Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ February 1975

When Beauty & Rock are in Eye of the Beholder  

Happy Love Month Rockers! You know, the more I dive into the music, artists, and DJs that brought us the dynamic music of the 1970s, the more I realize I truly had not been paying attention back in the day. When it came to music, if I could dance to it, I loved it. If it had cool lyrics, that was a bonus. But rarely did I question their meanings.

My quest this month for a simple love song to honor February’s status as the “love month,” turned into an “I didn’t know that!” moment. Hint: you’ll love the vintage Song of Note. And so much more, as I give you a loving peek at the past, with much more to come soon … 50 Years Ago this Month …   

º FEBRUARY 1975 Radio News & Muse ♪ 

February 17^th: There wasn’t much music news-of-the-day, but I found an endearing album released on this day that went even further back in time, to the 1950s and ‘60s. John Lennon (1940-1970) released the album, Rock ‘n’ Roll, on this day 1975, giving his personally preferred Oldies tunes another life.
       John enjoyed tweaking and tuning them to his style, and included some well-known tracks, like “Be-Bop-a-Lula” (Gene Vincent, 1956), “Ain’t That a Shame” (Fats Domino, 1955) and “Do You Want to Dance” (Bobby Freeman, 1958).
       But when it came to a love song, I picked up on “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King; this version by John Lennon), a longtime favorite since 1961. Fun radio trivia fact: John hooked into a slew of radio stations simultaneously, to turn them on to his new release.

♪ On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you braving the winter with Rock & Roll in February 1975? Eugene, Oregon, Louisville, Kentucky, San Antonio, Texas, or were you ridin’ high in El Paso? Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to …

Starting with the Pacific Northwest, you might not think Oregon was a hoppin’ place to be 50 Years Ago … but where do you think all the hippies went when their craze faded? Just kidding (sort of). For the most part of the 1970s, KZEL/Eugene, Oregon, operated as a progressive free-form album station and boasted a full schedule of charismatic DJs like Stan “Harry ‘Til 6” Garrett, Gary “The Wasted Potato” Palmatier, and Magic Mike. What’s #1 on their February 15^th chart? David Essex’s self-titled album hit the top with the theme song to his movie, Stardust, which likely spawned the biggest same-name hit from the album, for the handsome UK artist.

Moving down and over to WAKY/Louisville, Kentucky, “The Big 79,” listeners are jammin’ with its Top 40 format and bouncy DJs. Do you recall Dude Walker, Gary Burbank, or our own BFYP, saucy Bill Bailey (born Bill Boahn), better known at WAKY as “The Duke of Louisville”? I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Bill for the BFYP series (available on Amazon), who had this to say about being a Radio DJ and marriage, “My best days on the radio was in the Seventies (WAKY). All of the Seventies—right on up to ’81. I had a good time, ‘cause I always had a good life. I should be ashamed of that, but I’m not. Married three times-did I say three? Make it four! Oh, my last one was unbelievable—I’m trying hard to forget that one.” (1930-2012)
       WAKY was known for being wild an’ crazy—largely due to the country’s top DJs they attracted, astutely recognized by program director, Johnny Randolph. He made the station a force to be reckoned with. And what tune were Bill’s fans pushing to #1 this month? Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop.”

Strolling into San Antonio, Texas, KTSA “550 AM” wowed its fans with Top 40 hits, and I know this, despite a lack of current history about the station, in the 1970s. Apparently Gordon McLendon transformed the sleepy station with hip hits in the ‘60s, but except for music charts, it’s left to our imaginations for a decade, until it switched to adult contemporary in the 1980s. We’re in February 1975 though … so, were you there when the Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water” topped it off at #1? KTSA wasn’t the only radio station in Texas …

Finally, I’ve reached our destination station … boot-scootin’ on over from San Antonio 550 miles west, to El Paso, Texas, we mix it up with border blaster, X-ROC 80! Technically transmitting from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (Mexico), it entertained as a triple-threat, serving Chihuahua, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and El Paso. Much like Wolfman Jack’s XERB south of the California border, the station’s format for years was Spanish-language and religious programs by day, and targeting U.S. Rockin’ listeners by night. But by 1972, it flip-flopped the format and became X-Rock 80, “The Sun City Rocker” (referencing El Paso), or as its 1975 survey says, X-ROC 80.

♪ February ’75 Song of Note ♪
You would think, with February 1975 radio chart lists full of “love titles” … “My Eyes Adored You,” “Best of My Love” and “Lovin’ You,” among others, that it would be easy to find a love song to honor with our February Vintage Song of Note. Ha!

There is so much more coming, Rock & Roll friends, but this will have to do for now. The rest, plus links and images for the above will come very soon. Thank you (as always) for your patience! Please check back for more Rockin’ love floating on the airwaves …

Let’s Celebrate FEBRUARY 1975 with Love … 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”: @BlastFromPastBk 

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Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ MAY 1974

South of the Border & Drummin’ Up Tunes  

Final finally posted: May 31, 2024 ...
The elder rental/renovations issue isn’t going away, it’s just being moved to our sister site, 39AndHoldingClub.com, where there is a new menu listing—Elder Advocacy—and link for my full story (Opaque Elder Abuse), in all its frustrating glory. As the sign says, Final Boxes for #1xxx. This move didn’t kill me, but not for lack of trying! Trust me, this could happen to any of you and/or your loved ones. But here and now, we’re ready to Rock! 

