muse ♪ 
On air at WCFL/Chicago, the venerable DJ Larry Lujack was a popular force to be reckoned with, and still a fond memory today. Profoundly present in our teen lives, Rock radio stations and their best DJs were often involved in our high school activities. Life was more innocent and enjoyable then, as we chatted with our radio idols at a school dance or special event.
       The Eagles* were riding the popularity wave with “Best of My Love” topping charts in February. WCFL took advantage of their success, booking a school spirit contest to win a concert with them, emceed by Lujack. Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007) toured with Eagles in ’74, which likely got him on the school concert bandwagon too, as he navigated his solo musical footing. What a fun event that must have been for one lucky teen! 
       *A version of the Eagles with Don Henley in the forefront is still flying high in a Las Vegas Valley show this month, with added September dates because … well … their music is still a part of our souls, don’t ya think? More WCFL action in the Featured Radio Survey. Let’s Rock On into April 1975 …

April 3^rd or 4^th: Details are a little fuzzy 50 Years later. Now, be honest, as you’re reading this, you’re thinking you’ve either done it, or wished ya had at some point in a relationship … Steve Miller, yes THE Steve Miller, was apparently not happy in his relationship with Benita DiOrio. At least, it appeared that way to the cops who arrested him for setting her clothes and other items on fire—oh, and resisting arrest. No worries. The contentious Miller was released the next day when DiOrio dropped charges against him. Maybe he was bored ‘cause he hadn’t had a big hit since ‘73’s The Joker? The travesty of fame is everyone thinks your business is their business too. It made the news and here we are, fifty years later, still talking about it. Shame on us. 

April 28^th: Were you watching The Smothers Brothers Show on NBC this night when Ringo Starr and the comedy duo claimed they didn’t do drugs? Their fun, tongue-in-cheek (or fingers crossed) performance of Ringo’s “No No Song” delighted fans of his recent February hit. Whether they believed its premise or not. 😊

♪ On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you watching APRIL showers in 1975? Boise, Houston, Chicago? Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to … MORE to come … with Chicago's Larry Lujack and tunes on the turntable in Idaho and Texas! 

♪ April ’75 Song of Note ♪

Let Freedom ring and April showers sing! Free your soul* and add a spring to your step as we celebrate Spring and our April Song of Note! *A little Rock & Roll meditation might help you remember or want to learn anew how a “non-political” song championed up to #3 by Chicago’s WCFL radio fans, became a patriotic anthem of the decades. Oh, and did I mention it was penned by two Brits?!  
       I kid you not … who doesn’t know “Philadelphia Freedom,” an iconic tune still in play today? If you’re an Eagles football fan, you’ll likely remember their ecstatic win over Kansas City Chiefs  in Super Bowl LIX just last month … let Philadelphia Freedom ring as it hit the charts again in celebration.
       Simply by virtue of its title, the song’s iconic nature reaches back 50 Years Ago this Month as it energized radio listeners prepping for America’s 1976 bicentennial festivities. And now, 2026 will host our country’s Semiquincentennial—250^th— anniversary of American Independence.  
       Then, as now, politics were a hot button of patriotism and controversy, in life and in music. Master Brit musician, Elton John, asked lyricist, Bernie Taupin, to write a tribute tune for famed tennis champ, Billie Jean King. It’s reported, however, Taupin had no interest in that topic and penned the enigmatic song we’re still singing. One must wonder, though, how did it get from tennis to patriotism? According to Taupin, it didn’t … he insists it has nothing to do with tennis, King, or even patriotism—huh—ya coulda fooled me. For a non-patriotic song, it sure inspires freedom-loving loyaty!  
♪ … 'Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom | From the day that I was born, I've waved the flag … ♪ 

April ’75 ~ Quirky Band Name Award ♪  

Every now and then, another genre makes a statement in Rock & Roll. Such was the case in April 1975 when Country artists, Pure Prairie League made a crossover hit out of “Amie.” After sitting in their 1972 album line-up, it was finally released as a single, and just getting started up the chart with WCFL listeners, at #35.
       Their ultimate success wasn’t just a fluke. Their original group began in 1970 with Craig Fuller, Tom McGrail, and John David Call. Pure Prairie League’s name was McGrail’s idea, emulating a temperance union in 1939’s Western movie, Dodge City with Errol Flynn. Though the band’s members have come and gone over the years, with guitar icons joining in, like Vince Gill, Gary Burr and Curtis Wright, they’re still around and proudly celebrating their 50^th anniversary. ♪ … I can never see what’s right | or what is wrong … ♪  

♪ April ’75 ~ Quirky Song Title ♪   
A couple of tunes on this month’s music chart from 50 Years Ago, caught my eye for this category. I thought you’d be learning more about “Remember What I Told You to Forget” by Tavares, just hitting the survey at WCFL’s #40. It reminds me of a question I might ask a close friend … however, it didn’t have a verifiable back-story. But that’s okay. I found the month’s perfect match …  
       Back to our running theme of patriotism, a surprising title was enjoying the top twenty for the month, pleading with the spirit of long-passed US President, Harry S. Truman to return in our hour of need. Yup, “Harry Truman” by Chicago, was a hit with 1975’s radio listeners as they grappled with the aftermath of Richard Nixon’s resignation. We could use his down-to-earth wisdom and trustful demeanor today, too. So tell me, do these lyrics speak to you, too?
       ♪ … America's wondering, "How we got here?" | Harry, all we get is lies | We're getting safer cars | Rocket ships to Mars | From men who'd sell us out | To get themselves a piece of power … ♪ Click the link to hear the campy tune …   

♪ April 2025 Music Events & More ♪    

April 20^th: Now, you know, among some folks of our generation, 4:20 p.m./April 20 is a holiday, right? Then you won’t be surprised to learn that the ever-high Cheech & Chong duo are releasing their authorized documentary today! First, in a limited release, then we can all watch and reminisce in Cheech & Chong's Last Movie's, nationwide release, April 25^th. The poster urges, “Bring a bud.” It should be a hoot! As AMC Theatres says, “The result is an unlikely story of friendship and fame, turmoil and defiance, rebellion and ultimately - redemption.” Ummm, what they can remember of it …

♪♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪   
April 19, 1975 ~ WCFL/Chicago, Illinois … MORE to come, but the survey is posted … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Let’s Celebrate APRIL 1975 and … Rock On!  

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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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