Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ OCTOBER 1974

BFYP Breaking News 10/21/24: It's official - WMGK/Philly ...

revamped its personnel and tragically cut  longtime afternoon DJ, Andre Gardner, from its schedule (his last day was Friday 10/18/24). Do they know what they're doing? Jus' askin'. Andre's presence in radio will surely be missed in Philly--Best wishes to Andre for whatever lies ahead. It's a growing sign that digital radio is taking over. Sad day for terrestrial Rock Radio ... 

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We Can Dig that Werewolf … um … Wolfman!  

Mixing in a little Halloween magic with Rock & Roll is always fun. We’re mingling ROCKtober’s fun Rock Radio History with ghosts, goblins, and werewolves! Well, at least hairy DJs and a wolf-related song.

From the beginning of his DJ career, Wolfman Jack made Halloween his natural fave holiday. Even before he became a broadcast icon, he chased his nephews around the house in a black cape, growling like a scary wolf while they ran giggling down the hall. To him, his Radio listeners were just big kids, chuckling at his on-air gravelly voiced antics, sparking jealousy from werewolves everywhere. So in ROCKtober, though we mentioned it last month, we “Clap for the Wolfman” in our monthly Song of Note!

Another bearded DJ phenom who deserves a mention, is San Diego’s beloved Shotgun Tom Kelly—a TV and radio personality, the pioneering DJ entertained listeners at KCBQ, KGB, B-100, & K-EARTH 101/L.A. just to name a few. In his ranger hat for more than 40 years, Shotgun flaunted a beard that often rivaled that of Wolfman Jack. Today, it’s trimmer and more sculpted, as he excels in the role of DJ extraordinaire-emeritus, complete with his own nostalgic book of fun memories and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
       “It was April 30, 2013. I’d been preparing for this moment for years, since I was 10, although back then I could never have imagined it. This was the morning I was going to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!”*  Are you a nostalgic Rock Radio buff? Ya gotta READ *“All I Wanna Do Is Play the Hits!”

Shotgun’s story in BFYP Book 2: The Swinging Sixties, is a snippet of his sparkle that reminds us of the fun and quirky experiences Rock Radio life was in the early days. Meeting up with him at his book signing, we laughed all over again at his amazing adventures. (Photo: author Judy Pendell, Shotgun Tom Kelly, LinDee Rochelle [that be me!], and author/journalist, Joe Naiman, in famed Corvette Diner, September 2024. Of course, we all had to wear a hat of some kind!)

So, with visions of werewolves and Halloween fun dancing in your heads, let’s get on with it. Spooky songs and haunting memories await … 50 Years Ago this Month … 

ROCK-TOBER 1974 Radio News & Muse ♪ 

Although there’s nothing spooky about Country Music Month, many Country tunes have their haunting lyrics. ♪ … Does your conscience bother you? | Tell the truth …  ♪ Asking questions of life and missing home from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” at top of charts. But we’re a li’l bit o’ Country and a whole lotta Rock & Roll!

October 25^th: The official release date of Wings’ "Junior's Farm" was November 1, 1974, but it escaped a little early in a few areas, on this date. Set in a farmland area where Paul McCartney and family stayed during the Beatles’ contentious break-up, it may be set in the Country, but it’s all Rock & Roll. ♪ … Well let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go | Down to Junior's Farm where I want to lay low … ♪  

On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you bein’ witchy in October 1974? San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago? Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to …

Were you trick-or-treating in San Francisco Bay Area listening to Chuck Buell on your afternoon drive with KFRC? Or were you meeting a ghoul in Dallas and listening to KAFM-92.5’s Metroplex Singles?

Though you may have been in the Halloween mood in Chicago, you didn’t opt to vote up the charts any Country crossovers other than the marginal “Sweet Home Alabama,” or get in the haunting mood with spooky songs (except for Wolfman’s). WCFL’s “Super CFL Survey” for October 5, 1974, is just an awesome Top 40 list of now-iconic tunes. You might recall, however, your amusing mornings with the DJs in their “Dick and Doug Show.” ‘Climb On Board”! Or, getting a jump on Valentine’s Day with the tune that tops the survey list, “I Honestly Love You” by Olivia Newton-John  ♪ … Maybe I hang around here | a little more than I should … ♪    