Last month we had Guitar Month, March was Piano Month, so it just seems natural to follow up with Drum Month! Drum solos are decades-old epic features in many outstanding Rock songs … give it some thought—betcha you can name more than a few that you’ve enjoyed over the years! Onward and Rock On with all I managed to piece together for …

MAY 1974 Radio Muse & News ♪ 

DJ Dave Sebastian (Williams) made a career of radio—this month 50 Years Ago at KHJ/Los Angeles—before diving into the natural transition of voice over work. His legacy in that industry began with a back pocket piece of folded notepaper in 1988, and the Voice Over Resource Guide (lovingly known as The VORG), is still alive and well. Its history is HERE, where you’ll find that he and his wife, Terri, sold it to young’uns to keep it relevant, in January 2018.

On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  
Where were you spending the end of Spring and Memorial Day weekend in May 1974? Upstate New York, Monterrey Mexico, or SoCal? Here’s a sample of what and who you were listening to …

Yes, I know WGNA/Albany, New York, is a COUNTRY station. But hey, we all know many country tunes have shared the airwaves with Rock & Roll for decades. So their May 8, 1974 “.45 Caliber Survey” caught my eye. Especially since one of our BFYP DJs spent some time there. You’ll find Warren Garling listed with the news team—no surprise, since he eventually went full-time into radio and TV news. Their #1 tune: Dolly Parton’s classic, “I Will Always Love You.”

And, let the crossovers shine, as the survey shares titles with XEG/Mexico, and KHJ/L.A., like “The Streak,” The Sting’s “The Entertainer,” and “If You Love Me.” 

If you ventured forth South of the Border, surely the familiar gravely voice of Wolfman Jack caught your ear as you rotated the radio dial. XEG/Monterrey, Mexico, featured Wolfman’s faves for the month, in his “Thundering 30” list (05/13/74), along with 7 each, “Striking New Hits!” and “Wolfman’s Extras!”

On your trip back North, a flip of the dial tuned you into venerable 930 KHJ/Los Angeles. Their music chart #464 for 05/21/74 featured the coolest image of DJ Dave Sebastian sprawled across his car with the “I’m a DJ” license plate! Gotta love it. Their chart also held an interesting list of Top 30 that includes a remarkable three tunes from cinema and TV theme songs: The Sting; The Exorcist and Soul Train. We loved our movies and their theme songs.

Monthly Song of Note ♪    

May’s Song of Note is a tantalizing tune for the Gen Xers who were conceived as Maria Muldaur softly coaxed their parents into a little hanky-panky, with “Midnight at the Oasis.” Released February 1974, it took a couple months to make its way up to the Top Ten’s middle rung in the City of Angels (wow—is that a misnomer these days!), on KHJ’s “93 ‘Thirty’” chart for May 21, 1974. 

According to Wiki: “AllMusic reviewer Matthew Greenwald describes the song as ‘so sensual and evocative that it was probably one of the most replayed records of the era and may be responsible for the most pregnancies from a record during the mid-'70s’.” Oooooooh, so gather your memories, Boomers, and ♪ … Let's slip off to a sand dune, real soon | And kick up a little dust … ♪  

May 1974’s Quirky Band Name ♪
Choosing May’s premier Quirky Band Name was incredibly tough, especially when I was in a super-hurry to post. Yep, if there is more than one on the Featured Radio Survey, we’re gonna have a run-off. It’s easy if there aren’t many innovative band names on the survey. Or, if a band with the oddest / goofiest / or most unique name also gives us a one-hit wonder. But all three below had outstanding hits we all (from the era) still remember. Only one, though, can take our top honor. And the nominees are …

Starting in the KHJ/L.A. chart’s Top Ten, at #9 is Main Ingredient with  “Just Don’t Want to be Lonely.” The Poets was their first iteration in 1964—actually, I kinda like that one best—then decided to be the Insiders for a few years. Why “The Main Ingredient” in 1968?  We all know it as a phrase once printed on Coca-Cola bottles. One of the trio’s founding members passed suddenly in 1971 from leukemia. Rather than fold, a backup vocalist, Cuba Gooding, Sr., stepped in and by 1974, The Main Ingredient had a couple great hits on their hands. ♪ … When you're gone (When you're gone) | I just don't wanna be lonely | I'd rather be loved … ♪  

Let’s move next to #23 on the chart, and Redbone’s “Come and get Your Love.”  If you’re not familiar with the band, watching YouTube’s song intro will give you a huge hint as to who they were and what was important to them, before they flow into the popular song’s melody. (Also a great example of Drum Month!) Reportedly a Cajun term for a mixed-race person, the band’s name bespoke the founding brothers’ proud heritage of Mexican American and Native American. Formerly the Vegas Brothers (Pat and Lolly), they added a couple members and became first, Crazy Cajun Cakewalk Band (that’s a mouthful!), and morphed into the Avantis, before settling on Redbone. ♪ … Hell, with it, baby, 'cause you're fine and you're mine | And you look so divine … ♪  

