Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ NOVEMBER 1974

 Oldies Rock Radio Brings You Home Again 

November begins the season of nostalgia, thankfulness and sharing. Whether you live with memories or simply seeking wistful magic of the season, there is no doubt you’ll be treated to a Thanksgiving table full of long-ago lyrics and tunes.

Let me get you started on a musical feast from 50 Years Ago this Month …

NOVEMBER 1974 Radio News & Muse ♪ 

While most of us were prepping for family and feasting, some Rockin’ artists were making news rather than roasting a turkey …

November 2^nd:  Who was there? George Harrison struck out on his own in the first North American concert tour by a Beatles member since their final August 29, 1966, event in San Francisco. The Vancouver show held on this date in 1974 included his new best friend, Ravi Shankar, but few Beatles songs, except those written by George.

November 21^st:  Soul-master, Wilson Pickett, with buddies, O'Kelly and Rudolph Isley (members of The Isley Brothers), just wanted to have a little hunting fun in the country, today in 1974. While visiting the tiny town of Andes, New York, at the western edge of the Catskill Mountains, Pickett was arrested when the local law heard he’d (allegedly) fired a bullet that went right through the artists’ hotel room door. Rumor has it, a tad too much alcohol and hot-blues tempers were involved. Luckily, he was too inebriated to hit anyone.

November 28^th: It was generally no big deal when one popular artist joined another on stage at a boisterous ‘70s concert. Though the former Beatles’ Harrison, had just begun his solo tours, this night turned out to be John Lennon’s final concert appearance, as he joined buddy, Elton John, in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Happy fans were treated to Lennon’s wildly popular, "Whatever Gets You Through the Night," a soulful, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," and the prophetic, "I Saw Her Standing There." ♪ … Picture yourself in a boat on a river | With tangerine trees and marmalade skies … ♪   

On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you bein’ thankful November 1974? I found Two dynamic, November Rock Radio surveys in the BFYP Collection to remind us of the 1970s’ wild-and-crazy California lifestyle. OK, fine, it’s still wild-and-crazy, but for all the wrong reasons. Back then, even when life was tough, there was always a bouncy song of hope, and life’s distress could be softened, with a soulful tune ♪ … Don't let life get me down | Gonna take it the way that I found it | I got the music in me … ♪    

So what was happening behind the mic and foremost in the music scene? Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to …

Part of the crazy California reputation likely stemmed from one unique DJ who set the bar for the next couple of generations in radio and television broadcasting. Using radio show syndication before it was a thing, Wolfman Jack reached more listeners with his offbeat, salacious personality than anyone on the airwaves.

This month, his gravelly voice gave KAFY “The Big 55” in Bakersfield, California, something to talk about and swing with, when the November 28, 1974, survey advertised his live show with local DJ, Mark Daniels. Were you listening?

Moving on down the road to SoCal though, it’s the KOLA 99 November 9, 1974, chart in San Bernardino, California, that really caught my eye for collectability. Though now known as KOLA 99.9 FM, back in the day, history suggests “The POP SOUND of So. California” had a lack of consistent format or even on-air personalities.

Their “Now Sounds Plus Oldies” Top 40 survey also proclaims “Solid Music Uninterrupted.” Locals could/can attest to its reach, boasting a transmission tower height (1,663 ft) reportedly rivaling the Empire State Building (1,454 ft). In a comment on RadioDiscussions.com, “In the 70’s and early 80’s KOLA was ‘Jack’* before anyone even thought of the concept. A ‘single voice’ all day long, they played what they wanted and never took requests!” (*Jack-formatted station.) Since then KOLA streamed through the years, adapting to “Oldies” as the decades changed the term, and currently hosts a full roster of on-air personalities. Rock On!

November Song of Note ♪  
Known for his heartfelt, homespun, acoustic guitar tunes, John Denver gives us the perfect title tune to take us through family-oriented November and Thanksgiving. BFYP’s monthly Song of Note was #2 on KOLA/Bakersfield, California’s chart, to bring us “Back Home Again.”

Denver, a New Year’s Eve baby in 1943, began as Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., in Roswell, New Mexico. His early life in small towns like Roswell and Tucson, Arizona, explains a lot about his fondness for nature and contempt for cities. Through a tumultuous life and tragic death in a solo plane flight accident (1997), his legacy of music and love of nature endures.