OCTOBER Song of Note ♪

Well, I strayed out of the Top Ten again this month, but please, how could I not choose a Halloween sorta/kinda-related monthly Song of Note?! 
       Last month I mentioned the Guess Who’s "Clap for the Wolfman," the idolizing tribute to Wolfman Jack, but it didn’t get top honors here. Since it’s still climbing at #25 on WCFL/Chicago’s October 5, 1974, “CFL Survey,” I just had to do it.
       Wolfman Jack was obviously honored by the homage paid him by songwriters, Burton Cummings, Bill Wallace and Kurt Winter. He had no problem adding to segments of the song with his distinctive voice, and their release timing made it a Halloween favorite.
       Off the spooky topic for a moment, Boomers, tell me now, how often did you sing along with Steve Miller in “The Joker,” (1973) ♪ … Some people call me Maurice | Cause I speak of the pompitous of love … ♪  Or do you imitate Wolfman Jack while listening to “Clap for the Wolfman,” when he brags  ♪ … Everybody's talkin’ about the Wolfman's pompitous of love … ♪      
       Do you know pompitous is not even a word? Yet there we were, singling along like we were so cool … just like the Wolfman.
       Of course, if you know Rock Radio History, you’re aware that DJs often helped tunes trek to the top and in the process, band members were known to become life-long friends with the DJs. Guess Who and the Wolfman shared a kinship from the beginning. Not to be confused with DJs who favored music in pay-for-play schemes that got them into trouble. Think that payola no longer exists? Think again … just last week (October 3, 2024) …
       Up to #14 in Chicago by Halloween, “Clap for the Wolfman” had jacked up to #5 at KYNO/Fresno, California, more than thirty days before. Following its peak at #11 first week of November, it slid down the list as the weather cooled.

Quirky Band Names ♪
Now, many music artists using "real names" for stardom derive a singing persona from their birth name. However, Sami Jo Cole is in no way discernible from “Jane Annette Jobe” (except for the JO), giving her our Quirky Band Name Award. But I like Sami Jo—it’s short, sweet and easy to remember.
       You might recall her first hit, “Tell Me a Lie” (February ‘74). After her second hit, which landed on this month’s chart at #28, “It Could Have Been Me,” her career rather faded away and by the end of the ‘80s, she reverted to civilian life. Perhaps she took the song’s lyrics to heart  ♪ … It could have been me | Wearing that dress of white | It could have been me | Holding you close tonight … ♪     

OCTOBER 2024 Music Events & More ♪

I’ll bet ya don’t remember that Country Music Month came from the inspiration of … drumroll* please … ultimately scandalized, President Richard M. Nixon. (Well, unless you saw it here last year!)
       Yup. He did do something good while in office. Perhaps his final pleasant experience as the nation’s leader before leaving the Whitehouse in disgrace, was to become the first president to visit the Grand Ole Opry. 
       Of course, we celebrate it because we wouldn't be Rock & Roll without Country ... and R&B, and Gospel, and Bluegrass, and boogie-woogie, and anything else they could throw in the '50s musical pot. Hail, Hail, Country-Rock!

Thursday ~ October 10^th: *And while we’re drumming up accolades, today, make time to hug your favorite drummer! Seriously. It’s Hug a Drummer Day! Though woefully out of date, the sponsor site still offers plenty of drumming info and proudly states, “At the World Drumming Network we believe the oldest, simplest instrument in the world is still the most magical. Like 8000 years of generations before.”  

Thursday ~ October 31^st: Boo! It’s Halloween! Where will you be Rockin’ on Halloween? From Tarrytown, New York’s Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to San Diego’s Hardrock Hotel, Halloween Rocks musical ghosts and goblins across the nation! Want to trick-or-treat in your neighborhood? Halloween Festivals across the country are waiting to lift the veil on your spooky fun.

BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪ 
October 5, 1974 ~ is a little early in the month to hone in on Halloween for WCFL/Chicago, but they did focus on their popular DJ duo with the “Dick and Doug Show.” The star of this survey, though, is a McDonald’s ad for their new breakfast menu with the Egg McMuffin. By 1974 the recent advent of the now-breakfast staple by franchisee, Herb Peterson in Santa Barbara, California, still had not yet become a national offering. That happened in 1975. Talk about the “good ol’ days”—the McMuffin only cost 63¢ … mmmmm, “Can’t Get Enough” … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Let’s Celebrate a Fun, Spooky Halloween & ROCK-TOBER 1974 … Rock On!  

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”/Twitter: @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! 

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Rock Radio ROCK-TOBER 1971 Little Country Rock & Roll

Little Bit Country, Little Bit Rock for ROCK-TOBER! 