Then there are the bands with a name ya just gotta love. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils pretty much says it all in “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” … you got to raise a little hell. Amen! The tune just got started at #30 on the KHJ chart, but up against some heavy-hitters this month that dominated the airwaves, it was destined to ride the tide to ever to slowly to #17 by early July. Originally “Cosmic Corn Cob & His Amazing Ozark Mountain Daredevils," after eschewing their maiden name of “Family Tree,” and flirting with “Buffalo Chips,” the band wisely shortened it to Ozark Mountain Daredevils. They’ve been happily active over the decades and currently heading into a farewell tour late this summer (August events posted!) ♪ … I never read it in a book | I never saw it on a show | But I heard it in the alley | On a weird radio … ♪  

So … have you guessed yet, which band takes the May Quirky Band Name ♪ honor? Though it was a toss-up with Redbone, I couldn’t help m’self … since learning my Grandpa C was born in the Ozarks back in 1893, I had to go with the Daredevils. Between the Ozarks and an Irish heritage, our family has certainly demonstrated their song’s message and name and just plain fun. Rock On! 

MAY 2024 Music Events & More ♪    

It may be Drum Month in May, but with no supporting link, and since the rest of this blurb is about the eternal (so far) Rolling Stones, we’ll just mention the 2021 death of the Stones’ drummer, Charlie Watts. Certainly his absence is still missed by band members, and they’re down to three current core members (Mick, Keith and Ron), which you’d think might slow their roll a bit. It has not come close to rolling them off the stage … far from it!

Over decades, the Rolling Stones have been a hot new band to rival the Beatles, an iconic, experienced group, a respected concert band, and a vintage Rockin’ anomaly. What’s next? I’d say, a Rock & Roll emeritus band … except they won’t quit! And why should they? With four assisting musicians, they’re still out-playing bands 60 years younger!

The Stones’ latest tour on the release of the new Hackney Diamonds album, is sponsored in part by AARP. Smart sponsorship!

BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪  
MAY 21, 1974 ~ KHJ/Los Angeles chart #464 – How could I choose anything other? It not only rocks with current top tunes, including “The Streak” at #1, on the “93 KHJ ‘Thirty” chart for six straight weeks, but DJ Dave Sebastian (Williams) and his classy “I’m A DJ” car license plate are classic Rock Radio! Check it out … 50 Years Ago this Month … where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Let’s Celebrate MAY 1974 ~ And … 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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Previously posted May 25, 2024 …  

Well, I’m finally picking up the pieces of what’s left of my little life and Rockin’ on. It isn’t easy, but when I whined as a young’un, my mother always replied, “Nobody ever said life was easy.” Usually adding, “So get busy!” 

With that, vintage Rock lovers, I’m back! A lot worse for wear, but still muttering, Never Give Up! Soon as you do, the other guy wins!

If you’ve been here looking for more musical article notes ♪ beyond my rental woes, my apologies. The elder rental issue isn’t going away, it’s just being moved to our sister site, 39AndHoldingClub.com, where there will soon be a menu listing—Opaque Elder Rights—and link for my full story, in all its frustrating glory (look for it sometime in June). Trust me, this could happen to any of you and/or your loved ones. 

Previously posted 05/01/24: A full-fledged scion of Spring, May should bring joy and warm your winter heart with visions of flowers in bloom, listening to the drumbeat of Spring. If only I could enjoy it …

If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you know I’ve struggled immensely to write, while following a mandatory mandate set by apartment building owners to vacate the premises for a ten-day period, floor-by-floor, while they renovate inside and out.

Vacate doesn’t mean just me and a suitcase for a fun staycation returning to a beautiful “new” home. It meant we had to pack, move and allow them to store everything we own. But this is a senior citizen apartment building. From 60 years to 100 … stating they would give us “everything we need” to make it happen. They lied. And they didn’t make us aware of the personal ramifications.

The building owners have stolen time from my life, disrupted my goals, and deteriorated my health. Admittedly, until last year I had never lived in a high-rise apartment and am new to the ins-and-outs of its owner/property management/tenant constructs and skewed legalities. As happens many times in life, I wish I had it to do over again.

I am now going to appeal to you through the social media communities. By common definition, this is a borderline form of #ElderAbuse. If anyone reading this has ever experienced, or known/heard of this type of mass move-out of senior citizens from their homes for “renovations,” please contact me via X/Twitter: @Irishwriter or @39HoldingClub, either by DM or publicly. eMail is also available at Info @ LRochelle.com. (without spaces)

So, enough about me! Of course, I wanted to post a fun BFYP article for you today. Unfortunately, it’s going to be piecemeal again, and over a period of time. Please return for the beginning, hopefully tomorrow (Thursday 05/02/24) and periodically, for updates. In the meantime, remember, “Rock & Roll will never dieeeeee …” Coming soon …