Whether it’s real life, fantasy, or in spirit with family, friends, or fond memories, enjoy your Holiday “Back Home Again” ♪ … Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend | Yes 'n' hey, it's good to be back home again … ♪   

November’s Quirky Band Names ♪ 

It’s an age-old conundrum. Sometimes it takes a while to create just the right name for a new baby, a book title, a website domain, or … a band. Such was the case for our November Quirky Band Name Award honoree!

B.T. Express hailed from Brooklyn, New York, and the funk/disco sound they wanted to present to the world was the easy part. The mix of artists and soulful I.D. took a little longer. Reports tell us the inkling of something new splintered from early 1970’s King Davis House Rockers, which soon turned into the Madison Street Express. Still seeking just the right identity, they tried on Brothers Trucking, before finally settling on B.T. Express.

Their first hit, "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)," confidently climbed the charts to #5, boosted by listeners at KOLA/San Bernardino, California. ♪ … Ooh, go on and do it, do it | Do it 'til you're satisfied | (Whatever it is) … ♪    

NOVEMBER 2024 Music Events & More ♪     

Humble November gives gratitude a home … just like Rock & Roll did for vinyl records about 70 years ago. While the king of music media for many years, there were a few decades when CDs threatened to squash vinyl records forever. Then it was discovered, vinyl still rules quality of sound.

Back in 2007 United Record Pressing, LLC, was floundering and its future vague. The historical vinylrecord manufacturing plant had its ups and downs from the beginning of vinyl records, then hit the CD brick wall. Along came Mark Michaels, looking for a small company to settle into. In the beginning, now CEO & Chairman, he didn’t know what an important, endearing, and fun venture he’d stumbled into. But to quote Mr. Michaels’ fave lyric: “Without love in the dream it will never come true.” (Help On The Way, Grateful Dead).

If you haven’t seen it yet, a recent Associated Press article tells us the United Record Pressing story, and touted vinyl records’ endurance and new growth … “In 2023, U.S. revenues from vinyl records grew 10% to $1.4 billion, the 17th-straight year of growth, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Records accounted for 71% of revenues from non-digital music formats, and for the second time since 1987, vinyl outpaced CDs in total sold.” (October 29, 2024, Vinyl thrives at United Record Pressing as the nation’s oldest record maker plays a familiar tune.) Thank you. Now celebrate …

Wednesday ~ November 27^th: Put on your dancin’ shoes, it’s National Jukebox Day! We don’t know who established this day, but I love it! And if you click the link, you’ll find out who I think should become its sponsor, as he truly loves and restores vintage Jukeboxes. (And no, I don’t know John Papa, and have had no contact nor promotional payment from him.)

Though National Jukebox Day is a timely, nostalgic celebration the day before Thanksgiving, why not just keep the Oldies comin’ through the weekend. There’s bound to be some Rockin’ tune in your musical mix that will resonate with your Holiday spirit and nostalgic mood. Don’t have an Oldies playlist? No worries. AccuRadio is a fave of mine, with all the new and classic songs you love … (No, they don’t pay me to say that either. Sigh.)

Thursday ~ November 28^th: Much to the chagrin of the poor turkey, it’s Thanksgiving Day! Always an excellent Holiday for old tunes and sentimental memories. Oh … and great food! Over the years, I’ve sporadically spent this day alone, away from family. That didn’t stop me from cooking myself a turkey with all the trimmings, while I reminisced over past years of happy gatherings. And music is a big part of the memories. Enjoy.

BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪

NOVEMBER 9, 1974 ~ KOLA/San Bernardino, California. Unique about this survey, is tunes listed from #31 to #40 on their “Top 40” are “Bubbling Under” and on their way up, or never make it to the solid Top 30. And who remembers Dr. Demento?! He was the late-night entertainment in San Bernardino. That’s the ‘70s … “mad music and crazy comedy.” … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Let’s Celebrate a Fun, Grateful Thanksgiving NOVEMBER 1974 … Rock On!  

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 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 ... 

Back to your regularly scheduled article ...

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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