This month we sway a little bit country and swing a little bit Rock & Roll with a howl from Wolfman Jack for ROCK-tober! Aooowwww …

As John and Yoko do some wishful thinking in the studio, Pink Floyd gathered parts and pieces of their experimental recordings for a (sort of) cohesive final release. It’s a hint of what’s to come a couple years later in their epic Dark Side of the Moon … 50 Years Ago this Month …

♪ Rockin’ News & Views ~ Then OCTOBER 1971 …

October 5^th: Yet another band made history at the venerable Hollywood Whisky a Go Go, when Black Sabbath began their set in all-white tuxedos. Although they didn’t get much credit from R&R’s critics of the 1970s, they were still taking the stage in enigmatic fashion with their self-titled album, released in February the previous year. Who needs critics when the fans love their great black-and-white contrast statement. Along with the self-titled name, the album gave us more spooky songs like “The Wizard” and “Evil Woman” (a Crow cover song). ♪ I see the look of evil in your eyes …  ♪

Album photo by Iain Macmillan

October 28th: And so Happy Xmas (war is over) ♪ ... not quite. It was nose-to-the-studio-grindstone for John Lennon and Yoko Ono to record a now-iconic wistful, Holiday tune. Released in December, "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" featured the Harlem Community Choir. Many big name artists have since recorded their own versions. “Happy Xmas” served a two-fold purpose, as a Christmas song and a Vietnam War protest tune. It won on both counts. ♪ A very Merry Xmas | And a happy New Year | Let’s hope it’s a good one | Without any fear …  ♪ 

October 31^st: Having finally finished a “new” studio album in August, Pink Floyd released Meddle on this date in 1971. Its prominent song, “Echoes” is a hearty 23-1/2 minutes long and takes you tripping into another dimension, without any illegal inducements. ♪ The echo of a distant tide | Comes willowing across the sand …  ♪

>Now OCTOBER 2021 …  

Though we’re all about Rock & Roll here, the genre didn’t come of age all by itself. Last month, it had help from Classical Music. This month, we celebrate Rock’s roots for Country Music Month. Yeehaw!

That of course, makes our Monthly Song of Note, especially notable … its bouncy banjo on “Sweet City Woman” came in at #18 on our Featured Radio Survey (below). Considered The Stampeders’ signature song and labeled Country/Rock, it had dropped a rung on the music ladder. But it served the Canadian bred band (regarded a “Rock” band) well, as it climbed all the way up to #8 before sliding back down the chart. ♪ I can almost touch you | Sweet, sweet city woman … ♪

Country music … well, all music, really … is known for venting feelings about love, war, politics, or your old truck. That’s because we enjoy our First Amendment rights and this month, we celebrate Freedom of Speech Week (October 18-24^th). And like Rock, it’s intricately entwined with the twang of Country Music. ♪ Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again …  ♪ (“Peace Train” by Cat Stevens, #26 on the Featured Radio Survey.)

Annnnnd … it’s Halloween month! This is one holiday of the year that has something for everyone—spooks and goblins for fun, scary costume parties or grand galas leading into the Christmas Holidays, and a myriad of traditional religious and other sacred rites. What’s not to love?
       While you’re in the party mood, join BFYP’s ROCK-tober nod to our favorite consummate DJ and most lovable spooky character, Wolfman Jack! Aooooowwww!

♪ 50 Years Ago on Your Tinny Transistor Radio   
OCTOBER 1971 ~ With sometimes sketchy documentation, it’s often difficult to track a DJ’s historically nomad life as they crisscross the country for jobs. That’s where radio music surveys and charts can pick up the trail.
       We know this week’s pictured survey establishes DJ Joe Conrad at KFRC 50 Years Ago. Working days, he trucked down the record road in the plush 9 to noon gig. The BFYP Collection also finds him risen in rank from the year before, in long-haired hippy style for the yawn-worthy midnight hour (11/16/70). So, we know Joe was there at least a year …
       It was a truckin’ month for KFRC. The following week (10/11/71), DJ Jim Carson sat behind the wheel driving you to work from 6 to 9.

♪ BFYP Featured Radio Survey  

OCTOBER 4, 1971 ~ KFRC/San Francisco. Not only does DJ Joe Conrad mean business on the cover, when he tells listeners to “keep on truckin’,” but there’s a treasured pic of a pre-teen John Lennon inside, pulling the ears of a pig! Making it more humorous, Rod Stewart’s album title is a fitting comment at #1 in the top five: Every Picture Tells a Story … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played …  

Let’s Celebrate OCTOBER 1971 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. 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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